THE BLOOD OF JESUS

Time with Jesus - Monday, 14 May 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is all about the blood of Jesus. Never mind the high priced detergents on the market. They may work for clothes. But they can never provide deep cleansing of the soul from sin. Furthermore, only Jesus’ blood can cleanse our conscience. Derek Prince called the Blood of Jesus “God’s Atomic Bomb”. Just one drop is sufficient to cleanse humanity from sin. That’s deep cleansing as it should be.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Time with Jesus – Monday, 14 May 2012
INTRODUCTION	DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE BLOOD OF JESUS
Ever since my teens I’ve like 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. But 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