"But
he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our
iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and
with his wounds
we are healed" (Isa 53:5, ESV).
But first, two hymns, the first by George Matheson (1842-1906).O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go
O love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
O joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.
O cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
And the second hymn by Will L. Thompson (1847-1909).
Softly And Tenderly
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Refrain:
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?
Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.
Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.
POEMS
1. God’s In Pain
Yes, God’s in pain, and so would we be if humanity was our creation,And much we saw on Earth was abomination after abomination.
And that very Earth that we’d created writhing in polluted agony,
Many species now extinct, fires downing forests and wars raging endlessly.
And midst it all, the grateful, obedient and faithful pleading, “Please return,”
Christ knowing that He must wait a little longer, and then, sin and the wicked burn.
All why God’s in pain alright, He wanting to save and not destroy man, but hey,
He hardly having any choice, Heaven not for the rebellious come that day.
Oh, how God must weep at what He sees, His handiwork marred, trashed, and wantonly,
And those in His image denying His existence, scoffing insultingly.
And the saints diverted from their mission by afflictions, distractions and foes,
The latter pawns of Satan, as if that’s not plain to see, but you know how it goes.
And the worldly? Well, they lost in vice or ease, God deeply saddened by their choice,
Many having wandered from His side, many not listening to His voice,
And this, despite Christ having died for them, their very existence due to Him,
But rather than Heaven, it seems, they’re facing a future that looks pretty grim.
So, of course God’s in pain, so many of His own having turned their back on Him,
Or having grown careless, and this why salvation wise they’re risking life and limb.
And meantime are also aiding Satan, giving God even more cause to weep,
Who’s seeing the innocent suffering, though sowers of evil will still reap.
And it all began with Satan who’s lied and schemed, introduced apostasy,
Hence why Christ’s in pain, He having been accused, abused, murdered at Calvary.
And how many of His followers have been misled? Too many to number,
They now spouting heresy or dancing to some seductive worldly rumba,
Oh, how they err.
So, imagine how God feels who’s always wanted peace and happiness to reign,
But now is faced with a universe blighted by a selfish, unholy stain.
And for how long has such been so? God’s patience astounding, His great mercy too,
But His misery is prolonged, and one could say that His judgment’s overdue.
So yes, God’s in pain, He wanting so badly to end it all, stop the evil,
Stop the pain, for rather than a paradise, Earth is more like a living hell.
But Satan’s ultimate plan must be given time to arise that all may see
That God was right in the first place, as if the evidence isn’t clear enough,
For glance again at Calvary.
All why love must soon end the stench of ill and evil rising from planet Earth,
Removing suffering, cruelty, offenders, debauchery and bawdy mirth.
And finally Satan himself, the faithful rewarded with eternity,
The forever presence of their Saviour, the bliss and joy of the heavenly.
But love must wait, other worlds watching with baited breath, and they incredulous,
Given how their Ruler’s borne so long with such depravity, unrighteousness.
But that’s our Saviour, that’s our Lord, His love beyond our fallen comprehension,
And why we can rest assured that putting things right is His burning intention.
By Lance Landall
Satan is humanity's enemy and destroyer, Christ is humanity's friend and Saviour.
2. Jesus Weeps Too
Yes,
Jesus has feelings too, but His tears are saved for others — oh, such great concern —
For within that big heart of His, there’s a wondrous deep love that is seen to burn.
He thus weeping more than we over our loved ones, should they pass away or stray,
As He has a love that’s unsurpassable, for who fashioned us out of clay?
Yes,
We’re His little children, so prone to bringing tears to His eyes, then there’s our cries,
And He responding immediately, any seeming lag because He’s wise.
Meantime He oft hurting too, He closely watching what we may be going through,
And why we can rest assured that there’s tears in Heaven — God himself, kinda blue.
By Lance Landall
3. Earth Was Once Christ's Home
Jesus knows this planet well, for He not only created it, but lived here,
And due to sin, suffered terribly here, and thus His memory crystal-clear.
Yes, He well aware of the tragicness of Earth’s fallen condition, and man’s,
A jealous, prideful devil having originally upset all His plans.
Oh yes, for how beautiful the Earth once was, Adam and Eve without stain too,
But then came the Fall, and by the time that Christ was born — oh, what man had sunk to.
Hence that evil cross, and now things as bad as in the days of Noah, or almost,
For when it comes to their wickedness and unrighteousness, how men love to boast.
All why Jesus grieves so — and by the way, Nazareth had a reputation,
Christ confronted with ill from the get go, and then was spurned by His own nation.
But that aside, Earth was His home for thirty odd years, thus His attachment strong,
And why it pains Him so to see it fouled, aside from all the terrible wrong.
And this why He wants to change us, rescue us and start things all over again,
For He’s in the restoration business, wants to repair what’s been done by men.
Oh, how easily He could’ve disowned us all, laid this planet bare, but no,
His love too great and personal, and why He’ll soon be setting up home below,
A place He knows so well, but one that a big transformation will undergo.
By Lance Landall
4. How It Must Have Stung
Oh yes, how it must have stung,
Sadly rung, to put it mildly, for here comes God millenniums ago,
He creating a paradise and two perfect beings with a righteous glow.
And then, disloyalty, rebellion — and one could put it this way: Thievery,
Or lawlessness, and all hell broke loose, as they say, the results still seen today,
And more so, oh,
What a slap in God’s generous, benevolent face, even stab in the back,
And these were two beings who, thanks to their Creator, nothing on Earth would lack.
But no, they just had to partake of that forbidden tree, and so selfishly,
And as a result, lest one feel sorry for them, they brought about Calvary.
Fools!
Yes, God copping it again, and He blameless! Humans giving Him the fingers,
And why when it comes to the Fall and Calvary — oh, how the horridness lingers.
Forgive my bluntness, friends, but here’s us at times wondering where the heck God is,
As if He’s distant from it all, ’cause to be quite frank, the suffering’s all His.
