John 8:12. 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 Friends, it’s Ash Wednesday! That means the partying’s over! It’s time to put on your sackcloth and ashes with fasting, to gear you up for Lent, the forty days we observe in humility and abstinence before Jesus’ crucifixion, recalling the forty days He spent in the wilderness fasting and being tempted by Beelzebub. Now we don’t have to fast, but if we do, we should do it with a right heart, observing Jesus teaching on the subject: ‘Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites (pretenders), of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto to men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.’ (Matt.6:16-18) Yes Friends, it’s the same for all we do in Jesus’ name; not for outward show, to broadcast them for men to see and think we’re so righteous. Remember outward show doesn’t cut it with the Father, but He looks at the state of our hearts. So if you intend to fast this Lenten season, please don’t make a big show of it. Now turning to 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.’ That’s one of the most profound statements ever made people, and a very true one! Jesus even said it more than once too. Before He healed the man born blind, He said to His listeners: ‘As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ (John 9:5) Then later on, while teaching about His upcoming death and resurrection, the people wanted to know who was the Son of man He said must be lifted up. ‘Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest the darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be (become) the children of light.’ (John 12:35-36) And that’s the awesome truth Friends! When we walk in darkness, we don’t know where we’re going, for the darkness obliterates our sight. But when we walk in the light, our paths are made very clear and we can see where we’re going. Now isn’t it much better to see where we’re going, than to be walking aimlessly and in danger of stumbling and falling? And since Jesus is the light of the world and Lucifer its darkness, it obviously makes more sense to walk with Jesus than with Lucifer. Oh my people, Lucifer’s intentions are evil, that’s why he’s chosen to walk in darkness, and his main intention is to lead God’s children astray. Please don’t allow him to do that my brethren, for he has nothing to lose, since he’s already been condemned to eternal death and darkness in Hades. Now he’s looking for fools to keep him company there by enticing us to walk in darkness with him to stumble and fall. But remember, as a child of the Most High God a place has been prepared for you in heaven, and you’d be real foolish to pass that up for the worthless earthly treasures that Lucifer tempts us with down here. So don’t be fooled, it’s only by following the light, Jesus, that we can walk safely and not stumble and fall. And as Bruh Paul told his protégé Timothy when exhorting him to endurance and passion in his preaching, talking about God: ‘Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.’ (2 Tim.1:9-10) Yes Friends, that’s one of God’s mysterious workings; through the death of His son, He brought eternal life and light to us. And we’ll end with some more wise advice from Bruh Paul, this time to the Thessalonians: ‘But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober (self-controlled).’ (1 Thess.5:4-6) Oh my fellow believers, please let us take those words to heart and live them diligently, for they contain the wisdom that we need to see us through and make a positive difference in these evil, ungodly, troubled times. Much LOVE!…caught between the darkness and light…then wisdom says…run towards the light…Jesus…
SCRIP-BITS 