CHRISTIAN PRAYER

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 30 June 2012

Hi all,

Is there a right way and a wrong way to pray? The writer of Ecclesiastes seems to think so! ² Don't make rash promises, and don't be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2 NLT This seems very much to me to be warning about how we pray. It’s in today’s meditation.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 30 June 2012			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	CHRISTIAN PRAYER
About 30 years ago, Tim Le Haye published a book describing the various types of personalities found in people. He described four basic styles. I can’t remember the details. But what I did see was that people are very different. Some of us have a happy disposition. Others are sad. Melancholy is how it was described. It’s just as well. We all react differently to different situations. One of the best examples of this is Obadiah and Elijah. Obadiah was the servant of the Lord who hid 100 prophets of God in caves away from the eyes of king Ahab. He had a position of importance in Ahab’s court. Today we would probably call him “non-confrontational”. Elijah was different. It takes bold-faced courage to take on 400 prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel. Indeed, he knew that God was with him. A lesser man would have turned and run away.  Each served the Lord In his own way. This should not be a surprise. God had formed them in the womb to be exactly what they were. Elijah was bold and brash except for when he was running away from Jezebel. Obadiah was more reserved and easily intimidated. We need both types in God’s service today. When it comes to prayer, we also have many different types of “prayer warriors”. Warriors may be a misnomer, because the ranks of the “prayer warriors” in the 21st century appear to be mainly women. There’s nothing wrong with this. What women lack in physical strength, God compensates them with dedication and commitment to prayer. In this regard, it is said that in WW2, England was delivered from the hands of Hitler because of the prayers of devout women. The men were fighting physical battles. The women were engaged in spiritual battles. Since things always happen in the spirit before they happen in the flesh, the women brought the victory which the men subsequently reinforced. There is no doubt that personality influences how we pray. Some prayers are bold and brash like Elijah. Others are quiet and reserved like Obadiah. In between there are many other styles. Our personality reacts and responds in prayer in accordance with our “comfort zone”. This is not surprising. That’s how we have been made. At the same time, in all our prayer, there must be reverence for God. He is our Heavenly Father and loves His children with a passion we can hardly conceive. But that does not give us the right to be casual and flippant with Him! In the final analysis, He is God. I would never dare shout at my physical father. We loved each other, but I was always respectful. It is no different with God. We shout at dogs not at God. We should make no demands. There is a need for decorum. The arrogant Pharisee received nothing. The humble tax collector was justified. Which one describes you best? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			2 Don't shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think. Don't be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear. God's in charge, not you--the less you speak, the better. Ecclesiastes 5:2 MSG 7 "When you pray, do not keep talking on and on the way ungodly people do. They think they will be heard because they talk a lot. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need even before you ask him. Matthew 6:7-8 NIrV 26 They took the bull he gave them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon. They said, "Baal, answer us!" But there wasn't a sound or an answer. So they danced around the altar they had made. 1 Kings 18:26 GW 10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:10-14 ESV 1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." Luke 11:1 ESV	Often I’ve been puzzled when Christian people shout. It seems, when they are praying, there’s some kind of a doubt, About the Master hearing. But God is never deaf! He hears when a soprano sings her highest treble clef. Even a faint whisper; He hears it like a bell, Even through the screaming of everyone in Hell. Other complications are our methods and our ways. Clumping up and down the room and shouting out our praise, Doesn’t make an impact. He seeks sincerity, In all the supplications which come from you and me. Don’t be like the priests of Baal, who slashed themselves with knives; Shouting “Come and hear us and prove you are alive!” Then they shouted louder. Perhaps he’d gone away? Sleeping in his bedroom? Or on a holiday? All of it was useless. The thing these priests had missed, Was he was just deity who never did exist. But stomping round their altar was what they liked to do. All they got was exercise. Does this apply to you? Jesus told the story of two men who went to pray. One man was a Pharisee with lots and lots to say. His was all thanksgiving, for how good he had been, Full of self-importance for all he’d done and seen. The other man was humble; he saw that tax was paid. And when inside the temple, the man was sore afraid. He knew he was a sinner. “Have mercy Lord”! He cried. And when he went back home again, he went there justified. He didn’t look to heaven, he merely beat his chest. Because he had been lowly, is why he had been blessed. Jesus told His people just how they ought to pray. Go into your closet and lock yourself away. Pray to God in secret and surely you will see, The blessing of the Master descending upon thee. In a public meeting when you gather for prayer. If there’s only two of you, know Jesus Christ is there. Pray to God and listen to what He wants to say. Then you can be certain of what you have to pray. Let Him give directions. Let Him take the lead. And He will reward you by filling every need. Jim Strickland Written 30th June 2012

