Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 September 2012 Habakkuk 1:2

Habakkuk 1:2.    O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 

Oh Friends, it’s Labour Day! And I hear a resounding shout of ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ That’s because many of us don’t have to go to work this Monday morning. But since it’s also such a beautiful day, and the Lord has shown us special favour to see and enjoy it, please, my fellow believers, let’s rise and shine, offer Him a word of thanks and praise, then with a broad smile on our faces, boldly declare, as we raise our right hands in a tightly closed fist: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it, come what may!’ Now that might be very easy to do for those who are not going to work. But please, let’s remember those who have to go out and labour in this non-stop, 24/7 busy society. And in empathy with them, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty soul and enthusiasm, and wish them well on the start of their new work week. As one enchanting voice now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ Now that ought to wake us up and get us ready to face the ungodly world, even those who will stay at home partying. (smile) And Friends, though it’s good to party, of course in moderation, when I first read our Bit, it wrought a loud sigh of concern re our turbulent and troubled world. The prophet Habakkuk declared that his prophecy was a burden, (Hab.1:1) an heavy load placed on him by the Lord, to warn Judah of its upcoming punishment for their continued disobedience and rebellion toward Him. They would eventually be invaded and captured by the Chaldeans. According to the scholars, the name Habakkuk means “Embracer” or “A Wrestler” which provides the key to his prophecy. It’s a record of him wrestling with God on behalf of his people. Hence his heartfelt plea: ‘O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!’ Oh Friends, I’m sure that there are many of us believers who feel the same way about our current society as Habakkuk felt about his. We pray and cry out to God, but it seems as though He doesn’t hear us, or simply ignores our pleas to save us, because the violence and evil in which we are now mired grows worse every day. Habakkuk’s further description of Judah’s society appears to be an exact replica of ours. ‘Why dost thou show me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance (trouble or toil)? for spoiling (plundering ) and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife (there is strife) and contention. Therefore the law is slacked (powerless) and judgement (justice) doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about (surround) the righteous; therefore wrong (perverse) judgement proceedeth.’ (Hab.1:3-4) Oh Friends, that could be any one of us writing about the disgraceful, disgusting society in which we now live, where things like greed, envy, injustice, lawlessness, legal theft, strife and confusion reign supreme. And it’s oh so sad, that on a Labour Day, where the celebration of gains in the working class should be happening, the Lord has guided me to a Bit that instead reminds us of the many gains we’ve lost and the rigid determination of the greedy, evil powers that be to take away even more. Oh my people, please, I implore you, don’t be fooled by the nice, sweet words of our leaders and their wealthy captains of industry, their sole aim is to take us back to the harrowing times of the Great Depression, where workers had no rights whatsoever and were treated worse than slaves or animals. And they’re slowly but surely doing it by breaking the Unions, which themselves have gotten too unwieldy and bureaucratic to fight back, and also by having workers fighting against each other; the old but ever so successful, divide and conquer tactic. It’s all about the bottom line now Friends. There’s not even a tad of a social conscience in the 99% now. Wherever the labour is cheapest, their capital flows without a note of concern for the poor, helpless, jobless workers they’re leaving behind. But you know what my people? We can’t afford to stop praying for the wickedness to cease, or at least be tightly reined in, while we continue doing the good works that God ordained us to do. As Bruh Paul exhorted the Ephesians: ‘I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation (calling) wherewith ye are called. With all lowliness and meekness (gentleness), with long-suffering, forbearing (bearing with) one another in LOVE; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ (Eph.4:1-3) Yes my brethren, regardless of the Lord’s overall plans, we must endeavour to keep keeping on, doing what He desires us to do, remembering that His thoughts and wisdom are much greater than ours, and that He’s promised that everything will work out for good to those whom He’s called and respond to His call with LOVE! (Rom.8:28)  And I sincerely pray that today, the Holy Spirit will rise up in every one of us and give us the strength, faith, hope, wisdom, understanding, peace and passion to do so in a most worthy manner. In Jesus’ Name. Amen! Much Much LOVE, my beautiful fellow believers in Jesus Christ, our wonderful Lord and Saviour!…a believer’s duty…to do God’s will for our lives…come what may…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 August 2012 1 John 4:16

1 John 4:16.     And we have known and believed the LOVE that God hath to us. God is LOVE; and he that dwelleth in LOVE, dwelleth in God, and God in him.
 
