THE GOD WHO CARES

You really cannot care for someone whom you do not know. We try and do it publicly but nothing makes it grow. We may have legislation. It may be carved in stone. But care is quite impossible for someone all alone. You cannot fold their clothing when nobody is there. You cannot sit down next to them if no one’s on the chair. You cannot have a favourite; you cannot share a meal. To do so you need someone else who’s absolutely real. But this is not a problem to Him who reigns on high. You do not have to know someone to give your life and die. You only need the knowledge that something’s going on, And you can take good care of them when all their hope has gone. The Lord looked at us sinners. He knew just what to do. He couldn’t always be remote; not if His love was true. He couldn’t be indifferent. He couldn’t stay aloof. He had to show how much He cared. There had to be some proof. So He extended comfort when people were afraid. He gave to them His mercy although they disobeyed. It seems a contradiction and quite the wrong way round. For even in their wickedness, He made His grace abound. He knows us all in detail. He understands our frame. That all we can rely on is the power of His name. He’s said that if we’re willing to cast our cares on Him; The prospects for our future will never fade or dim. We know that He is tender; that He is pure and kind. In spite of all our actions He keeps this truth in mind. He said He’d send His Spirit to keep us on the go; And He will never change His mind, because He loves us so. He helps us in our weakness. He hears our every groan. He knows our inner sighing each time He hears us moan. He’s promised He will wipe the tears from all His people’s eyes. That death will be defeated and banished from our skies. It’s true we do not understand the strangeness of His ways. He doesn’t act like any man throughout His endless days. He is the Lord Almighty of comfort and of care. Thank You when we need You Lord, that You are always there. Jim Strickland – written Wednesday, 14 September 2011

SPIRITUAL THIRST

In all my years of living, one thing I’ve never known;

   I’ve never truly thirsted. Although the Bible’s shown,

How terrible it is for us. I’m told it makes us crazed.

   So if you don’t have water, it’s time the Lord was praised!

The only information was in a book I read.

   A group, with Allan Quatermain, were very nearly dead.

They tried to cross the desert in search of Sol’mon’s mines.

   And at a small oasis, some water they did find.

They couldn’t reach the mountains without quenching their thirst.

   And we are told quite graphically how heat had done its worst.

The tale is very similar in each and every age.

   Jesus brings them “water” when thirst begins to rage.

The Psalmist best describes it as “fainting” for the Lord.

   The search is indescribable; this “thirst” can’t be ignored.

We have to find an answer to this unceasing need.

   So people have to pray for it; and other people plead.

Anything to satisfy their emptiness inside.

   It seems the inner spirit man must have this need supplied.

We’re told, “Come to the waters. If you will ask of Me,

   I’ll see that it’s provided and given you for free.

Why should you pay for victuals? There isn’t any need.

   You’ll find that I’ll supply them. I’ll quench your thirst indeed!

The “water” I will give you will more than satisfy.

   And when My Spirit fills you, you cannot ever die!

I’ll open wells within you of which you aren’t aware.

   I’ll overflow your spirit in ways that can’t compare,

With anything you’ve ever known. An overwhelming flood,

   Of water of salvation, that’s given by My blood.

Come feast upon My nature; Mine is the life you need.

   Come and ask in confidence; you do not have to plead.

I have a plan to give you a supernatural feast,

   Of everything that’s needed to make of you a priest.

So come into My garden and gather myrrh and spice.

   I give you My assurance you’ll find it very nice!

You won’t be disappointed if you will trust in Me.

   My honeycomb with wine and milk will last eternally.”

So “dine” upon your Saviour. He gives to you His best.

   And those who come and ask of Him, forever will be blessed.

Jim Strickland – written Tuesday, 13 September 2011

YOUR GOD IS GRACIOUS!

He can’t be comprehended though many folk have tried! For He is so exalted He can’t be quantified. The present and the future and everything that’s past, Is known by Him in detail and evermore will last. We think we have Him cornered and in some sort of box. But then He takes an action, which blows us from our socks. We pray to Him for healing though we are far away. We wonder if He’s heard us and then we hear Him say: - “My people, I was angry and withdrew My loving hand. My people were so stubborn they spoiled the Promised Land. I had to punish greediness and let them have their head. But even so I’ve healed them though they thought I was dead. But even in the anguish of all their suffering; Even when they thought I was no longer listening, I knew about their mourning. How could I keep away? They are the ones My hands have made. With them I’ll always stay. I know their every detail. I’ve looked into their heart. I’ve known what they are facing right from the very start. You cannot hide away from Me, for I am everywhere. I know about your secret sins. You know how much I care. Your sins are red as scarlet; exposed for all to see. But I will wash you white as snow if you’ll return to Me. Behold! Your God is gracious. I’ll rescue from the grave. Those who give their lives to Me; they’ll be the ones I save. So let us talk about it. I long to make you clean. Come in true repentance and see what it will mean. The wounds for your transgressions are still upon My skin. I’m crushed by your iniquities and all the mess you’re in. You know that My chastisement is what has brought you peace. My stripes are now your healing and make your sickness cease. So come to Me My people; let Me bring you good news. I’ll mend the broken-hearted. What else have they to lose? Your captives will find liberty; I’ll open prison doors. My year of special favour will coincide with yours! I’ll give the oil of gladness to all of those who mourn, And change the darkness they have known into a brand new dawn. So turn to Me My people, in faith and you will see, How close that I will be with those who choose to walk with Me.” Jim Strickland – written Monday, 12 September 2011

