With Love, God
My dearly loved child:
I have given you a MIND in order that you may dwell on My goodness, My
character, My promises, My revelations; that you may dwell on that
which is worthy; that you may develop a sound conscience and a
spiritual sixth sense; and that there, in your mind, you may
accommodate My will. I have given you a mind in order that you may also
think of others; that you may devise noble plans; and that you may grow
in wisdom and discernment.
I have given you a MEMORY in order that you may retain my truths; that
you may remember My blessings and providential care; that you may
remember answers to prayer; that you may remember lessons you’ve
learnt; that you may remember your responsibilities; that you may
remember occasions (and things) that are meaningful to others; and that
you may remember those promises you’ve made, in order to keep them.
I have given you EYES in order that you may enjoy the beauty of
nature’s bounties; that you may behold with pleasure the one you’ve
dedicated your life to, your offspring, family and friends; that you
may also enjoy beholding your own artistic (but worthy) creations, or
those of others; that you may notice any dangers about you; and that
you may see what it’s needful to see.
I have given you EARS in order that you may hear Me speaking to you in
that still quiet voice; that you may hear the call for Gospel workers;
that you may hear the requests or cries of others; that you may learn
from others; that you may enjoy uplifting music; and that you may enjoy
those expressions of love that come from those dear to you.
I have given you a NOSE in order that you may smell the aromas and
scents that please the noble and unselfish senses; and that you may
breathe in life-giving air.
I have given you a MOUTH in order that you may enjoy the same wholesome
taste of that food I supplied in the garden of Eden; and that you may
receive nourishment and healing properties.
I have given you a VOICE in order that you may praise Me via word or
song; that you may speak on My behalf; that you may speak on behalf of
others, and in defence of others; that you may enquire after another’s
well-being; that you may warn others (lest they err); that you may
thank those who benefit you; and that you may encourage, empathise, and
enjoyably communicate.
I have given you SHOULDERS in order that you may bear the burdens of
life; that you may shrug off undue criticism and untrue accusations;
and that you may allow others to lean on them, (who’re less able).
I have given you a HEART in order that it may beat with love for Me and
others; that there, in your heart, the Holy Spirit may take up
residence. I have given you a heart in order that it may also beat with
heavenly harmony; that it may beat in anticipation of My soon coming;
that it may cherish My Word and Law; and that it may extend compassion
to all.
I have given you ARMS in order that you may comfort, cradle, embrace, carry and protect.
I have given you HANDS in order that you may give, share, help, sooth, guide, repair, create and clasp.
I have given you FINGERS in order that you may search the Scriptures;
that you may point out error; that you may pen that which heartens and
enlightens; and that you may give and receive pleasure from skilfully
playing beautiful music.
I have given you LEGS in order that you may regularly worship with
fellow brethren; that you may walk righteously, run from the devil’s
promptings, and away from his amusements; that you may run to the aid
of others; that you may visit the needy, lonely or ill; and that you
may enjoy beneficial exercise.
I have given you KNEES in order that you may seek Me, that you may
intercede for others; and also for those menial tasks in life.
I have given you FEET in order that you may stand up for Me; that you
may stand up for what’s right; and that you may leave footprints that
show the way.
Yes, I have given you a BODY in order that you may glorify Me in all
you do, (given that you’re made in My image); that you may marvel at My
creativeness and the intricacy and engineering that comprises your
being; — yes, a body that you may use for the intimate (but honourable)
pleasure of your spouse; and that you may beget.
I love you!
Please display your love for Me by taking care of that body. View it as
a holy temple, and remember that though it is yours, it was I who
created you, and breathed life into you, even redeemed you.
Therefore, you’re Mine, the child of a holy righteous King. Thus, I ask
that you represent me well, and you will be greatly blessed indeed.
With love, God.
By Lance Landall
“Dear
friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who
loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does
not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love
among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might
live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He
loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear
friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No
one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in
us and
His love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:7-12, NIV).
