Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 October 2016 Psalm 66:4.

Psalm 66:4.  All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name.   Selah. 

Welcome to a glorious Tuesday morning friends! Oh I know it’s still dark outside as I write this, but I’m also sure that the bright light of Jesus is shining through the darkness, both physical and spiritual, bringing light and comfort to our hearts, minds, bodies and souls! What a wonderful Lord and Saviour we have my people. And there’s truly NONE like Him! 

Oh, and what mysterious and fabulous ways He operates! Check out this small, everyday miracle that happened to me yesterday. I was down the street going to get a roti from the recent hot roti shop, Leila’s. But when I got to the little plaza where it’s situated,  I discovered that Leila’s was closed on Mondays. 

However, just across the plaza I saw a place called Papa Joe’s, with roti also on its menu. So I decided to check it out. When I entered, Papa Joe was attending to another customer, so I walked around looking at the décor.

And lo and behold on the wall I saw this black, marble like plaque with white italic writing on it, surrounded by a fancy white border, with a place setting of a fork on the left side and a knife and spoon on the right. 

Obviously it piqued my interest and I went over to read it. And though I had the Duchess take a picture of it with her phone, I still felt the need to write it down. But now I’ve discovered that my description won’t do it justice, so I’m going to try and send an attachment. 

And this is what I read: ‘Daily MENU  Give thanks Fill a vase with fresh flowers Set a beautiful table Use fresh simple ingredients Use your best china and silverware Prepare every meal with LOVE Use fresh herbs Invite someone Practice good manners Wash your hands Use cloth napkins Chew slowly. Savour every morsel Have great conversation Eat desert Wash your own dishes’ 

Oh friends, isn’t that just beautiful! I certainly find so. And I believe the Lord meant me to see it so that I could share it with you today. It’s just a nice, easy, but wonderful way to live our lives!

However, we can’t do that if we don’t have Jesus in our lives, for it is only through Him that we can rise to such simple, but glorious heights. I hope the attachment came out properly and you shared my enthusiasm for it. (smile) 

Now let’s do what we do every Tuesday; declare our Tuesday Mantra with sincerity, faith and mucho enthusiasm.

All together now: ‘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!’ 

Glory be, my people! NOTHING can beat being a beloved child of God and a trusted friend of Jesus! Wow! 

Now with all of that goodness and LOVING-kindness, why aren’t’ we Christians the happiest people in the world eh? I certainly don’t know. But we ought to be. 

Sadly though, too many of us walk around with our heads hung down, shoulders drooped, with guilt and whatever in our spirits, behaving like martyrs, believing that we should not be happy, enthusiastic and enjoy life.

But that’s totally wrong my brethren, for Jesus said that He came so that we could have life and have it in abundance! (John 10:10) 

That means we don’t need to go around sad and miserable to be considered a true Christian. In fact, as true believers, we should be doing what our Bit says: ‘All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name.   Selah.’ 

Now that’s how real Christians should behave. And the psalmist was even more specific and enthusiastic before our Bit.

He begins the psalm thus: ‘Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto God, all ye lands. Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible (awesome) art thou in thy works! Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.’ (Ps.66:1-3) 

Yeh friends, that ought to be the everyday behaviour of the true and devout believer, not a sad and morose existence. Now listen to how Isaiah characterizes the day of the Lord.

‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 

And many people shall go and say, come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks (pruning knives): nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.’ (Is.2:2-4) 

What a blessed day that will be my people! And the scholars tell us: ‘The setting is the millennial age, when the nations of the world will come to the Holy City (Jerusalem) to learn the ways of God.

Christ Himself is pictured as the Judge who will direct the affairs of the nations during His millennial kingdom. Thus the weapons of war will be turned into tools of peace and economic productivity.’ 

Oh friends, how I look forward to that day; that day when war shall be no more! But why do we have to wait till then eh? We can start right now by pursuing peace, by spreading the good news of Jesus and living in LOVE with God and each other! 

