SCRIP-BITS

Job 32:8.    But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Job 32:8.    But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration (breath) of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
 
Ah Friends, it’s the last day of the first full week of work in about three weeks for some of us. Those lucky enough to get normal work days off in lieu of the public holidays that fell on the weekends. And isn’t it amazing how quickly we can get unaccustomed to going to work? A few days at home and we immediately relinquish the thought, the idea, the habit of work. Hn! Unfortunately though the opposite is not true. We never get accustomed to the idea of going out to work, no matter how often we do it, possibly because in our society, our minds and our psyche its all wrapped up in a host of negative connotations. Thus today, some of us are sadly crying in our milk (smile) ‘TGIF! TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ We’re just dying to get through the day, get home, fall supine on the couch in front of the tube and feebly mouth: ‘Thank you Lord!’ Anyway Friends, don’t despair, our Friday Chant is here! It’s here to boost our spirits and see us successfully through the day. So let’s chant with enthusiasm: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Now let’s get out there and do our calling with vim and vigour, enjoying life, however it unfurls, with Jesus as our more than adequate backstop. In doing so though, we must not forget our Bit: ‘But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration (breath) of the Almighty giveth them understanding.’ Yes Friends, we desperately need to remember that wisdom and understanding comes from Almighty God, through His Holy Spirit that dwells in us. And here’s a great example of that from the Good Book: ‘And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men…and his fame was in all nations round about.’ (1 Kin.4:29-31) And all I can say is ‘Wow!’ Yes my people, Cousin Sol didn’t achieve all of that on his own, but through the blessings and generosity of our God working in his heart and soul. Now here’s the fourth pondering on our New Year’s list: ‘This year I will give myself. I will follow the pattern of the life of Christ. I will extend the grace of God. I will forgive others just as God in Christ has forgiven me. I will remember that it is not my job to set everybody straight. I will choose my challenges with prayer and wisdom.’ Oh Friends, if we’d just follow those simple acts of faith consistently, our lives would be much healthier, happier and godly. But like many things in this life, they are all easier said than done. What with the corrupt, evil, ungodly world around us constantly pushing us to get into ever more sinful endeavours, coated with bright, lustful, fleshly pleasures, it takes a very serious effort not to listen to the inviting call of the siren’s sweet song and go astray. That’s why it’s so important for believers to constantly seek wisdom and keep the Lord always before them. And we’re surely fortunate as believers, to have the everlasting font of wisdom right within us. And it all begins as Cousin Sol says: ‘The fear of the Lord (the reverential awe in which we hold Him), is the (principal) beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ (Prov.1:7) Yes my brethren, wisdom and understanding, in and of this life, all starts with the proper appreciation and reverence we have for Almighty God. Why? Because as Cousin Sol further declares: ‘For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.’ (Prov.2:6) And Cousin Sol wasn’t the only one to decipher this truth, the young Elihu, disputing with Job and his elders, spoke these wise words when railing against the oppression of the mighty: ‘But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night; Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?’ (Job 35:10-11) Oh Friends, it’s imperative that we seek wisdom and understanding in this fallen world, else we will fall with it. And the only place to get the true kind is at the feet of Jesus, not the feet of mortal man. Look at the mess mortal man has made of God’s beautiful planet and His awesome creations! That surely disqualifies him as a vessel of true wisdom. So let’s all wisely get together at Jesus’ feet and glean true wisdom from His truthful, unfailing Word and His immortal Spirit. It’s the only way to live successfully and joyfully on Planet Earth! Much LOVE!…wisdom is the principal thing…therefore get wisdom…and with all thy getting…get understanding… (Prov.4:7)

