THE ARMOUR OF GOD

I’ve never been a drunkard. A thing most men think odd.

But what is more exciting! The booze is not my god.

It could have been, but somehow, I never found the time,

To visit public houses with the different friends of mine.

When I had reached the tender age of only twenty one;

I’d been exposed to alcohol, but found the urge was none!

I much preferred sobriety. I tend to laugh at drunks.

But when I think about it, few men would join the monks.

The truth is that I met the Lord when I was just eighteen.

I can’t explain the difference that loving Him can mean.

I don’t recall a breastplate composed of Jesus love.

I knew that His salvation came down from God above.

The self control He’d given me was still some kind of myth.

But since I am His bond-slave, The One I’m always with,

Is Jesus Christ my Saviour. I begged Him to reveal,

His nature to the friends of mine. I just could not conceal,

The way His life had changed me. The only thing for me,

Was seeking after holiness. That’s what I’d rather be.

And so I tried His armour. I found it didn’t fit.

I tried to squeeze my life therein; that didn’t help a bit.

Truth was my biggest problem. My life had been a lie.

The belt would fit around my neck. That’s not the way to die!

The sandals didn’t fit me, because I had no peace.

I hadn’t yet arrived at where He’d give me His release.

My shield of faith was battered. I thought, “it’s made of tin”.

So even as a Christian, what was I like within?

My one redeeming feature was my passion for His Word.

I couldn’t get enough of it. I know that sounds absurd.

But Jesus had a purpose. To kick my props away.

To make me so repulsed with me, I’d run to Him and stay.

So over the last 50 years, my life has been transformed.

The breastplate now feels comfortable; and truth is now my norm.

The sandals are so comfortable I never take them off.

I wear them when I go to bed. My helmet I now doff

In honour of my Saviour. My shield of faith is strong

I keep it in position to keep me from all wrong.

The sword of Jesus’ Spirit remains my one desire.

And I admit quite openly, He fills my heart with fire.

So if your armour doesn’t fit. Don’t get into a state.

Ask the Lord to help you and really concentrate

On digging in the Bible, to find out what it says

And follow Christ your Saviour for your remaining days.

Jim Strickland – Written 8^th November 2011

THE GLORY OF GOD

God’s miracles are all around. We see them every day.

The sun that rises in the East. I think that’s here to stay.

The flowers in the garden, the animals and trees.

Thank You Lord that by Your grace, that You made all of these.

The rooster which announces, that the daylight is now here.

The Ha Dee Dahs and other birds, that tell us summer’s near.

We don’t see them as miracles. We have them classified,

In ways that we can understand and scientists decide!

It’s sad that all the “magic” of creation’s all but gone.

That evolution’s dreadful lies are now the only one,

Those children in their little schools are told. And it’s a lie.

They cannot taste God’s glory. Forgive them when they die.

If they could get a little taste, for sure they’d start to see,

The wonders of the living God, Who made both you and me.

They’d run to Him and worship Him, who caused the stars to shine.

They’d know a little more about our Saviour, Christ Divine.

I’m sure that they would honour Him, so all the world could see,

The splendour of the Living God in all His majesty.

They’d know that they were chosen through the kindness lf His Son.

They’d give You praise and Glory, for the things which You have done.

Just like Your Holy people, they’d glorify Your Name.

They’d scrap the evolution myth and all its foolish claim.

They’d see that God’s whole purpose, was started with the Jews,

And know that by Your Spirit’s power, the world has better news,

Than anything that Darwin sought to foist upon us all.

They’d celebrate their gender. All people, large and small;

Would all behold God’s glory, through what He did through them.

Each one a perfect picture; a scintillating gem;

Created for a purpose; to worship God Most High.

To live with Him forever and never ever die!

The young men would be robust, handsome, tall and strong.

The woman look so beautiful, we’d all burst out in song.

They’d know about His power. They’d know His deep concern,

For every tribe and nation. They’d very quickly learn,

About the wondrous majesty of Jesus Christ the King;

And in their deep humility, their praise to Him they’d bring

Jim Strickland – Written 7^th November 2011

DO WE BELIEVE?

It must have been so difficult, to say He’d soon be gone.

For three long years He’d walked with them; now they must carry on.

How do You bring this message and not cause them distress?

But Jesus was the Son of God; He couldn’t tell them less.

He did the very best He could, to make them all aware,

That He would soon be going and He would leave them there.

His followers all needed to grasp what would take place.

But how could He communicate, what shortly they must face?

To say it was impossible for God is never true!

But they were simple, fallen men, the likes of me and you.

They didn’t have the benefit of some two thousand years.

