TALK THE TALK?

The lovely prayer of Jesus in chapter seventeen, Recorded in John’s Gospel. Will ever they be seen? They can’t be wishful thinking, for He meant every word. And Father God was listening, so Jesus’ prayer was heard. He didn’t pray for nothing. He had something in mind. Which most of us can’t comprehend, for most of us are blind! We can’t see in the spirit. We only ever see, In our own dimension of “non-reality”. But Jesus brought us something, far more than merely sight. He brought a brand new covenant to flood our souls with light. His purpose and intention was to melt our hearts of stone, And make them soft and pliable. More like His very own. He sought to take our stubbornness; which fought against God’s will. So each of us would long for it and follow it until, We passed into the portals of where He reigns on high. He wanted to give all of us, a chance to never die! He came to teach us sinners the way that we should walk. So that we all could be like Him and not just talk the talk. He came to make us holy. He came to teach the truth. To bring His special Kingdom to the adults and the youth. He came to consecrate us and set us on the way, To being what He wanted, as day succeeds to day. He came to give us purpose; to be one in heart and mind, The way He and His Father originally designed. He came to teach His people from then until today. To walk in true obedience and follow all the way. He wants us to be disciplined with deep humility; Committed to each other and do it faithfully. To set out on a journey, the journey of our lives. To see that what He’s planted, matures and truly thrives. To live the Christian lifestyle each moment of each day. To love our Christian brothers and neighbours all the way. Not with good intentions but by doing what we should, To help the people whom we meet and seek to do them good. To let His Spirit lead us in ways we wouldn’t go, Unless we were directed in ways we’ll never know. O Lord, it is impossible we’re only flesh and bone; And know we’ll never do it if you leave us all alone. Jim Strickland – written Saturday, 10 September 2011

THE BREAD OF LIFE

The Lord God gave them “manna”; there was nothing else to eat. They said the name meant “What is it”? Some sort of heavenly treat. It looked a bit like “hoar frost” all scattered on the ground; The wilderness was covered with something small and round. No one had ever eaten a thing like this before; And so they went to Moses to know what was in store. It looked like coriander and lay round like the dew. But what is it we do with it? It seemed nobody knew. Moses told them that it was a type of heaven’s bread. You must go out and gather it is what the Lord had said. Go and collect one homer for each and every man. Enough to feed the family according to God’s plan. Do not keep it overnight for worms will make it smell. And so they all collected it as best as we can tell. For forty years God fed them this very special bread. He filled the hungry with good things; with nothing else instead. The Jewish people tell us the flavour was unique. Whatever they desired to taste, each person then could seek. No matter what they wanted, that flavour was right there. They’d cook it anyway they liked - no problems to prepare. God gave to them the manna each day for all those years, Except upon the Sabbath day; that is how it appears. Today there is no Manna. Christ is our Living Bread. He tells us all to feed on Him precisely as He said. He is our bread from heaven and He will slake our thirst. He tells us, “Open wide your mouth”. I want you blessed not cursed. The rich who think they have it all will not receive a thing. But if you’re poor and hungry, you’ll come beneath My wing! So God still feeds the hungry. He feeds us from on high. And those who give their lives to Him will never ever die. It isn’t cotton candy or hamburgers and chips. He sees that just the best cuisine will pass across our lips. He feeds us with His body. Our manna every way. Is not like coriander seed which smells by the next day. It’s something from the tree of life which issues from His throne, Prepared for those who love Him and want Him as their own! We feast on His abundance and on His love we dine. For what He gives is perfect and utterly Divine. Jim Strickland – written Friday, 09 September 2011

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, (U)PARSIN

Whoever’s heard of writing in a language that’s unknown? Ever seen a hand that’s writing totally alone? They couldn’t see a body and thought there’s no one there. So they were all astonished as they began to stare. They only saw the writing and what was on the wall;

