Acts 9:16. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
Oh Friends, it’s another beautiful day in God’s great world! And all God’s children declared a loud and joyous,’ Praise the Lord, for He is indeed a wonderful and most LOVING God!’ And He surely is brethren, no ifs ands or buts about that!
Anyway, to begin, I want to share these words from an introduction to a little booklet called, ‘A Journey of LOVE – Walking with St. Therese of Liseaux.’ That’s the patron Saint of the Society of the Little Flower run by the Carmelites. The intro is written by Fr. John F. Russell, and he says of St. Therese: ‘Her spirituality focuses upon the twofold commandment of the Judaeo- Christian tradition: LOVE for God and LOVE for neighbour.
To live out these commandments requires patience, perseverance, sacrifice and self-emptying LOVE in the manner of Jesus Christ. The outcome is holiness of life marked by joy, peace, maturity and courage, all characteristics of opening one’s heart to God’s grace. St. Therese’s story reveals a heart available daily to the LOVE and the call of Jesus Christ.’
Oh my people, all those things greatly concern us too, but the million-dollar question is if our hearts are ‘available daily to the LOVE and the call of Jesus Christ?’ Let’s hope so. And if they aren’t, then let’s come humbly before the Lord and sincerely ask for His help to make them so.
Now hopefully today will be the last day for this particular Bit. Hn, hn! But I’m not making any promises, (smile) since according to the Good Book it’s better not to promise than to promise and not make good on it. (Eccl. 5:5)
At times our Lord can definitely be a hard, but always fair, taskmaster, as He says of Bruh Paul: ‘For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.’
And Bruh Paul did undergo a lot of ‘sufferation’ in his most valiant and awesome efforts to spread the good news of Christ’s gospel, as we’ve been seeing over the last few days. Today though, I want us to focus on some of his personal feelings and sentiments towards that ‘sufferation.’ And we’re going to start in 2 Corinthians, where he talks about the thorn in his flesh.
‘And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet (beat) me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought (pleaded with) the Lord thrice (three times), that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength (power) is made perfect in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (weaknesses), that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.’ (2 Cor.12:7-10)
Mama Mia! Ah my fellow believers, can we echo Bruh Paul’s sentiments there? I don’t think many of us can. I certainly can’t. But I do know about the thorns of the flesh business, because over the years I’ve been plagued by several long term illnesses, like asthma, back and knee problems. And though the severity of each thorn eases up after a while, they don’t ever go away, so I’ve learned to be careful and don’t do certain things to aggravate them, or do them sparingly.
Now here are some interesting comments from the scholar’s on Bruh Paul’s problem. ‘Paul’s thorn in the flesh is characterized further as a messenger of Satan. Just what Paul means by this is not clear. Among the views suggested are (1) temptations from the Devil, (2) Paul’s opposition from his adversaries, (3) some intense bodily pain, (4) a recurring physical affliction such as eye trouble, or (5) even some form of mental or psychological distress.
Whatever the case, it was a tool of Satan, it was painful (‘thorn’), and it was accompanied by shame or embarrassment to the apostle. A fairly strong argument can be sustained in favour of the view that it was eye trouble (opthalmia). See also Acts 13:9; 23:1; Galatians 4:14-15; 6:11.’
Aye Friends, yuh think it easy living for Christ? Not really nuh, but it’s all very possible if we are serious about it and invoke the power of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. And by the way, I don’t think my thorns were, or are Satan induced, (smile) but more like the Lord’s doing to keep me under control, away from stuff that would spoil my testimony and show His strength in my weakness.
But my brethren I think we’ll stop here for today, since the rest of what I had planned to say will make the Bit too long, having in mind our busy lives and short attention spans. (smile) In any case we already have enough stuff to chew on, enough food for thought today. So please read, mark, meditate and inwardly digest the info so that we can raise the level of our maturity in Christ. And that is undoubtedly wisdom for all the ages; those past, present and yet to come!
It also looks like I was wise not to promise that today would be the last one for this Bit. (smile) So Friends, the Lord in favour, tomorrow we’ll continue with it. Until then, may our magnificent and magnanimous God bless and keep us safely under His protective umbrella, and may He grant us His peace that surpasses all human understanding, till we meet again, here on earth, or in the hereafter. Much LOVE!
…though it’s not easy to live for Christ…the fact of the matter is…to know, know, know Him…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Him…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 August 2013 Acts 9:16
08 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
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Acts 9:16. I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
Oh Friends, as I was cleaning up my desk earlier on, I discovered a plaque with the Serenity Prayer, engraved on it, and consequently figured that was the best way to begin today’s Bit.
