STAND UP STRONG AND TALL

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 12 July 2012

Hi all,

Today’s Scriptures tell us how we should behave as Christians. We are told that truth will set you free; It’s amazing how this Scripture has been misunderstood. Knowledge will never set us free. On the contrary, knowledge tends to enslave rather than liberate. But when “truth” is the person of Jesus, we are set free and completely liberated. Only Jesus can set us free. He is the truth! This is today’s meditation!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 12 July 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	STAND UP STRONG AND TALL
The older we get the more we begin to know how little we really know. I saw a comment recently in this regard. It said, “Consult a young man now, before he grows up and no longer knows everything.” Were you a bit like that? I know I was! If I remember rightly, I knew the answer to every question. Even the ones that hadn’t been asked yet!. It’s very sad, but Christianity lends itself to this type of thinking. With jus, the problem is doctrine. I remember Juan Carlos Ortiz telling us that the Bible is an amazing book. He said that if you were a Baptist minister, you’d been to a Baptist seminary where you were taught Baptist doctrine by Baptist theologians who used the Bible to prove it. He then said much the same thing about the Methodists, Episcopalians and the strict Brethren. The implication was that by careful manipulation you can prove just about anything from the Bible. Paul in his second letter to Timothy described such things as foolish controversies. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.2 Timothy 2:23 ESV For example, at one time in one of the denominations there was an argument concerning how many angels could stand on the head of a pin. This was indeed a foolish controversy. It had nothing whatever to do with living the Christian life, We cannot say that about today’s Scriptures. Samuel Bagster very cleverly put these Scriptures together in a way that challenges the way we live. It should. For far too long we have been under the false impression that the acquisition of knowledge defines a Christian. It doesn’t. Satan probably knows every word of Scripture. But he is not a Christian. The same can be said for your minister, pastor, priest or home group leader. According to John’s Gospel, Jesus commented on this. 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 NIV Please note that by itself the truth does not set you free. There is a natural progression here. First you must hold to his teachings. This is not the acquisition of knowledge but an active participation in what He has said. Christianity is active. It’s what you do and are. It’s being a “doer” of His Word. It’s becoming a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ. That’s when you start to “know” the truth. He alone is the truth. He made this very clear in John 14:6. Truth is a person. We think that truth is a series of facts. It isn’t. Truth is a person. We get to know Him by doing what he has said. It is Jesus Christ who sets us free, not a bunch of facts. Sure, facts help with our understanding. But even if you could jam all the knowledge of this world combined into your head, What good would it do you? All the combined facts in the Encyclopaedia Britannica will not save you or me. Sadly, we find that the average University Professor of Theology is less likely to know Jesus than a little child. Indeed, I’ve personally observed that many seminaries and tertiary education institutions teach their students to believe nothing. These lecturers have destroyed the faith of many. I’ve watched it happening in the Religious Institution I still love. Sadly their ministers are taught basic unbelief. God help them. We need to know and do “The Truth” Jim & Phyllida Strickland			24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24 NLT 25 Honest words are so painful! But your reasoning doesn't prove anything. Job 6:25 NIrV 1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 Peter 3:1 ESV 16 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honoured his name. Malachi 3:16 TNIV 19 "I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, My Father in heaven will do it for you. Matthew 18:19 NLT 18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him." Genesis 2:18 NLT 9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT 13 Let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put anything in your brother's way that would make him trip and fall. Romans 14:13 NIrV 1 Brothers and sisters, if a person gets trapped by wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should help that person turn away from doing wrong. Do it in a gentle way. At the same time watch yourself so that you also are not tempted. 2 Help carry each other's burdens. In this way you will follow Christ's teachings. Galatians 6:1-2 GW	Let us put our minds to it; let’s seek to find the ways; To motivate each other to do good all our days; To seek to find some methods, to spur each other on, To acts of love and kindness, for each and everyone. Some actions may be difficult; some honest words bring pain. But if it makes us loving, the end result is gain! Think back to what has happened not very long ago. The tests and trials all came along and that’s what made us grow. Thinking back to yesterday, can prompt us all to do, Many of the former things that all of us once knew. I’m sure the Lord will help us. He knows us heart and soul. The names of those who serve Him are written on His scroll. He listens to each word we say; and He does not forget. He knows the ones who honour Him. On them His heart is set. This is His “normal” pattern. His love on them He pours. He honours those who honour Him and keep the Saviour’s laws. Don’t think He isn’t listening if only two or three, Come and pray together. For should they then agree, About what they are asking; if it’s what He intends, The Father will be listening. And He will surely send, Exactly what is wanted, so quick they’ll get a shock, They will assign thanksgiving, to Jesus Christ our Rock. The Lord is interested in all aspects of life. He plans to give each husband, a helpmeet for a wife. A man was not intended to ever be alone. So He created woman, to share her husband’s throne. He knows that two are better when reaching for success. For they can help each other if one gets in a mess. They also learn it’s easier if they cooperate. But if one starts to think that he is better than his mate, Or starts to criticise him, or judge in any way, It won’t be very long before he’s sure to rue the day, He thought he was superior. For if the other falls, He’ll find that he’s in trouble the day the Master calls. So let us stand together as a spiritual house. Help those who are stumbling, or who haven’t got the nous, To keep away from evil and doing what is wrong; Restore them very gently, and help them to be strong. So let us help each other when temptation comes to call Then in the Master’s teachings we will stand up strong and tall Jim Strickland – Written 12th July 2012