WHAT IS PRAYER?

The most neglected thing in all of Christendom today;

Is that so many people, don’t find the time to pray.

We know we aught to do it. We’ve heard about prayer’s power.

But when it comes to doing it, our willingness turns sour.

Don’t think you are the only one. I’m told that three percent,

Of Christians in the world today see time in prayer well spent.

Please note I’m not excluded. I wish I could improve.

But even so I must admit, it should be Spirit moved.

It isn’t just an attitude; it’s knowing what to say.

It feels intimidating, that why we stay away.

But do not be discouraged by not knowing what to do.

The Lord has sent us someone, Who wants to pray through you.

He’s called the Holy Spirit. The Blessed Paraclete.

He came to earth to help us. So that we too can meet,

The problem with our praying. When words are running out,

The groaning in our Spirit, shows us without a doubt,

That He knows what is wanted. And though our mind is blank,

The words we speak and utter come forth from heaven’s bank.

By praying in the Spirit, our mind is not involved.

The contact with the Father and where we are, is solved.

We don’t have the ability to understand all things.

But Jesus, by His Spirit, causes heaven’s bells to ring.

Regardless of how weak we are, the Spirit searches hearts.

It’s at that very time we find, that intercession starts.

Why should we understand it? The thoughts are God to God.

To know what They are saying, would really be most odd!

So surely it’s the time for us, to see through Jesus’ eyes.

That prayer is not a list of things to try on God for size.

It’s infinitely more than that. It’s standing as a link,

Between the blessed God-head. It isn’t what we think.

It is so inspirational, we wonder why we stop;

And as we take our part in it, the Master gets a crop,

Far bigger than He planted when He came into me.

Instead it’s universal; not my ability.

So let us take another look at prayer and all it means.

If you prefer a shopping list, forget about your dreams.

For you will never get there by living in a box.

Not when the Lord is planning to blow you from your socks!

To make your prayer life meaningful and not a boring chore;

Instead, an opportunity, of doing something more.

Of being a participant, in what the Lord desires;

And seeing the fulfilment, of all that He requires.

Jim Strickland – Written 22^nd November 2011.

CAST AWAY

It’s comforting to know that we will never be cast out.

In spite of how we’re feeling, there really is no doubt.

He said that those who come to Him, He’ll never send away.

But this must never be a chance, to live from day to day,

Doing anything we want and delving into sin.

That’s not what He intended. He tells us we must win,

Our contest with temptation and live to please Him most.

It’s not something to crow about, or strut around and boast.

He said we are the follower of him whom we obey.

So if you follow Satan, it isn’t Jesus’ way.

He told religious people, that Satan was their dad.

The reason was they kept on doing, what they knew was bad.

You cannot follow Jesus and live the devil’s way.

Forget it man! That’s nonsense. The one whom you obey;

That person is your master, in spite of what you think.

The blood of Jesus cleanses us snow white and never pink.

And Jesus is compassionate. He knows what’s going on.

He knows when you’re oppressing folk and just where you belong.

If you oppress your neighbour and leave him in the cold;

He’ll certainly reward you, but not with bags of gold.

He’ll see that you experience your neighbour’s circumstance.

He’ll leave you in the darkness, without a second chance.

Call upon Him while He’s near and change the way you live.

Make your top priority, to constantly forgive,

Those who have mistreated you. Because friend, if you don’t,

Then be assured that in your turn, please know that Jesus won’t,

Forgive you for what you have done. It always works that way.

The measure you apply on folk is what He’ll use today.

If you forgive a thimble-full, He’ll take that very thing;

He’ll use your thimble on you. That how much He will bring,

Forgiveness when you need it. How much is up to you.

The measure that you choose to use is just how much you’ll view.

So when you give forgiveness, think of a big front load,

That’s big enough to fill the dam and still repair your road.

God knows it’s what I’m needing; I’m needing it “big time”.

Enough to fill the ocean to pay for all my crime.

So ask the Lord for mercy, to cleanse your sin today.

For if you do not do it, Your sins are here to stay.

Jim Strickland – Written 21^st November 2011

HE IS ALWAYS WITH US

He took a look around him and thought he was alone.

The prospects for his future caused him to give a groan.

For years he’d followed Jesus. For years he’d been His friend.

But as he looked around him he asked, “Why did it end”?

Where is the Master’s presence? Why do I feel this way?

He said He’d never leave us. But where is He today?

It feels as though the heavens are one great sheet of brass.

His prayers kept bouncing back to him, as if they couldn’t pass,

Through some gigantic barrier. That’s why he felt cut off.

And Satan’s taunts rang in his ears; “He’s gone away” he’d scoff.

These are tough times of testing. “The dark night of my soul”,

Is what some folk have called it; like God’s not in control.

When we’ve done all the praying, but still something is wrong.

It’s in these times of loneliness; we need to sing a song.

Exalt Him with our praises. Bless His Holy Name!

We may think we’re deserted. That never is His game.

The darkness all around us may be as though it’s night.

But as we wait with patience, He comes forth as the light.

We may pass though the waters convinced we’re going to drown.

It will not overwhelm us. He will not let us down.

The fire won’t consume us. Perhaps we think we’re blind.

But when the clouds have lifted we’ll see the Christ light shine!

The fire will not burn us; the flames He’ll turn aside.

We’ll soon be at His wedding, each one of us His bride.

He’ll smooth off the rough places and make them level ground.

He’s promised when we seek Him, by Him we will be found.

Perhaps we’re in Death’s valley. Do not raise the alarm.

His rod and staff protect us and keep us from all harm.

We know He is trustworthy. It is His guarantee,

That what He’s done for other folk, He’ll do for you and me.

Our little friend was listening. He felt his faith arise.

“No longer will I listen to Satan’s wicked lies.

I know that I’ve just passed through, the dark night of the soul.

But Jesus had His purposes and He’s still in control.

I know that I can trust Him. I’ve trusted Him before.

I may not sense His presence. Regardless, He’s far more,

Than any sort of feeling or anything I see.

He’s still my Lord and Master. I know that He loves me!”

Jim Strickland – Written 20^th November 2011

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