Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 April 2021 Hebrews 13:8.

Hebrews 13:8.     ​Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.

Ah mih people, the days just keep rolling along, from one to the other, without any apparent recognition of mankind’s many problems. Some things change, while others remain the same, but throughout it all, we still need to deal with all sorts of controversial situations and upheavals, not knowing what will happen from one day to the next. But those ole days don’t seem to care at all, they just keep doing their thing; running changelessly into each other, detailing weeks, months, seasons, years, and even centuries. 

But fortunately for us, there’s been ONE Being, that’s remained constant over the many topsy-turvy days of mankind, that’s our Creator: Almighty God. Yes friends, He’s been there from the very beginning…and wonder of wonders, He’ll be there right to the very end! And why is that eh? Because as He says in His word, He is unchangeable, immovable, immutable, irreplaceable, the ONLY Living God! So let’s hear some scripture that will remind us of our God’s omnipotence, omniscience, omni-presence, steadfastness, unchangeability and immutability. 

And we’ll begin with His message to Cyrus the pagan king, through the prophet Isaiah. ‘I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me. That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west (to its setting), that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil (calamity): I the Lord do all these things.’ (Is. 45:5-7) And yes, the Lord does create physical evil or calamity, not moral evil or sin. And yes, the Lord did use pagan kings, like Cyrus and Nebuchadnezzar as conduits to fulfill His eventual will. 

Moving on, we come to Malachi, where through that prophet, the Lord confronts His people Israel about turning away from Him and their lack paying tithes. He says: ‘For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?’ (Mal. 3:6-8) 

Oh friends, that’s the exact thing the Lord is saying to us today, and the very same answer we are giving Him. We have turned away from Him, and instead of returning to Him like He desires, we are trying to turf Him and His ordinances out of our society. So what can we expect but calamity eh? 

Now listen to the author of Hebrews, as he talks of service well pleasing to God. ‘Remember them which have the rule over you (who lead you), who have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end (outcome) of their conversation (conduct). Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers (various) and strange doctrines (teachings). For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats (foods), which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.’ (Heb. 13:7-9) 

But do you think we have followed, or are following that directive? Oh no sir! Instead, we are being led away by a whole set of strange teachings and proceedings that don’t profit those who practice them. Steups! How sad it is my people! And then we wonder why our world is in such a mess. 

So, let’s now consider James words on the subject. ‘Do not err (be deceived) my brethren. For every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness (variations, unexpected, unforeseen changes), neither shadow of turning. Of his own will he begat us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.’ (James 1:16-18) 

Oh my people, our God created everything that exists, and mankind as the jewel of His creations, that’s why He so desires to redeem us all, and not lose any to the enemy. And he gave us His holy word that we should walk in it. But being the disobedient, stubborn, hard-headed creatures we are, we have refused to do so, with disastrous consequences to our ungodly actions. 

Now here is the last scripture from John the Revelator, from the mouth of Jesus Himself. ‘And behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.’ (Rev. 22:12-13) All I can now say friends is that wisdom dictates that we return to the waiting arms of our Creator. And if you agree, then please join me in offering up our Monday Morning Battle Hymn in heartfelt prayer. 

As one sincere and humble voice now: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You that this Monday morning we’re alive and standing in faith despite the mass confusion that’s currently prevailing in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems; the pandemic of Covid -19, the racial, political, and religious strife that’s ignited worldwide, plus the many natural disasters that now seem more prevalent than ever. 

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously come short in obedience and compliance to Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, and You have faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us, ordinary folks, as well as our leaders, employers and medical personnel, wise guidance and direction to bring our problems under control. 

And for those who are currently suffering from the many negative situations, we pray that You will ease their suffering and heal them. Father, please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again we say: Amen!’ 

Now let us go and keep our solemn vows to our wonderful, forgiving and LOVING God! Much LOVE!

…God is the ONLY thing in this universe that has NOT changed…and will NEVER change…whether you believe it or not is immaterial… 

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 January 2020 Psalm 135:5.

Psalm 135:5.    ​For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
 
Aye friends, outside white like snow! (smile) Yeh, I saw it fluttering down like crazy when I went to bed around 3. a.m. And the nice, clean, whiteness never stops amazing me. Oh, I definitely don’t want to go trudging or driving through it, but if you like nature and enjoy the Lord’s creations, then you can’t help but admire the calm and peaceful sensation brought on by new fallen snow, covering everything in a beautiful white blanket! I have to laugh though; the ole fella philosophizing on and romanticizing snow, one of our most potent enemies! 

But that’s how it is, for our God never made anything bad or not for some useful purpose, it’s only when mankind gets involved that things turn ugly. (smile) And if you claim to LOVE God, then you ought to LOVE, or at least appreciate what He’s made. That’s why the psalmist could sincerely proclaim the greatness of the Lord and the vanity of idols. ‘For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that he did in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.’ (Ps.135:5-6) And isn’t that the awesome truth! 

Then the psalmist goes on to list some of the amazing and awe inspiring things the Lord has done. (Ps.135:7-12) Then he makes these ever so important statements re idols. ‘The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.’ (Ps.135:15-18) More indisputable truth friends! The Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the ONLY LIVING GOD! No ifs and buts about that! He is the ONLY ONE who walks and talks and communicates with His creation! 

No wonder another psalmist could truthfully and enthusiastically declare: ‘O come let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto him with psalms (songs). For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all Gods. In his hand (possession) are the deep places of the earth; the strength (heights) of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.’ (Ps.95:1-5) 

And yet another psalmist proudly proclaims: ‘The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles (coastlands) be glad thereof…. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. Confounded be all they that (let all be put to shame who) serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods… For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.’ (Ps.97:1, 6-7, 9) 

Oh my people, I don’t know why in these most dangerous and difficult times so many of us are turning away from the ONE TRUE GOD nuh, instead of feverishly running to embrace Him with all of our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, since He is the ONLY ONE who can truly help us. But that’s the foolish and illogical way man’s mind operates these days. With his new found prowess and advancement in technological matters, He’s actually gotten a swollen head, gotten too big for his breeches, where he now thinks that he can do it all on his own, he has no more need for God. But that’s a fool’s wisdom my faithful brethren. 

Instead, listen to the true wisdom of the psalmist. ‘Ye that LOVE the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance (for the memory) of his holiness (holy name).’ (Ps.97:10-12) Now that is more like it! 

And let me add some more fuel to our godly fire (smile) through the words of Cousin Sol from one of the two psalms he supposedly wrote; Psalms 72 and 127. ‘Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen.’ (Ps.72:18-19) Ah mih people, how can we ever go wrong with such truth written indelibly in our hearts eh? No way Jose! 

Now let’s go home telling the whole world, all the earth, of our enviable and most precious position in our Lord God, by declaring (ah Lord eh, wrong again) our Wednesday Wail in strong voice, with sincere hearts. ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And beyond that, we know that if we stand steadfast and strong in Christ, our future will be even more glorious than we can ask or ever imagine! Much LOVE!

…the Lord God of Israel…He is the ONLY True God that exists…