SCRIP-BITS

Psalm 96:9.     O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him all the earth.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Monday, and I know that you all are rather anxious and excited to get out into the evil, ungodly world and fight for Jesus! You all just can’t wait to exit suburbia, the only place you can barely afford to live, get into your cheaply made but expensive cars and crawl along the highways into the concrete jungles, endure hassles over parking, then hustle into the ugly glass and steel towers, making sure you’re not late, and battle Beelzebub mano-a- mano! No Friends, I’m not high on anything but life and the LOVE of Jesus! And I sure wish many more supposed Christians could have some joy and fun in their spirits, rather than the dead, comatose attitudes some of us display. Jesus didn’t die for us to be fearful and tragic minded. As He says: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) That means we can all afford to lighten up and enjoy life. It’s not always a bed of roses, but knowing that our salvation and everlasting life are guaranteed, that should certainly enable us to have a better attitude towards this earthly life. Anyway, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with mucho gusto and perk up our wilting spirits. In harmony then, let’s raise our heads, hearts, hands, eyes and voices to heaven. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ Bravo, my people, Bravo! That was good! And I just heard a song on WACK 90.1 F.M in T&T that’s admirably suited to lift our spirits this bluesy Monday morning. The male vocalist is joyfully declaring: ‘O Jesus, I want to commune with You. Take my heart, take my soul. I give it all to You. My desire is to worship and exalt You, and testify about the greatness of Your Name. For You delight in the praises of your people. So hear my voice, hear my cry, hear my heart. I want to be one with You.’ Oh my brethren, what noble sentiments and desires! Sentiments and desires that all true Christians should have deeply embedded in our DNA! And in the Lord’s mysterious and wonderful way, the song also reflects the sentiments of our Bit. ‘O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear (tremble) before him all the earth.’ Yes my people, it’s a universal call to praise God, for the whole earth to submit to His sovereignty, His glorious majesty, His kingship. And why is that eh? Why does the Lord deserve these accolades? The psalmist kindly enlightens us. ‘For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.’ (Ps.96:4-6) Oh Friends, those are most excellent reasons to praise our great God! And when you add His care and LOVING-kindness towards His mortal creations, that includes sacrificing the life of His sinless Son Jesus so we could be redeemed and be reconciled to Him, I don’t know how you can do anything else but give Him endless praise and bow down and worship Him in all reverence and truth. As the psalmist continues, we ought to: ‘Give (ascribe) unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give (ascribe) unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him all the earth. Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established (is firmly established) that it shall not be moved (shaken): he shall judge the people righteously.’ (Ps.96:7-10) So my fellow believers, let’s all go out today and be veritable mirror images of Christ nuh; going about doing good, spreading the good news of the gospel, and singing sweet praises to Almighty God. That’s why we were created. Much LOVE!…oh what sweet songs of praise…the name of Jesus…brings to my voice and my soul…