SCRIP-BITS

Proverbs 27:6.    Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
 
Oh my beautiful Friends in Christ, I hear you rejoicing: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ So let’s do like 3 Canal advises nuh: ‘chant a chant and welcome the morning!’ All together now with our Friday chant: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely 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 glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen!’ Yes Friends, the weekend is upon us, and for those lucky ones living in Paradise North (smile) it’s only been a four-day workweek, thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday on Monday. That means you shouldn’t be as burnt out as you usually are, unless you’re still recuperating from the holiday celebrations. (smile) Oh, and let’s raise a prayer of thanks for the remaining Chilean miners who were freed yesterday from their harsh, unbelievable ordeal so long under the earth. It really is a miracle yes! I believe that’s the first time such a rescue operation has been performed anywhere, and no serious mishaps occurred. Thank you Lord! Now turning to our Bit. And it sure seemed strange having to look for a Bit since we’ve used the same one for the last six days. But as usual, the Lord in His eternal goodness, looked kindly on me and I didn’t have to stress myself to find one. Thanks again Lord! What a way we thankful to day mih people! But that’s just how it ought to be. Now the Bit says: ‘Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.’ And I’m going to play devil’s advocate here and say that it’s true, if your friends are truly friends, and not enemies in friendly disguise, because I’ve had that happen to me on several occasions. Those I thought were real friends, were actually enemies in friends’ clothing. And let me tell you people, there’s no bigger hurt, no deeper or greater disappointment than finding out that who you thought was your friend, was only pretending to be one, and actually didn’t have your best interest at heart, but was only conveniently using you for their own selfish, ungodly purposes. And the sad thing about that kind of situation is that it turns you off people, makes you wary, distrustful and cynical, unwilling to get into any close relationships again. As the saying goes; ‘who needs friends with enemies like them eh?’ Ah Friends, right here I must say another ‘Thank you Lord,’ for despite the several disappointments I’ve endured like that, I haven’t become distrustful and cynical, but still consider everybody I interact with a friend. Is awright mih children, I know your thoughts on the subject, but the ole fella likes his simple, uncomplicated make up. I find it less stressful, not having to always think and consider the motives behind those I interact with. Over the last few years, the Lord has opened my eyes to certain things, but I’m still basically the same old, trusting soul. And I like it like that, because my spirit is freer and more relaxed, not wrapped up in too much confusion. Besides, the Lord does look after me when I’m hurting. He wraps me in His arms and gives me His strength to go on in my weakness. I’m chuckling here Friends, at the Spirit’s sneakiness, because I never meant this to be a personal testimony, but once I got on a roll, He apparently thought it best to keep me there, confirming my contention that examples work more forcibly than precepts, meaning that a personal testimony will always have more impact than merely outlining the principles. Now having played the devil’s advocate, with the Spirit leading me to testify, let’s look at the unvarnished truth in our Bit. In the first place, NONE of us likes criticism, and very few take it well, even when it’s correct and meaningful. And when our true friends criticize us, it usually hurts more than when enemies do it. But if we’re mature enough, we soon get over it, since it comes from their good, sincere intentions to help us, because it stems from their source of LOVE for us. And though we don’t like to be criticized, I’m sure if someone we consider a true friend, sees us going to make a very crucial and critical mistake and says nothing, because they’re afraid to hurt our feelings, we’ll get annoyed at them and claim they’re not a true friend. My brethren, we can’t have it both ways, so let’s grow up and face the reality that sometimes we’re wrong, and when told so by a close associate, don’t get angry over it. Instead, let’s do the wise thing; carefully consider the criticism. If it’s true or right, say thanks, then make the necessary correction(s) and move on. If it’s not right or true, then say thanks but no thanks, and still move on. Please don’t get caught up too much in the whys and wherefores, because that’s what brings on the stress, resentment and anger. Now the kisses of an enemy are an entirely different cup of tea. From the outset, you know that you have to be very careful when those you don’t see eye to eye with, come around being nice. And one of the most treacherous and disgusting kisses in history, and there’s been many, is that of Judas Iscariot to Jesus. Jesus must still have felt a deep disappointment having one of His very disciples betray Him, although from the beginning, He knew it would happen. Here’s how Luke tells it. When Judas drew near to kiss Jesus, He said to him: ‘Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?’ (Luke 22:48) Matthew relates it differently. ‘Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast (seize him). And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master’ and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him. Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.’ (Matt.26:48-50) Yes Friends, it’s never easy being criticized or betrayed, but the only way to handle it successfully is in a mature, Christian manner. We can’t all be as nonchalant and unperturbed about betrayal as Jesus was, for He knew that it was necessary to fulfill the scriptures, but we certainly can do the Christian thing; believe that it was meant for an important purpose by God. He must have had some good reason, else He wouldn’t have allowed it. We have to go forward in faith, knowing that in His good time, He will heal our hurt and bring us out even better than before, because that’s how He operates. Oh Friends, the true Christian life certainly isn’t easy, but it does provide the best rewards, both in this life and the hereafter. So till we meet again tomorrow, God willing, let’s rise above the unfortunate hurts and disappointments of life, and work towards the greater glory of God nuh. Much LOVE!…only through total trust in, and dependence on God…can we live a good, purposeful life…here on earth…