SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, it’s Monday! And I hear a loud groan. Monday of Holy Week! And I hear an even louder groan of dismay. Why? Because it means going back out to work, and also plenty church, prayers, fasting etc, leading up to Good Friday, then Easter Sunday. Remember those three-hour services on Good Friday afternoon? Steups! How we hated them as children! But my brethren, this should really be an exciting week for believers because it’s the most important week in the Christian calendar, for Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, paying the ultimate sacrifice for our sins with His holy innocent life so that we can now have salvation and reconciliation with God. Then He rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, thereby triumphing over death, which enables us to enjoy eternal life with the Father. ‘O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy victory?’ (1 Cor.15:55) That’s Bruh Paul paraphrasing Hosea 13:14. And all God’s people shouted a joyous, resounding: ‘Glory Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus!’  Yes Friends, without this week, there’d be no salvation or eternal life. So let’s be thankful and faithful. And on the point of faithfulness, from the moment I read these words earlier on tonight, I knew I had to share them with you because they impacted me greatly. They’re the overview of Chapter 27, The Faithfulness of the Wise, from Gloria Copeland’s Book, ‘Hidden Treasures, abundant living in the riches of proverbs.’ And it says: ‘Faithfulness is the force issuing out of your spirit that causes you to increase and abound in the blessings of God.’ Truly words of wisdom my people! Now go back and read it again, for it’s the living truth, having great impact on every area of our lives. First with relationships; be it at home with family and friends, at work, with supervisors and co-workers and even with strangers. And it also plays a huge role in our spiritual, mental, physical and emotional behaviour. How a Christian reacts in each and every situation, depends on their faithfulness to the Lord and His Word. Granted our maturity in the faith is important in this respect, but generally speaking, the more mature and faithful we are, the godlier we’ll respond to the situations and relationships in our lives. And it follows logically that the godlier we behave, the more the Lord will bless us. As Proverbs 28:20 says: ‘A faithful man shall abound with blessings…’ That’s why Bruh David could be anguished in the first part of Psalm 22, then move smoothly to praise in the second half, as our Bit so truthfully declares: ‘The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live forever.’ Yes Friends, those of humble heart and righteous ways will of conviction praise and seek the Lord, and be of a joyful soul. And Bruh David felt it so deeply that he repeated it in Psalm 37; the true state of the wicked: ‘For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider (look diligently for) his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.’ (Ps.37:10-11) And if you didn’t believe Bruh David, then listen to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, with the definitive statement on that topic, taken from His Sermon on the Mount; in fact the third Beatitude, and using the same basic words. ‘Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.’ (Matt.5:5)  As always, Jesus is simple and straightforward. So my people, if we are meek, humble, righteous and faithful, then we will abound in blessings! Now let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn – thought I’d forgotten eh (smile) – so that we’ll be prepped and poised to go out and put it to Lucifer and his evil cronies. With much enthusiasm now, let’s sing: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ Stand strong in the Lord my people! Much LOVE!…great is thy faithfulness…Oh Lord…great is thy faithfulness…and so should ours be…