So I implore us today, to begin turning our weapons of war, our negative sentiments into tools of peace, LOVE, joy and economic prosperity, for that is indeed wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!

…the motto of the true believer…make LOVE…not war…

P.S. Sorry friends, but I could not put the attachment in the Blog, so you will just have to rely on my description. (smile) Much LOVE! 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 April 2016 Job 19:25‏‏

Job 19:25.   For I know that my Redeemer (lit. Kinsman) liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter (last) day upon the earth.

Ah friends, yesterday was another busy and frustrating day, which eventually led to a rather late night, or should I say early morning to bed. I had to laugh when I heard the birds already singing their morning praises to our wonderful God as I got into bed. 

Consequently, the tired old body refused to get up this morning until it was good and ready. Sometimes we just have to be wise and simply adhere to the demands of our body, because it knows best, what is good for it. 

And as I got up, the raucous, joyful shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend is here!’ reminded me that it was the day that so many of us look forward to, because it heralds the end of our work week and brings on the much needed weekend. 

But don’t forget my brethren, that how we use our weekend is very important, since it sets the tone for the way our next week of work will unfurl. If we use it wisely, then our week will go much more smoothly than if we use it in total dissipation and licentiousness. Hn! 

And by using it wisely, I mean along the lines of our Friday Chant, which we shall now declare. As one chanter: ‘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.’ 

Yes friends, that is definitely the wisest way to use our weekend, especially in these trying and difficult times, times of great stress and confusion. We don’t need Lucifer and his evil cohorts to drag us further down into the mire of sin than we already are. 

So when they approach us with sinful actions that seem so innocent and pleasant, but are in fact devious and dangerous, just tell them to go back to hell where they belong! (smile) 

Because, as Job so boldly proclaims in our Bit: ‘For I know that my Redeemer (lit. Kinsman) liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter (last) day upon the earth.’ 

Ah mih breddren, that is such a powerful statement of faith, especially under the disastrous circumstances that Job declared it. 

And today we know for a fact that our Redeemer Jesus Christ lives, since He died on the cross and rose again to defeat sin, death and the grave, so that we could all live victoriously ever after with Him in the mansions of heaven! 

And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful: ‘All praise, power and glory to the Lamb that was slain for us on the cross at Calvary! May he live and reign forever!’ 

And believe me friends, He WILL indeed live and reign forever! 

And with that sure assurance (smile), let’s continue looking at some scriptures from the Old Testament that testified to the truth of our having a redeemer, beginning with these welcome and encouraging words from Isaiah as he prophesies about the final restoration of Israel. 

‘For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.’ (Is.41:13-14) 

Yes friends, how could they ever beat the strong and ever faithful promises of our magnificent, majestic and omnipotent God eh? NEVER! 

And Isaiah seems to have been well attuned to his Redeemer as he mentions it several times in his writings. Listen to him once more, re the folly of idolatry. ‘Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. 

And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it (can proclaim it), and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them show unto them.’ (Is.44:6-7) 

Ah mih people, there’s no one who can do and say the things our God can, because He is indeed the first and last, and the ONLY true God that exists! 

Now hear what Cousin Sol has to say about the Redeemer. ‘Remove not the old landmark (boundary); and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with (against) thee.’ (Prov.23:11) 

And that’s for certain sure my fellow believers! We all know how our God champions the widows and orphans and strangers, so we had better make sure we don’t run afoul of them, because the mighty God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will fight tooth and nail on their behalf. 

And we’ll end with some more Isaiah, as he declares that deliverance will be from the Lord. ‘And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put into thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.’ (Is.59:20-21) 

Oh friends, there’s no better way to end than with that reminder about the Lord’s Spirit which indwells us and the necessity for us to keep the Word of the Lord constantly in our hearts, minds, souls, bodies and proceeding from our mouths, and those of our descendants. 