Please pray with me: ‘Oh Lord God, please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.’
Yes Friends, those few words impart a most important message to us. It makes life ever so much easier when we know what we can change and what we can’t. But the devil is being able to know the difference, which is why we can only do it through the wisdom that emanates from Jehovah God and His everlasting Word.
That brings us to our Bit. ‘I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.’
Now yesterday I was taken up with the racism and colour business, re the ‘n’ word. Steups! I have to steups and chuckle in disbelief at the foolish lengths we’ll go to appear politically correct, as though it’s going to change anything.
But enough of that, today I want to focus on some of the stuff, the ‘great things’ that Bruh Paul suffered for the Lord’s sake. And we’ll begin in Philippi, where he stayed with a new believer named Lydia. (Acts 16:14-15)
‘And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying (fortune telling). The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.
And this did she many days. But Paul being grieved (greatly annoyed), turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.’ (Acts 16:16-18)
Now hear this explanation from the scholars. ’16:17: The strange words of the demon possessed girl, that Paul is proclaiming the way of salvation, reveal Satan’s insidious attack upon the work of God. His method is to counterfeit that which is genuine, thereby confusing and corrupting it. (cf. Luke 4:41: 2 Cor.11:13-15)
Please read those scriptures for yourselves, for they are very interesting and educational.
And sadly, a lot of that stuff is still going on today, despite the supposed enlightened times we live in. Lots of people are still heavily involved in the occult. And you wouldn’t believe how many of them are considered intelligent and well educated, yet they continue to waste their time, efforts, money and lives dealing with the futile, fraudulent forces of darkness.
But getting back to Bruh Paul’s supposed good deed. It certainly didn’t win him any accolades or endear him to the girl’s masters. ‘And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught (seized) Paul and Silas, and drew (dragged) them into the market place unto the rulers (authorities).
And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city. And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent (tore) off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely (securely). Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made (fastened) their feet fast in the stocks.’ (Acts 16:19-24)
Oh Friends, doesn’t that remind you of the unfair and unjust manner in which they treated Jesus? It sure does! And unfortunately, many believers in other parts of the world today still face those fearful circumstances, where they can’t speak openly about their faith in Jesus Christ, but they still do in secret.
Meanwhile, we in the free western world, who have nothing like that to fear, are still very afraid and/or ashamed to talk publicly about Christ. But as I keep reminding us, Christianity is not a behind closed doors, or a closed mouth organization like some of the occult societies that still prevail, but it is one that needs to be broadcasted to all and sundry, all over the world.
That was Jesus’ last command, to His disciples; the Great Commission: ‘Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:19-20)
Ah mih people, that’s our mission on this earth! But obviously not enough of us are taking that command as seriously as we should, and actually working on Jesus’ behalf with sincere passion and plenty action. Now can you imagine what the reaction would be, if we were still not free to worship as we please, and the very name of Jesus would bring down untold tribulation on our heads?
Hn! But don’t laugh Friends, because of our lackadaisical attitude, the enemy is drawing the noose tighter and tighter and many of our freedoms are being gradually eroded. So this is not a joking matter. And unless we stand up strong and fight back in the name of Jesus, we’ll soon be like many other believers in the oppressed countries.
That’s why I’m imploring us today, and everyday, to get out and get Jesus in the action, for it’s only with Him going on before us that we can ever hope to continue dwelling safely and securely in a Christian land.
And please don’t use the Serenity Prayer as an excuse, (smile) meaning that changing the world in Jesus’ name is one of those things we cannot do. Because remember with Jesus working in and through us, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! And we do indeed have the godly wisdom to know that! Much LOVE!
…the right to worship Jesus…will only be had…in proportion to the fight believers put up…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 July 2013 1 John 4:7
28 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: Abel, bondage, brotherly LOVE, Cain, character, children of darkness, children of light, christianity, commitment, conflicting allegiances, darkness, evil, forces of darkness, God is LOVE, hate, light, LOVE, LOVE is of God, LOVE one another, propitiation for sins, religion, righteousness., sacrifice, substitutionary sacrifice, theology, undeniable truth, walk with Christ
1 John 4:7. Beloved, let us LOVE one another: for LOVE is of God; and every one that LOVETH is born of God, and knoweth God.
Oh Friends, as the Sunday morning dawns, our world continues to be a totally messed up place. But today we’re going to try to improve it by talking about the most powerful and positive emotion in the universe – LOVE! Not the romantic thing that we call LOVE, though that does have its place, but LOVE on a higher level, the kind that stems from Almighty God, our Creator and Provider.
