LOVE DISCIPLINE!

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 01 August 2012

Hi all,

Most of us strongly dislike pain. The dentist’s chair is seldom a place where we feel completely comfortable. Not that he would hurt us; he dos his very best to make sure he doesn’t. Even so most of us don’t like it. My Dad used to say, “You’re afraid of the death you’ll never see”. But pain does have advantages as we see in our meditation.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 01 August 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	LOVE DISCIPLINE!
Have you ever thought that pain is a blessing from the Lord? One of the reasons why I ask this, is because of something we saw a week or so ago. We saw a baby who did not experience pain. This child bit off a piece of his own tongue and was not aware that it had happened. I also recall seeing a video of a child who had badly burned her hand. So badly, her hand looked blackened and charred. The young girl was unaware of what had happened. The danger was losing her hand. Fortunately doctors managed to save it. Pain is also an excellent trainer. We hear of people “pushing through the pain barrier” in order to achieve an objective. Olympic athletes have demonstrated this on many occasions. They “push” themselves almost beyond endurance so that they will achieve their very best. They do it for fame, the medal and their country – not necessarily in that order. The twentieth and twenty-first centuries have been times when people think they are cleverer than God. As a result, people who discipline their children by spanking are considered dangerous, unfit parents. Some Mom’s and Dad’s have been prosecuted for disciplining their children, In some instances; children have been taken away from their parents. The courts find it difficult to distinguish between discipline and brutalisation. Children should never be abused. But discipline is essential if a child is to grow up and take his or her place in a balanced, law abiding society. God’s instructions to parents are clear. Three examples from Proverbs are quoted below. 24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. Proverbs 13:24 NLT - 15 Foolishness is firmly attached to a child's heart. Spanking will remove it far from him. Proverbs 22:15 GW - 13 Don't fail to discipline your children. They won't die if you spank them. 14 Physical discipline may well save them from death. Proverbs 23:13-14 NLT The foolishness of taking away discipline from parents and society is very evident in Western culture. Children have no respect for authority. The classrooms are filled with children who are rude and abusive to teachers. The streets have become dangerous for the elderly. Other people’s property is not respected and damaged. A well-known example occurred in London recently. Children, mainly teenagers, went on the rampage, burning and looting businesses. There is little doubt that, the tragic death of students at Columbine High in USA where juvenile gunmen shot their fellow students is a classic example of what can happen when discipline is disregarded. The murder of young people in Norway and a similar incident in a Colorado movie house is typical of what happens when discipline is removed from society. My Dad was not exactly a disciplinarian. But when he or Mom spoke, there was no question in my mind whether or not to ignore them. I loved my parents and deeply regret their passing. They loved me enough to discipline me when they considered warranted. Phyllida and I have followed their example. Our children thrived within defined boundaries. God’s instructions are clear. Let’s just do what He says! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			11 We give great honour to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. James 5:11 NLT 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; Psalms 103:13 TNIV 4 He has made his miracles unforgettable. The LORD is merciful and compassionate. 5 He provides food for those who fear him. He always remembers his promise. Psalms 111:4-5 GW 3 He won't let you stumble, your Guardian God won't fall asleep. 4 Not on your life! Israel's Guardian will never doze or sleep. Psalms 121:3-4 MSG 11 Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreads its wings to catch them, and carries them on its feathers, 12 so the LORD alone led his people. No foreign god was with him. Deuteronomy 32:11-12 GW 22 the LORD'S mercy. We were not completely wiped out. His compassion is never limited. 23 It is new every morning. His faithfulness is great. Lamentations 3:22-23 GW 14 When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt deep concern for them. He healed their sick people. Matthew 14:14 NIrV 8 For Jesus doesn't change--yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself. Hebrews 13:8 MSG 29 What is the price of two sparrows--one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 NLT	“I think that this will hurt me far more than it hurts you”. That’s what my father told me when he was going to do, Something rather painful and make my bottom sting. But just before he did so, that “platitude” he’d bring. I don’t know where he got it from. I thought it was a lie. Once when I suggested it, a tear was in his eye. He wiped it with a handkerchief; his face began to burn; That’s when I learned a lesson that everyone must learn. Always take your punishment and face it like a man. The stinging wasn’t permanent; My rear end got a “tan”. But actually I’d earned it for doing what I did; Then was very careful to do what I was bid. A generation later, my kids were on the scene. I began to treat them the way my Dad had been. The words were not identical but bottoms just as sore, As anything I’d known about, back in the days of yore. Then I began to realise that what my dad had said. It wasn’t just a “platitude” to rumble round my head. There really was no pleasure, in bringing discipline, Provided that it rectified the trouble they were in. I didn’t want to do it. Why make my children sore? But if I didn’t do it, somehow it hurt me more! It wasn’t “retribution” that I was meeting out. It was to bring correction and make their “backbone” stout. There was another factor. I didn’t mean them harm. And so I had to wait until the pair of us were calm. To do it in a temper would harm the child far more. And I was bringing discipline, not “evening the score”. I also learned a lesson. The mood that I was in, Influenced the way I looked upon my children’s “sin”. I couldn’t be consistent. Sometimes I was severe. I felt like I should “thrash them”! That’s when I shed a tear. I didn’t want to harm them, but discipline was due; And if I lost my temper! – Lord, help me be like You. Compassionate and merciful and discipline in love. Not to dish out punishment, but with a velvet glove. Enough to give a warning and not their spirit break. Sufficient to encourage them; and help them to forsake, That which brought the discipline. Lord, take control of me. A “monster” that beats children, I do not want to be. Lord I need Your faithfulness Your tenderness and care; To be the sort of Christian You can send anywhere. Who will not harm his children, but will correct their way, So when they too are adults, their children will obey. Jim Strickland Written 1st August 2012

