Acts 9:16. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
Oh Friends, it’s Monday! Yes, it’s time to get ready to go out and labour! And I don’t want to hear any nonsense about yuh tired or blue, or any such selfish, petty excuse. If you’re a true Christian, a true believer in Jesus Christ, then you have the necessary parts to conquer whatever is holding you back.
So let’s be humble and cast our cares on Jesus, as He’s repeatedly told us to do, and ask for our daily bread, our share of divine grace to handle today. And like the Lord gave the Israelites manna, food sufficient for each day, for forty years in the wilderness, He’ll do the same for us if we come before Him and ask with a humble heart and sincere reverence.
So without further ado, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn as though we really mean it, because I want to finish this Bit on Bruh Paul today, and there’s still a lot to talk about.
With one, loud, harmonious voice then, let’s sing: ‘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!’
That was excellent singing Friends! Now let’s go out into this godless world and put it all into practice, like Bruh Paul did. And as we do, let’s remember to thank the Lord that we don’t have to bear the extremely hard knocks that Bruh Paul bore in spreading the good news of Christ. For the Lord certainly lived up to His promise to Ananias in our Bit. ‘For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.’
Now living for Christ means facing some adversity, but whatever they are, let’s hope we face them with the faith, trust and confidence that Bruh Paul did. Listen as we continue with his feelings and sentiments to the trials he experienced. This passage comes from 2 Corinthians. It’s one many of us know and use conveniently. Here, Bruh Paul is talking about living by faith.
‘But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled (hard pressed) on every side, yet not distressed (crushed); we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast (struck) down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.’ (2 Cor.4:7-11)
Ah mih people, that level of growth and maturity in Jesus that Bruh Paul exhibits there is not easy to obtain. But it is possible in conjunction with Christ, and as a believer, it’s expected that we’ll all seriously try to reach those glorious heights. And here’s some useful info from the scholars on verse 7 above.
‘Earthen vessels: In the wilderness under the old covenant, God’s presence dwelt in a tent, (the ark). Today He dwells in the believer’s heart. This is unspeakable truth and forms a theological basis for holy living (cf. 1 Cor. 6:19-20) But the stress here is on ‘earthen.’ An earthenware jar is brittle. It depicts humanity in its weakness. The gospel is not a product of human genius or clever intellect (humanity in its strength). Yet it resides in men of clay, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.’
Now let’s turn to Philippians, where Bruh Paul tells them: ‘But I would ye should understand (want you to know), brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen (turned) out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel. So that my bonds in Christ (chains are for Christ) are manifest (well known) in all the palace (by all the palace guard), and in all other places. And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing (becoming) confident by my bonds (chains), are much more bold to speak the word without fear.’ (Phil.1:12-14)
Yes Friends, lots of people in and around the palace knew of Bruh Paul’s imprisonment for Christ’s sake and thus heard about the gospel, which pleased him immensely. And it even made some of the other believers confident enough to publicly promote the gospel. So in Bruh Paul’s mind, instead of it being a disappointment, his imprisonment actually spread the gospel more than if he’d been free.
Then at the end of that chapter, in exhorting them to steadfastness, he tells them: ‘For unto you it (salvation) is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.’ (Phil. 1:29-30)
Oh Friends, that means that salvation from God came to us and the Philippians because of Jesus’ suffering, so that if we want it, we’ll have to suffer some, like Jesus to get it. As well, some of the Philippians were then facing persecution like they saw Bruh Paul do some ten years before in Philippi, when he was beaten and imprisoned, and was again undergoing in the Roman prison, from which he wrote.
And we’ll end this series of messages on Bruh Paul with these fateful words to the Ephesian elders whom he called to Miletus to meet with him. ‘And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save (except) that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds (chains) and afflictions abide (await) me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.’ (Acts 20:22-24)
Oh Friends, in closing, my fervent wish and sincere prayer is that all believers will eventually come to a truly high standard of belief and faith in Christ Jesus, like Bruh Paul, and spread the Word as selflessly and unafraid as he did. Then and only then will God’s glorious kingdom be truly furthered with the zeal and passion that’s absent from our current lacklustre endeavours. Much LOVE!
…to move this wicked, ungodly world towards Christ…believers need to have…enormous amounts of faith, fortitude, belly and backbone…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 August 2013 Acts 9:16
10 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: action, adversity, beaten with rods, believers in Jesus Christ, boasts, burn with indignation, Christ's gospel, Christian faith, Christians, cold, Damascus, deep concern, don't quit, dreary life, faith, false brethren, fastings, fear, fires of adversity, fortitude, going through tough times, good news, great things, holy spirit, hunger and thirst, infirmities, journeys, labours, laid it on the line, magnaimous God, mature in Christ, nakedness, never give up, passion, perils, planet earth, preaching Christ crucified, prisons, protective umbrella of Christ, religion, robbers, rough situations, same old, saviour jesus christ, seed of Abraham, shame, shipwreck, sleeplessness, small deed for Christ, stagnant riddim, steadfast and true, steadfast faith, stoned, stripes, stumble, suffer in my name, synopsis, tests, theology, times of trial, toil, victorious, weariness, when the going gets tough, wilderness, world's standard
Acts 9:16. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
Oh Friends, oh Friends, it’s another day in the same old, same old dreary life on planet earth. Yes, for many of us life just moves along in the same old stagnant riddim that’s become the world’s standard.
