1 Peter 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday once more, and joyfully after a short workweek! Time to sing the TGIF Song: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient, fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.’ Yes my people, it’s only mete and right to give thanks for the Lord’s undeserved grace that brought us through another trying week successfully. And today we’ll continue to look at the attributes and behaviour that we need to acquire and follow in order to lead a successful and righteous life. Our Bit solemnly declares: ‘Let him eschew (turn away from) evil, and do good; seek peace and ensue (pursue) it.’ We know that’s Peter slightly reworking Bruh David’s call long before, to: ‘Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it.’ (Ps.34:14) Bruh David also declared in Psalm 37, the true state of the wicked, that God’s people ought to: ‘Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the Lord LOVETH judgement (justice), and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved forever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.’ (Ps.37:27-28) Oh Friends, we have two big promises right there: One, that if we stop doing evil and concentrate on good, we’ll live forever more. And we all know that’s true for believers with salvation and everlasting life. The second promise is that the Lord looks after those who are obedient to His will, while the wicked and their progeny are destroyed. What better incentives do we need to live a decent life, eh mih breddren? But if you desire more, then listen to God’s words, as spoken by Isaiah. ‘Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgement (justice), relieved the oppressed, (reprove the oppressor), judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.’ (Is.1:16-17) Yes Friends, that’s what the majority of our world needs to do, and they can only do so through our teaching and life example. If we stop doing evil and do good instead; if we seek justice for the poor and downtrodden, by reproving the oppressors and ‘downpressors’, defend the orphans, and make intercession for the widows, then the Lord will show us abundant grace and mercy, and others will eagerly seek and embrace the prosperous, successful life we’re leading. Remember my brethren, all our efforts on earth are slated for furthering God’s kingdom! Now, in terms of seeking peace and pursuing it, hear Bruh Paul to the Romans. ‘Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (Have regard for good things). If it be possible, as much as lieth in (depends on) you, live peaceably with all men.’ (Rom.12:17-18) And again, in Romans 14, he sincerely advises: ‘Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify (build up, encourage) another.’ (Rom.14:19) But unfortunately my Friends, that search for peace within and throughout our world, for some unknown reason, just seems to be continually evading us. Though many appear and claim to be talking peace, all we’re seeing is more strife, war and foolish destruction. Why is that eh? Is it because we don’t seriously want peace? Are we just basic warmongers at heart, and a wise but fragile thing like peace doesn’t conform to our way of thinking? Sadly my brethren, I don’t have the answers to these questions. However, we’ll close with some words of wisdom from the author of Hebrews, which will hopefully guide us along the right path, to the right destination. ‘Follow (pursue) peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God. Looking diligently lest any man fail (fall short) of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.’ (Heb.12:14-15) My people, peace and LOVE are the only two ingredients that will make our lives on this earth pleasant. As followers of Christ, we’ve been deputised to spread those things all over the world. So let’s step up our campaign a bit nuh. We desperately need to do so, because the warmongers are doing a good job of spreading their philosophy. It’s time we boosted our efforts to bring an evil, ungodly world out of the darkness it’s currently shrouded in, into the brilliant light of peace and LOVE, as personified by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Till we meet again tomorrow, God willing, may blessings be showered upon us, as we walk in Christ’s footsteps. Much LOVE!…only through the Spirit of Christ…can this world ever experience…lasting PEACE and LOVE…
Oh Friends, it’s Friday once more, and joyfully after a short workweek! Time to sing the TGIF Song: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient, fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.’ Yes my people, it’s only mete and right to give thanks for the Lord’s undeserved grace that brought us through another trying week successfully. And today we’ll continue to look at the attributes and behaviour that we need to acquire and follow in order to lead a successful and righteous life. Our Bit solemnly declares: ‘Let him eschew (turn away from) evil, and do good; seek peace and ensue (pursue) it.’ We know that’s Peter slightly reworking Bruh David’s call long before, to: ‘Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it.’ (Ps.34:14) Bruh David also declared in Psalm 37, the true state of the wicked, that God’s people ought to: ‘Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the Lord LOVETH judgement (justice), and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved forever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.’ (Ps.37:27-28) Oh Friends, we have two big promises right there: One, that if we stop doing evil and concentrate on good, we’ll live forever more. And we all know that’s true for believers with salvation and everlasting life. The second promise is that the Lord looks after those who are obedient to His will, while the wicked and their progeny are destroyed. What better incentives do we need to live a decent life, eh mih breddren? But if you desire more, then listen to God’s words, as spoken by Isaiah. ‘Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgement (justice), relieved the oppressed, (reprove the oppressor), judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.’ (Is.1:16-17) Yes Friends, that’s what the majority of our world needs to do, and they can only do so through our teaching and life example. If we stop doing evil and do good instead; if we seek justice for the poor and downtrodden, by reproving the oppressors and ‘downpressors’, defend the orphans, and make intercession for the widows, then the Lord will show us abundant grace and mercy, and others will eagerly seek and embrace the prosperous, successful life we’re leading. Remember my brethren, all our efforts on earth are slated for furthering God’s kingdom! Now, in terms of seeking peace and pursuing it, hear Bruh Paul to the Romans. ‘Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (Have regard for good things). If it be possible, as much as lieth in (depends on) you, live peaceably with all men.’ (Rom.12:17-18) And again, in Romans 14, he sincerely advises: ‘Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify (build up, encourage) another.’ (Rom.14:19) But unfortunately my Friends, that search for peace within and throughout our world, for some unknown reason, just seems to be continually evading us. Though many appear and claim to be talking peace, all we’re seeing is more strife, war and foolish destruction. Why is that eh? Is it because we don’t seriously want peace? Are we just basic warmongers at heart, and a wise but fragile thing like peace doesn’t conform to our way of thinking? Sadly my brethren, I don’t have the answers to these questions. However, we’ll close with some words of wisdom from the author of Hebrews, which will hopefully guide us along the right path, to the right destination. ‘Follow (pursue) peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God. Looking diligently lest any man fail (fall short) of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.’ (Heb.12:14-15) My people, peace and LOVE are the only two ingredients that will make our lives on this earth pleasant. As followers of Christ, we’ve been deputised to spread those things all over the world. So let’s step up our campaign a bit nuh. We desperately need to do so, because the warmongers are doing a good job of spreading their philosophy. It’s time we boosted our efforts to bring an evil, ungodly world out of the darkness it’s currently shrouded in, into the brilliant light of peace and LOVE, as personified by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Till we meet again tomorrow, God willing, may blessings be showered upon us, as we walk in Christ’s footsteps. Much LOVE!…only through the Spirit of Christ…can this world ever experience…lasting PEACE and LOVE…
SCRIP-BITS 