Proverbs 14:34. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Oh my fellow believers in Christ, may grace and peace from our heavenly Father flood our souls this bright and bountiful Sunday morning! And may He also guide and comfort us in all our doings this day. And for those of us who celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday, one of the best ways to get all that wholesome, comforting stuff from the Father is by going to church and fellowshipping with other believers; offering Him much thanks, praise and reverence. Remember there’s always strength in numbers, so the more people that get together to sincerely worship, the louder, and hopefully more receptive will be those activities in heaven. And speaking of acceptance in heaven, let’s hear what our Bit says about that. ‘Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach (shame and disgrace) to any people.’ And isn’t that the awesome truth my Friends! Sin, whether it is from an individual or a nation is unacceptable in the sight of our heavenly Father. However, true righteousness is always welcome in heaven. So Friends, shall we see how the nations of our world stack up against our Bit? I don’t have to tell you that we stack up very poorly. Because our societies are so sinful, evil and ungodly, we are a shame and disgrace to the Lord! His anger is bubbling and calamity is coming our way much more frequently than before. Remember when God was truly an integral part of our society? I guess only the old fogeys can remember that. But back then our nations were exalted. They were prosperous and had peace for lengthy periods of time. And my brethren, that wasn’t so long ago – a half century or so. Back then we were lenders and not borrowers; quite obviously the head and not the tail; sure conquerors too. We were also fairly righteous and succeeding as the psalmist so wisely and truthfully declares: ‘The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon (tall and proud).Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat (plump) and flourishing (green). To show that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.’ (Ps.92:12-15) Yuh see Friends, even the old and righteous shall bear fruit in their latter years, because our God is just and faithful, and will not forsake the righteous. And that’s how we were growing my people, because as Psalm 33 proudly proclaims: ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.’ (Ps.33:12) Yes Friends, at one time the nations of the Western Hemisphere were blessed because the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was truly our God, and we were guided by the dictates of His Holy Word. But then, the same prosperity we received because of our righteousness, turned our heads and hearts away from the ONE TRUE GOD. Our worship and reverence towards Almighty God began to drop off, and we started worshipping the things we made with our own hands, blatantly flouting the Lord’s decrees, which led to officially removing Him from most public places. Then, in accordance with His Word, that peace and prosperity we had enjoyed, slowly began melting away, until we are no longer lenders, but have become the biggest borrowers; we’re slowly moving away from the head towards the tail; we’re no longer conquering heroes, but subservient in many respects, and held up to cheap ridicule in many places. Oh, how have the mighty fallen! But we have no one to blame but ourselves because we clearly had the Israelites as an example, who on several occasions, once they became prosperous, forgot about the God who enabled them to become prosperous and have peace, foolishly believing that it was the work of their own hands and minds. Several times they paid a steep price through invasion, bondage and wandering in the wilderness for forty years. But still they never learned, so stubborn and rebellious was their spirit. And our modern society is following pall mall in their foolish footsteps, without a thought for how it will all end. As Cousin Sol says earlier in Proverbs 11: ‘By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.’ (Prov.11:11) And believe me my brethren, there are many more wicked than upright in our society these days! Jeremiah says it in spades: ‘Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.’ (Jer.2:11-13) Yes Friends, we have exchanged the ONE TRUE GOD for man made idols, which in the long wrong profits us nothing but destruction, and have replaced the fresh, pure living waters of God, for the polluted, contaminated man made vessels that are broken and thus can’t hold water. How wise have we been eh? Oh my people, listen to these words of everlasting truth from Psalm 146, the blessedness of trusting God: ‘Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man (human beings), in whom there is no help (salvation). His breath goeth forth (his spirit departs), he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven, and earth, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever.’ (Ps.146:3-6) And if we do that consistently my people, then one day we’ll be able to sing these words from this hymn of praise in Isaiah. ‘In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth shall enter.’ (Is.26:1-2) That’s how it will be in the New Jerusalem, with only spiritual and no physical boundaries. So Friends, let’s make a conscious, serious decision TODAY to turn our society around nuh. If we want our descendants to prosper and have peace, we have to do it NOW, not tomorrow or next week. The wicked is doing his thing, so should we believers with urgency and determination. And we’ll end with some choice words from Bruh Paul to the Philippians, as how we can bring this LOVE Revolution about in our time: ‘Do all things without murmurings (grumbling) and disputings. That ye may be blameless and harmless (innocent), the sons (children) of God, without rebuke (fault), in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (generation), among whom ye shine as lights in the world.’ (Phil.2:14-15) That’s how we’ll get back in God’s good graces my brethren! Much LOVE!…let your light so shine before men…that they may see your good works…and glorify your Father which is in heaven… (Matt.5:16)
Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 September 2012 Proverbs 14:34
16 Sep 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: blessed, broken vessels, comfort, disgrace, exalt, fellowship, flourish, light of the world, living waters, reproach, reverence, righteousness., shame, sin, wicked, worship
Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 August 2012 Galatians 5:1