Job 32:8.    But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
 
Oh Friends, this past year our world has suffered an inordinate amount of catastrophe. From British Columbia across to Russia, right down to Australia and numerous places in between, the earth’s weather systems, and also its internal workings, have played havoc with us. From earthquakes to volcanoes, to hurricanes, floods, obscene amounts of snow and frigid temps, as well as heat waves, famine and drought. You name it, and we’ve recently suffered it somewhere, either in amounts never seen before, or not in a very long time. So what’s causing these steady hiccups in our planet’s smooth journey eh? I’ve put forward two theories before, and I’ll do so again. The first is undoubtedly our fooling with the delicate balance of the earth’s workings, both externally and internally. We can’t put so much chemical crap like we’re doing into the air and water, neither drill deep caverns into the earth’s crust, all over the known world, and not interfere with the way our God and Creator designed it. And the second theory is that it’s a backlash from our God, for ungratefully forsaking Him after He had so generously blessed us with peace and prosperity in our time of obedience. Remember, He said long ago: ‘I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.’  (Is.42:8) And unfortunately Friends, that’s exactly what we’re doing today; giving praise and glory to Lucifer and our man-made idols for the riches and technological advancement we’ve attained, instead of to the Most High God Jehovah, who is the true giver of all good things to mankind. So right there are two very good reasons for our ‘sufferation.’ Oh my people, it’s a wake up call, which we don’t seem to be getting, that’s possibly why the Holy Spirit guided me to this pertinent Bit today. ‘But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration (breath) of the Almighty giveth them understanding.’ Oh Friends, that’s gospel! They are words from the young Elihu when he deigned to reason with his elders during Job’s time of calamity. Before that, he says: ‘I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst (dared) not show you mine opinion. I said, Days (age) should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’ Then he puts in our Bit and finishes with: ‘Great men (or men of many years) are not always wise: neither do the aged (always) understand judgement. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion.’ (Job 32:6-10) All he says is the living truth Friends; age doesn’t always bring wisdom and reason, neither do older people always understand justice, for the Lord in His enduring wisdom oftimes imbues the young whippersnapper with mind food too, so that he may befuddle his elders. And here is the third of our New Year’s ponderings, which, if we do it consistently, will certainly be accounted to us as wisdom and understanding. ‘This year I will be gentle and passionate. When I awaken in the morning, I will say to myself, “I am baptised. I have died to sin. This day I intend to do what is right in the sight of God.’ Now my brethren, isn’t that a most lovely and godly way to begin our day? It sure is! And when we start talking about wisdom and understanding the natural place and person we gravitate to is Cousin Sol, still revered as the wisest and richest man ever. Now how did he accomplish such a feat? Simply through a selfless heart and motive, plus the Lord’s blessed generosity. We all know the story: When he first ascended to his father, Bruh David’s throne, the Lord asked him in a dream for his heart’s desires. And instead of asking much wealth and power, Sol, knowing that he was in deep waters to rule so great and plentiful a people at such a tender age, wisely and sincerely asked: ‘Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgement (justice); Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honour: so that there shall not be any (anyone) among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.’ (1 Kin.3:9-14) Oh Friends, there it is in black and white; the answer to our holy grail! And though the story is eons old, nothing has changed, for our unchangeable God still blesses those who ask for wisdom and understanding with them. So why are so many of us walking around in a daze, a stupor, like we don’t know our A from our E eh? Let’s turn to the Lord NOW, and ask Him to fill our spirits with the wisdom and understanding we need to live in this evil and ungodly world, and also that we may truly know and revere Him. Much LOVE!…we can only come to our senses…when God’s wisdom fills our spirit…
 