DEALING WITH SIN

Time with Jesus - Friday, 29 June 2012

Hi all,

Back in my Bible School days, one of my favourite teachers was Dr Ken Stewart. He commenced one of his series of teachings with the following: - “The elders here asked me to preach about sin. “God’s against it, The Bible’s against it and I’m against it. So let’s talk about Jesus!” I share his view. But there are times we have to talk about it. So today’s meditation is about dealing with sin.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Friday, 29 June 2012			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	DEALING WITH SIN
One of the “best descriptions” I’ve heard concerning sin is on a tape made many years ago by a Bible teacher called Paris Reidhead. This particular tape is sometimes called the “best Bible Teaching tape of the 20th century”. I can’t verify the validity of this. But I have a CD recording along with a typed transcript of that teaching. Speaking about humanism, Paris said that it was “like a miasma that seeps up out of the gratings over the pit of hell”. His theology may not be right, but I must confess that it’s a very good comment on humanism and on sin. Sin is insidious. It seems to arrive unannounced, unwelcome and unknown. We have all heard about inherent sin. This is our sin nature. We are born with it “written into our genes” as it were. That beautiful little new-born baby has a tendency to sin. The child may not be aware of it. But it won’t be necessary to teach him to lie. He can do it without any “sin lessons”. That little baby is capable of being a monster of iniquity. If left unchecked and without correct guidance, we have a potential Hitler in our midst. Sin has the potential of developing in us. Perhaps the best example of this is the guards in the Nazi Death Camps. After committing horrendous atrocities during the day they would go home and play with their children. Love their wives and pets and sing Christmas Carols. It was possible because they had grown used to behaving like monsters in the camp. There was no longer a sense of revulsion in them toward what they were doing. It was their jobs which they performed with typical Teutonic dedication. This is not to be understood as a criticism of the German people. The fact is all of us can quickly descend into the depths of barbaric cruelty. We see a similar trend in serial killers. The first murder is carried out with fear of the consequences. The second murder is a little easier. Eventually, murder for them is like buying an ice cream. It’s done without regret or remorse of any kind. Sin is exactly like that. At first we find it difficult. Then, as the transgression is repeated, it becomes automatic and hardly noticed. God help us when we get there. We could arrive at a place where our conscience is so seared that we don’t even realise what we are doing is sin. Fortunately, or unfortunately, God is not like this. He never gets unimpressed by repeated sin. If anything He gets angrier with each repetition. He hates sin with a passion that we can hardly understand. All sin. He is equally angry with murder as with telling lies. But He had a “problem”. He loves us and hates our sin. For you and me it’s a catch 22 situation. He will judge each and every sin. Nothing is swept under the carpet. His “anger” with sin is “equal” to His love for me and you. Somehow He had to reconcile these two all-consuming opposites. He has done this in and through the death of Jesus on the cross. Righteousness and mercy have met and kissed. In the light of this, He is able to forgive us. His justice is completely satisfied and we are able to receive His mercy. But this does not give us a licence to continue in sin. Sin demands repentance. No repentance, no forgiveness. It’s that simple. He is able and willing to forgive us from all our sins. He says He will remember our sins no more. That’s His part. Our part is to repent and turn away from sin. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my rebellious ways. Remember me, O LORD, in keeping with your mercy and your goodness. Psalms 25:7 GW 22 I made your rebellious acts disappear like a thick cloud and your sins like the morning mist. Come back to me, because I have reclaimed you. Isaiah 44:22 GW 25 "I am the one who wipes out your lawless acts. I do it because of who I am. I will not remember your sins anymore. Isaiah 43:25 NIrV 18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18 ESV 34 A man will not need to teach his neighbour anymore. And he will not need to teach his friend anymore. He will not say, 'Know the LORD.' Everyone will know me. From the least important of them to the most important, all of them will know me," announces the LORD. "I will forgive their evil ways. I will not remember their sins anymore." Jeremiah 31:34 NIrV 19 Once again You will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under Your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! Micah 7:19 NLT 17 I'm sure it was for my benefit that I suffered such great pain. You love me. You kept me from going down into the pit of death. You have put all of my sins behind your back. Isaiah 38:17 NIrV 18 Who is a God like you? You forgive sin and overlook the rebellion of your faithful people. You will not be angry forever, because you would rather show mercy. Micah 7:18 GW 5 May grace and peace come to you from Jesus Christ. What Jesus gives witness to can always be trusted. He was the first to rise from the dead. He rules over the kings of the earth. Give glory and power to the One who loves us! He has set us free from our sins by pouring out his blood for us. 6 He has made us members of his royal family. He has made us priests who serve his God and Father. Give him glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:5-6 NIrV	I’m sure God has a problem when He looks down on us. He sees the creatures He has made all making quite a fuss. It seems we do not listen. He tells us what to do. But we pay no attention; at least not me and you. We cannot spot His meaning so rather like a cat, We give a look that tells Him, we are not doing that. Sometimes we are like canines. We spin around and bark; And when He tells us what to do, it seems we do not “hark” Why is it we don’t listen? Why is it we ignore, The Master’s strict instructions? To listen is a chore! Thank You for Your mercy. You know the mess we’re in; And when we do not listen, we know it is a sin. But we are not “sin conscious”, instead our minds are seared. With You we’ve grown familiar, and You are not revered. In fact we rather like it. We look at sin as “fun”. We’re playing Russian roulette with a fully loaded gun! Why should I even bother? There’s folk much worse than me. I am a special sinner the blood of Christ set free. But God is not a prostitute. We cannot “use” His grace’. We do not have a licence to sin in any place. We know You want to wash us, clean as the driven snow. But change is inconvenient. Can we not take it slow? And here’s the contradiction; You’re wanting to forgive. But find You cannot do it, because we want to live, Just like the unsaved sinners whom we see all around. We lie and steal and cheat and kill. In us there is not found, A tiny speck of righteousness; except that of our own. And we should reap the consequence of all that we have sown. But Lord, You are forgiving. We only have to turn; To put aside iniquity. That’s what we have to learn. And though our sin is scarlet, You’ll wash us white as snow. If we’ll come in repentance, forgiveness we will know. You overlook rebellion in someone who’s contrite. You’ve said you won’t remember, things not done in Your light! Our sins You will dispose of into the deep blue sea. If we will turn and come back home and put our trust in Thee. Our sins will then be blown away just like the morning mist Righteousness and mercy will both have met and kissed.       Ps 85:10 And we will gaze in wonder at the marvel of your ways, In total incredulity. And Father, we will praise, The God of our salvation in wonder and in awe. You are the One Who’s worthy; the God Whom we adore. Jim Strickland  Written 29th June 2012