But my people, here’s the good news! As believers in Jesus Christ, we Christians have the ability to rise above the daily drudgery and mediocrity and make each day something special!
And why is that? Because we have the Holy Spirit of our great and wonderful God dwelling right inside of us. Wow! And to make things even better, if we sincerely follow His lead and guidance, very seldom will two days be the same, for everyday will be an interestingly different one!
Now note I didn’t say easy or necessarily pleasant, but I can personally vouch that every day spent under the protective umbrella of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is different and also interesting. And since the Lord wants us to be come more like Jesus with every passing day, that means there will be tests and trials of various types and intensities, because like gold and silver, we can only be refined by passing through the fires of adversity.
But also remember that the Lord has promised to safely bring us out of whatever He allows us to go through. And the fact of the matter is that when we go through those times of trial, we usually come out of them much stronger than before. So there’s no need for fear, shame or bewailing our rough and tough situations.
Just remember it’s all a test, and if we stand up strong, steadfast and true, the Lord will eventually reward us. And we all know that there’s no bigger or more generous rewarder than our magnanimous God, just look at Job.
Now all of that just leads us up to our Bit: ‘For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.’
Yeh mih breddren, we talk about going through tough times, but how many of us, if any, have faced, or will ever face the adversity that Bruh Paul went through to spread the Christian faith eh? Yet we make such a big fuss if we’re asked to put ourselves out of the way to do some small deed for Christ.
Now it certainly seems like everywhere Bruh Paul went he stirred up trouble by preaching Christ crucified. After he got out of prison in Philippi, He went to Thessalonica, Berea and Athens, where they had to spirit him out of each town because the townspeople took exception to his zealous, confident preaching. (Acts 17)
Anyway, we don’t have time to go through all the things Bruh Paul suffered in Christ’s name, so we’ll just give a synopsis in his own words. In writing to the Corinthians, he didn’t want to boast, but some false teachers were doing just that, so to show that he had the parts and had been through the fire, he laid it on the line for them.
‘Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save (less) one.
Thrice I was beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness (toil), in watchings (sleeplessness) often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those (other) things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of (deep concern for) all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended (made to stumble, and I burn not (do not burn with indignation)? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities (my weaknesses).
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: and through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.’ (2 Cor.11:22-33)
Ah mih people, very few of us, if any, would have survived, lived to tell the tale of even a quarter of what Bruh Paul went through in his passion and action to spread the good news of Christ’s gospel. But please remember that it was the power of God’s Spirit working in him that allowed him to come out victorious.
Likewise Friends, in our current lives, whatever we come up against that needs fortitude and steadfast faith, it’s God’s Spirit that will enable us to bear up under the strain. So let’s not be too quick to give up when adversity strikes… In fact we can never give up, never quit, since those terms don’t exist in the believers’ vocabulary.
So please remember the adage; when the going gets tough, the tough, that’s we believers get going. Therefore please stand strong in Jesus my people! Much LOVE!
…where there’s no adversity…a believer will not grow and mature in Christ…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 August 2013 Philippians 4:13
06 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: affirmation day, appreciative crowd, awe, believe, believe in Jesus, biblical affirmations, blessings, bright future, calypso monarch, Calypso showcase, courage, dog eat dog world, ears have not heard, evil, eyes haven't seen, faith, faithfulness, fend off Lucifer, gospel truth, government you deserve, Harbourfront, He is faithful that promised, heart-warming, holy spirit, hope, I can do all things, if god is for us, Jekyll and Hyde, Jesus Christ, laughingstock, LOVE, loving kindness, Macoumere Fifi, magnanimous god, mercies, people perish, personal fiefdom, pilgrim's journey, planet earth, power struggles, prophetic vision, reassurance, religion, restraints, reverence, rewarder, shenanigans, spirituality, strength, theology, things God hath prepared, things of the world, through Christ who strengthens me, times of trouble, Toronto's mayor, truth, who can be against us, wisdom, without wavering, write indelibly
Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!
Oh Friends, the ole fella actually went out yesterday afternoon. Wow! Strange things do happen at times yes! (smile) My young daughter came and picked me up in her fancy SUV and took me down to a Calypso showcase of local talent at Harbourfront, a multiple events place on the Toronto Waterfront.
Oh, it felt so good to be chauffeured for a change, and in style to boot, instead of always being the chauffeur. Some of you might be able to appreciate and understand the feeling, as you’re in the same boat. But it’s nice to be able to gaze around and see the myriad of things that you don’t, or shouldn’t see when you’re driving.