WITH GOD'S HELP THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOMES THE HIMPOSSIBLE
ADD-ONS
Spoil Satan's Day
When
you arise from your bed, with the rest of the day ahead, don’t look
down but up instead, and in Jesus precious name, the power and victory
claim, that holy angels may quickly assemble, who’ll make Satan and his
henchmen tremble, and have them wailing anxiously, “Oh no, heavenly
artillery, powerless are we!” as they tumble over each other midst
trying to flee.
Then take the hand that God extends, and walk as
He intends, striding forth confidently, bristling with heavenly
armoury, knowing that God is with you, a God who’s faithful and true, a
God who will see you through, for there’s nothing that He can’t do,
like dealing with Satan and his hang-dog crew.
So, be a solider of the cross, who considers it no loss, to live a life
of self-sacrifice, or to pay the ultimate price, in order that God be
glorified — He who on Calvary suffered and died.
Yes, He who offers grace to all, who contritely on Him call, for He’s a
God of love, watching tenderly from above, and who on your behalf will
act, when by Satan you’re attacked (via his darts cruelly hurled), and
Satan then licking his wounds will grizzle (knowing that very soon
he’ll frizzle), “Bigger is He who is in you, than he who is in the
world.”
Yes, when you arise from your bed, with the rest of the day ahead, may
it be that Satan will groan, and be heard to moan, “I wish they’d
stayed in bed, they’re a Christian born and bred, whose consecrated
life’s a threat, a challenge that makes me sweat, and whose cries
summon those I hate, who hang around and wait, ’till I back off and
leave the scene, so often seen, when Christians such heavenly forces
activate.”
Yes, spoil Satan’s day, don’t let him get his way, for he certainly
will if you succumb, or dance to the beat of his worn drum, and thereby
another of his marionettes become, who make up a sizable sum.
Rather, seek the Lord in prayer, as time alone with Him you share, thus
armed and prepared for the day, lest devilish darts come your way, and
so that Satan will cry with dismay, “I’m wasting my time on this one,
they’re too connected to the Son.”
And should you somehow stumble, and into Satan’s pathway tumble, call
upon the name of the Lord (who faithfulness will soon reward), and
He’ll cover you with His grace, stand in your place, deal with the
devil and his hoard, who’ll grumble scathingly, “Foiled again by the
blood of Calvary.”
Go on, spoil Satan’s day, don’t let him get his way, but rather, make
him wish you’d stayed in bed — do things God’s way instead!
Yes, go on, spoil Satan’s day.
By Lance Landall
"My main ambition in life is to be on the devil's most wanted list."
Leonard Ravenhill
(1907-1994)
Don't Just Stand There
When
the devil whispers, “You won’t make it, he, he, he,” don’t just stand
there and timidly take it, acting somewhat helplessly, but rather,
remind him of his fiery end, and that Jesus is your best friend, on
whom you can truly depend, and who’ll soon triumphantly descend, which
the devil will grudgingly admit (and his chiselled and bared teeth
grit), knowing that Christ he can never outwit.
Yes, tell Satan
you don’t want his evil company, that he’s an antagonistic enemy, one
who stirs up controversy, engineers anarchy, delivers adversity,
misleads injuriously, causes despondency, and attacks folk subtly or
savagely — in other words, a being who sneeringly sniggers, and
everything and anything jiggers, as he beavers away fiendishly.
Tell him that he’s just a fraud, that he’s so unlike your Lord, who
only seeks your best, and ensures that you’re blest, for He’s a God of
truth and love, who watches tenderly from above, and who, when you
kneel in prayer, every word stoops to hear, and who you can guarantee
will act beneficially, for He doesn’t let anyone down, nor wants sin to
choke or drown, but rather than defraud, delights to please and reward,
and He does so, very graciously.