They didn’t know He had to pass through crucifixion’s tears,

They thought He was invincible. That He’d wear “David’s crown”.

They didn’t know He had to die. His life must be laid down.

How could they understand it? He was alive and well.

They’d walked with Him and talked with Him. How could He ever tell,

Them such a shocking story. It passed above their heads.

They wouldn’t get the picture till, He’d risen from the dead.

So they were apprehensive. They couldn’t reason why,

The Lord had spoken to them and said He had to die.

They’d seen Him cleanse the leper. They saw the demons flee.

They’d seen so many miracles, He surely had to be,

The Son of God incarnate. Their God with skin and bone.

They thought that in a few more years, this truth would be well known.

They watched as He raised Lazarus after four days in the tomb.

They’d heard Him tell them plainly, He’d go and make a room,

For them in Father’s mansion. They knew He was supreme.

So what could all this “nonsense” about dying really mean?

They didn’t understand it. How could they even try?

Surely the Messiah would never ever die?

Lord I must confess to you that I am much the same.

It’s quite incomprehensible, except in Jesus Name.

For science can’t explain it. Our schools can’t show the way.

The only way to do it is to hear what You will say.

And You have said it’s needed, that we must just believe.

This is the great expression, of the faith we can receive.

So even in our ignorance, we can believe it’s true.

Combine this with repentance. That’s all we have to do.

Jim Strickland – Written 6^th November 2011

ANOINTED WITH OIL

When we anoint our people in this present century,

I wonder if the thing we do, we’re doing properly.

A little piece of cotton wool, a drop of Olive Oil,

We smear it lightly on the head. We do not want to spoil,

The way the person’s looking. That wouldn’t ever do.

But if we do it in this way, I wonder if it’s true?

It isn’t what the law required. It’s not what Moses did.

It wasn’t only olive oil. That’s not what he was bid.

A mixture of pure olive oil and myrrh which would contain,

Cassia and cinnamon and aromatic cane.

A perfumer would blend it. Its fragrance was unique.

It wasn’t to be copied. No other man should seek,

To try and make another. The formula preserved,

For tabernacle furniture and any priest who served,

The Lord before His altar. They all must be anointed,

By using this anointing oil before they were appointed.

They didn’t get a little dab; The Psalmist plainly said,

Moses poured it liberally all over Aaron’s head!

It flowed upon his collar and also down his beard.

Psalm one hundred and thirty three shows us how he appeared.

It seems they were not “finicky” back in those ancient days.

A liberal anointing is what the Bible says.

So put aside the cotton wool and “itty-bitty” dabs.

Pour it all upon his head; that’s far more up for grabs!

It tells us in Psalm forty five what happened to the King.

The Lord poured out the oil of joy. This was no little thing.

Far more was poured out on Him, than any other man,

For Jesus brought His joy to us as part of Father’s plan.

We saw the Holy Spirit Who anointed Him with power.

Descend on Him from Heaven; a dove like heavenly shower,

That gave Him what was needed for healing the oppressed

For driving out the demons from the people they’d possessed.

This wasn’t just a little bit but much more like a flood;

And when the task was over, He offered up His blood!

O Father please forgive us for always thinking small.

The next time we anoint someone, Lord let us pour it all!

Never mind his comfort or his expensive suits.

Help us give him everything; help us fill his boots,

With anything and everything that he will surely need.

Give him the ability to carry out the deed,

That You have allotted. A hundred fold return.

Flowing from Your Spirit. Make it his one concern!

Jim Strickland – Written – 5^th November 2011

POWER OVER TEMPTATION

It can be very difficult just following the Lord.

To practice what it says to us, in Jesus’ Holy Word.

We much prefer to compromise, so we don’t have to do,

The very thing we’re certain, that Jesus told us to!

At times it’s inconvenient to swim against the stream.

Especially when we’re following our very special dream.

And when we look around us and find the going rough,

We know that what is needed is to call the devil’s bluff.

He doesn’t make it easy. He fights us all the way.

We have but one solution and that is we must pray!

And even as we do it, we find it is a trial,

To make us lose our patience, or contradict our smile.

At times it feels as though we are passing through a fire.

That’s when our motivation, becomes the one desire,

That Christ has placed within us. The heat becomes intense;

We realise the effort for us is now immense.

It feels like being purified as silver or as gold,

As slowly all that’s not of God begins to lose its hold.

It shouldn’t be surprising, nor should we think it strange.

It happens to each one of us as Christ comes into range.

We know what has been happening. We’re passing through a trial.

It will not last forever. We’ll suffer for a while!

We know it is His discipline administered in love,

By someone understanding. The Lord God High above.