Oh Friends, another beautiful summer’s day is in the offing, and I didn’t see any of our names in the obits! Wow! That must mean we’ve found favour with our Creator and thus blessed with another awesome day on planet earth! And all God’s people shouted a grateful and heartfelt; ‘Glory Hallelujah! Thank You Father for another day of life, and the many other blessings You have prepared for us! We LOVE You and praise Your Holy Name!’ Ah Friends, you wouldn’t believe the ruckus that short but sincere prayer caused in heaven. (smile) Now that we have gratefully acknowledged our Creator and given thanks for our wonderful lives, the angels are busy getting ready to shower down upon us all the mercy and forgiveness that was planned to bless us with today. Mama Mia! And what’s the ONE word that encompasses all that? And all God’s children joyfully shout it out: ‘LOVE!’ Yes Friends, all that God’s ever done, is currently doing and has promised to do in the future stems from that magical, mysterious, miraculous, mystifying word, LOVE. Can you believe that those four lowly letters put together, can make such a powerful word, a word so omnipotent, that it makes the world go round? LOVE,properly spoken and practiced can overcome the greatest hate, anger and resentment. But strangely enough, it doesn’t work the other way. For hate, anger and resentment can NEVER CONQUER TRUE LOVE! And that’s the gospel truth Friends! I dare any of you to show me anywhere that TRUE LOVE ever existed, and then the negative emotions conquered it. If it ever happened, then TRUE LOVE NEVER existed there in the first place, cause if it did, it would surely have been victorious. That’s because, as our Bit so rightly declares, LOVE IS OF GOD! ‘And we have known and believed the LOVE that God hath to us. God is LOVE; and he that dwelleth (abides) in LOVE, dwelleth in God, and God in him.’ That’s an indisputable fact Friends! TRUE LOVE is so strong my brethren, that Bruh Paul raved thus about it. ‘Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that LOVED us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom.8:35-39) Oh my brethren, what a powerful speech, one filled with gospel truth, on the strongest tie in God’s great universe – LOVE! And though nothing can separate us from God’s LOVE, there seems to be a problem with our LOVE,betwixt and between each other. We all know, if we’re truthful to ourselves, that the spirit of LOVE, togetherness and selflessness is nowhere near as prevalent and forthcoming as it should be either in Christ’s Church, or in the world at large. So how can we truly claim to be believers if we don’t have the spirit of oneness with each other, as part of Christ’s body? And if we don’t have that feeling of selflessness towards and care for others, how then can we truly LOVE our God, SPREAD His Word and LIVE our Faith as we’re supposed to do eh? It’s a very serious problem in Christ’s body, my people. That’s why so many unbelievers blatantly disregard and mock us, and call us hypocrites of the highest order. And oftimes they are right, because oftimes what we say and what we do, don’t coincide with each other or with God’s Word. Oh Friends, I’m tired saying it, but I guess I’ll have to continue saying it until it’s no longer true, or the breath of life goes out in me, which ever comes first, (smile) but the only way we’re going to improve relationships in this turbulent world of ours is by LOVE; talking LOVE, and even more importantly showing and practicing LOVE! Oh my brethren, the LOVE REVOLUTION which we believers are currently spearheading desperately needs to pick up steam, and quickly too, as it seems that Jesus’ second coming is imminent, and whoever is not aboard the LOVE TRAIN bound for glory, will be lost forever! Now the Father’s LOVE is so strong for His human creations, that He doesn’t even want to lose one single soul to Lucifer. And by the way, eternal separation from the Father, meaning eternity with Lucifer, is the worst thing that can ever happen to a human being! So please Friends, let’s get moving nuh, let’s get up off our comfortable derrières and seriously and sincerely begin preaching and practicing LOVE! As John so patiently and genuinely implores: ‘My little children, let us not LOVE in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.’ (1 John 3:18) Friends, let’s meditate on that scripture today and see how we can improve our LOVE WALK. Notice how God gave us two of almost all our appendages, that’s so we could help each other; the heart of Jesus’ teaching; the essence of LOVE! Much LOVE my brethren!…and now abideth, Faith, Hope, LOVE…these three…but the greatest of these is…LOVE…  (1 Cor.13:13)  ABSOLUTELY! 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 August 2012 2 Corinthians 5:17