Yes, once you’ve put the devil in his place (who by then will have a
scowl on his face), instantly turn on your heels and about-face, and
via heavenly meditation, biblical application, Spirit led
determination, and divine acceleration, leave behind any devilish
insinuation, or Satanic accusation, and in the hands of the Lord, who
the holy angels laud, anything and everything place.
By Lance Landall
More
of the poems that are directly above can be seen by clicking on the row of buttons positioned
near the top and on the right hand side of my poetry garden number two.
TEN INSPIRED BEATITUDES
1
Rejoice in righteousness, for the righteous are worthy to be called the sons and daughters of a victorious and noble King, and have a future, for they will reign with Him in eternal glory — but the unrighteous are but mere reflections and slaves of a defeated and corrupt devil, and have no future, for they will perish in shame with the “father of lies” forever.
2
Rejoice in faith, for the righteous have a hope beyond this Earth that gives them an inner peace and joy, a hope that will soon be realised — but the unrighteous, lost in their unbelief, share a pointless existence, no inner joy or peace, and have nothing to look forward to.
3
Rejoice in truth, for the righteous seeker of truth will discover such through the Spirit’s leading, and find a path that’s clear — but the unrighteous, who sneer at truth and deal in lies, become entangled in falsehood, lose their way, and bring on themselves both troubles and damnation.
4
Rejoice in love, for the righteous who love like Christ loves, sleep soundly and untroubled, reap happiness-cum-better health, see kindness returned, and inherit the new Earth — but the unrighteous who hate, oppress, rob, injure and neglect, toss and turn in their bed, reap fear and anxiety-cum-worsening health, suffer retaliation, and inherit nothing.
5
Rejoice in giving, for the righteous giver, even if low in means, will one day receive treasure beyond measure, and in the meantime will have discovered the joy of benevolence — but the unrighteous, many of them coveters and wealthy, will lose everything they have, and in the meantime will have deprived themselves of many blessings.
6
Rejoice in suffering, for there are character benefits which also result in greater empathy for other sufferers, and take heart, for the righteous sufferer will soon be relieved of his or her suffering — but the unrighteous who suffer, suffer for nothing, and just think of themselves, and thus will receive no relief.
7
Rejoice in persecution, for the righteous who’re persecuted enter into the very sufferings of Christ, sufferings that He will soon avenge, and their temporary persecution reward with eternal bliss and His permanent presence — but the unrighteous who perpetrate such persecution, or seek to save their own necks via treachery, will not only suffer the coming plagues, but will also suffer God’s justified avenging fire, via which they’ll enter eternal silence in unbelievable agony.
8
Rejoice in sanctification, (God’s moulding and chiselling), for the righteous who’ve embraced such, are becoming more like their Saviour everyday, and thereby are not only witnessing more truly, but achieving much good, and proving a greater blessing to others — but the unrighteous, who resist the promptings and workings of the Spirit, are becoming more like Satan in every way, their ignorance of Scripture and lack of wisdom leading others astray, and their selfishness and wickedness causing destruction and injury.
9
Rejoice in prayer, for the righteous have a direct link to the God who controls and rules the universe, are able to seek answers, and more importantly, plead on behalf of others — but the unrighteous, due to their rebellion and rejection, have chosen to sever that link, and thus have no where to turn to, nor do they seek on behalf of others.
10
Rejoice in song, for the righteous delight in their Creator’s amazing works, praise His providential care, miracles and blessings, daily give thanks for His goodness and mercy, and humbly acknowledge His power and majesty — but the unrighteous revel in their own self-destructive abominations, seek to lord it over others, and shamefully and pridefully bask in their own glory.
By Lance Landall
JESUS
God of love.
Creator of Earth and man.
Author of the Bible.
Image of the Father.
Our shining example.
Doer of good.
Lover of righteousness.
Hater of sin.
Opposer of evil.
Wielder of justice.
Beacon of light.
Sure foundation.
Upholder of truth.
Fulfiller of promises.
Giver of blessings.
Sender of manna.
Bearer of burdens.
Responsive listener.
Builder of bridges.