31 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: Christian fellowship, faith walk, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, God's glorious kingdom, God's Spirit, Jesus Christ, Labour Day, Lord and Saviour, man's law, mother's passing, relaxation, rest, T&T 50th anniversary
Galatians 5:1. Stand fast therefore in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Oh Friends, sorry the Bit’s a bit late, but I had a late night last night, which made it all the more difficult to get up this morning. In any case it’s Friday… And a glorious chorus of ‘Hallelujahs’ burst forth from God’s people and rise to heaven! Yes, we know the weekend is here! And this a special Friday my people. First off, because it’s the 50th anniversary of the Independence of that wonderful Republic of Trinidad and Tobago! Yes Friends, T & T has now gone through a half century of self-rule! Wow! I remember the early heady days when Independence was on the tip of everybody’s tongues, was all that mattered. Never thought I’d live to see 50 years of it. Today is also the 1st anniversary of my Mother Molly moving on to be with the Lord in the green pastures in the sky. I also remember hearing of her passing while on vacation in California. But as the Lord promised, He helped me to get through it without too much emotional upheaval. Now I was grieved and all that, but early in the proceedings my spirit took on a sort of calm that I didn’t understand at the time, and I was comforted by the realization that she had gone to a better place, where she was free of all pain and tears. I still talk to her every day though, especially when I’m reading the prayers I read for her over the phone. In hindsight, I now realize that that was one of God’s mysterious movements, preparing me for writing the Bit. You can’t write about what you haven’t read. This Friday is also the beginning of the Labour Day weekend, the last real weekend of the summer. I miss the good times I once had on the Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York, every Labour Day. But I also remember the last time I was there, about five years ago, when my Aunty Anne and I had to walk miles to the parade route, after luckily finding a parking spot in the afternoon way off the beaten path. We also had to walk it back later that night after all the festivities, when we were both dead tired and the night had gotten somewhat chilly. I don’t know what it is about Labour Day and the weather, but as soon as it’s over, a noticeable chill develops. Anyway, to get us off to a good start on this special weekend, let’s chant out Friday Chant, in loud, sweet voice, give the angels a run for their money. Hn, hn! I LOVE it when we do that. (smile) All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ And having put the right perspective on the weekend… oh don’t forget too, that drunk or sober, to mind your business this long weekend, so Beelzebub doesn’t get a chance to infiltrate our defences. Now, belatedly, let’s see what our Bit has to offer. ‘Stand fast therefore in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.’ Yesterday we saw that basically it meant that using the law of man to get into God’s good grace was impossible, because the two operate in opposite realms. The law of man is fleshly, demon inspired, while that of God is spiritual and depends solely on the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, with the resultant indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And we need to stay strongly attached to the Holy Spirit so that we walk in faith and derive the numerous blessings involved in following Christ. Hear how Bruh Paul tells it to the Philippians: ‘Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and my crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.’ (Phil.4:1-3) Yes my people, it’s all about standing strong in Christ in fellowship with each other. We won’t always agree, but there shouldn’t be anything that causes us to disagree so strenuously that it negatively affects Christ’s church. But sadly, a lot of it is happening in the local, as well as national and international church. Oh Friends, there’s more to be said on this sad topic of wrangling amongst Christ’s followers, but we’ll leave that for tomorrow, God willing. I don’t want to burden our short attention spans with too much stuff this long weekend. So till tomorrow, provided we don’t see our names in the obits, pleas walk safely with God and in harmony with each other. That’s my prayer for us today. In Jesus Name. Amen! Much LOVE my people!….to truly walk with Christ…we must also walk as one body…one church… P.S. The Bit’s not as late as I thought it would be. (smile) All praise to God whose miraculous hand was certainly involved. Much LOVE!
Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 August 2012 Galatians 5:1
30 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: blasphemy, calamity, circumcision, controversial, disasters, fellowship, freedom, God's Word, imprisonment, Jesus, knees bow, persecution, revenge, salvation, slaves
Galatians 5:1. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Oh Friends, our world’s a mess; man-made disasters as well as God sent calamity. You name it, and we’re suffering it. And on a more personal level, millions of Christians are still suffering persecution in numerous places, simply because they believe in Christ, talk about Him and try to live by His Word and His will. One extreme example of that is the Christian teenaged girl recently imprisoned in Pakistan for supposedly burning some pages of a holy book. Now you cannot get a straight story about her age, what she actually burnt, or how it all came about, cause all they have left is ashes, but the Muslim people are all up in arms calling for her death, due to some vague and unenlightened blasphemy law that’s only being used and abused to satisfy personal agendas, and vendettas, especially against Christians. Hundreds of believers had to flee their homes as the Muslim mobs cried out for vengeance. And there’s no justice to be had for God’s people! Ah Friends, it’s not fair, but unfortunately it’s part of being a believer in some places. But remember though, that the name of Jesus is the most powerful and controversial name on all the earth. It’s the name to which all knees shall eventually bow and all voices make confession to. So there will always be those who want to engage in some kind of controversy over it. However, here is the true insight on the matter: ‘The action of God is flowing through us, through all believers in a pattern of success right now!’ Yes my people, regardless of our troubles, the Lord’s blessing us all today with a strength of purpose that will inevitably bring success. Jesus had it and was able to overcome His problems and so will we. But that success doesn’t just come without any effort on our part. We need to be strong and keep living by faith to see that success. That’s why our Bit encourages, exhorts and admonishes us to: ‘Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.’ Words of impeccable wisdom that all believers ought to live by! Here’s what the scholars have to say about it. ‘The verse can be rendered: “For freedom Christ freed us. Therefore stand fast and do not again be subject to a yoke of bondage.” The “freedom” in view is freedom from the law, here called “a yoke of bondage.” Paul wants the Galatians to “stand fast,” that is retain their spiritual freedom.’ Likewise my brethren, believers in these turbulent times need to stand fast in their faith, retain the spiritual freedom that Christ died to give us, and not to become slaves to the law again. And Bruh Paul uses as an example the Jewish law of circumcision, which at the time was causing much friction between the Jewish and Gentile believers. He says that circumcision will not provide any special benefits, or bring you any closer to Christ, but it will enslave you to the law. It’s an external ritual or symbol, showing that you accept the law, and therefore are dependent on man’s legality to provide salvation, rather than on God’s grace. But by the same token, being uncircumcised doesn’t profit you anything either. ‘For we through the Spirit (eagerly) wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by LOVE.’ (Gal.5:5-6) So whether we’re circumcised or not, we’ll not benefit spiritually from that physical state. Thus, if we try to be justified by the law, we will not have the favour, the grace of God that Jesus died for us to have. But through faith, instilled in and kept working in us by the Holy Spirit, believers can, and do find justification, and hope for the salvation promised by Jesus, in and through His sacrificial death. As the scholars declare: ‘Faith is man’s response to God who LOVES him, and this divine LOVE that produces human faith results in his justification.’ So my brethren, please let us not become too entangled with man’s law, which will only yoke us in slavery once again. Now listen to Bruh Paul’s exhortation to steadfastness to the church at Philippi: ‘Only let your conversation (conduct) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing (no way) terrified by your adversaries: which is to them and evident token (a proof) of perdition (destruction), but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.’ (Phil.1:27-29) And the scholar’s give us a good explanation on the meaning of fellowship to believers. ‘Fellowship, one of the keys to spiritual growth, occurs when Christians share their walk with God in an atmosphere of LOVE and respect. Fellowship occurs when everyone communicates in LOVE with other believers, and the whole assembly becomes strengthened as a result. Sometimes fellowship requires confessing our faults (James 5:16) as we strive to develop a unity of spirit and mind. Those who work to hinder the fellowship of the brethren practice a sin that is hated by God (Prov. 6:19) Illustration: The church at Philippi was particularly noted for its spirit of fellowship, but Paul’s warning to two women in the church reminds how we must constantly work to maintain fellowship (4:1-3). Application: Fellowship is so vital that we cannot live for God by ourselves. As we develop deeper relationships with others, we should remember that we come to resemble those with whom we fellowship. (Matt.18:19). Now, sadly, true fellowship is something that’s missing from Christ’s church today. I’ll rephrase that, because there is some. Let’s say it’s not as strong and united as it ought to be, otherwise there wouldn’t be all the divisions and divisiveness found in Christ’s body. Friends, please realize that only in unity is there strength, and we believers are fighting an uphill battle against the spiritual forces of evil and bondage, so it’s absolutely necessary that we stick together if we want to be successful. And today, let’s pray for all those who are suffering disaster, or being unfairly persecuted. Let’s send up plenty prayers to heaven, for the Lord to assuage some of our problems down here on earth. Much LOVE!…if the Lord hears the prayer of one righteous person…won’t He pay more attention to the prayers of plenty righteous people…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 August 2012 Colossians 3:1
24 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: earthly things, fellowship, free from sin, Friday Morning Chant, fun, habits, heavenly things, heretical phiosophies, legalistic practices, relaxation, rest, risen in Christ, the right hand of God, vices, ways
Colossians 3:1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! And I hear all the tired and weary sighs of ‘Thank God.’ Yes my people, a beautiful weekend is in store for us. But before we get to that, I’m a little worried about all these beautiful sunny summer days we’ve been getting recently, sans rain. I sure hope we’re not going back to the drought situation we had a short while back. My grass though is green and beautiful, as it should be, with the constant watering it’s been getting. Almost every morning at 4.a.m. I hear this swishing noise, and it takes me a few seconds to realize that it’s the grass been watered. It’s out there swishing now. Since we’ve put in this automatic, in-ground watering system, we’ve used approximately a quarter more litres than we’ve ever used. And the Water Bill certainly wasn’t wallet friendly! (smile) But wonder of wonders, I never got angry and made a fuss about it. I just mentioned that it was unacceptable. Wow! I must be getting old, or more mature in the faith! Let’s hope it’s the latter yes. (smile) Anyway let’s hope and pray that we don’t regress to that drought like situation we had earlier, cause it took a serious toll on everything; from grass to flowers to fruits to the negative emotions of many. And to help assuage all our doubts and fears this Friday morning, let’s chant our Friday Morning Chant with glowing enthusiasm and sincerity. As one voice now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ And now that we’ve set the right pattern for the weekend, let’s turn to our Bit: ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.’ My Friends, that’s just a simple, logical, though powerful truth. If we have a new life with Christ, then shouldn’t we be concerned with the things of Christ? And if Christ is sitting at the right hand of God in heaven, then that means the things of Christ are in heaven, therefore those are the things we should be mostly concerned with, not the disposable things of the earth. And Bruh Paul clearly states that to them in the next verse. ‘Set your affections (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth.’ (Col.3:2) Now let’s get some deeper insight into our Bit from the scholars. ‘If ye then be risen (or, therefore since you were raised): The word therefore infers a corollary truth from 2:20 (“you died with Christ”) – not only have the Colossian believers been freed from sin, they have also turned to a new life, leaving behind old ways, habits, values, vices, interest and sins. Seek those things which are above: These “things” include deeper knowledge of Christ, closer fellowship with Him, experience of His resurrection power, victory over sin (vv.5-11); the development of godly virtues (vv.12-17); the fulfillment of domestic and social responsibilities (3:18-4:1); an effective prayer life (4:2); fruitfulness in witnessing (4:3-6) – in a word, the attainment of Christian maturity, and all the spiritual benefits God has for His people during their days on earth. To have been raised with Christ and not to seek these blessings would be a contradiction.’ A great contradiction indeed Friends, like the way we still say one thing and do another. Oh my people, I implore us to turn to Colossians, preferably right now, while reading this, so that you can follow along with the scholar’s statements, and thus get a fuller understanding of those things above that we’re supposed to pay close attention to. And I’m chuckling here because I’m going to end with some more info from the scholars, which some of us are definitely not going to like. This time they are detailing some of the things of the earth from verse 2, with which we should not be overly concerned. ‘Set your affection on things above: The Greek word literally says, “Set your mind on things above.” The readers are not to be preoccupied with things on the earth, such as current heretical philosophies (2:8), legalistic practices (2:16, 21-23), and vices (v5); nor are they to dwell on things that are not wrong in themselves (houses, jobs, careers, ambitions, etc.), but can be wrong should they become priorities above Christ.’ That least part is of vital importance my brethren, since many of us place those earthly things before Christ. We turn the acquisition of these material things, like cars, houses, jobs etc. into idols because we make them the be all and end all of our lives. We chase them with such a burning desire and passion, that if we only used a small portion of that drive we have for earthly things, in pursuit of Christ, we’d be so much further ahead. Remember Christ’s admonition on this topic: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33) True Words of Wisdom! Anyway Friends, that’s enough for us to think about today. And please, let’s seriously think on them nuh, and check the verses the scholars quoted against those in your Bible. That’s the only way we’ll ever improve our Biblical knowledge and mature our faith walk. Much LOVE!…wherever your heart and mind are…there shall your treasure be…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 August 2012 Exodus 20:3
10 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: celebrations, destruction, faithfullness, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, guilt, hope, Jesus, LOVE, mind your business, misery, nobody, Olympics, peace, put God first, relaxation, rest, righteousness., somebody, Thank God it's Friday
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday, the day when we all shout ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ because we’re headed for the weekend and a couple days off work. But yuh know the loudest thanks for today being Friday is going to be in J.A, where Usain Bolt won the 200 metres gold medal again! And not only that, Jamaicans also won the silver and bronze medals in that race. So Jamrock must be in a mess of celebrations now. But as I keep saying, please be careful to mind your business whether you’re drunk or sober, because it’s in those times of celebration that we’re most susceptible to the wiles and lies of Lucifer. So party on J.A. but be on your p’s and q’s for the enemy’s looking for any foothold he can get. And before we go further, let me share a quote from a kaiso by Shadow that I heard the other day that shows true wisdom and Christianity. I don’t know the song, but Shadow truthfully sings in it: ‘Everybody is a somebody. Nobody is a nobody.’ And Friends, that’s exactly the way Jesus looks at all of us! Whether we’re rich or poor, educated or not, sick or healthy; to Jesus we’re all somebodies. Please remember that and let’s act like it. And even more importantly, let’s treat others the same way, regardless of whether they’re considered the dregs of society or not, they’ve all been made in God’s great and LOVING image and deserve to be treated as such. Now let’s chant our Friday Chant with great enthusiasm, in loud voice and sincere hearts. All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ And now that we’ve reigned in some of our exuberance (smile) and set the parameters for the weekend, let’s look at our Bit: ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’ And we all know that if we’re to have a successful walk with Jesus that’s the number one rule. But I also hope that through reading it so often these last few days that it has been renewed in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, and we’ve truly realized that our Creator MUST ALWAYS TAKE FIRST PLACE IN OUR LIVES! There are absolutely no ifs and buts about that. And if you want to play the devil’s advocate and ask why, the answer’s very simple: Because we belong to Him. Hn! He created us, controls our lives, LOVES us so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to die for us, and wants us to LOVE Him too. There couldn’t be any better reasons than those my people. And wonder of wonders, as I’m writing this, I’m actually hearing the rain fall outside. It fell for a good part of yesterday, but mostly as a drizzle. Anyway, turning to the scriptures, listen to Bruh Paul’s take on the subject, where he concludes that there is none righteous. And he shows his vast knowledge of the Old Testament by extracting appropriate bits and putting them together as one. ‘As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre (grave); with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.’ (Rom.3:10-18) Now here’s a quick brief from the scholars: ‘Paul quotes scriptures to prove universal guilt. Scripture, not Paul, is the judge. See Psalm 5:9, 10:7, 14:1-3, 140:3; Isaiah 59:7,8).’ That’s the different places the foregoing scripture came from. And Friends, if you think that that was a damning situation in Bruh Paul’s time, believe me, it’s even worse in ours, for God has been legislated out of, relegated to the lowest rungs, and almost totally removed from our society. But fortunately, where there’s a warm body, there’s hope, and we have enough warm bodies rooting for Jesus that we can make a difference. But my people, all I can do is encourage us to follow and obey Almighty God. Each individual still has to make that decision seriously, and then diligently pursue it. And to try and solidify my case, I’ll leave us with the definitive word on the subject by our Lord, Saviour, Master, Leader, Brother and Friend, Jesus. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33) Yes Friends, that’s gospel truth! If we seek God first in all we do, then all the things we need will be granted us. The Lord’s promised that, and we all know He faithfully keeps His promises. So please, lets get our act together and start making things happen nuh. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Much LOVE!…in God’s Book…obedience brings prosperity…disobedience brings destruction…it’s as simple as that…
Todays Scrip-Bit 22 June 2012 Psalm141:3
22 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: fellowship, Friday chant, guard your mouth, human degradation, inhumane suffering, rest and relaxation, silence is golden, TGIF!, the tongue can no man tame
Psalm 141:3. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! The weekend’s here, bringing us a l’il rest from our weekly labour. Praise the Lord! Because if the enemy had his way, we’d all be working seven days a week, from sun-up to sundown, for a mere pittance. Thankfully though, the majority of us have gotten away from that, but there are still some folks – even one is too many – who have it worse than slaves. Please, let’s pray for them; pray that their situation improves, and quickly too, and also let’s do something to help remedy the untenable situation in whatever way we can; with our time, time, talents or financial resources, for the human being was not made in Almighty God’s image to suffer such horrible oppression and degradation. Oh my people, we really don’t know how good we have it nuh. And I’m not talking about some undeveloped, third world country where these atrocities are happening, but right here in our supposed first world societies. Oh Friends, if we only knew some of the brutal, inhumane stuff that goes on, not only on the underside of our society, but also within the hallowed halls of our wealthy and powerful, we’d be totally flabbergasted. So while many of us can gleefully shout ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ a sizeable portion of our society unfortunately can’t declare those glad tidings. So please, let’s remember them when we’re joyous over the two days off that we have, and do whatever we can to alleviate their sad and oh so wrong situation. Now let’s chant our Friday Chant that will give us the right perspective on how to use these valuable weekends. As one voice now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ And having read and digested all that, (smile) it’s time to look at our Bit: ‘Set a watch (guard), O Lord, before my mouth; keep (watch over) the door of my lips.’ Ah Friends, this mouth business is so important in a believer’s life, and sadly too many of us flunk it! And I suppose the first scripture we ought to contend with, is found in the immortal and true words of James, re the dangers of the tongue. He solemnly declares: ‘My brethren, be not many masters (let not many of you be teachers), knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation (stricter judgement). For in many things we offend all (stumble). If any man offend (stumble) not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm (rudder), whithersoever the governor listeth (pilot wants). Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter (forest) a little fire kindleth (sets on fire)! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue (the tongue is so set) among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature (existence); and is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind. But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude (likeness) of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.’ (James 3:1-12) Oh Friends, I didn’t intend to write all of that, but after looking it over, the Spirit nudged me, and I realized that I would be doing us all a serious injustice if I tried to beak it up, because there are few other places in the Good Book where such an important topic is so extensively and well reasoned in such a short space. And I figured that though many of us have heard the particular part about the tongue, some might not have heard it in its proper context. I also highlighted that part because it’s so true and even more meaningful today than it was back in James’ time. What with the explosion of communication technology, talking and now texting have become such huge aspects in our society and are also beginning to cause huge problems. More and more people are getting in trouble for their words everyday! Now this passage was originally written to the early teachers in the church, whose primary tool was their tongue, and the source of their teaching, their wisdom. He’s warning them of the pitfalls of teaching. First, ‘the teacher will receive greater scrutiny from God, because the teacher often passes judgement upon his hearers, and secondly, the primary teaching tool is the tongue, which no one can control sufficiently.’ Now that’s an undeniable truth my Friends! However, as James reasons, we can’t use it to bless God and curse mankind, who’s made in His image. But such is the widespread use today. My people, we have to definitely control our tongues more carefully than we’re currently doing, or else we’ll find ourselves in serious trouble, both with man and God. So from today, let’s take these memorable words of Bruh David to heart and try and make them our individual goal. ‘Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength (my rock), and my redeemer.’ (Ps.19:14) Oh Friends, if we all made that a habit, what a wonderful place our world would be! More on this tomorrow God willing. Till then, let’s go and practice taming our tongues nuh. Good luck with that! (smile) Much LOVE!…this generation needs to learn…that oftimes…silence is truly golden…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 June 2012 Acts 1:5
