Numbers 13:20 And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.
Oh Friends, it’s been another beautiful spring day in my area, I hope it’s been likewise in yours. Here’s an interesting quote I gleaned from a comic strip in the newspaper. Isn’t it amazing how the comic section often comes up with some very good ideas? This is from the strip called ‘Mutts.’ It shows a small white dog with large black ears sitting on a blue background, simulating outside, looking wonderingly at towering green hills in the distance. And the wording, attributed to Skip Whitcomb, is: ‘Outdoors is where the great mystery lies, so going into nature should be a searching and humbling experience like going to church.’ Now isn’t that true? God’s handiwork in nature is so spectacular, so wonderful and mystifying that we’ve got to sit in awe at its beauty, and be humble before its majesty, knowing that regardless of how technologically empowered and astute we are, we can never produce anything as grand and intricate, yet so simple and awe inspiring. It’s the same kind of feeling we ought to get when we enter a church, the great cathedrals with their beautiful physical characteristics, as well as the small, one room, dilapidated structures. Why? Because it’s been designated as the house of our God, and wherever our God is, we ought to be holy and humble, seeking His face, time and guidance. Now that really could be anywhere, but since we’ve set aside a special place as His Home, then we should feel reverence and humility anytime we enter therein. Just like we treat earthly royalty with the same obeisance, whether in a palace or the ghetto, so should we treat our God, who’s even more powerful and deserving than earthly monarchs. But how many of us really get that, searching, expectant feeling, laced with humility when we enter a church eh? I hope we all do. But before I get carried away with that, (smile) let’s get on with our Bit, on the topic of courage. Yesterday we ended where the cowardly Israelites were seriously considering returning to Egypt. How stupid! No manly parts there at all Friends. But luckily people like Moses and Aaron had some, else the story would be quite different. And the best way to describe what happens next is simply to quote the Good Book. ‘Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces (prostrated themselves) before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent (tore) their clothes. And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us (food for our consumption): their defense (protection) is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.’ (Num.14:5-9) Wow! But Friends, can you imagine at that stage, after all they’d been through with God guiding and looking after them, they still needed Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb to be so vociferous and entreating. That should have been a no brainer. It just shows that the people weren’t truly into their God, didn’t really have the faith required to follow Him, but were merely all talk and no walk. Now does that ring a bell mih people? It should. It should bring to mind our similar situation today, where we too talk a good faith, but walking it is an entirely different story. Do our religious leaders also have to pamper and beseech us, like Moses and them did to the Israelites, to get us to show a true faith and belief in the Lord our God? Do they have to continually natter at us so that we’ll live that faith we talk about so much? Please remember my brethren that Christianity is not merely a talk show, but much more an action drama! The talk part is just the entree, the aperitif to the volatile, rambunctious action to come. But that takes true faith backed by courage and belief in the Lord’s promises. Not all of us have had miracles occur in our lives, but we all have experienced the Lord’s blessings and spiritual power in some form or fashion, so why are we now doubtful of the Lord’s ability to help us eh? If He’s done it before, and we’re still living in faith, why won’t He do it again? It gives the impression that the Lord’s not a living, breathing Being, still doing what He’s done from day one. Like the Israelites, we’re afraid to stand up to the enemy, because they’re so big and powerful. Now wouldn’t you say that totally negates the fact that our God is so omnipotent, all knowing, and all everything else? We claim that in church, and possibly in private prayers, but when the time comes to acknowledge it in the open, we get scared and shut up. How then can God’s kingdom prosper if we, His trusted followers refuse to stand up for it? Friends, I have a sinking feeling, and I hope to God it’s wrong, but with the way believers are acting, or not acting today, it seems that Christianity will be totally watered down and of no real importance come the next generation, that the powers of darkness and evil will have even greater sway than they do now. Oh mih people, I’m begging, pleading, imploring, whatever it takes, let’s not allow that to happen. Let’s not do like the Israelites at the gates of the Promised Land, let’s not allow fear to conquer our faith. I’m sure we don’t want to be known as the generation that allowed the ungodly to supplant the righteous for lack of faith and courage. But Friends, that’s exactly what will happen if we don’t wake up NOW, draw the necessary courage from our faith and start to retake the world for Jesus’ sake. More tomorrow, God willing. Till then, may the Lord bless and keep you and give you His peace. Much LOVE!…the believer’s duty…to stand strong in faith…and live it with courage…
