THE NEW CREATION

Hi all,

Attached herewith, please find a copy of my latest Daily Light Meditation in rhyme and metre.

30 years ago, when I went to a prominent Bible School, I was confronted with the Scripture which Daddy Hagin believed passionately. It was; ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Cor 5:17 ESV One of the topics we learned was what was called, “New Creation Realities”. For someone who was primarily a Methodist, it was “revelatory”.

I remember sitting there for a couple of evenings amazed by what I had never understood. Not that I understand it 30 years later. I doubt if anyone has unpacked this Scripture fully. We used to sing a chorus entitled, “I’m a new creation, I’m a brand new man.” It continued, “Old things have passed away”. Of course, what we were singing in the services was 2 Cor 5:17. It concluded with the words, “I’m a new creation; I’m a brand new man”. The words were easy enough. But how to put it into effect was a bit beyond most of us. Well, it was for me anyway.

The problem for me at the time is that although I knew I was a new creation, I felt as though I was still living in the old one. A number of us felt much the same, but said very little because we thought it would reflect badly on what we were being taught!

Today’s Scriptures remind me vividly of those days. They were wonderful and very exciting days. So much to understand; so much to learn. But the reality of the new creation still burns in me and sets my heart on fire. So our meditation today looks at the Scriptures and takes us on a journey from the times we are living in to God’s New Creation. Not just you and me. It’s a complete new creation for which this present universe longs to see.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

The New Creation

O Father, what a promise; and this applies to me! It’s quite incomprehensible. How can it ever be? I’ve struggled with this problem, since can’t remember when. My sorrow will be ended; It won’t plague me again! The prospect’s so exciting. It surely makes me scared. It’s happened unexpectedly; it’s caught me unprepared. I know I shouldn’t feel like this, I have expected trouble. And Jesus Christ has come along and pricked this foolish bubble. It thought I faced this on my own and couldn’t overcome. I knew I was a friend of Yours, but not a closest chum. And yet the application goes further than just me. It seems that all creation has groaned continuously. It’s looking for deliverance, from Adam’s fatal fall. Creation was affected, and Satan’s had a ball. It’s all been warped and twisted, as though in labour pains. It’s calling for deliverance, from mankind’s wicked stains. This thing is universal. It’s all within the reach, Of Satan and his demons, like flotsam on the beach! Our bodies are affected. We aren’t what You first made. We lost most of our faculties when Adam disobeyed. So everything around us is longing for relief. We know that it is coming Lord, but let the time be brief. Clothe us with brand new bodies in heaven, earth and sky. Not what Jesus swallowed up, but ones that cannot die. Renew Your old creation. Cause it to live once more. Return the life that Satan stole back in the days of yore. Make us a new creation with all sins washed away. Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus and with us here to stay; A place without the sun and moon; a place of dazzling light, Where Jesus and his brilliance is always shining bright! A place that’s sheltered by Your throne; where hunger is no more; And thirst a distant memory of what we knew before; Where Jesus is our Shepherd, who fills our every need Where every tear is wiped away and You are Lord indeed. Where tribulation’s ended and sin shall reign no more. Where Father, Son and Holy Ghost is whom we’ll all adore. Jim Strickland – Written 21st December 2011

CHOSEN

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 20 December 2011

Hi all,

Being chosen! It’s one of the most disturbing facts of the Christian life. Disturbing because it implies that I was chosen and Joe Soap was not! How do we deal with this because it seems to me that this is pride in any language? Does this mean that God has a great big “tic list” and that He goes through it and arbitrarily decides who He will save; a sort of Divine, “Eeny Meanie Miny Mo”? It’s great for me, but tough for poor old Joe Soap.

This is treading on thin ice. Predestination implies this sort of misunderstanding. It also overlooks God’s omniscience. He knows and has always known what each of us will do. More than that; He has always known this since before the foundation of the world.

This Divine knowledge exceeds anything we could possibly imagine. For example, assume for the moment when I came out of my door this morning I turned left instead of right. The impact on the world will be small but observable. The knowledge of God includes the outcome of all the alternatives. It doesn’t sound much to me. But take the possible alternatives all the way back to the fall of man. The alternative outcomes would approach infinity. It can never reach infinity, because only God is infinite. But God in His omniscience also knows the probable outcome of all these possibilities. So He knows what each one of us will do. So He knows who come to Him for salvation and who will not. In this sense I was predestined to be saved and Joe Soap was not. He knows who will choose Him and who will not. So our free will is not overridden by God. He just knows what will happen.