Anyway, I missed the first half of the show, but what I experienced was excellent and it had a good and appreciative crowd. The backing band, Ossie Gurley, was nice and tight, but as it should be, the reigning Calypso Monarch of Canada, Macoumere Fifi, stole the show with her rendition of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a caricature of the Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, and his brother Doug, who seems to be the de facto Mayor, as he cleans up, or tries to clean up his brother’s mistakes.
They behave as though Toronto is their personal fiefdom, but sadly have become a laughingstock around the world because of their unwise shenanigans, and consequently the city has suffered a serious decrease in believability.
But as they say, you get the government you deserve, and where there’s no prophetic vision, the people perish, because they cast off all restraints and do their own thing. And that is exactly what’s happening in the good city of Toronto today. The leaders are behaving like buffoons, being more divisive and argumentative and involved in power struggles, rather than doing the jobs they were elected to do.
Anyway, we’ll pray for them and leave them in God’s hand, because only He can change the hearts and minds of those He created. And furthermore, He’s decreed that today be a day of Biblical Affirmations; pieces of scripture that we can write indelibly in our hearts and souls that will help us fend off Lucifer when he attacks us, or just generally in times of trouble.
Remember we had affirmation day a few weeks ago. Now we’ll run through some more scriptures that are useful to keep us strong and steadfast in faith. And we’ll begin with our Bit, which generally correlates all our endeavours. ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!’
Now Friends, that is undeniable truth! That’s simply because it is the power of Jesus Christ, His Holy Spirit working in us that enables us to handle all and sundry situations, regardless of what they might be. Without that power of Christ’s Spirit enabling us, we wouldn’t last very long in this evil, dog eat dog world.
And listen to these words of ultimate wisdom from Cousin Sol nuh. ‘Commit thy works (roll on the Lord thy works), and thy thoughts shall be established.’ (Prov.16:3) Now there’s no doubting the substantial truth in that verse my brethren.
And what about this reassuring verse from Jeremiah eh? ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’ (Jer.29:11)
Oh Friends, from that we ought to draw immense assurance, because the Lord has spelled out His plans for us, plans which are full of hope and a bright future.
Next up is this powerful verse from Hebrews. ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)’ (Heb.10:23) Ah mih breddren, how can that not calm our souls re the Lord’s faithfulness eh!
And we also need to hear this other verse from Hebrews, which deals with our faith and faithfulness. ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ (Heb.11:6)
And that my people, is the gospel truth of all gospel truths! For if we don’t have faith and believe that God is who He says He is and does what He says, then we’ll be shut out of the Lord’s mercies, blessings and LOVING-kindness.
Now hear these words of Bruh Paul to the Corinthians, based on Is.64:4 and 65:17. ‘But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE Him.’ (1 Cor.2:9)
Wow! Oh my fellow believers yuh hear that? We can’t begin to understand or even imagine what our mighty, magnanimous and LOVING God has prepared for those who LOVE and serve Him with reverence and awe!
And we’ll end with this most appropriate scripture from Romans: ‘What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?’ (Rom.8:31)
And the answer to that question my Friends is a loud, defiant and definite ‘NOBODY!’
Now my people, let’s ponder those scriptures and write them in our hearts, so that in the day and time of need, we can raise them up and find the strength, wisdom, faith, assurance and courage to stand tall and walk proudly on this our pilgrim’s journey here on planet earth.
For that my brethren is the absolute wisdom of and for these perilous times! Much LOVE!
…to believe in Jesus…is certainly more assuring and heart-warming…than believing in the things of the world…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 August 2013 Proverbs 20:1
02 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: abuse of alcohol, alcohol, alcoholism, brawling, brown girl in the bottle, Caribana, caribana festivities, crime sprees, deception, delusion, dissipation, domestic violence, drunkenness, enslavement, evils of alcohol, fatal accidents, fellowship, fire water, frame of mind, free ride, freedom, Friday, Friday chant, fun, generous help, glorious kingdom, glory hallelujah, holy spirit, intoxication, irreparable harm, jesus name, Lucifer, lust of the flesh, mind yuh business, moral intemperance, moral states, Pan competition, predicament, prohibition, prowling with a vengeance, relaxation, rest, rhetorical questions, right frame of mind, Scotia Bank Carnival, smell the cork, sordid tale, strong drink, stumbling, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the will of God, truth, unconscious wounds, understanding, wine, wisdom
Proverbs 20:1. Wine is a mocker, strong (intoxicating) drink is raging (arouses brawling): and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday 2 August 2013… Wow!! I got it right! And I did check the bottom right hand corner of the computer console to make sure. (smile) And yuh know what else? It’s not raining! Yesterday turned out quite nicely, and allowed the Caribana festivities to go on, unimpeded by rain. I just hope it stays that way for the Pan Competition tonight.
And one more thing; while I’ve been writing, the populace has been going crazy shouting, ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! Thank God we finally emancipated, we independent, we free! Thank God we free at last! Glory Hallelujah!’
