SCRIP-BITS

(In song) ‘Rise up, rise up my people, And greet Monday Morning’s light. Time to join the battle. Put on your armour bright; So that you’ll be protected, And walk the path’s that right. Hallelujah! Amen!’ Oh Friends, this Monday morning we singing plenty, because the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, advised me to greet you in song, rather than crude speech, in the hope that you’ll rise and shine in a better mood, than you normally do on Mondays. Now it did seem to work, since I didn’t receive as much abuse as usual. ‘Praise the Lord!’ (smile) Anyway, I know a handful of you are dying to get back to work because you’re suffering from ‘JOBCATION.’ That’s a term I saw in a comic strip today, which means that your weekend is so jam-packed, going back to work seems like a holiday. And it does happen, for I’ve experienced it occasionally. You‘re just glad to get out of the house and away from all the inherent chores and go back to work to rest. However Friends, whether we’re happy or sad to begin the workweek, we all need to be strengthened and well armoured before we get out there, so let’s confidently approach the throne of grace and sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn in loud but reverent tones. On three: and a 1, and a 2, and a 3: ‘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!’ Yes mih people, we all set to go out and give Beelzebub heck now! And as always, our God never ceases to amaze me. I was having trouble finding a Bit I could get my head around, when suddenly I saw this verse; ‘It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.’ And I had a ‘Eureka!’ moment. Yes Friends, it’s perfect for today, because it fits in nicely with our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Yuh see mih breddren, it’s true that the Lord doesn’t ever leave you in a lurch, but does enable you. There I was, beginning to get antsy, ready to pull my hair out (some exaggeration) because I couldn’t find a Bit. But in the fullness of the Lord’s time, I was led to one, and a most appropriate one at that. Psalm 18 is one of Bruh David’s long ones (50 verses), where he’s offering thanks for deliverance from all his enemies, especially Saul. And he had no doubts whatsoever that it was the God of his fathers, whom he had been worshipping from a tender age, who had given him the strength and courage to stand strong and fight his enemies. Oh Friends, our God does the same for each of us, his faithful children, when we call upon Him in honesty and truth. That’s why we sing His praises and ask for strength and guidance every Monday Morning, as we face the evil world again. And we’ll close with two examples of psalmists extolling our God’s greatness. The first comes from Bruh David’s contemplation while hiding in the cave in the wilderness from Saul. ‘I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living…Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about (surround me); for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.’ (Ps.142:5,7) And we all know that the Lord did just that! The second scripture comes from Psalm 91, where the psalmist assures the faithful of God’s protection. ‘I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler (bird trapper), and from the noisome (perilous or deadly) pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust (take refuge): his truth shall be thy shield and buckler (small shield). Thou shalt not be afraid for (of) the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth (lays waste) at noonday.’ (Ps.91:2-6) Oh Friends, there’s truth in every statement there, I can personally attest to it. So please take heart and let the Lord God Jehovah be your guide. You will never regret it. Much LOVE!…who better to trust…than our Creator…Provider…Protector…and our sovereign God…