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 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
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…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 April 2012 Psalm 146:5
29 Apr 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: blessed, bounden duty, fellowship, gathered together, God of Abraham, God of Jacob, God's day, lost souls, Love of Jesus, power in numbers, power of the holy spirit, praise, psalm 146, Sabbath, trusting God, worship
Psalm 146:5. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.
Ah Friends, it’s our weekly fellowship time again with other believers! And all God’s people said a loud and hearty ‘Amen!’ Now getting together with others to praise and worship our omnipotent Creator is a very important part of our Christian journey. It’s a decree from our God that we set aside one day a week to spend time with Him as a holy family. And as all His other decrees, it should not be taken lightly since it brings all parts of the body of Christ’s church together to make a powerful whole. This is one of those times when the whole is indeed greater than the mere sum of the parts. Not to mention the fact that there’s power in numbers. And remember Jesus specifically said: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20) So you can imagine the power of the Holy Spirit moving and working in a bigger congregation; the joy, praise, thanksgiving, faith, trust and LOVE that emanates from a crowd of Christians in true worship mode! Wow! No wonder Psalm 146, from which our Bit comes, is called, The blessedness of trusting God. And after the psalmist has opened by praising the Lord, and committing that praise for his lifetime, and also warning us not to put our trust in man whose breath, body and thoughts perish, he blesses us with our Bit: ‘Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.’ Oh my people, that’s a wonderful bit of advice, as well as an undeniable fact! So why can’t others, especially those who so badly need some peace and joy in their lives discover that fact too eh? Maybe it’s because we who have found joy and happiness in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob aren’t doing a good enough job of passing on the message? Maybe we’re not living it out in our everyday lives, so that others can see how Christ affects us as we walk with Him? We obviously are doing something wrong, or simply not doing enough, because there are too many lost souls out there, who either never heard of Jesus, or did and refuse to embrace His glorious LOVE because of our inability or lack of showing a true sense of joy in living for Him. Yes mih people, there’s nobody to blame but us, if others don’t see the joy we claim to have, because we don’t show it. We can’t be selfish and just keep Jesus to ourselves. We have to share the good news with all the world as He requested, that’s our bounden duty.’ (Matt.28:19-20) Another problem is whether we truly believe the words of our Bit. Yuh know we say plenty stuff, but a lot of it is merely talk for talk sake, and it really doesn’t come from the depths of our soul. However Friends, the facts that our Bit state should be indelibly imprinted in our whole being, if we’re true believers and expect to enjoy the fruits of a relationship with Christ. That means we obviously have to do a better job of portraying real Christian living in our daily walk, as well as telling Christ’s story to more people, spreading the wonderful news of what He’s so selflessly and sacrificially done for us undeserving sinners. Remember too Friends, that live examples work better than mere spoken words. And now that I’ve harangued and tongue lashed us (smile) for not doing enough to spread Jesus’ LOVE Revolution, let’s look at some scriptures that corroborate the gospel truth of our Bit. First off is a wise word of warning from the psalmist: ‘Kiss the Son (an act of homage and submission), lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.’ (Ps.2:12) Yes brethren, we need to be in tight with the Son, if we want to lie in pastures green with Him. Now hear Cousin Sol’s take on the matter. ‘He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.’ (Prov.16:20) And we’ll give Jeremiah the last word: ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see (fear) when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful (anxious) in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.’ (Jer.17:7-8) That my Friends, is the total, unalterable, living truth of the Word of God, which doesn’t change or lie! Therefore, let’s take it to heart and then put it into action nuh, for the times they are a troubled. Our world is seriously hurting and in need of the peace, joy, calm and LOVE that only living with, in and for Jesus can bring. Nuff said mih breddren! More on this tomorrow if we see the blessed light of day. Much LOVE!…only by truly LOVING our God…LIVING our Faith…and SPREADING God’s Word…can believers positively influence non-believers…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 April 2012 Luke 1:4
13 Apr 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: belief, certainty, comprehensive, enthusiasm, eyewitnesses, fellowship, Friday 13, gospel, relaxation, rest, sanctification, spiritual zest, understanding
Luke 1:4. That thou mighest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
