Springtime resurrection

Yesterday I was  tidying up some papers in my workroom and came across  several things that I had written when I was living in our previous home.  Today has been a very dark  rainy day, as have been the last thirty . y.. y... y.... y something days, so I thought I would post one of the articles I had written back then, which speaks  about looking forward to both physical and spiritual brighter days.  I called it 'Springtime resurrection'.
 

 

Springtime!  What a perfect example of resurrection.  I look at the cherry tree in my garden at that time of year and see life that has lain hidden for months shoot forth in new form from the branches of the tree that has stood firm through Winter's harshness protecting all that lay within.  How clearly it reveals to me the protection of the Lord as I struggle to live the life of a Christian in this world, endeavouring to run and win the race that is set before me. 


I am being formed in Christ, being created in the image of the One within whom I rest, as I learn God's ways.  I am encouraged through all that I see in this example of nature's time of renewal as the branches start to sprout buds which in their turn become both leaves and blossom which will play their individual parts in the tree bearing fruit and reproducing, and I am captivated by the fact that the parent tree has given the protection from the elements that is essential before this new creation can emerge.
 

 

Just as the new life began to form in the darkest season, so too did Jesus enter into my life at its darkest time.  Just as the life of the tree is within  the new creation that it will form and the new creation lies within  the tree at its most vulnerable stage in Winter, and even when Spring arrives must stay connected to live, so too a Christian must hide in Christ at a very young age and stay connected, even when mature, to live. 
 

 

In the book of John, ch.11 v.25 Jesus says that He is the resurrection and the life, and it is belief in Him that causes one to have that 'life'.  In the same way that the tree contains every thing within itself to protect and bring forth its own new life, Jesus has within Himself, through the Word of God, everything that will protect us from the world's destructive influence, and that will conform us to His image.


If God is for me

If God is for me who can be my foe?
that the Master loves me is all I need to know
Can tribulation, trial and fear
make me give up hope when my Lord is near
can worldly woes and misery
keep me tightly bound when I've been set free?
No, God the Father heard my cry

long ago He sent His Son to die
The perfect, spotless lamb was slain
to free man from sin's filth and pain
and now this sin - my enemy
always crouching at my door
at Jesus' name must bow the knee
and trouble me no more

 

 

Throughout the Winter, though the elements may pound against my cherry tree, the forming of the new branches that will appear in the Spring goes on within.  So too if I remain within the protection of Christ the tree of life, being nurtured by His substance, I shall attain that resurrection from the death of my sinful state and be conformed into His sinless image, just as my loving Heavenly Father has desired.


I say a prayer to Jesus

I say a prayer to Jesus

to the One who always hears
to the Holy One of Isra-el
who wipes away all tears
Great reader of hearts 
and Spirit of truth
guide us dear Lord
in our days of youth
My prayer is for wisdom
to know what is right
Oh send us the fire
to lighten our night

Make our pathways straight Lord
teach us to lean on You 
lead us by Your Spirit Lord
with Your word so pure and true
We love You Lord as children
who love a Father dear
we cry to You to comfort us and know that You will hear
We know the world is treacherous in this the evil day
so guide our feet dear Father along the narrow way
One thing we've known for certain from the day of our rebirth
is that He who lives within us is greater than he that is on this earth


  'I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.   He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes that it will be even more fruitful.   You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.   Remain in me, as I also remain in you.   No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.   Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.   I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;  apart from me you can do nothing.    If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.   If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.    This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.'     John ch. 15 vs.1-8

Where will You be Lord this Christmas?

 

Where will You be Lord this Christmas as far as the world is concerned

out of all that You've taught us these two thousand years

is there anything anyone's learned

Do they know that Your judgement is coming to all

do they know there's an end to Your grace

that Your Spirit will not strive forever with man

that there's always an end to a race

Can't they see all the signs of Your coming

how your truths are all being unfurled

of the earthquakes, the wars and disasters

and the lawlessness gripping this world

Have we chosen to each go our own foolish way

do we all sing our own selfish song

are we doing what's right in our own blinded eyes

even though we know You say it's wrong

Has the world turned its back on You Jesus

do they think the cross lies in the past

can't they see it was just the beginning

that the end's spinning close very fast

Yes where will You be Lord this Christmas

in a world full of darkness and sin

will Your light be shut out of so many homes

while a Santa and tinsel come in

Will they close their ears to Your knocking

while You stand at the door one more time

and will they still be stood at the chimney

when the clock makes its final chime?

 

' For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away;  so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.'   Matthew ch.24 vs.38,39

 

Do we really recognize the wiles of SATAN (which rearranged spells SANTA), and have we really noticed how Jesus is being replaced at this time of year.

 

The Substitute

 

He's trying to take Your place Lord

he's been at it for many years

he says 'I come with gifts for all

I'll wipe away your tears'                          

He wears a robe of scarlet

and a smile is on his face

but no one would guess the heartache

he will bring to many a place

He shows himself late November, in each home he will surely appear

he demonstrates toys on the tele and says 'Christmas is nearly here'

Each year they get more expensive - a computer or chemistry set

he slowly puts pressure on parents who are tempted to go into debt

All children are told 'Santa's coming, he's got a great bag on his back'

but nobody seems to be bothered that daddy has just had the sack

'I'll start with the youngest children' says the 'Tempter' in disguise

never mind if mummy is crying as to make ends meet she tries

He's trying to take Your place Lord as he sits inside every store

and shouts a loud 'Merry Christmas'

to each person that comes through the door

But the spirit he drinks is not Holy

and the hands he holds out do not heal

the words that he speaks bring no wisdom

and the love that he shows is not real

 

How strange he should come at Christmas

and offering gifts like You do

and he's known to many as 'father'

while a baby child represents You

But for me there is only one Father

and of Him alone will I sing

while His Son is no longer a baby

He's a two thousand year old king!

Yes he's trying to take Your place Lord

'though he knows that his time is short

but the presents he brings can never compare

to the wonderful gift You have brought

For whatever disguise he may come in

and whatever good thing he might bring

the one thing he never will offer is salvation through JESUS the king

So never a red robed Santa will ever adorn my front door

it's the blood of my Lord on my doorpost

brings me peace and goodwill evermore

' They have lyre and harp, timbrel and flute and wine at their feasts; but they do not regard the deeds of the Lord, or see the work of His hands. '              
 Isaiah ch.5 v.12


Oh light of Heaven - Holy king of whom the hosts of angels sing
rekindle flame in darkened Earth by stirring those of second birth
to speak with boldness of the love sent by the Father from above
                                         ********
When on a night so dark and cold was prophesy fulfilled of old
a child to maid of no renown was born to wear man's thorny crown
to bear the shame and take the place of mankind fallen from God's grace
                                         ********
Who now, with sin beneath His feet, stands at the side of God's own seat
declaring peace forever more to those who enter through the door
of righteousness gained by God's Son
.......the Father's gift to everyone

 

'and the government will be on His shoulders, and He will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah ch.9 v.6