Romans 12:12. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.
Oh Friends, it’s about 6.15 a.m in West Hills, California, and as I sit at my office window, (smile) hearing sirens wailing in the distance, I can see the day breaking outside. It’s supposed to be another sunny day in California, as most of them are, with temps in the mid eighties. Well, fortunately, or not, I don’t have any adventures to tell about today because I spent yesterday at home. I hope to have some today though. (smile) I had planned to go back to Zuma beach yesterday and leave a note or some contact info just in case some Good Samaritan happened to find my ring and turn it in. Very unlikely yes, but with our great and wonderful God, not impossible. Oh, one thing; as the Good Book says: ‘The stone which the builders refused (rejected) is become the head stone of the corner (chief cornerstone) (Ps.118:22) Meaning that the pool which I rejected two days ago, I ended up embracing and enjoying yesterday. Ah Friends, you just have to LOVE how our God operates yes! Anyway, let’s consider our Bit now: ‘Rejoicing in hope; patient (persevering) in tribulation; continuing (steadfastly) in prayer.’ My people, that’s the true believer’s life in a nutshell! If we follow that simple prescription, we will do very well in the eyes of our Lord. Our greatest attribute and/or asset is hope; faith in our omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God. We constantly hope for a better place, better people and a better world, which is ultimately heaven, so we should rejoice that there’s truly a pot of gold at the end of a believer’s rainbow; namely life with Christ forever more. This is how Jesus put it: ‘Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.’ (Luke 10:20) And all God’s people raised a mighty shout of joy and gratitude to heaven! Yes my brethren, no greater, no sweeter thrill exists on this earth than to know that your name is written in the Resurrected Lamb’s Book of Life! ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ The only problem though is that before we can get there, we have to stay patient and persevere through the tribulation that will surely bombard us in this evil, ungodly world. But that’s easier said than done Friends, especially in this current generation, because our world has reached heights of depravity and wickedness unimaginable in our parents’ times. But again, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has an answer for that: ‘In your patience, possess ye your souls.’ (Luke 21 :19) And to help us do that, we need to to keep ‘continuing instant in prayer.’ Yes Friends, above all, we need to stay in constant communication with our heavenly Father! That’s all important because it’s where we derive the strength and wisdom to keep keeping on, both through the good and bad times. But unfortunately that’s a major stumbling block in too many believers’ lives these days. Oh my people, if we’d only talk to our God more, our lives would run much smoother, not necessarily easier, but we’d be able to bear whatever comes against us much better than we’re doing at present. And if you don’t believe me, then listen to our Saviour’s advice: ‘And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart).’ (Luke 18:1) Oh Friends, please let’s try and improve those essential aspects of our lives nuh: rejoicing in the hope that there’s a better world to come; persevering in spite of our trials; and standing strong and steadfast in prayer. It’s only by doing those things that we can make a positive impact on this evil world and further God’s kingdom. Much LOVE!…to be a true true believer…one must have plenty hope…plenty stick-to-itiveness…and pray plenty…
P.S. Ah Friends, the Lord does indeed test our spirits in some tough ways yes! I knew that this was going to be a memorable holiday, but definitely not in this fashion, for in the middle of writing this Bit, I got a phone call from home informing me that my mother had died. There wasn’t much I could do but continue writing, staying patient in tribulation, as I’d just been advising others. It obviously hurts, but I have to look at it from the perspective that she’s in a better place now, with Jesus, whom she LOVED and admired so much, and instilled the same feeling in me. She was indeed a godly mother… and the ole fella will miss you a whole lot Molls’ baby, but them’s the breaks. For those of you who read the Bit and knew her, when I get back home, I will contact you re arrangements for her funeral. Much LOVE!