03 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: Ananias, baptism, fellowship, holy spirit, Lord's Day, mysterious workings of the Lord, new blessings and mercies, praise and thanks, Saul of Tarsus, why persecute you me
Acts 1:5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
And a fine Sunday morning to all you believers in Jesus Christ, wherever you are! I hope you are excitedly looking forward to all the new blessings and mercies the Lord’s planned for us today. And if you celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday, that you intend to go and fellowship, celebrate the Lord’s Day with other believers; offer thanks and praise and receive encouragement that builds our faith. Let’s forget what happened yesterday and start a clean page today, with improvements in as many areas of our lives as possible, thus satisfying the Lord’s desire for us to reflect a little more of Jesus’ character each and every day. And we can’t do that without the power and guidance of His Holy Spirit that so conveniently indwells us, which Jesus so generously promised in our Bit, before His Ascension. ‘For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.’ Now today I want to look at another dramatic instance of the Spirit in operation. However, before doing that, let’s hear from the scholars, re the Personality of the Holy Spirit. ‘The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity – equal with the Father and Son in essence, separate in person, and submissive in duties. Since one major aspect of God’s nature is that He is a person, it follows that the Holy Spirit is a person. The Scriptures clarify this by ascribing the attributes of personality to the Holy Spirit, addressing Him as a person, describing the personal actions of the Holy Spirit, and ascribing masculine pronouns to the Holy Spirit (John 14:17; 16:13) Illustration: Ananias and Sapphira lost their lives in a foolish attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit. This was because He is a divine person who is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. Applications: Because He is God, the Holy Spirit is worthy of receiving believers’ adoration, LOVE, and worship; also the Christian can engage in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. (First Ref. Gen 1:2; Primary Ref. John 14-16) Oh Friends, please read the scriptures the scholars identify, so that you can better understand what they’re talking about. And if you don’t know the story of Ananias and Sapphira; they were a married couple in the early days when the church was becoming communal in all things. They sold their earthly possessions but under reported their gains, and both dropped down dead after lying to the apostles about it. ‘But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?’ (Acts 5:3) Then when Sapphira came up with the same story, he said: ‘How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt (test) the Spirit of the Lord? behold the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.’ (Acts 5:9) So said, so was it done! Please note whom Peter accused them of lying to; the Holy Spirit, because that’s the Person of the Trinity who deals with our everyday, earthly matters. Read the whole story in Acts 5:1-11. Now let’s turn to today’s main protagonist; Saul, -Saul of Tarsus. Remember we first came upon that name when they stoned Stephen to death in Jerusalem; ‘the witnesses laid their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.’ (Acts 7:58) Saul, the great persecutor of the brethren. ‘And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter (murder) against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired (asked) of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this (the)way (believers), whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.’ (Acts 9:1-2) But lo and behold, on his way to Damascus, he was suddenly blinded, both literally and figuratively by a brilliant light from heaven, which caused him to fall to the ground. Then he heard a voice saying to him: ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou Lord? and the Lord said, I am Jesus who thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks (goads, prods). And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.’ (Acts 9:4-6) Ah mih breddren, yuh see how the big, bad, bully boy Saul was easily tamed by Jesus! And not even Jesus in the flesh, but Jesus in the Spirit! That just goes to show how powerful the Spirit is in its own right! So literally blinded by the light, Saul had to be led by his companions to Damascus. ‘And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.’ (Acts 9:9) Then the Lord, in His mighty and mysterious workings called upon a disciple in Damascus named Ananias (a common name among Jews, not to be confused with the Ananias and Sapphira story) and instructed him to go and meet Saul, who was expecting him to come and lay hands on him and restore his sight. But even Ananias queried the Lord because of Saul’s terrible reputation as a persecutor of the church. (Acts 9:10-14) ‘But the Lord said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes (something) as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith (at once), and arose and was baptized.’ (Acts 9:15-18) Oh Friends, what else do we need to convince us of the Holy Spirit’s enormous power eh! If it could bring the mighty Saul to his knees so easily, how can we try to fight against it in our puny, less than stellar lives? So as I’ve been advocating all along, let’s get in touch with and stay intimately connected to the Spirit of Jesus that dwells within us. It’s wisdom to the wise! Much LOVE!…he who has ears to hear…let him hear…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 May 2012 Matthew 7:7
18 May 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: ask, fellowship, fun, greatest news of the day, hope on the horizon, in Jesus' name, knock, living God, relaxation, rest, right perspective, seek, talk to God, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, weekend
