Time with Jesus - Wed. 15
August 2012
Hi all,
One of the glibbest statements we can ever say as a
Christian is to listen to God and instantly obey Him. It sounds wonderful.
Laudable even! But can we do it? I’d love to say, “Yes!” No doubt many will
say, “What are you talking about?” There are a couple of things I don’t know
what I would do if I was calle3d upon by God to do. The first would be to be
willingly crucified. The other would be to go, find a prostitute and marry her!
(Fortunately, I’m very happily married) Could I do it? I don’t think so.
Today’s meditation looks at this.
Blessings
Jim
& Phyllida Strickland
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 15 August 2012
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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©
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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
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©
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY
LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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HOSEA’S
TEST
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There has been a lot of talk in recent years
concerning the validity of modern prophets. It appears that there are three
main views on this. The one view is that there is no such thing. Those who
claim they are modern-day prophets must be charlatans, or liars, or both.
This is always a possibility. I suspect that every Old Testament prophet,
with the exception of Moses, would have disassociated themselves immediately
with the claim. The truth of prophet-hood would be established about 100
years after they had died!
The second view is that they are plentiful today.
The difference is the understanding of what is meant by being a modern-day
prophet. Mostly what they bring is in line with Paul’s comments to the Corinthians:
3 But those who prophesy speak to
people for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.1 Corinthians 14:3 TNIV In the good old King
Jimmy version these words are, for edification,
exhortation, and comfort.
In that sense, each and every Christian may prophesy. That includes you and
me! (Perish the thought)
The third and final group are those who don’t care
one way or the other. If they like what they hear – great! If not – “What’s
for lunch?”
My position is very convenient. I’m a “card-
carrying, fence-sitter”! There are aspects of the first and the second views
I love. I believe there are men and women called prophets today. But I object
strongly to those who are self-proclaimed Prophets. Frankly I’ve heard and
read some of the most outrageous garbage masquerading as the prophetic word.
I’ve also come across very ordinary men and women through whom the Spirit of
God has spoken. They seldom realise it. If they thought for one moment that
they were “prophetic”, they would run away.
The Old Testament Prophets were often called upon by
God to do some extraordinary things. In this regard, read some of the things
Ezekiel was required to do. Isaiah was told to go and speak to a people who
would not listen. Jeremiah went through the most horrendous life experiences.
However, for me the one who really “takes the biscuit” was the prophet Hosea.
He was told to marry a prostitute who would not love him. The Lord was showing
through the life of His prophet, what it was like to be in covenant with a
people who didn’t love Him. They preferred to go and chase after other gods.
That’s exactly what Hosea did. He married a woman called “Gomer” the daughter
of Diblaim. In “fairy stories”, they all lived happily ever after. In real
life this seldom happens. This woman had no intention of changing her ways
and being faithful to her husband. In no time at all, she was back “on the
streets” following the oldest profession in the world. She left him and became
the slave of her lover! Then the Lord commanded Hosea to buy her back, for
the price of an ordinary female slave. He did!
What shocks us today is that God would do such a
thing. We are told in the New Testament not to touch the filthy things of
unbelievers. So what do we do today with men like Hosea and women like Gomer?
I don’t have the answer. I do know what usually happens when a Christian
marries an unbeliever. My recommendation from personal experience is, “Don’t
do it!”
Jim &
Phyllida Strickland
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14 "But then I will win her back once
again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.
Hosea 2:14
NLT
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and
separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don't touch their filthy
things, and I will welcome you. 18 And
I will be your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the LORD
Almighty. "
2 Corinthians 6:17-18 NLT
1 Because we have these promises, dear
friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or
spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
2
Corinthians 7:1 NLT
12 So also Jesus suffered and died outside
the city gates to make His people holy by means of His own blood. 13
So let us go out to Him, outside the camp, and
bear the disgrace He bore.
Hebrews
13:12-13 NLT
31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a
while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure
even to eat.
Mark 6:31
ESV
A psalm of David. 1 The LORD
is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me
beside quiet waters, 3 he restores
my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms
23:1-4 NIV
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Hosea; O Hosea! What a dreadful test.
To have to marry someone who was
second-hand at best!
A prostitute; delighted to be with other
men,
Who didn’t do it once or twice, but time
and time again!
To then be told to look for her; return
her to the fold.
What a shock to find her, while she
was being sold.
And yet, you bought her back again and
spoke so tenderly.
I’m not sure I could take it Lord, if
that was done to me.
I think that I would run away as far
as I could go!
To go back to a prostitute? – O Lord I
do not know.
But Gomer was a picture of Your
people, Israel.
Who thought that they could serve You
and serve other gods as well.
This was prostitution in Your tender,
loving eyes.
Serving Baal or Molech was a thing
which You despise.
Hosea’s test was something, to tell us
about You.
About the things, Almighty God, that
You have had to do!
Your people were unfaithful; with
other gods they whored.
The covenant they had with you, they
totally ignored.
And though you took them back again
innumerable times,
The day would come when they would
have to pay for all their crimes.
“Leave the unbelievers! Don’t touch their
filthy things!
Shun all their unfaithfulness, their
jewels and their rings!
Be My sons and daughters and I will
welcome you.
Dedicate yourselves to being faithful,
pure and true.
Clothe yourselves with holiness in body,
soul and mind.
Jesus’ blood will cleanse you and you will
surely find,
That when you’ve gone to be with Him and
dwell outside the camp,
There’ll be no incentive for you to be a
tramp!
Come aside and be with Him where you can
rest awhile.
Come to a deserted place where you can’t
be defiled.
Then I’ll be your Shepherd and you will be
my sheep.
Thoroughly restored; by quiet waters, you
I’ll keep.
Let Me lead and guide you in the paths of
righteousness.
Leave that ugly lifestyle and surely I
will bless.
And you will be forever, in pastures which
are green.
No longer a prostitute; instead you’ll be
My queen!”
Jim
Strickland
Written 15th August 2012 |
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