Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 18
January 2012
Hi all,
In
Christian circles today, it’s disturbing to find people going from meeting to
meeting trying to hear a word from God. It’s been going on for so long that
many see it as normal behaviour. The problem is this type of sin is always seen
as normal. There is a perception that since everyone does it, it can’t be
wrong.
It’s
wrong because for a Christian, guidance is meant to come via the Holy Spirit
and not by some visiting speaker. The Bible is clear on this issue. Any other
way is unacceptable to God.
We
need to be aware that God’s requirements are not determined democratically. He
sets the standards. We may not like them. We may hate them. We may love them.
Our opinion is irrelevant. His opinion is the only one that counts.
An
excellent example of this is the abortion laws of South Africa. Any pregnant woman,
who decides that she doesn’t want to have a baby, is entitled to obtain an
abortion. There are one or two associated legalities. But today, a girl is
legally entitled to have an abortion regardless of the opinion, preferences or
requirements of her parents.
But
that which is legal in South Africa is not necessarily approved by the Lord. Consulting
a medium or prognosticator is not! It’s a sin!
Of
course, many will say that they went to a church service and the “preacher”
gave them a “word”. They will say that they didn’t know. But that is not an
excuse. There are no excuses for disobeying the Lord. Furthermore, He knows the
truth.
As
far as truth is concerned, be aware that I have been on both ends of this; as a
recipient and a giver. I’ve had to repent on both issues and ask His
forgiveness. I thank the Lord for forgiving me.
What
about you? Provided you repent, you also can be forgiven. Bear in mind that
repentance means that you dissociate yourself completely and decide you will
not repeat the offence. The choice is yours
Today’s
meditation looks at this topic in further detail.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland.
A “Prophet” comes to Town
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Our planet’s populated by many
different folk.
All of them are different. And many of them broke.
They’d like a lot of money, but
work is a no-no.
They’d like somehow to win it and some will even go,
And ask a fortune teller, who’ll
win the big horse race?
They think it is the answer to all the things they face.
Unfortunately, Christians are
touched with this malaise.
And so they hunt all over, to find if there are ways,
To know just what will happen;
and just what they must do,
For them to see the future in ways they think are true.
They try to find a prophet to
speak into their life,
To find a future husband; or who will be their wife?
And so you’ll often find them,
when a prophet comes to town,
Hoping for a special word that will not let them down.
But this sort of behaviour with
God is not OK.
It’s really fortune telling in a “Christian” kind of way.
But even if it’s covered, or disguised
so it looks good,
It’s something that’s forbidden, that Christians never should,
Ever have a part in. It may
sound very nice.
But do not have a part in it. That is the best advice.
I know the prophets did it. We
see it in God’s Word.
But trying to repeat it is actually absurd.
They warned of what would
happen if people didn’t change.
So when the Lord took action, it wasn’t seen as strange.
Perhaps the best example we’ll
find is of King Saul.
He “had to know” the future and thought he could recall,
Samuel the prophet, to tell him
what to do!
The Witch of Endor helped Him. He heard his reign was through!
Today there are occasions when
God will send a word,
Through someone He’s appointed. It’s true, it has occurred.
But please be very careful,
your curiosity,
To know about your future, is what you’d like to see.
For that is fortune telling.
Leave everything to God,
And you’ll find confirmation, that won’t be seen as odd.
So please be very careful when
a “prophet” comes to town.
You may think he is genuine; But is he just a clown,
Who’s sent to spread confusion
in Christianity?
Ask the Lord to show you exactly who is he.
Do not let him pray for you and
do not heed his word.
It may be just the opposite of what you should have heard.
You may think its convincing.
You may think it is true.
But it’s the very opposite of what you aught to do.
The best thing you can ever do
is simply keep away,
And then get down upon your knees and intercede and pray,
That He’ll expose the heretic
and harm will not be done,
To genuine believers in Jesus Christ, God’s Son.
Jim Strickland – Written Wednesday 18th January 2012
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