1 Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Oh Friends, it was another beautiful summer day, minus the trying heat, and one more is forecasted for tomorrow. The Lord is certainly smiling down on us with this wonderful weather in mid-September. And we’ll take it without grumbling, cause the next movement will bring harsh, cold winds roaring across the land and the pretty white stuff drifting down to make life even more miserable than it already is. However, like the good pioneer stock from which we’re descended, we’ll handle it with great aplomb. (smile) Yes we will, for believers are the type of people James Corbett is talking about when he encourages others to, ‘Fight one more round. When your feet are so tired you have to shuffle back to the centre of the ring, fight one more round.’ Yes, my people, though it’s a boxing analogy, it’s oh so appropriate to our Christian lives and endeavours. It falls into the same category as the quote yesterday; though ‘made weak by time and faith, but strong in will, to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.’ They both point out the necessity of trying just one more time, of never giving up, of having hope once there’s breath in our bodies, of having the utmost faith when we call ourselves believers and followers of Jesus Christ. That’s the mark of a true believer, what sets us apart from the ungodly; that unquenchable faith, that undying belief, the total trust and surrender to the promises of the Most High God Jehovah. Friends, the wonderful, exciting news is that ‘sufferation’ doesn’t quench our Christian fire and fervour! And why is that? Because, ‘If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth on you.’ Praise His Holy Name, my people! To unbelievers that might sound strange, crazy, or even foolish, but to us who know Jesus, it’s simply what our Saviour is about, and how He expects us to react to the hardships of this ungodly world; with joy, with rejoicing. Peter said it best earlier on. ‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.’ (1 Pet.4:12-13) If we suffer in Christ’s name today, we’ll be entitled to enjoy the benefits He’ll provide when He returns in all His splendour and glory, as King and everlasting Lord. Just as it was the nature of Jesus to bear untold burdens and be sacrificed, so must the Spirit of His followers be strong and steadfast to bear the trials and tribulations we will suffer in this ungodly world. When we suffer the slings and arrows of this world without too much complaining and grumbling, God’s Spirit and glory will keep us safe, strong and true; ‘on their part he is evil spoken of, (blasphemed) but on your part he is glorified.’ Yes Friends, the person who does us wrong because we stand up for our beliefs is considered guilty of blasphemy against God, while in His sight, we are glorifying Him. And there’s nothing better we can do on this earth my Friends, than glorify our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! That’s the ultimate purpose of every believer. Oh my people, with every thought that flows through our minds, with every step we take, and with every beat of our sinful hearts, glorification of the Lord should always be uppermost in our consciousness. That’s our raison d’etre: to LOVE and SERVE Him! And now Friends, per the Spirit’s instructions, let’s listen to Peter, re the example of Christ’s suffering. ‘Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward (harsh). For this is thankworthy (commendable), if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile (deceit) found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.’ (1 Pet.2:18-23) Wow! What a hard act to follow. But follow it we must my people. We’re to withstand our calamity like true soldiers and also pursue Jesus’ desires and instructions. ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Mat.5:16) Those are our orders my brethren, so please, like dutiful followers, let’s carry them out with vim, vigour, great enthusiasm and plenty rejoicing. Much LOVE!…a believers motto…though buffeted…to stand strong, to fight…to look to Jesus…and never…never to surrender…
Oh Friends, it was another beautiful summer day, minus the trying heat, and one more is forecasted for tomorrow. The Lord is certainly smiling down on us with this wonderful weather in mid-September. And we’ll take it without grumbling, cause the next movement will bring harsh, cold winds roaring across the land and the pretty white stuff drifting down to make life even more miserable than it already is. However, like the good pioneer stock from which we’re descended, we’ll handle it with great aplomb. (smile) Yes we will, for believers are the type of people James Corbett is talking about when he encourages others to, ‘Fight one more round. When your feet are so tired you have to shuffle back to the centre of the ring, fight one more round.’ Yes, my people, though it’s a boxing analogy, it’s oh so appropriate to our Christian lives and endeavours. It falls into the same category as the quote yesterday; though ‘made weak by time and faith, but strong in will, to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.’ They both point out the necessity of trying just one more time, of never giving up, of having hope once there’s breath in our bodies, of having the utmost faith when we call ourselves believers and followers of Jesus Christ. That’s the mark of a true believer, what sets us apart from the ungodly; that unquenchable faith, that undying belief, the total trust and surrender to the promises of the Most High God Jehovah. Friends, the wonderful, exciting news is that ‘sufferation’ doesn’t quench our Christian fire and fervour! And why is that? Because, ‘If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth on you.’ Praise His Holy Name, my people! To unbelievers that might sound strange, crazy, or even foolish, but to us who know Jesus, it’s simply what our Saviour is about, and how He expects us to react to the hardships of this ungodly world; with joy, with rejoicing. Peter said it best earlier on. ‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.’ (1 Pet.4:12-13) If we suffer in Christ’s name today, we’ll be entitled to enjoy the benefits He’ll provide when He returns in all His splendour and glory, as King and everlasting Lord. Just as it was the nature of Jesus to bear untold burdens and be sacrificed, so must the Spirit of His followers be strong and steadfast to bear the trials and tribulations we will suffer in this ungodly world. When we suffer the slings and arrows of this world without too much complaining and grumbling, God’s Spirit and glory will keep us safe, strong and true; ‘on their part he is evil spoken of, (blasphemed) but on your part he is glorified.’ Yes Friends, the person who does us wrong because we stand up for our beliefs is considered guilty of blasphemy against God, while in His sight, we are glorifying Him. And there’s nothing better we can do on this earth my Friends, than glorify our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! That’s the ultimate purpose of every believer. Oh my people, with every thought that flows through our minds, with every step we take, and with every beat of our sinful hearts, glorification of the Lord should always be uppermost in our consciousness. That’s our raison d’etre: to LOVE and SERVE Him! And now Friends, per the Spirit’s instructions, let’s listen to Peter, re the example of Christ’s suffering. ‘Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward (harsh). For this is thankworthy (commendable), if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile (deceit) found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.’ (1 Pet.2:18-23) Wow! What a hard act to follow. But follow it we must my people. We’re to withstand our calamity like true soldiers and also pursue Jesus’ desires and instructions. ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Mat.5:16) Those are our orders my brethren, so please, like dutiful followers, let’s carry them out with vim, vigour, great enthusiasm and plenty rejoicing. Much LOVE!…a believers motto…though buffeted…to stand strong, to fight…to look to Jesus…and never…never to surrender…
SCRIP-BITS 