A LITTLE MORE LIKE JESUS

They say we are His body; and Jesus is our head. We should work as a unit, the way the Lord has said. We are not bits and pieces. Each part is intertwined, We’re all interdependent; for that’s what He designed. We know Paul’s illustration; a finger and an eye. But do we work together? It seems we seldom try. It’s difficult to understand, for we are all unique. And seem to have within us an independent streak. I don’t know what your doing and time just passes by. But in the light of Scripture each one of us should cry. The head sends out a signal to each and every part. But since we are not listening, it doesn’t reach our heart. It seems we’re too fragmented to function as a team. And working with another “church” is just an old pipe-dream. So we hold all our “meetings” in exclusivity. Why should I come visit you? You never visit me. Yet we all make the statement, “Christ Jesus is our head”. That really would be wonderful, but what have we instead? Each part in competition and jealous of our “flock”. Perhaps you may “steal” some of them and we will feel the knock. How do we overcome this? Is it a lack of trust? So what if all our buildings fall down and we go bust? So what if we must sacrifice our separate ministries? Perhaps it will persuade us all to get down on our knees. Could this be the beginning of when we join our hands, And let the Lord direct us to do the things He’s planned? He tells us we were chosen before the world was made. He knew our every moment and if we’d make the grade. He chose us and appointed us; to Jesus we belong. And it is such a tragedy that we don’t get along. So let us hold before us the image of His Son; Put aside our differences and do what He has done. Celebrate the glory of the One who is supreme, Make a fresh commitment to function as a team. Help us fit together; assist us all to grow, Into the lovely picture He intended us to know. A body that works perfectly; like Him in every way. A little more like Jesus as day give place to day. Jim Strickland – written Monday, 05 September 2011

NEVER HURRIED

The Lord is never hurried. He always takes His time. You won’t see Him impatient. That isn’t worth a dime! Whatever He’s commanded, is sure to come about. Perhaps not by tomorrow, but the outcome’s not in doubt. He has one great advantage. He isn’t ruled by dates. One day is like a thousand years, which means He never waits! We always seem impatient. It has to be today. “By Thursday at the latest”, is what we tend to say. But this will never happen when Jesus is in charge. And we see it as normal with everyone at large. Perhaps the best example is in the book of Ruth. It tells us just what happened and doesn’t stretch the truth. The lady was a widow, in Moab she was born. Her family was destitute; the topic of men’s scorn. Her husband was a Hebrew and she was made aware, There was a Jewish custom which applied to her back there. Her husband’s nearest relative should take her for his wife. A special obligation to her “husband’s” married life. Because she had no children, this kinsman was required, To marry her; so she could have the child the Law desired. But she was not promiscuous. She qualified to wed. But who would come and marry her and share the marriage bed? The man who should have done this, said he would not comply. And she had been with Boaz, their friendliness to try. Then right after the meeting, she wanted to know “when?” Naomi said “Be patient” and see what happens then. He will not let this matter rest. He’ll see to it today. And then he’ll come and marry you the proper Jewish way. We all know what then happened. He let the elders know, That he desired to marry her, so that their “clan” would grow. It really didn’t matter. It was the Lord’s command; And this is what he wanted to be known throughout the land. We think Ruth was impatient. But this was never true. The Law had indicated, this was the thing to do. And though they didn’t know it, the man she wed that day, Was David’s great grandfather. What is there more to say? God wasn’t in a hurry to satisfy her need. But He took the initiative and made from her the seed, That would bring forth king David. This always was His plan. And in His perfect timing, He would bring forth the man, That all the Jewish nation regarded as supreme. The people would then know for sure, how blessed by God she’d been. From widow to a vessel that on some future day, Would be the king of Israel. That was the Master’s way. For God would bring forth from her, the line to Christ our King. He really was worth waiting for! The Lord of everything! Jim Strickland – written Sunday, 04 September 2011

