Job 42:1-2. Then Job answered the Lord and said, I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee (no purpose of yours can be withheld).
Oh Friends, it’s no lie, what goes around, comes around! I’m referring to a newspaper article I read earlier this week that claims someone in Egypt was arrested under the Blasphemy Act for destroying a Bible. And instead of creating a storm of anger and causing unnecessary destruction to lives and property, all God’s people joyfully shouted: ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ What’s good for the goose should also be good for the gander. It’s time people of other faiths have respect for God’s Holy Word and don’t irreverently desecrate or destroy it. How truthful the story is, and what will happen next is another story, but it should at least cause others to stop and think before they damage the Good Book. And on a brighter note, here’s something I read a while ago in a booklet on Bruh Joseph. It’s called The Leader’s Prayer: ‘Lord, when I’m wrong, make me willing to change. When I’m right, make me easy to live with. So strengthen me that the power of my example will far exceed the authority of my rank.’ Yes Friends, we all need to develop our leadership skills because as followers of Christ, we are all leaders in our own right; leading people to Him, and we can’t do it properly without knowing how. Neither is there an easy way to learn it, for good leadership skills are born of adversity, per the many examples in the Bible and real life. And as the song, I think it’s the ‘Gambler’ by Kenny Rogers says; we have to know when to hold and when to fold, and we can only accomplish that by working with and through Almighty God. And we see that in our Bit, when Job finally submits to God. ‘Then Job answered the Lord and said, I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee (no purpose of yours can be withheld).’ Before that, Job thought he was doing so good and even through his friends’ admonishment, he still stuck to his claim of righteousness. Then God challenges him out of the whirlwind. ‘Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man, (prepare yourself); for I will demand of thee (question you), and answer thou me.’ (Job 38:2-3) God then goes on to show Job his ignorance in Chapters 38-41. And at last in Chapter 42, Job humbles himself before the challenging questions of Almighty God. ‘Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee (question thee), and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth thee: Wherefore I abhor (despise) myself, and repent in dust and ashes.’ (Job.42:3-6) Oh Friends, sadly, many of us fall into the category of doubting God, or thinking that we know much more than we really know, but it’s all a lie, and comes from false pride in our frail mortal powers. Listen to the scholars explain those first six verses of chapter 42; ‘The point of all God’s questions was not lost on Job: he has a new awareness of the wisdom of God’s hidden plans, a new sense of the limits of his own wisdom, and a new sensitivity to his own sin. He admits that his has been a limited perspective, and he totally submits to God’s will and authority.’ That’s exactly what many of us need to do my people. Instead of blowing our own horn, we need to truly bow down to the Creator and Master of our universe, pay Him the total homage that He so richly deserves, humbly submit to not only His will and authority, but also to His infinite wisdom and knowledge. As He rightly says, His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours, (Is.55:8-9) so how can we be more knowledgeable than Him eh? The same sort of thing happened to Sarah and Abraham when the Lord promised them a child of their own loins in their old age. Sarah laughed, and Abraham had his doubts. But just like the Lord straightened out Job, He straightened out Sarah and Abraham with some biting words. ‘Is there 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) Oh my people, why are we so hard headed and stubborn eh, and continually doubt God’s awesome power, in spite of all the instances we have of it? Remember Jesus’ words to the disciples: ‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.’ (Matt.19:24) And the disciples were astonished, wondering then, who could be saved. Then Jesus replied: ‘With men this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.’ (Matt.19:26) And that’s gospel truth Friends! Unfortunately though, many of us say it, but don’t really seem to believe it, judging from the way we act. And yet again, Jesus declared in His time of sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane, shortly before His crucifixion, when He tearfully prayed to the Father. ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt (will).’ (Mark 14:36) And the scholars make an interesting observation here. ‘By the word Abba, Jesus addresses God with the household term for Father. This was unheard of in Palestinian Judaism at that time. It points to Jesus’ unique relationship to God.’ And Friends, because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross, we also have a unique relationship with the Father, where we can come to Him without fear of rejection. So please, let’s not think too highly of ourselves, for whatever reason, or too little of our God, because that’s a sure formula for destruction. Much LOVE!…it is God who gives us life…and the wherewithal to sustain it…so it’s foolish to exalt oneself above Him…remember the rich, proud, selfish fool…(Luke 12:16-20)
Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 September 2012 Psalm 117:1
24 Sep 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: accept Christ, battle hymn, believers, conquerors, follow Christ, Gentiles, hope, humble servants, invincible, LOVE, Monday, Praise the Lord, the Holy Trinity, unity, wisdom
Psalm 117:1. O Praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
A wise and wonderful Monday morning to all you believers in Christ! Awright, so we’re not all so wonderful or wise in our everyday lives, but we’ve surely made the wisest and best decision of our lives to follow Jesus, and that says a great deal about us. Yes my Friends, those who accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour, and stand steadfast and strong in their belief are the wisest people in this wicked and cruel world controlled by the arch enemy and master criminal Lucifer. But Jesus has already conquered him and his evil world, (John 16:33) so there’s no need to be anxious or worried about Lucifer’s bombastic carrying’s on. We just have to keep on HEARING the Word, LIVING it, and LOVING our wonderful THREE in ONE God, with all our hearts, minds, bodies and souls. What a joy that is my brethren! And yuh know, even that TRINITY of SPIRITS that’s our DEITY, speaks volumes re the power, glory and magnanimity of our Creator! And so, to give us the boost, the jolt we need, like our first cup of hot, strong java, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to get us in fighting mode. So with all the sincerity and enthusiasm we can muster, let’s sing! ‘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!’ Wow Friends! Isn’t that a better ‘perker-upper’ than a cup of coffee? For sure! Now since we’re all perked up, let’s get out on to the battlefields of this ungodly world to put up one helluva fight for Jesus: the BEST THING that ever happened to mankind! No wonder our Bit today strongly and joyfully proclaims: ‘O Praise the Lord, all ye nations (gentiles): praise (glorify) him, all ye people.’ Yes my brethren, that’s exactly what the whole world needs to do. Why? ‘For his merciful (LOVING) kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.’ (Ps.117:2) Now here’s some interesting info from the scholars: ‘Psalm 117. Well known as the shortest chapter in the Bible, this little psalm contains a great message. Though some have denied it an independent existence, attaching it to Psalm 116, Psalm 117 has all three elements of the hymn of praise: a call to praise (v. 1), a cause for praise (v, 2a, b), and a conclusion, which, in this case, is a simple praise ye the Lord (v. 2c). The fact that the nations and people (lit., “peoples”) are addressed in verse 1 makes this psalm the only one in the Psalter addressed in its entirety to the Gentile world. Its evangelistic mood was still baffling to some of Paul’s readers. This is one of four passages that Paul quotes from the Old Testament in Romans 15, to prove that God is interested in saving the Gentiles.’ And so He is my people. Now let’s check out some of the scriptures that the scholars talk about in Romans 15, which deals with Unity in Christ, in the section titled, ‘The Gospel to the Gentiles.’ Bruh Paul declares thus: ‘Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister (became a servant) of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy, as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. (quoted from Rom.14: 1,3, and Rom.5:20) And again he saith, Rejoice ye Gentiles, with his people. (quoted from Deut.32:43) And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud Him all ye people. (quoted from Ps.117:1) And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. (quoted from Is.11:1,10) And all of that comes from Rom.15:7-12. Just goes to show Bruh Paul’s high standard of education and his incredible ability as a wordsmith. And the scholars explain Bruh Paul’s motives thus: ‘Since God’s purpose has been to unite both Jew and Gentile into one body, diverse convictions and practices in doubtful matters should give way to harmony and unity.’ Oh Friends, if only that would happen in our world eh! Anyway, let’s close with a blessing from Bruh Paul that ends that section, the Gospel to the Gentiles. ‘Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.’ (Rom.15:13) And all God’s people said a loud and prayerful, ‘Amen!’ Much LOVE my brethren!…peaceful unity of all God’s creation…that’s Jesus’ purpose…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 September 2012 Zephaniah 2:1
22 Sep 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: antagonism, Democrat, depression, forgiveness, gather together, humility, LOVE, manna, mercy, one accord, oppression, poverty, repentance, Republican, righteouness, rumours of wars, sickness, tearing each other apart, the Lord's anger, wars, wisdom
Zephaniah 2:1. Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired.
