SCRIP-BITS

Psalm 23:2.    He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
 
Yes Friends, it’s Friday, and I can hear the racket you all are kicking up in anticipation of the weekend, joyously declaring: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ But joyously thanking God is something we should do everyday that we’re alive, not just on Fridays, at the end of the workweek. So to try and put the focus on God, where it truly belongs, rather than on the day itself, let’s chant our Friday Chant with the same enthusiasm that we’ve been proclaiming that it’s Friday. All together now: ‘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 who says our God isn’t in total control eh Friends? I’m mouthing off because it’s only after deciding to use the second verse of Bruh David’s beautiful paean (song of praise or triumph) to Almighty God as our Bit, that I realized how perfectly the Friday Chant fitted it. ‘He maketh me to lie down in green pastures (pastures of tender green grass): he leadeth me beside still waters (waters of rest).’ And to give us rest, relaxation and rejuvenation is exactly what we’re asking the Lord for in the Friday Chant. Oh my people, I don’t know about you, but I find great joy, and sometimes amusement, in the way the Lord operates in my life. I’m not always thrilled with the big things, but I can surely see His awesome, kind and goodly hand in so many little areas and things of my life, like tonight, the good fit of the Friday Chant and the Bit. And I’m encouraging all believers to check out the small, day to day things and happenings in their lives with an eye specially tuned to God’s movements, and you too will be pleasantly surprised and amazed at the way He operates in those, small, on the surface, unimportant areas. As Rudyard Kipling supposedly said: ‘Delight in the little things.’ And that’s something we must learn to do my people, because it’s the small things that drive our lives, that make up most of our everyday lives, and if we only wait to enjoy the big moments, then we’ll miss out on a lot of the Lord’s goodies in the simple aspects of our existence. And having digressed there for a spell, let’s return to our Bit. Now over the last two days we’ve looked at the first verse of the psalm, seen the duties of a shepherd and how he looks after his flock of sheep, their wants and their safety, and now can truly identify with the Lord God Jehovah as our Shepherd, Caretaker and Provider. And how does He do that for us? First of all: ‘He maketh us to lie down in green pastures.’ Yes my brethren, the Good Lord, through His most trustworthy Son, Jesus, takes us to where the grass is truly green and nourishing. We all know how animals that eat grass delight in the rich green stuff because it’s much healthier and tastier than the dry, brown withered type. In the same way Jesus, our Good Shepherd brings us to a place of fruitfulness and plenty. Hear Ezekiel tell of the Lord’s good intentions to those who faithfully serve and worship Him in all truth. ‘I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat (rich) pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God.’ (Ezek. 34:14-15) Oh Friends, we can’t get a better promise than that anywhere, especially since we know that our God keeps all His promises! And He kept this one, even to a greater extent than we could ever ask or imagine, sending His Son Jesus to be our Sacrificial Lamb, our Saviour, Redeemer, Advocate and Good Shepherd! ‘And all God’s people loudly declared: ‘Thank you Jesus! Worthy is Your Name to be praised above all others!’ And isn’t that the gospel truth my people! Now listen to Jesus tell it as it is. ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture….I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.’ (John 10:7-9, 11, 14-15) Oh my people, those are undisputable facts! They are also actions that no other supposed deity have ever taken, or can take, on behalf of their followers because they don’t have that awesome power. So why aren’t we following this Good Shepherd, Jesus, with more zeal, enthusiasm and excitement eh, after all He’s done and is still doing for us? Please, I beg of us, let’s turn up the flame of LOVE for Jesus nuh! He’s our Lord, Saviour, Leader, Good Shepherd and heavenly Intercessor. What more does He have to do before we act like we truly appreciate His selfless and sacrificial efforts on our behalf eh? More on this topic tomorrow, if there’s breath in our bodies. Till then, please ramp up your affection and enthusiasm for Jesus nuh mih people. He’s such a beautiful, kind, caring and considerate person. Much LOVE!…believe me…Jesus is the ONLY ONE…who can help us…in these trying and troublesome times…try Him…and see the big improvement in your lives…