2 Corinthians 5:17.     Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
 
‘Hip, Hip Hurrah!’ Monday’s here Friends! Wow! What an awesome day, since we get to go out into the evil workday world to talk about and live for Jesus!  Now isn’t that a wonderful responsibility? And all God’s people shouted a great and moving ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ No Friends, I haven’t gone crazy, I’m just in an exultant mood. Just thinking about Jesus and all the good stuff we get to do today for Him has ignited my passion. And true passion for Jesus is something too many of us believers lack. Please remember my people that we’re in a spiritual battle with the powers of evil and darkness, and we can only fight competently if we are enthusiastic and gung ho about what we’re fighting for. And sadly, I know some non-believers who are more enthusiastic about Jesus and what He represents, than many supposed believers. Now that doesn’t speak very highly of us, does it? My personal feeling is that the body of Christ here on earth, His Church, is rather lethargic and sedentary. We tend to sit back and let everybody walk over us. We behave as though Jesus is expected to fix all our problems without us lifting a hand on our own behalf, but that’s never going to happen my people. Then again, we fight against each other too much. Jesus’ Church is supposed to be a unified body, not one of numerous dissensions and divisions. I know you’re going to say that other faiths fight amongst themselves too, but that’s their problem. And it’s why WE, believers in Christ, should be working together to provide the perfect example to the rest of the world.  I don’t know the real root of the problem, but it seems that of all the well known faiths, Christianity is the least proactive. We don’t talk or walk our faith sufficiently. And it’s not like you have to be constantly up in everybody’s face with it either. A true Christian has it showing in his demeanour, his behaviour, his character, his integrity, and when the opportunity arises, he talks about it passionately. Oh Friends, even a subdued passion is better than no passion at all! So having said all of that, let’s see if we can’t raise our passion level in Jesus some nuh, by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn as we get ready to go out and greet the world in Jesus’ name. All together now, with loud voices, filled with true praise: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ Now if that doesn’t raise our passion level for Christ, then Friends, I don’t know what will. And before we get into our Bit, please let’s offer up some fervent, heartfelt prayers for the unfortunate people of Iran, who, over the weekend suffered two major earthquakes of over 6 on the Richter scale. They may be of a different faith than us, and consider us the infidel and thus want to destroy us, but they are still our brothers, descendants also of father Abraham, made in the image of Jehovah God. And Jesus teaches that we should show LOVE, mercy, kindness and forgiveness to all God’s children, regardless of their colour, creed, race or class. This is definitely one way we can test our faith, because it’s not easy to extend a hand of hope and help to someone who wants to do us harm. Now turning to our Bit at last. (smile) Oh my brethren, these are some of the most important words Bruh Paul ever wrote, for they reflect the very basic and fundamental principle on which our faith is based. ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ Friends, many of us know that scripture and quote it, or some paraphrased version, quite often. But how true is it really of the majority of Christ’s Church eh? I believe in actual fact, in real reality, not the virtual reality we tend to worship these days, that it’s nowhere near the truth. That’s because in actual fact too many believers are still caught up in their old ways, still more interested in the things of the flesh and this world than the things of the Spirit and God’s kingdom. We’re still too much into the money and power for their own sakes, plus the frenetic acquisition and amassing of earthly possessions, wanting what others have, though not knowing they sold their souls to get it, being beguiled by the supposed glitz and glamour of a handful of mostly ignorant and unlearned people we term celebrities, who live very ungodly lives. Oh Friends, that’s definitely not the kind of life that Jesus sacrificed His sinless body, spilled His precious blood on the wooden cross at Calvary for us to live. So please, let’s get serious and improve our kingdom walk nuh. If not for our sakes, then for our children and grand children’s, so that they can still lead a fairly decent life in the future. It’s all a question of LOVE for Jesus and our fellow man; the two great commandments. And since we don’t know when Jesus is coming back to set up His kingdom, the best time to begin is RIGHT NOW! That’s wisdom at its zenith! More on this tomorrow Friends, provided Jesus doesn’t return before then and we’re still around, both of which are real possibilities. Till then, please let’s do as Jesus asks: Let’s LOVE our God, LIVE our Faith and SPREAD His Word! Much LOVE!…the wise man lives by the old adage…make hay while the sun shines…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 July 2012 Revelation 21:4

Revelation 21:4.    And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Oh Friends, I was planning to tell you all that yesterday was another scorching day in my area, with a strong, hot wind and barely a sprinkling of heavenly blessing late in the evening. But I’ve changed my mind now. (smile) I’m getting tired talking about the weather and ensuing drought which has already caused food prices to increase. So let’s leave that alone and turn to something positive. There’s nothing we can do about the drought or increased prices anyway. And what’s more positive than being alive and able to experience and enjoy another day on God’s great earth filled with his numerous and most delectable blessings? And all God’s people joyfully declared a loud and grateful: ‘Glory Hallelujah! Praise be to our Great God! May He reign forever! Amen! And again, Amen!’ As I said yesterday Friends, believers should be the happiest people on the earth since we have such a wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who not only sacrificed His holy, sinless life for a bunch of worthless sinners, but also is going to provide a wonderful home for our spiritual bodies when our physical ones die and return to the dust from which they were made. And in that glorious home, with Jesus presiding, there shall be no negative occurrences ever again. Wow! And that’s the living truth Friends, because it’s been promised in our Bit: ‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’ And given such an awesome promise, it really amazes me that people read and hear about it, yet totally disregard it and all the other awesome promises contained in the Good Book. That’s why I keep saying that true wisdom has disappeared from our society, for any truly wise person would at least place a serious bet on, hitch their wagon to someone like Jehovah God, who’s made all those promises and faithfully brought all the necessary ones to fruition. We already know we can’t take our earthly possessions with us when we die, so why are we still so intent on amassing so much of it eh, only to leave it behind for others to fight over? I’m sure that all individuals on planet earth have experienced an experience which didn’t come from their natural, conscious thoughts or selves. That therefore means that there’s something more to humans than a physical body; some non-physical thing also exists within us. So my question is what happens to that non-physical subconscious element when the physical body dies? Does that die too? Not according to God’s Word! So wouldn’t it make sense to at least hedge our bets and pay some attention to our non-physical side? Of course! But certainly not the way the money-men have been foolishly and unfortunately hedging their bets. You can’t make something from nothing, unless you’re God, and that’s what they’ve been trying to do. Oh Friends, when you hedge your non-physical side with Jesus, and for that matter your physical side too, you CANNOT LOSE, because Jesus has guaranteed a good life in eternity for those who pledge themselves to Him! Now let’s look at some scriptures that uphold our awesome Bit. And what better place to begin than with Isaiah as he speaks God’s words re new heavens and a new earth: ‘For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But ye be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall no more be heard in her, nor the voice of crying.’ (Is.65:17-19) What a joyful promise my brethren! Meanwhile, in his exhortation to endurance, Bruh Paul tells his protégé Timothy: ‘But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.’ (2 Tim.1:10) Yes Friends, the gospel of Christ is where we need to go to find the good news about life and immortality! And to the Corinthians, Bruh Paul makes these unequivocal statements: ‘For he (Jesus Christ) must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.’ (1 Cor.15:25-26) Oh my people, yuh know what’s happening then? ‘And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death (eternal punishment). And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.’ (Rev.20:14-15) Yes Friends, that will be that, if your name’s not found recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life! You will be eternally separated from God; the worst thing that could ever happen to a spiritual being. So I’m pleading with us, begging us to get serious about our spiritual lives, if we don’t want to be eternally separated from our Creator. And we’ll end with the definitive word on the subject from Jesus. This is what He told the beloved disciple John, in His Revelation: ‘Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.’ (Rev.1:17-18) Oh Friends, please listen to Jesus and act wisely, for your eternal salvation depends on it! Much LOVE!…he who holds the key to the door…is the master of those behind it…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 April 2012 Matthew 12:40

