SCRIP-BITS

Hebrews 6:15.       And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
 
Oh Friends, it’s a wonderful morning, with all those new mercies and blessings pouring down like rain from heaven on us! Do you feel them? I sure do! So much so that ‘I’ve got a joy deep down inside of me that makes me want to shout how good God is to me!’ Wow! That’s the way all believers ought to feel my people! Those words are the chorus of a reggae song I heard last night, and though I think I’ve shared it with you before, the feeling is so right that I felt compelled to share it again. Yuh know, we talk constantly about the joy of living in and for Christ, but not enough of His followers actually experience it and then show it to an evil, ungodly, unfriendly world. Too many of us Christians go about looking sad and miserable, as though we’ve lost our best friend, instead of being joyful that we’ve found our Best Friend, Jesus, who sacrificed His sinless life for us, and promised never to leave or forsake us. Remember His words to His disciples: Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ (John 15:13) Well that’s what He did, and thus considers as friends, all who believe in Him. Consequently, the problems of the world should never be too big to hide, to conceal, or destroy the well-being and wonderful future that faithfully living for Jesus provides. We know it’s not an easy path to tread; one filled with numerous potholes and dangers lurking around every bend. But as our Bit says: ‘And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.’ Oh my brethren, that’s a guarantee which applies to all staunch believers, from Father Abraham, through Jesus, right up to us today and those to come! If we stand steadfast, strong and true, trusting and believing in Jesus and His Word, then regardless of what calamity we encounter, we will be well rewarded in the end. We know that no great thing can be accomplished without some failure and heartache, but if one perseveres, instead of quickly giving up, then eventually our efforts usually meet with success. The same goes for the Christian life my Friends. Living for Jesus is a great and worthwhile endeavour, but it also means there will be bumps of various sizes along the way. But with Jesus’ help, we can surely overcome them. Hear this apt scripture of Bruh Paul to the Thessalonians, re encouragement in persecution. ‘We are bound to thank God always for you brethren, as it is meet (fitting), because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity (LOVE) of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; so that we ourselves glory in (boast of) you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure; Which is a manifest token (plain evidence) of the righteous judgement of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense (repay with) tribulation to them that trouble you.’ (2 Thess.1:3-6) Yes Friends, that’s the kind of witness believers must be prepared to undergo for Christ’s sake. Remember what He suffered on our behalf, and also that we can never repay Him. In fact He doesn’t desire repayment, just a little thanks and gratitude, shown by our behaviour towards Him and each other. Now listen to this scripture of Bruh Paul to the Colossians, where he’s talking about prayer for spiritual wisdom. ‘For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (qualified us to) be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in (the) light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated (transferred) us into the kingdom of his dear Son (the Son of His LOVE):’ (Col.1:9-13) Oh my people, are we sincerely working towards and praying for those godly attributes? We surely should, because it’s noted again where believers ought to suffer trials with patience and joy. Jesus did it, and though we’re not in His class, we can all try to attain to a high standard in that respect. And we’ll close off this series of Bits on patience and all its variants with some thoughtful and encouraging words from James, re patience in affliction. ‘Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman (farmer) waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish (establish) your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh (has come near)….Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy (blessed) which endure. Ye have heard of the patience (perseverance) of Job, and have seen the end of (intended by) the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful (compassionate), and of tender mercy.’ (James 5:7-8,10-11) Yes Friends, let’s get out into this wicked, ungodly world and show them that Jesus’ people are made of sterner stuff than them, and that we can handle anything they throw at us, because we have our Lord, Saviour, Master and glorious Advocate, Jesus, working for and protecting us! Much LOVE!…if you’re not in sync with Jesus…then you’re easy pickings for Lucifer…