SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, the ole fella’s tired this Sunday morning. It seems like the ill effects of traipsing across the continent last week, through different time zones, from Vegas to California and back, through the never ending desert and mountains, then coming home to immediately arrange my mother’s funeral have finally taken its toll. The body, the mind and spirit are all crying out for rest. But have no fear, with the Lord’s help, through His Spirit’s infinite wisdom and miraculous machinations, the ole fella will be reenergized and rejuvenated, until he’s as good as gold again. That’s the beauty of surrendering our lives to Jehovah God; the Holy Spirit enables us even when we appear to be on our last legs, so we can successfully accomplish the duties we need to perform in God’s name. So let’s jump right into our Bit with much gusto and enthusiasm. (smile) ‘Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he will lift you up.’ And isn’t that the gospel truth! Oh Friends, the importance of humility in a believer’s life can never be exaggerated. Now we’re not referring to cringing and/or dragging down oneself, or with no pride in our spirits, as some people define humility. But rather we’re talking about not making too much of yourself, regardless of your better qualifications, wealth and power. Where you give others the benefit of the doubt and you try to help them out of a right and sincere heart. I believe that was possibly Jesus’ greatest human attribute. Listen to how Bruh Paul describes it to the Philippians: ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil.2:5-11) Wow! It’s the perfect example of humility! And what a reward Jesus received from the Father for it! Though Jesus was equal to God, He didn’t practice self-aggrandizing, like the world encourages and causes so many of us to do. Instead, He became servant-like, which doesn’t mean He was a pushover, or that we should allow others to take advantage of us. We do need however to develop that spirit of wanting to serve and help others; put most of their problems before ours. And just like the other attributes of Christ, which believers ought to aspire to, this transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but is a gradual process that takes our entire lives to fulfill. And we have ample evidence that what our Bit says is true from the manner in which the Father lifted up Jesus. For His service and obedience, He was given the highest position possible, to sit at the Father’s right hand and have the whole world bow and give obeisance to Him. My people, that’s the same way the Lord will lift us up, provided we don’t fall for the foolish, lustful, worldly emotion of pride, where, because we have more money, qualifications and power than others, we feel we’re better than them and unashamedly flaunt our earthly importance in their faces, while looking down our snooty noses at them. Ah my brethren, arrogance and pride are two things which get the Lord’s dander really stirred up. Job’s friend, Eliphaz’s rebuke is an excellent example of how our God treats the proud and arrogant. ‘To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. He disappointeth (frustrates) the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.’ (Job 5:11-12) And we’ll close today with the definitive words of Jesus on the subject. This was when He denounced and lambasted the scribes and Pharisees for their prideful, hypocritical ways. ‘But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased (humbled); and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.’ (Matt.23:11-12) Yes Friends, that’s the prescription for exaltation given by the greatest physician ever, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Please, let’s take it to heart and sincerely try to practice it, because if we’re not humble, we’ll never be exalted. More on this tomorrow, our God in favour. Till then, please walk safely in His LOVING embrace, and remember to humble yourself before Him. Much LOVE!…oh…to be sincerely humble like Jesus…is a believer’s most treasured goal…