That You May Know

 

 

In this life assurance is a good thing,

It’s like the song of the faith we so often sing,

“Blessed assurance Jesus is mine”

This we can know for sure and on him recline.

God’s word deals with the issue of knowing

In a number of statements worthy of reviewing,

Such assurances are there for our encouragement-

In the next few verses that will be my intent.

In 1 John chapter 3 and verse 2

We see a reference that for the future rings true,

But we know, it says when he shall appear

We shall be like him and his visage will be clear.

The world struts about on a pretense of knowledge,

Those that achieve it deem it their unique privilege,

They soar above others with superior disdain

Until it fails and they fall to the ground as though slain.

No such pretense in the Apostle John’s conviction,

He had met the Master and feared no contradiction

So that when he said we know he meant exactly that

Based on He that promised this was a fact.

1 John 3:5 is another Scriptural reference

That should strengthen our resolve in just an instance,

We know, it reminds us in the midst of the strife

“That we have passed from death unto life”.

Such knowledge brings us comfort in abundance,

It sharpens our focus and ensures our resilience,

We know we have eternal life; that we can esteem

By believing on the Son of God according to 1 John 5:13.

Any keeper of God’s word in God’s love is perfected,

Hereby we know that we are in Him and not rejected,

This is clearly borne out in 1 John chapter 2 and verse 5,

Such assurance should really redirect our drive.

Have a look at 1 John 3 and verse 24,

This should strengthen our faith in measures galore,

Hereby we know He abides in us by the Spirit he gives,

This convinces me that I have all I need in order to live.

1^st John 4:13 is a reference we should not miss,

It emphasizes the text before; now listen to this;

Hereby we know we in Him and He in us; not a mere visit-

And he assures us of this having given to us His Spirit.

Of unshakable confidence and assurance within

We know we have the petitions we desire of Him,

According to 1 John 5:14 and 15 He assures us still

That he hears when we ask any thing according to His will.

God’s will is synonymous with His Holy Word,

With these there’s no conflict; I’m sure you have heard;

And hereby we know that we are of the truth,

1 John chapter 3 and verse 19 supplies the proof.

Are you looking for assurance?  Want to be in the know?

Have your failings been reminders of “I told you so”?

Well embrace these pointers in this first letter of John

“That you may know” could signal your new dawn.

This knowledge is complete; in Christ it is formed,

It will safeguard you in all of life’s storms,

You will not regret it if you trust in God’s word

And His know so salvation; compliments: our Savior and Lord.

Stewart Russell © 2016

The Law and Christ

 

The law said I must die

For the wages of sin is death

Jesus died that I might live

And enter his eternal rest.

The law was my schoolmaster

That pointed out my sin

But Jesus the greatest teacher

Beckoned me to come to him.

The law was a mission impossible

I could never ever achieve

Jesus accomplished that mission

From its task I’ve been relieved.

The law could show me my sin

But could not help me avoid it

Jesus filled my heart and life

And righteousness became my habit.

The law was bent on punishing me

And all them that disobeyed

Jesus showed me forgiveness

And leads me along life’s way.

The law was an ancient document

Written on tablets of stone

Jesus is the law within my heart

For my sin his blood atoned.

The law could give me no peace

On account of all my sin

Jesus who is the Prince of peace

Came and gave me peace within.

The law could give me no rest

No matter how hard I tried

Jesus aced its every test

And now in him I abide.

The law could not sympathise

Every time I had fallen short

Jesus knows my every weakness

And me he calmly exhorts.

  

The law was unable to save

Even though some in it did boast

Jesus is my eternal salvation

For he saved me to the uttermost.

The law is ideally suited

For those who prescribe its letter

But Jesus epitomised its spirit

For me, that’s decidedly better.

The law was to the Pharisees

The support for their selfish agenda

Jesus showed the opposite side

And to him I now surrender.

The law could never satisfy

Even though frequently repeated

Jesus satisfies my every need

And for me that matter is completed.

The law was unable to secure

My place in the heavenly throng

Jesus wrote my name in heaven’s book

After forgiving all my wrong.

The law was merely a shadow

Just a sign of those things to come

Jesus became the fulfilment

And my entry to his kingdom.

The law was just a type

It was not the “end all and be all”

Jesus is the only prototype

I’m so glad I heeded His call.

The law was to bring me to Christ

He is the Saviour of the World

Jesus is the only Saviour

And I take him at his word.

The law had no intrinsic power

To resurrect me from the dead

Jesus is the resurrection and the life

And right now he is my Living Head.

The law instructed me to love

But could not even help me start

Jesus came to demonstrate “such love”

Then placed it within my heart.

The law and its stipulations

I now put in the right context

For Jesus is the end of the law for me

In this world and the next.

The law in the challenge it presented

Caused me to stumble and to grope

Jesus, my eternal benefactor

Is my life, my love and hope.

The law had showed me my blindness

But could never open my eyes

Jesus, precious Lord and Saviour

Gives me vision that satisfies.

Now hear the conclusion of the matter

Certainly the one I advocate

The letter of the law is instructive

But it’s to Jesus that I relate.

I must bear my brother’s burdens

And so fulfil the law of Christ

Love the Lord my God with all my heart

This is my required sacrifice.

