Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 July 2018 Proverbs 3:35.

Proverbs 3:35.   The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion (the legacy) of fools.

And then it was Thursday, the penultimate day of the workweek, and consequently all thoughts are turning to the weekend; considering the summer frolic it will bring. And nothing’s wrong with that, it’s all a basic part of life, but friends, I have an even more important announcement to share this morning; one that will bring enormous positive changes to your life if you embrace it in the spirit it was meant to be taken. 

Please remember this: ‘The Bible is God’s Word to us, still fresh through ALL the ages! And if we read it, we WILL find God’s wisdom on its pages!’ That’s indisputable truth my brethren! So please let’s do the sensible thing and read God’s word so that we can find His wisdom and apply it to our lives nuh. That’s why He spent so much time inspiring the prophets and them to write it; so that we could have a Guidebook for successful earthly living. 

And if you don’t believe me, just look at the messy, disgusting, evil and foolish lives we are currently living nuh. If we were truly reading and studying God’s word and putting it into practice our world would never be in such a state of anger, hatred, strife, power hunger, greed, poverty, economic deprivation and sickness. 

But unfortunately, too many of us, including supposed believers are heeding the wicked and lustful ways of the world and not seeking God and His righteousness first in our lives. Remember Jesus said that if we sought God and His righteousness FIRST, all the things of the world that we NEED would be given to us. (Matt.6:33) 

But our actions prove that we don’t believe it. We still attempt to work for them in our own strength and that’s never going to work properly my people! That brings us to our Bit, immortal words of wisdom from Cousin Sol. ‘The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion (the legacy) of fools.’ 

And that’s gospel truth my fellow believers! The problem though is that once you go down that foolish road and discover what will be your end, it will be too late to turn back then. That’s why you need to embrace the wisdom of the Good Book and the wonderful things it offers NOW! 

Let’s take a look at a few scriptures to prove our point. We’ll begin with Job’s question as he acknowledges God’s justice. I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God (can a man be righteous before God)? If he will contend (if one wished to argue) with him, he cannot answer him one (one time out) of a thousand. He (God) is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?’ (Job 9:2-4) 

And the sure answer to that is ‘NOBODY has done it, and NOBODY ever will!’ Glory be my brethren! For an infinite God, our Maker and Controller, who’s ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours, is the epitome of wisdom and justice! And there’s no better passage in the Bible that speaks to the importance of the acquisition of wisdom than the situation between God and Cousin Sol in his early days as Israel’s king. 

One day Cousin Sol went to Gibeon to sacrifice to the Lord, and the Lord appeared to him in a dream by night: ‘and God said. Ask what I shall give thee.’ (1Kin.3:5) And we all know Sol’s response. ‘Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?’ (1 Kin.3:9) 

Oh my people, my people, is that the kind of thing we ask for when God asks what we desire of Him? Very seldom! Most of the time we ask for things of the world. 

And I like how the Good Book puts it: ‘And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon has asked this thing. And God said unto him. Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgement (justice); 

Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honour: so that there shall not be any (anyone) among the kings like unto thee all thy days.’ (1 Kin.3:10-13) 

Yes friends, that’s how magnanimous and generous our God can be when we ask for the right things; not stuff in pursuit of greed or selfishness. And let’s note the corollary to God’s goodness to Cousin Sol. ‘And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.’ (1 Kin.3:14) 

What more can I say eh friends? Nothing but to implore us to seek the face of God and His wisdom; to read His word and apply it to our lives, so that we may dwell in the peace and joy that accompany His promises. Now let’s go home declaring our Thursday Blessings which the Lord has generously bestowed on us. 

In strong voice with sincere hearts:  ‘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!’ 

And the next step is to go out and share it all with the less fortunate. God blessed us so that we could bless others. Much LOVE!

…wisdom is the principal thing…therefore get wisdom…and with all thy getting…get understanding… (Prov.4:7)

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 May 2018 Psalm 145:3.

