SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, it’s Monday! The trumpet is sounding the wake up call! Time to rise and shine and prepare for another strenuous week of battle in the workday world! And seeing that this was a weekend that brought back poignant and fearful memories of September 11 2011, when those brutal, cowardly acts of terrorism, read brutal, pre-meditated murder, were committed in the U.S. let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn right away, to dispel any remaining fear in our spirits, for those who truly trust in the Lord have nothing to fear. Altogether now, in loud voice: ‘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!’ Oh Friends, I surely hope that will liberate us from any anxiety that was present in our spirits, and instead boost them so we can go out and fearlessly tackle the enemy. Now let’s get into our Bit. But before we do that, I want to apologize for writing yesterday’s Bit as Proverbs 2:33 instead of Proverbs 1:33. I guess I was more tired that I thought. However, with the Lord’s help, I’ve corrected the problem today. So let’s delve into it. ‘But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet (secure, free) from fear of evil.’ Oh my brethren, here Cousin Sol is talking about wisdom; the immense value of acquiring it in our earthly lives. He refers to it as a prophetess: ‘Wisdom crieth without (calls aloud in the streets); she uttereth (raises) her voice in the streets (plazas)… saying…How long, ye simple (naïve) ones, will ye love simplicity (naïveté)? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?’ (Prov.1:20, 22) Now those are very good questions. How long indeed shall we spurn the wisdom that comes from God that enables us to live truly righteous lives eh? That’s not wise my people, because as our Bit so rightly points out, it’s only when we embrace wisdom that we’ll dwell safely and be secure from the fear and anxiety that evil brings. Hear how Cousin Sol puts it in Chapter 3, when exhorting us to obedience. ‘Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding…Then shall thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear (terror), neither of the desolation of (trouble from) the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken (caught).’ (Prov.3:13,23-26) Oh Friends, nobody knew that better than Cousin Sol, because when he asked for wisdom and understanding to rule the great nation of Israel, the Lord gave them to him, but also wealth untold, for He was proud that Sol hadn’t asked for material possessions. (1 Kin.3:3-15) My brethren, the Lord will also bless us with wisdom and understanding if we sincerely seek them. Most likely He won’t be as generous in material wealth as He was with Sol, but with the true wealth that comes from having wisdom and understanding in the Word, we can always parlay that into increased material possessions, though that should not be our main focus. LOVING and serving the Lord God Jehovah should be our avowed earthly purpose, everything else must be secondary. And we’ll end with some sure and true words from Psalm 112, titled, ‘Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord.’ ‘A good man showeth favour (is gracious), and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion (justice)…He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed (steadfast), trusting in the Lord.’ (Ps.112:5,7)That Friends, is the way our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ desires us to live. He came to earth and sacrificed His life so we would not have cause to live in fear, but in a state of peace and LOVE. Please, let’s not make a mockery of His sacrifice by continuing to live in fear. Much LOVE!…For God hath not given us the spirit of fear…but of power…and of LOVE…and of a sound mind… (2 Tim.1:7)