PRAYER AND VIGILANCE

Time with Jesus - Monday, 16 July 2012

Hi all,

By way of a change, a couple of “Jimmets” today. They are written on prayer, vigilance, supplication and the Bible. The Jimmets focus on Phil 4:6-7 and Neh. 4:9. I particularly enjoyed writing the introduction.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 16 July 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	PRAYER AND VIGILANCE
When all else fails, read the instructions. These words were drummed into me when I was an apprentice in England in the 1960’s. It was excellent advice. The trouble is I seldom learned the lesson in advance. Like most of us I tried to “tinker” with things before I read the manual. You know what I mean. “No dumb book will stop me getting this thing working”. After many disasters, you’d think I’d learn. But I didn’t. It could have been very expensive. Fortunately, for me, the biggest loss was loss of face. Some years later, I came across a young man who loved tinkering with radios and a variety of electronic “knick-knacks”.  You’d think he would learn a lesson. In this case, just the opposite was true. He’d take something to pieces. Then he’d put just about everything back leaving several bits and pieces still on the table next to the thing. Curiously, you’d think the thing wouldn’t work. Much to my chagrin, it seemed to work better than it had before. Here was a young man who seemed to have no need for manuals. However, I am reliably informed that when his son was born, he looked all over to find the working instructions! I can’t really blame him. Most new parents, new fathers in particular, seem to be completely void of any real knowledge about babies. Thank God for mothers! Talking about working instructions, we Christians have a book which tells us all we need to and do while living on this earth. It’s called the Bible. Each and every year, the sales of copies of the Bible are greater by far than the sale of any other book published. In view of this, you would think Christians would be experts in the art of living a Biblical lifestyle. Sadly, although the Bible is purchased in great numbers, people seldom read it. We have been taught that the word “Bible” comes from the Greek word “Biblos”. I used to think that too. Then I found that actually the word is an acrostic. Using each letter of the word Bible, it means; Basic; Instructions; Before; Leaving; Earth. Presumably that’s why people don’t read it. Books of basic instructions are ignored in favour of self-experimentation; “suck it and see” “let me have a go” and “Who needs instructions anyway; This is what my granny did!” I thought the same way myself. I tinkered around with life and tried to take things to pieces. Then, when finished, like my young friend, I found there were bits left over. I’d like to say that life worked better without them. It didn’t. It was a disaster and I did a spot of reaping what I’d sown. Now, I find it far better to check things out in my Bible. After that, vigilance and prayer combine nicely. I highly recommend it to you. Bible; Vigilance and Prayer; a recipe for guaranteed success Jim & Phyllida Strickland			9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. Nehemiah 4:9 ESV 41 Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." Matthew 26:41 MSG 2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT 7 Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you. 8 Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour. 9 Be firm in the faith and resist him, knowing that other believers throughout the world are going through the same kind of suffering. 1 Peter 5:7-9 GW 46 "Why are you so polite with me, always saying 'Yes, sir,' and 'That's right, sir,' but never doing a thing I tell you? Luke 6:46 MSG 22 Don't just listen to the word. You fool yourselves if you do that. You must do what it says. James 1:22 NIrV 15 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the people to get moving! Exodus 14:15 NLT 6 Don't worry about anything. Instead, tell God about everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to him. 7 Then God's peace will watch over your hearts and your minds because you belong to Christ Jesus. God's peace can never be completely understood. Philippians 4:6-7 NIrV	Prayer and Vigilance – Neh. 4:9   We thought the enemy was all around,   And didn’t really know what we should do.   Then upon reflection we all found,   If we prayed and trusted, Lord, in You, It would be the way to keep ahead!   Prayer and vigilance to spot our foes.   For we knew for sure that You had said, “Keep on praying and stay on your toes. If you do, you’ll keep the foe at bay,   Nothing that the enemy may try, Can come and defeat you any day;   Neither will they know the reason why! It will be your secret of success.   Prayer and vigilance and nothing less!” -oOo-  Jim Strickland Written 16 July 2012 Be careful for nothing – Phil 4:6-7 Christians need never, ever fear That the enemy will win the day.   Not if you will let the Saviour near,   And you do the things that He will say. Prayer and supplication will succeed,   If it issues from a thankful heart.   Ask the Lord to give you what you need.   Surely that’s the proper place to start! Make all your requests to the Most High.   Come to Him in true humility.   Lift your hands to Him and to Him cry, “You alone are my necessity!”   Then His peace will fill your heart and mind,   In a way that mortal man can’t find. -oOo- Jim Strickland Written 16 July 2012