SCRIP-BITS

 HAPPY  NEW  YEAR!

Oh Friends it’s 2011! And a Happy New Year to you all! Hope we didn’t overdo the partying and are now paying the price. (smile) Anyway, our world has experienced a rough 2010, let’s hope that 2011 will bring more positive occurrences and a truly happy year. The unfortunate fact though is that nothing will change unless we change it. If we keep on living the same ungodly, evil lives, then the results will be the same, even worse. So let’s begin the year with an interesting, exciting quote, attributed to Alicia McKenzie Swain. And it says: ‘Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.’ Oh my people, those aren’t only very beautiful words, but also very true ones! The big towering oak doesn’t need special courage to withstand the storms of life, simply because it is big and towering. However the small, fragile bud that dares to open in the cold, snowy weather does need a whole heap of courage to do something so drastic, since it’s not really built to withstand those weather conditions. And in light of the crazy, violent, wicked, corrupt world in which we currently live, it is going to take a lot of courage on our part to bring about any worthwhile changes, especially when those in power seem to like the status quo, and even prefer that we become more ungodly and evil. But please remember, as believers, we can do anything through the workings of Almighty God. But we have to develop that courage like the blossom daring to open in the snow. Shall we make that our 2011 New Year’s resolution?  And all God’s people shouted in unison: ‘Yes!’ (smile) So that’s settled; for 2011 all believers have resolved to improve their courage and make sure that our world experiences a better year than the last. And Jesus smiled and proudly raised a fist at His people’s intent, to retake the world in His Name. Wow! And there’s no better way to do so than by checking out our Bit. ‘There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up (lifted up in arrogance).’ Sadly, too many of us know that fact personally, and yesterday we saw what’s in the offing for those who portray a life of arrogance and pride before the Lord God Jehovah; harsh punishment leading to eternal separation from Him. And the Lord forbid, that’s the worse possible thing that could ever happen to a human being. So how do we change, and or counteract that unwise attitude? Here are two of the best examples: The first is based on Bruh David’s words, as he talks of humility before the Lord: ‘Lord, my heart is not haughty (proud), nor mine eyes lofty (conceited): neither do I exercise (concern) myself in great matters, or in things too high for me (too difficult or profound). Surely I have behaved (calmed) and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned chid. Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and forever.’ (Ps.131:1-3) Oh Friends, as the scholars so rightly declare, that’s an intensely personal song of humility, expressing Bruh David’s declaration of humility, trust and call for hope. That’s certainly more like how we ought to behave.  Now here’s the crowning glory my people, found in Bruh Paul’s missive to the Philippians, re Christ’s humility. He begins by setting them on the right path: ‘Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same LOVE, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but also every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal to God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil.2:2-11) Oh my people, we obviously can’t be perfect like Jesus, but there’s nothing that says we can’t try to come up as high as we can, and besides, that’s exactly what Jesus expects of His followers. So please, I implore us not to let Him down, for He’s depending wholeheartedly on us. Much LOVE!…remember our 2011 resolve…to grow in courage…and to improve our world…in Jesus’ Name…Amen…