SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, are we filled with a passion and excitement for worshipping and serving God this glorious Sunday morning? I certainly hope so, because that’s the only way we’ll get up off of our hefty derrieres and do His work. Please remember that we’re the front line of His army, and unless we’re passionate and excited about serving Him, then we won’t achieve any real success, and God’s plans for being joyfully reconciled with His children will be adversely affected. So if the Lord has put something in your heart that He wants done, then please do it with energy and enthusiasm. That’s why we’ve been given the Holy Spirit; to excite, energize and have us walk obediently to His will. And we know that He won’t ask us to do anything He doesn’t consider important and/or necessary, in addition to providing the tools we need. So please, I implore us not to be like Jonah; so afraid to do God’s will, that he ran in the opposite direction than God desired. But that old saying, you can run, but you can’t hide, especially from God, is the gospel truth mih people! Obviously Jonah never knew that, else he would never have tried it. And some of the things God asks us to do are indeed difficult, inconvenient, and with the naked eye, often seem impossible. But we also know that once the Lord is involved, the word impossible doesn’t exist, for with Him, all things ARE possible. Jonah is also a good example of that, for once he got his act together, stopped fearing that the Ninevites would kill him, he went to Nineveh, proclaimed God’s message of repentance and retribution in forty days, with the joyful result that Nineveh repented and was saved. Praise the Lord! So whatever the Lord’s put in our hearts Friends, let’s not fear, but say and do like Jonah did eventually. ‘When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in (went up) unto thee, into thine holy temple.’ (Jon.2:7) Yes my people, when we are afraid, that’s the time to turn to God in solemn and sincere prayer, because: ‘They that observe lying vanities (worthless idols) forsake their own mercy (LOVING-kindness) (Jon.2:8) Now that’s a fact, for inanimate idols can’t forgive, strengthen, or show mercy. Only the living God Jehovah can do that. And once we’ve come to terms with the Lord and He’s strengthened us, then we can proudly declare, like Jonah does in our Bit: ‘But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.’ However my brethren, there is a note of caution that goes with those words full of promise. It’s all well and good to say them, but first we should truly mean them, then live up to their promise. Oh, we all talk liberally about offering sacrifice to God through prayer and thanksgiving, as though it’s a natural habit. But do we actually do it? That’s for God and each individual to discern. Words are wind, and it’s easy to copy Jonah, or even consider following Hosea’s entreaty. ‘Oh Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves (fruit, sacrifices) of our lips.’ (Hos.14:1-2) However Friends, when push comes to shove and the difficulties arise, it’s utterly important that we have the necessary parts to keep our promises. For remember the Preacher’s admonishment: ‘When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer (delay) not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than thou shouldest vow and not pay.’ (Eccl.5:4-5) Yes Friends, it’s better not to promise, than to promise and not keep it. And that doesn’t pertain to dealing with God alone, but to all aspects of our lives. That builds godly character and trust. And last, but not least, is Jonah’s contention: ‘Salvation is of the Lord.’ Now that’s the living truth mih people! But we can’t simply mouth it, we have to sincerely believe it, else it’s of no use to us. Listen to Jeremiah on the subject. ‘Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of the mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.’ (Jer.3:23) Meanwhile, Bruh David, in his prayer of confidence in God, when he ran from his son Absalom, says it thus: ‘Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.’ (Ps.3:8) Ah mih breddren, God’s work is often difficult, but always plausible and possible, else He wouldn’t ask us to do it. Don’t be afraid, neither try to run away like Jonah, for that will always be an unsuccessful course of action. The story’s been placed in the Good Book as a warning, to not follow his example. If the going gets rough, turn to God and tell Him your fears and ask for His help. But remember too, in the heat of the moment, don’t make any promises you’re not prepared to keep, because that’s often our downfall. So till we talk again tomorrow, our God in favour, please walk safely in faith and trust with Him. Much LOVE!…remember…you can never run away from God…neither hide from Him…