John 3:3.    Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
 
Oh Friends, there are a couple things making me angry, which I need to get off my chest. These are things that I can’t do much about personally, or if I try, my answer will for sure be politically incorrect and possibly not compute with God’s Word either. The first is the recent spate of attacks and bombings of Christian churches and gatherings in Muslim countries, for no other reason than they are non-Muslim. The government authorities there do nothing about it, in fact, very often condone it. So too do our supposed Christian governments by not even raising a great outcry and threatening some kind of retaliation. Instead we allow these heathens to come to our supposed Christian countries where the everyday living is much better than in their home countries, to set up, build and spread their faith with no harassment, with impunity really, while repressing our own Christian heritage so they don’t feel awkward or embarrassed. Steups! Heifer Dust! Can’t we see and understand that their long-term goal is to repress and eradicate all faiths but their own, at any cost, in any manner? The next thing is the recent shooting rampage in the U.S. How can you have a gun culture enshrined in your Constitution, and where many ordinary people are now openly carrying exposed side arms in their normal day to day routines, like the days of the Wild West, and not expect that kind of thing to happen eh? And the sad part is that nobody is talking about limiting the availability of firearms. Instead the arms merchants are dancing with glee as the gun lobby and all its enthusiasts further spread the gospel of the gun. But they need to realize that: ‘He who lives by the gun, dies by the gun!’ Awright, I’ve gotten them off my chest, let’s move on to our New Year’s pondering for today, which so happens to pertain to me and my angry views listed above. (smile) ‘This year I will keep the storms in perspective. Struggles are going to come but Jesus has promised to be there in the midst of the struggles. I will remember that as I walk with God, God will walk with me.’ Oh Friends, that’s so true and important if we want to live not only a stress and anxiety free life, but also a godly one. Let’s think on it and try to put our lives in proper perspective nuh, never forgetting though, that our greatest need on this earth is to be born again in Christ, so that we may live with Him in eternity. Thus we should never be too tired of hearing this Bit: ‘Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Oh my people, those are some of the most, if not the most important words Jesus spoke on this earth because our very future depends on them, not only here on earth, but also in the afterlife. Now listen to what Bruh Paul said to Titus on the subject. ‘For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and LOVE of God our Saviour toward man appeared. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed (poured out) on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. That being justified (declared righteous) by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.’ (Titus 3:3-7) Oh my brethren, what a blessing the Lord showered on us with His grace and mercy through Jesus Christ! Such that all His people rose up and joyfully shouted: ‘Thanks be to God the Father, Jesus our Saviour, and the Holy Spirit, who are all worthy to be praised!’ And they truly are Friends, for the Father sent His one Son to earth as a sacrificial lamb to redeem us, then Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to wash us clean. It’s the Holy Spirit which does that ‘washing of regeneration’ in us, that produces the new life, the born again sensation of salvation in the believer. Now here’s a quote from the scholars on the topic. ‘Regeneration is the work of God, through the Holy Spirit, of placing in one who has faith a new nature, capable of doing God’s will. The Holy Spirit is the agent or divine workman of this regeneration. His instrument is the Bible, which is likened to a hammer that judges sin (Jer.23:29), a mirror that reveals sin (James 1:23), a sword that defeats Satan (Heb.4:12), and a lamp that guides the believers (Ps.119:105). That means we’re instantly born again when we trust and receive Christ as our Saviour. Wow! What great news, my Friends, and what an awesome feeling it produces! Now it’s our job to go out into the evil, corrupt world and tell the many lost, unfortunate souls of that joy that being born again in Jesus brings to our lives, both earthly and heavenly. And we’ll close this born again topic with some words of John: ‘Whosoever is born of God does not commit (practice) sin, for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.’ (1 John 3:9) He’s obviously not talking about us not sinning at all, which is impossible, but that our normal actions, our habitual practices will show to whom we truly defer, God or Mammon. And if we defer to God, then we will conform to the creation that He desires. So Friends, let’s all go out and do our best to further the kingdom nuh, as Jesus asked us to do. And while doing that, please walk safely with Him under His huge, protective umbrella of faith. Much LOVE!…remember…to see God’s face…we must be born…not once…but twice…of flesh…and most importantly…in the Spirit of Jesus…
 

