SCRIP-BITS

Hebrews 13:16.    But to do good and to communicate (share) forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
 
Oh Friends, it’s shaping up to be a dark, wet, dreary day in my area. We might not even see the sun. But that doesn’t mean it’s not there, because the sun’s always there. It’s just that sometimes it’s hidden behind a series of dark clouds. The sun’s like our wonderful God; always there, for He promised to never leave or forsake us and we know that He keeps all His promises. Sometimes though, when we’re going through rough, dark periods, it seems like God isn’t around. Don’t be fooled by outward appearances though Friends, for our situations are often like the woman who cried out to God, asking where He was during her times of trouble, for when she looked back at the sands of time, in those dark, despairing days, she only saw one set of footprints. But the Lord calmly and sweetly informed her: ‘My child, that’s when I carried you.’ Yes Friends, often in our most perilous moments, it’s the Lord who’s carrying us on His strong shoulders because we simply cannot make it in our own strength. So don’t think because you can’t see, sense or feel our God that He isn’t right there by our side, cause He’s always present and accounted for, just like He so faithfully promised. He might just be too busy carrying us. That means words like those shared in our Bit should always be uppermost in our minds. ‘But to do good and to communicate (share) forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.’ And now my people, we’ll just check out some scripture that shows the importance of doing good and sharing, which certainly helped the early church get through the rough times, and hopefully will encourage us to do the same, for Christ’s Church is still hurting today. Let’s begin in Acts 11, when some prophets from Jerusalem came to visit Bruh Paul and Barnabas in Antioch, where they were then residing. One prophet, Agabus, stood up ‘and signified (showed) by the Spirit that there would be great dearth (famine) throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea. Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.’ (Acts 11:28-30) Then in Romans 12, where Bruh Paul talks about the service of LOVE to all, he solemnly declares: ‘Let LOVE be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). Abhor that which is evil; cleave (cling) to that which is good…Distributing to the necessity (needs) of saints; given to hospitality.’ (Rom.12:9,13) Yes mih breddren, LOVE does mean sharing and being hospitable. As Hebrews 13 warns us: ‘Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’ (Heb.13:2) That’s what happened to Lot in Genesis 19:1. Now turn to 2 Corinthians 9, in which Bruh Paul reminds them that God LOVES a cheerful giver. Having told then that God will supply all their needs in righteousness, which will cause them to be thankful to Him, he then declares: ‘For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want (needs) of the saints, but us abundant (abounding) also by many thanksgivings unto God. While by the experiment (proof) of this ministration (ministry) they glorify God for your professed subjection (the obedience of your confession) into the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution (sharing) unto them, and unto all men.’ (2 Cor.9:12-13) Meanwhile in Galatians 2, having gone up to Jerusalem 14 years later and making peace with the disciples there, they decided that those at Jerusalem should preach to the Jews while Bruh Paul and Barnabas taught the Gentiles: ‘Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was froward (eager) to do.’ (Gal.2:10) And finally Friends, as we endeavour to do whenever possible, we’ll close with the telling words of Jesus on the subject. ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.’ (Matt.5:16) Now if those scriptures don’t encourage us to rise up and show our true Christian colours, I don’t know what will. In any case, let’s, like the excellent believers in Christ that we are, go forth and do good and share God’s blessings with others, so that He may be glorified. Much LOVE!…to truly LOVE God…is to be thankful…caring…and sharing…from a willing heart…