MATHEMATICS?

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 31 July 2012

Hi all,

Today we have a look at logic, mathematics and the Scripture. What can maths have to do with Scripture? Well, God speaks of “unity”. Maths also speaks of unity. What’s the difference? That’s our meditation

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 31 July 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	MATHEMATICS?
Logic was never exactly my strength. Perhaps it was my sense of the macabre that influenced this. People would say that something was “so”. I would scratch my head and try and assimilate what I was being told. Then, after a quiet chuckle to myself, I would nod my head knowingly and think that if that’s what they wanted me to think, why not? Living under the apartheid regime, I became aware of things we were supposed to do, but didn’t. For me it was a total contradiction that black people were not allowed to live outside their “homelands”. Then the same legislators would hire domestic servants who had to live “on the property” in order to work the required hours. For me this was not only illogical, but hypocritical. What I found was that logic had little to do with reality and everything to do with politics. At School they would give us statements and ask if the conclusion was logical. For example we were asked to look at a quotation and say if it was correct. The statement was: - All Fords are motorcars. That is a motor car. Therefore it’s a Ford. It didn’t take long to spot the flaw in this “logic”. Logic fell apart when it came to Christianity. We were taught, quite correctly, that we were all “children of God”. But when it came to church attendance, there were different buildings for different ethnic groups. So although we all had the same God and were all equal in His eyes, some of us were more equal than others. Strangely enough, even after the collapse of the apartheid government, the old systems didn’t fall quite as quickly. The old system had kept apart the “rich white minority”” from the “poor black majority”. The result was that although in theory anyone could come and go as they wished the distinction between rich and poor had more to do with race than anything else. Phyllida and I remarked on the fact that sadly, although the country’s motto was “Unity is Strength”, there was very little unity in South Africa. In those days, Phyllida and I were living in Worcester taking care of a small congregation for the Methodist Church. Our superintendent was Rev Joe Mpanza. He was responsible for all the Methodist Churches in our circuit. But the workload for him was impossible. So he more or less left us to our own devices with the small “white” and large “coloured” congregations. Theoretically, in April 1994, all this changed. Legally there was unity. But in practice we remained unchanged. Very quickly, we learned that you cannot legislate unity. You cannot compel people to come together. The best you can do is set the example in your own life and in your relationship with others. But the whole thing was a minefield. Everybody was looking at everyone else trying to spot flaws in character and behaviour. They were easy to spot. Our cultural differences seemed to be gigantic. The hurts of the past were astronomical. I remember talking to an elderly coloured gentleman. He told me with tears in his eyes how he went to work one morning and found he was no longer permitted to use the footbridge over the railway line. It was for “Europeans Only”. There were many similar stories. Somehow we had to work our way through this. To this day we believe that Jesus Christ empowered us to embrace each other. No, it wasn’t easy. But it was very much worthwhile. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			3MATHEMATICS? Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; Ephesians 4:3-4 TNIV 18 Through Christ we both come to the Father by the power of one Holy Spirit. 19 So you are no longer strangers and outsiders. You are citizens together with God's people. You are members of God's family. 20 You are a building that is built on the apostles and prophets. They are the foundation. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in the building. 21 The whole building is held together by him. It rises to become a holy temple because it belongs to the Lord. 22 And because you belong to him, you too are being built together. You are being made into a house where God lives through his Spirit. Ephesians 2:18-22 NIrV A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David. 1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! 2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. 3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the LORD has pronounced His blessing, even life everlasting. Psalms 133:1-3 NLT 22 Love each other with a warm love that comes from the heart. After all, you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth. As a result you have a sincere love for each other. 1 Peter 1:22 GW	I know when I was very young; I had to go to school. And in that fine establishment, I learned the golden rule. They said what was important, and that I had to learn. So when my schooldays ended, I could go out and earn, Sufficient in the first place for just supporting me. And then a little later, for all my family. I didn’t really grasp it. I knew we needed cash. But never that without it, my life on earth would crash! That this was fundamental; and no one was excluded. The fact is, that if finances are totally denuded, The outlook for the future was best thought of as bleak. And that the way to put it right, was for a job to seek. They taught me mathematics, that one plus one is two. But that was not sufficient. I also had to do, Many things with figures – I don’t mean female shapes. But adding and subtracting and other mental japes. Like messing on with fractions to find the LCM. But through the intervening years I can’t remember them. I learned about log-tables and trigonometry. About a man called Euclid and his geometry, About the hippopotamus, and sons of all the squaws; Pythagoras discovered it along with other laws. I started with the calculus and differentiation. And that there’s nothing racial, when we speak of integration. I also loved the Scripture and knew about St Paul; Of Adam and King David and of mankind’s dreadful fall. I learned about Christ Jesus and His victory on the cross. And wondered why they said He’d won. To me it looked like loss! Then I got very puzzled for one and one was two. At least that’s what the teacher had said was always true. But then I found a problem, which mathematically, Seemed a contradiction of what was taught to me. I found from God’s perspective that one plus one was one. That’s when it seemed impossible for me to carry on. The point is. God was speaking about our unity. But I’d been taught in college, that mathematically, That unity was number one. That one and one made two. But God had contradicted our mathematics view! That one, plus one, plus one, plus one equates to unity. It’s only in my golden years that this makes sense to me! God wasn’t speaking numbers, but linking human hearts. For it’s in our agreement, that unity first starts. And when we’re all likeminded, we’ll certainly agree, That one plus one, plus Jesus is always unity! Jim Strickland Written 31st July 2012

