Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 May 2018 Psalm 133:1.

Psalm 133:1.   Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

Ah mih brethren, another glorious day is in the offing in my neighbourhood! Can’t remember when last I saw so many gorgeous days strung together. And yuh know, even when the rain falls, it doesn’t fall at an inopportune time, and then those days end up glorious too. (smile) 

This springtime has really been a beautiful regeneration of nature! Glory Be! Let’s enjoy it as we thank our great and awesome God for the wonderful blessings of life and LOVE that He has given us. And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful: ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’ 

And by the way, that volcano watch on Hawaii – well it seems to be getting worse every day. I believe there have been some explosions that are causing even more problems than before. Let’s remember to keep them in our prayers, and hope it doesn’t truly erupt, as volcanoes are possibly the most terrible of all destructions that can occur; it encapsulates the real fire and brimstone, which we so mythically talk about. 

And today we’re going to get into our Bit very early, because it is possibly the most important problem facing Christ’s church right now. Hear these immortal words of Bruh David and give pause, let’s give thought to them in our own lives. ‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.’ 

Oh my people, if only that state of affairs even existed to one iota in the church of today, what a great church we’d have! But bickering and quarreling and disunity are the name of the game. Thus Christ’s body has become of little use to a major part of society. They scorn it and turn away from it because of the tremendous infighting and confusion that exists therein, not to mention that we don’t walk the talk we preach. 

So how can Christ’s church ever become the focal point of our society under those conditions eh? Never! And it’s not to say that the arguments are all over major points of doctrine – No- a lot of them are over rather petty and immaterial stuff. But such is the hold of the world on us, that power and supremacy of religion or denomination keeps us from being more together. 

Ah friends, can’t we see that strife is the enemy’s number one goal amongst believers? That way he keeps us warring against each other and not living in the peace and LOVE that Jesus desires of us. How unfortunate that we are allowing it to happen. Let’s look at some scripture on the subject. 

We see way back when Lot and Abraham’s people were feuding over grazing land and water that Abraham wisely told him. ‘Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.’ (Gen.13:8) 

Oh fellow believers in Christ, right there we have the most important aspect of our being on this earth; being brethren in Christ! That means we don’t need to be fighting each other over petty stuff. We won’t ever agree on everything, but this much we ought to agree on: that we are ONE in Christ! 

And there is no better example of that than after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit began indwelling believers and the new church was born. Hear the Good Book tell it re the day of Pentecost. ‘Then they that gladly receive his (Peter’s) word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.’ (Acts 2:41-42) 

Yuh see that friends, ‘they continued steadfastly.’ Those are the most important words in that sentence. And they didn’t believe the apostles’ doctrine because they preached it, but because it agreed with the Word of God, which also called for fellowship and prayers. 

And the Good Book continues: ‘And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by (through) the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common. And sold their possessions and goods, and parted (distributed) them to all men, as every man (anyone) had need. 

And they, continuing daily with one accord (mind) in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat (food) with gladness and singleness (simplicity) of heart. Praising God, and having favour with all people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be (were being) saved.’ (Acts 2:43-47)  

Wow! What a moving memorial of the early church! Now we know that the communal living couldn’t happen nowadays, and didn’t last long there either. People sold their possessions because they possibly thought that Jesus was coming back real soon (smile), but look at how they communed together ‘in one accord, one mind.’ 

That’s how we ought to commune today friends; with Jesus as our guiding light regardless of the circumstance! Not all the other nonsense that we’ve allowed the world to intersperse into the church. Anyhow, time and space are upon us, so please ponder those things and see how we can improve our own situations. 

Now let’s go home declaring our Thursday Blessings that our LOVING God has bestowed on us, even though we don’t deserve most of them. In strong and sincere voice now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! 

I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’ 

And please remember those blessings were not given for us to hoard, but to go out and share with others. Much LOVE!

…stand fast…in one spirit…with one mind…striving together…for the faith of the gospel…(Phil.2:27b)

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 May 2018 Daniel 11:32.

Daniel 11:32.    And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall be corrupt (polluted) by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits (take action).

Ah friends, another glorious day is in the offing in my neighbourhood! You know it couldn’t get any better when both the Sun and the SON are in most brilliant mode, with the grass growing green and lush and the buds blossoming on the trees. Wow friends! That means the yearly regeneration of nature is on its way! We couldn’t ask for better encouragement to get out and face today. Glory to our great God! 

Unfortunately though, not all neighbourhoods are experiencing such regeneration, some like ones in Hawaii are instead experiencing degeneration and disaster due to the recent eruption of the Kilauea volcano and all the ensuing adversity such activity brings. And it seems to be still in active mode, which could mean anything. So let’s remember those people in our prayers and offer whatever help we can. 

Now it’s time to sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, to raise up our spirits and acknowledge the Lord God Jehovah as our Creator and Guiding Light. 

In full 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!’ 

Yeh friends, if we were sincere there, then the Lord will not turn down our requests, we will feel the adrenaline coursing swiftly through our bodies and our spirits rising, heavenly enthused (smile) to do God’s work. That’s the awesome power of sincere prayer! 

And today we’ll look at a scripture that many of us don’t even know, but which is an important part of the prophecy for our world. It comes from Daniel, when the Lord revealed the vision of future times to him. This piece deals with the kings of the north and south roaming through the earth to cause havoc. 

It says in our Bit: ‘And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall be corrupt (polluted) by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits (take action).’ 

And my people, if ever there was a time for that scripture to be invoked, is right now, what with the corruption and evil and falsehood that is currently being perpetrated in our world! It’s a time when we have become men pleasers rather than God pleasers, and only want to hear what’s good to satisfy our fleshly lusts. 

Bruh Paul says it best when talking to Timothy about the coming apostasy (renunciation of one’s religion). ‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be LOVERS of their own selves, covetous (money LOVERS), boasters, proud, blasphemous, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 

Without natural affection, trucebreakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (slanderers), incontinent (without self-control), fierce (brutal) despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady (reckless), high-minded (haughty), LOVERS of pleasures, more than LOVERS of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof (mere religion without power or spiritual life) from such turn away.’ (2 Tim.3:1-5) 

Oh friends, it’s as though Bruh Paul is living in today’s world, he’s got the picture of it so right! All that he says is happening, in these what we consider the last times. And the scholars explain: ‘3:1-4. The last days began with the birth of Christ and will culminate in Christ’s return to the earth to set up His kingdom. The prediction of perilous times indicates that apostasy will characterize the final days of the church age.’ 

But with all that being acknowledged, you know what friends? As Daniel says in our Bit, ‘but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits (take action).’ And that’s where we, the people of God come in. It behooves us now to stand strong and do exploits in the Lord’s name! It’s time to take the fight to the enemy, rather than sitting and waiting for him to come to us. 

Oh my fellow believers, we’re so blessed, with sins forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus, with salvation and eternal life faithfully promised, let’s not waste all that Jesus went through nuh, let’s be up and doing, for that’s what He desires of us. Much LOVE!

…if the supposed people of God don’t stand strong…and  fight the enemy…then who will eh…