SCRIP-BITS

Luke 16:15.    And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
 
Oh Friends, it’s been seriously raining in many parts of the world, let’s hope and pray that it was all mere showers of blessing to nurture Mother Earth and not harbingers of disaster. But whatever it turns out to be, and however our own lives play out, Jesus’ people can’t afford to give up or get caught in any skulduggery or corrupt behaviour that will tarnish His Holy Name and cause our heavenly Father to admonish us. Sadly though, our world is chock full of crooked and devious behaviour, much more so than when Jesus admonished the Pharisees: ‘Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.’ Ah my brethren, that’s so true, I’m sure every day God must shake his head in sad wonder and disgust at the sinful behaviour of His children. And it’s getting worse every day. Yuh know Friends, if we’d just put a half, or even a quarter of the energy and effort that we expend on sinful behaviour into righteous and godly activities, our world would be a completely different and much improved place. But such is the proclivity of man to sin that it’s very difficult to drag us away from it. I have to laugh here yes, because that word ‘proclivity’, for some unknown reason, ran through my mind a couple hours ago, but I dismissed it as being too big and bumptious to use in the Bit, and some readers might not know the meaning (tendency to, habit, action). So you can imagine my amusement when it just popped up conveniently. Oh doesn’t our Lord surely move in mysterious ways! And here’s one example of His mysterious movements long ago, that falls under the umbrella of our Bit. We’re talking of when the Lord sent Samuel to Jesse’s house to anoint a king. Samuel’s focus was on the outward appearance of Jesse’s sons: ‘But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused (rejected) him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.’ (1 Sam.16:7) Yes Friends, from early on the Lord made it very clear that His major interest wasn’t in our out appearance or deeds, but what was hidden in the very depths of our souls. And though He knew Bruh David would make some serious mistakes, He saw that deep down, his heart was more attuned to Him than Lucifer. My people that’s all God asks of us; to stay tuned to Him, rather than that rogue Lucifer. He knows that every so often we’ll be tempted to change the dial and hear what’s playing on SIN 101 because that’s our natural temperament. However, He doesn’t expect us to spend much time there, but to turn back to RIGHTEOUSNESS 100 asap, for if we spend too much time listening to Lucifer, our souls, bodies and minds will soon get corrupted by his evil, sinful offerings. Now check out the kind of actions to which you’ll be led, if you listen too long to SIN 101 as described by the psalmist in Psalm 10, a prayer for the overthrow of the wicked. ‘The wicked in his pride doth persecute (hotly pursues) the poor: Let them be taken in the devices (plots) that they have imagined (devised). For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous (greedy), whom the Lord abhorreth (and renounces the Lord). The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.’ (Ps.10:2-4) Oh my people, we certainly don’t want to be involved in that evil stuff and thereby lose the wonderful blessings our God has to offer on RIGHTEOUSNESS 100, for as Cousin Sol so rightly proclaims: ‘A man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.’ (Prov.16:9) Yes Friends, the Lord’s direction is what we need, not Lucifer’s evil machinations and abominations. And talking about abominations, let’s hear from Cousin Sol again, for from his wide and excellent research, he drew this exquisite, correct conclusion, re the seven deadly sins: ‘These six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination unto him (unto his soul): A proud (haughty) look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations (devises wicked plans), feet that be swift in running to mischief (evil), A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.’ (Prov.6:16-19) There we have it my brethren; seven basic things that the Lord abhors. And unfortunately from those, many others flow. Oh my Friends, well- intentioned persons can only offer us advice, in the end, we have to make our own decisions. And I certainly hope that eventually, the entire world will recognize and accept Jesus’ hegemony (rule, leadership) Hn! What a way we using big words today sah! (smile) And our job is to make that happen, by diligently spreading His Word and living it faithfully. Now to end this series of Bits on justifying ourselves before men and not God, let’s listen to Jeremiah again, as he proclaims the Lord’s stand on the matter. ‘I the Lord search the heart, I try (test) the reins (mind), even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (deeds).’ (Jer.17:10) There’s no more to say Friends, except: ‘He that hath an ear, let him hear…’ Much LOVE my people!…and remember that…SIN 101 plays evil drivel…while RIGHTEOUSNESS 100 blossoms with heavenly hope…