FATHFULNESS

Perhaps the greatest puzzle in Christianity,

Is understanding the word “faith” and what it’s meant to be. The definition stated in that Hebrews Scripture verse, Is just about as clear as mud. Perhaps it could be worse. But “faith” can be translated in a much better way. It we translate it “faithfulness” it is as clear as day. Because although we understand it always happens now, It’s not a “once off happening”.  So shoot that “holy cow”. It isn’t something that we did some twenty years ago. It’s something we continue with albeit fast, or slow. It isn’t a decision we made when we were young. It’s something we continue with like breathing with the lungs. You cannot just forget it as something from the past. It is a journey we are on from first unto the last. We have to get this clarified or we will go astray; For faith is more than here and now, but followed every day. It’s something we must stick at until the very end. It’s something we could cast away; a path we must defend. For Satan will attack us as sure as sure can be. And that is really not the time to trust your history. A faithful servant serves his master every single day. There isn’t any chance for you to take a holiday. You have to keep your guard up. Nor can you take a rest. The war that we are waging is not a grade one test. So why do we continue? Why do we carry on? The answer is that Jesus Christ, the Lord, the Holy One Means so much more than anything that this world can provide, And with His Holy Spirit dwelling deep inside, There isn’t an alternative. The Lord Himself has shown, A little glimpse of what He has provided for His own. We have to keep on going for we have seen the prize. The welcome He will give to us is written in His eyes. So all the many baubles the world can give today, Is no comparison with what the Lord will give that day. So let us think of faithfulness from now until we die. Nothing will divert us and here’s the reason why. The Master will receive us and we will hear Him say, Well done My faithful servant. You’re with Me now to stay. Jim Strickland – written Tuesday 10th May 2011

.

THE DESTROYER?

Jesus the destroyer! Have you heard this before? It’s not the sort of message we’re hearing any more. It somehow doesn’t correspond with our concept of love. It seems so out of character to fit Him like a glove. And yet it is His nature. He came to destroy sin. He came to fight a Holy war and one that He would win. He came as a recruiter of people for the fight. To battle demon forces by day as well as night. He came to give us armour that we’re supposed to wear. And told us that the battlefield was in the realm of prayer. We mustn’t fight with people. They’re not the enemy; Its rulers and authorities within the heavenlies. It’s spiritual wickedness and darkness - that’s the foe. So guns and tanks and rockets are not the way to go. To win, we must surrender, for that’s the sort of man, Who’ll triumph over Satan. No other person can! The battle is unequal unless fought in Jesu’s name. Without Him we are useless. Just sick and blind and lame. No, Jesus won the victory by dying as a man. Since Satan had been ruling and by death Satan can, Continue with the power to keep mankind enslaved. But Jesus by His dying just swallowed up the grave. He made a public spectacle of Satan and his host; And gave His Spirit to us. The precious Holy Ghost! So we are the enforcers of Jesu’s victory. But many won’t believe that it belongs to you and me. So people fight each other. They battle tooth and nail, Committed to the concept that none of them can fail. But seldom is their warfare through the medium of prayer. No wonder that they lose it. The victory isn’t there. So let’s go into battle while we are on our knees. With sword and shield and breastplate. For when the devil sees God’s people are resisting him he’ll turn and run away. That’s still the only method to deal with him today. So let us join with Jesus and destroy the devil’s work. Attack him in the spirit where demon forces lurk. Let us conquer Satan by the priceless blood of Christ. Assured our testimony of Jesus is suffice. And be prepared to follow Him and even suffer death; For He is now our way of life and source of every breath. Life is now the victor; the fear of death destroyed. He swallowed it in victory, His army He’s deployed. The power of sin is broken; its sting forever gone. The glorious destroyer is Christ the Holy one. Jim Strickland – written Monday 09 May 2011

THE LORD’S GOOD PLAN

In your imagination, walk back through time with me, To when all Who “existed” were the Holy Trinity. Their dwelling was the spirit, before time had begun. The Father and the Spirit and Jesus Christ the Son. Listen to them “speaking” about what would please them most. “A somewhat larger family” declared the Holy Ghost. The Father and His only Son said that They agreed. But how would They achieve it? And how would They proceed? There was no real “discussion” for all Their thoughts were “one”. They didn’t even chat about the way it would be done. But They were in agreement. They knew just what to do, Till finally They reached the point where They made me and you. Perhaps the biggest “problem” was how we would be made. Would we be made “free agents” or “puppets” who “obeyed”? They knew it would be “risky”, for free will implies choice. And people would need training to hear The Master’s voice. But They were all in unison; They knew the cost was high. Free choice could lead to sinners and sinners had to die. This was the “price” of freedom; to tell Them “Yes” or “No”. But if you think about it, you’ll see why it was so. There can be no compulsion if you are free to love. You must be freely able to say “No” to God above! And what about perfection? What happens if we fail, To meet Their moral standards; eternity in jail? But someone must be punished for disobedience. To quietly ignore it does not make any sense. So how could Their creation meet the standards They required? Impossible for humans who would do what they desired. The only way to do it is if One of them could face, The penalty that sin would bring to all the human race. And so it was decided; Their plan would go ahead. The Son of God be crucified and suffer in man’s stead. The price for all man’s wickedness, the Son would fully pay; The family of God would be enlarged this unique way. To set the plan in motion, the angels were designed, To minister to those who’d be the saved from all mankind. So let us now move forward to the culminating act, Of putting into motion Their plan to make it fact. There, looking into nothing, where the universe would be, Hear that first commandment as God declares, “Light Be!” Jim Strickland – written Sunday, 08 May 2011

END TIMES

I am the Messiah!” Have you heard this before? When funny men in funny clothes instruct you to adore. A plastic imitation! We see it every day. Especially when it’s money they’re asking you to pay! A few are quite delusional. As crazy as a bat. And they are not the people whom I am pointing at. They should be in a hospital. It’s treatment that they need. But until someone stops them they’ll flourish like a weed! The ones who are more dangerous wear vestments or smart suits. The ladies looking at them think they are rather cute. That’s when they hear him speaking, “It is the voice of God”, They say in fascination. They don’t regard it odd. And somewhere in the middle are all the other guys, Who do their very best to sow confusion with their lies. Now Jesus spoke about them two thousand years ago. “Look out for false messiah’s they’re mostly thieves you know!” Don’t trust what they are saying. They’ll take you for a ride. They’ll also take your money, your house and what’s inside. Beware of such deception and look out for the signs, That tell you He is coming. See what God’s Word defines. The first is in disasters, the earthquakes and the wars, Pollution of the oceans and watch the death rate soar. False prophets will be numerous; delusions everywhere; And when they start to telescope, just know He’s nearly there. The next will be the changes in Christianity. Opposition will arise and martyrdom you’ll see. With numerous backsliders who’ll simply turn away, For persecuting Christians will be the “norm” each day. But these are the precursors; the worst is still to come. A universal “church” will rise attracting everyone. It’s only the committed ones to Jesus who will know, For certain He is coming back and home with Him they’ll go. So let’s make a decision to keep our eyes on Him; To follow Him regardless and though the chance is slim, To traverse these disasters and be faithful every day, God won’t forget His people. He won’t turn them away. So let us all take courage; we can survive it all. By looking unto Jesus and listening for His call; For He will surely tell us what He intends to do; The privilege of serving Christ for folk like me and you. Jim Strickland – written 7th May 2011

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