FOREVER LOVE

Time with Jesus - Friday, 11 May 2012

Hi all,

This morning we take a brief look at the Greatest Love Story this world has ever known. Never mind Shakespeare, Mills and Boon or any other book we have read. The Greatest love story is the Bible. A description of how God reaches out to mankind. It’s an extraordinary story in which you and I play a minor role. Read it and see!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Time with Jesus – Friday, 11 May 2012
INTRODUCTION	DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	FOREVER LOVE
Yesterday we had a brief look at the inerrancy of God’s Word. It was mentioned that “shot-gun” theology is nonsense. You cannot stuff a whole bunch of various texts into your Gospel shot-gun and fire it at people. Every verse of Scripture must be carefully examined to insure we don’t make it say the opposite of what it means. One of my favourite comments on this is to point out that when Jesus says He is the “gate” we don’t start looking at Him to find “handles” and “hinges”! Quoting the Lord Jesus, John states: 27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 NLT We know that Jesus is talking about His followers. They hear Him. Of course the implication is if you don’t hear Him, you are not one of His. Generally speaking this is true. However, many Christians do hear His voice but don’t recognise that He is speaking. Sadly, many are not taught how to do so. Don’t be surprised, the entire Sunday service mentality militates against this. All that’s normally required is to go and listen to the preacher. He does the hearing and he will tell you all about it. The body of Christ needs to scrap this attitude of dependence on a man and start listening to God’s voice personally. Is this dangerous? Absolutely! But hearing His voice is not optional. It’s each individual’s responsibility. Today’s Scripture looks at this. Examples are taken from Song of Solomon and 1st Samuel. (Samuel himself). What I have found is that God wants to speak to us. We believe He loves us. This being the case, surely He wants to speak to us. I’m mortal and love talking to those whom I love. Surely God, the perfect “person”, wants to talk to those whom He loves and love Him? The Bible is the World’s Greatest Love Story. The story of God pursuing men and women who have no interest in Him and refuse to love Him. In the very heart of the Bible, God has placed one of the most beautiful stories of the relationship between a young man and a young woman. Called the Song of Solomon it describes their love for each other in clear, intimate and touching detail. So beautiful is this story that it is almost impossible to describe. To do so would be sacrilege. We cannot deal with it adequately. What I can say is that the Jewish people speak of this book as the “Holy of Holies”. I believe they are correct. In today’s meditation I’ve taken some aspects concerning hearing the voice of the Shepherd. It’s continues with how Phyllida and I see Christian marriage. It culminates with the relationship between Jesus and His bride. Stunning! Jim & Phyllida Strickland	26 But you don't believe Me because you are not My sheep. 27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:26-27 NLT 20 "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with Me on My throne, just as I was victorious and sat with My Father on His throne. Revelation 3:20-21 NLT 2 I slept, but my heart was awake, when I heard my lover knocking and calling: "Open to me, my treasure, my darling, my dove, my perfect one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night." Song of Solomon (SoS) 5:2 NLT 6 I opened to my lover, but he was gone! My heart sank. I searched for him but could not find him anywhere. I called to him, but there was no reply. Song of Solomon (SoS) 5:6 NLT 10 And the LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Speak, your servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3:10 NLT 5 When Jesus came by, He looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" He said. "Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today." 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. Luke 19:5-6 NLT 8 I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for He speaks peace to His faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Psalms 85:8 NLT	Have you heard from Jesus? I think perhaps you should! He says His sheep are listening. Do you think you could, Listen to the Shepherd, for if you do you’ll hear, The sound of Jesus speaking into your inner ear. He says His sheep will follow Him. They’ll go where He will go. The sound of any other voice, they surely will not know. Even when they’re gathered in some great, gigantic flock, They’ll hear Him when He’s speaking. No other sounds can block, The calling of the Shepherd. They’ll hear Him instantly. And go where He is leading. That’s where they want to be. They answer when He’s knocking. They open wide the door. They share a meal together, thrilled to the very core. That He has spoken to them. They don’t want Him to leave. They never want to stray from Him. They would far rather cleave, The way a faithful husband clings closely to his wife. The thought of separation? - not in this present life! They listen like a lover listens for the call, Of someone who’s so precious He is her all in all. This is reciprocated. His passion for her love, Exceeds His expectations. It’s over and above, All he has imagined in all His wildest dreams. They must stay forever, eternally - it seems! She’d love Him forever, He wouldn’t go away. She would give Him everything. She’d honour and obey, The man she was committed to with every ounce of strength. He was also willing, to go to any length, To see that she was satisfied in each and every way. They’d be joined in covenant right from that very day. He would lay His life down; even be crucified, To demonstrate His love for her; his woman, wife and bride. She would be responsive and listen like a sheep, Knowing that His love for her was long and wide and deep. He would call her darling and she would call Him Lord; Someone to be worshipped, hallowed and adored. Dedicate her life to Him and always do Him good; Just the way a faithful wife continually should. And in this commitment where one plus one is one, They would spend eternity; or until God has gone! Jim Strickland – Written 11th May 2012