ONLY GOD IS GOOD

A certain man came to the Lord, “Good Master” the man said, (Matt 19:16-17) What good thing must a person do for life when he is dead? Then Jesus said, “you’ve called Me good. That’s true of God alone. No other person qualifies, just as the Lord has shown. It was a revelation. There’s people all around. Not one of them is truly good, as most of us have found. And so we say, “Oh really? I think I’m doing fine. I’m better than most people. I’m not on the bread line. I’m sure that God approves of me. In fact I’m doing well!” But this is certainly the way to be to be consigned to Hell. We think the definition of good is what we do. We overlook our weaknesses and say. “Compared with you, I’m in a good position. I do not smoke or swear. (Can you detect a little bit of nose up in the air?) I never cheat my neighbour. I am a splendid man. I pay my tithes, I do not steal. And do the best I can. If all of this is not enough to satisfy the Lord, Then all my friends and neighbours will think that I’m a fraud. But sadly there’s an error, if this is what you say. The standard you’re required to pass is not yours anyway. You’ve got to be much better than that which Christ has set. This isn’t true of any man that I have ever met. For Jesus Christ is righteous in all and everything. Not once in all His lifetime, did He commit a sin. This isn’t true of anyone, that I have come to know. There’s always just a little thing to make their “goodness” go! So Jesus, in the comment He made upon that day, Was absolutely accurate. There wasn’t any way, That man could match that standard. But Jesus Christ was God. So when he said “Good Master” it truly wasn’t odd! So you and I can celebrate. Rejoice in what He did! He gave us all His righteousness. His sinlessness He hid, Until His task was finished and He died for our sins. This deed gave us His sinlessness, so that we all could win, Our contest with the devil. He now sees us as “good”. And through the power of His blood, that’s what he truly should. This seems a contradiction. God’s righteousness is mine. The “goodness” He has given me is utterly Divine! Jim Strickland – Written Monday, 17 October 2011

LIVING IN THIS WORLD

There seems to be an attitude around us every day, That Christians do not have to work; they’re saved so they can play! I don’t know where it came from, but it is all around. In every part of industry this foolishness is found. The “Christians” only go to work to “witness” and to chat. They never seem to realise what God is looking at. It’s stealing from the company if you neglect your work. Another way to look at it, is saying that they shirk, Avoiding their commitment to those who took them on; And then get very angry when the boss tells them, “be gone!” It really is amazing that people think that way. It isn’t in the Bible. So what does Jesus say? He says to look at others as better than ourself. Try and get them all involved, not sitting on the shelf. We all have a high calling to let the heathen see, That those who follow Jesus, give their lives unselfishly. That Christians work for Jesus; and their employer pays. And so they work far harder and spend all of their days, Showing what a difference that Jesus Christ will do, When you seek to follow Him and let His light shine through. Let your zeal for Jesus be visible to all. Tell them that your work is now your high and holy call. You have an employer and you must satisfy, All the company’s standards, as well as God Most High! No, it isn’t easy. But you are not your own. You are just His bond slave and must do the things He’s shown. We must do His bidding. We know the night will come; Working won’t be possible until the rising sun, Shines its rays upon us and night time is behind. Then we’ll know for certain, that we have not been blind. We have been appointed to be among the saved. The rights that once we thought we had each one of them we’ve waived. The brothers and the sisters and all our former friends, Are those we want to win for Christ; and much of it depends, On what they see us doing; and how we work each day. Is it an example that points them to the way? Will we keep on running, until our race is done? Will they see the Christian life as good and healthy fun? Will these people search for us, or thank God we have gone? Or will they all be challenged to take the Christ life on? Remember they are governed by what they hear and see. So let them notice Jesus Christ; that’s how it has to be. Jim Strickland – Written 16 October 2011

MY BIG BROTHER

I haven’t any siblings. I am an “only child”. It’s never been exciting. In fact, it got me riled! I didn’t have a brother or sister I could tease. It’s always, “Don’t be silly” or “pass the custard ‘Please’” My very best behaviour was always on display. And I was disappointed it had to be this way. If anything had happened, I was the one to blame. I tried to say, “It wasn’t me”. I always said the same. But when it came to lying, I wasn’t very good. That’s why I got a hiding more often than I should. At school I had a problem when bullies picked on me. I had no elder brother, and so I had to flee. The girls thought it was funny and so they laughed out loud; This made a bad impression on others in the crowd. I used to look with envy at those of my own age. If they had bigger brothers who’d protect at any stage. Then they would get off lightly. The bullies got all coy. They didn’t want to fight with a bigger, stronger boy. Of course this was so difficult. But I had come to know, If you are being picked on, the better way to go, Was call on someone stronger on whom you could rely. And calling on Jehovah would “fix” the other guy. I didn’t have to struggle, His name was quite enough. No matter who the bully was, I knew he wasn’t tough. He couldn’t fight with Jesus; he couldn’t take Him on. He’d be annihilated and all his prospects gone. So this is my solution. I use it still today. If anybody picks on me, I only have to say The Name of my Big Brother. The opposition ends. I know they are not scared of me. But Jesus Christ defends, The bond slaves who rely on Him. The demons have no chance. They do not even venture to take a second glance! For Jesus is my fortress, my Saviour and my Shield. The rock of my salvation. The one to Whom I yield. And Satan’s lot know better that try to take Him on.

