SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, it’s supposed to be another cold day in the northern climes, about which many of us will complain. But why eh? Winter by definition is a cold time of year, and we know it won’t end much before sometime in April, but everyday we still complain about it. Even those who know nothing else but cold and snow, complain. That leads me to believe that complaining is just the natural nature of the beast, for in the summertime we also complain that it’s too hot. But yuh hear what Jesus says in our Bit: ‘Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.’ This statement was brought on by the last Beatitude: ‘Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.’ (Matt.5:11) And we’ve seen the persecution take place, both physical and slanderous, from Jesus’ time, up through the ages, till today, so it’s a factual statement. But why in heaven’s name, you ask, should we rejoice and be glad when we’re reviled, persecuted and slandered? The last three words of verse 11 tell the whole story: ‘for my sake.’ Yes Friends, anything suffered for Jesus’ sake, in His name, is cause to rejoice! As the scholars say: ‘Rejoice is the command that grows out of the blessedness of the believer. The phrase, Rejoice, and be exceeding glad means even more, exult!’ Yes mih people, when we’re persecuted for Jesus’ sake, we should be exultant, for blessedness comes upon us that’s special, that’s unique!  And as Peter reassuringly proclaims: ‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as (to the extent that) ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached (insulted) for the name of Christ, happy (blessed) are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part he is evil spoken of (blasphemed), but on your part he is glorified.’ (1 Pet.4:12-14) Oh Friends, I know to withstand persecution for Jesus with a strong and steadfast faith is not easy, but Jesus promised that it’s surely worth it: ‘for great is your reward in heaven.’ And the scholars explain that splendidly too. ‘Great is your reward in heaven focuses attention on the eternal destiny of all things. If God is as real as He claims, if the Bible is true, if heaven is to be gained, then no temporary earthly trouble or persecution can dispossess the child of God of joy in the prospect of the eternal glory that lies ahead.’ Wow! Now that certainly makes it all worthwhile eh mih breddren! All our earthly problems pale in the glorious light of what’s ahead for us in God’s eternal glory. And I know some of us are saying that still doesn’t make it easy. And it doesn’t, but Friends, if you’re looking for something easy, then you’re looking in the wrong place, for nothing to do with Jesus is easy. That’s one of the first things a new believer should be taught, though many aren’t. Jesus’ teaching goes against the grain of human nature, and especially against the evil, immoral, greedy, violent, resentful and prideful society in which we live today. So if you intend to walk with Jesus, and thus talk about Him, then you’d better batten down the hatches, band yuh belly and strengthen yuh backbone, because you’re in for a rough ride. And Jesus gives a great example at the end of the Bit: ‘for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.’ And that’s the gospel truth Friends! Stephen in his defence said it: ‘Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which showed before (foretold) of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition (direction) of angels, and have not kept it.’ (Acts 7:52-53) Unfortunately his comments only made his accusers more furious and Saul’s (Bruh Paul’s) henchmen ran him out of the city and stoned him to death. Ah mih people, being a true believer in and follower of Jesus in this wicked world is certainly not easy. It’s fraught with problems from the time you open your mouth and say ‘Jesus.’ However Friends, I can guarantee that a life lived for Jesus will definitely be an interesting one, filled with joy and adventure, even in the rough and difficult times. Living for Beelzebub…Chuh! That is pure chupidness in comparison to living for Jesus! Doing this earthly journey in Jesus’ name will bring insights and experiences that will blow your mind, boggle you imagination, so that once you’re mature in the faith, nothing else but Jesus will matter. And if somehow the good things on the earthly journey don’t outweigh the bad, don’t worry, we still have the great rewards in heaven that Jesus faithfully promised to look forward to. And I know for sure that nothing will ever outweigh those! How can anything outweigh salvation, reconciliation with God, and eternal life in His Holy presence? Impossible mih people! So please, let’s stand strong, as Jesus desires, and soak up the persecution like a sponge! Let’s show Lucifer and his henchmen that they may abuse our bodies, but they can’t break our spirits, because we’re followers of Jesus, and made of sterner stuff! Much LOVE!…to fight…to die…but NEVER…NEVER TO YIELD…