Time with Jesus - Monday, 28 May
2012
Hi all,
The race of life we are running
in is an extraordinary one. Paul tells us to run as to win. We are also told
that there is a “Crown of Life” laid up for the “ Over-comer”. So which one is
right? The answer is, both are true. A Christian must finishes the race. He/she
must also run to win. I've found in life that my opponent is me! That’s our
meditation
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Monday, 28 May 2012
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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©
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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
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©
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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FOREVER
NEAR
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Schooldays
were great fun. Getting to know the guys in the class and watching them
develop into manhood was an experience that’s hard to forget. Occasionally, I
look back at my old school photographs. I was with most of them for nine
years apart from the odd times when I was elsewhere at a different school.
The class photographs are a bit eerie! The same guys shown in short pants
with school socks and “toothy” smiles have grown up and are barely
recognisable. It’s not difficult to follow their and my development, adds a
touch of pathos to revisiting the photographs. Sadly some of them have died
far too young!
In
2009 most of us attended our 50 year matric reunion. That’s when the changes
were really obvious and “fallen comrades” were really missed. In an odd way
we remembered them best as we knew them years before. It’s easy to remember
the good times we had together. The bad times, when we had been in trouble at
school were not forgotten but were raised as something to laugh about.
At
our 50 year reunion we had a look at the sports team photographs. We found
that five members from the under-13 school rugby team were present. So we
took another picture. We doubted if any of us could “go the distance” in a 90
minute rugby match. Those of us present doubted that we could do well against
the current under-13 team. But it was fun.
I
was never much good at sport. A wee bit too large round the girth if you
follow my drift. A bit too timid for competitive rugby and not good at
athletics; the only sport I was any good at was cricket. Not good enough for
the first team so I was relegated to keeping wicket (rather badly) for the second
team. Since there were only two teams it wasn’t much of an achievement.
In
those days in school, sport was “played” for fun. Win or lose didn’t matter.
Winning was easy. Losing was a bit disappointing. But we were back in the
classroom on the Monday morning with another week in front of us. We had
enjoyed the exercise but the outcome was not critical.
In
real life after school, sport changed rapidly. The sporting attitudes
displayed so brilliantly in Chariots of Fire had passed away. That’s when I
first came across the phrase, “There are no prizes for coming second”. I felt
it was very unfair!
Then
I became a Christian. Suddenly I found that we are all in a competition. It’s
a lifetime marathon. The prize is given to everyone who finishes the course.
No prize for quitters! I found that my biggest competition came from me! Age,
health, size and gender didn’t matter. If you completed this marathon, you
received a crown of life! The Lord and His angels want us to finish the marathon.
They help wherever possible. Lord, please help me finish.
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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24 Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but
only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT
13 The loafer says,
"There's a lion on the loose! If I go out I'll be eaten
alive!"
Proverbs 22:13 MSG
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every
weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the
race that is set before us, 2 looking
to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at
the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, we need to cleanse ourselves from everything that
contaminates body and spirit and live a
holy life in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 GW
14 I press on toward the goal for
the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 ESV
26 So I run with purpose
in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training
it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that
after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NLT
31 Those who use the things of the world should not
become all wrapped up in them. The world as it
now exists is passing away.
1 Corinthians 7:31 NIrV
13 But according to his
promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness
dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since
you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot
or blemish, and at peace.
2 Peter 3:13-14 ESV
13 Therefore, your minds
must be clear and ready for action. Place your confidence completely in what
God's kindness will bring you when Jesus Christ appears again.
1 Peter 1:13 GW
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They all came to the stadium
the objective was to run,
The aged and the crippled all
thought it would be fun.
The little tiny children, the
old ones in wheel-chairs.
Men and women, boys and
girls. As singles and in pairs.
They didn’t look athletic.
The short, the fat, the tall.
No person was excluded; they
responded to the call.
If you looked closely at them,
you’d see that some were scared.
As though they were
attempting that which they hardly dared.
They came up to the starting line,
they knew they would succeed.
Others came reluctantly
afraid to do the deed.
The fittest ones stood at the
front. The others stood behind.
The sick, the lame and lazy,
the halt, the lame, the blind.
They were the strangest
people who thought “This can’t be done”!
And Our Lord and Saviour, set
off the starter’s gun.
The fastest of the runners
had wings upon their heels.
They shot off like a rocket
charged by their mighty zeal.
To run and keep on running so
they could win the prize.
And be some sort of “hero” in
everybody’s eyes.
Some started off so badly,
they’d hardly run a yard,
When they began to grumble
and say, “It’s far too hard”.
But, miracle of miracles,
though they were far from fit.
Not one of them decided that
it was time to quit.
Take a closer look at them
and tell me what you see.
Jesus and an angel were with
them constantly.
So as they found the
difficulty far too much to do.
They heard a word behind
them, “I’ll always be with you”.
And so it hardly mattered
that they could hardly cope.
For Jesus filled their being
with, love and faith and hope.
The first one reached the
finish line and Christ was standing there.
He gave to him a victor’s
crown. “I think this will take care
Of trials and tribulations,
you noticed in the race”
And then He gave the same
reward to him in second place.
At last all the contestants
had crossed the winning line.
“My good and faithful servant,
you really have done fine!
Your biggest competition, My
son, it came from you.
With all your disadvantages
you really couldn’t do,
The things which you had
wanted. But you have won the prize.
You didn’t come in last of
all and truly, in My eyes,
This crown of life is yours
to wear for you have overcome;
All that Satan tried to steal
from you; My “special son”.
I don’t reward the fastest,
just those who persevere.
So take your place with Me My
son. With you, I’m always near.
Jim Strickland
Written 28th May 2012 |
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