So today, let’s ponder both our individual and family situation on that matter nuh, then ask the Lord to bring us and our family up to scratch on it. For that is indeed wisdom at its fullest! Much LOVE!

…without Jesus…our wonderful Redeemer…we’d all be heading for hell and the lake of fire with Lucifer…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 October 2015 Psalm 130:5‏

Psalm 130:5.   I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Ah mih people, our ancestors were surely right when they said that after one time was two, and what hadn’t passed you hadn’t met you, or vice versa. Steups! Just trying to put it in proper language, although it does lose some of the flavour when taken from the vernacular. 

The long and short of the story though is that this big Thanksgiving Weekend the ole fella is holed up at home with an intravenous needle in his left forearm connected by some clear plastic tubing to a pump and some antibiotics in a bag that I’m carrying around my waist or my shoulder. Hn, Hn, Hn! 

I just have to chuckle at the picture yes. I can’t even go to church because of the inconvenience of the situation, but the Lord understands. And I guess you all are wondering what brought on that situation. 

Well about a week ago, the duchess noticed this small red spot on my left calf. It was in a position that I couldn’t even see it unless I turned my foot around. We tried doctoring it ourselves, but it only got bigger and redder, until yesterday morning I decided to take in front before in front took me and went to the Emergency Department in a nearby hospital. 

Unfortunately I learned that I had an infection in my calf, caused by what, no one really knows. There are theories that it came from a bite or a sting, which I don’t remember receiving, or even some circulation problems. But the best way to remedy the situation was with antibiotics administered intravenously. 

So here I am, waiting expectantly for a nurse to come everyday to change my dressing and the medication in the bag. Hn, hn! 

But yuh know Friends, even in this time of adversity there is stuff to be thankful for, i.e., there’s no broken skin or any pain in the infected area. Praise the Lord! Our God is so wonderful that He knew the ole fella couldn’t bear any more pain along with his already full load from the arthritis, thus fulfilling the promise that He does not give you more than you can bear. Glory to God!  

So that’s my story…and it won’t stop me from participating in the Thanksgiving programme planned by the family, I’ll just be traipsing along with my little bag and clear plastic tubing, trying not to get it hooked up into anything. (smile) 

Ah Friends, it’s good that I’m at a stage of maturity in Christ where I can laugh at the situation, otherwise it would just drive me crazy. I have enough faith and confidence to know that this too shall pass, it’s just another inconvenience, another test along my pilgrim’s journey. 

That’s why my people, it’s ever so important to have the Word of the Lord, especially His promises stored deep down in our hearts, so that we can raise up whatever is needed to help us in times of adversity. 

And our Bit is a very good example of that situation. ‘I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.’ Yes Friends, we surely do need to hope in the Lord, and then wait expectantly in faith with that hope. 

Now let’s look at a few scripture passages that uphold our Bit. And we’ll go right to the beginning, when Jacob blessed and prophesied concerning his sons. At one point during his prophecy, he soulfully proclaimed: ‘I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.’ (Gen.49:18) 

And we all know Jacob’s story. If he could be turned from an ole crook into one of the father’s of Israel, then there’s hope for all of us, if we sincerely put our trust and faith in the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

Meanwhile, Isaiah, in his hymn of praise boldly and confidently declares: ‘The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh (make level) the path of the just. Yea, in the way of thy judgements, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 

With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.’ (Is.26:7-9) 

Oh Friends, how I long to see that day when we down here on this forlorn planet earth truly learn the righteousness of God! 

And we’ll end today with these excellent words of advice from Bruh Paul to Titus, re the Christian life. ‘For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (age); 

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar (his own special) people, zealous of good works.’ (Titus 2:11-14) 

Yes my brethren, having received salvation through the redemptive death of Jesus, we must now wait with hope and faith, while living righteously amongst the heathen horde, looking expectantly unto the return of Jesus with all might and power to claim His rightful place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

And though that may seem difficult with the constant bombardment of the world and it’s unrighteousness, we can certainly accomplish it if we place all our fears and cares in the Lord God Jehovah, who has faithfully promised to help all those who turn to Him for succour. Now that is undisputed wisdom for each and every age! Much LOVE!

