Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 August 2016 Psalm 11:4.

Psalm 11:4.    The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try (test), the children of men.

Well friends, another scorcher is set for today! It’s truly summer in the northern climes. And still no signs of heavenly blessings. But what to do eh? Not much, but grin and bear it, try to stay cool and pray for some relief ASAP. (smile) Anyway, life goes on as it should because our great God is still in control. 

Now here is a poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, that I just had to share because it’s so reflective and reminiscent of life in these sad and troubled times. It’s called ‘He Said – She Said.’ 

And it goes like this. ‘Another marriage is shattered, Lord. The divorce will be final next week. He said it was the breakdown of communication And the subtle infiltration of boredom.

She said it was an accumulation of things. He said she was unnecessarily preoccupied With home and children and activities. 

She said he stifled her dreams And ignored her achievements. He said he felt imprisoned, restricted – That night after night he got the old push-away.

She said he was harsh and brutal And he often embarrassed her in public.  He said her critical attitudes Contributed to his sense of inadequacy. 

She said she felt lonely and unappreciated With no claim to personal identity. He said she wallowed in self-pity And refused to acknowledge her benefits. She said he was thriftless and irresponsible.

He said she didn’t understand. She said he didn’t care.   Lord, how tragic. Through all the wearisome years Neither of them asked what YOU said.’ 

Ah friends, indeed how tragic is such a scene! But unfortunately it’s being played out numerous times in our current society that has no backbone or belly and can’t seem to communicate properly, although we are in an age of exceptional communication devices and means. 

And we all know that marriages have problems because they include selfish and different human beings, but too often the petty statements like those above are used to dissolve, to break asunder what God has joined together. Marriage is supposed to be holy and sanctified, but that certainly doesn’t seem to be the case nowadays. 

People seem to rush into marriage nowadays without thinking properly about it, and thus as soon as the first headache appears, everybody is ready to call it splitsville. To a certain extent I blame our society which embraces the fairy tale of getting married and living happily ever after. 

That’s all we teach our children, but they have no idea of the reality that marriage is a three-ring circus; the engagement ring, the wedding ring, and then the suffering. (smile) Now that might be putting it too harshly, but the fairy tale of endless harmony is also too unreal. 

Ah friends, unless the Lord is present within a marriage it won’t be successful. That’s why the biblical promise for that poem is a reflection of king Rehoboam’s life. ‘And he did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord (it was not his basic purpose).’ (2 Chr.12:14)

However, we won’t get into the problems of marriage, because everyone will have their own take on it. So since it’s Thursday, let’s get positive and declare our Thursday Blessings so that we can get alive and truly live for Christ, for remember a blessing is not a blessing until it’s been spoken. 

All together now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance!

I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! 

I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life!

I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’ 

Oh my people, what a wonderful, awesome, mighty and LOVING God we serve and worship! No other faith can do what we’ve just done; declare positive blessings over our lives and sincerely expect them to come true. 

And all of that is made possible partly because of our Bit. ‘The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try (test), the children of men.’ 

You better had believe that my brethren, else crapaud smoke yuh pipe, you’re out of luck, you’ll be left behind! 

And to end the writing on this Bit, let’s quickly look at a couple of scriptures that corroborate it. First up is the declaration of Stephen when he was on trial. ‘Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: 

What house will ye build me? Saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things?’ (Acts 8: 48-50) There Stephen puts together Isaiah’s saying (Is.66:1,2), Jesus’ words, (Matt.5:34), and those of the psalmist (Ps.102:25) 

And finally, the words of Bruh Paul in Athens on Mars Hill talking to the Athenians about the altar with the inscription ‘To the Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship (worship without knowing); him declare I unto you.

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth life, and breath, and all things.’ (Acts 17:23-25) 

Yes friends, the Lord doesn’t need anything from us, but we need everything from Him. Please, let’s remember that as we go about His business today and everyday. Much LOVE!

…unless a man’s eyes and heart are turned toward Almighty God…his earthly tenure will not be successful…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 August 2016 Psalm 11:4.

Psalm 11:4.     The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try (test), the children of men.

Well friends, another bright, sunshiny, hot day has blossomed in my neck of the woods! Glory Be!