Oh Friends, another day has dawned bright and beautiful, though a bit chilly in my area, but still with all the blessings that our faithful God has promised, and has faithfully provided everyday. Blessings like life, mercy, manna, LOVE and forgiveness, just to name a few. But for some reason, many of us either don’t know about, or seem to appreciate these daily blessings, which unfortunately keeps us at loggerheads with each other, which in turn wreaks havoc in our society. Listen to the chorus of this song I recently heard on a T&T radio station. It’s an old fashioned type calypso, apparently penned for T&T’s fiftieth anniversary of Independence, celebrated this past August 31. It says: ‘My prayer dear Lord, is that you keep us in one accord. And if there is a plan, for the destruction of our land. Ah beg you, dear Lord, please stay your hand. My prayer to you dear Lord. Please don’t allow us to continue tearing each other (our nation) apart. Dear Lord, that’s the prayer of my heart.’ Oh my people, that’s a prayer that can be raised up to heaven for almost every nation in our world, because almost all of them are in some sort of turmoil. It can therefore be also applied to our entire world, which is in a truly sad state, with wars and rumours of wars abounding; economic depression, gross poverty and untold sickness in a world of plenty and marvellous medical science, religious confrontation and oppression, and generally speaking very few areas of agreement. Why are we so antagonistic towards each other eh, even in the smallest group, the family? I guess with the exceedingly quick pace of life nowadays, and with all the modern technology and the numerous distractions now available, plus the lack of godly instruction in homes and schools, it’s harder for even families to see eye to eye. And if the smallest and supposedly most close-knit group are at such wide and varied odds, what does that say for the society as a whole eh? It surely doesn’t instil much confidence that we’ll be getting better any time soon. A glaring example of that is the current U.S Presidential campaign. Firstly it’s very partisan, either Republican or Democrat, with no middle ground. Then it’s become so nasty, expensive and more focussed on the personal lives of the candidates, than the numerous serious problems affecting the country and their plans to fix them. Neither side seems truly concerned about the effects that style of campaigning is having on the country, but are both merely concerned with pushing their own agenda in the wild grab for power. And sadly, though not as much as before, as the U.S. goes, so does the rest of the world. So is there no help for us, you ask? Oh yes Friends, surely, for while there is life, there’s always hope. But what’s the help? My people, we can find it in our Bit and the two verses that follow it. ‘Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired (undesirable nation). Before the decree bring forth (is issued), before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgement (upheld his justice); seek righteousness, seek meekness (humility): it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.’ (Zeph.2:1-3) Yes Friends, Zephaniah was desperately calling on the meek to seek the Lord, because of Judah’s ungodliness, and letting them know how terrible it would be when the Lord’s anger strikes. But they paid no heed and when the conquering forces of Babylon ravished them, everybody just held their heads and bawled. But Friends, it was too late then, and if we don’t smarten up and truly seek the Lord today, we will eventually face the same unwanted, but much deserved fate for our ungodly, evil way of life. Oh my brethren, the day of the Lord will not be forestalled, and the scope of divine judgement will be worldwide and truly harsh. Only the meek and righteous will stand a chance of not being utterly consumed. A lot of societies today take the Word of the Lord for a joke, heaping ridicule on it, but if we really looked at the horrible situation the children of Israel faced for their disobedience in the Old Testament, we wouldn’t take it so lightly. And what do you think will be the Lord’s reaction to those who refused to place their faith in His Son Jesus Christ, whom He innocently sacrificed so that His fallen children could be reconciled to Him? I doubt that His reaction will be very wonderful, for although He is indeed a God of LOVE, mercy and forgiveness, Hs is also a God of justice and righteousness and cannot tolerate sin around Him. And we’ll end with some interesting words from Joel, when he called Judah to repentance and fasting because they were living the same wicked, unrighteous lives that we’re now living. ‘Blow the trumpet (ram’s horn) in Zion, sanctify (consecrate) a fast, call a solemn (sacred) assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breast (nursing babes): let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet (dressing room). Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen (nations) should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people (peoples), Where is their God?’ (Joel 2:15-17) Oh my brethren, we certainly don’t want the heathen to rule over us, or to feel the Lord’s full anger, we’re already feeling some with all the calamity that’s befalling our world. So I implore us to all try and improve ourselves, by raising our individual righteousness and humility, thus setting a good example, then start to encourage those around us, friends, families and co-workers to do the same. That’s what we need to do, if we want to see brighter days. It’s the wisdom that’s called for in these turbulent times. Much LOVE!…humans divided…whether in families or nations…will never achieve God’s greatest promises…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 September 2012 3 John 4
