SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, it’s Monday once again, which means for most of us working stiffs, back to the daily task and common grind. It’s not the best way to live life, but it’s the best we have, so let’s learn to make the most of it. Now while Canada has just finished celebrating its 144^thBirthday, the U. S. is today celebrating their 4^th of July Independence Day. The parties will be many, but don’t forget that Beelzebub will be lurking like a lion, just waiting to pounce on any unsuspecting prey, so drunk or sober, please mind your business, be on your p’s and q’s. And having issued that warning, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, which we all need to gear us up for the upcoming workweek fray. Altogether now, in full voice: ‘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!’ Now that ought to get us ready to go out and do battle in the Lord’s name. And it brings us to our Bit: ‘The fining (refining) pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.’ That’s also reminiscent of battle, of contention, of one strong substance striving diligently against another to bring about a stronger, more refined product, namely silver and gold through heat, and our hearts through the Lord’s tests. As we saw yesterday, the rightness of a believer’s heart is of the utmost importance. Jesus made it very clear in His earthly sojourn. Today, let’s look at what some other men of faith had to say on the subject. Listen to Bruh David ending his days on Israel’s throne with thanksgiving, prayer, and offerings to the building of the Lord’s house. ‘I know also, my God, that thou triest (test) the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart, I have willingly offered all of these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.’ (1 Chr. 29:17) And in Psalm 26, he pleads: ‘Examine me, O Lord, and prove (try) me; try (test) my reins and my heart. For thy LOVING-kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.’ (Ps.26:2-3)  Meanwhile in Proverbs 15, Cousin Sol weighs in with: ‘Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?’ (Prov.15:11) Jeremiah, in talking of Judah’s sin, declares on the Lord’s behalf: ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (incurably sick): who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins (test the most secret parts), even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (deeds).’ (Jer.17:9-10) And Malachi tells it like it is, re the coming day of judgement: ‘And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge (refine) them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.’ (Mal.3:3) Yes Friends, all these men of God realized the importance of a true and righteous heart, also God’s purpose for it, and His method of achieving it. Then Jesus came and reiterated it, and nothing has changed since then; our hearts still need to be right with God, obedient to His will, if we’re to have any spiritual success in our life. So when adversity comes against us, let’s keep that in mind, for it’s one of the ways the Lord tests our hearts, to see if we’re worthy for His service. Much LOVE!…when calamity comes…stand steadfast and strong…then you’ll receive the victor’s crown…