And we’ll set the stage by quoting a few verses of scripture, starting with our Bit: ‘Beloved, let us LOVE one another: for LOVE is of God; and every one that LOVETH is born of God, and knoweth God. He that LOVETH not knoweth not God; for God is LOVE. In this was manifested the LOVE of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is LOVE, not that we LOVED God, but that he LOVED us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so LOVED us, we ought also to LOVE one another.’ (1 John 4:7-11)
And that’s undeniable truth Friends! The reasons for LOVING each other are loud and clear. First, because God is LOVE; it’s an essential part of His nature, of who He is. Then He LOVED us so much that He sent His only Son, the only sin free person there was, to sacrifice Himself to pay for the dastardly sins of mankind.
Now if that isn’t the most powerful reason for us to LOVE each other, then I don’t know what is!
And Bruh Paul concurs with John when he declares to the Roman church. ‘But God commendeth (demonstrates) his (own) LOVE toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom.5:8)
And the scholars explain that by saying: ‘His death was vicarious. That is, He did not die merely for our benefit but in our place. His was a substitutionary sacrifice.’
Now that we can never repay my people, and we should be forever grateful, but unfortunately too many of us are not, we only pay lip service to it, because we treat our fellow man so shabbily.
Earlier on, John also tells us: ‘He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that LOVETH his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of (no cause for) stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and knoweth not wither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.’ (1 John 2:9-11)
Yes Friends, once Jesus paid the price for our sins, because of His great LOVE for us, we were released from the bondage of darkness, the blinkers were taken off of our eyes, and we were able to see the bright light that’s Jesus. Now that means we should be showing LOVE to each other, not merely saying it, otherwise we’re still children of darkness and there’s no truth or light in us. We can’t say that we’re of Jesus and hate our brother.
As John says: ‘In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that LOVETH not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should LOVE one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew (murdered) his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.’ (1 John 3:10-12)
See Genesis 4:8 for Cain’s actions. Meanwhile the scholars inform us that ‘Cain killed Abel because their conflicting allegiances (Cain’s to Satan, Abel’s to God) were plain to see by their respective actions. John seems to be saying: “If even wicked Cain could see that a man’s character is revealed ultimately, not in what he says he believes, but in what he does, should not Christians be able to see this as well?’
And the answer to that is a resounding YES, my people!
Oh fellow believers, wickedness and darkness don’t go with, have no place with LOVE and light, they just don’t mix well at all.
Now listen to Bruh Paul talking to the Thessalonians on the subject. ‘But as touching (concerning) brotherly LOVE ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to LOVE one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more.’ (1 Thess.4:9-10)
Oh Friends, oh Friends, I implore us to take that last bit of Bruh Paul’s advice and implement it with all seriousness and action. I’m talking about increasing our brotherly LOVE more and more, because our screwed up world so desperately needs it, and only we believers are capable of working such a miracle, obviously in conjunction with Jesus Christ.
And we’ll close with a definition of LOVE from Uncle Charles (Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries). Some of you might have heard it before, but it will do you good to hear it again. (smile)
‘LOVE: A commitment to the satisfaction, security, and development of the one LOVED and a commitment to the fulfillment of their needs, whatever they are, always asking what’s best for the other person.’
Now that my Friends is gospel truth! And the most important word in that sentence is COMMITMENT! It’s what we are called on to have in following Jesus, and without it, we’re still being led by the forces of darkness, regardless of how much we protest to the contrary.
So let’s think on it and try our best to live it out nuh, because that’s what we need to do, if we want to be called true believers in Christ. Much LOVE!
…to walk in true LOVE…one must walk in lockstep with Christ in the light…which entails…LOVING one’s fellow man…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 July 2013 Psalm 102:12
23 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: #One, bouncing baby boy, change them, Christ's body, christianity, commercialism, death, disappearing act, everlasting truth, fake, feather in our cap, floundering ship, generations will remember the Lord, God will never die, grow old, holy spirit, hoopla, it's a boy, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, knock off, Lord of Lords, miss a trick, monarchy, monkey see monkey do, name game, omnipotent god, put that in your pipe and smoke it, royal birth, sales pitch, sin, that too shall pass, the British throne, the church, the foundations of the earth, the futility of idols, the grave, the greatness of God, the Hit Parade, The Lord shall endure forever, things of God, things of the world, wonderful god, work of thy hands
Psalm 102:12. But thou, O Lord, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
Oh Friends, oh Friends, it’s a boy! Whoopee dee! Another possible king for the British throne. Yes mih people, the long awaited day arrived yesterday. Prince William and Princess Kate had a bouncing baby boy!
