SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, I read an interesting quote from an essay by Robert J. Hastings which deals with living in the past and the future, and not the here and now. It seemed so appropriate to many of us that I had to share it. ‘It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad. It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today.’ And isn’t that the awful truth my people! Too many believers still live haunted by regrets of the past and petrified by fear of the future, which only rob and prevent us from enjoying today’s good. Remember, neither the past nor the future is promised to us, only TODAY, and that’s why it’s called the present; both the current time and also a gift. So please, let’s learn to live in TODAY nuh, and not yesterday or tomorrow; for all too soon today becomes yesterday, and tomorrow today, and the latter is the only one over which we have some control. That brings us to the fifth of our New Year’s ponderings: ‘This year I will look for opportunities to encourage a child, to LOVE a stranger, to do something good for someone I don’t like. I will do something good for someone who doesn’t like me.’ Wow Friends! Those surely are great intentions; encouraging a child, LOVING a stranger, and doing things for people you don’t like or who don’t like you! Jesus would most definitely put His stamp of approval on all of them, because those are the regular, day to day things He did while here on earth. And if we desire to grow in His likeness, then we also need to help and encourage others on a consistent basis, especially strangers and those we don’t like, or don’t like us. And where do we get the wherewithal to do that kind of stuff consistently, especially when our flesh or others are saying we’re fools to be kind to strangers and our enemies? From the Lord God Almighty of course! As our Bit so rightly declares: ‘But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration (breath) of the Almighty giveth them understanding.’ Now my brethren, we’ve been dealing with this Bit for two days, and ought to fully realize that we can do nothing right without the Lord’s help, through His Spirit that dwells with us. Scripture Time! Listen to James on the subject: ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not doubting): For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:5-8) Awesome words of truth Friends! Our God gives generously to all who ask faithfully, but not to the fence sitters or those who change from minute to minute. So another important aspect of our lives we need to work seriously on is the steadfastness of faith, for without it, our lives will become wishy-washy and uncertain, a total reflection of our wavering faith. Now hear Daniel after he volunteers to interpret the dream of the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, and the Lord revealed it to him in a night vision. ‘Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his. And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up (raises up) kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know (have) understanding. He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired (asked) of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.’ (Dan.2:20-23) Oh Friends, I can’t improve on Daniel’s statement, so I won’t try. I’ll just end by saying that especially in these troubled and evil times, it’s absolutely necessary for believers to have a strong and steadfast faith. And that kind of faith can only be acquired or solidified by paying close attention to the dictates of, and working in harmony with the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. Remember, it’s ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.’ (Zech.4:6) Yes Friends, it’s through His hardy and workman-like Spirit that the Lord grants us wisdom and all other good things, so that we can walk worthy of Him here on earth, and then be received in glory afterwards. Let’s make Him proud of us by seeking Him constantly and steadfastly nuh. Much LOVE!…how much better it is to get wisdom…than gold…and to get understanding…rather to be chosen…than silver…