SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, 2012 is certainly moving along quickly. We’re almost two weeks into February already. That means we have to get our act together asap and do our duty, if we’re to fulfill our promise of making 2012 an exceptional year in the Lord’s sight. We do need to get a move on because the enemy is not standing still, he’s chugging right along doing his evil works, and we have to be at least one step ahead of him if we’re to overcome. So let’s stop making excuses and get on the road to wherever God wants to use us to further His righteous kingdom. And with that little flame lit below us (smile) let’s consider our Bit. ‘How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.’ Yes Friends, those words surely do justice to our Creator and Provider, especially coming from the mouth of the heathen king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. But though Neb spoke those words after seeing the three Jewish youngsters saved from the flaming furnace, I don’t know if truly believed them in his heart. That’s like many of us who talk up the Lord a lot but don’t truly feel Him deep within. Anyhow, soon after that Neb had a dream of a big tree well populated with fruit and fowl being cut down and only a stump left. His astrologers couldn’t decipher the dream so Daniel was called in to do it. He told Neb that the dream referred to his own kingdom, which would shortly be taken away from him, and he would be as a beast for seven years. And I like the end of Daniel’s interpretation: ‘…and seven times (years) shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure (assured) unto thee, after that thou shalt have known (come to know) that the heavens do (God does) rule.’ (Dan.4:25-26) Oh my people, I hope we all do know that and don’t try to take all the credit for what good stuff happens in our lives as Neb would later do. A year later, he was walking around in his palace in Babylon admiring it and saying; ‘Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom (a royal dwelling) by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty.’ (Dan.4:30) Obviously He did not remember all the great exaltations he’d declared of the Lord, nor the interpretation of Daniel’s dream. But Friends, let me instill in us again that out God does not make idle threats or speak words that are not fulfilled. And before the words were out of his mouth he heard a voice telling him that his kingdom was taken away, and he would be driven into the fields to live like a beast for seven years ’…until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.’ (Dan.4:32) And in that same hour was the curse fulfilled; he became insane and was actually put out to pasture and lived like a beast for seven years. ‘And at the end of the days (time) I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed (considered) as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay (restrain) his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?’ (Dan.4:34-35) Yes mih breddren, Neb finally realized who was the real king of glory, the real boss of this world; not him, but Almighty God. Please let’s be wiser than Neb, learn from his foolish example, and don’t let the Lord have to put us through hell on earth for us to fully understand who runs things. Let’s be like Neb afterwards, when his whole thinking changes, and he declares on making his stage exit: ‘Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgement (justice): and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (humble).’ (Dan.4:37) Truer words were never spoken Friends. Let’s take them to heart and live by them, for our own good. Much Love!…knowing all we know…and having seen all we’ve seen…how can we still doubt God’s majesty, power and faithfulness…