JESUS - FOR CERTAIN

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 15 May 2013

Hi all,

Many years ago, a couple of astronauts were being interviewed about their experiences in outer space. The questions followed the usual line of interest. Then, toward the end, the interviewer asked them if they had met God up there? One answered “No” with a conspiratorial grin. The other commented that he could have done. All he needed to do was open the hatch and try to go for a walk in space without wearing his space suit!

God did not design the human body to live without air to breathe or in a zero pressure environment. To do so science had to fabricate a space suit or space station to provide what is needed. Furthermore, God designed the human body and most animals such that, the blood coursing round the body, kept them alive. Note, these bodies don’t “leak”. We don’t have to call in at the local blood bank every day or so for a top up. He has created the human and similar animal bodies to produce their own. It happens “automatically”. We are only aware there is a problem when the system ceases to work as intended!

There's Power in the Blood
of JESUS

We know that when Jesus gave up His Spirit on Mt Calvary, He was bleeding. His life blood was flowing out of His body. From the human point of view, death was inevitable. No blood = Dead. What about His resurrection body? Does it contain “blood”! Good question. What does Jesus say? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." Luke 24:39 NIV. Jesus makes no reference to blood. Does that mean His body does not contain blood? To say that’s what is meant, is to make the mistake of assuming that it is true, because He doesn’t say so. For example, it also does not say that it doesn’t contain petrol or beer. Therefore, they must be there. 

No! You can never assume something is true because it doesn’t say so. That’s not exegesis. It’s eisegesis. It like saying Moses drove back to Egypt in a green Mercedes because the Bible doesn’t say he didn’t! For those who would like to see the difference, I’ve included a “definition” of the two words below.

One thing we know without a shadow of a doubt. The blood of Jesus is the world’s greatest cleanser. It washed my black heart whiter than driven snow. Just one drop is sufficient to cleanse everyone from their sins. It’s absolutely priceless. You can’t buy it. You can’t steal it. But His Father will give it to you for free. When He has given it to you, don’t try and cheapen it. If you do, you just might lose it!

The Robe of
Righteousness

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

·         Exegesis: [Greek, exegeomai, = ex "to explain", or "to take from"; and hegeomai, "to lead", "to guide"]. Applied to the study of Scripture: Taking from the Biblical text the information upon which to base an interpretation.  Exegete: One who interprets a Biblical passage or text.

·         Eisegesis: [Greek, eisagogilos, from eisago, "to introduce" = eis, "in", "into", and ago = "to lead"]. Reading into the Biblical text what isn't there in order to conform the interpretation of the text to certain preconceived ideas or theories.