Yes, so if anyone’s been stung, it's Christ, a hoard of devilish wasps at play,
And every inch of His body assaulted; and before you dare say, “Hey!”
Remember you’re lucky to be here, we not entitled to a thing, nothing,
For we’re His creation, and yet look at what He’s done for us — everything!
So let's bear our lot stoically, for Christ suffered more than we ever will,
He bearing the weight of the world, and on Calvary immortalised a hill.
And He’s still suffering, the pain excruciating, and you and I to blame,
For despite our own miseries, we’re still hurting Him via our sin — oh, the shame.
So yes, how it must have stung, and how it's still stinging, it all rubbed in His face,
We knowing about Satan, Eve and Calvary, and yet, those wrong things still chase.
And how careless we are with our planet, how careless we are with others too,
The latter being God’s children, and oh dear me, what we so oft put them through.
And how God’s stung again — every day, in fact — yes, He witnessing it all,
Be it physical or emotional, yet He still bearing long with us all.
As if He should, but hey, that’s God for you, and that example we should follow,
Lest our daily walk, profession of faith in Him, ring terribly hollow.
By Lance Landall
"Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer" (Rom 12:12, NKJV).
5. That Heinous Cross
Oh, how I hate that cross that held my Saviour — yes, indeed!
That ugly crown of thorns too that tore His skin, made Him bleed.
Those lashes that ripped His flesh, those bruises that marred His face,
And all because of you and I, this fallen sin-sick race.
Oh yes, how I hate that cross to which they hammered my Lord,
While devilish voices, hatred and obscenities roared.
Yes, that evil man-made cross, rough and hard, soon stained with blood,
That instrument of torture that struck the ground with a thud.
Oh yes, how I hate that cross upon which my Saviour died,
Humiliated and taunted as “Save yourself!” they cried.
Yes, placed between two criminals, treated as if one too,
Naked, nailed, stretched and parched — oh, the evil that men do.
But although I hate that cross, I’m so grateful for it too,
For without that cross, dear friend, grace could not abound, renew.
No, there would be no Saviour and no hope for you and I,
No Spirit to mould our deeds and character beautify.
Yes, love changed that cross forever which lives has changed as well,
For it now draws hearts to Christ, not Satan, who’ll burn in Hell.
Yes, love gained the victory, took charge of the battleground,
Now grace, hope, change and victory that heinous cross surround.
By Lance Landall
6. Still A Mystery
Lucifer had everything, was highly honoured, his home a paradise,
His future eternal, and then he did the unthinkable — and what a price!
Yes, it costing him everything he had, and those who sided with him too,
Who, given their wondrous God of love and truth, should never have ever thought to.
And such a mystery, seemingly, but Lucifer not a robot, and thus
Free to err, able to become prideful, or jealous as he was of Jesus.
But why when he had it all? There simply being no need, no, no need at all,
Mutterings turning into open rebellion, and then came Earth and man’s fall.
And here it went again…
Eve, Adam’s wife, had everything, face to face communion with God, Jesus,
A paradise, eternity, each other, joy, no reason for any fuss.
But Satan’s lies too tempting to resist, or so it would seem, but why oh why,
Given she had no quarrel with her Creator, no reason to such lies buy?
But buy them Eve did, she no robot either but free to err, coveting too,
God not having given her any reason to think anything was askew.
And once again, what a price, both banished from Eden, and death a certainty,
Their only hope of regaining paradise lost being God’s grace, Calvary.
And here it goes again,
For despite this great opportunity, eternal life in a paradise,
Folk still buy Satan’s lies, take licence with God’s grace, do or may pay the same price.
Yes, they no robots either given they’re the descendants of Adam and Eve,
And thus free to err and covet too, and once again, the heart of Jesus grieve.
And none of it making sense like that man who fools with another woman, when
He has everything going for him, but oh, isn’t that the way of men.
His wife gorgeous, sweet, affectionate and loving, but he in another bed,
And one once again asking, what on Earth was going on in his crazy head?
He having had no quarrel with his wife, freedom misused again, with a cost,
For even where wives don’t ditch such men, things just aren’t the same, for trust has been lost.
And thus there being consequences one way or another, but far more so
When we exchange the promises of Heaven for those deceptive lies below.
For we too, hardly have any quarrel with Jesus, but just the devil, who,
Caused all the misery and evil in the first place, and still continues to.
All why we shouldn’t blame God, should shun the negatives for the positives, and
Dwell on God’s love and mercy, those wondrous doings of His loving heart and hand.
Yes,
Blessings from His merciful, benevolent, creative hand falling on all,
The wicked still living and breathing, sunny respites between cold, rain and squall.
Garden’s still growing, flowers still cheering, good fortune still smiling, and you know,
Many aiding or delighting God-incidences that such a wondrous love show.
And hence that question, “Why?”, so many using their freedom in a way that hurts,
They grieving God by spurning Him or by chasing worldly things and tempting skirts.
And He having always had our best interests at heart, and such clear to see,
All why there shouldn’t have been any, “Why?”, and such surely still a mystery.
By Lance Landall
7. Imagine If Christ Had Messed Up
Yes,
Imagine if Christ had messed up; oh, the weight, stress, pressure, it clearly intense,
’Cause the consequences of Him failing in His mission would’ve been immense.
And yet here He was, willing to risk losing everything for you and I,
His Father, His paradise and eternity, everything kissed goodbye.
And that the end of us too, but to think that God himself risked it all for us,
Wow! Now that’s incredible, and why glory and honour belong to Jesus,
Him alone, for what an amazing love given the staggering price He paid,
Which would’ve been even higher if He had failed, yet at home He never stayed.
But rather, down He came, exchanging paradise for a fallen creation,
And knowing that in the end He’d face Calvary, a cruel brutalization.
And Jesus not able to put a foot wrong, and He didn’t — oh happy day! —
Because imagine if Christ had messed up and the old serpent had won the day.