Nicodemus’ Soliloquy

Time with Jesus - Monday, 30 July 2012

Hi all,

I called this meditation “Nicodemus’ Soliloquy”. My intention was to try and get inside Nicodemus’ head and show how he managed to meet Jesus in a quiet place at night. I do not claim this to be fact. It’s just my thoughts on the circumstances associated with that extraordinary meeting. We often miss the fact that Nicodemus was acknowledged to be the most respected teacher of the Old Testament in Judah. ¹⁰ "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? John 3:10 TNIV Perhaps this illustrates why, from Nicodemus’ point of view, the meeting needed to be in secret. What is equally astonishing is that Jesus agreed. It sheds new light on the graciousness of our Master. He will meet us anywhere. Even when we are scared of what the personal consequences to ourselves might mean, He will meet us. Only God Himself would do that!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give			Time with Jesus – Monday, 30 July 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							©
	Nicodemus’ Soliloquy (1 & 2)			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	Nicodemus’ Soliloquy (3 & 4)
"I'm known as the man Nicodemus; A teacher of thousands of Jews. The people know me, As a strict Pharisee. With rigid, inflexible view; A member of the Sanhedrin; That governs the Lord's promised land. With astute consecration, We've led the whole nation, By God, the Almighty's command. For years I've been highly regarded As expert in all of our law. I can quote all the book, Of our Pentateuch; 'Cause I memorised it years before; With all of our religious traditions, Written to keep us all pure. The smallest detail, I've kept without fail. The favours of God to ensure. For many years I have been feeling, Religion just tear me apart. It's been almost as though, I just have to let go, Of an emptiness deep in my heart. Then, somebody mentioned a teacher, Who seemed to be getting a name. He was meetings men's needs, By miraculous deeds, Such as healing the blind and the lame. They told me His name was called Jesus; A Nazarene carpenter's son; And the things that He taught, And the healings He wrought, In the Name of Jehovah were done. Now this made me very determined And eager to take a brief look, To see if He would, Do the things that He should. Or prove He was only a crook!		It could be that He's the Messiah, Of whom all our prophets foretold. I wanted to know, So decided to go, This Galilean to behold. Initially, there was no problem, In studying Him from the crowd. I watched Him this way, For many a day. As close as my office allowed! The things I observed were amazing; Beyond all my power to record. And each little act, Denoted the fact, Of the favour He has with the Lord. I knew that I had to get closer. I couldn't continue at bay; And the nearer I got, It was clearer to spot; This Person had something to say! But coming in close brought the danger, That I was more easily seen. It just might be thought, That I gave Him support, And the consequences that could mean. After all, what about my position; And my place on the Council to boot? I just couldn't afford, To give any accord, That my colleagues might later refute. So I sent off a few trusted servants, With a charge to examine His past. Perhaps they would find, That He is the kind, With a history to leave men aghast!		50 Then Nicodemus, a Pharisee, spoke. He was the one who had gone (by night) to Jesus earlier. He asked, John 7:50 NIrV 58 Not too far away, Peter followed Jesus. He went right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see what would happen. Matthew 26:58 NIrV 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. John 12:42-43 ESV 25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety. Proverbs 29:25 NLT 37 Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to me. John 6:37 GW 3 He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. Isaiah 42:3 NLT 20 "You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. " Matthew 17:20 NLT 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 2 Timothy 1:7-8 ESV 28 And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when He returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from Him in shame. 1 John 2:28 NLT 32 "Everyone who acknowledges Me publicly here on earth, I’ll also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32 NLT	But when they came back and reported; They told me that very few men, Had a past half as clean; As this one's had been. There was nothing for which to condemn. There was only a sort of a rumour That one or two people had said. It was sort of believed, That He'd been conceived, By a virgin before she was wed! There was also that time in the Temple, When He had been only a lad. When the priests of the day, Were impressed by the way, He applied all the knowledge He had. As an infant He'd visited Egypt. 'Though He was in Bethlehem born. Apart from all this, There was nothing amiss, That was worthy of any man's scorn. But this was far better than nothing, And confirmed what I already knew. For I'd already guessed, That He'd pass the test, Without any scandal in view. So I have been procrastinating, For quite the best part of a week. Hoping we'd meet, In some quiet back street; That would give an occasion to speak. But that was unlikely to happen. This fact I just had to embrace. To talk with this Man, I must needs make a plan, To meet in some suitable place.		So yesterday, I sent a message, With a person I knew as discreet; To ask with persuasion, To set an occasion, Where we could both secretly meet. He answered with great understanding. The venue suggested concurred; And to keep out of sight, He would meet me at night, If that was the time I preferred. So now  I am here to meet Jesus; And ask Him to show me the truth. Do all of our rites, Make us good in the sight, Of the God I have served since my youth? Perhaps it is true that God's Kingdom, Does inwardly come to abide? Have I been included, Or simply deluded, By ritual, tradition and pride? There's so many thing I must ask Him, The moment He walks through that door; And I'll stay here all night. If He'll show me what's right, The Kingdom of God to explore. So here I am; patiently waiting To speak to this man I admire! Perhaps I will find, That I've really been blind, And He is God's chosen Messiah! What is that? Do I really hear footsteps? Is the moment I've longed for now here? Thank God it is Him! Now where to begin? Oh Lord, help my mind to stay clear! "Rabbi, we know You're a teacher; And that from Jehovah You've come! For the signs that we see, Are not man's agency, And only through God can be done!" The last verse above quotes Nicodemus' final words before the discussion with Jesus commences in John 3:3  He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." John 3:2 NIV
					Jim Strickland Written 1984