John 3:3.    Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
 
Oh Friends, our winter freeze continues, but it’s nowhere near as calamitous as the numerous inches of snow that the western province of Alberta received on the weekend, or the severe storms that lashed the U.S. Southwest. We’re just freezing, but they’ve been bruised and battered. However my people, as that favourite song of faith declares: ‘though the storm rages around me, though my sails are torn and tattered, and I’m flailing on bended knees, in the midst of it all, the anchor holds.’ Yes Friends, the solid anchor that’s Jesus, holds us steady in any and every storm. ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ But we still need to pray for all those who have been recently, or are currently being battered by some storm of life, be it literally or figuratively. Sadly, many times that’s all we can do. And Friends, our God is also wonderful at generating ideas, some of which just pop up out of the blue and make me chuckle. Today’s source of chuckling is a half sheet of printed paper I just unearthed from some other stuff on my desk. It’s something I cut out of my local church bulletin, titled: ‘Some Ponderings at the New Year,’ written by my pastor, the Rev. Cannon Ann Smith. What’s even more amusing is that I’m not sure if these ponderings were for 2010 or 2011. I have the funny feeling though that they were from 2010, and if so, it means they’ve sat on my desk for a year and not been perused. However, they are beneficial for any year, and the Spirit, in His enduring wisdom, has guided me to put one of those nine ponderings on our plate for the next nine days. And today’s pondering is: ‘This year I will listen. I will quiet my mind and take in what other people are saying as they tell their story. I will listen to their words and their heart. I will listen to their body language. I will seek to understand before I seek to answer or contribute.’ Yes Friends, listening mode is a very good place to begin the New Year. So let’s think on what it entails and try to come up better than we’ve done so far. And now, turning to our exciting, controversy generating Bit: ‘Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Oh my brethren, every time I read that I feel sad because of the millions of people around the world who will be eternally separated from God, if Jesus came back anytime soon. This makes it very imperative that we believers increase our efforts to bring others to Christ; to be born again through His Holy Spirit. We have to do as Peter advises: ‘Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned (sincere) LOVE of the brethren, see that ye LOVE one another with a pure heart fervently. Being born again, not of corruptible (perishable) seed, but of incorruptible (imperishable), by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of Grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.’ (1 Pet.1:22-25) Yes my people, the Word of God lasts forever, and the Good News of the gospel is the best thing that’s ever happened to mankind; whereby Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth in human form and was sacrificed for our sins. We were redeemed through the spilling of His holy, innocent blood. However, that redemption and reconciliation with the Father is only possible if we believe in Jesus, accept His sacrificial efforts and be born again through His Spirit. But that’s enough stuff for us to think on today my wonderful Friends in Christ. So till tomorrow, our God willing, cause He’s always able, let’s go safely in His LOVE, and pay attention, sincerely listen to the words, hearts and body language of those we come into contact with. Much LOVE!…the standards of Jesus are high…but they are indeed attainable…through constant practice…  P.S. Oh Friends, the Bits are so short these days that they scare me. (smile) Sometimes I have to wonder if they are adequate. But deep down I know that they are, since it’s the leading of the Spirit, and besides, long doesn’t always mean better, or short inferior. It’s all about the value of the content, and I know that ours is real valuable. Much LOVE!
 

John 3:3.    Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:3.   Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:3.    Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Jeremiah 30:9.    But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I shall raise up unto them.
 
Aye mih Friends, it’s Friday, and ah hear all yuh shouting ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’ from way down the road. (smile) Ah guess plenty of us just dying for the day to finish so we could go home and catch up on the rest that we missed over the Christmas season. But please note that the day has just begun and we got to work first, so let’s get some strength and an adrenaline rush from our Friday Chant nuh. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ And remember too, that all the long weekends done now, so is a full five-day week we have to put it, which I know is anathema to many of us. But if we constantly hang with the Lord, we will always make it through, no doubt about that mih people. And ah sure too that most of you never noticed that in three of the first six days of the new year I wrote 2010 at the top of the Bit. Well neither did I, until just now when I went to check something on yesterday’s and happened to notice it, then decided to check the others and found two more. Steups! Meanwhile I’m here praising myself for not making any date mistakes so far. Hn, hn! Anyway Friends, let’s turn to our Bit and finish checking out the fulfillment of its wonderful promise. ‘But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I shall raise up unto them.’ And so said, so done my people! The Lord God Almighty raised up our Saviour Jesus Christ, His Son, in human form, and also from the travesty of death so that He could lead and guide us as promised. Yesterday we heard John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, foretelling his son’s heralding of Christ to the nation. Now there was also a devout man, Simeon, in whom the Holy ghost dwelt: ‘And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten (to bring revelation to) the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.’ (Luke 2:26-32) There was also Anna, a prophetess; ‘a widow of fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.’ (Luke 2:37-38) Yuh see Friends, though no serious prophet had appeared in Israel for some four hundred years, God was still busy behind the scenes, working in individual lives, so that when the big moment arrived, there would be people to herald it. Think of the three wise men that came from far away for His birth, the angels proclaiming the moment to the shepherds, and they spreading it roundabout. And we all know that John the Baptist was the prime spokesperson for Jesus’ introduction to ministry. And here is Peter at Pentecost, talking about Bruh David: ‘Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, wherefore we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.’ (Acts 2:30-33) And that’s the gospel truth Friends! The Lord raised up Jesus in appreciation for His selfless sacrifice on our behalf, having Him sit at His right hand, and to whom every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is indeed Lord and God. Wow! Now let’s hear from Bruh Paul in Antioch with Barnabas. He also was referring to the root of it all, Bruh David, when he was made king: ‘He raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will. Of this man’s seed (descendants) hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet (sandals) I am not worthy to loose. Men and brethren, children (sons) of the stock (family) of Abraham, and whosever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.’ (Acts 13:22-26) Yes my brethren, this salvation of Christ, reconciling us to our God and Maker is the fulfillment of that great promise He made long ago. Jesus is the King, Saviour, Shepherd, Guide and Advocate whose sacrificial blood allows us to boldly stand in the presence of Almighty God. There is no other way to come before God, but through Him. I therefore implore us to be wise and embrace His salvation wholeheartedly, for it’s the only means to avoid eternal separation from God and achieve everlasting life. Much LOVE!…only those who accept Jesus…here on earth…will dwell with Him in glory…