So there is no way I can be proud that I’ve been chosen and Joe Soap wasn’t. It’s just that He knows and has always known what each of us will choose. In that sense, in and through His Son, Christ Jesus, Christians have been chosen to be holy and perfect in His presence. In a small way it’s rather like our knowing that tomorrow will be Wednesday 21^st December 2011. We have not caused it to be that way. It will happen regardless of our view or preference. Tomorrow is “predestined” to be Wednesday 21^st December 2011. No matter what we do, that’s what it will be, whether we believe it or not!

This morning’s meditation looks at this in more detail.

Please forward my poetry to others you think would enjoy it. All I ask is that it is not used f or commercial purposes

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

Chosen

At times when I read Scripture, I feel utterly amazed. It just seems so fantastic, that my faculties are dazed. To think that I was chosen, before the world began; A bit of insignificance, is part of Your great plan? The Master of the universe, who made the seas and skies; That infinite omniscience should deign to cast His eyes; His perfect omnipresence, omnipotence Divine; Could even spare a thought, for imperfections such as mine. Why do you think of anyone? O Lord we are so small; We are so insignificant, and You are all in all! But You have spoken clearly and it’s written in Your Word, That I am more important than animal or bird. It seems a contradiction. To think that I was known, Before the worlds existed. But that is what is shown. Not just a selection of someone from the crowd; Not some giant lottery, the laws of luck allowed. In fact it’s just the opposite. You said that You called me, Back in some special instant in past eternity.

Before you made the universe and all of time and space.      Is where You first decided that I would find a place! In that dark empty nothingness, You chose me as Your own. You said that You would save me, while I was still unknown. You say it was predestined; that I be justified. That through Your Holy Spirit, I would be sanctified; That through the death of Jesus, Your glory would be seen, Imparted to the people You had chosen as Your queen. Yet even in Your choosing, it wasn’t cast in stone. You said that coming to You, would be my choice alone. But in Your perfect knowledge, You knew what that would be. So you could leave the choosing entirely up to me! Predestined to be sanctified – O Father what a thought! And as I contemplate it, my mind returns to naught. You’ve done it by Your Spirit; and what’s written on my heart, Has given me a freedom, which simply can’t depart. I want to be Your servant; I’m captive to Your love; I want to be a worshipper of You the Lord above. I’d like to understand it. But I no longer care. For me it’s quite sufficient to know that You are there. Jim Strickland – Written 20th December 2011

LIGHT FROM DARKNESS

Time with Jesus - Monday, 19 December 2011

Hi all,

Back in the days of Springbok radio, there was a programme I loved. It was called, “twenty questions”. There was a team of three or four men (always men as far as I remember) There was a Question Master and a mystery voice. The mystery voice would tell the listeners the “object” e.g. a telephone. The question master would then tell the team what the object was in terms of animal, mineral or vegetable. Sometime the object would be “abstract”. A tune would be “abstract” because it could not be classified as animal, mineral or vegetable. The team was then given 20 questions to identify the object. To my amazement they identified the object in less than 20 questions. In fact they managed to give the right answer most of the time. It wasn't long before I realised that abstract things are difficult to describe.

Christianity also has things that are hard to describe. “Love” is a good example. How can it be described? It has strong connections with “animal” In fact minerals and vegetables can’t love. (I understand that some “animals” love vegetables - But I digress) However, I can love my wife. I can also love God. So love could be described as “abstract with animal connections”?

Today’s meditation looks at behaviour and our relationship with God. It’s very much “abstract with strong animal connections”. It’s not easy to express. So if today’s verse and rhyme appear to be a bit “abstract with human connections”, don’t be surprised. Bear in mind that love is a lifestyle. Likewise, walking with God in obedience to Him is abstract. The problem is putting behaviour and our relationship with God into action.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