But no one could interpret it; that scared them one and all. The leader of the party was Belshazzar the King! He knew that in the strangest way these words were meant for him He may have been the master of the world as they knew then; But this was in a language way out beyond his ken. He had to understand it. The words that all could see. Were more incomprehensible than words could ever be. Who could tell the meaning? Who’d open up this door? Then someone thought of Daniel and what he’d done before. He’d told Nebuchadnezzar of what he’d dreamed at night. When no one in the empire could get the story right. But Daniel was an old man. If he was not deceased. But he was worth their looking for to say the very least. So Daniel came and looked at what was written on the wall. He knew that God would tell him if, on His name he’d call. Mene, Mene Tekel the meaning wasn’t dim. And at the sentence ending the word was Uparsin. (Some translations state Parsin) Daniel took his courage and trusted in his God. Please reveal the meaning to this Babylonian clod. “Mene” – You’ve been numbered. Your reign is at an end. “Tekel” meant the king was weighed, on that he could depend. It’s clear he had not measured up to what the Lord desired. His reign would soon be ended, the way the Lord required. “Uparsin” meant divided, His kingdom soon would fall. The Medes and Persian army would invade and take it all! We know what happened later. King Darius the Mede Invaded Babylonia and he was king indeed. He made a fuss of Daniel and gave him a promotion. A most exalted ruler, because of his devotion. Devotion to the God who’d told him what the message meant. So Daniel was rewarded for the message God had sent. He’d go down in history as a prophet of the Lord; And when he meets with Jesus, He’ll get his just reward. Jim Strickland – written Thursday, 08 September 2011

ALWAYS REJOICE IN THE LORD!

He’s not a disappointment and it’s a certainty, That if you follow after Him, like Him you’ll surely be! Regardless of the circumstance, He’ll never let you down; For Jesus doesn’t disappoint or make us wear a frown! He’ll be your inspiration on your blackest, darkest day. You’ll know that He is with you, no matter what men say. There’s such a simple answer, to those who ask you “why?” Tell them you’ll believe Him, till the very day you die. The secret’s understanding just what is meant by “hope”

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It isn’t accidental with which you cannot cope. It means it is more certain than the rising of the sun. A truth that’s indisputable like yesterday is done. There really is no question that it’s going to take place. And if you could but see it, it’s staring in your face. With this kind of attitude, how can you but rejoice? There isn’t an inflection in the joy within your voice. There isn’t an alternative to what you think and feel. The answer is quite definite and absolutely real. Perhaps you are in trouble with a certain circumstance? But you will see the victory; it will not be by chance! And even if the snow-drift is far above your roof, Your joy will be the evidence, that it’s the living proof! There may be many hardships and many different trials. Just celebrate in Jesus and break out in a smile. Be confident in Jesus and celebrate His peace; Know that in reality, the trial will surely cease. Trust in Him completely and see how things will change. Everything He promised is right within your range. You have been adopted as a son of God Most High. He has guaranteed it; the trial will soon pass by. Perhaps you cannot see Him. But what is that to you? You know that all His promises are absolutely true. He’s blessed you with the privilege of being on His side. You’ll never be a bridesmaid. Not while you are His bride! So put aside your doubting. It cannot do you good. Carry on rejoicing, the way you know you should. Love Him without limit, with all your heart and soul. Rejoice in Him forever and He’ll achieve your goal. Jim Strickland – written Wednesday, 07 September 2011

VICTORY BY SURRENDER

When we lift our hearts and hands to God Who reigns on high. What is it we are doing when our hands reach to the sky? We get a rough idea when we look at TV roles. “Hand’s up” declares the officer; “or you’ll be full of holes”. It may seem elementary. It works like that in war. “Hands up” in any conflict means that you will fight no more. Antagonists surrender with hands above the head. Respond and do it quickly or you’ll be shot down dead. The very best example that’s known to you and I, Was Jesus being crucified; His hands were nailed up high. It looked like He surrendered and this was very true. It was the only way that He could die for me and you! He had to bear the burden of our collective sin; And only by surrendering could Jesus ever win. We think that we are helpless with hands above our head. But that’s not what His Father, to Jesus clearly said.

We know He won the battle by surrendering to God. Our victory is certain when we tread the path He trod. We may think it is weakness, if we do not resist. But God is strong when we are weak, a fact that’s often missed. We also often lift our hands to honour what we see. We watch a player score a goal and shout in ecstasy. It’s not a sign of worship; that charge we would refute, But everyone is doing it, so we just follow suit. Where does this custom come from, where is its origin? We notice Moses doing it, so that his men could win. We see that the Amalekites fought hard for victory. But when he raised his arms aloft, defeat was theirs to see. So what is it that we can learn from this brief thumbnail sketch? Perhaps the best that we can say is sometimes, we must stretch. We cannot just continue and hope the Lord will say, “I’m giving you the victory. You’re sure to win today!” We have to do it His way, with both hands held up high. He will not come and rescue us if we do not comply. Until we all surrender and seek to do His will, He’ll leave us longing for His help and that won’t be until, We all capitulate to Him and honour Him as King. So lift your hands and praise His name; lift up your voice and sing. Jim Strickland – written Tuesday, 06 September 2011