SCRIP-BITS

Well hello there all you beautiful believers in Christ, it’s Monday…! And you wouldn’t believe the numerous un-Christian-like replies that come hurtling back at me from that simple Christian greeting. Hn, hn, hn! One fellow even had the audacity, wisdom or lack thereof – your choice – to ask why Monday always seems to come around so quickly, while Friday takes such a long time. I answered that it was simply because between Friday and Monday, there are only two days; Saturday and Sunday, while between Monday and Friday there are four days; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. ‘Oh,’ he claimed, ‘I never thought about it like that.’ Elementary my dear Watson! (smile) Anyway Friends, it’s Monday, and there’s nothing we can do about it, so let’s be up and be about our heavenly Father’s business. But before doing that, let’s fortify ourselves by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. All together, in full voice now: ‘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!’ Now let’s go out into the predominantly evil, ungodly world we live in and show them the way; the way of the believer, as our Bit so wisely states: ‘Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.’ And how is that you ask? ‘And walk in LOVE, as Christ also hath LOVED us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour (aroma).’ (Eph.5:2) Yes Friends, that’s how we ought to walk this earth; in LOVE, just as Jesus did. Now it’s not an easy row to hoe, but Jesus did it, and we, His followers, must attempt to approximate it. Please read Luke 6:27-36, where Jesus talks about showing LOVE to our enemies. That obviously doesn’t ring right on our register, but if we want to be true followers of Jesus, then we must seriously attempt to live that way. Jesus ends that section with this very meaningful verse. ‘Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.’ (Luke 6:36) Meanwhile, Matthew reports it as: ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matt.5:48) Obviously, because of our innate sinful nature, we can’t be as perfect as the Triune God we worship, but we can certainly be much more merciful than we currently are. Remember Jesus’ parable on the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37). At the end of its telling, Jesus asked the ‘feel him smart’ lawyer – like they’ve been that way forever – who was trying to test Him: ‘Which now of these three, thinkest thou was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves (robbers)? And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.’ (Luke 10:36-37) Oh Friends, that’s the lesson for today! Please, let’s go out into the world and do likewise. More on this tomorrow, God in favour. Till then, remember to LOVE your God, LIVE your Faith, and SPREAD His Word, for that’s our purpose on this earth! Much LOVE!…to be critical is human…to be merciful is heavenly…