Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 September 2015 Ephesians 6:12‏

Ephesians 6:12   For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (age), against spiritual (hosts of ) wickedness in high places.

And then it was Friday… 
 
And obviously the shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! The weekend’s here at last!’ are heard everywhere. And even though it’s been a short week, only four days, a lot of us are extremely happy to see it because we’re pretty tired from the exuberant Labour Day celebrations on Monday, then right to work without a refreshing break. 
 
But Friends, if we want to party too heartily, knowing that work is right around the corner, then we will have to stand our bounce and pay the price it calls for. Anyway, the weekend is upon us, and we’re all glad that it’s here, so let’s chant our Friday Chant to find the right perspective, so we don’t mess up our lives any further. (smile) 
 
As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ 
 
Ah Friends, I do hope we take that simple prayer seriously, because one of the negative things in our crazy world is that everyone is so busy and consequently so tired, trying to make ends meet or simply get ahead in this maelstrom, this whirlpool of madness, that our world’s become. 
 
But my people, we have to be careful in this apparent madness, because it is not all instantaneous and/or unplanned. Not on your life! The evil one and his associates have planned a lot of it to throw us off balance, get us weary and disappointed and thus more easily coerced into their evil strategies and schemes. 
 
And thankfully, our Bit so wisely informs us: ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (age), against spiritual (hosts of) wickedness in high places.’ 
 
Yes Friends, physical warfare is not the only kind that’s widespread in our world, but an even more vicious and threatening and dangerous one is being waged in the spiritual realm. This one to capture, enslave and imprison our spirits and souls in a dark and wicked dungeon controlled by Lucifer and his evil forces, from which the chances of escape are rather slim. 
 
That’s why, as we saw yesterday, Bruh Paul strongly advised the Ephesians. ‘Wherefore take unto you (take up) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’ (Eph.6:13) 
And believe me my brethren, we need to take that advice today even more seriously than the Ephesians, because the evil day is at hand! 
 
Yes my fellow believers, the powers of evil and darkness are in the ascendance right now. Oh so sadly, they are indeed holding sway in our confused and troubled world, that’s why we so badly need to put on the protective armour of God, for that’s the only thing that will offer us protection from the attacks and machinations of the dark and evil powers. 
 
And what, you ask, is this armour of God that’s so powerful to protect us from Beelzebub? As believers in Jesus Christ, we should all know it, but I’ll let Bruh Paul refresh our memory. 
 
‘Stand therefore, having your loins girt about (having girded your waist) with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (an eagerness and willingness to take the fight to the devil). 
 
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (one). And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’ (Eph.6:14-18) 
 
Yes Friends all that protection is absolutely necessary in the spiritual battle against the evil and demonic forces of this ungodly world! 
 
And you’ll notice how Bruh Paul lays it out just like the armour of a soldier going into battle, with a helmet, a breastplate, waist securely girded, with proper shoes to handle the terrain, a shield, and a trusty sword, all backed by the power of prayer. 
 
Oh my people, without the armour of God, we are simply fodder for the enemy. He will cut us down like a sharp scythe cuts grass or a lawnmower mows it; with no problems at all. So please, please let’s be wise and take this most important advice to heart nuh, provided you want to be saved from the unpleasant advances of the wicked world. 
 
That’s enough for now.  Tomorrow we’ll continue looking at the wonderful protective armour of God, delve into it a little deeper. Till then, please walk safely in God’s light. 
 
Or as Bruh Paul would say: ‘Peace be to the brethren, and LOVE with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that LOVE our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.’ (Eph.6:23-24). 
 
Much, much LOVE my people!
 
…one cannot walk this wicked earth safely…unless one has on the protective armour of Almighty God…that’s a proven fact…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 March 2014 Romans 12:9

Romans 12:9.    Let LOVE be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). Abhor that which is evil; cleave (cling) to that which is good.
 
Oh Friends, oh Friends, it’s time to rise and shine and give thanks to our great and merciful God for bringing us safely through the dark night of our senses, and graciously illuminating our day, brightening our spirits with the everlasting LIGHT of His wonderful Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Wow!
 
