COCK CROW

I’ll follow You for ever; my life I’ll give away.

No one is more important, to me Lord, on this day.

I will give you everything, regardless of the price.

Even if the outcome is something that’s not nice.

Jesus interrupted him. “That really isn’t true.

I know what soon will happen and know what you will do.

Three times you will deny me. Three times you will ignore,

The one who, at the moment, you say that you adore.

Listen when the cock crow is heard the second time.

You will know your blustering is hardly worth a dime.”

What was Jesus meaning? Where were the chickens there?

Was He referring to some birds, or was He more aware,

Of all the local customs, that told the folk the time?

They didn’t have a Rolex; not even the design!

So how was everybody advised if it was late?

They had a little system that in those days was great.

They had a sort of trumpet perhaps an old ram’s horn.

They’d walk around the city from sunset until dawn.

And at a given interval they’d give a trumpet blast;

Telling all the people the time that had gone past.

The people of Jerusalem had three watches at night.

From sunset until ten pm; the first watch in their sight.

From ten pm to two am. This was watch number two.

From two am to day break, would see the whole night through.

They didn’t have a telephone so one oh and two six,

Hadn’t been invented! So they were in a fix.

That’s where the cock crow came in. A double trumpet blast.

Declared that it was two ‘o clock. The first watch had gone past.

So Peter’s great denial took place just after two.

The “cock crow” fixed the moment, when Jesus’ words came true.

That special final supper, was just six hours behind.

And what the Lord told Peter was branded in his mind.

We know that he was weeping. I would have done the same.

To know I had denied the Lord! Oh what a dreadful shame.

How could it be corrected? In ten hours He was dead.

Judas went and hanged himself. Could other words be said?

Peter thought he’d lost it. The Lord was dead and gone.

Would he ever find the strength so he could carry on?

No wonder he was desolate. He’d be a cast away.

Imagine his excitement when on that first Lord’s day.

Mary had a message. “My people have to know.

Go back to Jerusalem, go back and tell them so.

That I have risen from the grave. And please tell Peter too.

I never will reject him. Whatever he may do!”

Perhaps this gives a little glimpse into the Saviour’s heart.

In spite of all you’ve said and done, He’ll give you a new start!

Jim Strickland – Written 12^th November 2011

LED BY THE LORD.

Why do we find it difficult to go where we are led?

Why do we look to people to get our daily bread?

Why is it that God’s people keep making big mistakes?

Perhaps it’s our ambitions, we just will not forsake?

I’ve found people are headstrong. At least that’s true of me.

I tend to want to do those things that others do not see.

It isn’t that it’s wicked; at times it’s very good.

But sometimes it’s a matter of a thing I never should,

Have started to run after. I thought that it would end

In doing something for the Lord that He had surely penned.

But soon within the doing, I make a big mistake;

And end with a catastrophe, that’s obviously fake.

That’s when I go to Jesus and repent of what I’ve done.

“Why was it so urgent? Could you not wait My son?

If you had just been patient and hadn’t run ahead,

You wouldn’t be in such a mess” is what the Master said.

“I taught you very clearly the way you aught to hear;

So why is it you didn’t come and lend a listening ear?

Never change direction until you hear from Me.

Look out for My ‘traffic lights’ and then do what you see.

If you see a green light then you can go ahead.

But if you see a red one, that’s not the way you’re led.

When you reach a corner, then pause and look both ways.

Listen for the voice behind and do just what it says. (Isaiah 30:21)

My son, I want to take you where you have never been.

I will clear the way ahead, the way that it was seen

Back in the days of Moses. Yes I will be your guide.

Do not fear the wilderness, when I am at your side.

Your enemies won’t conquer you. That isn’t My intent.

But you must go exactly the way that I have sent.

If you run ahead of Me or if you fall behind.

That’s a certain recipe for getting in a bind.

Have no fear that you’ll be led into some evil trap.

Trust Me to protect you and take you through the gap.

The path that I will lead on, the enemy won’t know.

So pause My son and listen, until it’s time to go!