Ah mih old Friends, it’s Friday… And there’s an instantaneous shout: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes!’ Ah have to laugh, because after all the church going and heavy partying of last weekend, the work week must have been a tad on the rough side, and therefore everybody’s just dying for Friday to come. But it’s also Friday the 13th, Black Friday, you say. So what? We’ve just finished celebrating Good Friday and Easter Sunday, no evil spirit can touch or even come close to us now, cause we’re basking in the glory of a resurrected Christ, our Lord and Saviour! Just the joy and passion in our hearts and souls will send any evil spirit running away in fear! Remember though Friends that the weekend is not all fun and games, it’s also a time for some serious reflection on our lives. And to get us rounded out, let’s chant our Friday Chant like we mean it. I know the physical enthusiasm level is a bit low, but the spiritual zest is high, and combined with the spiritual strength of Jesus, we can surely roust the angels in heaven (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.’ Well that ought to raise the level of whatever was low and give us the right perspective for the weekend. So let’s turn to our Bit: ‘That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.’ Oh my people, that comes from the introduction of Luke’s gospel, where he sets out his reasons and otherwise for writing it. ‘Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration (narrative) of those things which are most surely believed among us. Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of (accurately followed) all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order (an orderly account), most excellent Theophilus.’ (Luke 1:1-3) Luke was a medical man; ‘the beloved physician,’ as Bruh Paul calls him in Col.4:14. He was not an eyewitness to Christ’s ministry, but associated with some who were, and also had access to written accounts of it and figured there was need to produce a comprehensive account of the whole thing. The scholars explain it best: ‘Luke states his purpose and method. He wants to supplement Theophilus’s knowledge of the grounds of Christian certainty. He also wants to give his own summation of the gospel events which, already in Luke’s time, are being committed to writing by various authors. As to method, Luke combines his knowledge of other writings with the eyewitness testimony of people he knows. He also lays claim to a comprehensive understanding, not only of historical data, but also of its theological significance. Theophilus means ‘Friend of God.’ By the way Luke addresses him he appears to have been a man of high standing.’ Yes Friends, though nobody knows who Theophilus was, luckily for us Luke had the desire to give him a sure foundation, strong groundings in the Word of Christ, which he must have heard of in his daily walk. Luke also mentions Theophilus in Acts 1:1, so he must have thought him worthy enough to pen two books; Luke and Acts, to show Theo that all the talk about Jesus was really real, and also to boost his faith, if he was a believer. Luke must certainly have been close to some of the old disciples and Bruh Paul, if the latter could call him ‘beloved.’ He must have also witnessed some of the stuff he writes in Acts. My purpose to day Friends, is the same as that of Luke to Theo; to tell us of the certainty of the things we’ve heard and been taught about Christ, and to encourage us to read, understand and use the gospels in our daily lives, so that we can back up and verify the teachings and our personal knowledge. That is the only way in which we can truly become knowledgeable about the life and times of Christ, the Saviour who we claim to follow. Thus when asked about our faith, why we believe, we can have a good and sure answer. And we’ll close with some meaningful words from one of the eyewitness to Jesus’ story, the beloved disciple, John. ‘And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through (in) his name.’ (John 20:30-31) And here’s an appropriate note from the scholars: ‘John tells us here he wrote the gospel for purposes of conversion, that ye might believe, and of sanctification, that ye might have life.’ Oh Friends, therefore let’s be wise nuh; let’s read the gospels and believe, so that we might be sanctified and enjoy all the other benefits of being a follower of Christ! Much LOVE!…to believe…to have faith…to hope for that we see not…to truly live for Jesus…is the most worthwhile earthly life we can ever live…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 March 2012 Galatians 6:10
16 Mar 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: balanced life, do good, fellowship, fun, God's agenda, helping others, household of faith, northern climes, opportunity, reaping, refresh, relaxation, renew, rest, sowing, warm weather
Galatians 6:10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Aye mih people, once again it’s Friday, and the unseasonable warm weather continues! And it’s supposed to last all through the weekend, so you can imagine the confusion in the northern climes! The barbeques and bikes are already out, now the gatherings on the back porch and decks will certainly intensify. But let us not get too carried away, for the Lord is still in control, and who knows what His agenda is like for next week. The same way we’re having beautiful weather this week, we can have lousy times next week. However, to keep things in the right perspective for this unexpected warm weekend, let’s chant our Friday Chant with much enthusiasm as we wind down the workweek. ‘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, we need to live a well-balanced life, and the only way to do so successfully is by walking hand in hand with Jesus on this earthly journey. The same thing applies to our Bit: ‘As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’ We can’t do that unless the Spirit of Jesus is constantly working in our lives. Bruh Paul’s telling the Galatians, and us too, that we need to seize every opportunity to do good to others, ‘for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.’ (Gal.6:7b) And we know that’s gospel! Meanwhile, in Proverbs, Cousin Sol says it thus: ‘Withhold not good from them to whom it is due (the owners), when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.’ (Prov.3:27-28) That basically means that we must help our needy neighbours and not lie to them, saying we can’t or don’t have, when we very well have and can do what is required of us. Consequently, we are to do good to everyone who crosses our path. As Bruh Paul told Titus about the basis of the Christian ethic: ‘That being justified (declared righteous) by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.’ (Titus 3:7-8) And per the scholars on Chapter 6; Applications of new principles: ‘Contextually, doing good refers to the ministry of restoration (v.1), bearing one another’s burdens (v.2), supporting teachers (v.6), sowing to (living in accord with the leading of) the Spirit (v.8), and general perseverance (v.9). Believers are to minister first unto them who are of the household of faith (Christians), and second, to the rest of the world.’ Just like Bruh Paul declared to the Romans, re the service of LOVE to all: ‘Rejoicing in hope; patient (persevering) in tribulation; continuing instant (steadfastly) in prayer; Distributing to the necessity (needs) of saints (believers); given to hospitality.’ (Rom.12:12-13) However Friends, though we ought to take care of fellow believers first, the long and short of the story is that Christians ought always to do good, regardless of whom we’re doing it to. Let’s remember these awesome words of wisdom and write them indelibly in our hearts, souls and minds. ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (do not lose heart).’ (Gal.6:9) Oh my people, unfortunately our world right now isn’t taken with the idea of doing good. To oneself, yes, but not to others, for we live in a world that glorifies evil and selfishness. And if it is to improve, it’s Christ’s followers, we the believers who will have to bring about that improvement. But sadly, too many of us are also caught up in the selfishness that permeates our society, looking mainly to the things of the earth, rather than to the things of heaven, as Jesus desires. I implore us today, to examine ourselves, and with God’s help, remove any selfishness we find there, because if we don’t remove it, it will eventually, if it hasn’t already, become a stumbling block between you and Jesus. And that’s not a very wise thing to let happen. So let’s try and be kind and generous to all we meet, just like our heavenly Father is kind to us. That’s the only way the LOVE Revolution is going to grow and be successful! Much LOVE!…selfishness breeds selfishness…and goodness breeds goodness…the simple law of sowing and reaping…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 March 2012 Psalm 78:32
09 Mar 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: christianity, faith, fellowship, godly power, israelite culture, lack of faith, lack of trust, miracles, slavery in egypt, thanks to God, ungratefulness
Psalm 78:32. For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
Oh my blessed Friends in Christ, it’s Friday! The end of the workweek is here! And all God’s people declared a lusty shout of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ Whatever tiredness prevailed in their souls, bodies and minds from the week’s struggles was lifted with the thought of the weekend of rest, of fellowship and the praising of God in like-minded company. And to bring all the weekend entails into proper perspective, let’s chant our Friday Chant with godly power. In unison 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.’ Yeh mih people, sometimes the weekend seems busier than the workweek, because we have so much private stuff to do, so that we can get time to go and labour. But instead of worrying too much about the prerogatives of this world, let’s concentrate on those of Jesus and our heavenly home, so that we won’t end up like the Israelites in our Bit: ‘For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.’ It really boggles my imagination when I think about the ungratefulness, lack of faith and trust that permeated the Israelite culture. After the Lord heard their crying about the woeful conditions of their slavery in Egypt, and showed His awesome power by all the plagues He unleashed on Egypt, but not on them. Then when Pharaoh finally allowed them to leave, He found a way for them to leave with a lot of Egypt’s earthly treasure. Furthermore, the Lord parted the Red Sea so that they could get away from the pursuing Egyptian army, then destroyed their pursuers. He kept them away from war by not passing them through the land of the Philistines, led them by a pillar of cloud in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night. And yet they complained about bitter water and no food. So the Lord took care of those in His miraculous ways. But yuh think that meant anything to them. No sir! Neither did they give thanks when He led them to the oasis at Elim. But when they came out of the wilderness of Sin and pitched camp in Rephidim, where there was no water, they quickly got on Moses’ case though. ‘And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? And Moses cried unto the Lord saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me (to death). And the Lord said unto Moses; Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest (struck) the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb, and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah (Tempted), and Meribah (Contention), because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted (tested) the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?’ (Ex.17:3-7) Oh Friends, it’s the same way we have behaved in this last generation; questioning both the presence of God and His goodness to us, after he’d made our way to flourish and prosper when our fathers paid Him His deserved obeisance. Like Israel, we have forgotten where our manna and daily bread come from. ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of (be constantly in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh.1:8) Yes my people, that’s where the success of an individual, a society, a nation and a world comes from! And that’s why our society has stopped flourishing and is quickly heading downhill, like a snowball hurrying down to Hades, which is where we’ll end up if we don’t change our evil ways and return to the Lord God who created us, protects and provides for us. It’s not rocket science people, just pure and simple common sense. But I forgot that doesn’t exist in our society again. Please let’s get it back, so that our society, our nation and world will survive, not in iniquity, but in righteousness and prosperity. Much LOVE!…only a fool…or a madman…knowingly spoils his own life…
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