SCRIP-BITS

Proverbs 25:27.       It is not good to eat much honey: so for man to search (seek) their own glory is not glory.

HAPPY LABOUR DAY!

Ah friends, like it’s true, the ole fella’s getting old and forgetful.(smile) Would you believe that I did not even realize that this was the Labour Day long weekend until sometime late yesterday. Brother! After one time, it’s really two yes! In my younger years I knew about Labour Day long before it ever happened, because I usually spent it in the Big Apple – New York City, taking in the sights and sounds of that rollicking time featuring all things West Indian. 

But then, I lost interest in the festival, like I’ve also lost interest in Caribana, possibly because I can’t handle the amount of walking involved in both festivals, and in my humble opinion they have both become watered-down caricatures of what they used to be. And I know it doesn’t really matter what I think, because both festivals are still going strong, and still make lots of money for some people. (smile) 

That just goes to show how insignificant we are in the greater scheme of things. Some of us believe we are so important that the world can’t go on without us, but that’s pure foolishness. The world moves on despite our presence or lack thereof. A handful of people will miss and mourn us, but the majority won’t know we’re gone, or even care. So, it’s time for us to get over ourselves and not think of ourselves as highly as we do. 

And Bruh Paul said it loud and clear in his letter to the church at Rome. ‘For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the means of faith.’ (Rom. 12:3) 

And what does all of that mean? Every one of us has been given a specific gift or gifts, ‘granted some spiritual capability to serve God and contribute to the church’s growth.’ Two people may be given the same gift, but not in the same measure, so one may be able to perform a task better than the other. But the measure is all up to Jesus. 

The scholars explain further: ‘The righteousness of God will cause the believer to conduct himself in humility in the local church (vs. 3-8). Paul meets two dangers that the individual faced in the exercise of his spiritual gifts. He might overestimate himself and try to exercise a gift God never gave him. Or he might underestimate himself and fail to exercise the gift God has given to him. Paul shows that God has given each believer specific gifts to enable him to do what God wants him to do. No one is excluded.’ 

Unfortunately though, we all know people, including ourselves, (smile) who try to use gifts they don’t have or not utilize the ones they do have. That’s one of the major challenges in today’s church because everybody wants to be a leader, and nothing is basically wrong in wanting to be a leader, but please opt to be a leader in a field in which you’re qualified nuh, not in one you know nothing or very little about, as so many of us do. A good Bruh Paulean sentence that! (smile) 

And if you don’t believe Bruh Paul’s words, then please check out these earlier ones on the subject by Cousin Sol in Proverbs. ‘It is not good to eat much honey: so for man to search (seek) their own glory is not glory.’ (Prov. 25:27) But sadly, personal glory seeking occupies too much of our time today. Everything is all about us; me, myself and I. 

And there are also some other marvellously wise words of Cousin Sol, which we all know and quite liberally quote, but don’t action them half as much as we ought to. Listen to them: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make straight) thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel (body), and marrow (strength) to thy bones.’ (Prov. 3:5-8)

 Oh my people, those are words that fit every situation in our lives. But we seem to only pay lip service to them, that’s why our lives are not as peaceful, joyful and LOVING as they ought to and could be. Yes, if we have true fellowship and intimacy with God, then He will indeed direct us along the straight and narrow way! But if we foolishly depend on our own worldly wisdom, then there’s a very good chance we’ll end up on the wide and winding path that leads to destruction. 

So, it’s obviously in our best interest to get wise and seek true intimacy with God, for that’s the only way to solve the dilemmas, the negative predicaments that constantly come against us. And we seek true intimacy with God starting with prayer. Therefore, on this Labour Day Monday of 2022, when our world is in a serious state of turmoil and upheaval, of hatred and anger, let’s take our problems to God through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. 

Altogether now: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems.  

And Father, we pray that you will ease the pain of the many who are suffering from negative situations. Please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

Now, it’s up to us to show God that we are serious, so let’s go out into the world and be sincere, fateful and with right motives in our hearts. Much LOVE!

…without sincere humility…one cannot be a true believer in Christ…  

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