By Lance Landall
8. Mind That Paranoia
As far as Satan goes, he’s certainly on the tail of committed Christians,
Hence many negatives that happen, and baptism largely where such begins.
And God allowing such at times in order to pull us up, have us stop and think,
He chastising those He loves, because at known and willing sin He cannot wink.
However,
Neither Satan nor God having anything to do with many of those ills,
But we causing them ourselves via folly, which someone’s sound prediction fulfils.
Mum or Dad’s say, though those bad things can also be random, wrong place, wrong time, say
And why I’d mind that paranoia that some can develop along the way.
Yes, Satan’s ultimately behind any ill, he having introduced ill,
But he not behind each door with some “Got ya!” water pistol, ’cause we’ve free will,
And oft do silly or reckless things, even thoughtless things, which just doesn't pay,
Because what goes around comes around, and this one reason why God says obey.
But oh, what a wonderful God we have, He slow to anger and bearing long,
He compassionate, merciful and just, a God who’s also clever and strong.
And therefore, Satan no match for Him, and God on our side, all His angels too,
Who’ll help us in our hour of need — and in all things, our best interests pursue.
By Lance Landall
9. There Are Blessings And Blessings
When we talk about God’s blessings, we tend to think of those things that come our way,
A job, some windfall, some money saved, or a certain opportunity, say.
In other words, some gift or kindness Heaven sent or created, but you know,
Blessings come from adhering to God’s Word-cum-wisdom, from which good will oft flow.
For example:
You thinking, “Would God really want me going to that?” “No.” And so you don’t go,
But others do, suffering some kind of loss or pain, for in it was the foe.
Yes, it more where he would be and not God. “But many things just random,” you say,
And though true, the fact still remains that you never went to what it was that day.
And hence how you were blessed — yes, blessings coming from wisdom, us using our head,
And those blessings many, and why when it comes to certain things, what has God said?
Though sense itself is still God-given, all why we keep off drugs, lock our car, and
Have someone mind our house while we are away, and even keep some things close at hand.
By Lance Landall
10. Spare Me That Violin
I can almost hear our righteous God saying, “Oh, please, spare Me that violin,”
Because the truth is, that most aren’t so much struggling with sin, but in love with sin.
So out comes every excuse, and God’s heard them all before, time and again,
All because of folk not letting go, rather than because stopping’s beyond men.
“Oh, you really don’t understand, God, but we’re hoping we can get You to see
That sin’s too much for us to handle, so mind when we take hold of it with glee.”
Yes, what a soap opera, folk hardly wanting to part company with sin,
But more than happy to clutch at grace and cheekily call themselves a Christian.
And so, it’s time those old violins had their backs broken over contrite knees,
Because God’s no fool, and all those hypocritical crocodile teardrops sees.
“I’ve still got a way to go,” some crying, when they’ve simply been dragging their feet,
God not so dear to their heart after all, and thus they withering with the heat.
And yes, they like city cats who’ve got so used to things, it goodbye healthy fear,
Or their New Age God’s too nice to chastise anymore, hence that nonsense we hear.
“I don’t see things that way,” some indulgently say, when God’s made things very clear,
And it everyone’s fault but their own — ops, there goes another pampered tear.
By Lance Landall
11. I'm So Proud Of You
Dear God above, I’m so proud of You, Your love beyond compare, and I in awe,
Oft thinking of how forbearing You are, it years before You shut the ark’s door.
One hundred and twenty, in fact, and oh, how oft You warned ancient Israel, who,
Finally reaped Your justified response, though such being so foreign to You.
Yes, something You’d rather not administer, but You’re a God of justice, who,
Has a universe to run, and thus law and order so important to You.
All why Lucifer was banished from Heaven; Adam and Eve from Eden, who,
You still allowed to live for hundreds of years, when by right, You didn’t have to.
All why I’m so proud of You, happy to call You my Lord and speak well of You,
Your compassion and mercy unfathomable, hence why sinners You still pursue.
But time’s running out, Your delayed return eminent, and hence Your warning cry,
For You will finally end sin’s reign and cries of deliverance satisfy.
By Lance Landall
"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness"
(Psalms 103:8, NASB).
12. Though We're To Love
Imagine how God must have felt, a perfect universe, peace and harmony,
And then it all fell apart, first Lucifer, then ungrateful humanity.
And for almost six thousand years God having to wait for it all to play out,
And meantime, what are you and I doing about it, or does God have to shout?
Yes, the signs of the times should be enough, sin’s awfulness surely plain to see,
But have we truly turned from playing with it, thus dicing with eternity?
Though there’s another thing, and that is: What have we been doing to turn things ’round?
’Cause the less we say and do, choosing comfort instead, the more Satan gains ground.
So forget popularity, and stop worrying about treading on toes,
For though we’re to love, we’re to also warn, expose and rebuke, which may stir foes.
The latter all part of that cross that we should be bearing, and gladly, I say,
For who created us, died for us, and promised He’d return for us one day?
Therefore, we should be only too happy to clean up the mess that man has made,
Both in the world and Church, which means that any flack, we shouldn’t try to evade.
So though we’re to love, there will be times when we’re to rock the boat, ruffle feathers,
Which means, standing up and speaking out, no matter how tough or daunting such seems.
Such is not to be left for others to do, but is the duty of all, and,
We therefore meeting with God’s strong disapproval when we don’t take such a stand.
In other words, self must be forgotten, and love not just about warm fuzzies,
But also those words of warning and rebuke where folk are doing as they please.
The biggest problem today, within Christendom, is that lack of healthy fear,
Most wrongly thinking that they’re saved despite still doing what they shouldn’t dare.
And thinking that being Christ-like means not doing anything that might annoy,
Or upset, and there goes the Bible, and why with its contents so many toy.
By Lance Landall
" 'Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents,
forgive him...' " (Luke 17:3, ESV).
“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying
to please men, I would not be a servant of God” (Gal 1:10, NIV).
