EXPECTATIONS

What sort of life’s expected by a Christian today?

A life of laid-back comfort or the straight and narrow way?

We’d like go think it’s simple, like apple pie and cream;

A little stroll down easy street as if life is a dream;

A lovely bed of roses; a visit to cloud nine.

But that is not what happens to the sons of the Divine.

The first thing to appreciate is how hard life can be.

The things they did to Jesus, they’ll do to you and me.

It may not be identical in this computer age.

But we should understand that it is war that we must wage.

To use the cat-o-nine-tails, by now is out of date.

There’s better ways of dealing with the people which they hate.

There will not be a wooden cross, but we’ll be crucified,

By comments in the media that murder deep inside.

The whip’s been substituted by a grotesque apathy,

Which hurts as much as scourging by a callous enemy.

Our Christian expectations must all be realigned.

Persecution is the way by which you’ll be refined.

Let serving other people be the order of your day.

For even in this modern age it’s still the only way.

Everywhere that Jesus went, He planned on doing good.

He even went to places where men didn’t think He should.

He shared the people’s burdens; He healed all their disease.

He only did His Father’s will; He didn’t try to please,

The Pharisees, the Sadducees, Religious Scribes or Priests.

He focused on His people from the greatest to the least.

His attitude was meekness; His gentleness well known.

He acted in humility before His Father’s throne.

He never was self seeking; His only inward drive,

Was honouring His father while He remained alive.

He couldn’t stand hypocrisy in any shape or form;

And loving other people was constantly His norm.

No wonder that they hated Him. No wonder they were keen,

To execute this “hot head” whose ways were far too clean!

They hated Him without a cause. They’ll do the same with you.

They’ll plot your execution no matter what you do.

For Christians are disturbing. Religious folk feel bad,

When they are in your company. In fact it’s rather sad.

But Jesus gave the answer. His clemency rang through.

“Father God, forgive them for they know not what they do”.

Offer no resistance as they “hammer home” their “nails”.

Keep in mind the promise that true love never fails.

Even if you’re martyred, When they lead you off to die,

Let, “Lord, receive my spirit” be your last heartfelt cry.

For this is Christianity, it’s following His way;

And isn’t grossly different from way back in Jesu’s day.

Jim Strickland – written Monday, 20 June 2011

CHOOSE TO BE HOLY

A big misapprehension among Christians today,

Is thinking they can live their lives in any sort of way.

But in the book of Hebrews, chapter twelve and verse fourteen.

     We read how very dangerous this attitude has been.

It spells out very clearly, if we would see the Lord;

If we don’t live a holy life, we’ll perish by God’s sword.

No matter how we look at it, this fact is very clear.

Unless we live a holy life, the Lord won’t let us near.

It true we must be born again. That’s where we all begin.

But this is not a licence to live a life of sin.

In fact it’s just the opposite. When we are born again,

We should adopt a lifestyle that is void of every stain.

Sin should be repulsive; it makes our “blood run cold”,

And we should follow holiness the way we search for gold.

He wants us to be flawless; like freshly fallen snow.

He wants us to be spotless no matter where we go.

Our ultimate intention must be to live like Him,

For even little defects will make our light go dim.

The letter of Saint Peter, chapter one and verse fourteen,

Describes what is required; a life that’s pure and clean.

He wants obedient children who’ve taken on new ways;

Not living the old lifestyle we lived in former days.

The Lord has made us righteous; those former ways have gone.

And now that we have met Him, we need to carry on,

Living out the righteousness He gave to us for free.

It came with our salvation when He died for you and me.

But is it really possible? I thought you’d never ask.

He sent His Holy Spirit to lighten up the task.

And though it seems impossible, He’s surely guaranteed,

That He can impart holiness in word and thought and deed.

It’s really not a struggle. He knows that we will fail,

But it is held before us just like the Holy Grail.

And if we keep on trying to live for Him this way,

He’ll carry on assisting us each moment, every day.

So never think that holiness is just some empty dream.

Not while He is leading as the captain of the team.

Not while He’s determined to help us see it through,

By showing us each moment exactly what to do.

And when our lives are ended and we’re finished with life’s race,

We’ll know that even holiness came by the Master’s grace!

Jim Strickland – written Sunday, 19 June 2011

IN BLOOD COVENANT

The most expensive “camp site” that this world has ever known,

Was called the “Tabernacle”. A place where Christ was shown,

In every small component the Lord above designed.

An accurate depiction of what everyone can find,

Spelled out for all God’s people wherever they may be.

An artist’s plain description of the Lord from Galilee!

Anywhere and everywhere within the fenced enclave,

The people could see Jesus; the Son of God who gave,

His life for fallen sinners. Each cranny and each nook,

Is beautifully depicted within God’s Holy Book.

