NOTES ON PROSPERITY

When looking in the Bible, in Genesis we note,

The story about Joseph and his multi-coloured coat.

The tale is so familiar. They sold him as a slave;

They didn’t like his visions; so stick him in the grave;

They packed him off to Egypt. He’d bother them no more.

But in their getting rid of him, there was a fatal flaw.

For Joseph was a righteous man. This fact they overlooked.

So when they went to Egypt, they found their goose was cooked.

The Lord had raised up Joseph to be “master” of the land.

For Pharaoh had appointed him to stand at his right hand.

The story sounds preposterous; we know that it is true.

It illustrates God’s blessings and just what He can do.

From slave to the Prime Minister all in a single day!

It’s only God Almighty Who can operate this way!

Prosperity from poverty. That is the strangest thought.

A multimillion billionaire who started off with naught!

This is the fruit of righteousness. A gift the Lord imparts,

To those who follow after Him. It’s where His blessing starts.

But notice the requirement that brings to us success.

A very small four letter word which Father God will bless.

It doesn’t come through idleness; It never is a perk.

It’s something most of us don’t like – a little thing called work!

It isn’t very popular. Not in this “instant” age.

It comes by being diligent; a well done, hard earned wage.

When it’s combined with righteousness and honouring the Lord;

If you will just delight in Him, you’ll find He will afford.

The things your heart desires. This is His recipe

For Him to make the noonday sun shine on you brilliantly!

For if you put His Kingdom first in all you say and do.

You’ll find His many blessings in hot pursuit of you!

If you keep His commandments in each and every way,

You’ll find His blessings multiply and reach you every day.

A Godly life will please Him and you will be at peace,

With all your friends and neighbours and all your wars will cease.

But when it has all happened, and you have settled down,

Remember all that you received. The Lord God handed down

The substance you’re enjoying. So don’t forget His name.

Remember God Almighty and whence your blessings came.

Jim Strickland – written  Wednesday, 08 June 2011

THE MEANING OF LOVE

The hardest thing to understand on this side of the grave

Is what is meant when we say “love” and how can this love save?

We must go back to basics and look at it God’s way.

It hasn’t been invented nor dreamed up yesterday.

We know it’s not a feeling for that would be too trite.

It must be something special for morning, noon and night.

It can’t be an emotion for that’s the way we feel.

It has to be more tangible and absolutely real.

It must be something permanent. It mustn’t come and go.

A very special quality that when it’s there, we know.

It can’t be merely sexual though sex does play a part.

But sex is quickly gratified and shouldn’t stop and start.

It has to be eternal; a Quality God made;

A “thing” that, when it’s taken on, will never ever fade.

We cannot “love” our breakfast, for food will be destroyed.

It cannot be a feeling like when we feel “annoyed”.

It cannot be a motor car. Such “things” are bound to rust.

And even giant mountains will someday turn to dust.

So where is there a meaning? How do we know it’s “there”?

The Bible gives the secret; it’s deep in God somewhere.

It doesn’t say He’s loving; it tells us He is love.

This takes us to the Spirit world in Heaven High above.

It must be a commitment that He will never break.

It has to be a way of life that He will not forsake.

It has to be an action that lasts eternally.

For time can make no influence on what God said will be.

It really doesn’t matter how other folk respond,

The love of God continues above and far beyond

Our human limitations. It truly has no end.

It’s something that we give away; it’s not something we lend.

It’s something the Lord Jesus came to earth to do

And even when they tortured Him and beat Him black and blue;

In spite of crucifixion. With every word He spoke,

He showed us all the way to love and proved it was no joke.

That’s why in first Corinthians from verse one to the end,

Paul spoke about the love of God and taught us to depend,

Not on imperfect feelings but as a way of life.

That’s changeless and unwavering as man should love his wife.

For as we give our lives away for our dear marriage mate;

And swear that we will care for her beyond our dying date,

We start to see what Jesus meant when He came down to earth.

To give us all another chance; to find a second birth.

No matter just how bad we’ve been or how we’ve turned away.

Consistently to change us all to be with Him one day.

Jim Strickland – written Tuesday, 07 June 2011