Matthew 12:40.    For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

HAPPY  EASTER !

Oh Friends, oh Friends, it’s Easter Sunday Morning! That means Christ is risen! Yes he is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Glory Hallelujah! And that’s the best news a sad and sorrowful world can ever receive; that the crucified Messiah is now alive and kicking, having risen from the grave, thus defeating death and victoriously bringing us Salvation and Eternal Life! Wow! What excellent, life changing news! And all God’s children declared a sincere, heartfelt, ‘Thank You Jesus!’ And you’ll notice that I was guided to an offbeat scripture for today’s resurrection. I considered several, had even decided on one, but then saw this one and immediately felt the unequivocal pull of the Spirit. In fact the entire Bit looks like it will be offbeat, not getting in to all the usual scriptures and images of the resurrection, like visiting the tomb, etc. but more touching the fringes, trying to bring other insights to the normal ones we use every year. Read the gospels yourselves so you can get caught up on the good news. (smile)  Now let’s turn to our Bit: ‘For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s (big fish’s) belly, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.’ Jesus was referring there to Jonah’s calamity when he disobeyed God. ‘Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.’ (Jon.1:17) And Jesus did fulfill those prophetic words of His on Easter Sunday, today. And seeing how prophecy is constantly fulfilled in the Good Book is one of the great joys of believers, which in turn leads us to confident trust and assurance in the Lord and His Word. Let’s slip in another prophetic scripture that was also satisfied today: It’s the prophet Hosea with God’s reply to Israel’s admonishment. ‘After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.’ (Hos.6:2)  What gospel truth! Oh my people, Easter Sunday is surely one of, if not the most important day in the Christian calendar, because it’s the day that truly brought us hope and assurance of a faithful God, who LOVES us with such a deep, abiding LOVE, that He was willing to forsake, to burden His Son with our sins, so that we could be set free from Beelzebub’s lethal grasp. For that we should be eternally grateful. It’s when the light really came shining through the darkness to proclaim that there was a better way; one filled with peace, LOVE, comfort and faithfulness. We no longer had to be troubled about our daily lives but could now rest in the assurance of the risen Lord and Saviour, the ONE and ONLY Jesus Christ to safely lead and guide us. Who, for His unswerving obedience to sacrifice His holy, sinless life for undeserving sinners, the Father honoured and exalted to the highest position in the kingdom, before whom all heads must now bow and all knees bend. (Phil.2:10)  Mark Jesus’ words to His disciples: ‘Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ (John 15:13) And that’s exactly what He did people: lay down His life for us, His friends. What selflessness! Unfortunately though my brethren, there are still lots of people who don’t even know that Jesus exists. They still haven’t heard about His unusual birth, His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, news that enriches our lives like nothing else can. Jesus is our Lord, Saviour, Protector, Guide, Advocate… in fact our Everything. And the Holy Spirit just reminded me that I’ve been saving the next episode of My Jesus is…Everything from Anne Graham Lotz’s book of the same name for today, because this one is so appropriate to the Easter Season. Pay attention now and behold the wonder that’s Jesus! (smile)  ‘My Jesus – His office is manifold, and His promise is sure. His life is matchless, and His goodness is limitless. His mercy is enough, and His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous, His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. He is indestructible. He is indescribable. He is incomprehensible. He is inescapable. He is invincible. He is irresistible. He is irrefutable. I can’t get Him out of my mind…And I can’t get Him out of my heart. I can’t outlive Him…And I can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but found they couldn’t stop Him. Satan tried to tempt Him, but found he couldn’t trip Him. Pilot examined Him on trial, but found he couldn’t fault Him. The Romans crucified Him, but found they couldn’t take His life. Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him. My Jesus…is Everything.’ Yes mih breddren, Jesus is all those things…and plenty plenty more. To be truthful, whatever you want Jesus to be, He can be. Your sincerely wanting it, with a clean heart and right spirit, will make it possible, provided it’s in tune with God’s will obviously. Ah Friends, with the wonder of Easter and Christ’s awesome resurrection bubbling joyfully in out hearts and souls, and being true and faithful disciples of Jesus, let’s do as He asks: ‘If any man will (desires to) come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23) That means going out and bearing our crosses without whining and complaining, just relying on Jesus, like He staunchly and steadfastly bore His, relying on His Father. And if we do, Jesus will raise us up and exalt us, the same way His Father raised Him up and exalted Him. Oh Friends, what a wonderful life is to be found worshipping Jesus as our Lord and Saviour! Let’s stop being selfish and spread the glorious news all over the world as He desires, so that all the world will come to know, LOVE, abide in and live for Him, thus furthering His LOVE Revolution and tremendously glorifying the Father! It’s the only wise way to live. Have a happy and joyful Easter Friends, including fellowship with other believers, because that’s very important to our staying strong and faithful. But remember, drunk or sober, mind yuh business, so that the evil Lucifer won’t intrude and cause us to go astray. Much LOVE!…oh, if all the world could only know and accept Jesus…what a truly wonderful world this would be…let’s work seriously on it nuh people…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 February 2012 1 Kings 13:9‏

