SCRIP-BITS

Jeremiah 30:9.    But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I shall raise up unto them.
 
Aye mih Friends, it’s Friday, and ah hear all yuh shouting ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’ from way down the road. (smile) Ah guess plenty of us just dying for the day to finish so we could go home and catch up on the rest that we missed over the Christmas season. But please note that the day has just begun and we got to work first, so let’s get some strength and an adrenaline rush from our Friday Chant nuh. ‘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.’ And remember too, that all the long weekends done now, so is a full five-day week we have to put it, which I know is anathema to many of us. But if we constantly hang with the Lord, we will always make it through, no doubt about that mih people. And ah sure too that most of you never noticed that in three of the first six days of the new year I wrote 2010 at the top of the Bit. Well neither did I, until just now when I went to check something on yesterday’s and happened to notice it, then decided to check the others and found two more. Steups! Meanwhile I’m here praising myself for not making any date mistakes so far. Hn, hn! Anyway Friends, let’s turn to our Bit and finish checking out the fulfillment of its wonderful promise. ‘But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I shall raise up unto them.’ And so said, so done my people! The Lord God Almighty raised up our Saviour Jesus Christ, His Son, in human form, and also from the travesty of death so that He could lead and guide us as promised. Yesterday we heard John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, foretelling his son’s heralding of Christ to the nation. Now there was also a devout man, Simeon, in whom the Holy ghost dwelt: ‘And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten (to bring revelation to) the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.’ (Luke 2:26-32) There was also Anna, a prophetess; ‘a widow of fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.’ (Luke 2:37-38) Yuh see Friends, though no serious prophet had appeared in Israel for some four hundred years, God was still busy behind the scenes, working in individual lives, so that when the big moment arrived, there would be people to herald it. Think of the three wise men that came from far away for His birth, the angels proclaiming the moment to the shepherds, and they spreading it roundabout. And we all know that John the Baptist was the prime spokesperson for Jesus’ introduction to ministry. And here is Peter at Pentecost, talking about Bruh David: ‘Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, wherefore we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.’ (Acts 2:30-33) And that’s the gospel truth Friends! The Lord raised up Jesus in appreciation for His selfless sacrifice on our behalf, having Him sit at His right hand, and to whom every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is indeed Lord and God. Wow! Now let’s hear from Bruh Paul in Antioch with Barnabas. He also was referring to the root of it all, Bruh David, when he was made king: ‘He raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will. Of this man’s seed (descendants) hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet (sandals) I am not worthy to loose. Men and brethren, children (sons) of the stock (family) of Abraham, and whosever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.’ (Acts 13:22-26) Yes my brethren, this salvation of Christ, reconciling us to our God and Maker is the fulfillment of that great promise He made long ago. Jesus is the King, Saviour, Shepherd, Guide and Advocate whose sacrificial blood allows us to boldly stand in the presence of Almighty God. There is no other way to come before God, but through Him. I therefore implore us to be wise and embrace His salvation wholeheartedly, for it’s the only means to avoid eternal separation from God and achieve everlasting life. Much LOVE!…only those who accept Jesus…here on earth…will dwell with Him in glory…