SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, it’s Monday, time to rise and shine and be about your Father’s business! The holiday season is ended, the extended partying is done now! Time to return to the rough and tumble world of reality, which means getting up and going out to labour. It’s a rough life, but it’s the only one we have, therefore let’s make the best of it. And to help us do that, to put some passion in our souls and fire in our bellies, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with great gusto. As one 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!’ Yes my people, that ought to get us moving, ready to battle the evil out there!  Now please note carefully Jesus’ words in our Bit. ‘These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended (made to stumble).’ It was a warning to His disciples of the persecution to come for those who believed in Him. Having just told them of the hatred of the world: ‘If ye were of the world, the world would LOVE his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.’ (John 15:19) And it still hates us even till today Friends, and will continue to do so until we convert it all to Christ. And all God’s people said a loud and expectant ‘Hallelujah! Amen!’ Then after our Bit, Jesus continues His warning: ‘They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.’ (John 16:2-3) And that prophecy was fulfilled by Bruh Paul’s initial cruelty towards believers, beginning with the martyrdom of Stephen. (Acts 8:54-60) Ah mih people, the Christian life is not an easy one, especially living in such an evil world as this current incarnation. But lived right, with the Spirit of God leading and guiding us, following Jesus can be a wonderful, exciting and incredible journey! And that’s the crux of the whole situation Friends; the way we approach the Christian life. We first have to see it as an ongoing process, with many ruts and bumps along the way, mere annoyances, (smile) while remembering that we already have all the tools and promises through the Holy Spirit and the Word, to do a good job.  It’s just left for us to take them to heart and act on them diligently, enthusiastically, and urgently, all the time seeking excellence in Jesus’ Name. Now let’s hearken back to Jesus words when the disciples of John the Baptist came to ask if he was the Messiah. He ends with: ‘And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me (made to stumble because of me).’ (Matt.11:6) Yes my brethren, if we stand faithful and strong through our trials and tribulations caused by believing in Jesus, we will definitely be richly blessed. Not always in this earthly life, but for sure in the one to come. And what better way to end than with those promises from Jesus’ own lips. We know them as the Beatitudes: ‘Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.’ (Matt.5:10-12) The definitive words on the subject Friends! So let’s grab a hold of them, and doh leggo, no, doh ever leggo, come what may! That’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!…the only way for believers to live successful lives…is by steadfastly holding on to the promises of God, found in His Word…and the guidance of His Spirit, found in their souls…