JONAH

Of all the Bible stories that we hear about today, The strangest of the lot of them is all about the way,

A prophet of the Israelites was sent to Nineveh,

To tell them their ungodliness had gone a bit too far. The people of Assyria were exceptionally cruel. The masters of the Middle East is where they had their rule. They attacked and murdered those who tried to tell them “No!” They seemed to have no pity wherever they did go. Any who resisted them were killed a special way. Impaled upon a stake until their life had drained away. They treated victims dreadfully with hooks pushed through their jaws, And many other cruelties, the Word of God deplores. The nation was a bully. They did just as they chose. And very few survivors remained when they arose. Then God spoke to His prophet. To Jonah and He said. Go and warn the Ninevites that soon they will be dead. In forty days I’m planning to tear the place apart. They’d better start repenting for judgement soon will start. Now Jonah was reluctant. He didn’t want to go. “If God destroys the Ninevites, that’s what I want to know. So if I go and warn them and they turn their lives around. The Lord God will forgive them and in safety they’ll be found. We know about the story of just what happened next. He took a boat to Tarshish which made Jehovah vexed. God thus made an arrangement with a big fish in the sea, To take the prophet Jonah to the place he aught to be. The story is a strange one but God got His prophet there. He walked into the city and they listened to his prayer. God would not bring judgement if the people would repent. They’d better all get on with it for God said what He meant. We know that Jonah stood aside so he could get a view Of what the God of heaven to Nineveh would do. He really couldn’t wait to see the city torn apart. For that is what he wanted way deep down in his heart. Then when it didn’t happen he was madder than a snake. The Ninevites deserved it for all their victim’s sake. So Jonah was disgusted. His word from God had failed. They all had been forgiven and their prayers had prevailed. Jonah wasn’t happy. He wanted them to die. He couldn’t wait to see them individually fry. His journey had been fruitless. The Lord had let them go. And in his intercession he even told God so. For they had been forgiven Just as he thought that day. He thought it was the proper thing for God to do His way. But Jonah was reminded of God’s mercy and His grace. And those who have repented, God’s judgement will not face.

Jim Strickland – written Sunday, 17 July 2011

PROPHET, PRIEST, BRIDE AND. KING

If asked what you are doing in the Church of Christ today, What would be your answer? Please tell me what you’d say. A very common answer is “Ambassador for Christ”. That’s true if you are feeling that your answer has sufficed. But think a bit about it. It’s surely not complete. Because there is an answer that should sweep you off your feet. Of course you’re an ambassador. But you are so much more. You’re representing Jesus, the one whom you adore. But really you’re the brother of all creation’s King. You have His royal approval and wear His signet ring. His father has adopted you, so you are family.

There are not any barriers that warn us “keep away”. For as He is, we know, that so are we, on any day. So when you’re asked the question you can say you are a king. You may not know the country which you are reigning in. You may not understand it; you may think it is odd. But you are still a ruler and you’ve been crowned by God. So what is your reaction to this all inclusive news? In a special way you are a king of all the Jews! Of course they do not know it, and for sure we will not tell, But you’ve been designated as a royal priest as well! A priest stands in the middle. It’s God he represents. He is an intercessor of the ladies and the gents, Who want their supplications taken to the Lord. They’re looking for His mercy as well as His reward. You wear the special garments which Father God decreed. Determined that you’ll follow Him in word and truth and deed. But often you will speak to them and take them Father’s word. This means you are a prophet. I know it sounds absurd. But upon your finger you wear a wedding ring. So you’re a combination of a prophet, priest and king.

Which means you are a prophet; a priest; a king; a bride. Married to the Son of God. So why is it you hide? Why is it you shrink from all the Lord has done for you? Could it be you’re thinking that none of it is true? But this is the reality. So next time that you wash. Look at your reflection and tell it “O my gosh”; Much more than a conqueror, a mighty tower of grace. Working for the Father in this dark and dismal place. Jim Strickland – written Saturday, 16 July 2011

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