SCRIP-BITS

Jeremiah 1:19.    And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee.
 
Oh Friends, yesterday I heard a rocking reggae tune whose lyrics thrilled me so much that I just had to share it. The name of the song is ‘I’ve got joy.’ I don’t remember the female singer’s name, but the words, though simple, like those of Jesus, are meaningful and magical. And here they are. ‘I’ve got a joy deep down inside of me, that makes we want to shout, how good God has been to me.’ Oh mih people, that ought to be a constant claim of all believers! It’s worthy to be our anthem, because if you’re a true believer in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, then God has surely been good to you, and for that you ought to be joyous and thankful. With the Holy Spirit of the Most High God Jehovah dwelling in us, there ought always to be a deep and resounding joy in our souls, a light in our eyes reflecting Jesus, and a jaunty spring in our steps, otherwise out faith is in vain. I’m sure we all know Christians, good people too, but who are misguided and go around serious and sour, dragging along and constantly claiming or giving the impression ‘woe is me.’  But that’s not true Christianity, for Jesus never went around sour and miserable, despite His many problems, and neither should we, especially if we insist on telling unbelievers how our faith is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Now it truly is, but who’d want anything, regardless of how great it is, when it has you always looking and behaving like a ‘poe me one’ (hard done by)? Nobody! That’s why people turn away from us when we behave negatively; our words don’t fit our walk. Anyway Friends, I sure hope that all of us believers will, sooner than later, come to the point where we’re so ecstatic and joyful in the Lord that our joy and good humour is irrepressible, and pours forth from us like an overflowing dam. Only then will unbelievers truly hearken to our claim that following Jesus is really wonderful. But the first step in accomplishing this worthwhile goal, or any other, is to believe; believe that it can be accomplished. And that’s what our Bit is all about today; believing we can do things if the Lord directs us to do them. This was the Lord’s promise to Jeremiah: ‘And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee.’ The Lord knew that He was figuratively sending Jeremiah into the lion’s den, because his countrymen would not listen to his prophecy, and furthermore would try to do him physical harm. And in the beginning poor Jerry was sorely afraid, plus doubtful that he could do the Lord’s bidding, and claimed: ‘Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child (youth). But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.’ (Jer.1:6-8) Oh Friends, it’s like that more often than not. Whenever the Lord calls us, we try to wiggle out because we know that it will take plenty stick to it power and hard work, which is anathema to the normal human soul. Look at when God called Moses, he claimed that he was unable to speak to his people or Pharaoh because of a speech disability, apparently he stuttered. (Ex.4:10) The Lord didn’t fall for that measly excuse though. ‘And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.’ (Ex.4:11-12) But Moses still wasn’t satisfied. ‘And he said, O my Lord, send I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses…’ (Ex.4:13-14) Yes people, that’s how the Lord feels towards us when we keep finding excuses not to do His bidding, though He promises to help us. And the strange thing is that though the Lord eventually gave him Aaron as a mouthpiece, it was indeed Moses who stood up and spoke to the Hebrews and Pharaoh without any help from Aaron. So Friends, please remember that the Lord has answers for all our little piddling excuses, but also He never gives us a job to do without the tools to do it. And until ALL Christians wholeheartedly believe that fact and act on it, Christianity will continue to flounder through lack of sufficient effort on our part. Please note my brethren, that my personal situation speaks directly to the problem, where four years ago, when the Lord broached the Scrip-Bit idea, I chuckled and claimed my inability because of insufficient biblical knowledge. But the Lord didn’t give up on me, and we’re now in the fifth year of writing the Bit. ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ And it hasn’t been easy, nor has it been my own ‘stick to itiveness’ that’s caused it, but the Lord’s hand of blessing upon me. It does take personal time, effort and dedication, but most of all God’s guidance and strength. So my people, I know that God has called each of us to perform some ministry in His Name, and sometimes it scares us, but don’t worry, whatever it is, He will surely help us to do it, if we trust and believe in Him. And though we might not be called to do great things like Moses, Joshua, Jeremiah and the other great people of faith, just remember that whatever task the Lord assigns us, He considers it necessary, else He would not ask us to do it. So let’s all stand strong and steadfast, believe, and in faith, with a deep joy singing in our souls, step out courageously to do His work. That’s how Christ did it, and to be serious Christians, we must do likewise. Much LOVE!…true faith…can certainly move mountains…