SCRIP-BITS

Hebrews 8:1.    Now of those things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.
 
It’s Friday Friends, but a Friday with a difference! For while some of you are shouting a mere ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! Others are cavorting and declaring: ‘TGICF! Thank God it’s Carnival Friday!’ Yes mih people, it’s the time of the season for the big bash in T&T. That means many of you not going to work today, cause if yuh not already into the bacchanalian proceedings, then yuh surely priming and primping yuhself, getting ready. That however doesn’t detract from the need to chant our Friday Chant, for many of us still have to go out and labour, and not because yuh partying hearty down there in T&T and several other places around the Western world, means that you have to forget about God during the partying. You can certainly party and still keep God first place in your mind and soul. So here goes, loud and clear: ‘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 having chanted that in all sincerity, we now have to do our part and come to Christ in all aspects of our lives, for He’s the only one who can really impact our lives for better and truly set us free from the bondage of sin. Why? Because He’s Christ, our High Priest, the one who sacrificed His life for us, and now sits at the right hand of the Father, pleading on our behalf. Our Bit says it thus: ‘Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum (main point): We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.’ Yes Friends, Jesus is doing His best for us, no doubt about that. But we have to help Him out by being better followers, more obedient to God’s law, more LOVING and kind to our fellow man. In talking of Christ’s faithfulness and His superior ministry, the writer of Hebrews declares: ‘Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession (confession), Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.’ (Heb.3:1-2) Jesus here is regarded as the Apostle and High Priest of the Christian faith, of more authority and worthy of more glory than Moses, who ‘was faithful in all his house, as a servant…But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.’ (Heb.3:5-6) Now it’s obvious that the Son has more authority and assets than the servant, so if we’re part of Jesus’ house, then we have to show proper respect and reverence, and hold on to His promise of a better future through salvation and eternal life when He comes again. Meanwhile, in talking about the new life in Christ, Bruh Paul tells the Colossians: ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.’  (Col.3:1-40) And a loud cheer rises up from all God’s people, as each one sees themselves hobnobbing with Jesus at His Second Coming. (smile) Yes my brethren, we all expect to be hanging out with Jesus in the new heaven, but we need to be very careful, because He promised to turn away some who weren’t really truthful in their hearts. ‘Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils (demons)? and in thy name have done many wonderful works (miracles)? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’ (Matt.7:21-23) Yes Friends, it can be a rather tight rope we walk if our hearts are not truly right. Remember Jesus also said: ‘But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.’ (Matt.19:30) Our rewards will also depend on our behaviour, our obedience to His will down here on earth. So though simply believing can get us into heaven, it won’t bring all the glory that we expect, we still have to sow good seed down here, with a true and right heart, to earn big rewards. Much LOVE!…honesty with Christ…it’s the best policy we can ever adopt…