"All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16,17, NIV).
"So
then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with
fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12, NASV).
13. Sympathy Mixed With Warning
God’s compassionate, and understands our struggle with sin, wrongful desire,
He well aware we’re fallen creatures, but saddened that we’re still playing with fire,
Because such should’ve stopped, dear fellow Christian, Ezra’s words ringing in my ear,
For how long has Christ borne with such ungratefulness, and that lack of healthy fear.
We’ve been indulging far too long, and after embracing Christianity,
Thereby witnessing falsely to others who’re quick to holler, “Hypocrisy!”
And hence how we let Christ down who gave His all on Calvary for you and I,
Just to see us still partaking of that cur-sed fruit, and you and I know why.
Yes, such appealing to our fallen nature, our tastes having been corrupted,
But oh, what if such indulgence is apocalyptically interrupted?
I thinking of those judgments that fell on ancient Israel still clinging to sin,
Just like we are, and despite having been warned too, and God’s patience growing thin.
Oh, how I understand too, my dear Christian, I a wretched sinner as well,
Dabbling here and there, my eyes, ears, hands and feet unfaithful, spinning sin's carousel.
And I in my latter years — oh, what foolishness! — that age old hammer in hand,
Nail after nail piercing again, and I still wanting Christ to understand?
Something shouts, “Cheek!” to me, hence my hating this wretchedness that bedevils me,
Oh, please excuse the unintentional pun, sin the devil’s territory.
And found there is selfishness, laziness and procrastination, oh dear me,
’Cause how we love to linger, despite what happed when Eve partook of that tree.
Shouldn’t that be enough?
But what about those judgments that came upon Israel, and then there’s Calvary;
No, it doesn’t seem enough, does it, and how long has Christ waited patiently?
Might there be a wake up call? As if the signs of the times aren’t enough, or pain,
’Cause sin costs, hence those scars we carry, so why do we tarry, our folly plain.
Yes, God is certainly compassionate, and understands our struggle with sin,
Wrongful desire, but who doesn’t know that one can get burnt playing with fire?
And God doesn’t want that to happen, because fire scars or consumes, and this why,
We need to get serious, because, quite frankly, how hard do we really try?
No, I’m not on about works here, but we’re to hardly sit on our bottom, so,
Let’s not insult God’s grace by disobedience, words and acts that wrong seeds sow.
For weren’t we repentant when we gave our self to Christ, or was it just an arm,
A leg? Hence those sins of ours hanging on Satan’s line, each with a pinching peg.
Oh, how such must pain Christ, especially when He understands, wants to spare us,
But we dragging our feet and looking back like Lot’s wife, not ahead at Jesus.
Oh, those tears in His eyes, He anxiously waiting with outstretched arms, and pleading,
And given our shilly-shallying, pathetic excuses, He still bleeding.
I know that it’s hard, dear fellow Christian, but it’s hard for Jesus too, you know,
He not unmindful of all our sufferings, sin’s cruel grip, and our cunning foe.
And don’t we know such, all why I, and not just our Saviour, really feel for you,
Though also aware that a solemn time is approaching when act Christ must do.
However, that curtain could fall today via stroke or accident, and therefore,
We lost or saved, our life in harmony with, or out of sync with, God’s moral Law.
For, “Ye will know them by their fruits,” the Bible states, and that fruit rotting or ripe,
So let’s turn our backs on Satan, his perilous attractions and lying hype.
Oh yes, there’s power in the blood, and strength is imparted to the receptive,
Who, via their faithfulness, won’t die without any hope, but soon, eternally live.
And the God who understands will dwell amongst them, He holy, holy, holy,
And our example, the giver of grace to those who repent and walk rightly.
It’s bad enough that we watch and do wrong things in private, but oh, publicly!?
For what folly, our erring from Christian principles clear for others to see.
We not just rebelling, but creating stumbling blocks, painting a false picture,
One that doesn't gel with that call to come out of the world that’s found in Scripture.
And so, there were those who remained in Babylon despite Ezra’s kind warning,
They not returning home when free too — oh, how often those sad parallels ring,
’Cause here we are, still in the world when told to come out of it, renounce its ills,
The world at odds with Christ, and so many Christians hooked on its distracting thrills.
And yes, there’s a modern Babylon too that folk have been told to leave as well,
It a truth and error fusion with a religious facade where devils dwell.
So please, dear fellow Christian, make haste, give Jesus your all, and leave sin behind,
That true peace, happiness, and a godly kingdom of love to come, you may find.
By Lance Landall
“God
did not send prophets to Israel to amuse their bored minds or soothe
their anxious hearts. He sent them to turn people to repentance. ‘The
day of the Lord is coming. Be different, change, get ready.’ That was
their message.”
Roy Clements
"...Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come..." (Rev 14:7, NKJV).
"For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome
for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17, NASB).
“Do we then overthrow [make void] the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law
[God's Ten Commandments]” (Rom 3:31, ESV).
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in
him" (1 John 2:15, KJV).
"Come out of her [Babylon], My people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of
her plagues" (Rev 18:4, NIV).
14. Postcard From Planet Earth
It’s sad to see Earth’s end approaching, Lord, for once “it was very good” You said,
And you know, it all we’ve ever known, Lord, where we’ve married and our kids reared.
All the sights, sounds and smells so familiar to us, thus memories abound,
Many happy, and midst the fallenness, vestiges of that “very good” are found.
We know that sin and all it’s marred must end, but it’s currently our home, Lord, and,
Not all is bad, nor all of Earth’s inhabitants, and why for right, many stand.
Hence those noble acts one sees, all that love and goodness too, and why all’s not lost,
Especially given how on Calvary You mercifully met that cost.
So, even though destruction’s coming, many of us are doing what we can,
Not only trying to deal with wrong, but cleaning up those pollutants of man.
And we’re up against it, ’cause the forces of evil are gaining ground, sadly,
And many of us who should know better are still clinging to things too tightly.