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 15 May 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	JESUS - FOR CERTAIN
Why do things work the way they do? Mostly we overlook the obvious, due to familiarity. We walk out onto the balcony of a high-rise apartment block. We keep away from the edge, because we don’t want to fall. That’s normal behaviour. Others are compelled to go to the edge. It’s as though the adrenalin is pumping and they must look, in spite of their fears. I understand that when someone takes his first parachute jump, his mind is filled with questions. Is this safe? Will the parachute open? What sort of man or woman does this? Some say they are very brave. Others say they are out of their minds. Why not just sit back and relax?        Some folk are more observant than others. It’s said that when Archimedes climbed into the bath, he saw the level of the water rise. I’m told he jumped out of the bath and ran naked down the street shouting “Eureka”.  He had discovered what we now know as Archimedes Principle. The body displaces its own volume in water. ±2000 years later we say, “But that’s obvious!” That’s because we have grown accustomed to this principle. Other things are equally obvious. We shiver when we get cold. We perspire when we get hot. We know it is harder walking up-hill than down-hill. If we walk outside in the rain we will get wet. None of these are unreasonable expectations. We also know that we don’t allow our children to play hop-scotch on the highway. Some things are the automatic outcome of an action. If we drink poison we will die. If we cut ourselves we will bleed. We don’t get angry about this. If you step off the roof you will fall to the ground. There is nothing vindictive about this. It’s the law of gravity. Being a Christian does not give you immunity. Perhaps what we can say is that if we had been listening carefully to the voice of the Lord, we may not have stepped off in the first place! There is another law; a spiritual law; which says if you look at the face of God you will die! Some of us say, “What a terrible law”. But this is not a question of God being spiteful. The truth of this is that if a sinner approaches the Father, His purity and holiness will destroy him. It’s a bit like saying if you get too close to the fire you will get burned. The two are mutually exclusive. Sin cannot approach God. It will be destroyed. So if you are a sinner, don’t come too close to God or you will be destroyed.       But God wants His children to come near. So He has to provide us with something that will cover our sinfulness. That’s why He provides the robe of righteousness. We get this through the blood of Jesus. He takes away our sin and gives us His righteousness. Wearing this robe, we may come and go as He directs. In reality, the robe is not ours. It belongs to Jesus. But if we are wearing this robe, God’s purity will not destroy us. What we are like under the robe is something for theologians to argue about. God’s purity is satisfied and we are welcomed into His presence. God has not been cheated. Jesus has paid the price for our sin. So, in Christ, we are welcome in the throne-room. It doesn’t sound “fair”. It isn‘t. It’s delightfully and gloriously unfair. But why should I complain?  It was His idea in the first place! Thank You Lord Jesus! Jim & Phyllida Strickland.			4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:4-6 ESV 17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if I were dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the living One. I died, but look--I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. Revelation 1:17-18 NLT 24 "Father, I want those you have given to me to be with me, to be where I am. I want them to see my glory, which you gave me because you loved me before the world was made. John 17:24 GW 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. Ephesians 5:30 KJV 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. Colossians 1:18 ESV 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2:10 NLT 14 Because God's children are human beings--made of flesh and blood--the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT 53 This body that decays must be changed into a body that cannot decay. This mortal body must be changed into a body that will live forever. 54 When this body that decays is changed into a body that cannot decay, and this mortal body is changed into a body that will live forever, then the teaching of Scripture will come true: "Death is turned into victory! 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 GW	God’s completely different from anyone we’ve known. You can’t describe a God Who’s in a class all of His own. We cannot see His features; Not if we want to live. I wouldn’t take a chance on it. I know that He would give, Such overwhelming glory with His purity Divine, To crush all that is sinful like pressing grapes to wine! He sheds a light more blinding than the sun which shines by day. A little tiny glimpse will surely blow us all away. We know Lot’s wife saw something when she turned her face around. A great big salty pillar is all of her they found. We know the atom bomb can boil your eyes within your head; So getting just a glimpse of God - the outcome’s best unsaid! We wonder why our loving God could cause such awful things. But this is what perfection inevitably brings.      It isn’t done on purpose. To keep us far away. In fact, there is a warning, which tells us not to stay.     Now if you put your fingers in a 500 volt plug; Then you’ve done something silly; you’ve acted like a mug.      The outcome could be serious and you could lose a hand. Don’t blame the electricity it works as it was planned.     Our God is like High voltage. You’ve got to stand well clear. Get some insulation and some good high voltage gear.     Then if you touch the “hot wire”, you’re sheltered from it’s power, And you can even go and climb up that strange high voltage tower.    It’s the insulation that keeps you well protected. Even when High Voltage is successfully detected.      That is like what’s needed to visit God Most High. And it is made available for folk like you and I.      It’s called His Robe of Righteousness. It screens us from the Lord! So nothing will destroy us with a high and lofty sword. There’s just one way to get it. It’s purchased at a price. The blood of Christ our Saviour has perfectly sufficed.    So when we have been cleansed from sin from head down to the toe, His righteousness will cover us in ways we do not know.    The only way to get it is a total blood transfusion. I get His; and He gets mine; that settles the confusion. Then I am protected and I will not be slain; And Jesus Christ’s great sacrifice will not have been in vain!       This is the way to do it. There is no substitute. Every other method, the Master will refute.      So do not even think about a better kind of way. Let Him be your Saviour and serve Him from today.      Love Him with a passion that is intimate and strong. And you will know for certain, that nothing can go wrong Jim Strickland Written 15th May 2012

THE BLOOD OF JESUS

For Sacrifice

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Hi all,

Have you ever visited an abattoir? I haven’t. I know very little about these legalised places for slaughtering animals. Having said that, we all have an idea what happens. The animal is taken to the place of slaughter. There it is first “stunned”. I’m told they do it for the benefit of the animal. That may be true. But animals do have an awareness of their surroundings. So if they weren’t “stunned” they may well react violently to those who are to slaughter them. It gives the “butcher” an advantage over the animal which they otherwise may not have had.