Yes Friends, we are indeed free, free from all sorts of stuff; be it slavery, work for the weekend, relationships, Lucifer, etc. But please remember that any kind of freedom always brings with it certain responsibilities, for then we have nobody to turn to, or blame for whatever predicament we find ourselves in.
So there’s really no free ride in this life, contrary to what some of us think and /or believe. That’s why it’s necessary to always keep our wits about us and be guided by the Holy Spirit, rather than the lust of the flesh. So let’s chant our Friday Chant to get ourselves in the right frame of mind to handle this long weekend, where Lucifer will be out prowling with a vengeance, looking for any toehold he can latch on to.
With one accord now, let’s 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.’
And that brings us smack, dab right to our Bit. ‘Wine is a mocker, strong (intoxicating) drink is raging (arouses brawling): and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.’
Words of undeniable truth my brethren! For when the fire water gets in our brain and body, it sure causes us to do all sorts of foolish, unwise things. And I’m going to quote a couple verses of Bruh Paul’s famous speech to the Ephesians, which we heard yesterday, because I want to include some important notes from the scholars.
Here’s what Bruh Paul told the Ephesians. ‘Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation); but be filled with the Spirit.’ (Eph.5:17-18)
Now here’s what the scholars have to say. ‘5:18: This verse gives an example of what is and what is not the Lord’s will (v. 17) Believers are not allowed to be intoxicated with alcoholic beverages; the reason for this prohibition is wherein is excess; that is, drunkenness leads to moral intemperance.
This is clearly contrary to God’s will. His will is that Christians be filled with (by) the Spirit; that is, they are to allow Him to fill them with God’s own life, character and virtues. The analogy between these two moral states is this: a person filled with wine is under its influence; similarly, a Christian is filled with the Spirit when He controls his thoughts, attitudes and actions.’
Oh my people, please let’s take all this stuff seriously, otherwise we’re liable to end up in serious trouble – physically, financially, emotionally – and blow whatever good thing(s) we have going for us, both with man and with God! Such is the power of alcohol, especially when it is encouraged by the wiles and taunts of Beelzebub.
I personally don’t have a problem with a drink now and then, here and there, but unfortunately many of us can’t handle it, so the wisest choice is simply to leave it alone. And all of us are very aware of the great toll that the abuse of alcohol is taking on our society; the drinking and driving, the fatal accidents, the crime sprees, the domestic violence, etc. etc. So please, please, if you know you can’t handle it, just leave it be nuh.
Hn, hn! I just remembered the old saying re some people only have to smell the cork and they get drunk. (smile) But it’s quite true. A lot of people can’t even smell the fumes from the bottle without getting tipsy. That’s because the alcohol reacts on everybody in different ways.
Now let’s end with some wise words from Cousin Sol, re the brown girl in the bottle. Sorry, nowadays she comes in all different colours, sizes and potencies, but the end result is the same.
Listen as Cousin Sol tells the sordid tale. ‘Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling (complaints)? Who hath wounds without a cause? Who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry (linger) long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look thou not upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour (sparkles) in the cup, when it moveth itself aright (goes smoothly).
At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like and adder (a viper). Thine eyes shall behold strange women (strange things), and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst (heart) of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick (hurt); they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it (another drink) yet again.’ (Prov.23:29-35)
Oh what fools we are my brethren! Though we know the evils of alcohol, we continue to imbibe it unwisely, then fall on our faces, promise never again, then get back up and do it all over again.
And here’s what the scholars say about Cousin Sol’s story. ’23:29-35: Six rhetorical questions drive home the fact that alcoholism has both physical and psychological effects (v.29). These effects are further specified: physical and psychological poisoning (v.32); delusion (v.33), stumbling (v.34); unconscious wounds (v.35a); and enslavement (v.35b).’
There we have it Friends, in black and white! So this Caribana weekend… forget the Scotia Bank Carnival nonsense, because it will always be known as Caribana. Yes, this Caribana weekend, when so many opportunities abound to get black up and make fools of ourselves, do harm, sometimes irreparable harm to ourselves and others, let’s remember Granny’s advice nuh. ‘Sonny boy, drunk or sober, mind yuh business.’
And that’s eternal wisdom my brethren. Much LOVE!
…to drink or not to drink…that is the question…for one can lead to two or more…but none…will preserve a clear head…and also stymie Lucifer…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 August 2013 Proverbs 20:1
01 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: alcohol, blacked up, blood of jesus, brilliant sun, Caribana, Caribbean Carnival, celebratory times, cleansing, confession of sins, deceived, dissipation, drunk with wine, drunkenness, enmity, eternity, excess, father in heaven, fellowship with God, filled with the Spirit, filling of the Spirit, fire water, God's mysterious ways, God's power, good weather, Ham, happiness, holy spirit, imbibed, intoxication, Japheth, Jewish Proverb, King and Queen of Carnival, nakedness, Noah, on behalf of God, proverbial wisdom, recrimination, salvation, Shem, showers of blessing, spilled blood of Jesus, strife, suffering, the things of God, the will of the Lord, undisciplined, vino, violence, walk circumspectly, wine, wisdom, wise living
Proverbs 20:1. Wine is a mocker, strong (intoxicating) drink is raging (arouses brawling): and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Oh Friends, oh Friends I really don’t know where my head was this morning nuh; somewhere up in the clouds, I guess. But I can assure you it wasn’t clouded with fire water, though I probably need a shot to set me straight now. (smile) Thanks Cher for setting me straight.
