LOOK AT THE FRUIT

How do we ever recognise if someone is a fake?

What is it we should look for, preventing a mistake?

It’s not by what they’re wearing. It could be a disguise,

Worn to bring confusion and spread the devil’s lies.

We mustn’t be misguided by what the people speak.

Unless they’re using swear words. Such words are “up the creek”.

But even those who come to us suggesting they are pure,

Are frequently not genuine; of this we can be sure.

So how then do we recognise someone’s a man of God?

First look at his lifestyle, to see if it is odd.

Pay a little visit in private to his mate.

Ask for their opinion. Ask if they will rate,

Their partner as a Christian, or tell if they’re a fraud.

It’s at this sort of interview we find who is their Lord.

Of course it’s still subjective. What others think or feel.

How can we have the confidence their testimony’s real?

There isn’t an alternative. We must look at the fruit,

To see if they are Christian or frauds of ill repute.

We mustn’t be judgemental. That’s not the way to go.

But what they do consistently is what they’re sure to show.

The Bible clearly tells us the righteous do what’s right.

They keep the Lord’s commandments continually in sight.

They’ve put aside hypocrisy and every form of sham.

Admit to their complicity if they are in a jam.

The truth is more important than putting on an act.

And they acknowledge Jesus as the one unchanging fact.

The Master told us plainly, the kind of life we live,

Is what we should be looking at. The fragrance that we give,

To others on the journey. The things we say and do,

Is what we should be looking at! It gives a certain view

Descriptive of our character. He said this was our “fruit”,

That couldn’t be mistaken and no one can dispute.

It seems so elementary; the water from our spring,

Cannot be fresh and salty. There’s really no such thing.

An olive tree bears olives. Its fruit is never thorns.

There’s no figs on a grape vine. Its what we are adorns,

Our lives with such a clarity. The fruit is always good.

Descriptive of our living the way we know we should.

It’s such a simple lesson. It isn’t hard to see,

The way that someone’s living his life consistently.

And so this is the yardstick to identify a flake,

Or prove they are a Christian and live for Jesus’ sake.

Jim Strickland – Written – 19^th November 2011

GETTING JUSTICE?

When it comes to discipline, just how much is too much?

A dressing down; a flogging; six of the best as such?

How do we choose a punishment, that truly fits the crime?

And what about consistency, when done a second time?

We criticise the judges if the penalty is light.

And scream at them in anger, if they don’t get it right!

But they too have their limits. They do not like our jeers.

Littering does not deserve a sentence of ten years.

And yet we would be outraged if killers were “let off”.

We’d shake our heads in anger and at the sentence scoff.

We’d say it wasn’t justice; we’d bitterly complain,

And say that the death sentence should be brought back again.

Mostly we’ve forgotten that revenge is never sweet.

We think it’s more appropriate to grab someone and beat,

The living daylights out of him, for turning up his nose,

If somehow, and by accident, he stands upon our toes!

At times we have forgotten our humour and our mood.

We jump to snap decisions and on occasions, brood

About what we would like to do. if we could get the chance.

We’d thrash them so severely; their brains would start to dance.

We must admit that people, can never get this right.

We need someone to deal with things; someone who’s not in sight;

Someone who’s so consistent, we really can’t complain.

We Christians have that person! Christ Jesus is His name!

His discipline is perfect; He’s absolutely just.

He comes up with a sentence that everyone can trust.

And right across the border, each one of us agree,

That justice has been satisfied, for all the world to see.

And yet there is a problem; we’re sinners one and all.

We think there is a difference; some big sins, others small.

But that is just a fallacy. Each sin is just as bad.

We’re “monsters of iniquity” and it is very sad.

We all deserve forever in the lowest pit of hell;

But Jesus came and died for us; and best as we can tell,

He did it ‘cause He loves us; the price is fully paid.

The big sins and the little ones regardless of their grade.

We think that there are differences. But that’s the devil’s lie.

The depth of our depravity, not one of us can spy.

Those He has forgiven are grateful what’s been done.

We gaze in total thankfulness, at Jesus Christ, God’s Son.

We’re glad we are no better than any other saint.

We’re thrilled that by His action; the picture that we paint,

Is standing in a place of complete equality.

No one’s any better off, or any worse than me.

We thank God He has spared us. It’s more than we deserve.

We only look at others now, to find out where to serve!

Jim Strickland – Written 18^th November 2011

GOD’S THOUGHTS

My mother told a story, I’ve always thought was cute.

When I was in the nursery school, a tale I can’t refute.

She said that I came home one day and said that was the end.

I wasn’t going back again. She didn’t have to send

Her little boy back there again, for I had learned it all.