LIGHT FROM DARKNESS

Light shines in the darkness for the upright in the Lord; They’re gracious and compassionate and great is their reward. Those who walk in righteousness, the Lord will not despise. He will vindicate them in everybody’s eyes! Lord, You are my helper; My Master and my King! On those who would condemn me, the grapes of wrath You’ll bring. They’ll wear out like a garment that moths have chewed away. They’ll stumble in the darkness and won’t see the light of day. The Lord delights in people who listen to His voice; Who do the things He tells them; and follow Him by choice. He does let them stumble; He takes them by the hand, And leads them through the darkness, into the Promised Land. You treat us like a Father; we do the things You say. You treat us like the Mother we are eager to obey! We carry your instructions, like a cord around the neck. We follow in Your footsteps and use Your Word to check, That everything we’re doing conforms with Your desire. For being with the Master has set our hearts on fire. We know about the dangers of immorality; We keep away from prostitutes wherever they may be. We praise You for Your discipline, although at times it’s sore. You do it for our benefit that sin shall reign no more. You are a God of Justice. You always do what’s right. No man can run away from your all perceiving sight. My enemies have shamed me. At least that’s what they thought. But You are right beside me so their curses come to naught! For surely You’re omniscient; Your eyes don’t miss a thing. I’m sure to be rewarded, while unto You I cling. Your eyes will see their downfall and they will be ashamed. No longer will they look at me, as someone to be blamed. They’ll put away their taunting and admit that I was right; And say I am not guilty in God the Father’s sight! They’ll make the declaration that Jesus Christ is Lord. The only One who’s worthy to be worshiped and adored. Jim Strickland – Written 19th December 2011

THE THRONE OF GRACE

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 18 December 2011

Hi all,

Today’s Scriptures are filled with the goodness of God. He has done so much for us and we can do so little for Him. That sounds contradictory. It isn't. One of my favourite preachers describes us as “monsters of iniquity”. That is true before He gives us His righteousness. So from the point of view of the Scripture, we are sons and daughters of the Most High God. Sometimes it seems to me that His righteousness is only a sort of spiritual veneer. Certainly when I look back over my life, the expression “monster of iniquity” seems far more appropriate. But in some incredible way, Jesus transforms me into being what I could never be without Him.

We have a wonderful word in English that describes what He has done. The word is grace. Do I understand grace? Not really. Does anybody really understand grace? I’m not sure. It isn’t something you understand. It’s something He gives us. It’s His gift of grace which transforms someone from a monster of iniquity into a child of the Living God. How? I haven’t a clue. It’s not something we earn or deserve. It’s a free gift!

Hebrews 4:16 seems to take grace one step further. “So let us boldly approach the throne of grace. Then we will receive mercy. We will find grace to help us when we need it” We are invited to come before the throne of God. He calls it the throne of grace. This is where we really need His righteousness. Without His righteousness, the Holiness and Purity of God would destroy us. Nothing sinful can come into God’s presence. It would be completely annihilated.

Now we are told that we can come before the throne of grace boldly. To do so without His righteousness is impossible. Even with His righteousness, I must confess that I feel a bit intimidated. This is no tin-pot man imagined god that we humans seem to be able to concoct with our minds. This is the Creator of the Universe. You don’t get on the wrong side of God and survive. At the same time, He is the One extending the invitation!

Our meditation today reflects on the throne of grace and is an attempt to express in English something of the exhilaration and awe of such an occasion.

Please forward my poetry to others you think would enjoy it. All I ask is that it is not used for commercial purposes

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

The Throne of Grace

It’s time to get excited; it’s time for being bold. For entering the throne room, with confidence untold. The reason we can do this, is purely by His grace. For if He had not given it, we daren’t come near this place! And so because of Jesus, we overflow with joy. For if He hadn’t done it, we’d still be Satan’s toy. And so instead of worrying, we worship God Most High. We talk to Him of everything. He is “the reason why”. We thank You Lord for listening and “lending us an ear”; For You have made it possible, for us to enter here. Your grace is supernatural; its by-product is peace. Its value is eternal and doesn’t wane or cease. It guards the inmost being, The heart; the soul; the mind. So we say, “Abba Father” You’re merciful and kind. Lord Jesus, I’m your brother! I’m an adopted son! A member of Your family, in spite of all I’ve done. And You have told us plainly that nothing is concealed.      Nothing’s done in secret; it’s openly revealed.

Some folk try to hide it, but it’s a waste of time. Jesus Christ will publish every Christian’s crime. So when we come and seek You, you’re never far away. You entered the Most Holy Place, our sins are void today. No wonder we have confidence; Your blood has washed us clean! You’ve opened up a living way, where none of us had been. You made a declaration, the doorway’s open wide. So we have full assurance, where grace and truth abide. Our consciences are sprinkled and cleansed from sin and stain. Our sins have all been pardoned; we have been born again. And we hold on unswervingly, to that which we profess. A hope that never falters; a faith which You can bless. You’re our Priest in Heaven; the Son of God Most High. The One Who made it possible, for us to all draw nigh. The One Who has instructed us, that we must carry on. Be faithful and be diligent, until this world is gone. Be diligent and never turn away from confrontation. But constantly forgiving those who seek the Lord’s salvation. Helping fellow travellers; and spur them on each day! Until our life is over and we come home to stay. Jim Strickland – Written 18th December 2011