SCRIP-BITS

‘Stand up, Stand up for Jesus! The trumpet calls, obey! Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed!’ Yes mih true Friends in Jesus, it’s Monday once again, which means it’s time to resume the ongoing workweek battle. And though you’re not pleased to have to go out there and battle, tough beans! (smile) It’s all part of your covenant with Jesus, so let’s get swinging by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. As one voice now; loud and proud! ‘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!’ And now that the adrenaline’s pumping Friends, let’s go get them ‘good fuh nutten’ scallywags that kowtow to Beelzebub, show them the error of their ways, and have them change their allegiance to our wonderful Leader, the ONE and ONLY Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour! And all God’s people declared a loud and passionate ‘Amen!’ Wow mih breddren! Like the adrenaline and the Holy Spirit really working in the ole fella this morning! Hn, hn, hn! However Friends, before doing all this good stuff in Jesus‘ name, we need to strongly consider and follow the wise advice of our Bit: ‘Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not (do not set your mind on) high things, but condescend to men of low estate (associate with the humble). Be not wise in your own conceits (estimation).’ Yes mih people, we all need to be on the same page, humble, not arrogant and full of ourselves, because there’s nothing that turns others off like a proud, know it all. To be successful in any pursuit, those involved need to live in harmony, which cannot be said about the current church, as we saw yesterday when dissecting the three statements Bruh Paul made in our Bit. Neither can we gloat over the less fortunate re our earthly power and possessions, for that’s definitely not a part of Jesus’ platform. Now, let’s deal with the last statement in our Bit: ‘Be not wise in your own conceits (estimation).’ Unfortunately Friends, that’s the going thing in our evil, ungodly world today. All of us think more of ourselves than we ought to. In our own estimation, we’re the greatest thing since sliced bread, (smile) and that’s exactly how too many of us behave, both believers and non-believers. I don’t think the world has ever faced such an overwhelming ego problem as it does today. We were taught to be humble, but this is the age of unfettered pride and arrogance. However, please note carefully, the wise words of Cousin Sol, re pride and arrogance: ‘Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (stumbling). Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil (plunder) with the proud.’ (Prov.16:18-19) Indeed wise words my brethren. But just in case they didn’t get through to your prideful heart, then to listen to God’s pronouncement on Edom through Jeremiah: ‘For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen (nations), and despised among men. Thy terribleness (fierceness) hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the Lord.’ (Jer.49:15-16) Yes Friends, the Lord will lower the boom on those whose pride and arrogance makes them feel strong and independent. Why? Because it makes Him feel not needed, not wanted, unnecessary, unappreciated. Nuff said my people. I now implore us to go and do as we ought; shun the evil of the world and hold on the righteousness of Almighty God, through the sacrificial blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which paid for our disgusting sins and thankfully reconciled us to the Father. Much LOVE!…without God…man has no power whatsoever…so all his boasts are baseless… P.S. And check out these most appropriate words of the old Brook Benton song: ‘Remember, in your search for fortune and fame. what goes up, must come down again. It’s just a matter of time.’ Words of Wisdom, my people! Please take serious note. Much LOVE!