Now that’s nice to know and all that, but the fuss so much of the world has been kicking up in the last week or so, is it truly necessary? In one breath a lot of people want the monarchy gone, but in the next they’re going gaga over the birth of one more royal for them to support and bow to.
Ah Lord eh! Oh, how I wish they’d give our great and wonderful God even a li’l bit of the enthusiasm and anticipation that this royal birth has created. Christianity would certainly be moving big mountains!
And can you imagine all the nonsense people have been sending to the poor couple, who need no material stuff, just some privacy, plus the name game with its betting and favourites, and the monkey see, monkey do actions… Chuh! Now that’s really going overboard.
Those actions though will certainly bring a smile to the faces of the managers of commerce, who won’t miss a trick, with some sort of sales pitch to have their cash registers constantly ringing, while we line up to spend money we can’t afford on stuff we don’t need.
But because Princess Kate’s royal baby has it, it’ll be a feather in our cap to have the same brand too, even if it’s a knock off, a fake. Steups! How foolish can we get eh!
But you know what my brethren? All that too shall pass; the royalty, the people falling over themselves, the commercialism, and all the other hoopla. However, as our Bit says: ‘But thou, O Lord, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.’
And that my Friends, is the everlasting truth of all truths! Whatever else happens, our God will NEVER die, take a powder or pull some disappearing act! That’s because He’s #ONE on the Hit Parade and will ALWAYS BE #ONE!
In fact, before the Hit Parade ever came into being, our great God was already alive and running things. And even when the Hit Parade is no more, our wonderful and omnipotent God will still be around, and still running things in the universe He’s created! Now put that in yuh pipe and smoke it! (smile)
Oh Friends, it would be so heart warming if those same people who are making such a fuss over the royal baby – many of whom I’m sure call themselves Christians – would do so over the true Monarch of the World, the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Jesus Christ, to whom they’ll all have to bow and answer to and confess that He is indeed #ONE!
It would definitely be wonderful if they could pass down the story of Jesus to their children, as they’ll do that of the newborn royal. Ah mih people, we let the unimportant things of the world so cloud, and have so much sway over our lives, that there’s very little left for the important things of God.
But in spite of all that, as the psalmist so rightly says in Psalm 135; the greatness of the Lord and the vanity of idols: ‘Thy name, O Lord, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations.’ (Ps.135:13)
And though as I said yesterday, I was worried about our passing down the Word to the next generation, deep down I believe the psalmist’s words will hold true until the last days.
The Good Book does say that God’s remembrance will not fail, because Christ’s body on earth, His church will keep it alive forever. But my fellow believers, this won’t happen automatically, we’re expected to get up and make it happen, just like the believers of old did.
Isn’t it amazing though, that all they had for the longest while was an oral tradition to tell the story, and they remained strong and told it, otherwise we wouldn’t have had it. But now, though we have so many different and all pervasive ways to do it, we’re not even keeping up, much less spreading it.
Now hear Jeremiah on the subject from Lamentations: ‘Thou, O Lord, remainest forever; thy throne from generation to generation. Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time? Turn thou us unto (back to) thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. But (Unless) thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth (angry) against us.’ (Lam.5:19-22)
Yes Friends, even in His lamentations, Jeremiah acknowledges God’s power, remembrance and eternality right down through the ages! And we have it much better, because since then Jesus came to earth and has defeated sin, death and the grave. So why can’t we do better than we’re doing eh?
We should be saying, and believing like the psalmist. ‘I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old thou hast laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
They shall perish, but thou shalt endure (continue): yea, all of them shall wax (grow) old like a garment; as a vesture (cloak) shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed (descendants) shall be established before thee.’ (Ps.102:24-28)
And all God’s children shouted, ‘Glory Hallelujah!’
But in the meantime my people, I think it would do us all a lot of good to pray Jeremiah’s prayer, because our God is definitely not happy with us, and it’s only through the power and the working of His Holy Spirit in us that we’ll be able to turn this floundering ship called Christianity around. Much LOVE!
…how long, O Lord, how long…before you cause us to be turned around eh…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 July 2013 Psalm 92:8
12 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: Alpha and Omega, anointed, blessings, body soul and mind, cedar of Lebanon, chinks in our armour, christianity, courts of God, Creator of the universe, enemies, faith, fellowship, First and the Last, forgiveness, Friday chant, fun, generous help, glorify, glorious kingdom, God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, iniquity workers, Jehovah-Jireh, Jesus, Lucifer, mercy, Most High, no accounting for taste buds, old age, only true God, palm tree, prince of darkness, psalm 92, race of life, refreshed, relaxation, religion, renewed, rest, salvation, setting our sights on heaven, smart money, surrender to Christ, sweet jesus, Thank God it's Friday, thanks and praise, the righteous shall flourish, the wicked, trust, truth, weekend, wisdom
Psalm 92:8. But thou, Lord, art most high for evermore.
Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 July 2013 Jeremiah 1:6
05 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: 4th July celebrations, a walk with Jesus, adjustments, birthday celebrations, christianity, common sense, essence of wisdom, excuses, faith, fellowship, forsaken the Lord, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's kingdom, glorious kingdom, God's assurances, great victory, I cannot speak, I'm a child, introspection, Love the Lord, nations prosper, New Year's resolution, people volunteer, relaxation, reluctance, right mood, right perspective, simpering, sing praise to God, sufficency for God's service, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, unworthiness, weekend, when leaders lead, whimpering
Jeremiah 1:6. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday… And everybody’s jumping and shouting, whooping and hollering: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! No more work! Party Time!’
Yes mih people, the weekend is here and the party mood is taking over, especially in the good ole U.S. of A, where the 4th of July birthday celebrations continue in full glory.
But Friends, as we remind ourselves every week, the weekend is not just for fun and frolic, but also for rest and contemplation. And would you believe that July is already a week old. That means we should also take some time over this weekend to do our monthly reflection and introspection on our New Year’s resolution; that of taking a closer walk with Jesus this year.
I recommend this because it’s much easier checking out small steps in short time periods, than trying to figure out how we’ve done over long periods. It’s also easier to make adjustments as we go along, than wait for a whole year to pass before trying to adjust. And besides when we keep track over short periods, we’re less likely to forget or move away from our resolution.
Anyway, let’s get in the right mood, the right perspective for this upcoming weekend by chanting our Friday Chant. With one accord now: ‘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 all go and put those words into serious action, so that we can stay on the right path.
And turning to our Bit: ‘Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child (youth).’
Yes Friends, it’s the same as the last two days, because Moses took up all the time yesterday with his ceaseless simpering and whimpering, even though God gave him so many assurances.
But as the scholars’ declare: ‘Jeremiah’s sense of unworthiness recalls others such as Moses (Ex.3:4), Barak (Judg.4:8), Gideon (Judg.6:15), Saul (1 Sam.10:22), David (2 Sam.7:19), Solomon (1 Kin.3:7), and many others who understood clearly that the sufficiency for God’s service comes only from God Himself. (c.f. 2 Cor.2:16)’
And all that’s true my brethren, but how long are we going to put up barriers and excuses even when God is plainly promising to be with us and help us eh?
Let’s check out Barak. In his time judges ruled Israel, the current one then being the prophetess Deborah. Israel had again forsaken the Lord their God and enemies were lined up to come against them.
Then Deborah sent for Barak ‘and said to him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw (deploy troops) toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon, Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me; then I will not go.
And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour (be no glory for you); for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.’ (Judg.4:6-9)
Ah mih breddren, another instance where people are reluctant to answer God’s call. And would you believe the great victory that Deborah and Barak wrought over their enemies! So much so that they sang a song afterwards: ‘Praise ye the Lord, for the avenging of Israel (when leaders lead in Israel), when the people willingly offered themselves (volunteered).’ (Judg.5:2)
Yes Friends, when leaders truly lead, and the people willingly volunteer to do service to God, their nations prosper!
And the song of Deborah and Barak continues: ‘Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel… So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that LOVE him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest for forty years.’ (Judg.5:3,31)
You can read the in between portion of their song of victory in Judges 5. But Barak, like many of us, was at first reluctant to answer God’s call, and only with Deborah’s leading, did he take up the mantle of God to fight for his God and country.
Ah Friends, I don’t know why we’re so reluctant to answer God’s call to do His work nuh, but as soon as a sinful man calls we go running to do his oftimes evil bidding!
Is it that we revere or have more faith in man than in Jehovah God, our Creator and Provider? I surely hope not. But that’s how it seems, for we always come up with some excuse not to do God’s bidding, but when we eventually do, we discover what a joy and pleasure it is to answer His call.
So let’s promise ourselves my brethren, from today, from RIGHT NOW, we’ll no longer hesitate or find excuses not to heed God’s call, but as soon as He calls, we’ll say, ‘Yes Lord, thy servant hears, and will gladly do your bidding!’
That my Friends, is the very essence of wisdom and common sense! Much LOVE!
…to willingly answer God’s call…without any fuss or excuses…is the mark of a mature believer…
SCRIP-BITS 