Psalm 145:3.   Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable (beyond our understanding).

Ahoy there mates! Welcome to the good ship Life, as we set out on a new day of adventure on the broad expanse of territory called Mother Earth. And for your information and reassurance, we have the best pilot in the world aboard! 

Yes friends, today, the Master Pilot, Jesus will be our guide and suave informant! Wow! There’s none better than Him! So just sit back and relax and let Jesus take us wherever He desires. I am sure He will show us signs and wonders we’ve never dreamed of. 

And the first thing Jesus wants to do on today’s journey is fill us with whatever we need to come up to scratch and enjoy the day. And He speaks through Gramps Schuller’s (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) poem ‘Fill Me!’ from his Hour of Power Devotional. We’ve shared it before, but Jesus thought we should share it again, because we never truly learn something until we’ve heard it over and over. 

So please pray with me: ‘O Lord, like the thirsty deer which goes to drink from the mountain spring; like the growing flower which turns hungrily to the satisfying sun; like the empty pitcher which is carried to the fountain to be filled; so I come, O God, knowing that in this time of prayer my soul will be filled with your LOVE and truth. Thank you! Amen.’ 

Ah mih people, there is no better filling station for renewing our empty souls than at Jesus’ station! Only thing is right now I’m not only hungering for soul refilling, but also bodily liquid refilling. (smile) Seems like I have an endless capacity for drink, but little for solid food, which doesn’t sit well with one of my other medical problems, namely my unsound heart. However, I’m just doing my best and trusting Jesus to do the rest. 

That brings us to our Bit, which is the same as yesterday, because I don’t think I did it justice back then. ‘Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable (beyond our understanding).’ Gospel truth indeed! And today I want to concentrate on the last part, that His greatness is beyond our understanding. 

And we’ll begin with some words from Eliphaz, talking about God’s greatness, as he rebukes his supposed friend, Job. ‘(But as for me) I would seek unto God; and unto God would I commit my cause: which doeth great things and unsearchable (beyond comprehension); marvellous things without number.’ (Job 5:8-9) And he goes on to list a number of those great and incomprehensive things. 

And later on Job himself acknowledges God’s greatness and justice. ‘Then Job answered and said, I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God (how can a man be righteous with God)? If he will contend (argue) with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand (one time out of a thousand). He (God) is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?’ (Job 9:1-4) 

Yeh friends, who can ask God a question He can’t answer eh? But we can’t even answer Him one in a thousand. And I just LOVE that last question; who has ever pitted themself against God and won eh? Not a single soul! But unfortunately there are many fools among us today who are still trying to do it. When will we ever learn eh mih breddren, that we can’t fight Almighty God and win? 

Remember He is the ONE who created us and controls the very breath of our lives and our eternal destiny. The only thing that makes any sense is to run to His ever-wide open arms and partake of all the blessings that He’s set aside for those who wisely come to Him. Anything else is a complete waste of time, and we’re only setting ourselves up for disaster and eternal separation, the worst thing that can happen to a human being. 

Now hear this scripture from Isaiah, which we all purport to know, but don’t seem to practice. ‘Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.’ (Is.40:28)  

And Bruh Paul adds his two cents worth in his letter to the Roman church. ‘O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out!’ (Rom.11:33) That says it all, plain and simple friends. 

And if you still don’t believe any of your fellow human beings, then listen to the Lord Himself, through the mouth of the prophet Isaiah? ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ (Is.55:8-9) 

There friends, the Lord has told us Himself in no uncertain terms, so please, let’s listen and do the wise thing nuh. Now let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, informing the world of who and whose we are. 

In strong voice and sincere heart: ‘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!’ 

And if we were truly sincere, let’s go out and do just that nuh! Much LOVE!

