THE WILL OF GOD

There’s much misunderstanding of the will of God today. You hear it all around you by the things which Christians say. “You must be in the centre of the Father’s perfect will.” “I cannot go on holiday. I cannot go until, I’ve checked it out with Jesus to say that I can go.” “I wore a purple shirt today. The Master told me so.” I’m sure you’ve seen the problem and it’s puzzled you as well. So why is God’s direction so difficult to tell? The first thing you must realise is you’re not a machine. Instead you are a creature with a mind that’s sharp and keen. That’s what the Lord intended. He’s given you a mind. He hasn’t made a puppet. That’ not what He designed. The pinnacle creation has a sovereign right to choose. You’re not some sort of robot with a bunch of don’ts and do’s. He placed a head upon you and right between your ears, You have a certain something that will carry on for years. It never was intended just to keep your ears apart. He wants us to make use of it and wants you to be smart. He wants you to make choices as you wander through the day. Using your intelligence to keep you on the way. It really doesn‘t matter the school to which you go. He wants you educated so that you will always know, The route that He’s intended to use the gifts He gave. And that’s what He’s expecting from the cradle to the grave. He also gave you something to help you do what’s right. The Bible is the code book for walking in His light. But you have got to read it so that you can put in place, The principles intended for all that you must face. It’s right to make decisions. That’s how you have to go. He’ll make use of your errors for that is how you grow. Both books of Thessalonians are clear as clear can be They tell us of the will of God so unmistakeably. It never was a matter of the pair of socks to use. And even the selection of the spouse whom you will choose! He tells us, “be selective”! It’s you who must decide. Choose a marriage partner, a husband or a bride, In line with all the preferences He’s placed within your heart. That will be the person to choose if you are smart. Ask for His opinion. He’ll tell you what you need. But you make the decision. It’s you that does the deed! Go to university, if that is what you desire. Be a racing driver; if that’s what you aspire. Talk things over with Him in humility and prayer. Then He’ll show the way whereby it’s easy to get there. Jim Strickland – written Friday, 15 July 2011

THE SAGA OF THE GRAPEFRUIT

I walked into the orchard a year or two ago. I’d gone to pick some grapefruit. A foolish quest I know. For there was not a grapefruit tree anywhere around. The only things that I could spot were apples on the ground. But they weren’t on the menu. It’s grapefruit I desired. Why weren’t they in the orchard, for that’s what I required? I felt a little foolish. The orchard was all mine I’d bought a great big pack of seed and planted them on time. I’d planned a great big harvest of succulent grapefruit. But all I got was apples that looked so small and cute. I couldn’t understand it. Where had it all gone wrong? I went back to the market place to sing this lengthy song. ”If you’d have wanted grapefruit, why did you come and buy, A number of the apple trees?” That’s when I heaved a sigh. I didn’t understand it. The trees all looked the same. The leaves were somewhat different with nobody to blame. It surely makes no difference, is what I told the man. “If you can’t tell the difference, be certain that I can. You cannot grow big grapefruit upon an apple tree. To make this gross assumption is pure stupidity. You only get what’s planted. It always works that way. An apple tree bears apples no matter what folk say.” I felt a little silly. I knew that it was true. That’s when I paused to scratch my head and wondered what to do. There had to be an answer. The guests would soon arrive. And if there were no grapefruit, they’d all skin me alive. That’s when the doorbell sounded. What was there I could do? I thought of feigning illness but that would be untrue. That’s when I had a brainwave. I brought the apples in. I painted them all yellow and cut away the skin. They didn’t look like grapefruit. But who would ever know? If I called them a brand new strain; that was the way to go! Then I remembered Jesus. I couldn’t lie to Him. He knew me from the inside out. His mind was never dim. I’d have to tell the story. The truth would have to out. And anyway, He loved me. Of that there was no doubt. So as the guests all entered, I told them what I’d done. There was a shout of laughter and they enjoyed the fun The dinner was successful and to this very day We talk about the grapefruit with apples on display. Jim Strickland – written Thursday, 14 July 2011

THE RELUCTANT BRIDE

The hardest thing to understand is that the Lord loves me. In spite of all that I have done and all that still may be, He tells me that He loves me. How does He get that right? A creature from this darkened world devoid of His great light? What is there that attracts Him. I really wish I knew. I think that I would bottle it as “supernatural brew”. I’ve spent my days in idleness or always on the run. My nights in such licentiousness, and yet He calls me son! Perhaps the Lord is crazy. I know I can’t love me. But somewhere in this carcass, there’s something He can see. Don’t tell Him of my problem. He just might turn away. That’s much more than I can face as day succeeds to day. I may not understand it. I might not give Him thanks. But please don’t let Him leave me to get on with my pranks. The fact is that I love Him. Please do not ask me why. I’d climb the highest mountain. I think I’d even die If I thought He would leave me. His love holds me in chains. Please do not come and take them off. I’d put them on again. I’ve not been this excited since I was in my teens. It was in those far off days I learned what true love means. No matter what I tried to do I couldn’t get away. I’d follow her no matter where she travelled to that day. I’d walk a dozen miles or more to see her lovely smile. And after that I’d go back home. No person could beguile And change my inside attitude the way that woman could. This is my sort of “bench mark” for doing what I should. But what is so amazing; He does all this for me. He’s like a hound of heaven and will not let me be. And yet I’m not complaining. He woos me night and day. I didn’t think it possible for Him to love this way. It seemed so out of character. There’s others He could woo, And then He looks into my eyes and says, “I’ve come for you”! I try to comprehend it but it nowhere in my head. Is their some great equation that says,”Let us be wed!” I thought I’d be the altar boy. I couldn’t be the bride. He isn’t for the likes of you is what my mind implied. So now my precious lover has called me as His bride. I’m walking down the bridal path and bubbling inside. There are so many people much better off than me. But Jesus has decided. Oh Lord let this thing be! Jim Strickland – written Wednesday, 13 July 2011

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