18 Sep 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: compassion, disappointment, discouragement, eternal life, faith, forgiveness, glory, good news, gospel, honour, justice, LOVE, mercy, peace, power, salvation, steadfastness, thick skin, truth, understanding, winning, wisdom
3 John 4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
And a blessed good morning to all you beautiful people out there in Scrip-Bit Land! It’s supposed to be cool and rainy in my neck of the woods today, (it’s already raining) but that’s of no importance. Why, you ask? Because just like neither sleet nor snow stops the mail delivery, so nothing stops the followers of Jesus on their earthly mission to spread the good news of the gospel to all and sundry. And what’s the good news? The peace, LOVE, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, truth, justice, wisdom, understanding, salvation and eternal life that’s found in Jesus and His humble but ever so powerful way! And all God’s people shouted a joyous: ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ But the truth of the matter my Friends is that it’s not always easy to follow in Jesus’ path, for Lucifer and his evil minions have made believers the number one target of their wicked and ungodly fiery darts. Today though, I have a few words to share from the Hour of Power Devotional by Robert H. Schuller which will help us in repelling Lucifer and his evil works. The words are: ‘If you will learn how to be disappointed without being discouraged, you need never be defeated.’ What an awesome truth Friends! And when I read them today, a flashlight just went off in my brain, and I knew I had to share them. It’s a simple but powerful strategy, for what’s the first thing or thought we embrace when we experience disappointment? It’s discouragement, oftimes laced with a strong desire to just give up, to let it all go to waste. But my people, that’s the wrong attitude to adopt, for disappointment doesn’t always mean failure or defeat, and if we truly learn to endure disappointment without it making us want to throw away all our hard work, then we’re winning. Believers need to have what the old people called ‘a thick skin.’ That means not letting unimportant things get us down or all worked up. I’m learning that with writing this Scrip-Bit, because not everybody agrees with or like what I write. And believe you me, supposed believers can be the nastiest critics when they’re ready. However, please remember that giving up on Jesus is NOT an option in a believer’s playbook! Those words don’t exist in Jesus’ vocabulary, which means we have to stand strong and steadfast regardless of what or who comes against us. That’s why John so happily declared in our Bit: ‘I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.’ He was exceedingly happy to hear that his buddy Gaius was standing strong and true in the faith. And he also expresses that joy in his second epistle, where he begins thus: ‘The elder unto the elect (chosen) lady and her children; whom I LOVE in the truth; and not I only, but also they that have known the truth. For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth (abides) in us, and shall be with us for ever.’ (2 John 1-2) Now the ‘elder’ there is John himself, and according to the scholars, the ‘elect (chosen) lady’ could either mean a personal friend and her family or a local church. Now, re the truth John speaks of, it will be helpful to have some explanation from the scholars. They declare that: ‘To LOVE in the truth means (1) truly, really to LOVE, and (2) to LOVE in a fashion consonant with the Christian meaning of that word. The truth which John and others have known is a combination of factual knowledge regarding the Word of God and personal knowledge of Jesus Christ.’ Also, ‘John LOVES his readers for the truth’s sake or “because of the truth,” which likely has reference to the personal presence of Christ (John 14:6) The cardinal fruit of the Spirit of Christ is LOVE (Gal..5:22)’ Then a couple verses later, John states: ‘I rejoiced greatly that I found (some) of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.’ (2 John 4) Listen to the scholars here again: ‘Walking is a Jewish idiom for “living.” John is saying that we should “live by the truth,” or in accordance with God’s revealed word and will.’ That’s gospel my brethren! How else can we live for God if we don’t live by His Word and His Will eh? It’s just like living in any group, be it two or more; certain rules and regulations must be laid down and followed, if there is to be harmony and not anarchy in the group. Likewise if there’s to be harmony amongst the followers of Jesus, then we all need to live in close agreement and joyful practice of His dictates. And not to be outdone, when Bruh Paul couldn’t go to visit the Thessalonians, he also told them of his happiness at their steadfastness in the faith. ‘For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.’ (1 Thess.2:19-20) Yes my brethren, all believers should be filled with unspeakable joy when they hear of others walking steadfastly in the LIGHT and LOVE of Jesus, for that’s what this life is all about. And what better way to end than with the words of Jesus. When Pilate asked Him if He was a king, Jesus answered: ‘Thou sayest (rightly) that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice.’ (John 18:37) End of story Friends! So now, if we have indeed heard Jesus’ voice, then let’s go out and sincerely and energetically live that truth nuh! Much LOVE!…to truly LOVE Jesus…we must walk steadfastly in His way…just like He walked steadfastly in His Father’s…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 September 2012 Psalm 90:12
