GOD DOES NOT LIE

God is a special person. This is the starting phrase. We know He isn’t human but has many human ways. But unlike everyone I know whom I have ever met. Our God is not a liar or in any person’s debt. He doesn’t tell us stories in which there is no truth. He keeps away from falsehood and never is uncouth. The words that He has stated are absolutely clear. And nothing can be hidden for He is always near. He sets a certain standard; He expects that we obey And none of us can think that we can turn to Him and say, Anything imperfect that’s not truth personified. For He can tell the instant that any of us lie. We know this is His nature. We know it has to be. A lie can’t hold the universe for all eternity. Anything untruthful would surely fall apart. There no other foundation for something that’s this smart! If He began creation with a certain plan in mind, Think of what would happen if the truth you couldn’t find. Everything would crumble and end up in a heap. But God is not a liar whose words He cannot keep. In fact He’s so much more than that. We know He doesn’t change. We may think this is difficult and absolutely strange, But if on one occasion He chose to change His mind. Nothing He’s created would be possible to find. We know His people alter. We have to come in line With all that He’s intended according to design. But if He’s inconsistent where do you think that we’d be? Not even a shadow in His unformed history. It goes without our saying, we cannot change a bit. Jesus makes quite sure of this in order that we fit Into the great salvation the Trinity designed. Their plan was in position when He called us from His mind. It wasn’t going to happen and “nothing” was the norm. Until He spoke the words He did and all began to form. And even when it started so many years ago, He knew where we are heading and how we had to go. It sounds a wee bit fanciful. How Could all this be known? It tells us in the Bible that He reaps what He has sown. So when we were all planted when He called the world to  be, The object of His exercise was making you and me! It’s what the Lord intended before the worlds were made, And everything is just this way so He would be obeyed.  Jim Strickland – written Saturday, 20 August 2011

THE CALL TO HOLINESS

“Holiness!” Yes, Holiness is what you are to cry. For it's a lack of holiness which is the reason why, The name of many Christians has now become a stench. Because they will not change their ways, they consequently wrench The leading I have given them from My directing hand, And live a life that all can see is what the devil planned. But you have been appointed a shepherd of the flock. It's your responsibility to quietly take stock, Of how the sheep are living and how the pasture seems. To ascertain the difference 'tween vision and the schemes, That Satan would endeavour to place into their minds. To know if what they're eating will feed or make them blind. To be a flock protector and not a bird of prey. To keep the wolves and predators continually at bay. For this is what I've called you to and this is My desire. But it is your obedience that really I require.  The way ahead is difficult. With danger it is fraught. But you will find that I am here, the enemy to thwart. Provided that you're listening and do the things I show, Then, step-by-step and day-by-day, you'll definitely know, That nothing I require of you will ever be too much, Successfully to overcome, for I will be your crutch! And as you start to lean on Me and let Me take your weight; The power of The Holy Ghost will clearly demonstrate, That you are Mine. A Servant; A Shepherd of the King; Because I have decided that I will do a thing, To shake the very heavens and rattle earth and sky; To illustrate to everyone, just what it means to die! Just what I have accomplished by coming to the Earth, And giving to the humanity the chance of second birth. But, many of My people don't seem to care at all. Their lives aren't changed and many have ignored My Holy call; And consequently, judgement is now upon the scene; And they will now experience just what My wrath can mean. But even now it's possible for Me to stay My hand. If they will change their attitude and DO what I command; Diligently minister to ALL of those I've saved, And demonstrate repentance by the way that they behave. For if a sinner turns from sin, I've promised he will live. Regardless what a man has been, I always will forgive. But if the righteous turns to sin and practise fleshly lust, I will forget their righteous acts. For them it will be just As though they never came to Me; And all their sinful acts Will be restored again to them and judgement will be fact. Jim Strickland – written Friday, 19 August 2011