…I can do all things through Christ…who strengtheneth me…  (Phil.4:13)

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 February 2015 Luke 1:37

Luke 1:37.        For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Well a good Thursday morning to all you beautiful followers of Jesus Christ, and avid readers of the Scrip-Bit; a sure help in time of need, a catalyst to help us stay focused on the Word of God, especially in this time of prayer, fasting and reflection called Lent! Yeh Friends, the Bit is here just to help, to encourage, educate, and guide us some, re the Word of the Lord on this earthly pilgrimage. You still have to read and study the Word for yourself. And while we’re on the subject of God’s Word, let me remind us of two invaluable things that we should all know and remember. The first one is ‘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.’ And the second very invaluable thing is that ‘One truth from the Bible is worth more than all the wisdom of man.’

Oh Friends, those are two indisputable facts, and if we keep them at the forefront of our lives, they will serve us with the utmost faithfulness and fill us with a strong sense of purpose!

So on this second day of Lent of 2015, let’s promise ourselves to read and study God’s Word more than we‘ve been doing thus far, and also believing its many truths, so that we can attain to greater wisdom in God’s kingdom. And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful, ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’

Yes my people, thanking and praising our mighty, magnificent, majestic and magnanimous God are constant lifetime actions and activities of a true believer! Every day we ought to thank Him for the breath of life He’s allowed us to have, the new mercies, blessings and forgiveness He’s prepared to shower down on us to enable us to do His will.

And remember He has a plan, a good one, (Jer.29:11) for each and every life that He has created, and once you awaken to a new day, it means that He still has a purpose for you to pursue, otherwise you wouldn’t be alive and kicking. That means we have to be constantly aware of what God is doing and wants to do in our lives, or we’ll miss the glory train bound for heaven. (smile)

And that would be the saddest thing, for it will mean eternal separation from Almighty God. Oh Friends, right now I can’t even bear thinking about being separated from my heavenly Father for all eternity!

So as true followers and believers in Jesus Christ, let’s be wise nuh, let’s step up to the plate, to the wicket, put our best foot forward and do the things we know that will please Him and simultaneously glorify the Father, furthering His wonderful kingdom. That’s all He’s asking us to do yes. And is that so difficult to do? NO! Not if we read God’s Word and wisely follow it.

As our Bit says: ‘For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ And we all know that, or at least claim to know it. So if we are diligent in reading, studying and obediently putting God’s Word into action in our lives, we will be well able to do whatever is necessary.

And that’s faithfully borne out by the true and famous words of Bruh Paul to the Philippians. ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil.4:13) That’s gospel truth Friends, and should be wrapped around our hearts with unshakeable belief and steadfast faith!

The words of our Bit were spoken by the angel Gabriel to Mary, the mother of Jesus, when he came to tell her of the impending incarnate birth of her son. And Mary’s faith always amazes me! Now hear how this betrothed teenaged virgin, from a backwater town in Galilee called Nazareth, answered the angel Gabriel after a few minutes of conversation.

‘And Mary said, Behold the handmaid (maidservant) of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.’ (Luke 1:38)

Wow! Oh Friends, how many of us today, even in these supposedly enlightened times, would respond so calmly if we were faced with such a situation eh? Not too many, even though we claim to have the highest faith and believe that nothing is impossible to God! And all that shows is that we are not as truly mature and strong in the faith as we claim.

We saw that happen with Sarah when the angel of the Lord visited her and Abraham and promised they’d have a son of their own loins despite their rather advanced ages (between 80 and 100). Sarah laughed within herself, God obviously heard and was displeased.