BE EQUALLY YOKED

Family traditions may so easily entrap. Close examination will show if there’s a gap, With what we have all practiced since the day that we were born, And what the Lord has told us should be the Christian norm. Culture may instruct us to journey with the stream. But is it Christ directed? That never was His dream. The followers of Jesus don’t follow Satan’s flow. He’s made it very clear that it is not the way to go. The way to tell the difference is to focus on the Lord. That’s the only way in which our Saviour is adored. The crowd will misdirect us if you go the way they lead. And Christ expects obedience in word and thought and deed. Friendship with the world is sure to lead a man astray. You’ll become deflected from the straight and narrow way. Never have relationships with unbelieving folk. Doing so results in people wearing Satan’s yoke! Walking with the Lord equates to walking in the light. No one can achieve this in the darkness of the night! Right can’t be in partnership with something that is wrong. Jesus Christ and Satan will never get along! Both are so distinctive there cannot be a way To have co-operation by night as well as day. You’re God’s holy temple. His Spirit dwells within. Holiness won’t tolerate a life that’s filled with sin! How can a believer share an unbeliever’s life? How can a believer have the devil as a wife? Mutually exclusive is how they have to be. Compromise on this is an impossibility. All this world can offer is extravagance and greed. Jesus is the only One Who meets our every need. Everything this world provides will soon have passed away. Those who follow Jesus, He satisfies each day. So relinquish Satan and the junk which he provides. Give yourself to Jesus and let His Spirit guide. Grant Him the authority to work within your heart, And He will do what’s needed to keep you far apart. Though you may be tempted, God’s Spirit will ensure, That you have the ability to live a life that’s pure. Jim Strickland – written Sunday, 11 September 2011

TALK THE TALK?

The lovely prayer of Jesus in chapter seventeen, Recorded in John’s Gospel. Will ever they be seen? They can’t be wishful thinking, for He meant every word. And Father God was listening, so Jesus’ prayer was heard. He didn’t pray for nothing. He had something in mind. Which most of us can’t comprehend, for most of us are blind! We can’t see in the spirit. We only ever see, In our own dimension of “non-reality”. But Jesus brought us something, far more than merely sight. He brought a brand new covenant to flood our souls with light. His purpose and intention was to melt our hearts of stone, And make them soft and pliable. More like His very own. He sought to take our stubbornness; which fought against God’s will. So each of us would long for it and follow it until, We passed into the portals of where He reigns on high. He wanted to give all of us, a chance to never die! He came to teach us sinners the way that we should walk. So that we all could be like Him and not just talk the talk. He came to make us holy. He came to teach the truth. To bring His special Kingdom to the adults and the youth. He came to consecrate us and set us on the way, To being what He wanted, as day succeeds to day. He came to give us purpose; to be one in heart and mind, The way He and His Father originally designed. He came to teach His people from then until today. To walk in true obedience and follow all the way. He wants us to be disciplined with deep humility; Committed to each other and do it faithfully. To set out on a journey, the journey of our lives. To see that what He’s planted, matures and truly thrives. To live the Christian lifestyle each moment of each day. To love our Christian brothers and neighbours all the way. Not with good intentions but by doing what we should, To help the people whom we meet and seek to do them good. To let His Spirit lead us in ways we wouldn’t go, Unless we were directed in ways we’ll never know. O Lord, it is impossible we’re only flesh and bone; And know we’ll never do it if you leave us all alone. Jim Strickland – written Saturday, 10 September 2011

THE BREAD OF LIFE

The Lord God gave them “manna”; there was nothing else to eat. They said the name meant “What is it”? Some sort of heavenly treat. It looked a bit like “hoar frost” all scattered on the ground; The wilderness was covered with something small and round. No one had ever eaten a thing like this before; And so they went to Moses to know what was in store. It looked like coriander and lay round like the dew. But what is it we do with it? It seemed nobody knew. Moses told them that it was a type of heaven’s bread. You must go out and gather it is what the Lord had said. Go and collect one homer for each and every man. Enough to feed the family according to God’s plan. Do not keep it overnight for worms will make it smell. And so they all collected it as best as we can tell. For forty years God fed them this very special bread. He filled the hungry with good things; with nothing else instead. The Jewish people tell us the flavour was unique. Whatever they desired to taste, each person then could seek. No matter what they wanted, that flavour was right there. They’d cook it anyway they liked - no problems to prepare. God gave to them the manna each day for all those years, Except upon the Sabbath day; that is how it appears. Today there is no Manna. Christ is our Living Bread. He tells us all to feed on Him precisely as He said. He is our bread from heaven and He will slake our thirst. He tells us, “Open wide your mouth”. I want you blessed not cursed. The rich who think they have it all will not receive a thing. But if you’re poor and hungry, you’ll come beneath My wing! So God still feeds the hungry. He feeds us from on high. And those who give their lives to Him will never ever die. It isn’t cotton candy or hamburgers and chips. He sees that just the best cuisine will pass across our lips. He feeds us with His body. Our manna every way. Is not like coriander seed which smells by the next day. It’s something from the tree of life which issues from His throne, Prepared for those who love Him and want Him as their own! We feast on His abundance and on His love we dine. For what He gives is perfect and utterly Divine. Jim Strickland – written Friday, 09 September 2011