FRIENDS OF GOD

It’s surely clear as crystal that God is with the strong. There never seems to be a word for those who get things wrong. I don’t think that it’s cowardice that God the Father hates. It’s those who can’t be bothered and leave things all to fate. He’s surely with the failures as much as with success. For failure can be turned around with Father God, to bless. It seems to be the sluggard that really gets His goat! It’s like He wants to catch the guy and grab Him by the throat. Of course, that is what people do. Thank God He’s not that way. So please no accusations ascribed to God. OK? I guess it is embarrassing to be the source of power, With people only wanting to turn away and cower. It must be a temptation to say “Grab a hold of this, I won’t let you go under. You certainly won’t miss” But we must be courageous and let Him undergird. We won’t be disappointed no matter what we’ve heard. It isn’t in God’s nature to tolerate a wimp. He’d rather you kept walking forever with a limp. This, if you can recall it, was rather like your dad. He laughed when you were laughing and cried when you were sad. Regardless of what happened he came and cheered you on. He put his arms around you when all your hope was gone. If that’s a human father then what about the Lord? He does at least as much for you as any can afford. He’s said He’ll never fail you. He’s always there to aid. He’ll watch you when you’re having fun, jump when you’re afraid. He’ll always be your helper. No matter what you do. Be confident that He is near to make His promise true. Perhaps you missed out college, because somebody died. Then He will qualify you if, in Him, you abide. He won’t ever tempt you. That’s what He’ll never do. The devil will try hard enough to take control of you. But he won’t be successful if you do what God says. He’ll come and will deliver you from Satan’s evil ways. He will not leave you all alone, to find your way ahead. Instead, He’ll be the light, to follow where you’re led. This is the Lord we’re serving. This is the God Who cares. Your life is safely in His hands; He’ll answer all your prayers. His face will shine upon you. He’ll drive away all fear. Just ask Him to befriend you; He always will be near. Jim Strickland – written Tuesday, 12 July 2011

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REPENTANCE

The secret of the Christian life is learning to repent. To start again with Jesus and go where you are sent. It isn’t very difficult if you decide to move. Other than the problem of jumping from the groove. But what is really wanted? It isn’t just regret. For that is being sorry for your going into debt. You’ve done a thing that’s nasty and hurt yourself real bad. And that is what’s regretted; because it’s made you sad. It’s also not remorseful for that does not apply, Except to other people and makes you wonder why, You’ve hurt another person, and that reflects on you. And you are just remorseful for all that you did do. And then there is repentance. This is the thing we need. It’s what we’ve done to Jesus by that very nasty deed. We know that we have hurt Him and we have made Him sore, Instead of bringing glory to the One Whom we adore. Repentance is the hardest thing that we can ever do. It represent a turnaround from what been hurting you. It’s going to the Master in sorrow and in pain, Vowing we will never do that silly thing again. It’s going to the Master with nothing in your hands, Trusting that the Saviour will truly understand, That what we have been doing is over dead and gone, So that we can start over and with the Lord be one. What will be God’s attitude whenever we repent? Will He send us packing or will He then relent? Will He take us back again and set us on our feet, Or will He still be angry with our arrogant deceit? We cannot guarantee it, but this one thing is true. God requires repentance in me as well as you. His mercy is still infinite. You won’t be turned away. He’ll take you in His arms again the way He did that day, When first we were committed to Him as Lord and King. If we have repented He’ll do the very thing, That we know is essential to all our future days. Exactly as it tells us in every Bible phrase. He’ll surely want to change you from perishable junk, Into the sort of Christian that no one can debunk. This is the way He wants us all to be with Him each day. There is no other method, alternative or way. Jim Strickland – written Monday, 11 July 2011

