Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
Well Friends, it’s been another beautiful day in Paradise for most of us, but for the many who are living a hell on earth, let’s pray that their situation improves substantially and quickly. And I started the day on a better note than yesterday. Much to my surprise, I woke up humming a song called, ‘The Man from Galilee.’ It asks, Would you know Him if you saw Him? That puzzled me, cause I haven’t heard the song for a while. Then I guessed it was the Lord’s way of reprieving me from my petulant anger yesterday. He made sure I woke up with Him on my mind and in my mouth, so hopefully, I wouldn’t repeat the nonsense. (smile) Who say’s He’s not a thoughtful, caring God eh? But turning to Today’s Bit, I’m sure that many of us know the general feeling. As soon as some of your associates discover that you’re both a card carrying and practising Christian, they begin to shun and bad talk you. When you refuse to partake in their worldly schemes because they don’t fit into your Christian lifestyle, well then they really lambaste you. ‘Oh, who does he or she think they are eh? Before they use to do such and such. But now, since they find God, they get so high and mighty with dehself it ain’t funny. Deh too nice to associate with sinners like we now. Steups! Darm setta hypocrites and dem!’ Yes Friends, many of you have either heard of or experienced that sort of painful rejection and false aspersions cast on aspiring believers. Though sometimes it’s true. We wear the Christian face outside, but inside, it’s a different story. Jesus here was talking to His disciples, delivering what we call The Beatitudes. Informing them that those who suffer things like poverty, hunger, sadness, persecution and false accusations while faithfully seeking the Lord, sincerely doing His work, they will be rewarded in heaven. ‘Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.’ (vs.20-21) And traditionally, believers who’ve genuinely sought the Lord, not necessarily organized religion, have suffered this fate. They make the worldly uncomfortable, that’s why their reactions are negative. So if you’ve been ostracized, oppressed, or negatively affected for your beliefs, take heart Friends, you’re in good company. As Jesus said, ‘for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.’ (vs.23) Going against the tide, against the world’s sinful ways was never easy, and will never be. But People, Jesus overcame the world, and as His followers, we have the same capacity; in cohorts with His Holy Spirit, we too can overcome this wicked world. It’s going to take some doing. But again, being in league with Jesus means that anything is possible. So please, don’t give up when the going gets extra rough; when we’re abused, persecuted or rejected for doing Jesus’ work. That’s when we most need to call on, and depend on Him. He’ll come through for us. So let’s do like Jesus says, stand tall and proud, and ‘Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great in heaven.’ (vs.23) Yes Friends, in the long run, it’s our rewards in heaven that really matter. Please try to garner as many as possible. Much LOVE!…earthly baubles pale…in comparison to heaven’s….
Well Friends, it’s been another beautiful day in Paradise for most of us, but for the many who are living a hell on earth, let’s pray that their situation improves substantially and quickly. And I started the day on a better note than yesterday. Much to my surprise, I woke up humming a song called, ‘The Man from Galilee.’ It asks, Would you know Him if you saw Him? That puzzled me, cause I haven’t heard the song for a while. Then I guessed it was the Lord’s way of reprieving me from my petulant anger yesterday. He made sure I woke up with Him on my mind and in my mouth, so hopefully, I wouldn’t repeat the nonsense. (smile) Who say’s He’s not a thoughtful, caring God eh? But turning to Today’s Bit, I’m sure that many of us know the general feeling. As soon as some of your associates discover that you’re both a card carrying and practising Christian, they begin to shun and bad talk you. When you refuse to partake in their worldly schemes because they don’t fit into your Christian lifestyle, well then they really lambaste you. ‘Oh, who does he or she think they are eh? Before they use to do such and such. But now, since they find God, they get so high and mighty with dehself it ain’t funny. Deh too nice to associate with sinners like we now. Steups! Darm setta hypocrites and dem!’ Yes Friends, many of you have either heard of or experienced that sort of painful rejection and false aspersions cast on aspiring believers. Though sometimes it’s true. We wear the Christian face outside, but inside, it’s a different story. Jesus here was talking to His disciples, delivering what we call The Beatitudes. Informing them that those who suffer things like poverty, hunger, sadness, persecution and false accusations while faithfully seeking the Lord, sincerely doing His work, they will be rewarded in heaven. ‘Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.’ (vs.20-21) And traditionally, believers who’ve genuinely sought the Lord, not necessarily organized religion, have suffered this fate. They make the worldly uncomfortable, that’s why their reactions are negative. So if you’ve been ostracized, oppressed, or negatively affected for your beliefs, take heart Friends, you’re in good company. As Jesus said, ‘for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.’ (vs.23) Going against the tide, against the world’s sinful ways was never easy, and will never be. But People, Jesus overcame the world, and as His followers, we have the same capacity; in cohorts with His Holy Spirit, we too can overcome this wicked world. It’s going to take some doing. But again, being in league with Jesus means that anything is possible. So please, don’t give up when the going gets extra rough; when we’re abused, persecuted or rejected for doing Jesus’ work. That’s when we most need to call on, and depend on Him. He’ll come through for us. So let’s do like Jesus says, stand tall and proud, and ‘Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great in heaven.’ (vs.23) Yes Friends, in the long run, it’s our rewards in heaven that really matter. Please try to garner as many as possible. Much LOVE!…earthly baubles pale…in comparison to heaven’s….
SCRIP-BITS 