He treats us like a father who disciplines his son.

Knowing that He does it to each and everyone,

Who want to follow after, His Son in what they do.

So each and every motive is demonstrated true.

Our Master went before us. He didn’t sin at all!

The Great High Priest Who understands how easily we fall.

He wants us to have confidence, before the throne of grace,

Where we are shown His mercy and are given pride of place.

Not because of anything that anyone has done.

But simply on the basis, He is His Father’s Son.

So let us all continue. He’s said we are secure.

We will not be tempted more than what we can endure.

And with the temptation, which we can all resist,

We conquer by the power of His great and mighty fist.

Jim Strickland – Written - 04 November 2011

DEAF EARS

“Listen every body, the ship is now on fire!”

The captain shouted loudly. His voice could not go higher.

He waved and flapped His arms about, but no one seemed to care.

It seemed no one was listening, so they were unaware,

Of the approaching danger. Their lethargy was deep.

They much preferred their indolence; and so they fell asleep.

And then the fire took them! They didn’t stand a chance.

Their end was very painful and not a royal dance.

The problem’s not a new one. It’s gone around for years.

The people were not listening. It seems they’d closed their ears.

And so the cataclysm caught them unprepared.

And all the implications make sober men feel scared.

It happened back in Germany. Good men refused to act;

Until the rise of Hitler was an accomplished fact.

We know that evil prospers when righteous men look on,

Until the opportunity to challenge it has gone.

Isaiah warned about it; and Jesus Christ agreed.

You have to listen carefully, before the dreadful deed.

And those who didn’t listen and simply closed their ears,

Would find they reaped a harvest exceeding all their fears.

Two people brought a warning to the people of the land.

They paid them scant attention, or heeded their demand.

The Baptist brought a message, which sounded like a dirge.

They didn’t want to hear him. His message on the verge,

Of making them uncomfortable and telling them to change.

They didn’t want to follow Him. They thought that he was strange.

And then the Lord Almighty appeared upon the scene.

He said the Father loved them and showed what that could mean.

His message was appealing and not a thing to dread.

But even so, the message went right above their heads.

The people were reluctant; they wouldn’t dance with John.

His message was depressing; their interest was gone.

And when the Lord spoke anything, it should have made them glad.

But none of them were dancing! My goodness it was sad.

Regardless of the music, not one of them joined in.

It might disturb their lethargy and preference for sin.

It sad to know, two thousand years since then have passed us by.

And in that interregnum, no one has wondered why?

So few have paid attention to the things that Jesus said.

They still refused to dance for Him or mourn their many dead.

But why should we expect it? How can they hear His voice,

If they refuse to listen, by preference and by choice?

Jim Strickland – Written – 3^rd November 2011

THE CHRIST-LIFE

We live in a society where people love to fight.

If just a bit offended, they want to scratch and bite!

They say that they are Christians. I wonder if it’s true?

For that is not what Jesus Christ taught all of us to do.

His method is far better. The outcome far more sure.

If you have been mistreated, it’s best to just endure.

Perhaps you have been beaten for standing for the Lord.

That’s actually a victory, in which you’ve surely scored.

The cost may feel so painful. But that is not the point.

By giving it to Jesus, you’re letting Him anoint

You with a special fragrance, that God alone will know.

And in your Christian journey, He’ll watch you as you grow.

What Christians don’t remember is, there’s victory in defeat.

But we like to retaliate, if we are getting beat.

We like to show society that we are in control!

That attitude is poison to body, mind and soul.

If they would take your overcoat, give them your shoes as well.

Don’t resort to vengeance. That’s better left for hell.

But if you are mistreated for doing something wrong.

Tell the people what you did. There is no finer song!

Take responsibility for all your evil deeds.

Finalise the matter and quickly be agreed.

It is the Lord’s injunction. So if you will obey;

He’ll see that you are justified in each and every way.

Never cast aspersions on anyone you meet.

He may just resort to, turning up the heat.

Then when he has finished, they’ll scrape you off the wall.

You would be far better off, by speaking not at all.

None of this is easy. In fact it’s very hard!

You may be their whipping boy and constantly on guard.

But in your Father’s heaven, there’ll be a mighty cheer.

Knowing that a Christian and what the Lord holds dear,

Are in complete agreement. Your actions will support,

Everything the Master came and personally taught.

Perhaps they’ll call you “weakling” and say you are a “wimp”.

But in God’s righteous kingdom, you will not be a shrimp.

You will have obeyed Him, so that He can decide.

Are you being genuine, or has your Christ-life died?

Jim Strickland – Written – 2^nd November 2011