OBEDIENCE OR SACRIFICE

Obedience or sacrifice. Which is it you prefer? Your son leaves school and takes a job – a waiter at the Spur. His interest was in medicine. So what will he do now?       I think you aught to sacrifice his favourite holy cow.

It’s all in our priorities. The things we like the best. A bit like sleeping on the beach, or pass that science test. We don’t think it is difficult, if we are old and wise. But sonny boy will live a life, that’s fitting in his eyes. Perhaps it’s been his custom for almost umpteen years? He likes to ride upon a horse and rope a dozen steers. He thinks that school attendance is just for geeks and nerds, But if he isn’t qualified, his future’s for the birds. Perhaps she is a lady and doesn’t want to work. She thinks that she will marry some very wealthy jerk. And spend her short term future, bringing up her brats; While doing all her housework with children dogs and cats. Of course these possibilities are always very real. The children and their future is not a special deal. But when they leave the homestead and step out on their own, It’s then that they’ll remember what Mom and Dad have shown; The things that we are doing and the choices that we make. Is where we mould the pattern that we can seldom break. It’s here we should be asking for wisdom from on high, To make the right decisions that last until we die. We find that Christian service is very much the same. We understood quite quickly that life is not a game. The choice is there before us. Should we obey the Lord, Or should we follow our desires and perish by the sword? The one who is obedient will find he is fulfilled. And those who lean on sacrifice will find out who is killed. Saul was such a person. His future looked secure. And then he went and did a deed that he knew was impure. It really was a tragedy. His crown was stripped away. And for the balance of his life this king was led astray. He made a wrong decision. He was too proud to wait. And at that very moment, this king had sealed his fate. It didn’t seem too serious; The Lord would understand. But he had taken action that God had never planned. And though he was the monarch for almost 40 years, The crown had passed to David in spite of all his tears. Today it’s still a question of obedience to God. Your offering is useless. Beneath His feet it’s trod. But those who listen to Him and hasten to obey; The Lord will not desert them and they will always say, They chose to be obedient, although it seemed absurd. So He is now their Saviour and they tremble at His word. Jim Strickland -  Written 10th December 2011

AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS

Some Christians have a habit, of leading with their chin. There’s myriads of problems and what a mess they’re in. They’re mostly outward looking and seldom see their own. They see their brother’s splinters while theirs remain unknown. But Jesus has released them and they have been set free. So they can do whatever, that they can think and see. Wicked deeds don’t matter. They’re living on His grace. So one or two more extra sins are seldom out of place. The problem is their focus. Their mantra, Me and Mine! They have a special licence, they got from the Divine. They don’t serve other people. That simply isn’t done. It would disturb their lifestyle and dissipate their fun. But when they see a brother, or sister who’s gone wrong, They seem to want to join them and be a happy throng; They galop helter skelter, and do the very same; They’ll get a rude awakening that comes in Jesus Name! The purpose of our living is service to our peers.      We’re told to love our brothers, through all our pain and tears.

It really isn’t optional. There is no other choice. Not if we’re obedient to Jesus and His voice. If others need correction it must be gently done. We need to help our brothers as we would help our son. But what is even better, is if we can deflect, Them following a course that is a bit less than perfect; To save him from a dreadful sin and damaging his soul, And showing what is needed to help him to be whole. We aught to be examples to others on the road; To set a good example and help them bear their load. To love with deep affection and magnanimity. And honour other people as God has honoured thee. So keep away from boasting and any form of pride. Share His grace with others and in His love abide. Learn to value patience; help those who are weak.      Set a good example; help the ones who seek.

So let us use our freedom, to help folk to be free. Let the reign of Jesus be all there is to see. Love our neighbour deeply and help his faith to grow. Then you’ll be His disciple whom others want to know. Jim Strickland – Written 8th December 2011

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