Time with Jesus - Monday, 19
December 2011
Hi all,
Back
in the days of Springbok radio, there was a programme I loved. It was called, “twenty
questions”. There was a team of three or four men (always men as far as I
remember) There was a Question Master and a mystery voice. The mystery voice
would tell the listeners the “object” e.g. a telephone. The question master
would then tell the team what the object was in terms of animal, mineral or vegetable.
Sometime the object would be “abstract”. A tune would be “abstract” because it
could not be classified as animal, mineral or vegetable. The team was then
given 20 questions to identify the object. To my amazement they identified the
object in less than 20 questions. In fact they managed to give the right answer
most of the time. It wasn't long before I realised that abstract things are
difficult to describe.
Christianity
also has things that are hard to describe. “Love” is a good example. How can it
be described? It has strong connections with “animal” In fact minerals and
vegetables can’t love. (I understand that some “animals” love vegetables - But
I digress) However, I can love my wife. I can also love God. So love could be
described as “abstract with animal connections”?
Today’s
meditation looks at behaviour and our relationship with God. It’s very much “abstract
with strong animal connections”. It’s not easy to express. So if today’s verse
and rhyme appear to be a bit “abstract with human connections”, don’t be
surprised. Bear in mind that love is a lifestyle. Likewise, walking with God in
obedience to Him is abstract. The problem is putting behaviour and our
relationship with God into action.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland.
LIGHT FROM DARKNESS
Light shines
in the darkness for the upright in the Lord;
They’re gracious
and compassionate and great is their reward.
Those who
walk in righteousness, the Lord will not despise.
He will
vindicate them in everybody’s eyes!
Lord, You are
my helper; My Master and my King!
On those who
would condemn me, the grapes of wrath You’ll bring.
They’ll wear
out like a garment that moths have chewed away.
They’ll
stumble in the darkness and won’t see the light of day.
The Lord
delights in people who listen to His voice;
Who do the
things He tells them; and follow Him by choice.
He does let
them stumble; He takes them by the hand,
And leads
them through the darkness, into the Promised Land.
You treat us
like a Father; we do the things You say.
You treat us
like the Mother we are eager to obey!
We carry your
instructions, like a cord around the neck.
We follow in
Your footsteps and use Your Word to check,
That
everything we’re doing conforms with Your desire.
For being
with the Master has set our hearts on fire.
We know about
the dangers of immorality;
We keep away
from prostitutes wherever they may be.
We praise You
for Your discipline, although at times it’s sore.
You do it for
our benefit that sin shall reign no more.
You are a God
of Justice. You always do what’s right.
No man can
run away from your all perceiving sight.
My enemies
have shamed me. At least that’s what they thought.
But You are
right beside me so their curses come to naught!
For surely
You’re omniscient; Your eyes don’t miss a thing.
I’m sure to
be rewarded, while unto You I cling.
Your eyes
will see their downfall and they will be ashamed.
No longer
will they look at me, as someone to be blamed.
They’ll put
away their taunting and admit that I was right;
And say I am
not guilty in God the Father’s sight!
They’ll make
the declaration that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The only One
who’s worthy to be worshiped and adored.
Jim Strickland – Written 19th December
2011
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