LEAVEN IN THE LUMP

When can we call things perfect? How do we know it’s there? How do we analyse it? How can we all prepare, To reach the one position that cannot be made better? What goes on the certificate? What symbol or what letter, To state that it is perfect? Perhaps the letter “G”?. For only God is good enough for what we need to see. Our maths may be exemplary, Our measurements supreme. But just how many decimals define what it should mean? An excellent example is the Greek letter “pi”. (π) In circle calculation we are compelled to try And give to it a value that’s meaningful to those, Who have to use a number. But no one really knows, What is its proper value. In fact it’s just a guess. It’s near enough for what we need but it’s perfection-less! Now God is quite specific. His bread must not have yeast. It only takes a little bit to spoil His Holy Feast. He speaks of it as leaven. It makes the bread dough rise. And that is not acceptable in God the Father’s eyes. He has a good comparison with leaven and with sin. It only takes a little bit to spoil the shape we’re in. For sin “puffs up” the sinner. Its arrogance and pride. It spoils the Christian’s witness and ruins him inside. He tells us to be perfect. To Him it means sin free. And He has made it very clear, that’s how we have to be. This makes us all feel threatened, for who can live that way? The only one Who did it, was Jesus in His day. But we are human beings with a penchant for sin. The truth is that we like it, and we can never win, A battle with the devil. We can’t beat him alone. And so He sent His Spirit; and doing what He’s shown, Will overcome the devil. That was the Lord’s intent. He said He’ll help us do it; and that is what He meant. This means we can be perfect. The leaven is erased. He’s taken all our sin away and so we are amazed. Perfection is quite possible when He is in control. He’s given us the only way by which we are made whole. Of course it’s done by Jesus. The credit isn’t mine! The only way it can be done is through the Christ Divine. Jim Strickland – written Saturday, 03 September 2011

WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES

Concentrate on Jesus while you are still alive; The day will come when you’ll be glad you didn’t take a dive. That’s really unproductive. You never will succeed; Unless you lean on Jesus and let Him take the lead. Never take things over by believing you are right. That’s disaster’s recipe beyond the Master’s light. Think of how a gravestone stands reaching for the sky. Rather than do things yourself, allow yourself to die! Life will have no meaning if Jesus isn’t there, So emulate a gravestone and rest in Jesu’s care. Perhaps you have been thinking that the Lord has surely gone. Heaven feels as if its brass and answers there are none. But do not be discouraged His goodness will appear. The everlasting God has said that He is always near. The Lord has the solution; He will not let you down. Rise up on wings of eagles and put away your frown. The Lord does not grow weary the way that mortals do. For He is the Creator Who shares His strength with you. The young men may grow weary; Perhaps they’ll faint and fall. But God will take good care of them. He loves them one and all. He always will sustain them and hold them in His hand; And all intimidation will melt at His command. He has been a refuge for the needy in distress. The tyrant’s breath will surely fail. God’s purpose is to bless. He will be a shelter from the rain and from the heat. A place of safety from the storm the enemy can’t beat. Put your confidence in Him and put Him to the test. He’ll supply your every need and see that you are blessed. Ask Him for the strength you need to keep on going on. He will bring the victory when all your strength is gone. So do not be faint-hearted. It’s not the time to quit. Put your confidence in Him and He will do His bit. Victory is certain. He says it’s guaranteed. All that’s necessary is to follow where He’ll lead. Bear in mind He could appear at any point in time. Those who quit and fall away – that is a greatest crime. But those who keep on going will surely win the prize, And they’ll be the survivors who Trust Him with their lives. Jim Strickland – written Friday, 02 September 2011

CONTRADICTIONS

We’re living in the strangest world of inconsistencies.

Some people say they’re humble and always on their knees.

But get a little closer and examine what they do,

And you get the impression that none of it is true.

Hypocrisy is rampant. You hear them speak and mutter.

They give you an impression their mouths will not melt butter.

But look into their character and what is it you see?

Idolatry and witchcraft, strife and heresy.

They envy and they murder; they revel and get drunk.

Which means their Christian “witness” is just a load of junk.

No Christian who is genuine will put on a display,

And manifest behaviour we’re seeing every day.

Adultery, uncleanness, heresies and strife,

Should never be observed in those who live the Christian life.

It is a contradiction; like water and like oil.

And “Christians” who live this way their character will spoil.

So how should we be living when we say we serve the Lord?

The Holy Spirit’s Fruit should always be in one accord,

With what the Bible teaches. God’s Word is very clear.

For love and joy and kindness should constantly be near.

There should be an abundance of peace and self-control.

The life of Christ should always be their purpose and their goal.

If it looks like Christian, and acts and speaks that way;

It‘s sure to be a Christian whatever men might say.

So let us take our blinkers off and take a look around.

If it’s truly Christian, its witness will be sound.

He’ll look a lot like Jesus in faith and gentleness.

His lifestyle will be Godly in Christlike Holiness.

Accompany him anywhere and you will see the same.

A follower of Jesus Christ in action and in name.

With Jesu’ yoke upon Him and meekness in his heart,

He’ll emulate the Saviour right from the very start.

As Jesus’ disciple he’ll know just what to do.

And all his aspirations will finally come true.

