Today
is the first day of 2012, So let me commence by asking the Lord to bless you, family
and friends in 2012.
Some
phrases in the English language become “hackneyed” with age. The same is true
in Scriptural language. Please don’t think I’m being irreverent when I say that
I am more than mildly irritated when I am present at a prayer meeting; or any
other gathering of Christians when I hear the phrase, Where
two or three people meet together in my name, I am there with them."
I’ve heard it so often that I rather suspect it’s become a sort of Christian
“mantra” that we need to hear but don’t really believe. In a sense it’s as
though people are saying, “Jesus is with us, but don’t expect anything to
happen”.
I
suspect this frustration comes from my school days at Marist Brothers. There
were regular brief interruptions for prayer throughout the day; every hour on
the hour. But habit had taken the meaning out of the prayers. So we said the words
before we could get on with the class. Great if you love ritual. But if you
want to put your heart and soul into prayer, find a better method. For the sake
of clarification, look at the way the Message expresses the words, 19
When two of you get together on anything at all on
earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. 20
And when two or three of you are together because
of me, you can be sure that I'll be there." Mat 18:19-20 MSG. I find nothing in these words to suggest that
Jesus’ sole purpose is to answer the prayers of those who are praying.
One
of the phrases in English which I find equally disturbing is, “The longest
journey begins with a single step.” If ever words were strung together to
discourage people they are these words. I wonder if Hudson Taylor or Gladys
Aislewood pondered this phrase? How about Paul, Peter or any of the church
fathers?
Today
we are setting off on a one year journey to follow the Daily Light Evening
Scriptures. The journey will take 366 days (Leap year) Let’s not think of this
as a chore to be undertaken. Let’s see it as a breathtaking journey into the
heart of God. Each day should be a pleasure. It will be if that’s what we
decide.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland.
The Lord of Life
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As Moses said to Joshua, “Take courage and be strong.
For you will lead these people
as soon as I am gone.
Go take the land God’s given
them, divide and share it out.
The time has come for taking it.
That’s far beyond a doubt.
The Lord will go ahead of you
and grant you great success.
He won’t fail or abandon you,
His purpose is to bless,
The people He has chosen to be
His very own.
Just follow Him consistently and
do what He has shown.”
The words that Moses gave them, all still
apply today,
And Jesus says to all of us, here’s what we
must obey.
It’s not a time for slacking off; It’s not a
time to mope.
It’s not a time for thinking, that there’s no
future hope.
It’s time for looking forward and straining
for the prize.
For focusing on what the Lord has placed
before our eyes!
It’s time to seek the glory; the type the
Father gives.
The sort that is reflected by the way the
Master lives!
It’s taking on the suffering, the way that He
endured;
That when we trust in Jesus, our victory’s
ensured.
It’s having a deep knowledge, of all that He
has said.
It’s putting all our trust in Him, to whom
we’ll soon be wed.
It’s waiting for the day to come, when He’ll
return as judge.
To know this is a certainty from which we cannot
budge.
It’s grasping He will do it; That all will be
fulfilled.
That nothing can prevent it, for that is what
He’s willed.
It’s getting into training, so we can win the
crown.
It’s fully recognising we’ll wear His wedding
gown.
It’s fully understanding, His word will never
fail;
In spite of execution, or being thrown in
jail.
It’s truthfully discerning, the presence of
the saints.
Who’ve died and gone before us the way the
Bible states.
It’s listening to them cheering, as we go
running by,
Aware we will be with them the instant that we
die.
It’s looking unto Jesus; He is the only way!
Assured that He will take us, to be with Him
one day.
And as we move together, into our Promised
Land,
Be certain He will be with us to help us
understand,
That when the battle’s over, He’ll give us a
reward.
For being His disciple and making Him our
Lord.
Jim Strickland - written – 1st January 2012
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