enter into the kingdom of heaven

James 3:18. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Then it was Tuesday…and all the hoopla over Remembrance Day is over, and we put the dead and the remaining few veterans back into their box for another year. And as one commentator said, sadly, every year the remembrances get a li’l less significant. He remembers the celebrations being much bigger and better attended in earlier years. But I guess that’s life; as more of us who lived during the wars die out, and our History is not being properly and correctly taught in our schools, fewer people will pay attention to those kinds of celebrations, and thus they will become less important as time goes by.

But be that as it may, this morning I want to share an interesting comment from the ‘Consider This’ Section of this month’s InTouch Devotional. Please read with me: ‘When believers use the word ‘desire,’ it’s often negative. We use it to describe being consumed by lust, envy, greed, or other insatiable longings. But that’s only half the picture. Desires can also be good. When you feel the urge to celebrate a friend’s accomplishment, long to pursue a God-given dream, or can’t stop thinking about a person you LOVE, lean into that yearning.

Those are feelings God wants us to experience. So, the next time you desire something, take the opportunity to pause. Prayerfully ask yourself what about the desire might be Christlike and what isn’t. When the Holy Spirit is living inside you, you become a dwelling place for good things. And those longings – the ones that bring heaven to earth – are worth nourishing.’

Yes friends, anything that brings heaven to earth is worth nourishing and encouraging! For as Jesus said in the prayer we call The Lord’s Prayer – ‘Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.’ (Matt. 6:10)

Oh my people, we are intended and expected to replicate whatever happens in heaven as much as possible on this earth. That’s why we lay up treasures for ourselves in heaven, and not on earth. (Matt. 6:19-21) Why we seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first before anything else on earth. (Matt; 6:33) Why we think about good and heavenly things as much as possible.

That’s why Bruh Paul encourages the Philippians and consequently us: ‘Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest (noble), whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise (anything praiseworthy), think (meditate) on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.’ (Phil. 4:8-9)

That’s invaluable information my fellow believers. To keep God’s peace, we need to occupy our minds with the right thoughts, and busy ourselves with the right activities. And I like how this commentary explains those verses. It says: ‘The point of this passage is that we focus our attention on those things that reflect God’s character and on those things that come from Him. God wants us to fill our minds with the truth and to contemplate those things that are right.’ And that’s the only way we can be and remain godly in this evil filled world!

And James, in his epistle, explains it thus: ‘But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts (self-seeking exist), glory not (do not boast), and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish (demonic). For where envying and strife is (self-seeking exist), there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated (willing to yield), full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.’ (James 3:14-18)

That obviously tells us that most of the stuff that’s currently going on in our world is certainly not from heaven or God-centered, because it’s overly filled with those things James mentioned as not being good, namely, strife, envying, confusion, earthly sensuality and demonic schemes that lead to evil doings.

That also reminds us of these words form Bruh Paul to the Philippians. ‘And this I pray, that your LOVE may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement (discernment); That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.’ (Phil. 1:9-11)

Ah friends our earthly journey is supposed to be all about, LOVE, peace, goodness, and righteousness. As Isaiah writes on the Effects of Righteousness. ‘Then judgement shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.’ (Is. 32:16-17) So please, let’s get our lives straight and begin seriously seeking those things that be of God, and not those that be of man and this evil, demonic world.

And these words of Jesus ought to light a fire under us. ‘For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case (by no means) enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matt. 5:20) Now, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel.

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’

And having said that, we are now obligated to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…blessed are they…which are persecuted for righteousness sake…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… (Matt. 5:10)

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Matthew 7:20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Come on my people, it’s Monday morning, the start of a brand new workweek, so let’s get up and get going! Time to join the battle against the infidel, and our Leader and Saviour Jesus Christ is already at the front waiting on us. So please let’s not keep Him waiting any longer than is necessary.

And if you’re tired, lazy and out of sorts this Monday morning, it’s your own fault. You knew that the battle would be joined early o’clock, but you just didn’t prepare yourself properly.

Now that’s definitely not the mark of any good and faithful soldier, much less one of Jesus’ army, fighting the most important fight in the universe against the powers of evil and darkness. That sort of slackness, of unpreparedness is definitely not becoming, and will not be tolerated amongst the followers of Jesus.

And now that I’ve railed at us, given us the management spiel, (smile) let’s see if we can do something about our tardiness and lack of enthusiasm by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty zest.

As one harmonious choir now. ‘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!’

Oh Friends, that wasn’t bad, but we’ve surely done better. And though our choirmaster, Jesus, wasn’t displeased, He would have appreciated a much better showing. So to make up for that, let’s get out there and rail against the enemy, bombard them with the good news of the gospel of Jesus and thus enable them to see the true Light and the only Way to salvation and eternal life.

And remember what we were talking about yesterday? Re Jesus’ warnings about false prophets and entering through the narrow gate, and by their fruits you shall know them? Well today we’ll continue with that topic, headed by the same Bit. ‘Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.’

Yes Friends, that’s ever so true; by their fruits we shall know the good and true ones from the corrupt and evil wolves masquerading in sheep’s clothing.

As Luke so nicely puts it: ‘A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.’ (Luke 6:45) Oh my people, what indisputable truth!

So my brethren it will be definitely in our best interest if we plead to the Lord, like Bruh David did when Nathan castigated him for his adulterous ad murderous liaison with Bathsheba. ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right (steadfast) spirit within me.’ (Ps.51:10)

And we should also pay particular attention to Jesus’ words after the Bit. ‘Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils (demons)? and in thy name done many wonderful works (miracles)? And then will I profess unto them; I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’ (Matt.7:21-23)

Oh Friends, oh Friends, please remember the broad way that leads to destruction, and the narrow gate that opens unto the difficult road to heaven, which only a few find. (Matt.7:13-14)

Now listen to the scholars. ‘7:21-23. Not everyone professing Christ is genuinely saved. Even the outward verbal acknowledgement of His lordship is in itself not enough to save the unbeliever apart from true repentance and faith. A genuinely saved person is one that doeth the will of my Father, the Greek present tense suggesting that he is continually living in obedience to the will of God as the normal course of his life.’

I can’t put it any clearer and truer than that my brethren. If we want to enjoy salvation and eternal life with Jesus, then we have to make the sacrifice, forsake the evil things of this world and be obedient to His will, just like He was obedient to the Father’s will and sacrificed His holy and sinless life for us.

In the long run Friends, it all boils down to an individual decision to have a meaningful relationship with Jesus or not. Just remember that there are always consequences for disobedience. Much LOVE!

…so the last shall be first…and the first last…for many are called…but few are chosen… (Matt.20:16)

SCRIP-BITS

Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 September 2015 Matthew 7:20

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