KEEP ON KEEPING ON

They call it perseverance. The will to carry on, When things appear impossible and all your hope is gone. It’s digging deep inside yourself to see what you can find; And think whatever happens, you really do not mind. Not many of us get there. Not many stay the course. It’s easier to fall away, than battle to the source Of what is right behind it. For some will not endure, The effort that is needed to keep on being pure. And yet there is a problem; unless our course is just, The outcome of our action will see us going bust! For others won’t support you, unless they too can see, That if they keep on trying, they’ll get the victory. Now this can never happen, unless God is on your side. Its pointless persevering, no matter how you’ve tried. But when our chief objective is the glory of His Son, We have the motivation to keep on keeping on. There’s only one conclusion, each one of us can reach. If Jesus and His Gospel is the purpose of our speech, Then He will be behind us in everything we do; And what we’re persevering for will certainly come true. So let us fix our eyes upon the God Who reigns on High. Make it our ambition to serve Him till we die. Then anything that Satan will use to make us stop, Will, by our perseverance, cause all his schemes to flop. So focus upon Jesus. You won’t be led astray. Unless your perseverance is pointed in His way, Your energy is wasted. For no one else but He, Can come with the solution that He requires you see. He is the only Person Who can give you joy in grief. And when you’re at your weakest, His strength will bring relief. You’ll be an Oak of Righteousness, a planting of the Lord. His glory will be on display and He will be adored, By Jews as well as Gentiles. For in Him they’ll be one. He’ll help them fight the fight of faith if they will carry on. And they’ll be compensated ; their perseverance crowned, With everything He’s promised and all that can be found, Described within the Scripture; this will be the reward, For persevering in the faith and serving Christ the Lord. Jim Strickland – Written 13th December 2011

DO NOT BE DOWNHEARTED

No matter what you’re doing and no matter where you’ve been; There’s nothing you have passed through and nothing you have seen, That God in all His glory can not somehow be found. Regardless of the viciousness, He’s always all around. Even in the horrors of Hitler’s living hell; Don’t think that He was missing, No! He was there as well. Perhaps you’ve lost a battle. Perhaps there seems no aid. The Living God is always there and says, “Don’t be afraid!” The depth of your depression is not beyond the Lord. Perhaps you think the cost is far more than you can afford. Perhaps you had an awful blow. Your only son has died. Never think that Jesus Christ is putting you aside. He’s said He’ll never leave you; and that is what He meant. He’s said that through forgiveness, whenever you repent, He’ll bring the transformation, you know you really need. It may look inconspicuous, but He is there indeed. For in your darkest, blackest hour, where you can never see. That’s where you’re sure to find Him and He will always be. The worst thing that can happen to you is that you’ll die. But if you love the Master, you’ll find Him standing by. He’s says He’s always willing, to give another chance. And even when the devil has killed your first romance; He’ll bring an opportunity for love to fill your heart. A chance in which it’s possible to make a brand new start. I know, for I have been there. I know just how it feels. To think you’ve been deserted. But Jesus always heals. Perhaps your life is empty, your days as bad as mine. He took me to His bosom and said, “My son You’re fine. I know about rejection. I’ve been through all the dirt. I’ve felt the lash and know just how, the tongues of men can hurt. The dreadful degradation of people mocking Me, While I was hanging naked on the cross of Calvary It seemed that I was beaten. I said, Let it be so. What people were all thinking, don’t think I didn’t know. For what men thought was failure became the victory, Whereby all of My people were finally set free. So do not be downhearted. I say to you be strong. Do not put all hope aside, for that is surely wrong. I will wipe your tears away and take away the pain. Death itself will be destroyed by God and in My Name. So write down what I’m saying and rejoice in what I do. For I have made a promise and every word is true.” Jim Strickland – Written 12th December 2011

DO TO ME

 We who follow Jesus Christ and live from day to day,

Have to make it obvious we live the proper way.

Perhaps we are not perfect. Perhaps the way is hard.

But we must live transparently, our character unmarred,

By any criticism that outsiders can see.

Our lifestyle must be faultless, without hypocrisy!

Keep away from evil, as the Apostle wrote.

We were called as Jesus’ sheep, so don’t live like a goat.

We must be trustworthy, when looking after cash.

Don’t get “sticky fingers”, or we will surely crash;

And be a bad example, to others whom we meet.

Even unbelievers must know we’re not a cheat.

We must keep rejoicing each moment of the day;

Constantly is prayer; that is the proper way.

Giving thanks to Jesus, because it is God’s will!

Never quench the Spirit’s fire; carry on until,

We have had a breakthrough. Hold on to what is good;

Keeping clear of evil, the way a Christian should.

Can we ever do it? Can we live this way?

Letting other people know its Jesus we obey?

Always have a witness to everything you do.

Do not have the attitude that others shouldn’t view,

The things that you are doing. It will not be long,

Before our Christian brothers know there’s something wrong.

If someone accuses you, let them look around.

If there is a problem and something wrong is found,

Do not try to cover it. Jesus will reveal,

Everything dishonest, that you’re trying to conceal.