Upon such the Bible states

Hang all of the law and the prophets

I dare to trust my Saviour’s word

For therein lie my eternal assets.

The law cannot save or satisfy

It cannot secure or empower

Jesus saves and satisfies

And he is with me every hour.

Jesus is the end of the law

To every man that believes

And what in the law I could never do

Through Jesus I have achieved.

The law showed me a perfect God

From whom I had gone astray

Jesus showed me a loving God

And pointed me God’s way.

Thank you God for the law you gave

In its mirror I see myself

Thank you God for your Son you sent

For he defines my wealth.

Thank you God for eternal life

Thank you for the Holy Spirit

Thank you Father for Jesus Christ

In whom I now have merit.

I need no other argument

I need no other plea

Says the beautiful hymn of the faith

It is enough that Jesus died

And that he died for me.

It’s not in the law I place my trust

Not in the law I repeat

But in Jesus my soon coming King

O how precious and how sweet!

Stewart Russell © 2015

Scrap the Strap Crap

 

Which is it?  Scrap the strap

Or is it scrap the strap crap?

Maybe it’s the latter

For with the former it was better.

Many complaints about tarring

Yet no evidence for scarring

But many are calling for the barring

Of the strap; blaming it for societal marring.

If the truth be told

By them that are bold

The lesser the strap’s use

The higher the abuse.

Note the ones who received the strap

These are the ones who talk the crap

They hold prominent places in society

Yet are trying to confuse the community.

Suddenly the strap is the enemy

Driving fear in society

Causing students to resort to bullying

And weaker students they controlling.

Clearly this is an untruth

Having no established proof

Absolutely no empirical evidence

Just talk that makes no sense.

Scrapping the strap

May be encouraging crap

Instead educate regarding its use

And so eliminate any abuse.

Isn’t it any wonder

To all who would ponder

That the nation is becoming worse

And clearly under some curse?

It does appear to me

As I take a look at the society

That we are losing our civility

For lack of fear of criminality.

Some say while in their emotive hype

Fear as motivation is a poor type

Yet it’s responsible for their success

And causes them to produce their best.

Healthy fear breeds respect

Unhealthy fear produces rejects

Please recognize the difference,

It’s not the same in every instance.

The administering of a lash

Oft prevents a more painful crash,

It’s like the stitch in time

And the garment remained fine.

When closest to the offence

It removes all pretense;

Just a little tickle with the strap

Gets the erring pupil back on track.

Sometimes a timely injection

After thorough investigation

Halts undesirable germination

And redirects one’s determination.

  

No strap means more guns

No strap will create more bums

No fear to stabilize

No need to rationalize.

It’s not a cure for all

It’s not a judgment call

Just a timely reminder

To the constant offender.

A little painful affliction

That prevents a bad addiction

Encourages introspection

And maps out a clear direction.

No need for abolition

Just apply with strict discretion

Coupled with love and affection

And avoidance of rejection.

Use the strap as the last resort

Never ever the first retort

Help the student himself comport

And with much discussion exhort.

As an option keep the strap

Don’t fall for the injudicious crap,

Retain it as a little used discipline tap

But please don’t scrap the strap.

Stewart Russell © 2015

Stewie's Proverbs Volume 5

 

Adversity has few friends

After a storm comes a clean up

Salvation is eternal

East is west

Insurance is not assurance

A feast is more than enough

Every little is all there is

Several sides to a story one side to the truth

Fight fire with water

Finders villains losers victims

First impressions come easy

Fools have no fear of folly

That the obvious is not obvious to a fool is obvious

A fool will no doubt fool himself but he need not fool the whole world too

Intelligence is folly to the unlearned

 

 

Foundation is established not constructed

God helps the able unable and disable

God helps the stable and unstable

It took one person to make a world

Nothing is better than best

No one knows the unknown

No news is no news

Was once a thief is not a thief

Once bitten get rid of the dog

  

It’s impossible to live with a perfect human being

If you can’t beat them you’ve lost already

Failure is an ended effort

Salvation is impossible without conversion

Prayer doesn’t do a thing God does

Two opposing views cannot both be right at the same time

There is a vast difference between doing and being

Just as I am without one plea was not meant for the rest of my life to be

When tomorrow comes it’s today

Your first gift today was today

 

Stewart Russell © 2012…

I Am a Teacher

         I am a teacher.  I have selected my vocation with pensive care, not so much for what I receive from it, but rather, for the contribution I am able to make.  I contribute to so many lives.  I produce doctors, lawyers, other teachers, artisans, engineers, pilots, presidents and even prime ministers.  Without my input, ours would be a world of lawlessness, aimlessness and utter chaos.

         I build families, societies, churches and nations.  My resources are wide and varied, unlimited even.  Can you really begin to imagine a world without me?  There are those times when I am a doctor, a lawyer, a police, a father, a mother, a nurse and without doubt a counsellor.  I am all of these and more to those placed in my charge.  And believe it, I receive only one salary.  But I do not mind, for without me, no one would even get a salary.

         You see, I am not so much concerned about what I get, but what I can give.  If sometime during your life, you have benefitted from a teacher, remember me.  I only do it because I care.  After all, I am a teacher!     

            

Stewart Russell © 1997