Matthew 5:8. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
And before you know it, Monday has come around again… Chuh!
Yes Friends, it’s that wonderful day called Monday! Hn, hn!
And wonder of wonders, this morning while walking down the street, as I passed one house, a middle aged gentleman came out on to his front porch and surprised me by raising both arms, his head and eyes towards heaven and loudly declared: ‘Thank God it’s Monday, and I’m strong and healthy enough to go back out to work today and spread some joy and blessings amongst the great unwashed!’
Ah Friends, sadly, I hear the peals of laughter ringing out, not from the unbelievers, but from the supposed believers. Shame on you all! Because you’re not doing it, doesn’t mean that others aren’t. That attitude only shows that your faith is small!
No wonder Jesus constantly criticized the people of His day, by saying: ‘O ye of little faith.’ In the gospel of Matthew, He says it three times – Matt. 6:30; 8:26; 14:31. Today He most likely would have said it more often.
Remember Friends, we’re supposed to live by faith and not by sight. (2 Cor. 5:7) So if we don’t believe, don’t have faith that something good is happening, or going to happen, then how can we ever see it through to fruition eh? Unless you don’t think, want, or expect Christians to change their miserable Monday Morning behaviour.
Anyway, enough castigating and tongue lashing for today. (smile) Let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with much gusto, verve and vitality.
On the count of three; one, two, three: ‘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!’
That was a tremendous rendition my people! It had to be, because Jesus was singing along, snapping His fingers and tapping His feet, while the Father sat on His throne smiling, overjoyed to see His blessed Son happy with His people’s behaviour for a change.
Now that should wake us up, put us in the right frame of mind and give us the spiritual wherewithal to go out today and successfully do battle against the awful Beelzebub and his evil minions.
And some of our capability to do that is based, or comes in part because of our Bit: ‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.’ Yes Friends, when our hearts are right, then God flourishes in us!
And we’re continuing with this Beatitude because I have some scripture to share, re the second half; ‘for they shall see God.’
Now listen to this scripture from way back in time, when that ole scamp, that consummate smart-man, Jacob, wrestled with the angel and eventually got blessed.
The Good Book says: ‘And Jacob asked him (the angel), and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the place Peniel (lit. Face of God): for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.’ (Gen.32:29-30)
Ah mih breddren, who would have thought it eh? But that’s how our God operates; in mysterious ways, not using the obvious to do His will, but instead using those whom man considers useless and unfruitful to confound man. Remember His ways and thoughts are ever so much higher than ours! (Is.55:8-9)
And as you know, whenever possible, we like to end with the potent words of Jesus. Here, He’s talking about greatness, explaining that we have to be as pure, as trusting and humble as little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. And to end that section, He says: ‘Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt.18:10)
Oh my people, again we see the simplicity and straightforwardness of our heavenly Leader’s words. He keeps reading and spelling for us, so why is it so difficult to adhere to His commands eh? I don’t know, possibly because it’s just in our nature to be rebellious and disobedient.
And since He gave us freedom of choice, I guess we figure we have to use it in a negative light, just to prove that we can. But whatever the reason my people, turning away from our Creator, Controller and Provider is a fool’s wisdom!
Today therefore, please let’s seriously consider our relationship to Christ, and wisely try to improve it. For that’s truly, common sense and true wisdom. Much LOVE!
…just like a little child looks up to and trusts his earthly parents…even so should mankind look up to and trust our heavenly Father…for to know, know, know Him…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Him…
SCRIP-BITS 