Dispatcher of angels.
Searcher of hearts.
Pursuer of the wayward.
Seeker of the lost.
Advocate of the repentant.
Defender of the saints.
Provider of grace.
The pure lamb.
Wounded healer.
Saviour divine.
Waiting bridegroom.
Returning Lord.
King of kings.
And He,
Obedient to His Father.
Victorious at Calvary.
True to the end.
Diligent in prayer.
Faithful under fire.
Honest when confronted.
Prudent when provoked.
Transparent in everything.
Tender with children.
Patient with the weak.
Compassionate to sufferers.
Merciful to sinners.
Straight with the rebellious.
By Lance Landall
SATAN
Satan is a thief — He tries to steal us from Christ and rob us of eternity; he tries to rob us of quiet time with God, biblical study, Christian fellowship, and family time; he tries to rob us of good health, peace, hope, joy, happiness, and even of life here on Earth.
Satan is a liar — He tries to convince us of the opposite to what God is saying (come heresy); he tries to convince us of the opposite of what is best for us, or others; and he ensures that we get falsely accused.
Satan is a cheat — He lies, misleads, mixes error with truth, uses different disguises and dirty tricks.
Satan is a fraud — He offers what appears great but which soon lets us down, hurts, harms or troubles; and he promises things that he can’t deliver.
Satan is a cad — He gets us from behind, kicks us when we’re down, puts obstacles and stumbling blocks in our way, ups temptation when we’re weaker, discourages us when we’re under siege; and he gets others to do his dirty work for him.
Satan is an abuser — He delights in causing us hurt and pain, be such mental or physical.
Satan is a stalker — He lies in wait, follows us around obsessively, knows our every move, and sends threats our way.
Satan is a schemer — He’s always plotting our downfall and end, and is plotting the demise of humanity as a whole.
Satan is a dictator — He wants us all under his control whether we like it or not, and wants everything to go his way.
Satan is a terrorist — he delights in fear mongering, nasty surprises, ruination, destruction, mayhem and confusion.
Satan is a murderer — He wants to take as many as he can with him into the burning lake of fire; and he incites humans to kill each other.
THE CHURCH IS A CHARTER BOAT
By Skip Johnson
The church is a charter boat. She is built for the sea--for the wave slap, the salt brine and the chase. In dock she rests, rusts, and rots. She tugs at her moorings, longing for the open skies and the deep.
The church is a charter boat. She is heaven's hunter, the sea's lady, and her Captain's lover. She dreams of the flash of heavy silver at forty fathoms--and fishermen shouting for joy thirty miles from land, dancing knee-deep in albacore
on her decks. She aches for arched poles at her rails, the singing line tugging on every side, and the sea bird's eager cry as the catch is cleaned on the homeward trip.
The church is a charter boat. God is her maker and owner. The patriarchs laid her keel. The prophets set her spars. The apostles hammered her hull and decking. The Spirit christened her at Pentecost. Her anchor is faith. Her engine is truth. Her Captain is Jesus, high on heaven's bridge--steering her course for the choice catch in every age.
The church is a charter boat. The Bible is her locker stocked with nets, poles, lines, hooks, weights, and lures for every need. The bait well stands mid-deck teeming with lively big-eyed squid and blunt-nosed anchovies that melt on the hook. Inside the cabin fishermen crouch, relaxed yet ready. They warm fingers around steaming mugs. A father stoops to lace his son's shoe while the others speak in low tones of fishing past and soon to come. Only the seasick sleep when there are poles to rig and fish to catch. (Is your line in the water?)
The church is a charter boat. The pastor is the bait boy. He takes orders from the Captain and works for everybody. He rigs poles, replaces lost tackle, and encourages the beginners. He clubs the occasional shark, cuts the greedy seabird free from the line, and unhooks bug-eyed bottom fish for the squeamish. He gives bait or advice, gaffs the big ones to the deck, and announces when it is time to reel up or let down the lines. His duty is the fisherman's need. His pleasure is the fisherman's catch. His reward is the fisherman's delight at their heavy sacks of fish, and the big one hanging by his tail at the wharf.
