SCRIP-BITS

1 Corinthians 9:24.    Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
 
Oh Friends, the heat wave continues, with no signs of rain in the forecast until Sunday. Wow! We wanted summer, we’ve got summer! (smile) But don’t worry my people, our Sovereign Lord and God is still in control and knows what He’s doing. And though the day may be hot, sticky and miserable, it’s also filled with lots of new blessings and mercies prepared especially for today. The disasters, problems and troubles will continue happening, personally as well as worldwide, but as believers, because we have Jesus as our Saviour and Advocate at the Father’s right hand, we are confident that we can handle anything that comes against us, with the help of His Holy Spirit. So in faith, let’s take hold of those blessings and mercies that we’ve been granted and diligently run with them, the race of glory in which we’re engaged here on earth. As out Bit so wisely queries: ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.’ Yes Friends, that race of life is the most important we’ll ever run. It sets us up for salvation and eternal life, dictates in what manner we’ll spend forever, eternity in Jesus’ company. It’s how we answer God’s call that determines how our heavenly life will be defined. And talking about the high call of God which Bruh Paul kept pressing towards (Phil.3:14) and which we should also endeavour to diligently pursue, here’s an interesting and enlightening note from the scholars on the topic. ‘The call of God is His summons upon the life of His creatures. God’s call has a threefold emphasis. First, He calls all men everywhere to repentance, that is the call to salvation. (Acts 17:30). Second, all Christians are called to complete dedication (1 Cor.1:9). Third, God calls to a specific sphere of service or ministry, or a ‘holy calling.’ (2 Tim.1:9).’   Oh my brethren it’s very important that we look closely and carefully at those three aspects of God’s call in our lives, and see how we’re responding to them. Hopefully with alacrity, full obedience and total surrender, as well as diligence, hard work and enthusiasm for our ministry, whatever that may be. As the author of Hebrews says, and this just had to be Bruh Paul; the language and level of education sounds too much like him: ‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’ (Heb.12:1-2) Yes Friends, we have to act, to behave like a solid body, putting aside all our differences and controversies, moving as one in Jesus’ name, helping each other to run the tension filled race of furthering God’s kingdom, just like Jesus did when He sojourned here on earth. It’s not an easy task, but a very doable one, when we hold on to our faith. Now here’s the grand finale, Bruh Paul’s last testament. ‘For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure (death) is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, for which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE his appearing.’ (2 Tim.4:6-8) Ah mih breddren, let’s hope that at the end of our eventful days here on planet earth, at the end our rough and rugged earthly journey, we’ll also be able to say that we fought the good fight, ran the race with guts, and finished it strong, keeping the faith throughout. If we can say that, then we’ll have accomplished the Father’s plan for our lives and be given a crown of righteousness, just like Bruh Paul says. So today, let’s each sit and seriously ponder how the race of our life is evolving, and then make the necessary corrections to bring it into obedience to God’s will. That’s all He asks of us; to trust and obey. Much LOVE!…the race of life is long and rough…but believers need not fear…for Jesus conquered it…and so can we…with His help…