SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, another day is upon us, one in which we’ll be called to make a host of decisions and choices. I read somewhere that we make about 2500 hundred choices everyday. That’s sure a whole lot of choices! So how do we make these numerous choices; on what basis, on what foundation do we depend to decide whether we’ll go left or right, up or down, round and round, etc. etc? Hopefully that foundation we use to guide us through life is Jesus and the Word of God, because those are the only proper foundations on which to build this earthly life. All else is useless. My brethren, everyday we face numerous challenges, but the biggest is to retain a positive mental attitude when life changes are battering us to and fro. How do we survive and overcome them? Again, only with the Spirit of Jesus in our souls and the Word of God in our hearts and minds. Here’s an interesting quote from the famous Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) that helps us to understand our situation. ‘To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming is the only end of life.’ Now there’s much truth to that statement, but it’s unfinished. It should read instead: ‘To be what we are in Jesus, and to become what we are capable of becoming in Jesus, is the only end of life.’ Now that’s the truth, the whole, truth, and nothing but the truth my people! That’s because the most important thing in life is to become like Jesus; walk, talk, think and act like Him! And if that’s our goal, the most worthwhile one there is, then it’s obvious we can’t do it our own strength, we need Jesus’ help to accomplish it. That’s why Cousin Sol advises us in our Bit, to: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.’ Now though we’re the first amongst God creatures here on earth, and have dominion over the others, our own strength and understanding is very insignificant and sadly lacking when compared with God’s. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ (Is.55:8) Consequently, only God, through His indwelling Holy Spirit can ever bring about real change in us, change that resembles Jesus. Yesterday we looked at the first half of our Bit; trusting in the Lord with all our hearts. Today we’ll tackle the second half; not leaning on our own understanding. That means we cannot depend on our native instincts, or the supposed wisdom of this gone astray world, but on the insights of God, found in His Holy Word. That’s where we find the strength, the courage, the wisdom, the perseverance, the faith, the hope and whatever else we need to make those right 2500 hundred choices everyday. And if used in tandem with the new mercies and blessings that the Lord rains down on us each and every day, then we’ll be laughing all the way to heaven and eternal life, while enjoying this earthly journey. Now remember it’s not going to be easy, Jesus said so: ‘In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) He didn’t die that we should spend our earthly days miserable and unhappy, but if we’ll stay faithful to Him, through whom all things are possible, He will stay faithful to us, leading and guiding us along the right path; the straight and narrow one. In conclusion, let’s listen to some powerful words on the topic from Jeremiah: ‘Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise LOVING-kindness, judgement (justice), and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.’ (Jer.9:23-24) There it is Friends, loud and clear from the mouth of the Lord Himself: the knowledge of God is man’s glory! So let’s sincerely try and attain it like true believers should nuh, so that we can truly walk in His ways, glorify Him and further His righteous kingdom. Much LOVE!…to know and LOVE Jesus…is to know and LOVE God Himself…