THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

Twelve men were reclining in a circle on the floor. One had departed or there would have been one more. The leader, the epitome of confidence and peace; Although He knew for certain that His “life” would shortly cease. He knew what would be done to Him, but didn’t run away. The Pharisees and Romans would butcher Him that day. Then, when the meal was over, He would meet His destiny In a quiet olive grove they called Gethsemane. The time had come for them to leave and Jesus led the way. They visited the Temple for that’s where He would pray. The outer gates were covered with an ornamental vine, Suggesting that God’s people were all sons of the Divine. He looked at them and commented that none of it was true. “I am the vine” He stated. “And I am leaving you” I’m going to My Father, but you won’t be alone. I’m sending you a Comforter which you have never known. I’m leaving you empowered with a sense of inner peace. You’ll think that I’ve deserted you and ministry must cease. “Let not your hearts be troubled and be not filled with fear. I’m going to My Father; but My Spirit will come here.” They didn’t understand Him. He thought they sounded grieved. “At last it’s really happened. At last you have believed!” Then in the temple courtyard the Master knelt in prayer, Because He was the true High Priest, He needed to be there. He was interceding for the folk from every age; Asking for empowerment for the war that we must wage. And then in generosity He granted them His peace. Not the sort they knew about. That sort was soon to cease. It was a true security that none of them had known, But something deep inside of them that said, “You’re not alone” A peace that they had heard about; the one the Priests would pray; To bless the tribes of Israel a very special way. “Shalom” would overtake them; God’s face on them would shine. And they would know God’s blessing from the hand of the Divine. A peace that was more tangible in all they’d have to face. A knowing He was present and would bless them with His grace. And when this was completed, they carried on their way To gather in Gethsemane and meet His fate that day. Jim Strickland – written Sunday, 22 May 2011

PROGRESS

There is a concept in the world that Christianity,

   Is just for wimps and fearful folk who lack security.

They cannot stand up for themselves and need some form of crutch.

   They hide behind a Deity; the world does not need much.

We cannot change perceptions or what outsiders think.

   But we must also realise that there is just a chink

Of truth, in what they’re thinking, because we hide behind

   The walls of rigid thinking, erected in the mind!

We’ve more denominations than anyone can count.

   We take the people to a “church” instead of to the “fount”.

We teach the people “systems” instead of Christ the Lord.

   No wonder when outsiders look, they tell us they are bored.

There isn’t any relevance behind our self-made walls.

   Who cares what hypocrites will do inside our “sacred halls”?

We’ve missed what Paul was teaching. The Christian life is rough.

   This is a race we’re running in; the competition’s tough

We need to be in training. It’s known as discipline.

   There is no time to laze around, if we are out to win!

It isn’t shadowboxing. We have to be in trim.

   There isn’t an alternative if we would follow Him!

Jesus said take up your cross, each moment every day.

   He warned us not to look behind or we will lose our way.

Paul warned that even preachers could be disqualified.

   And that our Christian progress is ours to decide.

He told us of the armour that Christians need to wear.

   We’re in a mighty battle; not at the county fair.

We can’t resist the enemy unless we’re standing strong.

  For our corrupted nature will always get things wrong.

So let us be obedient and let God’s Spirit lead.

   We know that as we’re doing it, He’ll meet our every need;

And as we fight this battle, the heathen will observe

   That living as a Christian, takes guts and lots of nerve.

Let’s show them their perceptions are not what they have thought.

   That we are facing challenges like an Olympic sport.

And that we are succeeding not in our strength alone,

   But by the Spirit of the Lord. We’re never on our own!

And we will conquer giants; whatever demons bring.

   For Jesus is our trainer, our captain and our King.

Jim Strickland – written Friday 20^th May 2011.

NEW LIFE!