The longer you pursue it, the sooner you will find;

The easier that it will be to transform heart and mind.

And like our Godly forebears we’ll say “In God we Trust!”

And all our former weaknesses will finally go bust.

Jim Strickland – written Thursday, 01 September 2011

The Long Line of Sin

I dreamed my sins were written down, I thought I saw them stretch

From here for such a distance; I wondered what they’d fetch?

Would anybody bid for them if they were auctioned off?

Would anyone be interested, or would the bidders scoff

And say, “Far too expensive”. “Don’t try and sell me that”!

“I wouldn’t even bid for them to throw out for the cat”!

And so I stood there all alone and no one seemed to care.

They paid me scant attention, as though I wasn’t there.

They giggled, scoffed and sneered at me; their laughter filled the room.

But none of all their levity could penetrate my gloom.

How long was I left standing? It seemed a million years.

And no one took an interest in me and all my tears.

I peered out of the window and saw the falling rain

And cried out for a Saviour to take away my pain.

But nothing seemed to happen. At least, that’s what I thought

Until a ray of sunshine stole in and gently brought

A stillness to my spirit. I knew that He had come.

He looked at me with loving eyes and said to me, “My son.

You see this endless line of sin? Please let me take that on.”

I nodded and then instantly that shameful line was gone.

It seemed that He’d “absorbed” them and they were mine no more

And tears of grateful gratitude like rain began to pour.

I tried to stammer, “Thank you!” but I had been struck dumb.

There simply wasn’t words enough of thanks for what He’d done.

And then He took me in His arms and drew me to His chest.

“Your sins have gone”, He said to me, “As far as East from West.”

I stared in blank amazement. I couldn’t take it in.

Had some one really come to me to take away my sin?

Not mine! That was not possible. My stain was crimson bright.

But when I took another look, I saw He’d made me white.

I glowed with all His goodness. I saw that I was clean.

In spite of all my wickedness and all the things I’d been

I saw I was forgiven. He didn’t bear a grudge.

I hadn’t gone beyond a place from which He couldn’t budge.

The Lord had really done it.  I tried to ask Him “Why?”

He smiled and whispered gently, “My son, don’t even try

To understand My doings. They can’t be comprehended

Just know into your inner man, My Spirit has descended

This truth will never be made known to any human mind.

But deep within your inner man is where to look to find

The evidence you’re seeking. You’ll find the witness there.

A truth that only comes to you through seeking Me and prayer”.

I nodded in agreement. For what else could I do?

My mind was in confusion; my heart said, “Yes it’s true!

The Saviour has redeemed me. This isn’t just a joke.

There is no need for emptiness - not while I wear His yoke”.

And so my sobbing ended and then I looked around.

The people who had sniggered at me could not be found.

Instead I saw a myriad of angels looking on

Amazed that I had been redeemed and all my sins were gone.

And then again I saw Him. He was lifted up on high.

Yet even then He held me - I dreamed that we could fly.

It seemed that we were heading for a place He had prepared

No longer was there reason for me to feel so scared.

Then once again I looked and in my dream I thought I saw

A Golden throne and cherubim; a rainbow and much more.

The other things that I observed are more than I dare say,

But somehow in my heart I’d been with Jesus Christ that day.

Then quietly it ended. The dream began to fade.

I didn’t want to go back home and tried to be delayed.

But gradually the sunlight came and shone upon my face

And I became aware I was no longer in that place.

But why did Jesus do it? Why did He give to me

This vision of my line of sin that reached eternity?

What purpose was there in it? And, what should I do next?

These questions thundered through my mind and made me feel so vexed.

Then quietly His Spirit whispered gently in my ear,

“Go on in strength My soldier; there’s nothing you need fear.

There’s so much more I’m planning and lots you have to do

To help the people understand there’s many folk like you;

Helpless men and women who know that they are lost

With all their neighbours giggling about the dreadful cost

Of all that they’ve committed through wasted lives of sin;

And crying out for mercy from the trap they’d fallen in.

“So go on out and tell them they mustn’t give up hope.

Tell them I will save them when they know they cannot cope

With all that they are going through and all their wicked deeds;

And that there’s a solution to all their lustful greeds.

Tell them that I love them and that I’ll surely do

As much for every one of them as I have done for you.

If they’ll come in repentance I’ll wash them white as snow

And fill them with My Spirit so each of them will know

That nothing is impossible. They only must believe

And everything I’ve done for them they surely will receive.

And as they start to do it and walk through life with Me,

My Spirit will accompany them for all eternity!"

Jim Strickland – written 11^th December 2005