And I guess that such is one reason why You’re removing Your restraining hand,
Lest most not awaken to Earth’s approaching end, and on Your side make a stand.
Yes, too many enjoying their riches, or lost in pleasures, Lord, sinful acts,
And of course Satan making sure that the majority don’t know all the facts.
So please, Lord, mingle mercy with Your wrath, for though You’ve a right to feel angry,
We’re fallen creatures, and Earth being where You made our home, died on Calvary.
And hence it meaning much to You too, and this no doubt why it will be renewed,
But meantime, destruction’s need and preparation coming; and the devil shrewd.
Yes, Earth’s rather comfy, and sin having beguiled us all, unfortunately,
Hence why despite the pain and evil, we’re glancing back like Lot’s wife, foolishly.
Such being somewhat understandable, for this is Your creation, Lord, Earth,
And why “it was very good” You once said, until that is, rebellion gave birth.
So please, Lord, save us from ourselves, may Heaven beckon more than Earth, tug our heart,
That a much brighter life in Heaven, and later when back on Earth, we may start.
But meantime, given Earth is all we’ve known, please mingle mercy with Your wrath,
Because though we’re struggling with it all, Lord, it’s not us who at Your coming scoff.
By Lance Landall
"But
the day of the Lord will come like a thief [catch folk out], in which
the heavens will pass away
with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works
will be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10, NASB).
15. But What If Today?
Adam sinned and here we are, our lives spoilt too, but Christ offers us a new one,
Which we grab, but still insisting that the present life be full of joy and fun.
Complaints aplenty — oh, how foolish we are — for why should it matter to us?
The present to be borne, and the future to be looked forward to — come Jesus!
Yes, a second chance, a new start, so too bad it this life isn’t up to scratch,
Not that we should expect it to be given all the ill Satan’s seen to hatch.
But oh dear, the thought of eternal bliss not enough, we wanting this and that,
And seemingly forgetting that it’s the new life to come that’s where its all at.
Therefore, too bad if we miss out on certain things, even do it hard, but no,
I must have this, Lord, a spouse, a house — well, you know — and then off to Heaven lets go.
Hence our getting lost along the way, repeating all the mistakes of the past,
When surely we’ve seen how Earth disappoints, and how even great things oft don’t last.
Thus money, trips, rushed weddings and worldly ambitions the order of the day,
Satan chuckling to himself, ecstatic over the spiritual decay.
Present desires all absorbing, God’s work suffering, and ill gaining ground,
No healthy fear; empty promises once again giving Christ the run-around.
Yes, the present hardly borne but griped over, and “must do this” before Christ comes,
So many thinking they’ll still be saved; shame they haven’t done their spiritual sums.
God hardly in the picture, that new life too far away, but what if today
Death should catch them unawares, and rather than “Welcome,” Jesus something else say?
Surely any Christian with their head screwed on knows that this life isn’t a loss,
It all a terrible mistake, and man the cause, but enter that saving cross.
And therefore,
There’s a new dawn, a new day, a new life for me and you, and much more,
But only if we stop looking out our curtained window and open the door.
Yes, too much within distracting, just occasional glances out the window,
Hoping to put some things away before Christ calls, but might we miss His knock though?
And all we ever getting being now, the worst side of the coin, foolish man,
Or foolish woman; self-centredness and ungratefulness how it all began.
By Lance Landall
Refer to the bible texts that are under my poem What Christ Is Trying To Say which is on my page To God Be The Glory, grey box, Christian section.
For more poems giving an insight into the nature of God, and His doings or not, see the orange box
that's titled, Gracious Love, Christian section.
On the human side of things, there are three other orange boxes that are worth checking out, and they are:
Hang In There; Stop The Charade! and Seventy Times Seven Plus, Christian section also.
Sin, Calamities And Judgment
"For I [Paul] have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God"
(Acts 20:27, KJV).
According to the Bible, sin hasn’t just affected humanity, (such clearly seen in selfishness and evil; Rom 5:12), but has also affected Nature (Gen 3:17,18), hence decay, mould, weeds, thorns, poisonous things, falling leaves, cold or scorching temperatures, tooth and claw, those polar icecaps, etc.
In other words, our planet has been slowly deteriorating ever since sin’s entrance, and that deterioration has been accelerated with time. To put it another way, planet Earth is breaking down, it effectively groaning, and some might say convulsing, under the weight of sin’s destructiveness and infectiousness.
Three more things have added to this:
1)
The worldwide flood that occurred in Noah’s day (2 Peter 3:5,6) catastrophically changed, distorted and affected the Earth’s crust and all that’s rooted to it; hence those tectonic plates, those fault lines, earthquakes and volcanoes.
2)
Satan has been making hay while the sun shines, causing mischief, he no doubt playing with things in order to bring about distortions, malfunctions, and so on.
3)
Humans have been causing damage to planet Earth themselves, its environment and ecosystem, thereby creating problems of their own, and even calamities. Who isn’t aware of climate change? And such all courtesy of the likes of pollution, (air, sea and land), deforestation, nuclear radiation, and war damage.
Now, having said all that, there are some other things that we need to bear in mind too:
a)
The Bible tells us that God chastises those He loves.
According to the dictionary, to chastise means to punish, reprimand, discipline. To chasten means to punish or reprimand for the purpose of correcting or improving. So, chastise and chasten are really one and the same thing.
Therefore, in order to pull us up where we’re erring, or in order to wake us up from a perilous self-inflicted slumber that could see us lost or terribly suffer, God may allow certain negative things to come our way. No, He not causing them but allowing them where He otherwise may not have. In other words, He removing His restraining hand.
Remember that God is a parent too, and we His children. Yes, God working in a similar way to earthly parents, who, in line with sense, chastise their erring, rebellious children in order to set or keep them on the straight path.
Children also need to be made to appreciate what effect they may be having on others. This is where suffering builds character too, and thus we becoming more thoughtful, considerate and sympathetic towards others, and less likely to offend, annoy or hurt.
