THE JESUS WAY

Time with Jesus - Wed. 07 November 2012

Hi all,

Today we take a sort of jaundiced look at what many of us see all around us in Christianity. If anything, today’s meditation focuses on truthfulness and lies. It’s clear we need to be much more careful about what we say and think. The Lord talks about idle words. We need to repent and change course toward transparency.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 07 November 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE JESUS WAY
A couple of days ago we were looking at the fact that we Christians are not always as honest as we should be. Usually it stems from a desire to be liked by others and to impress them. These motives are very understandable but they also happen to be carnal. These motives raise their ugly head when we are asked to give our testimony. Many of us embroider them a bit for effect. How do I know? I’ve done it myself. It’s something like the fisherman’s story of the fish he caught. It ends up sounding much bigger than it really was. In Christian terms we talk about things being “evang-elastic”. Like the young preacher’s kid who was listening to his father. “Is that true?” he asked, or “were you only preaching?” Much the same thing happens at the great tent meetings. “How many ‘decisions’ for Christ were there?” A number is quoted in good faith. Each night the people who came forward were counted, so the number is accurate. What we don’t really know is how many came up for the second or third time. How do I know? As a new Christian, I did it myself on several occasions. What I was looking for was reassurance. So I kept on “going forward” until the issue was finally settled in my own mind. What about salvation? Mine was decidedly suspect. I was at that meeting because that’s where all the pretty girls were. A very important reason for a single 18 year old male. The reason I went forward on that occasion was because I didn’t want my skin singed in hell. In other words, my intentions were purely selfish. It would be wonderful if we could see men and women coming to Jesus for good Biblical reasons; like being overcome by the extent of their own sinfulness and the extent to which they have offended our Righteous and Holy God. Today, Jesus is presented to the masses as a universal panacea for anything and everything. Whatever fix you are in, He’ll fix it. On occasions it happens instantly and the person is instantly healed. But this is not always the case. I was instantly healed of the need to wear specially built up shoes. Later I was healed of my dependence on nasal sprays. For most of us it has been a question of standing against the devil until the symptoms have gone. The thing I most strongly object to is when people tell others that if you come to Him, everything will be perfect. That’s deception. The Christian life is wonderful. But it means going against public attitudes. It’s not easy to be laughed at and called a Jesus freak. It’s hard to change your value system from that of the world to that of Christ. Humanly speaking, it can’t be done. But when He is in your corner, the fight is not quite as bad as we think. He will and does bring victory – when you have given up trying. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:10-11 ESV 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 ESV 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Hebrews 12:11 NLT 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 NLT 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 NLT 9 Each time He said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT	“Give your life to Jesus and you will have a ball. No more further problems. The big ones or the small. If you give your life to Him, your problems He will trash. And if you’re short of money, He’ll give you lots of cash. Come and sleep on rose-buds and snooze your life away. Nothing could improve upon the Christian life today” Have they caught you napping? It’s just a pack of lies. A parcel from the devil, packaged to disguise! The facts are just the opposite of what you’ll find is true. This is just the devil’s way of his deceiving you. The only part that’s easy, is at the very start. Jesus will receive you, then He will make you part, Of challenging convention. You’ll go against the grain; You’ll find that all your former friends treat you with disdain. They’ll tell you, “You are crazy!” and “don’t be such a jerk. It’s only phoney, charlatans who ever go to kirk. Come and smoke a little “pot” or chill out on some “crack” If you are a Jesus freak; you’re never coming back! You will not be welcome in all your former haunts.” Listen very carefully, can you hear the taunts, That the world will give you? Each word of it sounds true. So will you stick with Jesus, the way He wants you to? Be very, very careful, think well and then decide. Do you want an easy life that rots you from inside? Then walk away from Jesus. You’re not worth your salt. But when you are committed and Jesus you exalt, You’ll find the pain is worth it. The going will be rough, For Jesus Christ is teaching you, you have more than enough, To stand up to the devil, when you’re on Jesus’ side. So tell the folk around you, it is for them He died. He will be their Saviour and give their life a goal. Walk and talk with Jesus and He will make them whole! It isn’t just a pipe-dream; it’s not imagination. The Lord will give them victory in every situation. Not some little medal to hang upon the wall. But someone Who’ll empower them to stand up straight and tall. A Saviour Who will be with them in all that they go through! The One Who makes life possible in everything they do. Jim Strickland  Written 7th November 2012