SCRIP-BITS

Deuteronomy 5:29.    O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday already! This week has certainly passed quickly, what with Carnival and all that riotous carnal behaviour! And plenty people still so tired they can barely mouth, ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’ Deh just dying for it to end, so they could go home and rest up after their too hectic celebration (smile) But it’s time now to settle down and pursue a quiet, spiritual Lenten season. Do whatever you do for Lent, but make sure that whatever it is, truly comes from your heart, and is not just an outward show for others to see and think that yuh so holy and spiritual. For remember, our God looks at the truth in our hearts and not at our outward actions. With all of that in mind, let’s put our best voice forward and chant 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.’ Ah mih people, it’s time we seriously get into our God! No more excuses! If we want to be true believers then we have to be alert and responsible and do the necessary things, like making time for the Lord and spending it fruitfully with Him. The same way we sign up for stuff like the gym and other extra-curricular activities, then acknowledge and adhere to our responsibilities, it’s the same way we ought to do with Christ, since we signed up to be His followers. That means we’re obligated to get together with Him on a regular basis, like every day. Oh Friends, we might be able to put off worldly activities and get away with it, but believe me, we can’t put off God for any length of time and flourish. And though we’ll all agree with that statement, unfortunately, in real life, most of us don’t adhere to it. Why eh? Consequently, our lives and our world is in utter chaos, and it has our God sadly lamenting like He did so long ago with the disobedient, rebellious Israelites: ‘O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children.’ Oh my people, do we realize how badly it saddens and breaks our God’s heart to see us living in such abominable sin, with our lives crumbling under our very feet, when it’s totally unnecessary? Yesterday we looked at some of the many times He lamented over His lost and disobedient children. Today, we’ll look at the basic wording of His lament. Now the first part says: ‘O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me…’ We know He’s not referring to real fear, but more to respect, reverence, wisdom and common sense. And if we don’t have those aspects covered, then Friends, in the true sense of the word, we better really fear what’s going to happen to us. Now to give us some idea of the true fear and reverence of God, it’s good and bad sides, let’s check out some scripture. And we’ll begin with our spiritual father, Abraham. A couple times, down in Egypt and Gerar, he claimed that his wife Sarah was his sister. Though she was in fact his half sister, she was his wife first and foremost. Why did he do that? ‘And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place, and they will slay me for my wife’s sake (on account of my wife).’ (Gen.29:11) So because he figured that the people in those places didn’t respect and worship His God, he lied to save his skin. And no doubt many of us have used some similar excuse for our less than stellar actions on certain occasions. But Friends, that’s no good reason, for if we really fear and respect our God, then we can overcome whatever others do, or don’t do. Hear the psalmist: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.’ (Ps.111:10) That’s what the positive side of the equation gives us my brethren. And Cousin Sol agrees: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy (One) is understanding.’  (Prov.9:10) Then he states: ‘The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.’ (Prov.10:27) That means long life can also be had through proper reverencing of our God. And furthermore, Cousin Sol rightfully declares: ‘In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart (turn one away) from the snares of death.’ (Prov.14: 26-27) Finally, listen to Bruh Paul’s famous words on the subject to Timothy. ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions (share with me in the sufferings) of the gospel according to the power of God.’ (2 Tim.1:7-8) Oh Friends, that shows all our bases are covered if we reverence and respect our God properly. So I’m imploring us to do just that, because it’s for our good, not His. More on this tomorrow, our God willing. Till then, please, please look to Him for guidance. Much LOVE!…true reverence of God…increases spiritual power…and dims physical fear…