THE HOLY SPIRIT

He’s called the Holy Spirit; the God Who’s everywhere.

No matter what you say or think, the Holy Spirit’s there.

The middle of the brightest star; that place is not exempt.

The power of the universe. No one has every dreamt,

Of any place where He is not. No person can conceive,

Of anywhere He isn’t. No force can make Him leave.

He’s like a throbbing dynamo that cannot controlled

The Member of the Trinity with qualities untold,

Who flows between the Father and His Most Precious Son;

The mighty energy by which the universe is run.

And yet He is a Person, He isn’t just a force.

He has a personality He’s not just a resource.

He’s quite incomprehensible to feeble human minds.

Could you describe a sunset to somebody born blind?

He always has existed. When time and space were made,

He caused it all to happen. God spoke – it was obeyed!

He’s always been amongst us. Old Testament and New,

Describe what He was doing and what He would still do.

Before the death of Jesus, He mainly came upon,

The kings and priests and prophets; they spoke and He was gone.

That’s how God’s Word informs us that “prophecy” took place.

He hardly ever dwelled within that fallen human race.

But when the Lord ascended, a new phase was begun.

He came to dwell inside those committed to God’s Son.

For Jesus Christ had promised His Spirit would indwell,

The ones who had believed in Him and cut their ties with Hell.

So now in the New Testament we see what He can do.

He sends His Holy Spirit to dwell inside of you.

He comes with all His power. He is our “paraclete”

Our Advocate, our Holy Guide, our Escort Who can beat

Anyone who’s influenced by Satan’s wicked touch.

The Holy Spirit active in a Christian is too much

For Satan and his forces to ever overpower.

In Jesus Christ we’ve all become a Holy Spirit tower,

That reaches to the heavens and Satan can’t defeat.

The only “weapon” he can use for Christians to beat

Is if we start believing deception and his lies.

Which merely are his demons approaching in disguise.

So let the Holy Spirit do His work through you.

He is the Christian’s victory in all we say and do.

Let us all take courage. Stand strong and firm and tall.

Jesus and His Spirit will never let you fall.

And when the battle’s over, as soon as you have won,

Give glory to the Father, His Spirit and His Son.

Jim Strickland – written Thursday, 23 June 2011

DEATH

Death is an enigma. A riddle that we fear.

We know it’s going to happen, but hope it’s not too near.

We keep it in the background; We think if we ignore

Its dreadful implications, we’ll live a little more!

And so we sanitise it; put flowers round a grave.

Speak kindly to the relatives and tell them to be brave.

Then when we’ve left the funeral and gone back home again,

We’re glad we’ve done our duty; and some of us complain,

About how long the service took; then think of it no more.

It’s back to trivialities, like what’s the rugby score?

Don’t think I’m being callous with what is written here,

It’s true that the departed, we once held very dear.

But life was made for living. We can’t turn back the clock.

But funerals are times for us to quietly take stock,

And get a new perspective of why we have to die.

We’re monsters of iniquity and few of us know why.

We die because we’re sinners. That is the bottom line.

We may believe that we are good and we are doing fine.

But deep within the inner man, we know that it’s not true.

If you were really perfect, death wouldn’t come for you!

But what if it was possible for sin itself to die?

     Then death would not be able to come for you or I.

If we could deal with sin itself and put it in the grave,

Then we would all be free from death and we would all be saved!

But who could ever do it? It had to be a man.

And someone supernatural to put in place a plan,

To deal with sin forever. And if that someone died,

Then He would take death with Him; it couldn’t be applied!

But let’s go one step further. If He included me

And you, down deep within Him. Then miraculously,

If He was resurrected and brought to life again,

Then death would lose all meaning, along with sin and stain.

There’s one more implication that we must still explore.

If you and I are in Him, then death can reign no more!

We would be resurrected. In Him we’d be alive.

Then sin would be defeated and death would take a dive.

But this has really happened! Christ Jesus beat man’s fall!

God’s Son defeated sin and death. He is the Lord of all.

So when we go to funerals now, we needn’t say good-bye.

For if that person is in Christ, he cannot ever die!

 Jim Strickland – written Wednesday, 22 June 2011

MADE WHOLE

There’s many different reasons why people serve the Lord.

One is that He’s worthy to be worshipped and adored.

Some do it for power, position, or for fame;

Only incidental is the glory of His name.

Some are only working as some Church’s employees.

They really have no option; It isn’t done to please

The Lord of their salvation. They’re only taken on,

Because the business sector is convinced they are a “con”.

So let me ask you bluntly. Why is it that you serve?

Could it be that somehow you just haven’t got the nerve,

To work for an employer and give your very best?

Or could it be the market place is far too big a test?

You really needn’t answer. I do not want to know.

But Jesus has the answer to everything; and so

Unless you’re very certain of what is driving you,

It’s time you took inventory of everything you do.

Would you be contented at the closing of each day,

To give your very best for Him regardless of your pay?

Would you work for nothing if that’s what He’s required,

Or would you take it easy and just hope you don’t get fired?

Are you far too fussy about where you need to go?

When you visit people is it only just for show?

Have you clothed the beggar and have you fed the poor?

If this is beneath you, your faith is immature.

Have you ever visited a prisoner in jail?

How is it you answered? A pass or do you fail?

Have you given water to a beggar in the street?

What is your reaction to the stranger whom you meet?

Have you prayed for others and do you intercede,

For those who are impoverished and have a desperate need?

Please don’t think I’ve passed this test. I’m probably like you.

Trying to be faithful to the Lord in all I do.

Knowing I’m unable to pass this little test.

Asking for His grace to help me do my very best,

To somehow reach the standard to which I should aspire.

Father kindle in me Your Spirit’s Holy Fire.

Show us how to climb out of this dark Satanic pit;

Of talking Christian jargon while knowing we don’t fit,

The picture Jesus painted. Lord, brand into our souls,

The image of a servant, renewed and fully whole.

Jim Strickland – written Tuesday, 21 June 2011

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