Oh Friends, it’s been another beautiful spring day in my area, I hope it’s been likewise in yours. Here’s an interesting quote I gleaned from a comic strip in the newspaper. Isn’t it amazing how the comic section often comes up with some very good ideas? This is from the strip called ‘Mutts.’ It shows a small white dog with large black ears sitting on a blue background, simulating outside, looking wonderingly at towering green hills in the distance. And the wording, attributed to Skip Whitcomb, is: ‘Outdoors is where the great mystery lies, so going into nature should be a searching and humbling experience like going to church.’ Now isn’t that true? God’s handiwork in nature is so spectacular, so wonderful and mystifying that we’ve got to sit in awe at its beauty, and be humble before its majesty, knowing that regardless of how technologically empowered and astute we are, we can never produce anything as grand and intricate, yet so simple and awe inspiring. It’s the same kind of feeling we ought to get when we enter a church, the great cathedrals with their beautiful physical characteristics, as well as the small, one room, dilapidated structures. Why? Because it’s been designated as the house of our God, and wherever our God is, we ought to be holy and humble, seeking His face, time and guidance. Now that really could be anywhere, but since we’ve set aside a special place as His Home, then we should feel reverence and humility anytime we enter therein. Just like we treat earthly royalty with the same obeisance, whether in a palace or the ghetto, so should we treat our God, who’s even more powerful and deserving than earthly monarchs. But how many of us really get that, searching, expectant feeling, laced with humility when we enter a church eh? I hope we all do. But before I get carried away with that, (smile) let’s get on with our Bit, on the topic of courage. Yesterday we ended where the cowardly Israelites were seriously considering returning to Egypt. How stupid! No manly parts there at all Friends. But luckily people like Moses and Aaron had some, else the story would be quite different. And the best way to describe what happens next is simply to quote the Good Book. ‘Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces (prostrated themselves) before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent (tore) their clothes. And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us (food for our consumption): their defense (protection) is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.’ (Num.14:5-9) Wow! But Friends, can you imagine at that stage, after all they’d been through with God guiding and looking after them, they still needed Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb to be so vociferous and entreating. That should have been a no brainer. It just shows that the people weren’t truly into their God, didn’t really have the faith required to follow Him, but were merely all talk and no walk. Now does that ring a bell mih people? It should. It should bring to mind our similar situation today, where we too talk a good faith, but walking it is an entirely different story. Do our religious leaders also have to pamper and beseech us, like Moses and them did to the Israelites, to get us to show a true faith and belief in the Lord our God? Do they have to continually natter at us so that we’ll live that faith we talk about so much? Please remember my brethren that Christianity is not merely a talk show, but much more an action drama! The talk part is just the entree, the aperitif to the volatile, rambunctious action to come. But that takes true faith backed by courage and belief in the Lord’s promises. Not all of us have had miracles occur in our lives, but we all have experienced the Lord’s blessings and spiritual power in some form or fashion, so why are we now doubtful of the Lord’s ability to help us eh? If He’s done it before, and we’re still living in faith, why won’t He do it again? It gives the impression that the Lord’s not a living, breathing Being, still doing what He’s done from day one. Like the Israelites, we’re afraid to stand up to the enemy, because they’re so big and powerful. Now wouldn’t you say that totally negates the fact that our God is so omnipotent, all knowing, and all everything else? We claim that in church, and possibly in private prayers, but when the time comes to acknowledge it in the open, we get scared and shut up. How then can God’s kingdom prosper if we, His trusted followers refuse to stand up for it? Friends, I have a sinking feeling, and I hope to God it’s wrong, but with the way believers are acting, or not acting today, it seems that Christianity will be totally watered down and of no real importance come the next generation, that the powers of darkness and evil will have even greater sway than they do now. Oh mih people, I’m begging, pleading, imploring, whatever it takes, let’s not allow that to happen. Let’s not do like the Israelites at the gates of the Promised Land, let’s not allow fear to conquer our faith. I’m sure we don’t want to be known as the generation that allowed the ungodly to supplant the righteous for lack of faith and courage. But Friends, that’s exactly what will happen if we don’t wake up NOW, draw the necessary courage from our faith and start to retake the world for Jesus’ sake. More tomorrow, God willing. Till then, may the Lord bless and keep you and give you His peace. Much LOVE!…the believer’s duty…to stand strong in faith…and live it with courage…
SCRIP-BITS 