JEHOVAH TSIDKENU — THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Can anyone be righteous? If so, how can we tell, If they have got a holy heart and live it out as well? For righteousness implies a life that pleases God Most High. Can anybody live like that? Can anybody try? We think it is impossible, for we were born in sin. This contradicts all righteousness and shows the mess we’re in. Yet many people long for it and think it’s not in vain; So they will go to any length and pass through any pain, If they could only get there. They’ll sleep on beds of nails. They’d run barefoot on broken glass. But they are bound to fail. It’s not something that we can do! It doesn’t work that way. For righteousness comes from the Lord to people every day. It seems that we’ve forgotten what Jeremiah said. His said the Lord would send a King who in God’s ways was led. That He would reign in righteousness, like no one else could do. And He would have a special Name; “Jehovah Tsidkenu”. The Lord our Righteousness would be the King from David’s line. He’d reign and rule in wisdom and do it for all time. Judah - find salvation; and Israel be safe; And those who loved His righteous rule would find it didn’t chafe. He’ll rule the land with justice and righteousness would shine. So even far off Gentiles would know He is Divine. But here is something beautiful, which ought to thrill us all. That He would give His righteousness, to anyone who’d call, And know Him as their Saviour. They’d get it as a gift. And if they’d try and live that way, they’d find their burden lift. They’d get it by Divine exchange. Their sins He would acquire. He’d give to them His righteousness. Far more than we require. Of course it sounds impossible. That’s true in many ways; But not when we are dealing with the God of endless days! Some think it is immoral for Him to take our sin. And give us all His righteousness. But who can fight with Him? He didn’t have to do it and it was His idea. He thought that it was justified to let us all draw near. His righteousness is infinite. Our sin is much, much less. So giving us His righteousness would clear away our mess. We all forget infinity can never be reduced. No matter how much sin we had, from which we were now loosed, The righteousness that He possessed would not reduce at all! So any man may come to Him and on His Name can call. And He will take their wickedness and melt it like the snow. And when He gives His righteousness, no man would ever know! So where will I find righteousness? He’s given it to me. And there are countless millions who’ve also been set free. And He is just as righteous as what He was before. O Lord please help me walk in it and help when I need more. Jim Strickland – Written 7th December 2011

QUALIFIED IN JESUS

How is a person qualified to serve the Lord Most High? A University Degree is always worth a try! But there’s a little problem. When Jesus chose His men, He didn’t bother asking them, to tell Him where or when, That each of them had qualified. He didn’t seem to mind, That some were quite illiterate, or where to go to find, The people who would follow Him. The oldest and best trained Was Judas who betrayed Him. But that was fore ordained. Their leader was a fisherman. His heart was on his sleeve. He promised he would follow Him and was the last to leave. But Peter wasn’t qualified and every now and then, He’d go back to his fishing boat and catch some fish again. We have these strange ideas. How are men qualified? It’s God Who’s working in you. It’s Him who must decide, If you are who He’s looking for. He looks into your heart; He checks out all your motives before He makes a start. Then, if you are approved of, your training will begin. An exercise to purge you, of all inherent sin. He thinks it’s more important for His vessel to be right! A head full of Theology! But will he spread God’s light? He’s looking for a person who’s totally committed.      It is this kind of attitude, that Jesus sees as fitted, To take His Holy teachings to places far and wide.

And this is a heart issue; that’s where you’re qualified. He gets His information by talking with His Dad. He knows what is inside a man, if it is good or bad. He tests them with the gifts He sends to people every day; To see what they will do with them, or if they’re in the way. God sees us as important. But will we shift and bend? Or are we His disciples on whom He can depend? The Lord already knows it. He changes not at all. But we must see what we will do. If we will stand or fall. He’s given us a purpose; each individually, Must know where they are going and how the end will be. He gave us all a brand new life to do with as we wish. Will we proclaim the Gospel, or go back to our fish? No one can give an answer. For each, it’s up to you. But since you are now qualified, what are you going to do? Jim Strickland – Written 6th December 2011.