15 Sep 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: 9/11, Christians, faithfulness, fanaticism, God's promises, holy spirit, idol worship, persecution, reverence, war, wisdom
Psalm 90:12. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Oh Friends, the ole fella’s starting late this forecasted cool and cloudy Saturday morning, plus he’s tired, although I got lots of rest, and I don’t have a clue about what I’m going to write. (smile) How is that for a start eh? But our God is a good and merciful Deity and has promised not to give us tasks to perform in His Name without the necessary tools to perform them. And I’ve had personal experience in this area for the last how many years, therefore I’m not worried about my lack of info, late start or tiredness. Remember that Jesus also promised that the Holy Spirit will tell us what to say when the time is right, be it in persecution or writing on His behalf. (Matt.10:19-20) So right now I’m depending on those promises, (smile) because I know that our God is faithful and won’t let me down in my time of need. Oh Friends, when is the nonsense going to end eh? When full scale war breaks out? I’m talking about the latest acts of violence against American life and property in the Muslim countries because of a reputedly derogatory video against the prophet Mohammed. Now who in their right senses would produce such a video and upload it to You Tube knowing the reverence lavished on that spiritual leader by his followers, and the fanaticism with which his name is protected, especially at a very sensitive time like this? The fellow in the middle of the production apparently said he wanted to stir up the pot. Well he certainly has! And if the reports are true that he’s a Coptic Christian, can you imagine the problems it will cause those poor folks who are already so badly treated and persecuted in the Muslim countries. Ah Lord eh! Some of us definitely need our heads examined yes, for the last thing we need is a religious backlash and upheaval in these already turbulent times. No wonder in his only Psalm, and therefore the first in the Psalter, Moses pleaded with God in our Bit: ‘So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom (gain a heart of wisdom).’ That video certainly wasn’t an act of wisdom. However he knows that his days are truly numbered now, and has taken to hiding. But as the old people say, you can run, but you can’t hide, and one day they’ll catch up to him and he’ll pay the price for his folly. What makes matter all the worse is that it was done on the anniversary of the bombing of the World Trade Centre. Don’t you think that gave more ammunition to the already highly motivated fanatics to remember and celebrate with more murderous behaviour? Now why is it that we need to know the number of our days before we can seek wisdom eh? That should be a priority from the very start! But I guess mankind likes to push the envelope right to the limit, then try to smarten up just before we reach the end of our leashes. But that ought not to be so my people. I guess the Lord doesn’t let us know our life span, because too many of us would live evil, ungodly lives, then at the last minute repent and plead for mercy. In Psalm 39, A prayer for self-understanding, Bruh David asks the same basic question, but in a slightly different manner. ‘Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as a handbreadth; and mine age is nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity (vapour).’ (Ps.39:4-5) But Friends, we don’t need to know how frail we are, just to know that we are indeed frail ‘…like grass which groweth up. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.’ (Ps.90:5-6) And like Moses lamented over his people Israel so long ago: ‘For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end.’ (Deut.32:28-29) Moses could be talking about our society today, for this current version is so mired in evil and ungodliness that they don’t know whether they are coming or going. Sadly, many of those involved in all the lustful, idol worship and worldly activities that are now so prevalent, don’t have a clue as to what they really are involved in, and what their end will be like if they keep on living that worldly life. That’s because they have no real knowledge of their Creator, or believe the evolution theory, and thus think that they can get away with murder. But Friends, we believers know how wrong they are, and it’s our job to try and wake them up to the reality of the situation. Remember Jesus said that there’d be great joy in heaven over one repentant sinner, more than over ninety nine righteous ones, who need no repentance. (Luke 15:7) And James tells us that for every sinner we bring to repentance, we shall save a soul from death and also hide plenty sins. (James 5:20) So my brethren, please let’s not worry about the number of our earthly days, but instead behave as though today is the last one, and go out into this evil, ungodly world and behave appropriately; that is winning souls for Jesus, with the wisdom we have already received through the power of His Holy Spirit. That’s truly wisdom at its highest! Much LOVE!…Christians ought to revere Jesus as highly as other faiths revere their leaders… P.S. Yuh see, Friends, the Lord was indeed faithful to me. The Bit’s not too late, and it does make some sense. (smile) Much LOVE!
Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 September 2012 Habakkuk 1:2
04 Sep 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: anguish, blasphemy, confidence, cry out to God, destruction, evil, forgiveness, Glory Halleujah, god, God is good, hear, LOVE, loving kindness, mercy, prayer, prophecy, punishment, save, surrender, violence, wisdom
Habakkuk 1:2. O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
Oh Friends, oh Friends, our God just proved to me once again what a wonderful and faithful God He is! Just now, when I came to write the Bit, my confidence seemed to be at a rather low ebb. I can’t say what really caused it, because when I came downstairs earlier on it was fine, but somewhere in between it faltered. And all I did was read a few e-mails, most of them to do with God too, including yesterday’s Bit, then played a set of games that purport to enhance my mental prowess (smile). And even though I didn’t do as well in some of the individual games as I usually do, my overall score was higher than yesterday. So I really can’t say what triggered this lack of confidence. But somehow or the other Lucifer got into my mind – yes that’s where it all begins, in the mind – and knocked me for an unhealthy six. (smile) But what he obviously didn’t consider Friends, is that I would cry out to my God in anguish and sincere surrender, and that being the True, Faithful and LOVING Father that He is, He would renew that confidence, through the gentle touch of His Holy Spirit, and my looking up some scriptures on confidence in His Word, in particular Proverbs 3:25-26; Proverbs 14:26; and 1 John 5:13-15. And now my brethren, I can truly say a very big and bold ‘THANK YOU FATHER FOR RENEWING MY CONFIDENCE!’ Wow Friends, what a great and mighty God, endowed with much mercy, forgiveness and LOVING-kindness we serve and worship! And all God’s people let forth a mighty shout of joy, boldly declaring: ‘Glory Hallelujah to the ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE! Oh Friends, I’m chuckling here now as I consider God’s mysterious movement in my life this morning. Apparently He felt that I needed a testimony; I’ve been doing enough talking, and needed to walk some of that talk. So Friends, I can boldly testify now, that if your spirit is somewhat downcast and on the low side, you can successfully cry out to God, get in His Word and feel His Sprit work in you, to bring you back up to a decent level. And on another good note of God’s faithfulness, I read where an Imam was arrested in the last couple days for framing the young Christian girl being held in a Pakistani jail on blasphemy charges. Somebody apparently squealed on him. But what’s even more surprising and important is that they actually arrested him and took him away in chains and a white blindfold. That decree must have come from some real powerful person, cause when have you ever heard of an Imam’s word being doubted in a fanatical Muslim society, especially when it comes to the burning of a holy work by a Christian believer? God truly is good my people! Now let’s see if we can get some action on our Bit. (smile) ‘O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!’ Ah mih breddren, Habakkuk’s words on the state of his country Judah so long ago, so closely mirrors the state of our own society now that it’s not funny! Rather, it’s heartbreaking and unsettling. For it seems that severe punishment is also going to be meted out to us for our proud and obnoxious disobedience and rebellion towards Almighty God, Creator and Everlasting Ruler of our Universe. Habakkuk’s cry of unanswered prayer sounds like Jeremiah’s in his Lamentations for Judah’s fall. ‘He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old. He hath hedged me about (walled me in), that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. Also when I cry out and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.’ (Lam.3:6-8) But what else did Jeremiah expect eh, when he himself had prophesied to Judah about their coming destruction, and they refused to listen to him? Oh my people, we are always declaring that our God doesn’t change; He’s the same yesterday, today and forever. So in light of that, let me ask a seemingly foolish question here. If God severely punished Israel so often, plus all those others who were supposed to believe in and worship Him faithfully, what do you think is going to happen to us, especially since we LOVE to claim that our society was founded on Christian principles? Oh my fellow believers, it doesn’t take the brains of a rocket scientist to understand God’s rules because they are quite simple: obey, or you pay! It’s the same thing our earthly parents taught us from a tender age, and we obeyed them lots of the time because of fear, fear of the punishment that would be meted out to us mostly in a physical manner. But Friends, our God doesn’t want us to obey Him because we’re afraid of His eventual punishment, but because we LOVE Him the way He LOVES us, and thus want to do His will. But we’ve gotten so big for out ‘britches’ these days that we only do what we think is right. Anyway mih people, the long and short of the story is that our world is in a despicable state, partly because of our wilful, blatant and stubborn disobedience to ALL the commandments of our Creator. And we’re already paying dearly for that disobedience. So let’s end with some wise words from the prophet Micah, re the terrible end of the oppressors of the poor. ‘Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work (plan) evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take (seize) them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage (inheritance). Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil (I am devising disaster), from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil.’ (Mic.2:1-3) And this time is surely evil my people, so please let’s wake up and hear what God is saying to us nuh: repent, and come back to my fold, else it won’t be well with you. Friends and fellow believers, I implore us to listen and heed God’s advice. That’s wisdom at its zenith. Much LOVE!…there’s none so deaf…as he who refuses to hear…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 August 2012 Psalm 37:8
