SCRIP-BITS

Oh friends, today is both Valentine's day and Ash Wednesday, a day we give over to LOVE, and the Lenten season we give over to prayer, fasting and purging of our souls and spirits. Holiness and sacrifices are expected in these forty days of soul searching. And it's not easy, but it's a time when we contemplate the tenets of our faith and how we are personally fulfilling them. There's no need to beat ourselves up, if we're not doing as well as we ought to, or think we should. No! What we need to do is go to our heavenly Father in all sincerity and truth and talk to Him about what we consider our shortcomings. And He will mercifully and graciously show us what to do. There's no need to be afraid; just open our hearts and lay it all before the Lord! Much LOVE!

Life's not a bed of roses, but with jesus leading us, it can certainly be worthwhile and interesting. However, we need to truly receive Him as Lord and Saviour and then put Him first place in our lives, while living the humble, LOVING and compassionate way that He lived while here on earth. It's imperative that we follow His example of obedience, humility and generosity, if we want to give others a true picture of our Saviour. Much LOVE!

The world provides many amenities and opportunities, but we have to work for most of them! That's the only way we will ever enjoy the good things of life. And sadly, our society today is tending towards laziness and slothfulness, with many not wanting to work, but yet expecting to live the good life. That's irresponsible my people, for the Lord made us to work, to be productive and fruitful in the purpose and time for which He appointed and anointed us. Thus we believers are expected to improve things, to stop the droves of people who are leaving the church, and instead live a life that will encourage them to seek Jesus and the things of God. And if we are not doing that, then we are failing in our duties in this time and place! Now, that's not good or wise, so please let's get serious and start living sincerely for Christ, so that we can turn things around and thus fulfill our godly purpose! Much LOVE!

The world gives us big dreams and tells us we can do whatever we want, but that's not the whole truth. We can do only so much in our own strength, and to do really great and big things, it's oh so necessary to have Jesus walking with us and sincerely and safely holding our hands and guiding us as we try to navigate these stormy times of life. We cannot live the abundant life without Jesus. For regardless of how much material wealth and power we possess, if Jesus is not involved in every area and aspect of our lives, we'll still be unhappy and rudderless. That's because the Lord's reserved a special place in our souls for Himself, and until He fills that with His awesome presence, a human being will never be satisficed with his lot in life! Much LOVE!

God doesn't ask very much of us, but the most important thing is that we LOVE Him, the way He LOVES us. And there's no doubt that He LOVES us because He sent His only Son Jesus to die on the cross to save us. And if that isn't LOVE, then I don't know what is! And the only way we will ever get to heaven is by showing sincere LOVE in our hearts for God, ourselves and our neighbours as the two great commandments dictate. And believe me, LOVE is so much easier to apply than hate, and it also brings greater rewards, both here on earth and in heaven later on. So, for our own good, and the good of all those around us, please, let's decide to practice LOVE; for it's the most important thing in this world. Much LOVE!

Oh friends, life is tough at it's best, but when we believe in Almighty God, then we have His promises to fall back on. But we must believe that He is who He says He is, and that He will do whatever He promises, otherwise our faith is useless. What's the use in saying you believe then not accepting and trusting God's good promises for your life eh? You're just wasting your valuable time and God's. So please, let's up the level of our faith with true and sincere belief in ALL the promises of our great God, who can, and will keep everyone of them! That's what it means to be a true believer! Much LOVE!

Ah mih people, we all know that this world can be a lonely and discouraging place, that's why we need to first spend regular and intimate time with God, then have human friends, who value and desire us to improve enough, that they will spend valuable time with us, encouraging and uplifting us. Like the saying goes, iron sharpens iron. Likewise friends sharpen friends and that's the kind of friendships we need to seek out, not those who desire to use us or discourage us. Anyone who doesn't desire to see us improve, is not a friend. Drop them right away! Much LOVE!

In this world, we have two options, two voices to listen to; that of Jehovah God and that of Satan! But wisdom dictates that we listen to the voice of God because His words have the reward of salvation with eternal life and eternity with Him in heaven. However, Satan's voice only leads us to hellfire and damnation. Now, some of the stuff that Satan offers might seem better than what God offers, but with Satan, everything is just a facade, nothing's real. It's all lies, smoke and mirrors, and it deceives you into thinking that you're getting such good and real stuff, when you're not. So please, be wise and listen to, and obey the voice of God which speaks to us through His Holy Spirit that indwells us! Much LOVE!

We are not our own, for we were bought and paid for with the sinless blood of Jesus. That means we have a significant duty to live the way He desires us to live. And one of the many things He desires is praise for all He's done for us. It's strange though, how we praise and give thanks to the crooked politicians and unworthy celebrities who do absolutely nothing for us, but refuse to praise God who's saved out very souls from damnation and hellfire. It just goes to show where our true loyalty lies. But remember, there are consequences for not doing what we're supposed to do. And the hammer will eventually fall, and we'll pay the price for our disobedience, but it's so much wiser to obey than sacrifice. Much LOVE!

There's only one way to get Jesus as your Lord and Saviour; that's to believe in Him, in who He says He is, the Son of God, and that He came to earth to die to save your sinful soul! There's no other way! Therefore it's of the utmost importance that we truly believe and show it in the way we live. If we don't believe, then we're already condemned to spending eternity separated from God in the company of Satan. And I don't have to tell you that's a most unsatisfactory situation. So please, let's all get wise and believe nuh! It's the wisest decision we will ever make! Much LOVE!