Time with Jesus - Monday, 23 April
2012
Hi all,
Have a great day!
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
Time with Jesus – Monday, 23 April 2012
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY
LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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HOW ARE YOUR SHEEP?
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Isaiah warned us that we are like a flock of sheep who
have wandered off and are lost. I first read this with mixed feelings. To liken
us to sheep is hardly complimentary. To me, a lion or a bear seems much more
appropriate. In the world of flying things I felt we would be best described as
an eagle. But after reflecting on this for a while, the truth dawned on me. We
really are like a flock of sheep. We are oblivious of any danger and with a willingness
to wander and get lost! Isaiah was “right on”. Later, when I found that David
shared Isaiah’s opinion, it was confirmed. The clincher was Jesus. “My sheep
hear My voice” He stated. I really couldn’t quibble any longer. “Baaah” was my response.
Looking back over my own life, the truth of the
statement becomes abundantly clear. Christians, in general and me in particular,
consistently pursue our own agenda and tell others, “The Lord said!” The fact
that He has had to rescue me from blind alleys and deliberate disobedience, more
often than I care to admit, is a fact of life. I suppose my “sheep-life” embarrasses
me.
Today, I’m rather glad the Lord called us sheep.
People talk of a “dumb ox” or a “stupid sheep”. He knows all about my life
and my willingness to do my own thing. In a glorious way, it seems He expects
it.
I don’t like speaking about the Lord’s expectations.
To me when you are omniscient, as He is, He knows what we are going to do. It’s
not a matter of expectations. If I know for an absolute fact that something
is going to happen on Saturday, it’s not an expectation. It’s foreknowledge.
What is particularly beautiful to me is that I am
His sheep and He is my Shepherd. Phyllida and I are constantly doing our very
best to hear His voice. With both of us listening to hear His voice, today we
“miss it” less than we used to do.
It’s comforting to know that His sheep hear His
voice. It’s even more comforting, that His little lambs are still learning to
hear His voice. Indeed, they plod along after the rest of the flock, learning
to attune their ears to the voice of the Shepherd.
One of the wonderful things about being a sheep is
that it’s the sheep that produce the sheep! The shepherd is not responsible
for reproduction within His flock. That’s the sheep’s responsibility. It’s
your job and mine to bring new sheep into the flock. Sure, He will help. But
the responsibility is yours and mine.
The other thing that thrills me about being a sheep
is that I can trust my Shepherd. He will never leave me nor desert me!
Jim and Phyllida Strickland
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6 We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten
lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. And GOD has
piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him.
Isaiah 53:6
MSG
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Of all the
animals to choose, the sheep is not the best.
The Lord says we are like them. A
curse, or are we blessed?
It hard to
understand it. Sheep are not very clever.
Do they think of the future? The
answer’s surely “never”.
They
seldom think of anything. They wander where they choose.
And when the predator appears, they
just ignore the news.
They keep
on nibbling the grass. It seems they do not care,
That something is pursuing them. They’re
surely not aware,
Of the impending
danger. They simply chew and chew.
Even if a lion, or bear comes into view,
It doesn’t
seem to bother them; then one gets an alarm!
They think if they are scattering,
they’ll keep away from harm!
The have
no self protection. They have no teeth at all.
Except a set of grinders, that seems
to be too small.
They do
not have a set of horns, except perhaps the rams.
And they don’t have a system of caring for the
lambs.
They stand
in line awaiting the flashing butcher’s knife.
They clearly do not understand the
threat upon their life.
They seem
to want to give themselves and offer up their throat.
So when it comes to “stupid” they surely
get my vote.
This isn’t
complimentary and Jesus says that we,
Are like these foolish creatures.
Could it be you or me?
Well let’s
just think about it; does it describe us well?
I think perhaps it really does, as best
as I can tell.
How often
are we listening to hear the Master’s voice?
And when it comes to feeding, do we
display a choice?
We still
insist on going where we have always been;
And seldom seem to bother if the pasture’s
good and clean!
And what
about the water? What do we think today?
Do we resist the Holy Ghost and turn
ourselves away,
From
looking at the Word of God to check out what’s the truth?
Are we growing spiritually, or are we
still a youth?
Are we
standing in a line, listening to men,
Queuing up for slaughter in some false
profit’s den?
Do we know
our Shepherd and hear the things He says?
Or listening to a charlatan and
following his ways?
What is
our condition? Bleeding, ripped and torn?
What about the little lambs who’ve only
just been born?
Are we in
a program? Do our leaders care,
If we are attending or wandered off elsewhere?
Do you
have a ministry; is it being used?
Are you being helpful or feeling you’re
abused?
Are you
contributing in the place you meet each week?
Or just another visitor who’s not
allowed to speak?
Are you
now a shepherd without a flock to lead?
Then now’s the time to find them and
help each one to feed.
Jim Strickland – Written 23rd April 2012
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8 If we claim that we're free of sin, we're only fooling
ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. 9 On the
other hand, if we admit our sins--make a clean breast of them--he won't let
us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all
wrongdoing.
1 John 1:8-9
MSG
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10
As the Scriptures say, "No one is
righteous--not even one. 11 No
one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away; all have become useless.
No one does good, not a single one."
Romans
3:10-12 NLT
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25 You were like lost sheep. Now you have come back to the
shepherd and bishop of your lives.
1 Peter 2:25
GW
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176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.
Psalms
119:176 NIV
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3 He renews my soul. He guides me along the paths of
righteousness for the sake of his name.
Psalms 23:3
GW
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27
"My sheep listen to my voice. I know them,
and they follow me. 28 I give
them eternal life, and they will never die. No one can steal them out of my
hand.
John
10:27-28 NIrV
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4 He said, "Suppose one of you has 100 sheep and
loses one of them. Won't he leave the 99 in the open country? Won't he go and
look for the one lost sheep until he finds it?
Luke 15:4
NIrV
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Compiled – Monday,
23 April 2012
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P O Box 1694,
Randpark Ridge, 2156, South Africa
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Page 1 of 1
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14 Conduit
Street, Johannesburg North, 2153, South Africa
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Printed - Sunday, 22 April 2012
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Mobile +2782
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Jim &
Phyllida Strickland
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Home+2711 462
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Fax +2786 531
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