Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 January 2014 Romans 13:12

 Romans 13:12.   The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  

Oh my beautiful Friends and believers in Christ Jesus, it surely seems like another beautiful day is in the offing on Robinson Crusoe’s glorious Isle! It is a tad cool though. The first time that I’ve experienced it this cool at 7.30 in the morning. And as always, the light, fine breeze is present. That is what makes it seem so cool.

Anyhow, what’s there to say in today’s preamble eh? Nothing much really, for nothing happened after my little episode at Store Bay yesterday. Some of the things the Lord puts us through eh!
 
But you know, although I became a tad despondent at the very real prospect of losing my glasses, something deep down inside kept whispering; ‘Hang on. Don’t give up hope. The Lord wouldn’t allow this problem if there wasn’t some purpose to it.’
 
And I guess it just showed me that my faith was getting stronger, but also the beauty of the people with whom I was dealing. But why should that surprise me eh, when I’m always raving about how Tobago people are so wonderful. (smile) Their sincere cooperation and effort was way beyond their call of duty.
 
And in some small way, it kind of restored some of my lost faith in humanity. And the birthday gathering I went to last night was also wonderful! I met friends and acquaintances I hadn’t seen in donkey years! Some of them as long as forty years ago. I also met some of the new generation of Tobagonians. They seem to be just like the new generation all over the world; into their tech toys and otherwise.
 
But the reminiscing of the older folks was extremely poignant and inspiring. It brought back long forgotten memories of our childhood. And again, we made new memories to reminisce on at another gathering in the future.
 
Ah mih people, as we’re wont to say in the past week: ‘I could handle this yuh know.’ (smile) And why not, especially with all the lush shrubbery in front of me, the still empty but immaculate golf course in the middle and the big green trees in the back ground, with the bright morning sun splaying over it all, and the birds sweetly chirping, insects singing, all praising the heavenly Father, their Maker and sure Provider. Just a peaceful, tranquil scene. 
 
And add to that, the fact that the Duchess’ long lost friend called us a short while ago to come for our peas soup (pigeon / gungo) and I had to leave the Bit and go for it, because she had to leave for work shortly. So how could I not be able to handle this eh? Chuh! Now that’s a positive, smiling chuh!
 
I’m supposed to be going up to check out some of the country areas later today. Don’t know how that will pan out, but I’ll surely let you know at some later date. But enough rambling now. Let’s check on our Bit. ‘The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.’
 
Yes it’s the same as the last few days, because I still have some very appropriate scriptures to share on the topic, a most important one in the life of EVERY believer.
 
And we’ll begin with some words on moral standards from Bruh Paul to the Corinthians. ‘I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company (associate) with fornicators (sexually immoral people): Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
 
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer (reviler), or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one, no, not to eat.
 
For what have I to do to judge (with judging) them also that are without (outside)? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without (outside) God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.’ (1 Cor.5:9-13)
 
Yeh mih people those are some tough standards to maintain, but believers always need to come up above the rest of the crowd, being a good example to them, as Jesus was and is to us.
 
And the scholars have some interesting notes on a couple of those verses. ‘5:9. I wrote unto you in an epistle: This is the “previous epistle.” The letter is now lost, but we know that at least one subject discussed in this letter was that they were not to keep company with fornicators.’
 
And ‘5:11. Not to keep company: The term translated “to keep company” is found only here, in verse 9, and in 2 Thessalonians 3:14. It is a compound of three Greek terms, and means “to mingle together with.” It has the idea of close, habitual association.’
 
Now that doesn’t mean we can’t talk to or work with these people, for how else are we going to have a chance to bring them to Jesus? But we must not make it a habit to associate with them, as their ungodly ways can quite easily spill over into us.
 
And as we said recently, when we encounter the ungodly, we need to ensure that our godly habits control the situation, or we are on our p’s and q’s to avoid the worldly lusts of the flesh polluting our hearts, souls and minds.
 
And we’ll close there for today. I’m going to have an exotic breakfast; carrot bread and accra (salted cod fried in a rich batter), then get myself ready to head for the country districts, places I have not seen in ages.
 
Till next time then, if the Lord’s in favour of us meeting again here on earth, please look after yourselves, and may our great and wonderful God bless and keep us all safely under His expansive and  LOVING wings. Much LOVE!
 
