SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, a few days ago I listened to two sermons on the T.V. One pastor I usually watch, the other, I just happened to tune in by chance, or through the Spirit’s guidance. But what struck me is that both of them were preaching on faith, and more to the point, the expectancy aspect of our faith. It’s clear that both pastors feel that believers have faith, and pray in faith, but lack the final piece of the puzzle; the expectation, the expectancy that God will answer their prayers. And after thinking about it, I came to the same conclusion, for if we look around, include ourselves, we’ll see a whole lot of supposedly faithful, praying, but yet unhappy Christians, because their prayers are not being answered. Why is that eh? Possibly because we’re not doing as James says: ‘But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not doubting). For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:6-8) Yes Friends, we have to ask in sure faith, not doubting, then expect to receive it. Granted, Jesus said: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’ (Matt.7:7) But He was also more specific later on: ‘And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, BELIEVING, ye shall receive it.’ (Matt.21:22) And that seems to be the fly in the Christian ointment my people; that word ‘BELIEVING.’ We have to believe that we’ll get what we ask for, provided it aligns with God’s Word and Will, because if we don’t see us receiving our prayer requests through our eyes of faith, then both our faith and prayers are worthless. As Bruh Paul said to the Romans: ‘For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience (perseverance) (eagerly) wait for it.’ (Rom.8:24-25) And the operative words there my brethren are ‘patience and eagerly.’ We have to wait patiently, keep persevering, until the Lord judges that the time is right to grant our requests. But we also have to wait with enthusiasm and eagerness, like children looking forward to gifts on Christmas Day, with great anticipation and hearts full of joy. That’s how true believers are expected to behave, not the joyless, cynical, unenthusiastic plodders that so many of us have become. No my people, our God wants us to be bold and brave, exuding confidence, full of joy and anticipation while waiting on Him! That’s why I’m targeting 2012 for an overwhelming increase in passion, fire, joy, peace, contentment and unconditional LOVE in the Christian movement, starting with our Scrip-Bit Family. I want us to get that reformation going in our hearts and souls, and then spread it around the world, hopefully like wildfire. (smile) Seriously though Friends, 2012 has to be a year of epiphany, of understanding, of enlightenment, of new beginnings, of arousal, of urgency in our Christian walk, otherwise we’ll just keep falling behind the 8 ball, and the enemy will continue to be predominant. Is that what we want? Is that the way we intend to repay Jesus for His enormous sacrifice on our behalf? I certainly hope not. Then let’s get that fire and passion burning in our bellies and go out there and do Jesus’ work nuh! The long and short of the story my brethren is that the iniquity workers are just a happier bunch of people than we supposed believers, though we have so much more promised to us by our great and wonderful God. They seem to enjoy their work more than we do, and until that changes, believers will always be bottom feeders. That means Jesus’ selfless sacrifice is being wasted. What a shame mih bredden! But let’s see if I can stir us up, rekindle some of that fire and passion, with some words of encouragement, promise and urgency from Bruh David, beginning with our Bit: ‘My soul, (silently) wait thou only upon God: for my expectation (hope) is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved (shaken). In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.’ (Ps.62:5-8) Oh Friends, with such wonderful promises filling our spirits, how can we not be cheerful, upbeat, enthusiastic and overjoyed in serving our God eh? And all God’s people joyfully shouted: ‘Glory Hallelujah! Great and most worthy to be praised is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!’ And on that joyous, praiseworthy note my people, let’s go out into the evil world and work diligently, faithfully and expectantly in Jesus’ name nuh. That’s all He asks of us; precious little compared to what he’s done for us. Much LOVE!…and the annals of history will show…that 2012…marked the start of the 2^nd Reformation…the resurgence of Christianity…of Christ…as the world’s spiritual Leader…