Time with Jesus - Monday, 26 March
2012
Hi all,
Today
is my seventieth birthday. A word of thanks to those who have sent their greetings!
If you have not done so, please don’t feel that you must do so now. It’s not
necessary. Incidentally, having arrived at the big 70, it’s nothing to get
excited about. Things don’t suddenly change on the day of the big 70. It would however,
be much more fun if we could do the things we were able to do in our twenties
and thirties.
Somewhere
in our bookcase there is a book by Tony Lighterness written in the 1970’s called,
“Living in the Kingdom Here and Now”. As the title suggests, it is not
necessary to die before we begin living in the Kingdom. According to Paul, It
begins here and now: 6 For He raised us
from the dead along with Christ and seated
us with Him in the heavenly realms because
we are united with Christ Jesus. Eph 2:6 NLT
If
you are anything like me you will probably struggle with this concept.
Scripture tells me I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. My problem
is that at present I’m seated in front of my computer in Johannesburg. Paul
does help us with this. 18 There's far
more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow.
But the things we can't see now will last
forever. 2
Cor 4:18 MSG
In
other words, what I am looking at as I sit in front of my computer, is some
form of an optical illusion. It looks real. But for a Christ follower, we are
not looking at reality. This will pass away and the truth will be apparent. So
I am seated in the heavenly realm with Christ Jesus. That’s what Scripture
teaches and I can’t contradict God’s Word.
It’s
a rather odd thought, but we all need to understand we are living in a
temporary world in temporary bodies with temporary eyes. To “see” reality we
need our spiritual eyes. How does that work? I’ve no idea. Without wanting to
be irreverent, it’s something like what we see when a conjurer “performs”
before us. We “see” something. Then it somehow vanishes. I’ve seen this done on
TV with an aeroplane. Now you see it, now you don’t. Of course we all know that
it is a trick. But Spiritual reality is not a trick. It’s more real than
anything we see!
Our
meditation today takes a “look” at the Kingdom at what it means.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
The Kingdom Economy
|
For those who are in business, herewith my sympathy.
You’re in a
strange environment where Christians shouldn’t be.
The problem’s business methods and the things you have to do.
You have to
be competitive and pressure’s put on you.
Your product must be better than all of those around.
Undermine
their products wherever they are found.
We are in a world in which the truth is relative.
It’s
different for each one of us no matter where we live.
Two and two are seven. That is the truth for me.
Don’t say
that I’m dishonest, that’s how it has to be.
And so you climb the ladder that leads you to success.
But Jesus
isn’t in it and you are in a mess.
The way we aught to do it is to imitate the Lord.
But be a
little careful, for business can’t afford,
To let the competition, find a winning edge.
That will
put you out the door and standing on a ledge.
They’ll try to push you over, so grab them by the throat.
Run them out
of business and steal their hat and coat.
No part of this is Christian. It’s wicked through and through.
No wonder I
have sympathy for businessmen like you!
We have to change our methods and trust the Lord to act.
Start by
helping others and you will find in fact,
That other folk will help you so you don’t have to cheat.
And you have
His assurance there’ll be enough to eat.
Give to those who ask you. Even stand aside.
Feed the
hungry, quench their thirst and stay away from pride.
Give a cup of water to those who are in need.
Don’t hold
on too tightly, for that will turn to greed.
If they prosecute you and want to take your shirt,
Give your
coat along with it. For ladies, give your skirt!
If they want to take your job, then simply stand aside.
The Lord has
one much better, if in Him you’ll abide.
You only ever get to keep that which you give away.
And if you
do not do it, you’ve lost it all that day.
Never doubt
God’s justice. But God is never fair.
That’s a
man-made concept and He does not go there.
Put the other person first in everything you do.
Do not make
a whimper if he is cheating you.
What is said may be correct, significant and just.
But who is
it you’re following and Who is it you trust?
If they want to curse you and beat you ‘till you’re raw.
Let them
mock and spit on you till they can do no more.
It is what the Master did. He never made a sound.
If you
emulate Him, Your blessings will abound.
Nothing really matters in this life of sin and pain.
If it’s done
for Jesus, it won’t be done in vain.
Written Monday 26th March 2012 |
