SCRIP-BITS

Romans 8:28.       And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Sunshine, lollipops and roses! Yes friends, that’s what we’re having on this beautiful lazy-day Saturday! And though I’m somewhat annoyed that I had to get up earlier than I wanted to, because my back was aching from lying in bed too long, it’s always nice to see the morning sun come up over the horizon. But how I envy those people, like the duchess, who can lie in bed for as long as they like without any negative repercussions. Me, I lie down for a few hours, and just when my mind is getting comfortable, my body begins getting uncomfortable. 

But as the old people would say, them’s the breaks! They certainly are, and we can’t waste too much time griping over our eccentricities. (smile) And I’m chuckling here now, because a few days ago I wanted to use that word, eccentricities, and for the life of me, I could not remember it. But now it just pops up without a problem. Ah Lord eh, the vicissitudes, the variations of life! 

Anyway, enough griping, whatever else is wrong with us, the most important thing is that we’re alive and kicking on this glorious Saturday in the penultimate week of July in the year of our Lord, 2023, that means our great God has good things in store for us down here, otherwise He would have taken us home last night. So, let’s give thanks and praise and celebrate his awesome goodness and mercy, His LOVING-kindness to the undeserving children of men. 

And we’ll begin by offering up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer. As one voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

Oh my fellow believers, every time we offer up that prayer, something happens in my soul, like an extra slice of peace and quiet comes to it, as those sincere words of LOVE and desire for our heavenly Father float heavenwards. But that’s the awesome power of communicating with Him! I don’t believe that there’s ever a time we go to God with sincere hearts and come away completely empty-handed. We might not get what we wanted, but just talking with Him enriches our spirits and gives us a different outlook on the situation. 

No, we might not be happy about the outcome of our conversation, but the underlying aura of godly communication certainly enhances the peace and contentment of soul and spirit that we’re seeking. Oh friends, our God is indeed a great and wonderful God, but like our earthly fathers, He doesn’t always give us what we want, especially if He knows that it’s bad for us, or goes against his will and plan for our lives. 

And though we might come away empty handed from the throne of grace, it’s very important to note one scripture in particular, which will give you courage to bear up under the disappointment. It’s these marvellously encouraging words from Bruh Paul’s missive to the Roman church. Say it with me: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ (Rom. 8:28) 

Wow! What an awesome scripture! And what that scripture does friends, is make us know that though we don’t get all we want when we want it, that in the long run, all that God is doing is for our benefit and it will all work out for our good in the end. That’s because He has only our best interests at heart. Like he says in Jeremiah: ‘But I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope) (Jer. 29:11)

Yes, our heavenly Father only desires the best for us which means getting involved in the plan that He has for each one of our lives. Only when we do that are we guaranteed to reach our full potential, to fulfill our destiny, the one He’s prepared for us from before the world was made. 

But the problem there is that God’s plans don’t often coincide or dovetail with our own, or those of this evil and ungodly world, and unless we suck it up like Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion and say with sincere resignation: ‘Whatever yes Lord. I’m not thrilled with the situation, but your will be done and not mine,’ then we’ll never have peace of mind and live the abundant life that Jesus died for us to have. 

And I’m talking here from personal experience, because when the Lord called me to write this Bit, I said, no way! I didn’t want to do it, because it interfered with my worldly endeavours, and besides I wasn’t qualified in any way shape or form to do such an important undertaking. But the Lord persisted, and believe me, when He really wants you, He WILL get you! 

So, I eventually capitulated, and here I am some sixteen years later doing His will to the best of my ability, and it’s important to note, with His help and overwhelming faithfulness. I could not have done it without His leading and guidance. When I look back and see the baby footsteps with which I began, I have to laugh. Just a verse or two from the Bible, and maybe a single comment from me. Now, I’ve reached the stage where I have to curtail my writing. (smile) 

And please don’t think it was easy, because it was not. It took perseverance and patience and learning the Word. But I can assure you it was, and still is most interesting. That’s the thing, you never know the joys and pleasures you’ll encounter working for Jesus until you work for Him. And I’ve had some tough times down through the years, but He’s always pulled me through them, and also blessed me with some wonderful times that I could never have imagined. 

The long and short of the story friends, is that if the Lord is calling you to do something special in His name, then the sooner you agree, the better off you’ll be. And don’t be afraid, because as He’s faithfully promised, He’ll never leave nor forsake you, and will be with you every step of the way, providing the tools you need to do the job He desires of you. 

Now, the Lord is a hard taskmaster, expects a lot from His workers, but there’s no better employer to work for, because His benefits are wonderful, not only are they worldly but also heavenly! Wow! No other employer can promise the benefits that Jesus offers, so please, let’s get wise, wake up from our foolish slumber, and choose to sincerely work for Him nuh. We’ll never regret it! Much LOVE!

…working for Jesus…is the best job going… 

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