Jeremiah 30:9.    But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I shall raise up unto them.
 
Oh Friends, it’s one of those days when I can’t come up with an attention-grabbing intro. I obviously asked the Most High for inspiration and guidance at the start, but it’s not yet forthcoming. Oh, I’m not worried because I know that as soon as the Lord considers it time, my pen will flow on the paper like white on rice. (smile) Couldn’t think of a better comparison on such short notice. Anyway, we’ve been talking about promises the last few days, in particular the gigantic promise that the Lord made so long ago. But before we get into that, I think it’s important that we consider the state of promises in our modern, fast paced, technological society. The current attitude is well reflected in the old song: ‘Promises, Promises…that’s all they are…Promises…’ Those might not be the exact lyrics, but they do give the gist. And it’s quite true, for from our leaders right down to our poverty stricken members, we all seem addicted to promises, and false ones at that. We vote for those who roll out the most amazing promises, although deep down we know that they either can’t or won’t keep them. We also fall for those who promise to do the most, but unfortunately too often end up doing the least. In fact, the statement that ‘promises are made to be broken,’ very well describes our attitude towards promises today. No longer is a person’s word, their handshake or promise very meaningful, nor will they do their level best to uphold it. That’s why the psalmist so strenuously declares: ‘It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.’ (Ps.118: 8-9) Yuh see Friends, it doesn’t matter what estate that man might be of, high or low, because he is man, he is naturally not trustworthy. And that’s exactly what has brought our world to its knees in the last couple years; the broken, fraudulent promises of those in power and wealth, seeking to fulfill their greedy lust for more earthly power and wealth, they made promises they could not keep, so when the promise bucket bottom drop out, everything had to crash. However my people, the Lord God Jehovah does not operate in such an unfaithful manner. Every promise He’s ever made has been fulfilled at the appointed right time. That includes our current Bit: ‘But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I shall raise up unto them.’ Praise the Lord my people for His never-ending goodness to the undeserving children of men! We’ve seen how several prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Hosea, prophesied of better days to come for Israel. Then we saw how the captives returning from Babylon, through the Lord’s grace, to rebuild Jerusalem and the Promised Land, accomplished that. But Friends that was only the first part of the promise, for in the second the Lord promised to raise up from the line of Bruh David, a king, a shepherd, a godly guide to look after His people. And though it took roughly four hundred years, the promise was fulfilled when Jesus Christ, of Bruh David’s line, was born in his city of Bethlehem, to a virgin as long prophesied, in the season of Christmas we’ve just been celebrating. Wow! And it’s amazing how our God moves, for at John the Baptist’s christening, the one who would herald the immediacy of the Messiah’s coming, his father Zechariah, hitherto dumb because he doubted the Lord’s promise of a child to his barren wife, regained his voice, and then filled with the Holy Ghost, powerfully prophesied: ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began (from the ages): That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission (forgiveness) of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the day-spring (the Messiah) from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ (Luke 1:68-79) Yes Friends, our God so cared for us that after a four century period of silence, when the time was ripe for the Messiah, He sent a harbinger, a messenger, John the Baptist, to remind His people of the promise, to awaken and stir them up to the imminent message of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Oh mih people, I implore us to remember that our God doesn’t operate like man, but on a much higher level, therefore we can absolutely trust Him to keep all His Promises. More on this topic tomorrow, God willing of course. Till then, please go safely with the Creator and Ruler of the universe. Much LOVE!…in God’s kingly, righteous and just character…a promise made…is a promise to be always fulfilled…