Never ever meddle in the things that others do.

Not unless their purpose is to discredit you.

Never spread the gossip that’s whispered in your ear.

If you are not part of it, you do not have to hear.

This is quite a recipe for stopping foolish chat.

You will be acknowledged, for cutting gossip flat.

Never have an attitude that keeps the kid’s away.

Always pay attention, to everything they say.

There could be some substance, you’re hearing from the youth?

It is very likely that they only speak the truth!

Avoid all situations where temptation could abound.

Never go to places, where you should not be found.

Don’t exploit the innocent, for surely when you do,

You will find that others are all exploiting you!

Never harm the innocent, especially a child

It will surely smite you and you will be defiled.

What you do for others, in Jesus’ family,

Jesus clearly stated, “You’re doing it to Me!”

Jim Strickland – Written 11^th December 2011

IT’S YOUR CHOICE

The choices we’ve already made, not one of us can change.      For everything that has been done; the good; the bad, the strange,

Are fully cast in concrete. We cannot change the past. We only can implore the Lord the outcome will not last. Perhaps the Lord could change it. But do not ask me how. For if He changed an instant, where would we be right now? And so I think it’s safe to say God can’t change what has been done. The only possibility, is give it to His Son! But He will surely handle it, exactly like His Dad. And leave in place the consequence, albeit good or bad. But what’s much more important, is what we do today. There’s still an opportunity, to go a better way. And we will bear the consequence of everything we do. Be certain that the outcome rests, entirely on you! Now Jesus in John’s gospel had certain words to say. His sheep would always hear His voice. It surely works that way. He’s given them eternal life, this fact is surely true. None can snatch them from His hand, regardless what they do. He’s said that He will keep them, until the very end. This is an open guarantee on which you can depend. And yet there is a method, for you to get away. The same way that you came to Him, on that stupendous day. You made a choice. You chose Him and unto Him did call. So if you choose to leave Him, there are no bars at all. The way in and the way out, He’s left it up to you. So if you choose to leave Him, that’s just what you can do. He doesn’t keep His children confined with lock and chain. So if you want to leave Him, He’ll let you go again. He doesn’t use compulsion. Those are the devil’s ways. But you can choose to be with Him for endless joy-filled days. And if you want to stay with Him, you’re totally secure. There’s nothing wickedness can do, to stop you being pure. For if you are in Jesus, you’re hidden in the Lord. No evil force can get to you to kill you with his sword. Because your life is hidden with Jesus Christ in God. And you are well protected by Jesus and His rod. You may have few possessions. You may be rich or poor. No matter what your past has been, in Him you are secure. Your faith will be rewarded and you will know the King. He’ll only ever do you good, far more than anything! And you’ll be with the Master. His love will be your all. Your Saviour, King and great High Priest, Who’ll hear you when you call. Jim Strickland – Written 10th December 2011

OBEDIENCE OR SACRIFICE

Obedience or sacrifice. Which is it you prefer? Your son leaves school and takes a job – a waiter at the Spur. His interest was in medicine. So what will he do now?       I think you aught to sacrifice his favourite holy cow.

It’s all in our priorities. The things we like the best. A bit like sleeping on the beach, or pass that science test. We don’t think it is difficult, if we are old and wise. But sonny boy will live a life, that’s fitting in his eyes. Perhaps it’s been his custom for almost umpteen years? He likes to ride upon a horse and rope a dozen steers. He thinks that school attendance is just for geeks and nerds, But if he isn’t qualified, his future’s for the birds. Perhaps she is a lady and doesn’t want to work. She thinks that she will marry some very wealthy jerk. And spend her short term future, bringing up her brats; While doing all her housework with children dogs and cats. Of course these possibilities are always very real. The children and their future is not a special deal. But when they leave the homestead and step out on their own, It’s then that they’ll remember what Mom and Dad have shown; The things that we are doing and the choices that we make. Is where we mould the pattern that we can seldom break. It’s here we should be asking for wisdom from on high, To make the right decisions that last until we die. We find that Christian service is very much the same. We understood quite quickly that life is not a game. The choice is there before us. Should we obey the Lord, Or should we follow our desires and perish by the sword? The one who is obedient will find he is fulfilled. And those who lean on sacrifice will find out who is killed. Saul was such a person. His future looked secure. And then he went and did a deed that he knew was impure. It really was a tragedy. His crown was stripped away. And for the balance of his life this king was led astray. He made a wrong decision. He was too proud to wait. And at that very moment, this king had sealed his fate. It didn’t seem too serious; The Lord would understand. But he had taken action that God had never planned. And though he was the monarch for almost 40 years, The crown had passed to David in spite of all his tears. Today it’s still a question of obedience to God. Your offering is useless. Beneath His feet it’s trod. But those who listen to Him and hasten to obey; The Lord will not desert them and they will always say, They chose to be obedient, although it seemed absurd. So He is now their Saviour and they tremble at His word. Jim Strickland -  Written 10th December 2011