And on top of that, the weatherman’s promising a temperature today of plus 11 degrees Celsius, with bright sunshine! Mama Mia! What a magnanimous and magnificent God we serve and worship my people!
 
And all God’s people gave a loud and rejoicing shout of ‘Praise the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! Praise Him with singing and loud shouts of joy, for He is indeed worthy to be praised! Amen!’ 
 
Yes mih people, our majestic God certainly deserves all the praise we shower on Him – and even more. Unfortunately though, since all of His human creation don’t believe in and worship Him, He is being short-changed in His praise and thanksgiving.
 
And though the Lord LOVES to hear and receive praise and thanksgiving, please remember that He DOESN’T NEED IT, but WE NEED the mercies, the grace, the goodness, the LOVING-kindness, and forgiveness that flow from such praising and thankful behaviour. 
 
It’s a good time to remember that the Lord made us to be in relationship with Him, but if we choose not to, though He will be disappointed, it won’t destroy Him. However, WE WILL BE DESTROYED if we don’t form that personal relationship and then keep it going.
 
That’s just to remind us that God isn’t there to be our servant and to bend and bow to our every petty and selfish whim. But rather, HE IS OUR MASTER, OUR CREATOR, AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BOW TO HIM AND FOLLOW HIS DICTATES.
 
Just thought I’d throw that in there because many supposed Christians only turn to God in desperation for some worldly thing or purpose, and expect Him to deliver or answer them right away. Nuff said on that for now though.
 
Let’s turn to our Bit: ‘Let LOVE be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). Abhor that which is evil; cleave (cling) to that which is good.’
 
Words of absolute truth my brethren! Without TRUE LOVE and a sincere purpose to do good, the whole edifice of Christianity, of Christ’s church crumbles, because those are the mainstays of its foundation.
 
Now yesterday we looked at scriptures that dealt with the first half of our Bit; having a true heart of LOVE, and not one of hypocrisy, like the Pharisees of old had.
 
Today, we’ll check out scriptures that deal with the second half of our Bit; of clinging to good and forsaking evil. 

And we’ll begin with some awesome words of truth from Bruh David, as he asks in Psalm 15: ‘Lord, who shall abide (sojourn) in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy Hill?
 
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up (receives) a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned (despised); but he honoureth them that fear the Lord.
 
He that sweareth to this own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.’ (Ps.15:1-5)
 
Oh Friends, I’m chuckling here because I never intended to quote the whole psalm, but after reading it through, I found that there was no right place to stop until the very end. For it all deals with goodness and truth; the necessities of character of one who hopes to dwell on God’s holy hill, in His holy sanctuary, to be welcomed into His presence.
 
Yes my fellow believers, if we hope to dwell with the Lord, goodness and truth must be firmly embedded in our spirits, our character, and our earthly behaviour, per the Lord’s commandments.
 
Meanwhile, the prophet Zechariah, in promising the restoration of Israel declares: ‘These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgement of truth and peace (for justice, truth and peace) in your gates.
 
And let none of you imagine (think) evil in your hearts against your neighbour; and LOVE no false oath: for all these are things I hate, saith the Lord.’ (Zech.7:16-17)
 
Oh Friends, that spells it right out in perfect simplicity! There’s nothing there that the least of us cannot understand. And we couldn’t write on truth and goodness without quoting these famous words of Bruh Paul to the church at Ephesus:
 
‘And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.’ (Eph.4:23-25)
 
Ah mih people, more clarification on our earthly status! We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, and as such ought not to lie to each other, but to speak the truth at all times, because that is what our God and our Christian faith are all about.
 
And we’ll end today with some more treasured words from Bruh Paul to the Ephesians. ‘Peace be to the brethren, and LOVE with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that LOVE our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.’ (Eph.6:23-24)
 
Oh Friends, I couldn’t say it any better, so please receive that blessing as though it was just spoken over us all. Much LOVE my Christian brethren!
 
…one cannot be a true believer in Jesus Christ…unless one sincerely walks in…LOVE…TRUTH…and GOODNESS…