But the truth of the matter is that we do need some rain, haven’t seen any in ages. We were promised some over the weekend, but nary a drop of heavenly blessings has fallen on the dry, thirsty ground. 

Meanwhile, I understand that T&T is been flooded with heavenly water! Hn! But what to do eh?

Nothing but keep on hoping and praying and having faith that our great God who is in control and has a plan mapped out for the universe, knows what He is doing. He is the wisest of the wise, so it’s only reasonable to assume that He has the situation well in hand. 

Now listen to some inspirational words from a song by the Jamaican Reggae singer Luciano. I’ve always liked it, but I heard it yesterday and was guided to share it. 

‘I took a little trip, trying to find myself, journeying within my soul. It took a little time then to realize that something was not right. How many years are filled without? Guess I supplanted all my doubts. There was no one, no one for me. No one but His holy help for me. 

(Chorus) And I know that, as long as He is my friend, my soul will be secure until the end. And I know that, as long as He is my guide, under His wings of LOVE I will abide. 

My life was filled with thistles and thorns, from the day that I was born. With only my faith to carry me on, through the wind and the storm. He said if you will follow me, take up thy cross and come, forget thyself. Let’s journey into the beyond. 

And I know that, as long as He is my friend, my soul will be secure until the very end. And I know that, as long as He is my guide, under His wings of LOVE, I will survive.’ 

Oh friends, many of us can attest to the truth of that situation! We were lost, then went looking for something or someone to soothe our souls.

And glory hallelujah, we found the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in all His LOVING-kindness, who encouraged us to take up our cross and follow Him into the great beyond. 

However, one proviso was necessary to do that properly; forget our selves and concentrate on Him, make Him our first priority in this life. And for all of us who accepted that invitation, we’ve been sure and secure in His friendship and guidance ever since! 

And all God’s people declared a loud, proud, and grateful, ‘Praise the Lord for His unfailing kindness to the children of men!’ 

Now let’s back up and strengthen all we’ve said so far by declaring our Tuesday Mantra with heartfelt sincerity and overwhelming truth. 

As one now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me.

I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world.  Amen!’ 

Beautiful, my people, beautiful! Now let’s make sure all of that is firmly embedded and entrenched in our souls, because that’s who we are, not what the world says about us! 

And all God’s children declared a loud and confident, ‘Sing Hallelujah to the Lord of all power and glory! For He is mighty within the universe!’ 

And to corroborate our contentions, let’s turn to our Bit, words of Bruh David from Psalm 11 – In the Lord I put my trust. ‘The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try (test), the children of men.’ 

Oh yes my brethren, the Father, the Creator of ALL, sits on His heavenly throne watching and testing us! There’s no way for us to escape His holy attention, to run and hide from His all-pervasive sight.

So what should we do eh? Like Luciano says in his song: forget ourselves, take up our cross and follow the Lord God Almighty into the great beyond! 

It sounds simple, but it’s not easy. It’s not for the weak and frail. But with God’s ever-generous help, even the weak and frail can accomplish it. That just shows the magnanimity of the great God we serve and worship! 

And the scholars comment thus on the matter. ‘Psalm 11. A vision of the Lord on His throne (v.4) is all the righteous need for security in the face of the threat of the wicked (v.2).’ 

Yeh friends, if we picture our great and wonderful God sitting on His heavenly throne, ruling the roost, we ought to feel safe and secure in our souls. Now let’s look at some scripture that detail God’s place in the heaven. Hear Isaiah, as he talks about Zion’s future hope. 

‘Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

 

For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been (exist), saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.’ (Is.66:1-2) 

And the scholars offer this interesting explanation. ‘11:1-16. Isaiah’s final prophecy begins with the assertion, Thus saith the Lord. The passage points to the magnitude and immensity of God, who is greater than the heavens. Thus heaven is His throne and earth His footstool. He is not limited to any house (temple) made by man. 

The apostle John tells us that in eternity there is no need for a temple, “for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” (Rev.21:22).

God’s desire is to dwell in men and women who are of a poor and…contrite spirit. Thus Isaiah foresees the New Testament doctrine of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the temple of man’s body (1 Cor.6:19) 

Enough for now friends. Let’s ponder it all, as we walk with Jesus today and share his LOVE with the world, as he desires of us. Much LOVE!

…the LOVE of God…makes the world go round…