THE GREATNESS OF GOD

The difficulty that Christians face is what we cannot see. Particularly when we speak about Divinity. We understand that God is there, but what is it we mean? We see a universe of stars with little in between. The size is astronomical we cannot see the end; So all the “qualities” of God are hard to comprehend. We know that God is Spirit. But where is Spirit found? We cannot quantify it, for we are too earth bound. We do not have a test tube which states, “essence of God”. We can’t locate Him in the sky or underneath the sod. And yet He isn’t hiding. The evidence is there. His fingerprints are all around if only we’re aware, To spot what we are looking at. There is no “empty space” There’s nowhere we can flee from Him and everything’s in place. The sky proclaims His Glory. The stars all sing along. And when we listen to a bird we hear an angel’s song. Our sight is obfuscated and filters out His form; So when we look at nothing, we find that is the norm. We know that He is powerful. We know all time and space, Are held together by His Word! An awesome fact to face. To stop the earth’s rotation does not take sleight of hand. It happens in the instant He issues His command. Men talk of “Mother Nature” a Lady who’s not there! We speak of her abundant power. But how can “nothing” care? God keeps the very universe and yet He’s never tired. He is the very pinnacle of all that is desired. He has no competition. No one can change His mind. But speak to Him in reverence and you are sure to find, That He will change the circumstance and miracles you’ll see, If you will only ask Him in true humility. You cannot give Him orders. He does what He desires. There is no one to tell Him “Nay!” - We do what he requires! And yet in all this awesomeness He’s gentle as a dove. He seldom has to use His power. Instead He uses love. It is the way He treats us; with tenderness and care; This “quality” is manifest and constantly is there. And though Our God is infinite; Whom we cannot control. He tells us of His love for us which covers heart and soul. Jim Strickland – Written Thursday, 18 August 2011

A PARTNER IN PRAYER

They tell us that confession is so good for the soul. It isn’t in the Scripture but the principle is whole. What is the greatest problem, is where we choose to go, To find someone who’s trustworthy. Such folk we seldom know. Of course the perfect person is Jesus Christ our Lord. But most are so embarrassed they feel they can’t afford, To find someone so lofty who might not have the time. And so we do not go to Him; which really is a crime. That’s also not the purpose of that which James has said. We need a man or woman who shares our daily bread. A  capable prayer partner, who walks with us in light. There is no other way by which we’re going to win this fight. So who is it we go to see to lighten up our day? A brother or a sister who’s also in the fray. But is that person trustworthy or will he often blab; Who’ll mention all your secrets and put them up to grab? Is the person righteous or a spreader of bad tales? For if he talks about it, the purpose of it fails. He needs an iron memory where things are locked up tight. And others cannot get to him while he’s asleep at night. Where do we find such people? I think the right idea, Is take the problem to the Lord and ask Him please, to steer You to a special person a worthy confidant. And not anther person whom Satan’s tried to plant. It’s what the Master taught us. He told us all to pray And ask for the right person and not get turned away. He needs to be a person who’ll fulfil the Law of Christ, Not the sort of person you can buy or cheaply priced. Some one in reality who’s much the same as you. Make him your confessor. That is the thing to do. Someone who will pray in faith for people who are sick. Not the sort of sluggard whom we call “a clever Dick” A lover of their fellows who will lift their souls on high; A powerful prayer warrior who points men to the sky. Whose passion for the Saviour encourages us all, To be the Master’s bond slave who does the things God calls. Jim Strickland – written Wednesday, 17 August 2011

BUILDING THE TEMPLE

They tell me I’m a building block, but I don’t look the part.

The iron in my blood’s too low for pumping round my heart! My shape is also different. I’m sort of round not square. The mortar will not stick to me because of my thin hair But Jesus seems to think so and He is never wrong. So somehow I must learn to sing a new construction song. But what is my position? The middle or the top? The temple will look very strange and maybe it will stop, Before we reach the pinnacle and deck the temple out! But Jesus is the architect and knows what He’s about. He is the Master Builder. Regardless of our form, The temple will be perfect, won’t fall down in a storm. His job is very difficult and it is hard to do. Not just because of what I am, but it’s because of you! How can we fit together how can we stay in place, Without a massive outpouring of Jesus and His grace? The purpose is to glorify the God who makes it grow. The hardest thing the universe could ever, ever know. But when it comes to miracles, the Lord does instantly, The things which are impossible for folk like you and me. Yes, Jesus makes them easy and has all that He needs. He doesn’t have to conjure up the most outlandish deeds. For miracles are normal when they are in His hands. The universe bows instantly to all of His commands. But what is more amazing is He uses every stone, To bring about a purpose that is His very own. The strangers and the aliens are fitted into place, The instant they believe in Him and call out for His grace. And some are made apostles, or prophets with a call. Evangelists, and pastors He loves them one and all. He also has the teachers to keep the building square, So that when it’s completed, His people will be there. We know it sounds impossible; a little bit absurd. But not when He is doing it; not once has that occurred. And we will take our places when all has been complete, And everyone who looks at it will say of it “How neat!” For Christ will have the glory and we will just look on; Knowing that all sin and death is absolutely gone. Jim Strickland – written Tuesday, 16 August 2011