THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH

A man I know was driving in his brand new motor car.

It was a lovely morning and he hadn’t driven far, When he drove through a stop street. He said he didn’t see, The sign instructing him to stop; and that is as may be. He drove onto the highway and he increased his speed, Until his powerful machine went very fast indeed. And then he saw the cyclist, by then it was too late. The cyclist was killed upon that sad and gloomy date. The driver was arrested; manslaughter was the charge; And if he was convicted, the penalty was large. I don’t suppose that anyone would wish to disagree. That he be sent to prison to pay the penalty. The case was most conclusive; the law would take its course; The penalty dependant on the law that was in force. A twenty year imprisonment was what the judge decreed; And everybody stated that this was right indeed. I think that we would all agree the penalty was right. But what would be the outcome in God the Father’s sight? He stated in the Bible that if you broke the law, The penalty to pay was to be lost forevermore. He said that all law breaking was regarded as a sin. So if you were a sinner the problem you were in Was more than just a period confined with a jail, The penalty of death could be expected without fail. And then God adds the rider that takes our breath away. That driving through the stop street as the driver did that day, He sees as just as serious. The law was disobeyed. The verdict was identical, the price that would be paid. Perhaps we do not like it. Perhaps we rant and rave, But God Almighty makes the rules of how we must behave. It isn’t democratic but it doesn’t have to be; Not while we are living in the Lord’s theocracy. Of course you are at liberty to quietly opt out. But suicide is sinful and so without a doubt, You’ll stand before Him finally within His court of law, Where He is judge and jury, and He’ll settle the score. So calm yourself and face it. Regardless what you do, If He say’s you’re a sinner, death is awaiting you. So do not be rebellious for that’s a sin as well. And what will be the sentence? Eternity in hell.  Jim Strickland – written Fri 6th May 2011

“AH SOVEREIGN LORD”

We have such strange ideas about how the Lord appears. We think of Him as human with eyes and nose and ears. Now this is true of Jesus, He has a human frame. But resurrection bodies may not look all the same. His Father is a Spirit; we know that it is true; But what this means exactly is unknown to me and you. But how do we describe Him? Perhaps you’d like to guess? But if you form a picture you’re really in a mess. For that would be an idol constructed in your mind; Another god to worship you’ve mentally defined. So what does Father look like? No man can comprehend; But if we look at Jesus, this problem’s sure to end. So how do we describe Him? We really cannot say. Except He looks like Jesus in a very special way. But does He have ten fingers, two legs, two arms, two hands? It’s really most unlikely. Why should a Spirit “stand”? The question is ridiculous. He cannot be confined, Within the little box that we can dream up in the mind. The spirit world is different from everything we know. It isn’t a dimension we can recognise and show. So people use expressions we all use every day To speak about the Father in a comprehending way We say “anthropomorphic” a rather ghastly phrase, To use for the Almighty and to understand His ways. We say “His arm’s not shortened” But it’s not meant to be, A picture of Almighty God. It’s used for you and me. How else can we describe the One Who’s indescribable? No language in the universe can even start to tell, Of Him who is omnipotent; not limited at all. The brains of human beings are simply far too small To seek out the unsearchable Who’s Holy, Pure and True. He’s infinite, omniscient and omnipresent too. So how can human beings express or try to phrase The God who is inscrutable and called “Ancient of Days”? The limitless Creator, unfathomably deep; The Alpha and Omega Who has no need to sleep. Without a need for anything or anyone at all, Who loves His whole creation be it large or very small. Who thought a few “additions” would swell His family; And so for His great pleasure, He created you and me. Jim Strickland – written Wednesday 4th May 2011

A GUIDE FOR THE BRIDE

“Be perfect” said The Master.” For that is what I am.

Be stronger than a lion and weaker than a lamb.

It’s not a contradiction to be anything at all.

Much bigger than the universe and infinitely small.

It isn’t size that matters; its your integrity;

And surely that’s the lifestyle I always want to see.

It isn’t a position of pomp and circumstance.

Instead it’s being conscience of our Divine romance.

I’m looking for a partner whom I can fill with love.

A love that is so perfect it will fit you like a glove.

A state of such commitment you will wish to stay at home,

And be the sort of wife who will not ever want to roam.

I know that you can do it. I want you to be mine.

Totally committed to your King, the Christ Divine.

And as my bride become a one that’s treated just like Me.

Included as a member of the Holy Family.

It’s total separation from the world and all its ways;

It’s longing to be with Me throughout eternal days,

With Spiritual virtues that are very seldom seen,

Which demonstrate a lifestyle that’s infinitely clean!

The essence of perfection is to seek to be like me.

And since you’re in My image it’s a possibility.

Perhaps you’ve never thought of it but everything you do,

Do it with an attitude that is holy, right and true.

You are more than able right now right where you live,

To show the way to do it, by teaching to forgive.

As I once said to Abraham the time that we once met;

Those who walk before me, in perfection will be set.

For if you follow faithfully you’re perfect in My sight.

For I’ll will walk beside you to help you get it right.

So do not see perfection as some far and distant goal.

Give yourself completely to the One who makes you whole.

Dedicate to doing this regardless, come what may,

And you will find perfection will come to you to stay.

My child I know you’re human, remember so was I.

I faced the same temptations. I had to bleed and die.

At times it seemed impossible to get out of the mess;

And so instead of cursing I took the time to bless

The people all around Me. That’s how I overcame.

And I’m at your disposal to help you do the same.”

Jim Strickland – written Tuesday 3^rd May 2011

BELIEVE WITHOUT SEEING?

How can we know we’ve seen Him, like Jacob at Bethel?

Do we have a photograph? Perhaps He rang the bell?

Do we have some concentrate we’ve cooked up in the lab?

Or could there be signed receipt from someone’s taxi-cab?

These questions are ridiculous; we do not have some proof.

But could there be a reason why God seems so aloof?

One reason is that He’s decreed that people must believe.

Look round at all the evidence that makes His people cleave,

To Him with the conviction that true reality

Will never be dependent on that which we can see.

This isn’t mere conjecture. It’s how it’s always been

Since Adam was a traitor, assisted by his queen.

It’s this that broke their fellowship. The one he’d had with God.

They’d chatted in the garden; discussed things as they trod.

But after he had fallen, he was no longer clean.

And if he saw the face of God – you know what that mean.

Since then man’s former fellowship with God has just declined.

There was no way to look at God. Not one that man could find.

And so for generations we’ve all had to rely,

On listening to messages that came from God Most High.

For some it was quite easy. They lived and breathed that way.

They hungered, toiled and thirsted to hear what He would say.

Like Abraham and Jacob; and Moses each in turn,

Pursued Him with a fervency from which we all could learn.

And through the generations down to the present time,

The purpose of the Christian has been seeking the Divine.

Of course we all can know Him; for He is everywhere.

In fact He’s omnipresent, not scattered here and there.

He has no limitations; He only has to say

A brief word of instruction – nothing can disobey!

And yet in spite of all of this He talks with you and me.

The way He spoke with Adam at the dawn of history.

The only aspect missing is our restricted sight.

A little tiny glimpse of Him and of His blazing light

Would totally destroy us. And so it seems to me,

He keeps Himself invisible for folk like you and me.

So don’t look for a photograph or scientific proof;

Or some weird apparition that floats above your roof.

Instead, be very thankful for what you cannot see.

Unless you would prefer annihilation instantly.

Jim Strickland – written Monday 2^nd May 2011