…how can the created…be ever greater than the Creator eh…

 

 


Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 September 2013 Job 9:1-2

Job 9:1-2.   Then Job answered and said, I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
 
Oh Friends, the ole fella’s a tad tired this morning. I don’t really know why, because I’ve had lots of sleep. I was even late in getting down here to write the Bit. But you know what, in my time of need there, I asked the Lord to help me put on my spiritual armour, because I realized that the enemy was coming strong against me.
 
Then I declared one of the affirmations on my desk, that I can do EVERYTHING through Christ who provides new opportunities for me each and every day, and I’m not settling for where I am now, but reaching out, stretching myself and pursuing what God has put in my heart. So now, through the working of the Holy Spirit, I’m bubbling over and ready to go. (smile)
 
Oh Friends, believe me, we do serve and worship a most wonderful God! And He’s put it in my heart this morning to give us the monthly reminder to check and see how we’re doing in our New Year’s Resolution to walk with Him in a stronger, more LOVING and trusting relationship for this year of 2013.
 
So please let’s check on that, and however we’ve done over the past month, prayerfully ask the Lord to help us improve, because I know that NONE of us have yet reached that plateau, that maturity where we don’t need to grow anymore.
 
In fact, I strongly doubt if any of us will ever reach such ‘heightful’ heights in this earthly life. So good luck… Chuh! I keep forgetting that there’s no such thing as luck with believers in Christ, that it’s all God’s planning and His blessings! So may He bless us all as we review our ever-growing intimacy with Him.
 
Now let’s turn to our Bit where Job acknowledges God’s justice. ‘Then Job answered and said, I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God (how can a man be righteous before God)?’
 
Oh Friends, it’s IMPOSSIBLE for a man to be justified with God! For He is a supreme, immortal, infinite Being, way above the finite, mortal, inept sinful man we represent. 
 
And as Job continues: ‘If he will contend with him (one wished to argue with him), he cannot answer him one of a thousand (one time out of a thousand). He (God) is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? (Job 9:3-4)
 
Absolutely NO ONE my Friends! For NO MAN can match wits or strength with His Creator, Almighty God! That’s like the created becoming greater than the creator, a usually unheard of circumstance.
 
And as the scholars say of Job’s questions: ‘Job complains that one cannot argue with an infinite God about justice; God could ask a thousand unanswerable questions.’ And isn’t that the gospel truth my people!
 
It’s also interesting how Job’s buddy Eliphaz puts forth that same question when he rebukes Job earlier on. ‘Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker? Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly (error):
 
How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? They are destroyed (broken in pieces) from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any (anyone) regarding it. Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? They die, even without wisdom.’ (Job 4:17-21)
 
Ah mih people, in spite of so much evidence to the contrary, yet so many of us weak-fleshed mortals, still try to fight against God, who’s been around since the beginning of time, and will still be on his mighty and glorious throne till eternity.
 
Now listen to Eliphaz again, as he further reproves Job in a later chapter. ‘What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Behold, he (God) putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight. How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?’ (Job 15:14-16)
 
All of that my brethren is unquestionable truth! Man in his natural sinfulness cannot be righteous with God!
 
It’s only by the most generous grace and LOVING-kindness of Jehovah, through the sacrifice of His holy and innocent Son, Jesus Christ, whose shed blood paid the debt for our abominable sins, that we are even able to stand in God’s presence. And until we truly realize that my people, we’ll always be on the outside of God’s heaven, tearfully and despondently looking in.
 
So Friends, let’s ask God to help us stop thinking more highly of ourselves that we actually are nuh. We were formed from the dust of the earth, and through the holy breath, breathed in to us by the Most High God, we were given life. 
 
Consequently, whenever He chooses to remove that breath of life from our frail bodies, we have absolutely no say in the matter. Then right back to the dust of the earth from which we were created, we will return.
 
Therefore let’s sincerely honour and worship the great God, the Creative Creator who created us to be in a LOVING relationship with Him. That, my people, is the wisdom of the ages! Much LOVE!
 
…to live this earthly life…and NOT LOVE Almighty God…is a fool’s wisdom…