For I will lead you onward into your Promised Land;

Where you will be My servant and do the things I’ve planned.”

Jim Strickland – Written 11^th November 2011

PREDESTINED?

Christians need to understand responsibility.

What we have to leave to God, and what’s for you and me.

There’s too much fatalism, in what the Lord will do.

And what He is requiring from the likes of me and you.

They think pre-destination means that He will do it all.

If something’s predetermined, why not just have a ball?

It’s really not important; it’s fixed in God’s intent.

And He is irresistible; it can’t be changed or bent.

Of course this does full justice to God’s ability.

Whatever He intends to do, the likes of you and me,

Can’t change it one iota. If God’s made up His mind,

There is no variation for all of human kind.

The problem with this thinking is where we all fit in.

Who He will hold responsible for each and every sin.

If He has predetermined it, why should I take the blame?

I did it ‘cause I had to! That’s surely far too lame.

If I am held responsible where, I have had no choice,

Then God is just a tyrant who contradicts His voice.

If He said “whosoever” it must apply to all.

It means that any person can obey His Holy Call.

It also means that what I do, albeit good or bad,

Is that which I have chosen. It’s me who will be “had”

It means there is a partnership that Jesus shares with men.

He may be the sole owner. It also means that when,

We make a bad decision and things all fall apart,

That He can then take action and give us a new start.

It means we have the liberty to choose the right or wrong.

It means we should consult Him before we go along

And do what we’ve decided. The outcome then will be

That we will be fruit bearers of all that He can see.

He’s made it very clear to us, fruit bearing is our job.

It’s by our words and actions we correspond or rob,

The Master of the glory, that never can be mine!

And when we are obedient, to Jesus Christ Divine,

The fruit we bear for Jesus will truly overflow.

And we will be responsible, no matter where we go!

This seems to me far better than blaming God Most High;

By saying we’re predestined to live for Him or die.

Jim Strickland – Written 10^th November 2011

THIS IS OUR GOD

We really have a problem with a God Who never started.

No end and no beginning. It gets us all outsmarted!

We have no understanding of living beyond time;

And so we stare in wonder at the One Who is Divine.

Of course there is no other God. It has to be that way.

If there is more than one of them, where would we be today?

I think they would be fighting for absolute control.

And that is inconceivable, if we are to be whole.

If there was still a conflict in Heaven going on,

What would creation look like? I think it would be gone.

But God is not competing. He rules by His decree

And no one can resist Him in all eternity.

Anyone who tries it can never once succeed.

It’s out and out stupidity. He’ll foil their every deed.

Our gracious God has everything. He doesn’t suffer lack.

He doesn’t even need us. If fact He has the knack,

Of doing what He pleases; a thought that makes me scared.

If He should ever change His mind, Who is it would be spared?

But He is in a special class, one of His very own.

There is no competition. There’s Him and Him alone.

But sadly His creation decided to rebel.

We know that Satan prompted it and he’ll end up in hell.

But Adam broke the pattern and brought about the fall.

He bowed the knee to Satan, who promptly took it all.

There wasn’t a solution. Not one that man could fix.

And so it seemed quite likely that Satan, by His tricks,

Had hijacked God’s creation and there was no way out!

But God knew all about it; solution not in doubt.

He had to send His only Son and twist the devil’s nose.

He lived a perfect life for us. He died and then arose.

And by this loving action, He paid the price of sin.

No matter what the devil did, God’s Son knew how to win.

But not by using power, or trusting in His might.

He contended with Satan, and truly won the fight.

He did it by His action of putting all aside.

He gave up His position; He took our place and died.

He came and lived among us, like any mortal man.

He put aside His deity; a part of His great plan.

He came here as a servant. He died upon a cross.

But after He had risen, we knew who was the boss.

He swallowed death and wickedness. He broke the devil’s hold.

He did it in exactly, the way it was foretold.

So we now have the liberty to be what God desired,

Before the fall of Adam initially transpired.

And He has made it possible that evermore we may,

Serve our great Creator and walk in Jesus’ way.

Jim Strickland – Written 9^th November 2011

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