SCRIP-BITS

Daniel 12:13.    But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
 
Oh Friends, I didn’t have any spellbinding, uplifting opening words for today, so I went looking for a worthwhile quote. (smile) And I found this interesting one attributed to C.H. Pearce in the Arthritis Calendar. It says: ‘The difference you make today counts in all our tomorrows.’ Now there’s much truth in that statement, since whatever we do today, regardless of its nature, will have consequences tomorrow for us, and also for many that depend on or are associated with us. Therefore it’s essential that before we do most things, we consider the consequences that will come forth from those actions. Unfortunately in our evil, ungodly, selfish, ‘doh care’ world today, many of us don’t consider the consequences of our actions, which then lead to a whole host of negative results. If you look around our world, a lot of the nonsense that’s happening is due to someone, somewhere not thinking their actions through before embarking on them. So Friends, we’re asking us all, from today and henceforth, to carefully consider our actions and the possible reactions and repercussions before we do them. It’s the only way to avoid a rash of negative consequences. And if we do that, while walking faithfully and steadfastly with the Lord, then at the end, we’ll also be considered worthy to be spoken to like Daniel was: ‘But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot (arise to thine inheritance) at the end of the days.’ Oh my people, that’s like Jesus greeting us at the pearly gates with a hug, a big smile and saying: ‘Welcome, thou good and faithful servant!’ Having been carried away captive as a youth from Jerusalem to Babylon, Daniel lived right amongst the heathen, though it wasn’t easy. But the Lord, in His great overall plan, had given him wisdom through the power of discernment, of prophecy and the interpretation of dreams. These talents enabled him to interpret the Babylonian kings’ dreams and also run the kingdom on an efficient basis, which somewhat lessened their anger when he refused to bow to their false gods and idols and accept their heathen culture. Ah Friends, even today that’s not an easy thing to do, so you can imagine the huge amount of backbone, belly and manly parts that Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, must have had to stand up to their conquerors and refuse to give up their Jewish faith or culture. Oh people, if we supposed believers had half the guts and true faith that those Jewish youths had, our world would be a much better place than it is. But sadly, too many of us are still too scared to really stand up for our faith, for what we believe in, for Jesus, although there’s no threat of persecution or imprisonment or death, as was the case back then, and still is in some countries. So, generally speaking, we have no one to blame but ourselves for the ungodly turn our world has taken, and it’s only through our standing strong and fighting for change will the pendulum swing back in favour of the Lord God Jehovah. But getting back to our Bit. Daniel lived a long life, saw several kings on Babylon’s throne, and made several prophecies about Christ’s kingdom to come. (Dan.10,11,12) And just as our quote stipulated, Daniel’s actions in his day, have made a lot of difference in the tomorrows of all the faithful that have come after him. Thus he was advised by the angel in his vision, to stop worrying and rest. Like Bruh Paul would later say, he’d run a good race and his reward would come eventually. Though he would not live to see his prophecies fulfilled, he was promised that when the time came, he would be resurrected to receive his reward; ‘for thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.’ O my brethren, the same promise holds true for all those who trust in and walk faithfully with Daniel’s God. At the end time, we will all be resurrected to receive our rewards. Wow! Isaiah said it this way of the righteous man: ‘He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.’ (Is.57:2) And John in Revelations had this to say: ‘And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.’ (Rev.14:13) And all God’s people joyously shouted; ‘Thank you Lord! We praise and bless your Holy Name for your goodness to the sinful children of men!’ Oh my Friends, that ought to give us hope and faith to continue doing good works and living the life Christ died for us to have! Just knowing that at the end, all the hardship and pain we bare in doing good and living right will be rewarded ought to spur us on to bigger and better things in His name! And we’ll close with one more enticement to do good and live for the Lord. ‘Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.’ (Ps.1:5) Yes Friends, that’s certainly a telling tale. At the end, sinners will not mix with the righteous, so if we want to be amongst the latter, then we’ve got to get a move on NOW, change our evil ways and dwell righteously in Christ. Otherwise our lot will be cast amongst the dead and eternally damned, not a very nice scenario, however you look at it. Till we talk tomorrow, God in favour, please trust in the Lord, walk safely, and do good. Much LOVE!…the choices are twofold…eternal life and light…or eternal death and darkness…it’s your decision…