20 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: advice, anger, awe, conquerors, dreams, enthusiasm, evil, eyes of faith, fear, humble servant, imagination, invincible, joy, pride, prosperity, righteous, sin, songs of praise, vitality, wisdom, wrath
Psalm 37:8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 August 2012 Jeremiah 17:7
05 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: blessings, Caribana, comfort, communing with God, desires, drought, faith, hope, solace, Tobago, trust, wiping away tears and fears, wisdom
Jeremiah 17:7. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
Well mih people, the Caribana Parade for 2012 is history now! But plenty activities are still there for the taking. They’ll continue until Monday night, because Monday is a holiday in most of the provinces. Now don’t ask me what they are for they’re so plentiful, that I’m wondering how many are well attended. The only thing that I might check out is a Tobago Expo, all things Tobagonian, at Harbour Front this evening, provided the weather is good, since it’s supposed to rain, and the spirit takes me. (smile) By the way, I erred on the side of wisdom yesterday and didn’t go to the Caribana Parade, just stayed home by myself and rested. Oh sorry, sorry, the Lord God Jehovah stayed home with me too, and we spent a quiet but interesting afternoon, communing openly and frankly with each other. But that’s the only wise and sensible way to commune with our Maker! He showed me some insights into life and I opened up my heart and soul to Him, spilled every negative thing that was built up in me and was blocking our proper communication. Now the lines of our communication are wide open. Thank you Lord! Oh Friends, please remember, and also act on this principle, that Almighty God is the ONLY BEING in the universe who can offer us true solace and comfort, wiping away our tears, our fears and sins and bringing us back into a right relationship with Him thru the precious spilled blood of His Son Jesus. No wonder the prophet Jeremiah tells us about the blessedness of trusting the Lord in our Bit: ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.’ Yes mih people, that’s an indisputable fact! Now hear how Jeremiah continues to describe the blessedness of trusting Jehovah: ‘For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see (fear) when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful (anxious) in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.’ (Jer.17:8) Wow! That’s certainly what you’d call blessedness Friends! But unfortunately we can’t get to the blessings until we first have the hope in God, then let it show forth as trust and faith. Yes my brethren, today we sticking with that awesome word HOPE and all it entails, for without it nothing’s really going to be accomplished in our lives, especially in the spiritual realm, since it all begins all right there with HOPE. The dictionary describes HOPE thus: ‘To look with expectation and desire for something, be it concrete or abstract; a feeling of trust; probability.’ And Friends, all three definitions lead us straight to our great and powerful God! For it’s only Him to whom we can look to with true expectation and desire for stuff within His Will, and who will faithfully fulfill those expectations and desires. Man cannot fulfill many of our desires, but the Eternal God can fulfill them ALL! And what does that faithful fulfilling of our expectations do? It breeds a feeling of supreme trust in us towards Almighty God! And there’s no better place to centre that trust my people! Now let’s look at some scriptures that boost our hope, faith and trust in the Lord, starting with words from Psalm 146, superscripted, the blessedness of trusting God. And the psalmist profoundly proclaims: ‘Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.’ (Ps.146:5) Words of awesome truth Friends! Now listen to Bruh David from Psalm 5, a prayer for protection: ‘But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that LOVE thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass (surround) him as with a shield.’ (Ps.5:11-12) And just in case you don’t believe either psalmist, then hear Isaiah tell it: ‘And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgement (justice): blessed are all they that wait for him.’ (Is.30:18) And just suppose you don’t believe Isaiah either, remember is only suppose we supposing eh, (smile) then listen to Jeremiah declare it: ‘For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey (as a prize) unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord.’ (Jer.39:18) Ah mih people, I can only implore us to have hope, faith and trust in the Creator of the universe. It’s the best advice you can ever get in this world, but you still have to make the decision to surrender your all to Almighty God, then cling to Him for dear life. I sure hope you make that decision soon…like today, right now, because it will determine where you’ll spend eternity, and that’s of the utmost importance for your spiritual self. Much LOVE!…without Hope in God…life’s a disaster just waiting to happen… P.S. Please notice the new address for the Scrip-Bit Blog. I just discovered it myself tonight. Hope too many of you didn’t go looking for it on the old site, like I did. Much LOVE!
Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 August 2012 Jeremiah 17:7
04 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: beautiful scriptures, beginnings of pan, Bible, Caribana Saturday, confession, faith, hope, Hope in Jesus, music, repentance, stubborn, submission, surrender, trust, wisdom
Jeremiah 17:7. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
Aye Friends, it’s Caribana Saturday morning in T.O. the Good! Wow! It’s supposed to be hot, low thirties, and sunny. Just imagine nuh, that in a few hours, for the forty something time, rich, scintillating, pulsating West Indian riddims will be blasting out on the streets of this vibrant, cosmopolitan city! Unfortunately though, it seems that this will be the third or fourth Caribana Parade the ole fella’s going to miss in the forty years, he’s been here. I guess, as they say, all good things must end someday. But after the Pan Alive Competition last night, I believe the Lord’s saying; ‘Keep you peace, mih son! It’s not worth the pain that might ensue.’ However, with the natural stubbornness of man, (smile) I’m still not a hundred percent sure that I’m not going. We’ll see how the ole bod feels as the morning progresses. Anyway, for once the judges and the crowd seemed to agree on the winner of the Pan competition; Pan Fantasy. From the opening notes of their music, you heard something, a sort of brilliance that none of the other bands matched. But don’t fool yuh fat, as in every Pan competition in the world, there were cries of; ‘They robbed us!’ And you could find good arguments for disputing some of the lower placings. But last night Pan Fantasy definitely reigned supreme! All the bands played well though, especially some of the younger ones. And it warms the cockles of my heart every time I check out this competition to see the great amount of young people, of all colours, creeds and races who are beating pan now. Hn! If they only knew about the beginnings of pan and how it was totally frowned upon in it’s earliest years, they’d certainly be surprised to find themselves playing those instruments now. My Auntie Anne and Uncle John didn’t make it there till late, thus missed the first six bands, but a good time was eventually had by all though. Now let’s turn to our Bit: ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.’ That’s undoubtedly gospel truth mih Friends! You can see that although our Bit is new, our theme is still that nebulous, constantly ebbing and rising, but oh, ever so important emotion of HOPE! As we’ve been saying, it’s what every human being, and specifically Christians need in great amounts to be able to carry out any and all projects successfully. Yes Friends, if we’re not clothed in much hope, particularly in the hope of God Almighty, His enduring ability to run our lives, then we’re like a naked man out in the winter’s cold, unable to survive for any length of time. It’s the starting point of all our endeavours. And it follows logically that since the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is our Creator and the most powerful Being in the universe, then it’s only wise, the root of our wisdom, to place all our hope, trust and faith in Him. If no one can defeat Him, then why put any trust in the many pretenders currently floating around in our world eh? And if we check the Good Book, we’ll find a whole lot of beautiful scriptures that attest to that fact. Let’s look at some of them now, beginning obviously with words of Psalm 2, attributed to Bruh David (smile) and superscripted, Why the heathen rages. ‘Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.’ (Ps.2:12) Ah mih people, kissing the Son is an act of homage and submission, which all believers ought to do, for it’s wisdom at it’s highest, since the Good Book uncompromisingly declares: ‘For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ (Rom.14:11) There Bruh Paul’s confirming words first spoken by Isaiah in Chapter 45:23. So my brethren, if Jesus Christ is the ultimate ruler, then those who don’t believe in, trust and worship Him, need to have their heads and hearts thoroughly examined for the presence of that condition nicely termed foolish, stupid, or downright unwise. Hear how Cousin Sol puts it: ‘He that handleth a matter wisely (wisely heeds the Word) shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.’ (Prov.16:20) More gospel truth mih people, as no doubt many of us can testify to. And we’ll close with this edifying scripture from Psalm 125, God surrounds His people. And isn’t that the living truth Friends? ‘They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed (moved), but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about (surround) Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.’ (Ps.125:1-2) That my people, is the eternal truth, and as good as it gets! It certainly couldn’t get any better than that! So let’s take time today to ponder the state of our lives before Almighty God, then trust in His Word and renew the hope, the trust, the faith and final surrender and submission to His Holiness, as when we first believed. It’s the only sensible and wise stance to take in this evil, ungodly, troubled and fearful world. Much LOVE!…Hope is the seed…from which all good things grow… P.S. Sorry the Bit’s a bit late, but the ole fella didn’t get to bed until the wee hours of the morning, so he couldn’t get up any earlier. (smile) Much LOVE!