God’s chastisement, (correcting, improving), via both rules and consequences, and the often removal of His restraining hand, is also seen in His past dealings with that rebellious theocracy, ancient Israel, who He warned time and time again before unleashing His wrath, either directly or via removing His restraining hand. Yes, God’s clearly very merciful having borne so long with them.
The truth is, that because God's so forbearing, men, (including many Christians), grow bolder in their sins given that nothing has happened to them. Hence how they get caught out, and God finally having to act.
And so, within God's Word, and as seen in His dealings with ancient Israel, there are two kind kinds of judgments:
Remedial — Corrective or restorative judgment.
Drawing from the book A Compassionate Roar, the following is said of remedial judgments: They are rooted in God's mercy; they are intended to arrest the attention of a distracted, wayward people, to shake them up so they will listen; they are to get them to face themselves; they portend final judgments; and they are meant to restore by stirring repentance and humility in sinning people.
Final — Times up. No more grace. And such will be the case with Christ's return, the ultimate outcome when rebelliousness and wrongdoing continues. Hence the destruction of the wicked and all earthly kingdoms.
The only window of mercy that we have is as individuals, though accidental death could strike us at any moment, and hence why the Bible states that today is the day of our salvation. So no, America will not be spared, as some hope or think, nor any other country. Hence all those things that are going down like never before.
b)
So yes, God is definitely very unhappy with things, but is He zapping people both individually and collectively as a result of their rebellion, evil and destructive activities?
Firstly, life can be random, and this is why we shouldn’t be too quick to draw conclusions. Some things happen for no other reason than the fact that so much on planet Earth, and for various reasons, is out of kilter. Therefore, much won’t make sense or have any rhythm or rhyme. All why people are often heard to say, “That’s life.”
Secondly, we often create our own misfortunes via folly, recklessness, thoughtlessness and selfishness, bearing in mind that what goes around often comes around. Thus many reaping what they sow, and such can also be said of society in general, especially where things are permitted or sanctioned that shouldn’t be. Pornography being a good example, it one of many things causing a whirlwind of trouble. So, when folk ask why things are happening, they need to also look at what they’re doing.
Thirdly, there is also the wicked activity or injurious behaviour of plotters, insiders, terrorists, charlatans, the deluded, those under the influence of alcohol and drugs, those who've become mentally unhinged — the latter rapidly increasing, and maybe, just maybe, some who've been hypnotized.
Fourthly, Satan and his (also expelled) evil angels are busy creating as much trouble and mayhem as possible, both within society and our own lives, the latter being in order to discourage, mislead and ruin.
Ever since his expulsion from Heaven, Satan has not only sought our personal downfall, but total control over planet Earth and humanity via previous powers that sought world domination, and the latter he will eventually achieve via a persecuting, political-religious, global power that will not only deceive via its clever spiel, cunning, and signs and wonders, but force all to worship it (Rev 13:11-18). In all this we but see the ongoing battle between good and evil, God and Satan, otherwise known as the Great Controversy.
Because God has given us the freedom and liberty to choose between Him and Satan, good and evil, the right path or wrong path, (God not wanting robots), He has to wait until that time when Satan will succeed.
This way the inhabitants of Earth, Heaven, and other created worlds will finally see Satan’s true heart and long term intentions — in other words, where such a heart and rebellion leads to. And this way there will never be another murmur against God, (who thinks in terms of eternity), Satan’s accusations will be proven groundless, and no one will want to follow in the likes of Satan’s selfish footsteps again. Meantime God aches for an end to it all and promises that one day it will end.
So, on both an individual and collective level we’re being attacked and assaulted.
c)
Now to the last and final thing.
Sin, (rebellion, selfishness, evil), is out of control, so God will soon have to pull the plug on it, bring it all to an end, destroy the wicked, (including Satan's global power), translate the saved and renew the Earth. But before He does, a judgment period must take place, just like Paul told Felix (Acts 24:25).
At the end of the day, God is not just the God of love but the God of justice. And because He’s a merciful, longsuffering God, He always warns first.
Therefore, and because He is returning soon, He, via the book of Revelation, (an apocalyptic book), warns that the hour of His judgment has come (Rev 14:7). In other words, has begun, He going through the records (Eccl 12:14; Matt 12:36,37; Dan 7:9,10,13; Rev 20:12), and soon bringing His reward or penalty with Him (Matt 16:27; Rev 22:12). And this warning to all meaning: Turn from any rebelliousness and wickedness lest you be destroyed and miss out on eternal life.
And by the way, and just to re-clarify, sin is rebelliousness, spurning God, going contrary to His will. Such shown by the following examples: Crime, violence, lawlessness, vanity, pride, sexual immorality, adultery, same-sex sexual acts; the latter being a corruption of His creational design and intent. However, God not singling out particular evils or peoples. After all, wrong is wrong, evil is evil, and all have sinned.
And hence why we’re told that we’ll know people by their fruits.
Now, because man’s cup of iniquity is pretty much full, God in order to get folk to take notice or wake up, and also because His divine patience is being exhausted, is slowly removing His restraining hand.
So this is why we’re seeing a greater frequency and intensity of calamities and disasters which are falling on all. Such signs (Matt 24:7) of Christ’s soon return should have us all scurrying back to the straight and narrow path lest we be lost forever.
Ancient Israel’s rebellion, evil and apostasy, God’s repeated warnings to her, and final judgments, are recorded so that we may learn from them. We need to see this parallel because it’s not just non-believers who’re acting wrongly but many Christians too, we’re told.
the culmination of the ages has come" (1 Cor 10:11, NIV).
And so, our righteous, Holy, unchangeable God is most unhappy with the worldliness of Christians, their embracing of wrongful things, their faulty witness, and their polluting of His Church via wrongful introductions and even heresy.
Hence the following text:
The same polluting of what was God’s occurring in ancient Israel’s day.