When we are discussing “life”, what is it that we mean? Perhaps a bit of DNA or something in our genes? Some people have stated it’s “the opposite of death”. And some refer to spirits, particularly “meths”. But what was it the Father has given to His Son, That the religious leaders had decided they should shun? We know the Father has it and Jesus has the same. And that we can receive it by the power of Jesu’s Name! But how is it identified? What is it that we see? How do we recognise it in folk like you and me? Let’s begin by saying you won’t find it in the lab. You cannot isolate it and place it on a slab. But when you have it in you, the world will know for sure That deep down in your spirit, there’s a presence that is pure. The face that once was sombre, will break into a smile. The way of life will change and have a very different style. The people whom he mixes with and wants to socialise, Will be a little different; more discerning and more wise. You’ll find that your not reticent and far more self assured. And through tough situations you will know you have endured. Your neighbours will take notice of the way you serve the Lord, Live within your income and buy things you can afford. Disinfect you’re tongue so that the words you speak are clean, Generous to others and not miserly and mean; Willing to help people and to go the extra mile; And when you are insulted, you turn to them and smile. You’ll be a supporter of righteousness and peace; A person of integrity, who’s joy will never cease. Someone who is different and stands out among the crowd. A person who is gentle and not arrogant or loud. Always is contented with the “lot” he has in life, Noticed by the way he loves his children and his wife! A person in relationship with Jesus Christ his King Who has become his treasure; worth more than everything. So what’s the definition of life upon the earth? Jesus’ description was to call it second birth. Nobody can own it; and no one can control, The energy that fills the man in spirit, mind and in soul. No, you can’t define it; and yet it can be seen. It isn’t in a test tube, but the consequence will mean, A change in the behaviour form what it was before; To something that’s so evident that no one can ignore. The difference is visible and plainly can be seen, Will show that Christ the Saviour has washed him squeaky clean!. Jim Strickland – written Wednesday 18th May 2011

TEN LIVING WORDS

They’re called the Ten Commandments: They are God’s Holy Law. We know we aught to keep them; that’s what they are there for. To break them makes us sinners. That’s how it’s always been. But could it just be possible we don’t know what they mean? I know we’ve always trembled. To break them makes us scared. So let us take another look and see how they’re compared. Our friends the Jewish people call them the ‘living words’; Operate within them and you’re free just like a bird. God put them there to caution us; a sort of boundary; If you will live within them, then you’ll be safe and free. But if you break just one of them then you have bust the lot. Perhaps we do not like them, but they are what we’ve got. A little illustration from the local harbour wall: - They put a signpost on it, with letters big and tall. They placed it on the farthest edge, beyond it is the sea. “Don’t park your car beyond this point” is stated poignantly. Another is the story of my daughter as a child. The oven had a hotplate and it would drive me wild. “Don’t touch that thing, you’ll burn yourself” I’d shout out my advice. And then one day she touched it. It wasn’t very nice! She really burned her fingers just as I said she would. And surely my instruction was made for her own good. So when she went and burned herself the fact is, she was warned. But it was my commandment my little girl had scorned. She did it to herself we say; and surely that is true. And that’s what God intended for folk like me and you. Don’t go beyond the limit; you’ll drive into the sea. Never touch the red hot plate and put the blame on Me. That’s why they call them “freedoms”. They’re there to keep us safe. They never were intended to irritate and chafe. But people in their thinking, including you and me, Accuse the Lord of limiting our precious liberty. I know we cannot keep them. We like to break God’s law. We brush aside our boundaries and say we must explore, The seamy side of living; and every time we do, We find ourselves in trouble. The problem’s me and you. We yearn to touch the hot plate although it’s glowing red. And what about adultery in someone else’s bed? We’d rather drive our motor car right off the harbour wall. And try and find someone to blame! Yes! Anyone at all! As Paul has placed on record, the laws of God are good. And if we try and keep them, we’re doing what we should. And here’s the very best part; in Jesus Christ we can! For He alone is Saviour. In fact He’s God made man! Jim Strickland – written Tuesday 17th May 2011

