Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 29 May
2012
Hi all,
Today we talk about having a “pity-party”.
They are instantly recognisable and pathetic.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 29 May 2012
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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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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The
“Pity-Party”
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While
we were living in Fish Hoek we had delightful neighbours. We got on well with
them and had a pleasant nodding acquaintance relationship. Then they had a
baby. This was the noisiest child we have ever come across. At first we
thought it was just bad behaviour. Then we were told that there was a medical
problem with the baby and that the screaming was not unexpected with this
disease. It was very trying for both families.
What
do we do with children who behave badly? Most people today are not satisfied with the
Biblical injunction, 24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their
children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
Proverbs 13:24 NLT They tell us this is
outdated and cruel thinking. More than that; if you do “smack” your child, you
could be in serious trouble with the authorities. It seems that the
authorities think they are ‘smarter’ than God. They have no compunction
promulgating laws that are at variance with God’s Word. Then, when children
run amok with anti-social behaviour, they won’t accept the fact that humanistic
laws have disastrous consequences.
So
how do we deal with kids having a “tantrum”? My comment is that a good hiding
would be a wonderful deterrent. That’s what my father did and I’m not
traumatised by his discipline. A couple of months ago I came across a
wonderful cure. The child was having a “paddy” on the floor yelling and screaming
about goodness knows what. Mom quietly went and filled a bucket with cold
water. Then, while the child was in the middle of his/her star performance,
the mother threw the bucket of water on the child. The child was “shocked”
into good behaviour. Since then, at the first sign of a temper tantrum, Mom
reaches for the bucket. All of a sudden, peace reigns!
What
can happen is that instead of throwing a tantrum, the individual decides to
have a “pity-party”. The mouth pouts, the eyes fill with tears, the child looks
for a good hiding place. There, in the quietness of his/her room they have a
full on “pity-party” which seems to last until suppertime when hunger draws them
out of it.
Sadly,
adults remember all their childhood tricks. So when things displease them
they retreat into their own private world and have their own private
“pity-party”. There doesn’t seem to be any time limit either.
Incidentally,
group “pity-parties” don’t work. Not even in politics. People tend to laugh
at each other. Laughter does not go well with such behaviour. We tend to spot
how silly we are being. Then the whole thing breaks down. Is there a cure?
Absolutely! An hour or two with Jesus Christ is the perfect antidote. He sees
through it instantly
Jim
& Phyllida Strickland
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6 And I
say, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I
would fly away and be at rest;
Psalms 55:6 ESV
8 And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching
east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint
and wished to die. "Death is certainly better than living like
this!" he exclaimed.
Jonah 4:8 NLT
1 At
last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth. 2 He said: 3 "Let the day of my
birth be erased, and the night I was conceived.
Job 3:1-3 NLT
20
"Oh, why give light to those in misery, and
life to those who are bitter? 21 They
long for death, and it won't come. They search for death more eagerly than
for hidden treasure.
Job 3:20-21 NLT
18 The
LORD is close to the broken hearted; He rescues those whose spirits are
crushed. 19 The righteous person faces
many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time. 20
For the LORD protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!
Psalms 34:18-20 NLT
27
"Now My soul is deeply troubled. Should I
pray, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But this is the very reason I
came! 28 Father, bring glory to Your name." Then a voice
spoke from heaven, saying, "I have already brought glory to My name, and
I will do so again."
John 12:27-28 NLT
17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every
respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the
service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18
For because he himself has suffered when tempted,
he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:17-18 ESV
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It’s called a “pity-party”; when you are all alone,
And sit around and bellyache and sulk and moan and groan.
We get quite good at doing it, although folk seldom see,
Just how well we’re doing and our capability.
I’ve had a lot of practice. And I’ve got very good.
And give a small recital more often than I should.
The expert in all History was known as Mister Job.
He shaved His head, fell on the ground and even tore his robe.
He had three special buddies who came to bring Him cheer.
Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad both came near.
Accompanied by Zophar a Naamathite of note,
Thought that they could help him to leave his “sinking boat”!
For seven days and seven nights they didn’t speak a word
So it was only silence our “fallen hero” heard.
There’s no need to go through it, it is a well-known tale.
And every word they muttered would only help him fail.
Another one was Jonah. A prophet sent by God.
When told to go to Nineveh, did something rather odd.
When told to warn the Ninevites, he went the other way.
If God destroyed the lot of them, with him would be OK.
He set out on the journey, but a great fish in the sea.
Knew with great precision exactly where he’d be.
So Jonah travelled free of charge within the giant fish.
And so he got to Nineveh regardless of his wish.
Then Nineveh repented. And this made Jonah wild.
He went out of the city. He sat and never smiled.
He had his “pity-party”. And asked if he could die.
Nineveh repented and Jonah wondered “Why?”
Of course there are no answers to questions of this sort.
They had been forgiven so his warning came to naught!
The moral of the story is do not be like me.
A “pity-party” doesn’t work in Christianity.
The Master doesn’t listen. He knows what’s going on.
And waits till the performance is over, dead and gone.
It doesn’t help to mutter, to “freak out” and complain.
Our grumbling is useless and our sulking is in vain.
But if we are obedient and do what we are told,
We’ll find we are rewarded with heaven’s finest gold!
Jim
Strickland – Written 29th May 2012
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