SCRIP-BITS

Matthew 5:16.     Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.
 
Oh Friends, the real fall weather is finally hitting the northern climes. Now wet and windy weather seems more the norm than the exception. However, God’s people are of hardy, never say die stock, so we’ll handle whatever comes against us without going under. We might bend, but we’ll NEVER break, once the enabling Spirit of Jesus lives and reigns within us. Please remember that all you fellow believers: there’s no quitting in Jesus! It might take some time though for us to adjust to and believe this truth, but as we mature in Christ, that challenge will eventually take root and begin to bear good fruit. It’s all a matter of seriously and diligently putting our heads, hearts and hands to the plough and never looking back. Now here’s a quote from Swedish Diplomat and former Secretary General of the U.N. Dag Hammarskjold, which sort of sums up the Christian maturity problem. ‘Maturity: among other things – not to hide one’s strength out of fear and consequently live below one’s best.’ Unfortunately though, that’s something a lot of strong Christians do. We obviously should not boast or take too much pride in our strength, but like Jesus so confidently said of us: ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle (lamp), and put it under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick (lamp stand); and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.’ (Matt.5:14-15) And that’s what we’re supposed to be Friends; a city that’s set on a hill with its lights shining brightly to all the world! Thus Jesus’ admonition in our Bit: ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ That brings me to another inappropriate behaviour we Christians tend to exhibit; that’s trying to devalue the favour God has blessed us with, playing down our rightful blessings too much, so that we should appear humble and poor in other men’s eyes. But Friends, God never meant His people to be poor and destitute, that’s why He shows each of us special favour sometimes. We don’t have to boast about it, or behave as though it’s our own accomplishment, but we need to let others know with humble pride what God has done for us, that He’s purposely blessed us for a good reason. I heard my Bubba, Joel Osteen, talk about this the other day. We don’t have to make excuses for whatever God has seen it fit to bless us with. He’s done that so we can be proud of walking in His Will, that we can glorify Him, so that others can see and believe that He’s a keeper of his Word, and if they truly live for Him, He will also bless them in special ways, ways that other’s won’t be. As Bubba said, ‘favour is not always fair.’ So if God favours us with special blessings, we ought to be proud, but not prideful and arrogant, and use those blessings to help others and show His wonderful nature. However, many of us believers sadly seem to think that we should hide our God-given light and blessings under a basket, but that’s definitely not so my people. We obviously should not strut around like better than thou peacocks, but we must take pride in our Christian heritage and show it to the world in a manner that will make their mouths water for the good thing we have. We shouldn’t be afraid of what others say about out beliefs and bury our heads in the sand, like ostriches, but proudly hold them up to Jesus’ shining light for all the world to see. Remember our purpose; to spread the gospel to the whole world. (Matt.28:19) And who would want to participate in a broken down, ‘poor me one’ movement eh? Nobody! But as I said before, this appreciation, strength and confidence to bare our light to the evil, disbelieving world only comes with time, patience and study of God’s Word. And this is not hear say Friends, but personal experience. A few years ago, though I was a believer, and had decent enough faith, I was definitely not as mature, proud and confident in Jesus as I am now. Even five years ago, when the Lord first proffered the idea of the Bit, I laughed and told Him I was not capable of doing it. But He was adamant about my doing it, and I eventually put my faith and trust in Him. And here I am now, bold and beautiful in the faith, though still with a long way to go. That’s because God helped and nurtured me every step along the way, as He promised. Oh Friends, that’s the wonderful kind of God we serve and worship; an extraordinary Being, who’s main property is genuine and unconditional LOVE for all His creation! And it’s that same property of LOVE that moved Jesus to sacrifice His life for us, and which He wants us to show and tell to the rest of the world, so that His glorious kingdom could be furthered and the Father’s greatest desire fulfilled; not to lose even one of His most precious children to the evil Beelzebub. So let’s get serious nuh Friends, let’s fully accept the goodness and LOVE of our God, buckle down and spend serious time in His Word, then go out and proudly let the world know what He’s done, doing, and will do for us. That’s how we’ll fulfill our great commission. Oh my people, I hope it all makes sense, because when the Spirit gets my adrenalin flowing, I tend to natter on. (smile) And just in case it doesn’t, I know that as you all are filled with Jesus’ Spirit, you can all pick sense from nonsense. (smile) Much LOVE!…it’s high time believers step up to the plate…and truly LOVE our God…LIVE our Faith…and SPREAD His Word…