SUFFERING - WHAT IT DOES

“Suffering is good for us”. Those are the words we find. I also know we sometimes need a kick on the behind. For people often lay about, preferring not to move. How else can Jesus motivate to get us out the groove? We didn’t pay attention and ignored His just decrees. He wanted our attention to see the way He sees. And suffering is perfect; for nobody likes pain. And that is why He uses it; to start us up again. He learned this from His Father and He was qualified; Because of all the suffering, He knew before He died; He had to be perfected, to be our Great High Priest. He went through awful agony, before He was deceased. That’s how He was qualified. His body was a wreck. A High Priest known just once before; The King Melchizedek. It seems that there’s a pattern that we all need to know. The “higher” you’re “promoted” the more the pain will grow. That seems to be the principle of how we’re glorified. The more you’re elevated the more you will be tried. To be a Christian leader, we need to understand, The suff’ring will be greater, than what our thoughts had planned. But we are not alone in this; creation also groans. Waiting for the sons of God, to all be truly known. It started of with Adam. So when he sinned and fell. The whole of God’s creation went down with Him as well. There’s only one solution. To humbly submit; And always be obedient and consequently fit, In with the way the Master has laid in front of you. There isn’t an alternative for what you have to do. And if you are uncertain, think back in history. The things that you have suffered and how it used to be. He humbled you with hunger; and then He gave you bread. The manna fell from heaven and that’s how you were fed. For forty years of wandering, in that dry wilderness, Your clothes and shoes did not wear out. He came to you to bless, You so your feet were blister-free and not once did they swell. Although you were all wand’ring in a desert “hot as hell”. The Lord observed your suffering and treated you like sons. He put you through His discipline that no one thought was fun. But when you entered Canaan, it all came to an end. The trial was then over and it was time to send, You in to take possession of the land He said He’d give. To drive out all the occupants; so none of them would live. So when you go through suffering rejoice; you are His child. And He has one intention. A people undefiled. Jim Strickland – Written 5th December 2011

RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PRAYER

We’ve learned the ten commandments; we know them off by heart. Perhaps we cannot quote them, but they are such a part, Of Jewish-Christian culture, they’re part of how we live. It’s only to the tenth one, that most of us must give, A little more attention. We covet with our eyes, The wife of someone’s neighbour, or yearn for other guys. Of course it’s our sin nature and how we are inclined. But when we get right down to it, that’s what we always find. There’s only one solution; to come to God in prayer. To ask Him for His mercy and for His loving care. But never take for granted, that He will set you free. Your attitude must be correct, or you will find He’ll be, Deaf to your petitions. He knows you inside out. You get away with nothing; of this there is no doubt! But if you have repented and asked in humble prayer, You’ll find His ears wide open and always listening there. He has a reputation for mending broken souls. His perfect understanding, God’s Holy Word extols! So go in true sincerity and fall upon your face. Tell Him all your troubles and ask Him for His grace. You won’t be disappointed. He will not let you down. Give Him your anxieties and cast away your frown. He knows before you ask Him, exactly what you need. Let His peace flow over you; and let your spirit feed, On all of His abundance. Make Him your sure delight! Your heart’s desire He’ll grant you; Your prospects will be bright. Commit your every action, to Him and He will show; The thing you should be doing, so that in Him you’ll grow. Spend each moment with Him, whenever there’s a chance. Be a willing partner in His Divine romance! This way you will develop a true relationship, With Father, Son and Spirit, you never will let slip. And as you walk together, your righteousness will shine. You’ll be a true reflection, of Jesus Christ Divine! You’ll intercede for others and He’ll incline His ear. And He will give an answer that’s exceptionally clear. You’ll find there is power, because you know Him well; And rescue many people on their journey toward Hell. Jim Strickland – Written 3rd December 2011

THE SPIRIT IN ACTION

Anointed with the Spirit. That’s how He went about. It happened when He was baptised; from then there was no doubt. A voice was heard from heaven, “He’s My beloved Son; I’m pleased with Him” The voice declared. His ministry begun! Then, standing in the river, the Holy Ghost came down. Resembling some heavenly dove, it lighted on His crown. We’re not sure what had happened; but from that very time, As Jesus walked upon the earth, some thought He was Divine. And that is very typical of how His Spirit acts. He seemed to know instinctively just what comprised the facts. From then on, Jesus understood exactly what to do. The Holy Spirit prompted Him and kept Him safe and true. The Spirit in His fullness, was resting on the Lord; And showed Him what He had to do; The Spirit had been poured, Upon Him from that moment; like an anointing oil, And covered Him from head to foot, equipping Him to foil, The devil and his purposes; He knew what lay ahead. A contest with the devil and He would end up dead! Then, miracle of miracles, before He had ascended, He told his special followers just what He had intended. And on the Day of Pentecost; exactly as He said, The tongues of Holy Spirit fire descended on each head. The Spirit brought them power, to minister His Word. It started in Jerusalem and many people heard, The sound of men and women, all speaking in strange tongues; As though some new dimension, was deep down in their lungs. Then much like the Lord Jesus and always in His name, The Spirit moved among them and they could do the same, As what the Lord had taught them. But everyone declared, His Spirit worked the miracles, His power unimpaired! Like Him they’d been anointed, to do the things He’d done. There was a major difference; They said, God’s Holy Son, Had caused each sign to happen. They just laid hands and prayed, And in the Name of Jesus Christ each circumstance obeyed. The Spirit was their helper; He is the paraclete. And He empowered everyone, demonic powers to beat. And right down to this very day, we know things are the same. True Christians are empowered, to act in Jesus’ name. And even in our weakness, the Spirit does today, The self same things that Jesus did, before He went away. So we have gone full circle; and in His name can do; The very things that Jesus did through folk like me and you. Jim Strickland – Written 2nd December 2011