1 Kings 13:9.     For so it was charged me by the word of the Lord, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, not turn again by the same way that thou camest.
 
Oh Friends, another beautiful day is dawning with plenty blessings and mercies in store for those who LOVE, serve and worship the Most High God Jehovah! And all God’s people gave a resounding, unified shout of thanks and gratitude: ‘Glory Hallelujah! All praise and glory be to thee oh Lord, Creator and Controller of the heavens, earth and all therein!’ Yes mih people, it’s only right and proper to give thanks to the One who created us and still looks after all our earthly needs. But in order to get all those blessings and mercies, we need to be ever obedient to God’s will. If it’s one thing the Lord doesn’t take lightly it is disobedience. Yuh see what happened to Saul, the first king of Israel when he usurped the priest’s authority by offering burnt offerings? He lost the kingdom. The Lord anointed Bruh David as king instead. Today’s Bit Friends, highlights another such story of disobedience. King Jeroboam was doing evil in the Lord’s sight, worshipping at high places and altars to Baal in Bethel. But this fateful day, a prophet of Judah accosted Jeroboam at the altar and warned him of the Lord’s displeasure at his perfidy. The prophet prophesied of King Josiah’s birth, who would clean up Israel’s idol worship, and gave Jeroboam a sign that the altar would be torn apart and the ashes poured out. (1 Kin.13:2-3) Soon after that, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar ordering his guards to arrest the prophet. But lo and behold, ‘his hand which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him. The altar was also rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord.’ (1 Kin.13:4-5) Jeroboam was obviously dismayed and said to the prophet: ‘Entreat now the face of the Lord thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored (to) him again, and became as it was before.’ (1 Kin.13:6) Yes Friends, therein lies the omnipotence of our God! There is indeed no other like Him, so I’d strongly suggest that we pay very close attention to His dictates. Once his hand was restored, Jeroboam invited the man to come home with him to dine and be rewarded. But the prophet declined, invoking our Bit: ‘For so was it charged me by the word of the Lord, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest.’ So the man went home by another route. But Friends, when the enemy sets out to get us, or the Lord decides to test us, it’s with an intensity we can only resist with and through the veritable strength of the Lord and His Word. Now in Bethel there lived an old prophet who heard about the other prophet’s doing from his sons. So he saddled his donkey and went after him. He found him sitting under an oak tree and invited him back to his house for refreshment. Quite properly the younger man refused, once again invoking our Bit. The older man then said: ‘I am a prophet also as thou art, and an angel spake unto me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied to him.’ (1 Kin.13:18) So the young man went back with the old prophet and ate and drank with him. However, in the midst of the meal, the Lord appeared unto the older man: ‘And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the Lord, and hast not kept the commandment which the Lord thy God commanded thee, But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place of the which the Lord did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre (your corpse shall not come to the tomb) of thy fathers.’ (1 Kin.13:21-22) Ah Friends, when we find ourselves between a rock and a hard place, the only sensible thing to do is follow the Lord’s directive regardless of what anybody else tells us. After eating and drinking, the young man went out again: ‘And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him; and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase.’ (1 Kin.13:24) Eventually the older man heard about it and said: ‘It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the Lord: therefore the Lord hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake unto him,’ (1 Kin.13:26) Finally, the older prophet went out looking for the young, ‘and found his carcase cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcase: the lion had not eaten the carcase, nor torn the ass.’ (1 Kin.13:28) Yes Friends, a live lion standing idly beside a dead man and a live donkey, could only be the work of our God. Oh my brethren, please believe that whatever our God says will come to pass. We have so many examples of it, that our current ungodly behaviour and disobedience just boggles the mind! How can we be so foolish eh? I beg of us today to inspect our hearts and souls and see if we’re disobeying the Lord’s directives in any way, and to please, please, rectify it before it’s too late, cause it’s the only wise course available. Much LOVE!…he who doesn’t hear…who disobeys…shall certainly feel…shall certainly pay a hefty price…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 February 2012 Job 33:15-16‏

Job 33:15-16.    In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction.
 