Please ignore the first version of Today’s Bit, and I humbly and sincerely apologize for putting the wrong date. And would you believe that I usually check the day and date box at the bottom right hand corner of the computer before I start writing the Bit. Sometimes I even laugh at myself for doing it. Obviously I didn’t do it this morning, when I most needed it.
And today is Thursday, the first day of August 2013…and it’s raining. So what, you ask? Well let’s hope that it’s simply showers of blessing and cleansing, and by the time the dawn breaks, the rain will disappear and a big, bright, brilliant sun will appear above the horizon.
Remember Friends, it’s Emancipation Day in T&T, and Independence Day in J.A, as well as Caribana Weekend, the biggest weekend in T.O! Sorry, it’s Scotia Bank Carnival Weekend in T.O! The rights to the name Caribana have been in litigation for a few years now, and I guess the old administration has prevented the new one from using the title of Caribana.
Anyway, the major part of the festivities begins tonight with the King and Queen of Carnival Show in Lamport Stadium. And since Lamport is an open air stadium, with no roof, we need good weather so that the festivities can go off properly. And the ole fella is looking forward to the Pan Contest on Friday, so the rain cannot be falling during the day time.
Now let’s offer up this prayer for a good and clean Caribana. ‘Oh Father in heaven, we sincerely pray that you will allow the Caribana celebrations to go off without any serious problems. That everybody will have a good time, and their will be no aftermath of violence and recrimination. We pray this on the power of the spilled blood of Jesus at Calvary. Amen.’
And after writing that preamble, I opened the Good Book to seek a Bit, and lo and behold Friends, it opened amidst the proverbial wisdom of Cousin Sol, and the first words my eyes fell on were: ‘Wine is a mocker, strong (intoxicating) drink is raging (arouses brawling): and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.’
And I just had to laugh, because God was obviously moving in one of His many mysterious ways, letting me know He wanted that verse of scripture to be Today’s Bit, to serve as a warning in these celebratory times against imbibing too much fire water, which causes us to become undisciplined and fall easy prey to Lucifer. The scholars suggest that ‘Wine is personified as a mocker because it deceives those who partake of it. It is contrary to wise living.’
But before we get into the Bit, let me share and interesting Jewish Proverb, which says: ‘From happiness to suffering is a step; from suffering to happiness is an eternity.’
And isn’t that the awful truth my people! We move from happiness to suffering so easily and so quickly that it boggles our minds. But moving from suffering back to happiness… Hn! That’s a completely different story. It indeed seems to take a lifetime.
And here’s a good example that ties in with our Bit, of how suffering can crop up out of the blue and spoil our lives. It comes from Noah’s story. ‘And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent’ (Gen. 9:20-21)
And we all know the results of that indiscretion. Ham, one of Noah’s sons, saw him naked, then went out and told his two brothers, Shem and Japheth, who took a robe, backed into their father’s tent and covered him without looking at his nakedness. Now when Noah recovered from his drunken spell and heard what had happened, he cursed Ham and his Canaanite descendants, cursing them to be forever servants of the other two brothers. (Gen. 9:22-29)
Now I find that somewhat unfair, because if Noah had not imbibed too much vino and blacked up, his nakedness would not have been exposed.
And the scholars have this note on vs.21: ‘Noah had been so faithful to God that it is unlikely that he did this deliberately. His drunken condition may have been a totally unexpected result of the changed environment after the Flood.’
I don’t buy that excuse. I’m sure Noah must have drunk wine before the flood and knew its grave potential. But who knows eh? His drunkenness did cause strife and enmity within his family. And unfortunately my brethren, drunkenness is still destroying families up to this day, possibly more so than in Noah’s time.
Meanwhile, listen to Bruh Paul’s warning to the church at Ephesus on the subject. ‘See then that ye walk circumspectly (carefully), not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation); but be filled with the Spirit.’ (Eph.5:15-18)
And we’ll end with some wise words from the scholars. ‘5:18. The words, ‘be filled’ here mean ‘be continually filled,’ emphasizing that the fullness of the Spirit is a repeated experience for believers. When a person is drunk with an alcoholic beverage, his walk, talk, and sight are controlled by alcohol. God desires that the minds of Christians be controlled by the Holy Spirit so that they will walk in the Spirit, speak on behalf of God, and understand the things of God.
Because people are indwelt by the Holy Spirit at salvation, they do not need to get more of the Holy Spirit, but the filling of the Spirit occurs when the Holy Spirit gets more of the believer.
