1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Now isn’t that an awesome truth my Friends! Our God is certainly greater than our hearts, and most definitely knows all, for He is the One who created all things; for example this beautiful spring time morning, with the birds singing His early morning praises in the leafy trees, giving much thanks, that though they don’t sow or reap, they still live well, due to of His bountiful goodness. And so too should we, my people. But concerning our Bit, as Bruh Paul wisely stated; ‘For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.’ (1 Cor.4:4) We can take the first part two ways: Literally, that he knows nothing by himself; everything He knows comes from God, which is true. Or as ‘by’ translated to mean ‘against.’ He knows nothing against himself, but that doesn’t make him free, or justified in his actions, for the Lord will judge him when the time comes, so he will plod on to do the Lord’s work to the best of his ability. So it is with us too Friends, we try to be good and righteous and live the way the Lord desires, but we’re not always successful. It’s easy to say live in peace and LOVE with your brother and your enemy, but when the hard facts of life roll around, it often becomes a real struggle to not only keep our Christian perspective, but even more so to carry it out. It’s so much easier to talk the talk than to walk it. And sometimes we fail miserably, then in turn feel miserable, disappointed, like failures, sinful and unfaithful, in that we were not able to live up to our Christian faith. We couldn’t do as John advises: ‘My little children, let us not LOVE in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and truth.’ (1 John 3:18) Ah Friends, we then unfortunately put ourselves down, feel ashamed, worry and fret. But my people, please remember, ‘For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.’ That’s for sure! So let’s not condemn ourselves in the things we do, for God knows what’s truly going on in our hearts. He can justify us even when we condemn ourselves for our sinful behaviour, since He sees not only our outward actions, be they totally wrong or simply misguided, but delves deep into our hearts and souls to discover our real motives, our true intentions. And if these are genuinely faithful, He is wise and magnanimous enough to forgive us. Remember, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the One True God, from the Beginning to the End, who never changes, but offers grace, mercy, hope, forgiveness and unconditional LOVE to all who humbly submit their earthly lives and spiritual souls to Him. So let’s not be afraid, or timid, in this our downright difficult Christian walk. Our God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, for He knows with our sinful nature that’s impossible, but He does expect us to genuinely try and obey His rules, try and follow in the footsteps of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The important words there Friends are ‘genuinely try.’ If we don’t, He’ll know as soon as He checks out our heart. But if we are sincere in our efforts, though we stumble and fall, He will help us up again if we ask Him to. It’s like riding a horse: They say if you fall off, then the best thing to do is to get right back on again, cause if you don’t do it right away, the fear of falling will take hold of your spirit and make it so much harder for you to ever get back up on a horse. And so it is with our earthly lives my people: When we fall off Jesus’ wagon, then we have to get right back up again, no wallowing in self pity, dust ourselves off, turn to Jesus and say we’re sorry, accept His forgiveness, then jump right back on to the fast moving, plenty bouncing vehicle, on the rough bumpy road of life, with all its numerous twists and turns. Remember yesterday we spoke of not living a life of regrets, to let the past stay in the past, just learn from our mistakes and carry on. It’s the same way if we fall off the Christian wagon of faith my Friends; just set it right with God, then move on, don’t dwell on it. Whatever we do, please don’t let out hearts condemn us, and make us feel unworthy of God’s LOVE and grace, for we are all worthy once we repent and come to Him in genuine prayer. ‘Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence in God.’ Exactly my people! ‘And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.’ (1 John 3:21-22) Yes my people, that’s our ultimate goal; to please the Father. And how do we do that? By living an earthly life that’s pleasing to Him, all aspects of it. And what’s the catalyst that helps us accomplish that ideal? PRAYER! Yes Friends, right living cannot be accomplished without fervent PRAYER, for that’s where we get the strength, the encouragement and patience, the overall fortitude to live right, because it’s certainly not an easy thing to do in this predominantly sinful, ungodly world of ours. So please, let’s stop condemning, ourselves or anybody else; keep repenting and asking forgiveness for our mistakes; keep praying for strength and guidance, so that we can live right and thereby grow and mature in the faith of Christ. Much LOVE!…neither persecutor… judge… nor jury… are we…