The stuff was elementary; the lessons far too small.

I can’t remember saying it; but thought it must be true.

My mother wouldn’t tell a tale, if truth was not in view.

She wouldn’t tell a lie to us, and so it must be right!

I must have been an “idiot” in everybody’s sight.

It was a load of nonsense. It couldn’t be the truth.

And others very much the same when no longer a youth.

They’ve grown into an adult. But that’s the way they are.

They think that when it comes to brains, with God they’re on a par!

They think that they know everything. Their parents all know “squat”!

And as for God Almighty; they wonder what He’s got?

They think that He is like them, and thinks the way they do.

But let me say it bluntly; it’s totally untrue.

He doesn’t think the way we do. We ask, “What does He think”?

But if you have all knowledge, in quicker than a wink,

Why should He have to bother? He needn’t work things out.

If someone is omniscient, You know beyond a doubt,

The answer to all questions. You know it instantly.

You do not have to ask yourself if two and one makes three!

We have to sit and ponder and weigh up all the odds.

But knowing without asking; I’m sure there’s only God

Who has all of the answers and never once was taught.

A very different paradigm to everything we’ve thought.

Our answers come by thinking. We need to work things out.

He has no limitations; He knows beyond a doubt,

The questions and the answers, before we’ve make a sound.

It’s very clear He is the one we need to be around.

It seems we’re like that little boy who thinks he knows it all.

Forgetting that for everyone, pride comes before a fall.

It happens to the best of us. This falling into pride.

It started off with Lucifer; Our Father can’t abide

To see it in His children. He turns and looks away.

So better not fall into it, if with Him you would stay.

Jim Strickland – Written 17^th November 2011

JESUS WILL SET YOU FREE

Holiness! The sound of it is music in my ears.

But finding it is difficult for someone of my years.

The reason is quite obvious. I’ve sought it from my youth.

But most of my acquaintances, knew nothing about truth.

It started as a little boy, with little tiny lies.

We wanted to impress our friends; to look good in their eyes.

And so we sort of stretched the facts. We did it for effect.

Until the truth of what we said, our brains could not detect.

Why should we stick with forty six when ninety six was more?

It sounded better to our friends; a far, far better score!

“Cross my heart and hope to die”, was what we always said.

But if the Lord was “listening”, He would have struck us dead.

I’ve often thought the gift of tongues, was given to control,

The sort of rubbish that we spoke, which babbled from our souls.

For if the Holy Spirit was “speaking” what we said,

I’m sure we’d never tell a lie. That wasn’t Spirit led.

Of course it’s just a theory; and though it sounds quite good,

We wouldn’t be responsible; the Holy Spirit would!

Another sort of pipe dream. The fact is it is me.

I have to learn to speak the truth, that’s the reality.

And yet we are not on our own, when Jesus is our Lord.

The very thought of telling lies is utterly abhorred.

It leaves us feeling dirty; we cannot tolerate,

The thought of letting Jesus down; that’s hard to contemplate.

For when the Lord is in our lives, the truth is paramount.

We open up God’s Holy Word, which then becomes the fount,

Of how we should be living. His truth becomes our guide.

This brings a revolution, deep down in our inside.

We long to be obedient. We long to go His way.

We hunger and we search for Him, on each successive day.

We never want to wander away from His commands.

We want to make wise choices. We want to understand,

The way to go to please Him! His counsel’s all we need!

And as we start to listen, we’ll go where He may lead.

Then we’ll be His disciples and we will know the truth.

Not some abstract theory, discarded in our youth.

A friend we can depend on and willingly obey.

The Saviour who will set us free, in each and every way.

Jim Strickland – Written 16^th November 2011

WORTHWHILE

Life is an adventure from beginning to the end.

Perhaps what’s most exciting, is where the Lord will send

His people on the mission that He Himself has planned,

To Turkey or Arabia or other foreign land!

Of course, if we are young enough, then going oversees

To represent the Master, is something that should please.

It doesn’t seem to work like that; we’re scared of the unknown.

We feel intimidated and even though He’s shown,

That we His ambassadors, we feel a little scared;

And wonder, “can we do it?” and “have we been prepared?”

There is no easy answer. We cannot see ahead.

We have an inner feeling that we will soon be dead!

We wonder, if we’re doing the God appointed deed,

Or on some great fools-errand that never can succeed.

There is no easy answer. Our faith is on the line.

Will we be a failure or will the Christ life shine?

It’s easy to give answers, when others want to know.

But it’s another matter, when you’re the one to go!

But one thing is quite certain. He’ll never let you down.