Illustration: As we establish our fellowship with God through confession of sins (1 John 1:9) and yield to Him, (Rom.6:13), we can be filled with the Spirit if that is our desire (Matt.5:6) and prayer (Luke 11:13).
Application: Every Christian should be filled with the Spirit in order that he may have God’s power to serve Him. (Acts 1:8). First Ref, Ex.35:31; Primary Ref, Eph. 5:18; cf. 1 John 2:27.)
Friends, please check out those scriptures for they are very interesting and revealing. Now let’s go out and be filled with the Holy Spirit of God, and not the fire water that Lucifer offers. That surely is wisdom to the nth degree! Much LOVE!
…instead of turning to drink to drown his sorrows…man should turn to the Holy Spirit of God…for wise guidance…in every circumstance…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 July 2013 Psalm 102:12
23 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: #One, bouncing baby boy, change them, Christ's body, christianity, commercialism, death, disappearing act, everlasting truth, fake, feather in our cap, floundering ship, generations will remember the Lord, God will never die, grow old, holy spirit, hoopla, it's a boy, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, knock off, Lord of Lords, miss a trick, monarchy, monkey see monkey do, name game, omnipotent god, put that in your pipe and smoke it, royal birth, sales pitch, sin, that too shall pass, the British throne, the church, the foundations of the earth, the futility of idols, the grave, the greatness of God, the Hit Parade, The Lord shall endure forever, things of God, things of the world, wonderful god, work of thy hands
Psalm 102:12. But thou, O Lord, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
Oh Friends, oh Friends, it’s a boy! Whoopee dee! Another possible king for the British throne. Yes mih people, the long awaited day arrived yesterday. Prince William and Princess Kate had a bouncing baby boy!
Now that’s nice to know and all that, but the fuss so much of the world has been kicking up in the last week or so, is it truly necessary? In one breath a lot of people want the monarchy gone, but in the next they’re going gaga over the birth of one more royal for them to support and bow to.
Ah Lord eh! Oh, how I wish they’d give our great and wonderful God even a li’l bit of the enthusiasm and anticipation that this royal birth has created. Christianity would certainly be moving big mountains!
And can you imagine all the nonsense people have been sending to the poor couple, who need no material stuff, just some privacy, plus the name game with its betting and favourites, and the monkey see, monkey do actions… Chuh! Now that’s really going overboard.
Those actions though will certainly bring a smile to the faces of the managers of commerce, who won’t miss a trick, with some sort of sales pitch to have their cash registers constantly ringing, while we line up to spend money we can’t afford on stuff we don’t need.
But because Princess Kate’s royal baby has it, it’ll be a feather in our cap to have the same brand too, even if it’s a knock off, a fake. Steups! How foolish can we get eh!
But you know what my brethren? All that too shall pass; the royalty, the people falling over themselves, the commercialism, and all the other hoopla. However, as our Bit says: ‘But thou, O Lord, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.’
And that my Friends, is the everlasting truth of all truths! Whatever else happens, our God will NEVER die, take a powder or pull some disappearing act! That’s because He’s #ONE on the Hit Parade and will ALWAYS BE #ONE!
In fact, before the Hit Parade ever came into being, our great God was already alive and running things. And even when the Hit Parade is no more, our wonderful and omnipotent God will still be around, and still running things in the universe He’s created! Now put that in yuh pipe and smoke it! (smile)
Oh Friends, it would be so heart warming if those same people who are making such a fuss over the royal baby – many of whom I’m sure call themselves Christians – would do so over the true Monarch of the World, the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Jesus Christ, to whom they’ll all have to bow and answer to and confess that He is indeed #ONE!
It would definitely be wonderful if they could pass down the story of Jesus to their children, as they’ll do that of the newborn royal. Ah mih people, we let the unimportant things of the world so cloud, and have so much sway over our lives, that there’s very little left for the important things of God.
But in spite of all that, as the psalmist so rightly says in Psalm 135; the greatness of the Lord and the vanity of idols: ‘Thy name, O Lord, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations.’ (Ps.135:13)
And though as I said yesterday, I was worried about our passing down the Word to the next generation, deep down I believe the psalmist’s words will hold true until the last days.
The Good Book does say that God’s remembrance will not fail, because Christ’s body on earth, His church will keep it alive forever. But my fellow believers, this won’t happen automatically, we’re expected to get up and make it happen, just like the believers of old did.
Isn’t it amazing though, that all they had for the longest while was an oral tradition to tell the story, and they remained strong and told it, otherwise we wouldn’t have had it. But now, though we have so many different and all pervasive ways to do it, we’re not even keeping up, much less spreading it.
Now hear Jeremiah on the subject from Lamentations: ‘Thou, O Lord, remainest forever; thy throne from generation to generation. Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time? Turn thou us unto (back to) thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. But (Unless) thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth (angry) against us.’ (Lam.5:19-22)
Yes Friends, even in His lamentations, Jeremiah acknowledges God’s power, remembrance and eternality right down through the ages! And we have it much better, because since then Jesus came to earth and has defeated sin, death and the grave. So why can’t we do better than we’re doing eh?