PEER PRESSURE

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 28 June 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is about Peer Pressure and what it can do to us. Very often it’s a question of “Monkey see, monkey do!” Except that no human being is a monkey! Jesus warned about this in the end times. We want to be like all the other “Christians”. So we succumb to doing what others do and listen to what others say. Check out what people say by looking at God’s Word.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 28 June 2012			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	PEER PRESSURE
Peer pressure. It’s one of the greatest challenges we will ever face. I started smoking while I was still a schoolboy because all my “mates” were doing it. It’s a bit of a contradiction. Young people want to be different. Different from the rest of society. So they start doing things which are different. In my days it was the “duck-tail” haircut for the boys. Within a short space of time, all our “mates” also had “duck-tail” hair. (Baldness was not a problem for young men in those days) So we end up looking the same as all the others who want to be different. We have it today in our schools. Drugs are taken because everyone else is doing it. We were trying to keep up with the other boys. Today, the girls have sex with the boys because, if they remain virgins, they will be out of step with the other girls in the class. That’s peer pressure! In my matric year, one of the guys got a motor scooter. He used it to and from School. It ignited the “green eyed monster” in us and we all wanted one. Another guy had a “Bubble Car” (remember them?) Almost immediately we also wanted one. One guy got a girlfriend. We all wanted one too! Suddenly, life was all about keeping up with the Jones’ even though the Jones’ didn’t always exist. In Christianity there is a serious problem with peer pressure. Thirty years ago we had the “Name it, claim it and frame it” brigade. Actually it was very presumptuous. On reflection I sometimes wonder whether we were there to serve God or He was there to serve us! We would, stand on the Covenant promises of God and demand He do what we were asking! Things are not grossly different today. The prosperity message has taken the people by storm. So if we have a ministry we must look the part! “Pastors” drive round in flashy expensive cars. They wear silk shirts and expensive suits because “God’s man must never look poor”. He must look prosperous. The fact that he does it at tremendous cost to his flock is thought to be normal. “They may learn from me that God can afford my lifestyle”. Oddly enough, Jesus didn’t do this and He is the Son of God. So charlatans with oratorical ability prey on the flock and acquire great wealth at the expense of the people. It’s reached the point in Limpopo Province evangelists are shunned. Why? Because one man toured the area and told them that if they put a certain amount in the offering, they would be millionaires in three weeks! He left town with their money. Not one of them are millionaires over a year later! This shouldn’t surprise us. Jesus warned about this in the last days. The question is, what are we going to do about it? We can continue to preach the simple Gospel Jesus proclaimed and look out for thieves and robbers. “By their fruit you will know them” said Jesus. So let’s all see what men do rather than what men say! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			1 The Holy Spirit clearly says that in the last days some people will leave the faith. They will follow spirits that will fool them. They will believe things that demons will teach them. 1 Timothy 4:1 NIrV 18 "So pay attention to how you listen! Those who understand these mysteries will be given more knowledge. However, some people don't understand these mysteries. Even what they think they understand will be taken away from them." Luke 8:18 GW 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NASB 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; Ephesians 6:16 ESV 165 Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psalms 119:165 TNIV 103 How sweet Your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. 104 Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. 105 Nun Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:103-105 NLT 99 I know more than all of my teachers do, because I spend time thinking about your covenant laws. Psalms 119:99 NIrV 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8 ESV	The Holy Spirit tells us, in the last day’s there’ll be fakes. People who speak “Christian talk” but actually are flakes. They have been deluded; they think that they are right But all the things they say and do are evil in God’s sight. Motivation’s everything in all they say and do. They’re building up their ministry and friend they’re using you. Their motive isn’t Jesus, it’s money in the bank They cast out demons in His name; but who they really thank, Is Mammon and His partners, avarice and greed A big cheque in the offering is what they really need. O yes! They’ll are convincing. And even the “elect” Can easily be turned away. They are an evil sect. We must be very fussy about whom we will hear. Stand aside and look at them and see who they appear. First look at their lifestyle and how they love their mate. If it’s inconsistent, don’t enter a debate. If they truly love the Lord, their Christianity, Will be the sort of lifestyle that Jesus wants to see. Are they rich and flashy and all their people poor? Then get up and leave them. You can be very sure That they are just self-serving. They’re in it for the fame They may all speak of Jesus but it is the devil’s game What about their workers. How much is it they’re paid. It it’s on the ‘bread-line’, be terribly afraid. Get out and get out quickly, or you may be sucked in. And find that you are serving the devil and his sin. If in doubt, don’t do it. From Christ don’t turn away. You’ve had plenty warning your part is to obey. Not the clever orator who has a way with words You’re sure to find his teaching is strictly “for the birds” Check out every statement with what is written down If it isn’t Biblical, get up and leave that “clown”! He may look like an angel all clothed in dazzling light. Just dig a little deeper; his words will have the “blight”. For if you hear a gospel that isn’t what we taught. The Lord Himself will curse him and he will come to naught. So let His Spirit lead you; and you will stay away From all of the false teachers and all the lies they say. Jim Strickland – Written 28th June 2012