SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, it’s Monday; Carnival Monday, Mardi Gras Day! Wow! That means in places like Rio, New Orleans and T&T, the party has now officially spilled into the streets. Can you imagine the bacchanal; the bright, scintillating music, the beautiful costumes and the frenetic dancing? But don’t be too jealous Friends, for our day will come. Let’s just hope and pray that no serious tragedies mar the celebrations in any of those places. Instead, let us plebs, working stiffs (smile) sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with extra energy to wipe away the envy, and raise our adrenalin level to where we’re comfortable, in fact, excited and passionate to go out and labour today on Jesus’ behalf. All together 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!’ And with that burst of energy to spark our motors, we should be going full speed ahead now Friends, so let’s consider our Bit. ‘Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ Oh my people, those are words of undeniable truth, because it’s only when Jesus came to earth in human form and died for us, sacrificing His sinless blood on our behalf that we acquired anything really worthwhile to fight against Beelzebub and his dark, evil world. Jesus was, and still is the only one able to truly get us out of the clutches of the evil one. Before he came, we had to continually offer sacrifices to keep our sins at bay. But once Jesus offered up His precious, holy blood on our behalf at Calvary, our sins were washed as white as snow for all time, and a new day dawned bright and beautiful for us! And all God’s people loudly declared: ‘Oh everlasting praise and glory be to the Lamb that washed ALL our sins away!’Yes my brethren, Jesus was indeed the bright, shining light of the world, who Isaiah prophesied of centuries before He was born. ‘Nevertheless the dimness (gloom) shall not be such as was in her vexation (upon her who is distressed) when at the first he lightly afflicted (esteemed) the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict (esteemed) her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations (Gentiles). The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.’ (Is.9:1-2) Now listen to the scholars clarify that some: ‘The dimness of Israel’s rejection was especially prevalent in the northern tribal areas of Zebulun and Naphtali, which would suffer greatly under the Assyrian invasion. Galilee is named and identified with the nations (Gentiles). To those in the darkness of the north, God promises to send a great light, which is quoted in Matthew 4:15-16 as being fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. The prophet sees these events as though they were already happening. Thus hepredicts the future with certainty, as though it had already come to pass.’ And Matthew 4:12-16, corroborates this. Thus was the first great prophecy of light coming to a darkened world through Jesus, the Prince of Peace fulfilled. My people, I implore us to take these words of Jesus very seriously, and get to know Him as best you can, for He is the ONLY light available to guide us out of this dark and evil world in which we’re currently ensconced. Yes, the only way we’ll ever see God’s glorious face is by following the guiding light that’s Jesus. More on this tomorrow if God chooses to imbue us with life. Much LOVE! …a light, a light…cried those shrouded in darkness…and the faraway speck of light got brighter, the closer it came…until it totally bathed them in its splendour…and in sudden recognition, they cried…it’s Jesus, it’s Jesus…Hallelujah, it’s Jesus…!