MY BIG BROTHER

I haven’t any siblings. I am an “only child”. It’s never been exciting. In fact, it got me riled! I didn’t have a brother or sister I could tease. It’s always, “Don’t be silly” or “pass the custard ‘Please’” My very best behaviour was always on display. And I was disappointed it had to be this way. If anything had happened, I was the one to blame. I tried to say, “It wasn’t me”. I always said the same. But when it came to lying, I wasn’t very good. That’s why I got a hiding more often than I should. At school I had a problem when bullies picked on me. I had no elder brother, and so I had to flee. The girls thought it was funny and so they laughed out loud; This made a bad impression on others in the crowd. I used to look with envy at those of my own age. If they had bigger brothers who’d protect at any stage. Then they would get off lightly. The bullies got all coy. They didn’t want to fight with a bigger, stronger boy. Of course this was so difficult. But I had come to know, If you are being picked on, the better way to go, Was call on someone stronger on whom you could rely. And calling on Jehovah would “fix” the other guy. I didn’t have to struggle, His name was quite enough. No matter who the bully was, I knew he wasn’t tough. He couldn’t fight with Jesus; he couldn’t take Him on. He’d be annihilated and all his prospects gone. So this is my solution. I use it still today. If anybody picks on me, I only have to say The Name of my Big Brother. The opposition ends. I know they are not scared of me. But Jesus Christ defends, The bond slaves who rely on Him. The demons have no chance. They do not even venture to take a second glance! For Jesus is my fortress, my Saviour and my Shield. The rock of my salvation. The one to Whom I yield. And Satan’s lot know better that try to take Him on.

He only has to blink an eye and all of them are gone! My Saviour camps around me; I cannot be afraid. They have no right of passage. They do not make the grade. But this is not my doing. I’m held in Jesus hands. His Name alone I honour. On Christ the rock I stand. And though the devil threatens, there’s nothing He can do While I belong to Jesus and to Him I am true. Jim Strickland – Written Saturday, 15 October 2011

ALIVE TO GOD

I gave my life to Jesus, when I was in my teens. They told me just how fortunate that deed had surely been. They said God had a plan for me so marvellous and good. But no details were given me. So I misunderstood, The things that were telling me. I thought I would be rich. I’d ride on six white horses, not crawl along a ditch. That I could take it easy, for God was on my side. That He would give me everything, a husband gives his bride. Those were my first impressions. I couldn’t turn that down! I may have been a teenager but I was not a clown. It wasn’t very long before I really bumped my nose. It must have been stupidity, or madness I suppose. For all those first impressions, were absolutely wrong. My friends thought I was crazy; it wasn’t very long, Before those foolish notions gave way to what was fact. By then I was committed; there was no turning back. I’d started to love Jesus and then I didn’t care. I’d live for Him or die for Him and do it anywhere. For I had taken up my cross and set off down my road. For He had told me softly, that He would share my load. My circumstance was difficult; I couldn’t care a fig. He led the way in front of me; His guidance was so big, It really didn’t matter. His love for me was sure. There was an inner longing, to live a life that’s pure. And then He whispered something that made me want to cry. He said to truly follow Him that I would have to die. I found it hard to swallow. For death would bring great pain. He said that He had suffered, and it had been great gain. So if I would be like Him, I’d have to suffer too. There wasn’t an alternative to what I had to do. I’d have to be a student in His school of bumps and knocks. The colours would be black and blue as people cast their rocks. But even if it killed me. What was there I could lose? If Jesus was my Master, His will I had to choose. But miracle of miracle. The things that I was told, When I became a Christian, I’m starting to behold. The fact is I am rich with more than I can ever spend. My dwelling is a mansion and life now has no end. Perhaps I am still living, on this side of the tomb. This world has no attraction; it’s just the ante-room; To being with my Master. That’s where I long to be. Alive and in His heaven, for all eternity. Jim Strickland – Written Friday, 14 October 2011

THE PRAYER OF THE HUMBLE

It’s interesting what happens when someone goes to prayer. Daniel’s prayer was answered and an angel hastened there. We know that God was listening. The angels listened too. And one of them was sent to him to make his prayer come true. Daniel was a humble man who prayed to God Most High. The High and Holy One who lives and will not ever die. He saw Daniel was humble; his spirit was contrite. So Gabriel was sent to him to show what’s not in sight. He came and showed the future and when the Christ would come. His answer was so accurate, it makes us all go dumb. The “history” of the future was told so perfectly, It even showed the date when Christ would start His ministry! We wonder why this happened. But few will pay the price. A broken and repentant heart, must be the sacrifice. For God speaks to the humble. The arrogant don’t hear. The people with this attitude, the Lord will not draw near. We know He keeps His distance from people who are proud. It seems that only humble men, will ever be allowed, To draw near to the Father. It’s the repentant heart, That Father God is seeking. He doesn’t even start, To speak to haughty people. It’s just a waste of time, To think that they will hear from Him. Their prayers aren’t worth a dime. But if you will stay humble and submit to God Most High; He’ll hear each word you utter so that your heartfelt cry, Will certainly be honoured; and you will know His care. Perhaps He’ll send an angel to meet with you right there. So give the Lord your worries. He knows them anyway. Trust that He will care for you on each and every day. Know He is forgiving; His steadfast love abounds.

