SCRIP-BITS

Acts 1:5.   For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Oh Friends, it’s Monday, that faithful day when we serfs have to go back out into the evil, cruel, ungodly world and labour for massa! Luckily though, not for all those in the U.S of A, where they are celebrating Memorial Day, supposedly in honour of those who died in the service of their country. That’s good and honourable, but in the meanwhile, why are those who are still alive, the veterans, especially the lame and maimed ones, celebrated on Veterans Day, suffering so much eh? Why do so many of them lack jobs, proper health care, proper pensions, while plenty families of those same heroes who died for the cause are also suffering so much want and deprivation? And the same thing is happening up here in good, upstanding Canada; the veterans are being shafted left, right and centre. Oh what a rotten and disgusting society we’ve become, with the seniors who built these countries on their sweat and blood, and the veterans who fought to protect our way of life, being systematically and callously cast aside by the greedy, uncaring, unscrupulous, corrupt politicians and warmongers! There should be a law entailing that in any war, the families and friends of the politicos and warmongers are the first to be sent to the front lines. That would soon stop the many useless, wasteful wars. However, that’s a debate for another time and place. Right now, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to put us into the right frame of mind to go out and labour. All together now, with much verve and panache: (smile) ‘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!’ And now that we’re suitably energized by the Holy Spirit, let me apologize for a shortcoming yesterday. Unfortunately, it was only after I’d sent out the Bit, I realized that it was the Day of Pentecost, one of the most important days in the Christian Heritage, that awesome and memorable day, fifty days after Christ’s Resurrection, when the Holy Spirit was sent to dwell in individual believers. And though we didn’t mention Pentecost specifically, we did talk about the wonderful, gentle, kind and hardworking Holy Sprit that was introduced on that day. That brings us to our Bit; the fateful words of Jesus: ‘For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.’ And as all God’s promises, it was faithfully fulfilled some fifty days later at Pentecost. Wow! And as I keep saying, there’s no better scriptwriter, producer or director than our marvellous God. Just check out the scene He devised and orchestrated for the original coming of His Holy Spirit as a universal Helpmeet to all believers. The Good Book describes it thus: ‘And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they (the disciples) were all with one accord (purpose or mind) in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven (divided) tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad (sound occurred), the multitude came together, and were confounded (confused), because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue (language or dialect), wherein we were born?’ (Acts 2:1-8) The answer’s simple Friends: through the awesome power of the Holy Spirit! But can you imagine the noisy, raucous reaction to hearing those uneducated, low social class Galileans speaking in so many different languages. Some even said that the disciples were drunk, until Peter stood up and explained, preached one of the most memorable sermons in the annals of Christianity, which we don’t have time or space for, but which you can and should read in Acts 2:14-47. Oh Friends, the ole fella’s excited! There’s so much stuff I want to share with you about the Holy Spirit, but not today. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s Bit! I might just get confused with so much info though. (smile) Anyway, that’s enough for today, and the homework is to ponder the operation of the Holy Spirit in our individual lives, whether we’re letting it lead and guide us along the right paths. And if not, why not? Till we talk again down here on earth, if the Lord so desires, please walk under the guidance and leadership of the ever true and faithful Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. Much LOVE!…oh where He leads me I will follow…the Spirit’s guidance will I always heed…cause He’s been sent…to fulfill my every need…