It’s no exaggeration, from the entrance to the veil,

Described a sinner’s journey in incredible detail.

The articles of furniture, the coverings; the cloth;

Were thought of by the people to protect them from God’s wrath,

That sin had brought upon them. No Israelite could see,

That just beyond the veil there was the ark of majesty.

The High Priest was the only one who went there once a year.

No doubt that he was shaking and trembling with fear.

There was a strict procedure by which he must abide.

Any variation and the High Priest would have died.

He would carry with him the blood of sacrifice.

God had clearly told them the blood would be the price,

For going in beyond the veil. There was no other way,

Until the perfect sacrifice was made for them one day.

This yearly celebration was on a special date.

The Day of the Atonement. Not earlier nor late.

And so for fifteen hundred years this ritual went on,

Until the death of Jesus. Thereafter it was gone.

As Jesus gave His life for us while hanging on the tree,

A wonderful occurrence took place for you and me.

That veil that kept us separate was rent apart in twain.

The Father’s finger ripped it. The perfect lamb was slain!

No one was excluded; God’s ark was now exposed;

The blood of Jesus meant that Father God was predisposed

To let His people enter. The blood that Jesus shed,

Opened up the way for us to be with Him instead!

The wrath of God was satisfied.; His blood had made the way,

For sinners to be reconciled; we didn’t have to stay

Excluded by a barrier that none of us could break.

For Jesus Christ had done it for God and mankind’s sake.

Jim Strickland – written Saturday, 18 June 2011

PRAYER

Perhaps the greatest problem for Christians today

Is following the Lord’s command to all of us to pray.

It seems to be a topic that we talk a lot about.

But when it comes to action – that’s where I have my doubts.

I cannot speak for everyone; that’s absolutely true.

But going to prayer meetings is what we seldom do.

We’re happy in church meetings; that’s where we let off steam.

We call it “praise and worship”. But prayer remains a dream.

We all have our opinions of what prayer aught to be.

Some do it in a great big crowd where others they can see.

Some pray in groups of people that do not like the noise.

And others say it’s only good for little girls and boys.

Some pray in tongues unceasingly. They just go on and on.

So much is so repetitive the Holy Ghost has gone.

And then there are the stompers who storm around the place.

They say they “bind the devil” with looks upon their face,

That Jesus is their servant and they are in control.

It’s surely lots of exercise. But does they reach their goal?

But what is really happening? Is Jesus there at all?

And yet the Bible tells us, God listens when we call.

I’d love to take our systems and kick them into touch.

Is dialoguing with the Lord’s something we want so much,

That we’ll examine everything, including our own way?

We’ll lay it on the altar Lord, and do the thing You say.

But what did Jesus tell us? We don’t need company.

Go into your prayer closet; that’s where you’ll meet with Me.

Pray privately to Father where you cannot be heard.

The Lord will surely listen and answer every word.

He knows what you are needing, so pray for other men.

Lift them up on wings of prayer in ways beyond your ken.

And when you think you’re finished with nothing else to pray,

Turn to your prayer language. The Spirit knows the way.

Lift up your holy hands to God for surely as you do,

You’ll find that He is speaking to no one else but you.

For prayer is not a monologue where all you do is speak.

Take the time to listen. You’ll find Him when you seek.

And prayer will be a way of life. Just you and God alone.

He’ll make you very welcome before His royal throne.

And prayer won’t be a duty. Your life will be on fire.

For Jesus will be everything; you total heart’s desire.

Jim Strickland – written Friday, 17 June 2011

DOER OF THE WORD

Our actions are more vocal than any words we speak.

You might say you are humble but if there’s an angry streak,

Visible to everyone; to children and the old.

Who will listen closely to the “clap trap” you have told?

We know words are important. That cannot be denied.

But who will listen to you if you’re twisted up inside?

Who will give approval to anything you say,

Unless communicated in the most consistent way.

Actions denote character. Your words are just hot air.

Unless folk see the evidence of how you really care,

Your “faith” will be regarded as pure hypocrisy.

Unless it’s plainly evident by what the folk can see.

I do not love my spouse if she is battered and is bruised.

You may shout “Hallelujah!” but the fact is you’re confused.

You cannot speak of honesty with fingers in the till.

The people will believe it when you pay your every bill.

You cannot look at women if you’re laden down with lust;

And no one will believe you if your words they cannot trust.

You cannot be a Christian while you’re in the devil’s camp.

How can you be a Christian if you’re living like a tramp?

I truly can’t point fingers. It’s true for you and me.

We cannot hear the fruit while it is hanging on the tree.

You know it is an apple by its colour, shape and size.

It doesn’t shout “come eat me, I will make you very wise!”`

You’ll only ever hear it when falls upon the ground.

And that’s approximately how a Christian is found.

He doesn’t sing his praises. He turns the other cheek.