Hence this text:
So, dear brother or sister, make of this what you will, but the parallels are striking and a lesson. At the end of the day, it’s your call, your choice — thus you determining yourself what your own fate will be, for better or worse.
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins [God’s grace is made void], but [rather] a fearful expectation of judgment [unless we genuinely repent]...”
(Heb 10:26,27, ESV).
And remember this: If God is slowly removing His restraining hand, imagine how long He has held things in check that would’ve happened long before. How’s that for mercy, longsuffering and love!? And we would’ve self-destructed long ago, no doubt.
Meantime, Christians won't be removed from suffering, nor spirited away, as can be seen in the text below:
(Rev 14:12, ESV).
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your [God’s] throne…” (Ps 89:14, ESV).
“And to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven [the Second Coming] with His mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance [justified punishment, instant death] on those who do not know God [those who've had opportunity to know Him but have spurned the privilege] and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus [those who know the Gospel message but have refused to obey it because of their love of sin]” (2 Thess 1:7,8, ESV).
This section was upgraded 28 August 2017.
Part Two
SOBERING PARALLES
culmination of the ages has come" (1 Cor 10:11, NIV).
Here you can see the parallels between ancient Israel and Christendom that still meet with God’s strongest disapproval — ancient Israel being God’s chosen vehicle pre-Calvary, and Christendom being God’s chosen vehicle post-Calvary.
the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9, KJV).
The Israelites dated and married those who belonged to the nations outside of ancient Israel, ancient Israel being God’s chosen people for imparting truth and attracting others to a better way and thinking. Such flirtation and marriages were forbidden, and for good reasons.
Christians have been instructed not to marry non-Christians, unbelievers (2 Cor 6:14) and those who aren’t in complete harmony with God’s requirements (Amos 3:3) — in other words, their boyfriend or girlfriend should only be one who has repented, accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour, been baptised and is walking anew.
The Israelites embraced and imitated many unacceptable ways and practices of those outside their nation when God had clearly told them not to (Deut 18:9).
God, via His Word, has told Christians to come out of the world (2 Cor 6:17) — in other words, not to engage in things of the world that are not in harmony with Heaven and the standard of Christian conduct; to avoid the world's wrongful influences. No one can serve two masters.
For example: Unfit places, music, material and interests; sex before marriage; adultery, and so on.
When it came to their worship, the Israelites adopted forbidden rituals and practices belonging to those outside their nation, and had also stopped making a clear distinction between what God had made clear was holy or unholy (Eze 22:26).
Christians have been making the very same mistake, are polluting God's house too. For example: Christian jazz or rock — both oxymorons. Worldly sounds and styles that blur both witness and distinction. Click here for further information. Hence why the book of Revelation, (an apocalyptic book), talks about the destruction of Babylon’s musicians (Rev 18:21-24). Babylon standing for all that’s false (Rev 18:4).
The Israelites embraced many erroneous beliefs [heresy] belonging to those outside of their nation.
Christians have likewise been accepting erroneous beliefs that have come from faulty stables too.
The Israelites sought alliances with other nations that they were forbidden to, and also joined with those who had errant and worldly agendas.
Christians are showing a similar lack of faith and impaired judgment by enlisting help that they shouldn’t be having anything to do with, and are involving themselves in the likes of unions that hold employers to ransom, and this when Christ has said not to strive against ones fellowman, and that one should be content with ones wage.
It was the leaders of ancient Israel that led the people astray, the nation rising or falling depending on the leaders. Israel had more bad kings than good. Judah had more good kings than bad.
And so it is today within the Christian Church, spiritual Israel, churches rising or falling depending on the soundness and straightness of the leaders.
The Israelites often spurned, mocked and mistreated God’s warning prophets.
Christians have been ignoring and disputing what God has passed on via His Word, and dare any Christians mistreat any true prophet, Divine messenger, that God may send them too.
The Israelites either trampled on God’s Law or tried to earn their way to Heaven via its observance, and enter the fanaticism of the Pharisees.
Within Christendom, we see Christians either trampling on God’s Law too, and incorrectly saying that it has been done away with (Rom 3:31), or Christians also trying to earn their way to Heaven via its observance, (rather than keeping it out of love and respect -- 1 John 2:4; 5:3), and enter legalism.
The Israelites not only violated God's Sabbath in various ways, but they turned God's Sabbath into a mere ritual with no true spirit of devotion. Hence how things got to a point where God hated their Sabbaths as they kept them.
The same can be seen within Christendom today.
When Christ first came to Earth, (and was rejected by His chosen nation, who He then divorced), many nations were united under one government and one language was spoken.
The Israelites thought that God was going to set up His kingdom on Earth and deal to the Romans, thus reinstalling the Jewish kingdom, which wasn’t so.
Just prior to Christ’s return, we’re told that a persecuting global power will be operating (Rev 13:11-18), and as we know, English has become the universal language of the day.
Many Christians are thinking similar to those in ancient Israel, but Church and State does not have God’s blessing, and hence why He stated that His kingdom is not of this fallen world (John 18:36), nor of a mixed multitude, (only ancient Israel being a theocracy). And that He’s returning in glorious fashion to remove His people from this planet until it’s made new again.
The Israelites clamoured for an earthly king which greatly displeased God.
It’s interesting that Protestants are reaching out to the pope, men once again turning to an earthly vessel rather than to the very God in whom they should solely trust.
From the book A Compassionate Roar by John O. Anderson.
CONTRASTS
Looking at the End-time senario in particular.
The wise — The foolish (Matt 25:2)
The sheep — The goats (Matt 25: 31-33)
The righteous — The wicked (Matt 13:47-50)
The children of light — The children of darkness (Eph 5:8)
Those who overcome the "dragon" (Rev 12:9-11) — Those who worship the "beast" (Matt 14:9,10)
Those who follow the "Lamb" (Matt 14:4) — Those who war against the "Lamb" (Matt 17:4)
Those whose names are written in the book of life (Matt 21:27) — Those whose names are blotted out (Matt 3:5)
And so, people will fall into the following two groups:
The saved.