DISCIPLESHIP

What is a disciple? The Church should really know. But no one has been doing it since Oh so long ago. We look at one another and scratch our heads in shame. We know it’s His commandment. But who can play that game? “Go and make disciples” is what the Master said. Teach them what I’ve taught you; it is their daily bread. Those who’ve listened to you, and then have been baptised, Will be a generation that cannot be surprised. But making a disciple is not a simple task. It doesn’t happen quickly for it strips away the mask. It makes you vulnerable so other folk can see, That it takes time and effort and huge maturity. It’s not an instant product that happens overnight. It’s giving a commitment to keep within your sight The purpose you are seeking. It will not be diverted. It carries on for many years from when you were converted. Remember that a new born babe needs absolute attention. You cannot point it to the fridge; it doesn’t get a pension. You have to change it’s diapers each time that it is soiled. It has to have a discipline to stop it being spoiled. It needs to know it’s parents and do the things they say. It has to learn what it must do as day succeeds to day. You cannot simply take it and lay it on its bed. You have to give it nourishment to go where you are led. It has to learn the house rules. It has to sleep at night. You have to give it clothing and have to dress it right. This cannot be accomplished in a weekly dose of “church”. You cannot make it sit in rows. It has to learn to search For everything that’s needed. You have to teach it where To go to get it’s sustenance, you have to teach it prayer. It is a life time effort. It’s “mom and dad” must be, Available until it’s reached its full maturity. It needs an education. It needs to go to school. It needs to know when it must learn and when to play the fool. Your children are disciples. They do what you have taught. You give them independence at work and play and sport. You teach it to be like you. You have to reproduce, Your character within them; you cannot turn them loose, And hope that all will be OK when they are on their own. Because your chief objective is to see them fully grown They have to look a lot like you. In some way’s they’re your double. And understand instinctively to keep away from trouble. How long will this work take you? In fact it never ends. Because they have to do the same with all whom Father sends. Jim Strickland – written Sunday, 10 July 2011

THE CLOTHES OF THE HIGH PRIEST

A picture to see Satan, Lord what is it we seek?

A glorious bright angel with a temperament that’s weak?

A piece of shattered garbage? A hateful bit of trash?

An energising spirit with whom everyone will clash?

There is a sort of picture in Zechariah chapter three.

To illustrate the character of whom we want to see.

A man in filthy clothing. A turban that is stained.

Unable to do anything for he had been profaned

An angel was before the Lord upon that special day.

Pointing out the evil of the High Priest in a way

That wasn’t complimentary. It may have been obscene.

But one thing that was certain. His garments were unclean.

There was no way to wash them. There also was no time

To cleanse this man called Joshua and take away His crime.

And that is just what happened. The High Priest’s clothes were changed.

He put on a new turban, no more was He estranged.

The devil couldn’t point to any sin upon the man

Who had become the new High priest as part of God’s new plan.

The devil’s voice was silenced; accusations were behind.

The voices of the universe in no way could they find

Another way to criticise, this God appointed priest.

This gives a little foretaste of how sin would be released.

The high priest was a sinner. The same as you and me.

His vestments were all spotted by the blood of Calvary.

His lifestyle didn’t justify the spotlessness required

To be the sort of Saviour, a Holy God desired.

But this was not a problem. They changed his spotted clothes.

They clothed him with God’s righteousness and made of him a rose

Then standing right before them was a sinner who was cleansed.

His garments of unrighteousness had met their final ends.

So here there is a picture of Jesus, you and me.

He gives us the clothing of His perfect purity.

What He does with those we wore, it matters not a bit,

Because His perfect righteous becomes a perfect fit.

It’s God Who says whose Holy. It’s not on what is seen.

He takes a filthy garment and makes it “squeaky clean”.

We know that it was spotted by the journey of this life.

But Father makes it possible to live as Jesus’ wife.

Not because we’re worthy. That never will be true.

But by the precious garment that He gives to me and you.

Jim  Strickland – written Saturday, 09 July 2011

ACCEPT IT OR REFUSE

One hundred thousand million rand is what some folk would pay,

To buy for them the righteousness they long for every day.

The cost is astronomical. But some would call it cheap,

If by this cash transaction God’s righteousness they’d reap.

Perhaps some could afford it, but I’m not one of those.