Oh Friends, I guess I went to bed yesterday morning with the thought of God’s people coming together heavy on my mind. Consequently, I believe I dreamed that it happened. Now I’m not a hundred percent sure, but yuh know when you have those feelings that something significant happened in your dreams, but you’re not really sure exactly what took place. Well that’s the feeling I experienced when I got up. At first I thought it might be the enemy filling my mind with what seems like a pipe dream, given the truly disappointing witness today amongst God’s people. What with the great disparity between churches, the venomous dissension and total disrespect for each other currently being exhibited. But then I realized that Lucifer wouldn’t even want me to think such traitorous thoughts, much less put them on paper and spread them around the world. So the idea had to come from Almighty God. That lifted my sprits considerably, and caused me to continue with the dream. Wow! I excitedly thought. What a wondrous moment, what a wondrous miracle that would be if all God’s people actually came together to work for the good of His kingdom! It would surely be something to shout from the rooftops to all the world: ‘God’s people are coming together! God’s people are coming together! Glory Hallelujah!’ You’d hear millions of people just crying that out in utter amazement, faith and joy. And all of a sudden, the pace of kingdom building would just miraculously pick up. Now Friends, I know to some of us, God’s people seriously coming together really sounds like a pipe dream, a thoroughly preposterous idea, given the way we’re living at the moment, but is it really such a huge undertaking? I don’t think so. Not if we all got seriously interested, put aside our selfish, petty desires, and began diligently working at it. If Lucifer’s cronies can come together to further the cause of evil, why can’t God’s children do the same to further His purpose of peace and LOVE eh? I think Beelzebub would take a fit, have a veritable heart attack if that was to happen. And our God would certainly bend over backwards to help us make that awesome dream of His come true, where he doesn’t even lose one of His children to the enemy. What a day of rejoicing that would be in both heaven and on earth! The rafters of the world would certainly shake with the deafening, thundering roar of praise and worship that would ensue! Wow Friends! What power there is in our dreams! That’s why our Bit and the verses around it are so important. It’s Job’s supposed friend Elihu reasoning with him. ‘For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction. That he may withdraw man from his purpose (turn man from his deed), and hide pride from man.’ (Job 33:14-17) Yes Friends, many times it’s in our deepest sleep that our God connects with us and puts His desires in our hearts. Hear what He said when Miriam and Aaron complained against Moses: ‘Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.’ (Num.12:6) That was way back then when the Holy Spirit was not entrenched in all believers, but with the coming of Christ things changed somewhat, and now all believers have the Holy Spirit living in them. And what’s the purpose of the Holy Spirit? To lead and guide God’s children. That means nowadays He speaks to each of us individually, not only prophets, which by the way I am not. (smile) So please my brethren, I beg of us, let’s keep dreaming that dream nuh, that marvellous dream where all God’s people finally come together and chase Lucifer to Hades by his lonesome self, where he belongs. Thus allowing the wonder of God’s kingdom to envelop the whole earth, and the wonder of His majesty to fill the universe with His glory. I know that if we keep dreaming it in sincere faith, and doing our best to make it happen, then not only simple logic, but also God’s great promise will eventually cause it to happen. So Friends, in this year of 2012, one of such positive and tremendous promise, let’s all say like Martin Luther King, ‘I have a dream; a dream of God’s people coming together and making a monumental difference.’ If we sincerely believe that and work towards it, it will surely happen. Remember God’s promise, that whatever we ask for in faith and then see through the eyes of faith, He will grant. Much LOVE!…the LOVE train carrying the LOVE Revolution…is getting longer and longer…with each passing day…Oh give praise and thanks to Almighty God!
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 January 2012 Psalm 22:23‏