Those Christians who obey God's Commandments (Rev 12:17).
The lost:
Those deluded, bewitched and arrogant Christians who boast of how they've prophesied, driven out demons, and performed many miracles in Christ's name (Matt 7:21-23).
Those who've turned their backs on Christ and have joined the ranks of the wicked (Heb 6:4-6; 10:29; Ezek 18:24).
WHAT IS THIS WORLDLINESS THAT DISPLEASES GOD?
(a) The acceptance of societal norms that aren’t in keeping with Scripture.
(b) The adulation of the likes of entertainers, singers, actors and celebrities.
(c) The reading, watching, listening to, attending of, or participating in that which isn’t in keeping with Scripture, Christian standards, values, principles and morals.
(d) Pursuits that feed or are driven by pride, ego or ungodly ambition, and that may leave little room for God or the Spirit’s promptings and sanctifying influence.
(e) Clothing that reflects the immoral, rebellious, vain or indulgent tastes of fallen man, and that may contain words and images that aren’t in keeping with Christian standards, values, principles and morals.
(f) The unnecessary purchasing of that which amounts to and reflects a keeping up with the Jones’ mentality, or a lust for that which shows where one’s heart shouldn’t be.
(g) Involvement in public expressions that would taint or compromise one’s witness, (Facebook in mind, given what one sees), or that might encourage or fuel any rebelliousness in others, even lawlessness.
(h) The copying of certain practices that are of primitive origin, (which includes the occult), and that disfigure or injure one’s body.
i) Flirtatiousness towards and romantic attachments to non-believers, pre-marital sex, moral looseness, adultery.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
morally and spiritually sound
whatsoever things are honest,
worthy of veneration or respect
whatsoever things are just,
righteous; chaste, modest, innocent, blameless, above reproach
whatsoever things are pure,
purity of desire and motive, including sexual purity
whatsoever things are lovely,
friendly, pleasing, loveable
whatsoever things are of good report;
reputable, commendable, in harmony with Christian ideals
if there be any virtue, moral excellence
and if there be any praise,
think on these things" (Phil 4:8, KJV).
let them play an active part in your life
And so, there's nothing wrong with enjoying the things of the world providing that they're fitting.
Part Five
WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?
So why do bad things happen to good people, or to put it another way, why do bad things happen to Christ-like Christians?
Well, it's because such people live in the same fallen world, and thus are faced with the same consequences of such; a world where random things happen to all. A world of perils and ills. However, we also and often create our own misfortunes and tough or sad conditions.
Another thing that should be borne in mind is this:
That those who’re truly walking in accordance with God's will, thus proving a greater witness-cum-brighter light, are far more likely to experience tribulations. Why? Because the brighter a Christian shines, the more he or she exposes any darkness, influences others for good, and brings glory to God, which not only often annoys those who're in darkness, (two reasons being because it shows them up and gets in the way of their selfish or evil plans), but certainly angers the devil even more, thus drawing his persecuting attention (Rev 12:17; 14:12). Satan doesn't pay the same attention to lukewarm Christians as they’re hardly in a saved condition (Rev 3:15,16; Matt 7:22,23; Heb 10:26,27), and thus of lesser concern to him. Why would he bother kicking sleeping or dead dogs?
Are good people-cum-Christ-like Christians more favoured by God?
Well, God loves everyone, good or bad, and thus only hates the evil that's done. Bad people get produce from their garden too — in other words, good results from worthy effort. And look at the sunshine. So God effectively showers good on all, though good can also come indirectly by association with positive things and good people.
If God were to always protect and keep woes or death from those who’re really lovely Christians, those who’re truly committed to His will and ways, and those who’re also doing great things for Him, He could easily be accused of favouritism and partiality. Plus, if God were to always protect Christians, and always spare them from woes or death, He would no doubt have many bogus followers.
But yes, God certainly looks more favourably upon good people, genuine Christians.
A human parallel may help here:
If I had a beautiful home that meant an awful lot to me, and I had to go away for a month, and though I love all my children, I would ask the most responsible, thoughtful and caring one to take care of it for me, and thus they reaping the benefits. And they being:
1) The prestige of having been chosen, looked upon more favourably.
2) A reward on my return for their having looked after something that meant a lot to me.
3) The use of certain luxuries, amenities that were part and parcel of that house. For example: Swimming pool, spa bath, tennis court, etc.
So are Christ-like Christians better off, and if so, how?
Yes, they are, and the reasons why are:
1) Because they receive greater blessings in their lives given that their lives are more in tune with God’s Word, wisdom and will, which automatically guarantees greater sucess and less self-made woes. They're also treating others better as a result of being more in tune with their Maker — thus, what goes around comes around. And hence that being asked to look after someone's flash home with the forthcoming benefits.
2) Because God is far more likely to answer the prayers of such people given that they're more deserving of His benefits, and that God can better work via such people for His own good.
3) Because non-Christians who don’t ask God don’t get, and why should they receive certain things if their life’s in opposition to God's will-cum-wrong and not in their best interests?
4) Because Christians will receive eternity if faithful to their Lord, His will and ways.
5) Because Christians have an inner joy and peace midst their pain and woes given that there’s hope beyond their current misery and death, including a purpose behind it all.
When looking at unrighteous folk who're doing well, despite their ill, we should remember that there are many who aren't doing too well at all, they suffering from cancer, dealing with a broken marriage, languishing in prison, looking over their shoulder, etc. And not only are many of them suffering now, but they will soon be facing Divine justice as well. Another truth is, that Satan may well help his own, the unrighteous, but in order that they may prosper and thus not feel their need of God, to their doom, and thus their current success and enjoyment on Earth all that they're going to get. So, given that the saved will live for all eternity, why should any Christian begrudge the unrighteous that success and enjoyment on Earth?
This section was upgraded 12 February 2017.