We should be saying, and believing like the psalmist. ‘I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old thou hast laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
They shall perish, but thou shalt endure (continue): yea, all of them shall wax (grow) old like a garment; as a vesture (cloak) shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed (descendants) shall be established before thee.’ (Ps.102:24-28)
And all God’s children shouted, ‘Glory Hallelujah!’
But in the meantime my people, I think it would do us all a lot of good to pray Jeremiah’s prayer, because our God is definitely not happy with us, and it’s only through the power and the working of His Holy Spirit in us that we’ll be able to turn this floundering ship called Christianity around. Much LOVE!
…how long, O Lord, how long…before you cause us to be turned around eh…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 22July 2013 Psalm 102:12
22 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: Alpha and Omega, aura of love, battle hymn, bondage, commissioned Moses, confidence, earn a living, educating our children, enthusiasm, essential life, eternal, evil, falling prey, falsehood, glorious kingdom, glory hallelujah, God shall endure forever, godly work, graven images, heavenly Father, holy spirit, humble servants, I AM, idols, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, legacy to future generations, lies, Lucifer's guile, material things, Monday, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, negative reinforcement, negativity, permanent existence, rejuvenation of spirit, remembering God, renewed vitality, sovereign, steadfast faith, subservience, sure conquerors, the First and the Last, ungodly world, unproductive habit, useful purpose, utmost importance, weary souls, wicked taunts, wiles, win souls for Jesus
Psalm 102:12. But thou, O lord, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
And the crier cried: ‘Lo, behold, it is Monday!’ And all God’s children responded with a joyful shout of ‘Glory Hallelujah! Thank the Lord it is Monday, and we can go out to earn a living and win souls for Jesus! Amen.’
Now Friends, that’s the correct response to the notification that Monday’s rolled around once again. Look at it this way nuh, if there was no Monday, then there’d be no Friday for you to get all excited about. Elementary eh, my dear Watson!’ (smile)
Oh Friends, I just want us to get out of this ridiculous, negative and unproductive habit of being tired and blue and miserable on Mondays, because it just colours our entire week in negativity. Yuh know when you begin one way, it’s difficult to finish another, and all we’re doing here is falling prey to Lucifer’s guile and falsehood, which only keeps us in bondage and subservience.
Anyway, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with passion and enthusiasm nuh, so that Jesus will know that at least we’re trying to get out of the slump that we’re in.
As one 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!’
Oh Friends, I hope that woke us up, and we’re now ready to join the battle with much gusto. And if that woke us up, then listen to our Bit, which will keep us strong and steadfast in faith. ‘But thou, O lord, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.’
And that my fellow believers is the truth in spades! Our God will certainly endure for evermore! Remember He’s declared that He’s Alpha and Omega, the FIRST and the LAST (Rev.1:11), and our God does not lie. That means He’s been eternally sovereign since the beginning of time, and will be till eternity.
He made this clear to Moses when He commissioned him at the burning bush (Ex.3). Moses claimed He didn’t know God’s name. ‘And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.’ (Ex.3:14-15)
And re the scholars: ‘The significance of the name of God given in verse 14, I AM THAT I AM, constitutes that idea that the ‘I AM” in Exodus 3 reveals God as the Being who is absolutely self-existent, and who, in Himself, possesses essential life and permanent existence.’
And with all the miracles He’s worked and the faithful promises He’s kept down through the ages, there’s no need for us to be afraid of anything or anyone, for our God has proven that He is alive and indeed mightier than all the idols and graven images mankind chooses to worship. And you’ll also notice the truth that the remembrance of the Lord God Jehovah has been passed down to every generation until now.
However my brethren, I am worried about that aspect of our Bit, because our generation has not done such a good job in educating our children about God and all that He stands for, being too busy to acquire the material things of the world. We’re also allowing the workers of iniquity to take God out of our schools and public places without a fight, more negative reinforcement for our children.
And sadly, if it keeps going like it is right now, in a couple of generations, the very memory of the ONE TRUE GOD might be lost forever. And that would certainly be a blight on our generation, because we would have been the ones who began the downfall.
Anyway Friends, enough for today. I’ll leave us to contemplate the unfortunate situation we find ourselves in, and hope that we’ll seriously consider improving our godly work, because it’s of the utmost importance in our lives and our legacy to those of future generations. Much LOVE!
…in every age…the current believers are responsible…for keeping God’s Word and His memory alive…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 July 2013 Philippians 1:10
15 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: almighty creator, approve excellent things, aura of love, battle hymn, be a person of excellence, discernment, enthusiasm, fruits of righteousness, glorify God, glorious endeavour, glorious kingdom, holy spirit, humble servants, inebriated with joy, interact with unbelievers, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, lazy, lies, loving kindness, Monday, Monday Morning, morally pure, my people, overly comfortable, prayer, raise heaven's roof, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, scared, selfish, sincere, spread the gospel, steadfast faith, sure conquerors, talk the talk, thanksgiving, the day of Christ, too big for our britches, ungodly world, walk the walk, weary souls, wicked taunts, wiles, win souls for Christ, work ethic
Philippians 1:10. That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.