They’d swim in baths of perfume to smell just like a rose.

If all the road to Cape Town was paved with broken glass,

Some people would crawl all the way if that would be a pass.

What do we do with hidden sin that haunts us day and night?

We’ve sinned against the Lord Most High and cannot get things right.

We’ve sinned against the Father. What is there we can do?

So I deserve Your Judgement for what is done to You.

I know that I’m a rebel. Sin is my favourite fruit.

I long to keep on doing it. It makes me feel so cute.

So I admit this morning, I’m in a dreadful place.

My sin is like a mountain and Lord, I need your grace.

We wonder what will happen and what the Lord will do.

Perhaps He will forget it? That never will be true.

There’s not one sin committed that God will overlook.

He has them all recorded in His Great Record Book.

Each one will have a consequence. Each one exacts a price.

Some one has to pay the bill and it will not look nice.

To God this was a “problem” He loved His people dear.

He wanted them to be with Him, but couldn’t let them near.

His “problem” was insoluble, At leat that’s what it seemed.

For Him it wasn’t difficult. “I’ll pay the bill” He schemed.

The debt was astronomical; The cost would make us weep.

But in the Lord’s economy, some people think it’s cheap!

And thus it was decided. He sent His Son down here.

To pay the total cost of sin. And made it very clear,

That those who come to Jesus, His Precious Son and Heir,

Would all receive forgiveness and be without a care.

The “Deal” would be so simple, That anyone could do,

Exactly what was needed to make God’s “dream” come true.

Men think it’s far too easy. They didn‘t pay a cent.

They get it as a gift of Grace, a “deal” that’s heaven sent.

They can’t believe the Father will ever be this “good”.

They surely have to play a part. At least they think they should.

And so we have salvation; a product of His grace.

Not one of us could do it. It’s more than we can face.

So this is now the Gospel. The very finest news.

He’s done all that is needed. Accept it or refuse!

Jim Strickland – written Friday, 08 July 2011

MELCHIZEDEK

The leading of God’s Spirit need not be always fun.

At times it can be horrible, if God’s will must be done.

Just take a look at Jesus. I bet He wasn’t thrilled,

To go out to the wilderness where all would be fulfilled.

I’m glad that it was Jesus because He got it right.

If it was me the Lord had sent – then day would still be night.

But Jesus was exceptional. He wasn’t just a man.

He was the Lord incarnate. To carry out God’s plan.

For forty days and forty nights He struggled in the heat.

He only had one purpose, the devil must be beat.

And when at last He faced him, the outcome was assured.

And all of Satan’s promptings were absolutely cured.

Throughout His lengthy sojourn, our Saviour was tried.

But every trick that Satan pulled was spotted and denied.

He didn’t find it easy. But still He persevered.

He had to live a sin free life. The way that Satan feared.

We know that He succeeded; that He was crucified.

But even in His agony, His God was not denied.

Beyond imagination is what the Lord went through.

Far more than any other man could possibly do.

His Father had a purpose. To make a new High Priest.

Not a son of Levi, but a line that never ceased.

He had no fancy clothing. In fact you’d never know,

That He was designated to make God’s Kingdom grow.

This wasn’t just some Mickey Mouse who could attract a crowd.

He didn’t ‘come to be a King; such things were not allowed.

He came as any other man. No fanfare and no fuss.

He lived a life in all respects the same as one of us.

But He was God in overalls. Unnoticed and unseen;

Concealed within a body, like yours and mine have been.

He suffered the temptations that you and I have faced

But with the one distinction that all of us have chased.

Not once in all His lifetime did He ever fall in sin;

A glorious conclusion to the problems we are in.

This is our Melchizedek, a Priest and King of old.

Who came and spoke to Abraham of things that are untold.

A Priest who had no forebears and was utterly unknown,

Who sat upon an unknown seat and on an unknown throne.

This was the type of High Priest Whom Jesus came to be.

Who’d live and reign with Father God for all eternity.

Jim Strickland – written Thursday, 07 July 2011