SCRIP-BITS

1 Peter 5:8.    Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Monday! The trumpets are sounding the call to battle! Time for us to rise and shine and greet the new day with an attitude of thankfulness and LOVE, then put on all the accoutrements of battle because we’ll soon be off into the evil, ungodly world to join the fray against a fierce, deceitful, unforgiving enemy. And to get us spiritually motivated, let’s proudly sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn; sing it with great gusto! All together now: ‘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!’ Yes my people, the adrenalin’s flowing now, our spirits are bursting with energy and vitality, tugging at the bit, wanting to go out and get involved in the workweek activities. (smile) So I’m exaggerating a tad. But we do need to get ourselves ready in proper godly fashion before we head out the door and join the fray. If we’re not well prepared and protected, then we’ve lost before we’ve even begun. Understand one thing Friends; Beelzebub and his evil cronies are always well prepared. They don’t leave anything to chance, so if you’re not also well prepared, then you stand no chance of winning any battle in which you may become involved. And sadly, not being well prepared to fight is one of the biggest mistakes we Christians make. Too many of us tend to take this whole battle stuff against the forces of evil and darkness as a joke. But believe me Friends, the enemy is indeed systematically plotting the demise of Christianity, and our not taking it seriously enough is only playing right into their hands. Do you think the removal of prayer and God from our schools and public places just happened by chance? No my people, it’s all part of a well designed strategy and plan, and our lukewarm response to stuff like that just has the enemy laughing all the way to the proverbial bank. So please take the whole battle stuff seriously because our very existence depends on it. And for those of us who are fortunate to live in this wonderful country of Canada, and are today celebrating Victoria Day, in honour of the British Monarch, Queen Victoria (1819-1901) who ruled for almost 64 years and oversaw a rebirth of British industry, artistic temperament and political empire building, let’s also be careful in how, why and where we celebrate, for it’s much easier to bring us down when we’re celebrating and not paying close attention to our behaviour. So please my brethren, I implore us all to take the words of our Bit very seriously, cause if we don’t, then crapaud will surely smoke we pipe. So therefore Friends, let’s all try to ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm) strengthen, settle you.’ (1 Pet.5:8-10) Yes Friends, believers all over the world face temptations and trials where the enemy tries to get us to move away from Almighty God and join his evil group. But if we stand strong and steadfast in the Lord, He will eventually strengthen us and make a way for us to resist Lucifer’s evil machinations. Therefore my people, let’s continually give thanks and praises to our great God, while asking for strength to resist the devil’s evil entreaties. ‘To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Pet.5:11) Much Love!…stand up, stand up for Jesus…the trumpet sounds obey…till every foe is vanquished…and Christ is Lord indeed…