THE TRIAL

The prisoner’s face was ashen. He was seated in the dock. The jury would be coming back just after twelve o’clock. The trial had been so frightening; it made him feel ashamed. He knew they’d find him guilty, not innocent as claimed. He knew that he deserved it for all that he had done. He didn’t think they’d catch him and it that it was good fun. He took an opportunity to look and see the judge. He’d known him for so many years and knew he wouldn’t budge, From handing down a sentence in spite of all the tears, That he would soon be crying for “going down” for years. He listened to the verdict; it was guilty on each count. All that was still missing was the size and the amount. How long he’d be in prison and what about the fine? And then the judge began to speak to get things into line. The fine was astronomical, far more than he could pay, And he would be in prison until his dying day. And then the judge’s gavel banged down and it was done. For him, his life was over before it had begun. Then suddenly the judge took off his wig, his cap and gown. He strode into the witness box and quickly glanced around. He said His name was Jesus, The fine He’d fully paid! He’d sacrificed His life and added He’d agreed to trade, Places with the prisoner so he could be set free; And added this was possible by God’s Divine decree! The court was in an uproar; they knew that it was true. The prisoner was pardoned – the proper thing to do. This story of the “miracle” will someday be a fact. The trial inside a courtroom that is literally jam packed, With people in attendance who have come from far and wide, To see the final outcome and if justice was applied. The prisoner on trial that day, you know who it will be? An average sort of sinner the likes of you and me. There’ll be no excuses and all will be exposed. Nothing will be hidden and everything disclosed. Everyone will know of the enormity of sin, That you and I committed and the hopeless mess we’re in. But after passing sentence the Lord will intervene, And tell the court his precious blood has wiped the record clean. We all will then be pardoned, if Jesus is our Lord. Not that we deserved it, for no one can afford To pay the price demanded for all that we have done. But we will be acquitted on the merits of God’s Son. For He has paid the penalty; God’s court will let us go. For Christ has made us righteous, as pure as driven snow! Jim Strickland – written Thursday 12th May 2011

RESURRECRTION LIFE

What is it do you think that turned the whole world upside down? We’ve thought it was salvation as it spread from town to town. Of course this was important. It gave the people hope. For living under Roman rule – the folk could hardly cope. An added complication was the abject poverty; And many of the people were bound in slavery. They couldn’t get away from it; there was nowhere to go. It was the sort of lifestyle that most of us don’t know. Salvation was a process to follow to the end. A free gift from the Master on which they could depend. But when this life was over. What difference would it make? With nothing to look forward to; to sleep and never wake! So when they heard the Gospel, what thrilled them to the core, Was that when they had passed away they’d live forevermore! It meant they could look forward to life beyond the grave. Enormously appealing if you were just a slave So when they heard the story of resurrection life, Not only for the husband but also for his wife, They hardly could contain themselves; if this is true, they said, Then all their daily struggles would cease when they were dead. But was it really possible? Was resurrection true? Had anybody seen it? Where was this life anew? And then they heard the story, Christ Jesus was alive. They heard He had been crucified. But no one could survive That kind of monstrous treatment. When done the Roman way; If someone had been crucified, their death had come to stay. And so the death of Jesus was never in dispute This was the certain outcome that no one could refute And yet He had been seen alive. He’d risen from the tomb. It happened three days later so death had met its doom. A miracle had happened! Five hundred men had seen Him after He had risen. And this could only mean That death had been defeated. Its iron grip was gone; So even though they may have “died”, Christ’s followers lived on. It’s hard for us to understand the impact that this made. Two thousand odd years later - this record’s overplayed. We take it so for granted; we hardly raise a yawn. Why should we ever bother? We shake our heads in scorn. And yet the true significance could do for us today, As much as what it did for them. It could transform our way. So think about this carefully. This is explosive news. We too can get excited; forever change our views; That He is resurrected and He’s alive today; And that when life is over, we’ll be with Him to stay. Jim Strickland –written Wednesday 11th May 2011

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

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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