SCRIP-BITS

Psalm 97:7.    Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! However, not as many voices as per usual are shouting, ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ That’s because of the great fear and uncertainty that’s running through our topsy-turvy world right now. But fortunately, as believers, we don’t have to give into that fear and anxiety, for we have Jesus always walking beside us, and He’s promised never to leave or forsake us. Wow! What a promise my people! One in which we can take much comfort and embrace with joy. And here’s a quote attributed to Frank Lane that’s rather appropriate to our current world dilemma. It says: ‘If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm.’ And that’s gospel Friends! You’ll never see the sunshine if you perish in the storm. So let’s all put our best foot forward and hang on tightly to Jesus, because He’s the best anchor in any storm whatsoever! And to help us do that, let’s chant our Friday Chant: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Yes my people, only through the good mercies and tender, LOVING-kindness of our God can we ever hope to weather the storms of life. That’s why the psalmist loudly proclaims in our Bit: ‘Confounded be all they that (let all those be put to shame who) serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.’ And don’t be worried Friends, all those who worship graven images, idols and false gods, will be put to shame in the Lord’s own time. He made this very clear when He handed down the Ten Commandments. It’s the first and most important one, the only one with a long explanation. Listen to the Lord tell it as it is: ‘I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to (worship) them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. And showing mercy unto thousands of them that LOVE me, and keep my commandments.’ (Ex.20:2-6) Yes mih breddren, that says it all! God left no room for doubt. He is the ONLY TRUE GOD, and the ONLY ONE we must serve and worship. And if we do otherwise, as most of our world is doing, we will pay a severe price, just as our world is paying now. I don’t know what it is with man, but when it comes to Jehovah God, he just seems to have a natural rebellion in him, although it’s been proven time and time again, that it’s a very unwise strategy. Oh Friends, it’s simple common sense; if the Lord created the world and all therein, then He must be the ONE we look to for help in fixing it. But foolishly, mankind, with his little itsy-bitsy knowledge, has puffed up his chest and buffed his ego into thinking that he rules the roost and can do it without God’s help. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! That’s the only comment possible on that mental attitude. My people, please, I implore us to stop being silly, thinking that we can do anything worthwhile on our own, for we can’t. It’s only with the powerful help of Almighty God that man is able to accomplish anything worthwhile in this world. So please, let’s do like our Bit says: ‘worship him, all ye gods.’ Why? ‘For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.’ (Ps.97:9) And that’s the unfailing truth of the whole matter Friends! Much LOVE!…rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous…and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness (holy name)… (Ps.97:12)