Now isn’t that an awesome truth my Friends! Our God is certainly greater than our hearts, and most definitely knows all, for He is the One who created all things; for example this beautiful spring time morning, with the birds singing His early morning praises in the leafy trees, giving much thanks, that though they don’t sow or reap, they still live well, due to of His bountiful goodness. And so too should we, my people. But concerning our Bit, as Bruh Paul wisely stated; ‘For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.’ (1 Cor.4:4) We can take the first part two ways: Literally, that he knows nothing by himself; everything He knows comes from God, which is true. Or as ‘by’ translated to mean ‘against.’ He knows nothing against himself, but that doesn’t make him free, or justified in his actions, for the Lord will judge him when the time comes, so he will plod on to do the Lord’s work to the best of his ability. So it is with us too Friends, we try to be good and righteous and live the way the Lord desires, but we’re not always successful. It’s easy to say live in peace and LOVE with your brother and your enemy, but when the hard facts of life roll around, it often becomes a real struggle to not only keep our Christian perspective, but even more so to carry it out. It’s so much easier to talk the talk than to walk it. And sometimes we fail miserably, then in turn feel miserable, disappointed, like failures, sinful and unfaithful, in that we were not able to live up to our Christian faith. We couldn’t do as John advises: ‘My little children, let us not LOVE in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and truth.’ (1 John 3:18) Ah Friends, we then unfortunately put ourselves down, feel ashamed, worry and fret. But my people, please remember, ‘For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.’ That’s for sure! So let’s not condemn ourselves in the things we do, for God knows what’s truly going on in our hearts. He can justify us even when we condemn ourselves for our sinful behaviour, since He sees not only our outward actions, be they totally wrong or simply misguided, but delves deep into our hearts and souls to discover our real motives, our true intentions. And if these are genuinely faithful, He is wise and magnanimous enough to forgive us. Remember, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the One True God, from the Beginning to the End, who never changes, but offers grace, mercy, hope, forgiveness and unconditional LOVE to all who humbly submit their earthly lives and spiritual souls to Him. So let’s not be afraid, or timid, in this our downright difficult Christian walk. Our God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, for He knows with our sinful nature that’s impossible, but He does expect us to genuinely try and obey His rules, try and follow in the footsteps of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The important words there Friends are ‘genuinely try.’ If we don’t, He’ll know as soon as He checks out our heart. But if we are sincere in our efforts, though we stumble and fall, He will help us up again if we ask Him to. It’s like riding a horse: They say if you fall off, then the best thing to do is to get right back on again, cause if you don’t do it right away, the fear of falling will take hold of your spirit and make it so much harder for you to ever get back up on a horse. And so it is with our earthly lives my people: When we fall off Jesus’ wagon, then we have to get right back up again, no wallowing in self pity, dust ourselves off, turn to Jesus and say we’re sorry, accept His forgiveness, then jump right back on to the fast moving, plenty bouncing vehicle, on the rough bumpy road of life, with all its numerous twists and turns. Remember yesterday we spoke of not living a life of regrets, to let the past stay in the past, just learn from our mistakes and carry on. It’s the same way if we fall off the Christian wagon of faith my Friends; just set it right with God, then move on, don’t dwell on it. Whatever we do, please don’t let out hearts condemn us, and make us feel unworthy of God’s LOVE and grace, for we are all worthy once we repent and come to Him in genuine prayer. ‘Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence in God.’ Exactly my people! ‘And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.’ (1 John 3:21-22) Yes my people, that’s our ultimate goal; to please the Father. And how do we do that? By living an earthly life that’s pleasing to Him, all aspects of it. And what’s the catalyst that helps us accomplish that ideal? PRAYER! Yes Friends, right living cannot be accomplished without fervent PRAYER, for that’s where we get the strength, the encouragement and patience, the overall fortitude to live right, because it’s certainly not an easy thing to do in this predominantly sinful, ungodly world of ours. So please, let’s stop condemning, ourselves or anybody else; keep repenting and asking forgiveness for our mistakes; keep praying for strength and guidance, so that we can live right and thereby grow and mature in the faith of Christ. Much LOVE!…neither persecutor… judge… nor jury… are we…
SCRIP-BITS 