Luke 21:19: In your patience possess ye your souls.
Oh Friends, it’s Saturday morning and the ole fella’s brain seems tired. Chuh! I was doing some reading before I got to the Bit, and now the old brain refuses to function properly. Hn, hn, hn!
I’ve asked for heavenly guidance, but the Lord hasn’t seen fit to provide it just yet. Oh there’s no doubt that it will come eventually, in the Lord’s own time, that’s why I’ve decided to put pen to paper, although I don’t know what direction I’m going to be going in. It’s just that Lord’s time lines and mine differ. I want the guidance now, but He seems to be of a different mindset.
Ah mih people, that’s one of the biggest problems we believers face – waiting on God. The world is constantly championing now for now actions; it’s ominously tilted towards immediacy, and waiting is a word that is fast fading from our vocabulary.
But unfortunately, that’s not our God’s style. He values patience, perseverance and endurance over immediate satisfaction, which the ungodly world is ceaselessly trying to get us to buy into. Therefore, when things don’t go our way immediately, and we are forced to wait, we get all flustered and angry.
However my brethren, waiting in faith, with patience and perseverance is one of the things the Lord desires us to accomplish. That is, if we truly want to develop a character very much akin to Jesus’. But unfortunately, too many of us Christians are giving in to, or have given in to the world’s desire and mad rush for immediate gratification.
But Friends, our Bit, in the memorable words of our Lord, Saviour and Leader, Jesus Christ, gives us the best advice on the subject. ‘In your patience possess ye your souls.’
Oh Friends, as always, Jesus is simple and straightforward! And that pertinent Bit of advice pops up when He’s telling the disciples about the end times. Let’s hear what Jesus said before He uttered our Bit, so that we might better understand the context.
‘Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in divers (various) places, and famines, and pestilences, and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these they shall lay hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake: And it shall turn to you (be an occasion) for a testimony.
Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay (refute) nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not a hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.’ (Luke 21:10-19)
So yuh see my fellow believers, even when the end times are drawing close, as they are right now, Jesus still desires us to keep our peace, be patient and persevering, and keep looking to Him, for He will tell us what to say; stuff so wise and strong that the ungodly won’t be able to dispute or refute it.
And do we ever need that kind of promise in these very difficult, confusing and trying times! Granted, it’s all much easier said than done, but when we have a heart and soul that’s full of Jesus, and led and guided by Him, we can do all things in the power of His strength.
A good example of that, an occasion for a testimony (smile) is my beginning to write the Bit this morning, having no idea where I was going, but putting the utmost faith in God to lead and guide me to something He wants us to consider.
And my fellow believers, we shall close with another promise of Jesus that bears out His message of leading and guiding us in our words. Listen to Him talk to the disciples about the Holy Spirit.
‘Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself (on his own authority); but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine (what is mine), and shall show (declare) it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.’ (John 16:13-15)
And Friends, EVERY BELIEVER has been gifted with that powerful Holy Spirit, so we have no excuses for not doing what Jesus desires, as prompted by His Comforter. Oh my people, it’s all a matter of true faith, trust, belief, acceptance, surrender and then most importantly putting that all into practice, into action, like I did here this morning.
And I can testify to my words, because when I first began writing the Bit, I wouldn’t, and most likely couldn’t do that, simply because my faith wasn’t strong enough. But over the years, having seen how the Lord has worked in my life, I can now testify to His wonderful LOVE and guidance. And our Lord does move in mysterious ways! I never thought I’d be testifying this morning. (smile)
But Friends, we have to get serious and do what He says…and not in a wishy washy manner either, but steadfast and strong, always seeking excellence, as Jesus desires in His followers. So today, let’s all promise ourselves to get really and truly serious about Jesus nuh, and consequently do our best to come up higher, and thus make His selfless sacrifice on our behalf, all worthwhile. That’s heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
…if you don’t believe in something…you’ll fall for anything…and Jesus is most definitely the best bet…the best choice…in a world full of inferior choices…
SCRIP-BITS 