The Brazen Altar

 I’m not sure how the animals are slaughtered. At one time it would have been with a very sharp “knife” that was drawn across the animal’s “jugular vein”. The blood would have flowed freely until it died from loss of blood. In this regard we can say, “The life is in the Blood”. No blood, no life! We are similar to the animals. If you drain the blood out of a human being, he/she will be as dead as the slaughtered animal! Leviticus states; ¹¹ for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the LORD. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life that makes purification possible. Lev 17:11 NLT

Taken for Sacrifice

We frequently forget God’s wisdom and knowledge. It was His plan that a substitutionary offering could be made. The life of an animal could be given in exchange for a man or woman. It had to be made very plain that someday the life of His Son could be given in exchange for the life of men and women. To achieve this, the Old Testament sacrificial system was put in place for ±1500 years before Jesus came. How many animals were sacrificed during those long years? How many Hebrews witnessed the ceremony? It must have been in the order of millions. The Old Testament picture was a shadow of the death of Jesus for millions of men and women. Did the Hebrews spot it? Probably not! But during the lifespan of every one of them they must have either seen it personally or heard about it from someone who had. The shadow was there. Would those who witnessed the real thing, see the significance of the shadow? Highly unlikely! Their minds were closed by the repetition of the ritual.

Abraham willing to
Sacrifice Isaac

The Jews in Jesus day were “locked in” to the sacrificial system. The possibility that the Blood of Jesus achieved everything the shadow depicted and more was not on their radar screen. In fact, the Old Testament ritual continued in Jerusalem, year after year for a further ±35 years. It would have been on-going today if the Romans hadn’t destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 70AD.

I understand that many people living in the state of Israel today are talking about rebuilding the temple. They would then re-introduce the sacrificial system. Will that happen? It’s possible, but in my personal view not very likely. 

Joy with Jesus

Their biggest difficulty would be the presence on the temple site, of the two Muslim holy sites; the “Dome of the Rock” and the “El-Aqsa Mosque”. Yes, they could be destroyed. But the reaction to this in the Muslim World would be terrifying. Only if it was done miraculously by God would there be no Muslim reaction. Will this happen? Only God knows!

