SCRIP-BITS

Spring is definitely a time of renewal, of refurbishment, when all things old and dead become new again. Just like when we accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we become a new creation. What a life-changing proposition that is my people! Glory to God!

But yuh know what Friends? Like any new thing, after a while the newness wears off. The same thing goes for being a new creation in Christ. After you’ve been a new creation for some time, the newness wears off, so you have to keep on renewing it by continually walking with Jesus, studying the Word and living obedient to God’s dictates.

And the way our society is set up, it seems like every Monday morning we need a boost, a renewal so that we can get the necessary strength, faith and courage to go out and labour and bring lost souls to Christ. And that’s what our Monday Morning Hymn is all about. So let’s sing it with great gusto this wet spring morning!

All together now: ‘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!’  

Now Friends, that rendition wasn’t bad, but it lacked the cohesiveness, the oneness and harmony that last week’s had. That’s because we went back to our old bad habits, being unfocussed and not paying close attention to Jesus, our eminent choirmaster. But the important thing is that our motors are idling smoothly, and the adrenalin’s running now, so we have the wherewithal to go out fight the good fight in Jesus’ name.

And our Bit is an erstwhile reminder of all that we’ve been saying. ‘Ye shall walk after (follow) the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto (hold fast to) him.’  

Ah mih breddren, those were the fateful words of Moses to the Israelites many eons ago, and though some may not like it, they still apply to us today. We can’t be true followers of God unless we have constant communion and fellowship with Him, which includes obeying His statutes, having a reverential awe of Him, and last but not least, holding on to Him for dear life, because if we let go of Him, we’ll be lost and most likely end up in Hades with the evil crook Lucifer. And that’s something we want to avoid at all costs.

So listen to Moses exhortation to the Israelites earlier on. ‘And now Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all thy ways, and to LOVE him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul. To keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good (benefit or welfare).’ (Deut.10:12-13)

Oh Friends, the Israelites were a stubborn, hard headed group and Moses had to be continually reminding them of their bounden duty. But unfortunately, though we have everything, including Jesus laid out on a silver platter for us, we’re still hard-headed and stubborn to this day, and need to be constantly reminded of our duty to God.

And please note the last words of that scripture passage; ‘for thy good.’ Yes my people, it’s for our benefit and welfare, not for God’s! So if we don’t follow it, whom do you thing will suffer the dire consequences of disobedience? We sinful, backsliding believers of course!

That’s why I don’t understand how some of us behave as though we’re doing God a favour by serving and worshipping Him. That’s absolutely wrong. All that God has said and done, right from the beginning of time was for our benefit. Please remember that and stop the foolish disobedience and bowing down to the worthless idols of this evil and sinful world.

Remember too that Jesus said: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33)

Yes Friends, our major goal should always be seeking and serving God! And if we do that faithfully, then He will give us all the material things that we need. That’s a faithful promise from an ever faithful God! And if we’re wise, we’ll do our best to follow His leading.

So my fellow believers, as we go out into the world of unbelief today, please let’s show them our wisdom in action nuh, by living for Jesus as best we can. That’s the only way to bring the unbelievers to Him, which is what He desires. Much LOVE!

…truly living for Jesus…is the greatest wisdom that exists…