LIMERICKS ON THE LAW

His Law is in my being and is fighting a great war. My mind control, Would make me whole, That’s what I’m fighting for. But here within my body there dwells a heart of sin. I fight this fight, With all my might. But I don’t seem to win! So who can fix this problem and set this sinner free? The Lord above; The God of love. Who gave His life for me. Thank You my God for saving me when all my hope was gone. You set me free; Brought liberty, Now I can carry on. Your Word, Lord has a flavour delightful to my tongue, You gave a feast, When I was least. That’s why Your praise is sung. You spread a banquet table. A feast fit for a King. And then You blessed, Each honoured guest. Thank You for everything! Your will O Lord is better. It’s perfect, right and true. The things I’d choose, Would mean I lose, My confidence in You.	I meditate upon Your Law by day as well as night. I’ve been inspired; By what’s desired, To help me win this fight. O Lord You give me wisdom that’s far beyond my years. And You have said, What lies ahead; Beyond the vale of tears. For there will be rejoicing beyond all that we know. We’ll shout and cheer,  “Our God is near!” Lord, never let us go! Your Law gives inspiration and doing what it says; Will bring to me, A victory, And keep me in Your ways. They came and asked the Master if He would like to eat. There is no need, For Me to feed; God’s will is drink and meat. O Lord all Your commandments are holy, right and true. If we obey, In every way, There’s nothing more to do! Your words, O Lord, are sweeter than honey from the hive. O Lord we dine On food Divine, That’s why we’re still alive.
Jim Strickland – written 19th Oct. 2011

SONNETS ON THE BLOOD

God’s Atomic Bomb

It’s sometimes called the Lords atomic bomb,

Because of what it does to people’s sin.

No matter where a person’s coming from

It breaks the grip that Satan has on him.

This really needn’t come as a surprise,

There had to be an item that would clean

Anything, including Satan’s lies,

Consciences, and even sins unseen.

Now we all can walk with God again.

Only yesterday the way was closed.

People knew about the awful pain,

Walking without God on us imposed.

Now it only takes a little drop

Of Jesus’ blood to bring sin to a stop.

          Jim Strickland – Written 18 October 2011

                             -oOo-

Only Possible Now

It started with the blood of bulls and goats.

At first this was the sacrifice required,

To bring atonement for the sins, and coat

The perpetrator with what was desired.

But animals can never take the place

Of sins that were committed by a man.

Where was the chastisement and disgrace,

Appropriate? No animal’s blood can

Equate to what was needed by the law.

It only worked for accidental sin.

Intended sin, there was no offering for!

The sinner had to take it on the chin.

That’s how it was until the Saviour came

Now all sins are forgiven in His Name.

          Jim Strickland – Written 18 October 2011

                                    -oOo-

ONLY GOD IS GOOD

A certain man came to the Lord, “Good Master” the man said, (Matt 19:16-17) What good thing must a person do for life when he is dead? Then Jesus said, “you’ve called Me good. That’s true of God alone. No other person qualifies, just as the Lord has shown. It was a revelation. There’s people all around. Not one of them is truly good, as most of us have found. And so we say, “Oh really? I think I’m doing fine. I’m better than most people. I’m not on the bread line. I’m sure that God approves of me. In fact I’m doing well!” But this is certainly the way to be to be consigned to Hell. We think the definition of good is what we do. We overlook our weaknesses and say. “Compared with you, I’m in a good position. I do not smoke or swear. (Can you detect a little bit of nose up in the air?) I never cheat my neighbour. I am a splendid man. I pay my tithes, I do not steal. And do the best I can. If all of this is not enough to satisfy the Lord, Then all my friends and neighbours will think that I’m a fraud. But sadly there’s an error, if this is what you say. The standard you’re required to pass is not yours anyway. You’ve got to be much better than that which Christ has set. This isn’t true of any man that I have ever met. For Jesus Christ is righteous in all and everything. Not once in all His lifetime, did He commit a sin. This isn’t true of anyone, that I have come to know. There’s always just a little thing to make their “goodness” go! So Jesus, in the comment He made upon that day, Was absolutely accurate. There wasn’t any way, That man could match that standard. But Jesus Christ was God. So when he said “Good Master” it truly wasn’t odd! So you and I can celebrate. Rejoice in what He did! He gave us all His righteousness. His sinlessness He hid, Until His task was finished and He died for our sins. This deed gave us His sinlessness, so that we all could win, Our contest with the devil. He now sees us as “good”. And through the power of His blood, that’s what he truly should. This seems a contradiction. God’s righteousness is mine. The “goodness” He has given me is utterly Divine! Jim Strickland – Written Monday, 17 October 2011

LIVING IN THIS WORLD

There seems to be an attitude around us every day, That Christians do not have to work; they’re saved so they can play! I don’t know where it came from, but it is all around. In every part of industry this foolishness is found. The “Christians” only go to work to “witness” and to chat. They never seem to realise what God is looking at. It’s stealing from the company if you neglect your work. Another way to look at it, is saying that they shirk, Avoiding their commitment to those who took them on; And then get very angry when the boss tells them, “be gone!” It really is amazing that people think that way. It isn’t in the Bible. So what does Jesus say? He says to look at others as better than ourself. Try and get them all involved, not sitting on the shelf. We all have a high calling to let the heathen see, That those who follow Jesus, give their lives unselfishly. That Christians work for Jesus; and their employer pays. And so they work far harder and spend all of their days, Showing what a difference that Jesus Christ will do, When you seek to follow Him and let His light shine through. Let your zeal for Jesus be visible to all. Tell them that your work is now your high and holy call. You have an employer and you must satisfy, All the company’s standards, as well as God Most High! No, it isn’t easy. But you are not your own. You are just His bond slave and must do the things He’s shown. We must do His bidding. We know the night will come; Working won’t be possible until the rising sun, Shines its rays upon us and night time is behind. Then we’ll know for certain, that we have not been blind. We have been appointed to be among the saved. The rights that once we thought we had each one of them we’ve waived. The brothers and the sisters and all our former friends, Are those we want to win for Christ; and much of it depends, On what they see us doing; and how we work each day. Is it an example that points them to the way? Will we keep on running, until our race is done? Will they see the Christian life as good and healthy fun? Will these people search for us, or thank God we have gone? Or will they all be challenged to take the Christ life on? Remember they are governed by what they hear and see. So let them notice Jesus Christ; that’s how it has to be. Jim Strickland – Written 16 October 2011

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