THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ACTION

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 17 July 2012

Hi all,

This morning I’ve tried a slightly different style. There are nine Scriptures with 2 “truncated limericks” per Scripture. It was worth a try, but presents difficulties with available space for a one page meditation. The net result is small printing which may be difficult to read. The fact that most of the Scriptures touched on the Holy Spirit was very helpful for me. I hope and pray that the Lord will touch you through this meditartion.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 17 July 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ACTION
Talking about Father Christmas among Christians is a bit like discussing the merits of eating pork in a synagogue! Unless you are careful, you will get shot down in flames. Some Christians are highly offended because “we are teaching our children to believe a deliberate lie”. I’ve heard it said many times and must confess that there are many facts to support this. Unless of course you have a wild imagination. Then, perhaps like me you can suggest in some ways, Father Christmas is a bit like Jesus Christ. Jesus doesn’t have reindeer and a sleigh. But if you look at Ezekiel Chapter 1, you will find that the Lord is transported in something almost indescribable. I think the average child could “cut his teeth” on reindeer and a sleigh, then move on to Ezekiel’s vision. The other thing about Christmas is that Father Christmas brings presents for little boys and girls. He always asks them if they have been good. I completely bomb out there! According to Jesus, no one is good except God. Now I can’t speak for you, but I’m definitely not God. So I can’t say that I’m good. However, if you are a good person, please send me your contact details. I’ve never been in the presence of so exalted a person and I’d like to come and get your blessing! I struggle a bit with Father Christmas coming down the chimney. In my case there isn’t a chimney. But I’m not sure the thought of God dying for me crucified on a wooden cross, is any easier to believe. Perhaps the greatest similarity is the gifts Father Christmas brings. They are entirely unmerited. Of course in this world, they come from the father and mother. For me, the greatest gift I ever received was completely unmerited. Not only did I not deserve the gift of eternal life with Him, it’s the very opposite of what I should have been given. A sentence to Hell for a million eternities would be more appropriate. This means that I don’t have to apologise to you for perpetuating the Father Christmas myth. It also means you don’t have to apologise to me for hating the idea and calling me a heretic. So what do we do with Pentecostalism in the 21st century? If my experience is anything to go by, a number of you would like to burn us at the stake, the way they dealt with heretics in fairly recent times. Sadly, that option is no longer available; which means that we are sort of stuck with each other. But that doesn’t solve the differences between Pentecostals and non-Pentecostals. (Looks like I’ve invented a new word!) The facts are, whether we like or approve of each other or not, we are brothers and sisters in the family of God. To quote Paul in his letter to the Romans: 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 TNIV So we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We can’t help it. We were all born into His kingdom this way. Now if you want to call me the black sheep in the family, that’s fine. (no racism please) You can be the white sheep. But we are all sheep adopted into His Family by the same Holy Spirit. So why don’t we all make an effort to love each other? Why don’t we all invite the Spirit of God to help us reconcile our differences and promote our Saviour? Jim & Phyllida Strickland – written 17th July 2012			13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV	We always should bring our thanksgiving, to God for each one of you. You haven’t been cursed. And you are the first! Who did what He told you to do.		You’re sanctified by His Spirit, because you of the truth you believed. The first fruit of those, Whom the Lord God has chose, And Jesus as Lord has received
			16 Wake up, North Wind, get moving, South Wind! Breathe on my garden, fill the air with spice fragrance. Oh, let my lover enter his garden! Yes, let him eat the fine, ripe fruits. Song of Solomon 4:16 MSG	From North and from South blow the breezes, to breathe on my garden so fair. The air smells so nice, With the fragrance of spice, And with fruit that’s deliciously rare.		If only my lover would enter. Come sample the fruit which is here. He’d stay here all day. And would not go away. And would be forever so near!
			11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 2 Corinthians 7:11 NLT	See what your sorrow’s producing; a touch from the Lord we can see. You’re filled with such zeal. Your alarm is so real. The way that we hoped it would be!		You wanted to punish wrongdoers, for that which you knew they had done. The concern and the care, You displayed everywhere! Repentance has surely begun!
			9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:9-10 NLT	When you look deep down inside you, what is it that you can see? If darkness reigns - Your Christian gains Are squandered for eternity!		But if you see deep within you, that which is right and is true. You’ll see His light. - Burning so bright. Taking such good care of you!
			16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn't looking for Him & doesn't recognize Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you now & later will be in you. John 14:16-17 NLT	I’m going to ask the Father, to send the Divine Advocate. Do not be surprised, That you’ll recognise, Him, when He descends upon you!		He is the Lord’s Holy Spirit, whom you haven’t gotten before. But He will be, In each one of Thee. And power will be lacking no more!
			5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 TNIV	How do you know that God loves you? His Spirit has filled all your hearts. With strength and with power, To fill every hour, Set free from the enemy’s darts.		No longer will you shake and tremble and walk around cringing in fear. No! You’ll win the day, The Spiritual way. No matter who tries to come near!
			22 But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind & good. It is being faithful Galatians 5:22 NIrV	The character that you are needing, to stand against every foe. He’s sure to provide, From deep down inside. And His fruit will abundantly show.		It isn’t something accidental. By God it has all been inspired. Love, joy and peace, No more will they cease. Far more than you could have desired!
			2 They have suffered a great deal. But their joy was more than full. Even though they were very poor, they gave very freely. 2 Corinthians 8:2 NIrV	They didn’t have oodles of money. We’d say they were terribly poor. But they were so brave. They liberally gave, And wanted to give so much more!		Their giving exceeded the limits; of what we’d consider was wise. They gave with a glee, Quite hilariously. God’s love shining bright in their eyes!
			11 All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when. 1 Corinthians 12:11 MSG	They only have one thing in common, the gifts which The Spirit bestows. Form God they all came. In Jesus’ Name. His love and His care overflows!		He gives people just what is needed, in each individual case. It wasn’t in haste. And none went to waste; Regardless the time and the place!
				Jim Strickland – written 17th July 2012