The church is a charter boat. She longs for grey dawns edged with the promise of rose. She yearns for the brilliant blue blaze of deep noon. She trembles for storm-torn peaks of foam and dizzy green chasms of brine. There is life in her.
It strains at the rope as the worms bore holes in her belly and the barnacles weigh her down.
The church is a charter boat. Her passion, the sea. Her purpose, the chase. Her passenger, the fisherman.
(Is your line in the water?)
HOW WE PLEASE AND THANK GOD
By reading His Word, sharing His Word, and living His Word.
By telling of His love, emulating His love, and appreciating His love.
By looking after others, encouraging others, and praying on behalf of others.
By looking after His Church, filling up His Church, and supporting His Church.
By looking after His planet, caring for His creatures, and looking after our body.
GOD
God’s the song in my heart.
The breath that I take.
The love that propels me.
The power that transforms me.
The light that enlightens me.
The purpose within me.
The longing of my soul.
The flag that I carry.
The help of my life.
The object of my choosing.
The harbour of my rest.
The fountain of my blessings.
The rock of my foundation.
The builder of my faith.
The director of my footsteps.
The grace of my salvation.
The robe that covers my undoing.
The centre of my worship.
The healer of my wounds.
My hope of things to come.
ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN...
Assassinator — ruining someone’s reputation?
Sniper — thoughtlessly wounding?
Robber — stealing someone’s joy, God’s time, or godly reverence and respect?
Security guard — protecting your cherished traditions?
Terrorist — causing discord or divisions?
Hijacker — taking the glory from God?
Lawyer — choosing sides?
Judge — passing out arbitrary sentences?
Criminal — disregarding God’s Law?
Delinquent — influencing others wrongly, putting stumbling blocks in their way?
Policeman — always laying down the law?
Kidnapper — always taking over things?
Bully — always pushing people about?
Tyrant — always ruling the roost?
Dictator — always wanting things your way?
Persecutor — always finding fault?
Adulterer — two-timing God by flirting with Satan?
Nosy parker — minding other member’s business?
Almost There
Inspired by the song titled Almost There, once sang by Andy Williams, I thought
Of Christ’s soon return, and rescue (though only for those who the good fight have fought),
And how, given that closeness, how foolish to risk it all now, via rebellion,
Continuing to sin, or turning away from God, like many a Christian.
Yes, He’s so close to returning now, all the signs of the times shouting at us,
Telling us to hold on, hang in there, lest we miss out on the arms of Jesus.
Oh yes, we’re almost there, Christ almost a touch away, this mess about to end,
So please remain faithful, and never the dubious pleasures of sin defend.
All why Christians everywhere should join in singing, “Almost there,” and with joy,
That the hearts of anyone, anywhere, suffering and struggling we may buoy.
Thus that “Almost there” resounding encouragingly, but with Christian words though,
Having lifted that title from a hope filled secular song, ’cause this one’s TRUE.
By Lance Landall
Within The Church
Within the Church there'll always be those who’re a challenge, and sometimes frequently,
A test of our patience and forgiveness — in other words, Christianity.
It not about avoidance of such people, but our learning to live with them,
Though there’s a time and place where certain behaviour one must reprove and condemn.
And so, as stressful, demanding and upsetting as it be, we’re to do our best,
And such, in the hands of the Holy Spirit, let the matter linger and rest,
Because change can be a long time coming, and for some it may not come at all,
They falling by the wayside, or somewhere, sometime, rejecting their Saviour’s call.
But meantime, they within our membership, a faulty witness, thorn in the side,
And why within us, and in order to rightly deal with such, the Spirit must reside.
We thereby their example, modelling our Lord, revealing love, thought and care,
Which is exactly how Christ wants it, and our cross being what we’re meant to bear.
By Lance Landall