So much so that He asked: ‘Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.’ (Gen.18:14) And it came to pass; only much longer than Abraham and Sarah expected.

But please remember my brethren, that our God is ALWAYS faithful to His promises. They may not happen when and how we desire them, but in God’s own way and time ALL of His promises will be fulfilled!

And we shall end today with a solid reminder of that from the prophet Habakkuk. ‘For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.’ (Hab.2:3)

Yes Friends, whatever God has promised us, WILL come to pass, please let us wait patiently, with true and expectant faith for it, and we will NOT be disappointed. That’s the wisdom of God! Much LOVE!

…how patiently and expectantly we wait on God’s time and ways…shows the true extent of our faith…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 November 2014 Psalm 145:4

Psalm 145:4.   One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

So my fellow believers, it’s Sunday; the Lord’s Special Day! And I do hope that you are seriously considering going to His sanctuary to fellowship, worship, praise and give sincere thanks with other believers in acknowledgement of God’s never-ending mercy, forgiveness and LOVING-kindness!

But if for some genuine reason you can’t go to the sanctuary – simple laziness doesn’t count – (smile) then let the sanctuary come to you, through worship on the radio or the television. But please, do get in some heartfelt praise and thanksgiving today, keep the Lord’s Day holy, as He desires.

And after reading the poem ‘I Praise You’ from the One Year Book of Bible Promises, I was greatly enthused, because it fit the Lord’s Sabbath perfectly. Please say it with me in a sincere and worshipful manner.

‘I praise You, my Lord! I praise You for all things: For this very moment  For future days  For the past  Often so reckless On my part So filled with Foolish Fantasies. But so gracious On your part  So LOVING  And so totally forgiving. I praise you.’

Wow Friends, what a most appropriate prayer for today…and any day!

And the biblical promise for that comes from Psalm 145, Bruh David’s exaltation –The Lord is gracious. ‘I will extol (praise) thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day I will bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable (beyond our understanding).’ (Ps.145:1-3)

And that, my people, segues very nicely into the next verse, our Bit. ‘One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.’

Oh Friends, that recounting of God’s great works and His wonderful attributes are of immense importance, totally essential in the lives of all believers and Christ’s church, for that’s the only way God will be remembered and recalled and worshipped and glorified down through the ages!

And that is one of the things Moses tried to drill into the heads of the stubborn and recalcitrant Israelites during their journey through the wilderness, en route to the Promised Land.

In reminding them of the Ten Commandments, he warns: ‘And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.’ (Deut.6:6-9)

Yes Friends, that’s how important the Word of the Lord is!

Then in Isaiah, re King Hezekiah’s sickness and healing, the king cries out to God. ‘For the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth. The Lord was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the Lord.’ (Is.38:18-20)

Yes my fellow believers, worshipping and serving Jehovah God is a most important matter, or rather THE most important matter in our earthly lives! And as Hezekiah reasons with the Lord, re saving him from death, it is only while God’s breath of life is flowing through our mortal bodies that we can praise Him and make known His mighty works to our offspring.

Unfortunately though, our generation has made a mess, a mockery of that commandment! We haven’t followed it as purposefully and diligently as we should have. That is why today we have a young generation that knows precious little about the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and consequently has little time or place in their lives for Him. Instead, the lustful and evil world is their oyster.

But let’s remember that while there is life, there is ALWAYS hope. So let’s try and inculcate some sense and semblance of God into our children, starting right now nuh. It’s not too late. And in any case, it behoves us to try and rectify our serious wrong; the fact that we did not teach them properly about Jehovah God.

And the wonderful thing about it all is that God, even at this late stage, will help us do it. He will direct us; give us the wherewithal, as we sincerely try to teach our children about Him. He will never discourage those who try to spread His Word. Much LOVE!

…what better day to teach our offspring about God…than on the  Sabbath…the Lord’s special day…

 

 

 

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