SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, the wind’s a blowing, and the snow’s a swirling madly around in it. But the worst part of this scenario is that it’s also Monday morning. Can you imagine the mess and confusion in this morning’s rush hour! Well there certainly won’t be much rushing, although some fools will still try to rush in this terrible weather. For those of you who don’t have to put up with this bad weather, you’d better give plenty thanks yes, for in the next few hours it will be total chaos on our roads! The term rush hour is a misnomer anyway, for there’s never anything rushed about it. A more appropriate term would be the crawl hour traffic, for the roads often resemble parking lots much more than busy highways. And so, with the weather set to assist Lucifer’s evil intentions through anger, road rage, frustration and lateness, today we desperately need the spiritual protection and adrenalin boost from our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. So let’s sing it with great gusto: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ Unfortunately Friends, the way our world is speedily going downhill, we might just need our Battle Hymn every morning, rather than just on Mondays when we begin a new workweek, for everyday some new sign or form of craziness, strife and anger rears its ugly head. The latest madness being two bombs detonated in a busy downtown Stockholm shopping area, 300 metres apart within 15 minutes of each other, at Christmas time to boot. And this ostensibly because Sweden has about 500 troops with NATO in Afghanistan, and also religious recrimination re some unfavourable caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad done by a Swedish artist in 2007. Ah Friends, when and how is the nonsense going to end eh? Whoever said that religion was the opiate of the people must have been on some real good opiates himself (smile) for today religion is the main driving force behind much of the strife, anger, hatred, divisions, oppression and wars in our world. And the sad part is that these blatant, premeditative murderers, these foolish suicide bombers – we give them such nice, respectable names – are mostly poor, uneducated, out of work, brainwashed stooges being used by the evil, hypocritical higher ups to do their dirty work. Maybe Friends, like our Bit says: ‘The days of visitation (punishment) are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad (insane), for the multitude (greatness) of thine iniquity, and the great hatred (enmity).’ Yes my people, maybe, just maybe, like Israel of old, we’re being punished for our great multitude of sins against Almighty God. The Lord promised to use Israel’s enemies to punish them, and maybe now He’s doing the same to us, who are supposed to be the remnant of Abraham, but who have unfortunately become more like the fruitful, spreading vine of Beelzebub. Wickedness is so rampant in all walks of life today that the Almighty must be shaking His head in dismay and wonder! But Friends, listen to Isaiah’s take on the subject, back in the day when the Lord’s anger was kindled against His chosen people. ‘Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness (misfortune) which they have prescribed. To turn aside (deprive) the needy from judgement (of justice), and to take away the right (what is right) from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless! And what will ye do in the day of visitation (punishment), and the desolation which will come from far? To whom will ye flee for help? And where will ye leave your glory? Without me they shall bow down under (among) the prisoners, and they shall fall under (among) the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still (in judgement).’ (Is.10:1-4) Oh my people, that is what happens to those in high office who pervert justice. Having abused their power, they will be eventually called to stand before the Lord in His judgement. And believe me Friends, His justice will not be pretty. So let’s all seriously consider our wicked ways and the retribution that will be meted out by God if we persist in them, and instead take hold of righteousness which will endear us to Him. More tomorrow on this topic. Till then, please walk safely, keeping the Lord always before you. Much LOVE!…the penalty for sin is death…but the reward for righteousness is eternal life…it’s your choice to make…  P.S.  Friends, please say a prayer for the ole fella, for today he’s going to have knee surgery, and every little prayer helps. (smile) Much LOVE!