Psalm 22:23.    Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
 
Oh Friends, it’s already the twelfth day of the New Year! Wow! And here are some quotes to set you straight for it. I got them from Rob Kelly’s Real Estate newsletter. The first one says: ‘An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.’ Hn, hn! That’s attributed to one Bill Vaughan, and it does contain a sense of weird, truthful humour. Like seeing the glass half full or half empty. The second quote, whose author is unknown, declares that: ‘People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year; but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas.’ Now that’s an awesome truth! What we eat between Christmas and New Years doesn’t have as much bearing on our health and figure, since that’s only a few weeks time. But the twelve months between New Years and Christmas can certainly make or break us. I think the first part is still breaking me now though, because I can’t get out of the Christmas eating as yet. (smile) But it’ll soon be over though. The wonderful Christmas cake and other goodies will soon be finished, and without them I’ll leave the ice cream alone. In fact I should be doing some fasting for some blood work, but I just can’t get around to it yet. The duchess is cooking too much good food. Glory Hallelujah! And our last quote is attributed to Oprah Winfrey: ‘Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.’ Now that’s full of truth my people! We do have another chance to get it right in 2012. But regardless of what year it is, we’ll never get it right until we turn our fate and faith back to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And that’s an undeniable fact! And doing as our Bit advises, plays a great part in that: ‘Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed (descendants) of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him (hold Him in awesome reverence), all ye the seed of Israel.’ Yes Friends, our duties here on earth include fearing the Lord, not in a scared or frightened, timid manner, but rather having a healthy respect for His awesome power, knowing what He can do if He so pleases. We also need to praise, glorify and reverence Him. Why? Because that’s what He desires and expects of us. That’s His will, and as believers we’re supposed to do what He dictates. And by doing so we not only affirm our faith and trust in Him, but we’ll also be blessed by His good hand upon us. So it’s a kind of two way street: we acknowledge His majesty and do His will, and He blesses us in return. As Bruh David, in this cry of anguish and song of praise, continues after our Bit: ‘For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.’ (Ps.22:24)Yes Friends, our God has a soft spot in His heart for the poor, downtrodden and afflicted, and when we cry out to Him in times of trials and tribulations, He doesn’t hide His face, but hears our plea and helps us. Consequently, Bruh David declares: ‘My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live forever.’ (Ps.22:25-26) Oh my people, common sense sure is a hard thing to finds these days yes. Over the last couple of decades we’ve removed Jehovah God from a place of eminence in our individual lives and society as a whole. And what’s happened since then? Despite all our wonderful scientific and technological breakthroughs, our world is fast going to hell in a hand basket. Can’t we see, don’t we understand, that without the Creator of the universe and all therein, we don’t stand a snowball’s chance in Hades to make it on our own? And that’s simply because we weren’t designed to make it on our own, we were made to be attached to the Lord. Like all the technological devices we sport around nowadays, without batteries or electrical power they are useless. In the same way, without Almighty God, Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, we are of no use my people. So let’s wake up and make this year of 2012 a significant one in the annals of mankind nuh. Let’s get some common sense and hopefully some wisdom and turn back to the Lord with all sincerity and truth, in praise, worship, reverence and glorification, so that our lives will once again rise from the ashes like the phoenix and we’ll again become pure and wholesome in His sight. And we’ll end with these precious words from Psalm 135, the greatness of the Lord and the vanity of idols. ‘Bless the Lord, O house of Israel: Bless the Lord, O house of Aaron: Bless the Lord, O house of Levi: ye that fear the Lord, bless the Lord. Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord.’ (Ps.135:19-21) That’s great advice my people, please, let’s take it. Much LOVE!…it’s definitely not common sense or wisdom…but arrogant stupidity…to bite the hand that feeds you…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 January 2012 John 6:27‏

John 6:27.    Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
 HAPPY  NEW  YEAR  MY  SCRIP-BIT  FAMILY!
 
Oh Friends, it’s 2012! It’s a NEW YEAR! Glory Hallelujah! So let’s do something new nuh! Let’s bring some positive change(s) to our lives this year of 2012! As the Good Book says: ‘Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.’ (Is.43:19) And all God’s people enthusiastically shouted: “Yes Lord, we see you doing something new!’ Well Friends, this year let’s all do a new thing too nuh! And that new thing I want us to do is to rededicate ourselves to Christ; find a new passion, a new zeal, a new longing for Jesus! Remember when you first found Jesus? Remember how passionate you were, and wasn’t afraid to talk about Him? In fact they had a hard time stopping you from talking about Him. Well mih people, let’s see if we can’t regain that now seemingly lost feeling please. I find lack of zeal and passion for Christ to be one of our biggest downfalls, and it’s only as we get back that enthusiasm and confidence that the Lord’s kingdom will be furthered. We’re still going to be kind, generous, LOVING, faithful, merciful, trusting, forgiving, unselfish, considerate and gracious, all those wonderful attributes of Jesus, but in this year of 2012 we going to do it with a new flare, a rekindled fire, a renewed passion, and it’s going to fill us all with such joy, peace, calm and contentment that whenever people look at us, they’ll just see the light of Jesus shining out from us, they’ll know and realize that we’re in a different space, a different zone, one where Jesus is No.1; El Numero Uno. And then we can tell them that all they have to do to get what we have is to accept Jesus into their hearts and lives as Lord and Saviour, which will set them on the right path to joy, peace and fulfillment. That’s my New Year’s wish for all believers this year. And yuh know that’s when we’ll truly begin doing as our Lord desires in our Bit: ‘Labour not for the meat (food) which perisheth, but for that meat (food) which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.’ Oh Friends I want so much for us this new year to rise up and be true disciples of Christ, that He’ll be proud of us, for the world is currently such a wicked and rotten place and only as believers work seriously and tirelessly can it be improved, since the iniquity workers like it the way it is, and are even trying to make it more evil, if that’s at all possible. Now here’s a quote on the New Year from Hal Borland (1900 -1978) the well-known American author and journalist. It says: ‘Year’s end is neither an end or a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instil in us.’ Now that’s very true my brethren, and in light of that, I want us to use all the wisdom that life’s taught us so far to raise the profile of Jesus and His kingdom this new year. I want 2012 to be a breakthrough year for Christianity, where we put aside our petty, selfish grievances and work together to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ, to worship and glorify our Heavenly Father with such passion that the evil doers of the world will just have to stand by and watch in jealousy and envy, with their mouths wide opened, so surprised that Jesus’ army has finally risen up and taken a stand for Him. And it can be done Friends, if we’ll just decide to do it, invoke Jesus’ name for help, then buckle down together and do it. Now we’ll end with an excerpt on Peace from an editorial by Anne Daly Goodwin which appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch on December 31 1986. It’s quite appropriate for these trying and troubled times. ‘Peace rises like dawn in the hearts of hope… Peace reaches from warm and welcoming houses when workers go home. Peace wraps congregations as worship comes to comforting conclusions…  Peace floats like music through cabin windows to porch-sitters outside. Peace shimmers from lake water on star-dashed extravagant nights… Peace blesses the day’s end, in the Dylan Thomas way: ‘I turned the gas down. I got into bed. I said some words into the close and holy darkness, and then I slept.’ And so the last page turns to the new page, and we wish the world a happy new year. In peace.’ Oh my people, I implore us to take those words to heart, see them through our eyes of faith and work on them until they become reality, for that’s what our world needs more than anything right now…a modicum of PEACE. Much LOVE!…we can do it…if we only try…with Jesus’ help of course…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 December 2011 John 3:16‏

