Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 14
December 2011
Hi all,
Attached
herewith, please find a copy of my latest Daily Light Meditation in rhyme and
metre.
Today’s
Scriptures focus on praising the Lord. This is one aspect of Christian life today
we hear a lot about but seldom bother with.
Thirty
years ago it was different. There were a number of books written on this
subject. One of the most popular was called, “There’s Dynamite in Praise”. I’m
not sure who wrote it. When I scratch back in my memory box, I think it was Don
Gosset. But I may be wrong. The person who seemed to be leading this move of
God was “Merlyn Carothers” (Spelling may not be correct) A “catch phrase” from
those days was, “There are two times to praise the Lord. A) When you feel like
it and B) When you don’t.”
In
some respects, the praise movement “kick started” the “What you say is what you
get” movement. I was taught to praise the Lord continually and to start to
thank the Lord that I had received what I had asked Him for.
Those
were the days when we were taught never to make a negative confession. In
addition we were taught that to exercise faith we should repeat what we
believed over and over until it happened. The comment was, “Confession precedes
possession”. I remember doing this myself. Finally it became a sort of mantra.
In the end I got what I wanted. But there were unfortunate ramifications that
were associated with it. The expression is “Leanness of soul” an alternative
translation to “a wasting disease” quoted in the Psalm 106. 14 In the desert they gave in to their craving; in the
wilderness they put God to the test. 15 So he gave them what
they asked for, but sent a wasting disease among them. Psalm 106:14-15 TNIV
There
are times when God will grant you your request only because you continually
“belly-ached” for it. The best example is King Saul. The people wanted a king
so they could be like other nations. In the end it seems that God said to them,
“You want a king? You got one! Try this one for size” That’s the Scriptural principle.
There
was another teaching which appeared to contradict the “confession technique”.
The teaching was that if you asked God twice for the same thing, you were
exercising unbelief. In my opinion this is just as bad as inventing a mantra to
get what you wanted. What Phyllida and I have found is that God requires truth
from His children. Not superstition or manipulative tactics designed to get God
to give you something.
For
today’s meditation I thought it was time for a change. So I put together 2 “Jim
style” sonnets. One asks the question, when is it the right time to praise the
Lord. Springing out of this, is a second “Jim style” sonnet which asks the
question raised by many unbelievers. They say God is a myth. So I’ve tried to
identify with this comment and have written accordingly.
TIME
TO PRAISE THE LORD
The time for Christians to praise the
Lord.
Is not something that can be written down.
How can we state when God should be
adored.
Or think a time of day would make Him
frown?
For praise is not just singing a few
words.
It cannot be a system men design.
It isn’t what we do which makes us heard.
He makes Himself available each time,
To even think He doesn’t is absurd.
The best time is when life seems far too
tough.
He knows precisely all that has occurred.
And how we try to cope when things are
rough.
But if we praise Him through the thick and
thin,
You’ll find He always causes us to win!
Jim Strickland – written 14th December 2011
-oOo-
Thank You Lord for all You’ve caused to
be;
There’s nothing man can handle on his own.
So each time You act, Your Majesty
Is magnified and all Your glory shown!
Why is it that we lose our trust in You,
When we cannot tell you are around?
Is there something that we fail to do,
That makes us think Your presence can’t be
found?
Many think that You are just a myth.
Why is it that the God Who reigns on high,
Tolerates and seems to put up with
Silly people? Men who have to die!
None of us can answer. How can we?
None of us possess Thy Deity!
Jim Strickland – written 14th December 2011
-oOo-