He knows his strongest moments are the times when he is weak.

He knows that for promotion he has to step right down.

He seldom has a mansion in the poshest part of town.

He only has one purpose; to live for other folk.

To hover in the background and support the other bloke.

He doesn’t “push” his ministry. It matters not at all,

If others get the credit when he has done it all!

He always is contented regardless of his state.

Poverty or riches, He’s quite content to wait,

And bow before his Master and look into His eyes.

Jesus is important, not all the other guys.

He knows the Lord is watching and that Jesus Christ will say,

Well done My faithful servant. You lived your life My way!

Jim Strickland – written Thursday, 16 June 2011

THIS IS OUR GOD

"The Lord God is omniscient!” Such easy words to say.

But do we understand them in their real and proper way?

God knew what He was doing before the worlds began.

And everything that’s happened is all within his plan.

With absolute precision he knows what will take place,

At any chosen instant in all of time and space.

He knew what happened yesterday, before the worlds began.

He knew all that would come to pass to each and every man.

He didn’t have to concentrate. He didn’t have to think.

He knew all of the answers far quicker than we blink.

But that is not the end of it. His knowledge is much more,

Than knowing all the details from millennia before

They actually happened. He knows what might have been,

If someone acted differently to what He had foreseen.

All the possibilities of all scenarios,

All these variations our Great Creator knows.

You’ll never catch Him sleeping. He knew that you would try

He knew the day you would be born; He knows when you will die.

You cannot take Him by surprise. He never is off-guard.

No matter what the question is; For Him, no answer’s hard.

So it is not surprising that there are mysteries.

Things we can’t imagine that our Creator sees.

Our minds are far to puny to understand all this,

And so, from our perspective, our ignorance is bliss!

But Father, in His wisdom, who knows our every need,

Knows what’s been revealed to us; they currently exceed,

Everything required. We don’t need any more.

The universe dimensions, what do we need that for?

Will it make us more Godly, or clutter up our mind,

With superfluous knowledge of the unwanted kind!

Our omnipotent Deity; He wants to be our friend.

This infinite Creator whom we can’t comprehend.

Every star that’s ever shone; He put each in its place.

The omnipresent architect who made both time and space.

The One who’s told us all about the things He has revealed.

Sufficient to redeem us and which needn’t be concealed.

This King who wants to fellowship with men like you and me.

Who sent His Son to live a life the way it aught to be.

This is the Lord Almighty! This is the Lord Most High.

This is the One who wants to be the friend of you and I.

Jim Strickland – written Wednesday, 15 June 2011

GLORY IN SUFFERING

Success without some suffering is very seldom seen.

Unless it is inherited by someone like the queen.

How often does that happen? Eight billion to one.

In other words, let’s get it straight. It’s virtually none.

So suffering’s a given. There’s sure to be some pain.

Unless you think you’re better off, if life goes down the drain.

But that is just a cop out. The pain that’s left behind,

Is worse for the survivors. So why be so unkind?

Of course we may avoid it by going on a “trip”

But drugs do far more damage, though some folk say it’s “hip”.

So put aside objections and let’s all face the facts.

For suffering will dog your steps; the “boo’s” as well as “claps”!

But suffering improves us and helps us move ahead.

An athlete doesn’t practise by sleeping in his bed.

He gets down to the stadium at some unearthly hour.

He tries to get a better time and all within his power,

He does and keeps on at it; if he thinks there’s a way,

To win some fancy medal he can look at every day!

Perhaps he’ll get his name down in someone’s record book.

But he will not forget about the effort that it took.

The same is also true today of Christianity.

It takes a lot of effort to be what you can be.

It happens through discipleship by someone in the know.

Someone who’s in training and knows the way to go.

Your “spiritual muscles” you’ll find you have to train.

For living in God’s Kingdom; no pain and there’s no gain!

We know that God has given us His grace and it is free.

But that is at the starting point; the rest is up to thee.

He’ll send His Holy Spirit; the blessed paraclete.

But you must do the work it takes to get to Jesus feet.

It is a competition and Jesus is the prize.

The only way to get to Him is focus on His eyes.

Through hell and through high water is how it’s been expressed.

You’ve got to face right up to it, if you want to be blessed.

Get off your rusty dusty, shape up to what you need.

Break your own pain barrier and let His Spirit lead.

Do not think of quitting. There’s far too much to lose.

Your trainer’s name is Jesus; The King of all the Jews.

Start by rising early. You’ll find it’s for the best.

Get down to your stadium and face up to your test.

Know that you’re in training for the One Who’s done it all.

Beat your body under and be just like St Paul.

Will you go through suffering? There’s much you will endure.

But Jesus Christ is beckoning and you’ll get there for sure.

Jim Strickland – written Tuesday, 14 June 2011