Oh Friends, it’s our favourite day of the week, Monday! And I hear all sorts of complaining, many wondering if I’m mad or just stupid. Hn, hn! No Friends, I’m not any of them…well possibly a little of each, (smile) but not so much that it will affect my credibility.
Now don’t you think that Jesus likes Mondays? He surely does! Because that gives His followers many more opportunities to go out and interact with unbelievers, showing them His philosophy of LOVE through their actions of LOVING-kindness, and also spreading the Good News of the gospel.
So why shouldn’t we like Monday’s too eh? Aren’t we supposed to like whatever Jesus likes? For sure! But we’re just a combination of scared, lazy, selfish, overly comfortable and generally gotten too big for our britches followers. We talk the good talk, but don’t walk the necessary walk.
Anyway my people, it’s Monday and we have to go out and labour if we want to eat, so let’s get over our puny, miserable selves, get up and get ourselves together and go out and win souls for Christ as we ought to.
And to help us in that most glorious endeavour, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle hymn with plenty gusto and sincerity. All together now, in one, loud, harmonious voice. Let’s raise the roof on heaven!
‘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!’
Awright mih people! We did indeed raise heaven’s roof! Jesus was singing with us, as He always does, but this time He was also laughing heartily, pointing to the Father and saying: ‘Yuh see Father, them’s my people! They truly believe in me, and will go out and glorify me, so that we can all glorify You! I know there was a good reason why I sacrificed my life for them!’
The Father just smiles indulgently, looks at Jesus, who’s inebriated with joy that His people were putting on such a good show, and says: ‘Thank You Son! I know it was a bit much to ask, but I surely didn’t want to lose any of them, especially to that fallen fool Lucifer.’
And Jesus, positively gushing with enthusiasm and confidence, assures Him. ‘Don’t worry Father, my people, my body, my church, in conjunction with the Holy Spirit, won’t let us down. You won’t loose one single one to that foolish fool Beelzebub. My people will help us to reconcile them all to You. I solemnly promise.’
Now yuh hear that mih breddren! Jesus promised the Father that we’ll take care of business down here with the Holy Spirit’s help, and we certainly cannot disappoint Him, after all He’s sacrificed for us! So this Monday morning, let’s raise the level of our LOVE, passion for, and faith in Jesus and just go out and do our best to make that promise come true nuh.
Remember our two basic jobs on earth are to spread the gospel and glorify God, neither of which we’re currently doing to the best of our ability. And if you want to work for Jesus, you have to display a wonderful work ethic, because He only deals in excellence, not no wishy-washy, compromising, any old how behaviour like our world currently seems to favour.
Now I have to go and find a Bit that encompasses all that. (smile) But no worries. Soon come!
I’m back people! It took me a little longer than I expected, about fifteen minutes, but that’s because I had a few options to consider. However, once I saw this scripture, I felt that would be the one. But we’ll start with the verse before it, and continue with the one after it, to keep everything in the proper context.
This is Bruh Paul talking to the Philippians about thanksgiving and prayer. ‘And this I pray, that your LOVE may abound yet more in knowledge and in all judgement (discernment); That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.’ (Phil.1:9-11)
Yes Friends, we need to try our best to be excellent in all things. Remember we saw this verse recently, when talking about ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus.’ (Phil/1:6)
That’s when the scholars explained that ‘Things that are excellent means “things that really matter.” This refers to important issues. As the Philippians LOVE increases in knowledge and discernment (vs.9), they will be able to accurately distinguish the vital and worthwhile things in life from those that are not.’
The Philippians are worried about Bruh Paul’s imprisonment, but he wants them to realize that his imprisonment was important, serving a useful purpose in God’s plans, causing him to spread the gospel to those around him, and thus working everything out for good as He’d promised. (Rom.8:28)
Bruh Paul wants the Philippians to be sincere, morally pure in their daily dealings, thus bearing fruits of righteousness that will glorify God. Oh my people, the very same thing applies to us today!
And though we’ve heard the scholars take on (vs.11) before, we can definitely stand to hear it again. ‘This verse could be translated, “Filled with the fruit that is righteousness, which comes through Jesus Christ for the purpose of glorifying and praising God.” The believer who is pure and without offense before God (v.10) has divinely developed in him a practical “righteousness” or daily moral life that measures up to God’s standards in character and conduct. The ultimate purpose for this “righteousness” is to glorify God.’
And that’s gospel Friends! So let’s go out and do our bounden duty nuh! We have all the tools we need, plus the expert help of the Holy Spirit, so what are we waiting for eh? Please get a move on, for we just cannot disappoint Jesus. Much LOVE!
…our God doesn’t deal in halfway or half-hearted measures…it’s simply…all…or nothing at all…
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