Hebrews 6:15. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Ah Friends, many of you experienced the strange weather patterns of yesterday and today, where the Eastern half of North America’s snow belt had vicious snow and rain storms with powerful winds, while the Western half that’s usually colder, basked in enviable, record breaking summer weather. Luckily my area only got rain and strong winds, though places not far to the north of me saw several inches of snow hit the turf. And yet we dispute the stark evidence of changed, screwed up, unusual weather patterns. It’s not even so much a matter of whom or what’s causing it, but a simple admission that it’s changing. When we have spring in February, summer in March and winter in late April, something’s certainly changed. I guess those who have vested interest in the status quo are refusing to see the forest for the trees, because once they admit that significant changes are indeed happening, they’ll be forced to consider why, which could cost them serious coin. Anyway Friends, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize that weather patterns are changing, for it’s doing so all over the world, and for a variety of reasons, emanating from both God and man; where we’re abusing the environment, and God’s laying some licks on us for our gross disobedience. And though as individuals, we can’t do much to sway the powers that be, my fellow believers, as a cohesive and vocal group we can certainly make our voices heard and our votes count. Our world is in such a mess, in all aspects, and getting worse every day, that it will take a lot of collective effort to straighten it out. And you know that it’s us, Jesus’ people, who will have to do it, since Lucifer and his evil cohorts like it the way it is; evil, ungodly and destructive. Sadly though, it’s our children and their offspring who will suffer the most if things don’t change for the better soon. Friends, we have to get serious and work tirelessly in our own little sphere to bring God and some sense of a respectable society back into fashion. They say fashion changes over time, well it’s time the fashion of ungodliness and evil enveloping our world be changed back to godliness and goodness. And it won’t be easy my people. But you know that working in tandem with God, all things are possible, so it’s up to us to get started, because God is always there, waiting for us to sincerely ask for His help. The main question though is, are we ready, willing and able to take up our crosses and follow Jesus? Are we ready to live our Bit? ‘And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.’ Yes Friends, are we willing to patiently suffer the host of frustrations and indignities possible in such a fight, as Jesus did? Now riddle I this, riddle I that, this scripture: ‘For this is thankworthy (commendable), if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted (beaten) for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with (commendable before) God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.’ (1 Pet.2:19-21) Ah mih Christian people, are we willing to suffer when we’ve done right, like Jesus did? That’s the million- dollar question we must ask ourselves. And the answer needs to be a resounding ‘YES,’ if we’re to successfully turn things around! Listen to this passage from James re faith and humility. ‘My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (various trials); Knowing this, that the trying (testing) of your faith worketh (produces) patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire (complete), wanting (lacking) nothing.’ (James 1:2-4) Having read that, can we consider our trials and tribulations, our testing, as joyful? It’s hard, but we can, with strong and steadfast faith, for to true and serious believers, suffering brings patience. To some though, trials will bring bitterness, because the natural reaction is to try and escape them, however God uses them to mature us and make us more Christ-like. Ah Friends, it’s indeed a rough row we have to hoe to bring about godly change in our ungodly world, but the same way it changed over the last forty or so years from godly to ungodly, it can also be changed back. But it needs a lot of backbone and belly from us believers. And I’ll leave us with these encouraging words of Bruh Paul to ponder on, re fighting the good fight of faith. He’s just finished warning Timothy about the dangers of worldly living, including the dangerous desire to idolize money. ‘But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, LOVE, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed (confessed) a good profession (confession) before many witnesses.’ (1 Tim.6:11-12) That wise advice pertains to us even more today than back then my people! So please, let’s consciously accept it and put it into action nuh; first in our own lives, then hopefully in those around us. It’s the only way serious, sensible, godly improvement will ever occur in our misguided and troubled world. Much LOVE!…when true believers get together in Jesus’ name…godly changes are inevitable…
SCRIP-BITS 