He only has to blink an eye and all of them are gone! My Saviour camps around me; I cannot be afraid. They have no right of passage. They do not make the grade. But this is not my doing. I’m held in Jesus hands. His Name alone I honour. On Christ the rock I stand. And though the devil threatens, there’s nothing He can do While I belong to Jesus and to Him I am true. Jim Strickland – Written Saturday, 15 October 2011

ALIVE TO GOD

I gave my life to Jesus, when I was in my teens. They told me just how fortunate that deed had surely been. They said God had a plan for me so marvellous and good. But no details were given me. So I misunderstood, The things that were telling me. I thought I would be rich. I’d ride on six white horses, not crawl along a ditch. That I could take it easy, for God was on my side. That He would give me everything, a husband gives his bride. Those were my first impressions. I couldn’t turn that down! I may have been a teenager but I was not a clown. It wasn’t very long before I really bumped my nose. It must have been stupidity, or madness I suppose. For all those first impressions, were absolutely wrong. My friends thought I was crazy; it wasn’t very long, Before those foolish notions gave way to what was fact. By then I was committed; there was no turning back. I’d started to love Jesus and then I didn’t care. I’d live for Him or die for Him and do it anywhere. For I had taken up my cross and set off down my road. For He had told me softly, that He would share my load. My circumstance was difficult; I couldn’t care a fig. He led the way in front of me; His guidance was so big, It really didn’t matter. His love for me was sure. There was an inner longing, to live a life that’s pure. And then He whispered something that made me want to cry. He said to truly follow Him that I would have to die. I found it hard to swallow. For death would bring great pain. He said that He had suffered, and it had been great gain. So if I would be like Him, I’d have to suffer too. There wasn’t an alternative to what I had to do. I’d have to be a student in His school of bumps and knocks. The colours would be black and blue as people cast their rocks. But even if it killed me. What was there I could lose? If Jesus was my Master, His will I had to choose. But miracle of miracle. The things that I was told, When I became a Christian, I’m starting to behold. The fact is I am rich with more than I can ever spend. My dwelling is a mansion and life now has no end. Perhaps I am still living, on this side of the tomb. This world has no attraction; it’s just the ante-room; To being with my Master. That’s where I long to be. Alive and in His heaven, for all eternity. Jim Strickland – Written Friday, 14 October 2011

THE PRAYER OF THE HUMBLE

It’s interesting what happens when someone goes to prayer. Daniel’s prayer was answered and an angel hastened there. We know that God was listening. The angels listened too. And one of them was sent to him to make his prayer come true. Daniel was a humble man who prayed to God Most High. The High and Holy One who lives and will not ever die. He saw Daniel was humble; his spirit was contrite. So Gabriel was sent to him to show what’s not in sight. He came and showed the future and when the Christ would come. His answer was so accurate, it makes us all go dumb. The “history” of the future was told so perfectly, It even showed the date when Christ would start His ministry! We wonder why this happened. But few will pay the price. A broken and repentant heart, must be the sacrifice. For God speaks to the humble. The arrogant don’t hear. The people with this attitude, the Lord will not draw near. We know He keeps His distance from people who are proud. It seems that only humble men, will ever be allowed, To draw near to the Father. It’s the repentant heart, That Father God is seeking. He doesn’t even start, To speak to haughty people. It’s just a waste of time, To think that they will hear from Him. Their prayers aren’t worth a dime. But if you will stay humble and submit to God Most High; He’ll hear each word you utter so that your heartfelt cry, Will certainly be honoured; and you will know His care. Perhaps He’ll send an angel to meet with you right there. So give the Lord your worries. He knows them anyway. Trust that He will care for you on each and every day. Know He is forgiving; His steadfast love abounds.

Ask for grace to come to Him and listen for the sounds, Of that which He will send you; It might not be this week; But He has said He will be found by those who truly seek! He’ll answer you in trouble. For you He’ll undertake. And since He is the only God, He’s constantly awake! He’ll grant you your petition. He’ll give His perfect peace. Though you may be in trouble, He’ll grant you your release. So let us change our attitude to seeking Him in prayer. Remember He’s the only God. The others just aren’t there! Jim Strickland – Written Thursday, 13 October 2011