SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, it’s Monday! The day we LOVE to hate, because it means our return to slaving for the man. But here are two encouraging notes; the ground is wet from a thunderstorm a few hours ago, and it won’t be as hot as last week. And all God’s people released a loud sigh and a thankful ‘Praise the Lord!’ Oh, it’ll still be on the warm side, high 20’s, but nowhere near as humid or oppressive. And a good indicator of that is last night, as I was coming home from a function in Toronto, I didn’t need my A/C, I just put the setting to vent and it kept me cool and comfortable. I also noticed a billboard overlooking the highway flashing a potent message: ‘Your destiny is not a matter of chance, but of choice.’ And that’s very true in most instances my people, especially when it comes to our eternal destiny; whether we’ll spend eternity in Hades with Lucifer and his evil cohorts, or in heaven with the Holy Trinity. Oh Friends, that’s the most important decision we’ll ever make in this life, and I’ll strongly advise that you make reservations with the latter trio, because they run the better establishment. Heaven is five star, while Hades is a dump! And furthermore, I ‘d advise you to make those reservations right away, for none of us knows when our number will be called up yonder, and if you don’t book for heaven from down here, then you’ll automatically end up in the quagmire that’s Hades. Anyway, our immediate need is to raise our spirits, to get us enlivened to go out and face the enemy this new work week, so let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn: ‘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!’ And with that spurt of adrenalin and enthusiasm engendered by that prayer, let’s go out and do serious battle now mih breddren! It also segues quite nicely into our Bit, taken from a psalm that praises God’s sustaining power. ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills (mountains), from whence cometh my help.’ Now note that the psalmist isn’t looking at the mountains as a source of help, but more as a reflection of God’s presence and power; their overwhelming strength, majesty and beauty, towering over every thing else, the way our God does. And as the scholars suggest, the last part of our Bit should possibly be rephrased as a question; ‘from whence cometh my help?’ That’s because in the next verse the psalmist confidently declares where that help truly comes from: ‘My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.’ (Ps.121:2) And that’s the gospel truth people! It’s proven by the fact that we just finished singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, as we do our Friday Chant, to the Lord God Jehovah, who’s the one that gives us the wherewithal to withstand the trials and temptations of this earthly journey. The prophet Jeremiah totally concurs with this truth. ‘Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.’ (Jer.3:23) And as the psalmist confidently continues: ‘He will not suffer thy foot to be moved (slip): he that keepeth thee will not slumber… The Lord shall preserve (keep) thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.’ (Ps.121:3,7-8) Oh Friends, that says it all! The Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the creator of this world and all therein. He’s also the sustainer of all those who believe, trust and surrender their lives to Him. So please my people, let’s conduct ourselves accordingly; with respect, reverence and LOVE for our heavenly Father. It’s the only wise and sensible way to live this earthly life. Much LOVE!…he who hath ears to hear…let him hear…