Matthew 7:7. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday, that day of joy, where we all shout, ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! That’s because the weekend cometh and our labours shall cease for two paltry days. No more sitting in traffic jams twice a day, for a whole two big days. Wow! And to give us the right perspective on how to use those two extraordinary days, let’s chant our Friday Chant. As one loud voice now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Now let’s do our part in that equation, so that come Monday, we’ll indeed be fresh and eager to again go out and battle in Jesus’ name. But talking about being fresh and eager, since I’ve come back from J.A. I’ve been anything but that. I’ve been weak and listless, all my aches and pains have returned, neither have I been sleeping properly or getting enough sleep. Just been feeling real lousy, with no energy at all, unlike my time in Jamaica, where I was active and energetic. For some reason my ying and yang just can’t seem to get back in sync now that I’m home. However, there is some hope on the horizon. I went out for a walk last evening, and did a little physical stuff around the house, got some sleep and am not feeling as lousy now. But hear the greatest news of the day mih Friends! I have two car keys; one on a ring by itself, that I use most of the time, and another on a bunch with my house keys, that I keep for emergencies. Now since I had no need for the single key in J.A. I left it at home. But yuh think I could find it when I got back? Not on yuh life! From Monday night, right back to Thursday evening, with the help of the Duchess, I looked all over the house for it. Then yesterday, while in the laundry room ironing a shirt and thanking the Lord for making me feel a little better physically and mentally, I also asked for a bligh to find the key, since I could think of nowhere else to look. A few seconds later, I got this zeppo to look in a particular pants pocket in my clothes closet. I chuckled, because that didn’t ring a bell, putting it there didn’t sound familiar at all. Sometime later though, I went up to my clothes closet and checked that particular pants pocket. Hn! Lo and behold Friends, there was the car key in living colour! And it wasn’t like I hadn’t already checked other stuff and places in the clothes closet, with the pants in full sight, but it never even registered on my mental screen. I immediately called out to the Duchess to let her know how good and great is the God we serve! Yes mih people, we serve a real, a living, powerful and LOVING God, who through His Holy Spirit, interacts personally with those who trust and obey Him! Ah mih breddren, everyday the Lord does something amazing in my life. Not big miraculous doings, but small, everyday helpers, like pointing me to where I’d hidden the key. That’s the kind of stuff that I keep telling us to take note of and pay attention to as we walk with God, for it’s those little things that truly build our faith. And if anyone dares to tell us that our God isn’t alive and real, we can easily disprove it through our daily interactions with Him, for He truly is interested in everything, in all aspects of our lives. Oh Friends, who says our God doesn’t move in mysterious ways eh! I’m still chuckling over the incident. I guess I would have eventually found the key, whenever I wore the pants. But the beauty of the whole thing is that I was directed to this particular pants, that I never even considered looking in. That finally brings our Bit into play: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’ And that’s the gospel truth my people! Our Saviour doesn’t lie, has no cause to since He can do all things. The problem lies with us believing and doing what He says; ask, seek, knock: ‘For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?’ (Matt.7:8-11) Oh Friends, the logic is simple but irrefutable! And you have my testimony that it does indeed work, so please let’s get in sync with our great God nuh. We talk plenty talk, but our actions don’t reflect that talk, and we are the ones who therefore suffer because of it. Let’s start talking seriously to our God today please. Not simply asking Him for material things, but also having serious conversations about our very lives with Him. More on this tomorrow, God willing. Till then, let’s truly LOVE our God, with heart, soul, body and mind, so that the fruits from such behaviour will be clearly seen and make an impact on others, hopefully causing them to come to Jesus for His free gift of salvation and eternal life. Much LOVE!…talking to God…is like…no it’s not like…it IS talking to your best Friend…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 May 2012 Psalm 71:22
11 May 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: fellowship, fun, glorious kingdom, gratefulness, memories, never give up, praise and thanks, relaxation, selfless sacrifice
Psalm 71:22. I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday and plenty of you are trilling: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’ But here’s a better mantra, one I overhead yesterday afternoon while waiting in the supermarket parking lot for the Duchess and the Lady of the Manor. I didn’t see the lads involved because they were hidden by a wall behind me, but their voices came through loud and clear, and from the timbre, they had to be between five and ten years old. The loudest one was saying to the other: ‘Mi nyar give up! Mi cyan give up!’ I smiled to myself when I heard that, thinking; ‘Son, you don’t know what words of wisdom you’re speaking nuh!’ Yes my people, never give up should be the motto of Jesus’ followers! How can we be intimately associated with the most powerful Being in the universe, the Creator of all things bright and beautiful and talk about giving up eh? Not at all Friends! The two things just don’t go together, especially after Jesus so selflessly sacrificed His sinless, holy life so that we could be redeemed and reconciled to the Father. Chuh! We can’t even think about giving up, much less talk about it. And to help us stay strong and devoted, let’s chant out Friday Chant. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’Ah Friends, most of you are overjoyed at the two days off coming up, but I’m not so happy though, because Friday means my holiday is almost over. Anyway don’t worry for I’m still making memories, and today I’m writing from a little mansion in Jack’s Hill, looking out over the sprawling city of Kingston, having travelled by the Knutsford Express Bus this morning. It’s certainly good to have well to do Friends in each area eh! (smile) And the Lord’s been so good to me this past week in J.A that I’d be rather ungrateful to complain. I might be many things, but ungrateful is certainly not one of them, thus the choice of our Bit for today: ‘I will also praise thee with the psaltery (lute or lyre), even thy truth (faithfulness), O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.’ Yuh know my brethren, we don’t give our wonderful God as much thanks as He really deserves. We quick to cry out to Him in times of trouble, but thanks and praise don’t seem to figure into our lives as much as they ought to. Who you think enables us to have good times eh? It’s the Lord God Jehovah! But when life is good we’re too busy with the things of the world to bother with God. And that’s totally wrong my brethren, for when trouble comes and you call out to God, He’ll ignore you, just like you ignore Him. And I’m sure you don’t want that to happen, so please pay attention to the Lord when times are good as well as when they’re bad, cause it’s all in your best interest. Remember a couple days ago we were saying that we need to commune with the Father especially in the rough times; we need to praise and thank Him for sending the troubles, which inevitably strengthen us and continue the makeover of our character into the likeness of Jesus. Now here’s what our attitude should be like at all times. The psalmist rightly declares: ‘It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High: To show forth (declare) thy LOVING-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn (harmonious, melodious) sound. For thou Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.’ (Ps.92:1-4) And all God’s people joyfully shouted: ‘Praise the Lord for His goodness to men! Amen!’ Yes mih people, until we’re giving continual thanks and praise to our God, living in a state of being where those two things come automatically and continuously, we’re not LOVING our God to the fullest of our abilities! Well that’s about it for today Friends. Time to go and see some old, familiar Kingston sights and people, relive some old memories. Talk to you tomorrow then, if the good Lord’s in favour. Much LOVE!…to truly be a follower of Jesus…LOVING our God…LIVING our Faith…and SPREADING the Word…must take priority in our earthly pilgrimage…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 May 2012 Psalm 41:9
04 May 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: anointing, betrayal, calamity, chorus of thanks, fellowship, Friday, fun, God's Word, Jesus' glorious kingdom, like a burning fire, loving kindness, pesistence, relaxation, steadfast faith, storm of praise, thank God, trust
Psalm 41:9. Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Aye mih Friends, can you hear the posse coming down the road happily chanting to the accompaniment of a lone banjo? ‘Oh people is Friday…Thank God is Friday! Yes is Friday! The weekend is here. Labour done for two days! Is we time now! Thank God is Friday!’ And soon the whole street is singing the chorus. Some are looking out their windows, some standing at the doors of their work places, possibly with uptight employers in the background, unable to stop it, while others are just hanging out on the corner. But a beautiful chorus of thanks is floating up to heaven from all the disparate voices. Now let us do the same with our Friday Chant. Let’s chant up a storm of praise and thanks to heaven. Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Yes Friends, there’s nothing like thanks and praise to our great and wonderful God! It brings a feeling of joy and peace to our worried souls, and also helps us to better deal with the troubles of this world, like betrayal, which our Bit highlights. ‘Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against (has betrayed) me.’ Yesterday we saw how friends, family and close working associates betrayed Bruh David and Job. Now that’s really the worst betrayal of all! As Bruh David laments in Psalm 55, if it was his enemy, he could handle it, by hiding from him, but when it’s your bosom buddy, it just hurts terribly. Today, let’s look at someone else of great faith who was also betrayed; poor Jeremiah. He really had it rough yes! First of all the Lord called him to speak on His behalf at a tender age, and despite his valid arguments, the Lord refused to take no for an answer. Ah mih breddren, that’s what happens when the Lord calls us. I can speak on that from personal experience, because when He first approached me about writing this Bit, I laughed and said I wasn’t capable, then hem and hawed until He wore me down with His persistence. So any time He calls you, it’s best to just accept His call right away, because He won’t stop until you do accept it. Regardless of your arguments and your running away or hiding, note Jonah, He will eventually get you to do His bidding. And so it was with Jeremiah. He spoke the Lord’s words to the people of Judah, but they didn’t believe him. They plotted against him and finally imprisoned him, simply for speaking what God had put in his heart. ‘Then Pashur smote (struck) Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord.’ (Jer.20:2) Oh Friends, do you see the irony there? They locked up poor Jerry right close to God’s house. It became so rough that he considered not speaking God’s Word anymore. ‘But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing (of holding back), and I could not stay (endure it).’ (Jer.20:9) Yuh see people, how powerful the Word can be when the Lord puts His anointing on us? Try as we can, we can’t get away from it. And Jeremiah continues: ‘For I heard the defaming of many (mocking or slander), fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars (acquaintances) watched for my halting (stumbling), saying, Peradventure (perhaps) he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. But the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible (awesome) one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.’ (Jer.20:10-11) Yes Friends, though others defame, betray and/or seek revenge on us, for speaking the Lord’s Word, we need not be afraid of them, for the Lord our ever-faithful God, will stand strong and steadfast beside us through our calamity. Remember that whatever He brings us to, He will also bring us through. It won’t always be easy, but with His ever-present help, we will come through it with flying colours. Note how Bruh David, Job and Jeremiah all suffered serious betrayals and calamities, but all three came out better than before. That’s the Lord rewarding them for their faithfulness, and He will do likewise for us. That I can also testify to through personal experience. So please let’s be careful with whom or what we associate ourselves, for the evil Beelzebub is out there constantly scouring the land for any bodies he can take advantage of. But just in case things do go wrong, we make a mistake or are betrayed, let’s not get too down on ourselves, simply turn to God, admit our problems and ask for His help. He will help us. If you don’t believe, try it, and you’ll see. More on this tomorrow, if the Lord feels so inclined. Till then, please walk safely with Him. Much LOVE!…though betrayals bring hurt and pain…the Lord’s LOVING-kindness and mercy…will surely help to salve them…
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