Whether in our neighbourhood, or in some foreign town;

He’s promised not to leave us. His love for us is sure.

No matter what the future holds, we know we can endure,

Anything that happens. Perhaps there will be pain!

But we are in the service of the Lamb Who once was slain.

We know how much he suffered. We know how much He cared.

And in the light of what He did; there’s no need to be scared.

The worst thing that can happen to us is that we’ll die.

That’s doing us a favour! No matter how they try,

They cannot change our future; no matter what they do,

We know that Jesus loves us; He’s standing next to you!

Perhaps we’ll be imprisoned? Perhaps we’ll face the whip?

But if we patiently endure, He’ll never lose His grip.

Lying right before us, is joy that has no end.

And when this life is over, on this we can depend.

That He is waiting for us, with arms extended wide,

To greet us as a bridegroom receives His precious bride.

And in that very instant, we’ll know it was worth while.

At last we will behold Him and see His lovely smile.

Jim Strickland – Written 15^th November 2011

PSALM 40

The following is a version of Psalm 40 in Rhyme and Metre. The verse numbers in the psalm are the same as those in the original. I’ve tried to be consistent with this.

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1          I waited patiently for God: And then He heard my cry!

2          He drew me from the deadly pit and set my feet on high;

            Upon a rock; above the mire; establishing my ways,

3          That I might sing to Him a song of reverence and praise!

           

4          Bless’d is the man who places in Almighty God his trust;

            Who isn't proud, nor turns aside, nor follows after lust.

5          Many wonders, O my Lord, by You they have been done.

            All the things You've planned for us aren't told by any one.

            No man alive has numbered them, or totalled the amount;

            Exceeding the ability of any man to count!

           

6          Sacrifice and offerings, The Lord does not desire

            It's only man's obedience You've said that You require.

7          I then said, "Here am I, I've come" as it says in the scroll.

8          I long to do Your will because Your law fills heart and soul;

9          And in the great assembly I'll speak of righteousness;

10         I will not cease declaring, Lord, Your love and faithfulness.

           

11         Don’t withhold Your mercy Lord. May love and truth       protect

12         Me from the countless troubles, I see when I reflect

            Upon my many sins. Far more than hairs upon my head,

            Preventing me from seeing you. They make my heart stop dead!

           

13         Be pleased, my Lord, to save me. Come quickly to my aid;

14         May all who seek to take my life be rapidly dismayed.

            May all who wish to ruin me, be turned back in disgrace;

15         And those that say to me, "Aha" be shamed by what they face!

16         May those that love salvation, exalt You with their voice;

            And may those that are glad in You & seek Your name, rejoice!

17         For though I'm poor and needy, You'll think of me today.

            The Lord God's my Deliverer! His help He won't delay.

                     Jim Strickland – Written 1985

HUSBAND LOVE YOUR WIFE

We ask, “Just what is loving” and “How can it be shown?”

How can a husband treat his wife the way the Lord will own?

We think it should be easy. Like falling off a log.

But surely she in not a “bitch” and you are not a “dog”.

Loving’s not a meeting that happens in the street.

It isn’t just a “season” for treating her so sweet,

So that the laws of nature can cause her to conceive.

I know this is ridiculous, but that’s what some believe.

That isn’t love, that’s mating, which any pair can do.

It’s purely biological and that will ruin you.

That woman is more valuable than all that you can name.

She isn’t just the object, of someone’s mating game.

The Lord has shown us clearly, just how we are to live.

The husband must protect his wife, if necessary, give

His life for her if needed. She never was his slave.

And in this understanding, is how you should behave.

Treat her as a jewel. A diamond in the raw.

Find out just how much she needs and then give her far more!

Shower her with kisses. Treat her as your queen.

Show her she’s important; the woman of your dreams.

Never lay a hand on her except with a caress.

Or, in Jesus precious name, lay hands on her to bless.

Listen when she speaks to you. Don’t say you are bored.

When she’s sick or hurting, she mustn’t be ignored.

Tell her that you love her; A hundred times a day.

And follow up by treating her that very special way.

She’s the weaker vessel. But you must not use force.

Give her the security that Jesus would endorse.

She is not your equal. That can never be.

But if you will treat her right, her femininity,

Will show you you’re not equal. Her powers are much more,

In areas you never thought you ever could explore.

So love her with your body and love her with your mind.

Love her with extravagance; that way you’re sure to find,

That she’ll return her love to you in ways beyond your ken.

She’ll never be distracted or turn to other men.

And you will have a marriage that Jesus will endorse.

A union that never will, end up in a divorce.

Jim Strickland – Written 13^th November 2011