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 14 May 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE BLOOD OF JESUS
Ever since my teens I’ve liked motor cars. I’m no aficionado but I like the things. I’m tempted to say I love them. But I don’t love cars the way I love God and love my wife. I like big expensive luxury cars. I would love to have a top of the range BMW or Mercedes. A Rolls Royce is somewhere near the very top of my mental fantasies. Of course, I’m not likely to own one. But it would be a great “nice to have”. It’s one of those juvenile fantasies. Like marrying Miss World; Penny Coellen back in my early days. Not surprising really. In my mind she remains one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. Another popular fantasy among school boys back then was to marry Princess Anne. It was not so much being married to her as the associated notoriety and recognition. But England was 6000 miles away, so it was the sort of pipedream and was not taken seriously. Fairly recently I read a story about a man who wanted a Rolls/Royce. Eventually he got one. It was a fairly old model but was just what he wanted. A couple of months later he sold it. There was nothing wrong with the car. But he was inundated by begging letters and people wanting to “touch him” for money. There are other wonderful possessions which most of us want in life. A home of our own, children, a good education, friends, relations and good financial prospects. We all have this in common. The difficulty with all this “stuff” is that it is all temporary. In a few short years we will have left it for others to enjoy. I’m reminded that a shroud has no pockets. There is nothing wrong with having possessions. Proverbs tells us: A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22 ESV The real issue is what we do with our possessions. We are going to leave them behind. I know the story of a man who said, “Lord, If I can’t take it with me I don’t want to go.” But we will all go. There is something that is of greater value than everything in this world combined. It’s something you cannot buy. However, it will cost you everything; it’s the blood of Jesus Christ. You cannot buy it. You cannot steal it. God by His grace provides it as a free gift. But although there is no capital outlay, it will cost you everything. All your possessions, all your friends and family; that’s the price. The blood of Jesus is not cheap. It only takes one tiny drop to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. But it’s never been cheap. It’s the cost of the life of God. He shed His blood for me. He thought I was worth it! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			11 They overcame him because the Lamb gave his life's blood for them. They overcame him by giving witness about Jesus to others. They were willing to risk their lives, even if it led to death. Revelation 12:11 NIrV 33 And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? 34 Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us--who was raised to life for us!--is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Romans 8:33-34 MSG 11 "'The life of each creature is in its blood. So I have given you the blood of animals to pay for your sin on the altar. Blood is life. That is why blood pays for your sin. Leviticus 17:11 NIrV 12 "That same night I will pass through Egypt. I will strike down every oldest son. I will also kill all of the male animals that were born first to their mothers. And I will judge all of the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13 "The blood on your houses will be a sign for you. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. No deadly plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. Exodus 12:12-13 NIrV 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 ESV 13 Just then one of the Elders addressed me: "Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?" 14 Taken aback, I said, "O Sir, I have no idea--but you must know." Then he told me, "These are those who come from the great tribulation, and they've washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:13-14 MSG 5 and from Jesus Christ--Loyal Witness, Firstborn from the dead, Ruler of all earthly kings. Glory and strength to Christ, who loves us, who blood-washed our sins from our lives, 6 Who made us a Kingdom, Priests for his Father, forever--and yes, he's on his way! Revelation 1:5-6 MSG	How to defeat the devil? God’s Word makes it quite clear. There are three simple methods which draw the victory near. The one is testifying about what Christ has done. Telling people they will win through Jesus God’s own Son. The next is being willing to give your life away. “Everything for Jesus” is what we hear men say. But there’s another factor without which you and me, Could never be forgiven and couldn’t be set free. The fact is, there’s a penalty that always must be paid. If anyone commits a sin; if God is disobeyed, The person who committed it must be condemned to die. The price remains mandatory and to all it must apply. This can only happen when the blood of life is shed. When the blood has drained away, the victim will be dead. That’s the way God made us; life cannot carry on; If all the blood within us has drained away and gone. Put into simple language, in order to forgive, A sacrifice must shed its blood so that a man might live. The concept isn’t popular. Not in this day and time. Our people are too squeamish and baulk at all the grime, They think of in an abattoir; “It must be sanitised”! But monsters of iniquity can never be disguised. Perhaps I do not like it. But I’m not in control. The One Who really matters and Whom we all extol, Insists the blood of life is shed to pay for what we’ve done. And since it is essential, His One and Only Son Became the very sacrifice. He shed His blood for mine. To pay for our redemption; for His blood is divine. Which means it pays for all the sins of me and you and you And you and you and you and you; no other blood will do! If you say that it isn’t fair, my friend, you’ve got it right. Absolutely undeserved in anybody’s sight. But this is His decision. We are not asked to vote. So each and every one of us are in the selfsame boat. Of course you can refuse it. You don’t have to agree. But then you pay the price yourself for all eternity. I think we should accept it. Thank God we’re not condemned. Thank You Lord that by Your blood, our sentence You amend. Forgiven, cleansed and pardoned. It’s too good to be true. But that is what the blood of Christ has done for me and you. He became the sacrifice. The price He paid was high. He had to go to hell and back; to shed His blood and die. We cannot point a finger. Our pardon is complete. There’s no way we can add to it; For it’s designed to meet, The standards God demanded and each of us must pay. But Jesus paid the price in full on Calvary that day. Jim Strickland Written 14th May 2012