…believers ought to follow Jesus’ example…going out every day and doing good…so that we can win souls for Him…  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 January 2014 Romans 13:12

Romans 13:12.    The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Well hello there all you beautiful believers in Christ Jesus! And a good morning to all you unbelievers too, because there’s nothing that Christ and I would like more than that you become believers, by accepting His saving grace and redemption and thus freeing your souls from eternal separation with the Most High God Jehovah. Oh what a day that would be in your lives, in the life of Christ’s church and in heaven too, where joy reigns when even one sinner repents. (Luke 15:7a)

Anyway Friends, it looks like I’m only going to have time to start the Bit then run, because we’re supposed to be going for breakfast down the street at Rosie’s Bakery at 9 – it’s now ten after – then head for the beach at Store Bay. So I won’t be able to continue until after that. Oh it looks like the Duchess is ready, so I’d better run. More time!
 
Aye mih bredden, the ole fella’s back to the Bit at last. I know you’re disappointed that it doesn’t always come in the early morning hours, but you have to cut the ole fella some slack. (smile) I’m on holidays, and have no idea what one day to the next will bring. So if some days it arrives a tad late, just be happy for me, because it will most likely mean that I’m out somewhere enjoying myself, before returning to that awful cold up north, or I enjoyed myself the night before and couldn’t rise early in the morning.
 
The good news though is that we’re here now, after a nice dip in the almost calm, beautiful, aquamarine, restorative waters of Store Bay, including a couple of turns up and down the beach. Then coming home to chow down on some carrot and coconut bake and saltfish from Rosie’s, washed down with some dark, delicious mauby.
 
Oh Friends, that’s surely what heaven’s like! And obviously, after all that exertion, (smile) I had to rest a spell. But now we’re up, bright eyed and bushy tailed, just rearing to go. And my Friends, we have to pay very careful attention to these quickly passing days, for as our Bit so wisely informs us: ‘The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.’
 
And all of that is undeniable, gospel truth Friends! For the powers of darkness certainly have a strong grip, a stranglehold on our world right now. But have no fear people, for the cleansing light of day, Jesus’ return, is imminent! The problem though my brethren, is that no one knows exactly when.
 
For as Christ Himself said: ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
 
Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman (master) of the house had known in what watch (hour) the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered (allowed) his house to be broken up (into). Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.’ (Matt.24:36-44)
 
Oh my people, what could be simpler and more explicit eh? Jesus has put it there for us in Technicolour! How can we not understand and follow His wise advice eh? We do so at our peril, at the loss of our eternal souls!
 
That’s the best possible reason for us to get up and get ourselves ready for that most important and memorable occasion; the Second Coming of Christ! And remember, Jesus says that ONLY the Father knows when it’s going to happen, that’s why He cautions us to watch and pray, so we won’t be caught napping, caught unawares.
 
Now here are some interesting and important comments from the scholars. ’24:35-38. Verses 35 and 36 warn against attempts to set an exact date for Christ’s return at the end of the church age. To speculate that “day” and “hour” do not eliminate “year” is a gross oversimplification. The Father only knows the time of Christ’s return since it has been set by His authority (cf. Acts 1:7).
 
However, we are given a comparison to the days of Noah (and the Flood), which illustrate and prefigure the condition of humanity at the time of Christ’s return. The last generation, like the one of Noah’s day, is pleasure-oriented and self-gratifying by eating and drinking. The reference to marrying and giving in marriage may refer to carrying on the normal course of life without heeding the impending judgement.’ 
 
Oh Friends, I surely don’t need to point out to you that this generation fits that description perfectly! The pleasure-oriented and self-gratifying lifestyle fits us to a T!
 
Now hear these other comments of the scholars. ’24:39-42. The observation that the people of Noah’s day knew not the severity and suddenness of the coming destruction indicates that this last generation will be totally unprepared for the coming of the Son of man, the return of Christ to judge the world. (See 2 Thess.1:7-8.) The reference to two being in the field or at work at the time of Christ’s return implies the suddenness of His coming to separate the lost and the saved.’
 
And therein lies the dilemma my brethren! Christ’s return will be a sudden happening, so if we’re not prepared, then simply put; crapaud smoke we pipe! In other words, we’re lost forever!
 
So please, let’s wake up, let’s be wise and set our houses in order so that we will be ready whenever our Saviour returns. Be it today, tomorrow, or many years hence, let’s be prepared. Much LOVE!
 
…preparedness for Christ’s return is not an option…it is the only wise and sensible way…