John 3:16.    For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

MERRY  CHRISTMAS  MY SCRIP-BIT FAMILY

Oh Friends, the big day is here at last! It’s Christmas morn! The day God’s incarnate child was born of a woman in a lowly, filthy stable! Glory Hallelujah! And the choir sang: ‘Away in a manger, no crib for His head, The little Lord Jesus, lay down His sweet head. The stars in the bright sky, looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.’ Yes Friends, even as a newborn babe, Jesus was imbued with a sense of peace and calm. How many of us would have lain there quietly in the stinky stable with frightening animal noises all around us eh? Not too many, I believe. And just for being such a beautiful baby child, let’s give Him some adoration nuh. Sing it out loud now: ‘O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.’ Ah mih people, what a momentous day in man’s history the birth of Christ was, and what a transition it ushered in., because LOVE, and Peace, and Goodwill then became more prominent and significant, morphing into true watchwords in our lives. How could it be otherwise when our Bit declares this amazing, this most awesome tale: ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’  Wow mih breddren! What a sacrifice on the part of Jehovah God! He must have LOVED us a whole lot to do such an unexpected, undeserved, ‘unrequitable’ thing, won’t you say? But that’s the unselfish majesty of our God! Though He knew we didn’t deserve it, and could never repay it, from the never-ending source of His LOVING-kindness and concern for us, He still extended that gift of LOVE, of Grace, of Salvation, and of Eternal Life to us, embodied in His Son Jesus. That certainly deserves another ‘Wow!’ mih people…and some singing too. ‘Silent night, Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright. Round young virgin, mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace. Shepherds gaze at the sight. Glory streaming from heaven above. Heavenly Host sings Hallelujah! Christ the Saviour is born. Christ the Saviour is born.’ Truer words were never spoken Friends! Now let’s check out some scripture re this auspicious occasion. As regards God’s LOVE, Bruh Paul confidently proclaimed to the Roman Church: ‘But God commendeth (demonstrated) his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom.5:8) Then to the Ephesians, he pointed out: ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great LOVE wherewith he LOVED us…For by grace are ye (you have been) saved, through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.’ (Eph.2:5,8) And to the Thessalonians: ‘Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath LOVED us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.’ (2 Thess.2:16-17) Now listen to John’s take on the subject: ‘In this was manifested the LOVE of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. Herein is LOVE, not that we LOVED God, but that he LOVED us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.’ (1 John 4:9-10)  And in Revelations it’s revealed thus: ‘And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten (born) of the dead, and the prince of (ruler over) the kings of the earth. Unto him that LOVED us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.’ (Rev.1:5)  Oh Friends, without a doubt, it’s all about that glorious emotion of LOVE, that overwhelming feeling of care and consideration that the Holy Trinity has for us, that we can safely say we’re on the road to peace, joy, salvation and eternal life. There’s nothing else like LOVE in existence. It’s the very nature of our God! And we can’t end today without sharing the most amazing bit of scripture, of prophecy that was ever written, centuries before it came to pass too. Listen to Isaiah: ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’ (Is.9:6) And as it was said, so it was done my Friends, some two thousand years ago. Now let’s go home with some praise in song. ‘Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new born King. Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Hark the herald angels sing, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King.’ Yes Friends, let’s give our God some most deserved glory, this Christmas Day 2011. And remember, drunk or sober, mind yuh business. (smile) Much LOVE!…the reason for the season…Jesus’ birthday…so please pay Him some homage today…

 

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