LIFE OR DEATH

The world that we are living in is one that thrives on death. It’s hard to think of anything that doesn’t live by breath. The mountains and the star that shine don’t seem to change at all. But one day they will crumble, will fade away and fall. The seasons we depend on like summer and the spring. Would no longer have value and will not change a thing. We could all talk with Abraham, with Adam and with Eve. I’m not sure where we all would live or what we could achieve. For if there is no dying, the flowers wouldn’t fade; No longer would the men have need to use a razor blade. The women would be beautiful but how would they give birth? There’d be no need for hospitals in any place on earth. The medical profession would be something of the past. Our shoes, our socks and clothing for ever more would last. And what about the butcher? What would we do for meat? It’s even problematic to know just what to eat. It couldn’t be from animals except perhaps for milk. And what about the silkworms? Where would we get our silk? Where would we get our compost? And what about manure? There would be no diseases for which to find a cure. We wouldn’t see a motor car for there would be no oil. And there would be no seedlings to plant into the soil. And what about the programs we watch on the TV? There wouldn’t be a predator for anyone to see. The sharks would have no victims. In fact there’d be no prey. There’d be no need for hunters. They’d throw their guns away. And what about the insects, the spiders and the snails? And what about the eagles? And what about the whales? Can you detect a problem when death has been destroyed? Please don’t let it offend you and do not be annoyed. The Lord would have to teach us to live a life that’s new. Instead of focusing on death, His Life will change our view. And many of the details that we have known before, We’d have to sort or fold them up and throw them out the door. Some folk will not be happy. They’ll yearn for what has gone; What Jesus Christ will do with them to help them carry on, Is more than I can comprehend. But I do know one thing. Our living will be centred round Jesus Christ our King. Jim Strickland - Sunday, 15 May 2011

CHALLENGES IN LIMERICKS

                2 Tim 4:16

The first time that they tried me,
My friends left me behind

Forgive I pray

Them for that day

To me Lord, they were blind

    -oOo-

Philip 3:10-11 NLT

I want to know Christ Jesus
and that power restoring breath

To die is gain

To share His pain

And rise with Him from death

 For ordinary living
Without the power of God,

Will always be,

Undoubtedly.

Six feet below the sod.

-oOo-

Mat 10:24-26 TNIV

The student and the teacher
the master and his slave.

Will get the blame

And suffer sham

Until they reach the grave

 

For if their Lord and Master
is called Lord of the Flies,

They’ll be appalled,

When they are called.

The “harbingers of lies”!

-oOo-

      Isaiah 53:3 NLT

Despised and rejected,
Of sorrows and of grief

They turned away

From Him that day

And none gave Him relief

-oOo-

Psalm 69:17-22 GW

O Lord I am in trouble.
Don’t hide Your Face from me.

Come to my aid,

I’ve been waylaid.

Restore my liberty. 

No person brought me comfort.
I looked and there was none.

I’m forced to dine

On poisoned wine.

And all my friends are gone.

-oOo-

         Mat 8:19-20

O teacher I will follow you
wherever you lead me.

Is that OK?

What do you say?

Your follower I’ll be.

Jesus replied you must decide;
I have no place of rest.

The fox sleeps tight

In holes each night

And birds sleep in their nests.

-oOo-

           Heb 13:14 GW

We’re looking for a city
That isn’t here below.

The God of love’s

Made it above.

Where change it will not know.

      -oOo-

Heb 12:1-2 NLT

Look at the crowd of people
Who are witnessing our race.

Strip off the weight

That militates

Against your fastest pace.

Keep looking unto Jesus
Who started and will close

Our lifelong chase

To end the race

No matter how life goes.

He is our faithful champion
Who sits at God’s right hand.

Our victory

Is sure to be

For that is what He’s planned.

-oOo-

Jim Strickland – written
Saturday, 14 May 2011