Ask for grace to come to Him and listen for the sounds, Of that which He will send you; It might not be this week; But He has said He will be found by those who truly seek! He’ll answer you in trouble. For you He’ll undertake. And since He is the only God, He’s constantly awake! He’ll grant you your petition. He’ll give His perfect peace. Though you may be in trouble, He’ll grant you your release. So let us change our attitude to seeking Him in prayer. Remember He’s the only God. The others just aren’t there! Jim Strickland – Written Thursday, 13 October 2011

ALIVE IN YOU AND ME

We know we cannot ever squeeze a quart in a pint pot. The stupid thing will overflow; like it, or like it not. We understand these limits and know that they are true.

But in the unseen spirit world, such thought will never do. A closed container can contain whatever you require. The pressure may be different, far more than you desire. Likewise in the Spirit. For God to fill you more, He just increases pressure inside your spirit’s store. He knows that we will do it, before our vessel breaks, So keeps on doing what He does. He does it for our sakes! Perhaps this helps us see just how, in Jesus was compressed, All the Godhead’s nature; though no one would have guessed! Infinity was dwelling in the frame of Jesus Christ! It’s quite incomprehensible; but somehow He sufficed. Don’t ask me how He did it. I thought of asking you. But let me share a secret, it is absolutely true! Colossians chapter one and we will see in verse nineteen, God’s whole nature was in Christ, although it wasn’t seen. God was pleased to bring all things to Him in Christ our King. Not just little bits of it; not parts, but everything! Everything in heaven and all things on the earth, Would be reconciled to Him and peace would have its birth. The blood of Jesus did it. Our sins were scarlet red. And Jesus’ cleansing blood would make our sinful nature dead. Only He could do it. There is no other way. God and man were reconciled by what He did that day. Creation and the spirit with Jesus were infused. All of Satan’s comments couldn’t touch those he accused. Miracle of miracle. God’s nature was appeased. We could be forgiven; not sin-sick and diseased. If we will submit to Him, He’ll grant to us His peace. Turn His face toward us and grant us the release, From all of Satan’s purposes and diabolic plan, To come between the Godhead and His created man. Lord, Your plan was perfect. Salvation could apply, To any human being, who knew he couldn’t try, To live the way You wanted. But You could live within, Any man or woman who repented of their sin. Jim Strickland – written Wednesday, 12 October 2011

YOU’LL NEVER BE ALONE

When I was in deep trouble with no one at my side; No person could assist me. So to the Lord I cried. I wasn’t sure if He would help; I’d only read His Word. I hoped that He would answer, provided that He heard! It only was a question, of how long it would take. But if it wasn’t quickly, I’d tremble and would shake. That’s when I started thinking, I’d cried too quietly. How could He give an answer, if He had not heard me? That’s when the thought occurred to me that I would have to shout Until I came to I realise, I needn’t be in doubt. The Lord is omnipresent, with hearing un-impaired. There really was no reason for me to feel so scared. He may delay His answer, until His chosen time. I only needed patience; I needn’t fret or pine. And then I heard Him whisper, “You’ll never be alone. I’m always right beside you. You are not on your own. Things may seem slow in coming, but as you trust in Me, I’ll change the situation and you will be set free. You’ll never be an orphan. You’ll know I’m always there; Not by some spooky feeling, but seeing that I care. I rescue those who love Me. I take them by the hand. I change their situation to something I have planned.” I knew that it was Jesus. I felt myself grow calm. No matter what might happen, no one could cause me harm. The world might suffer earthquakes; The mountains may fall down; He is my strength and refuge, in every part of town. He’s promised to preserve me; the wicked He’ll destroy; Resist their bad intentions and foil their every ploy. He fulfils the desires, of those who fear His Name. No matter what may happen, He’s constantly the same. So I will wait in silence. Salvation will appear! While I have His assurance, there’s nothing I need fear. Long life is what He’s promised, to those who trust in Him. Their strength will not diminish; their eyes will not grow dim. And so my hope is centred on Jesus Christ the Lord. If I will always trust Him, great will be my reward. So this is my confession. He is my God and King. And from this strong position, my praise to Him I bring. Jim Strickland – written Tuesday, 11 October 2011