THE NEW CREATION

Time with Jesus - Monday, 11 June 2012

Hi all,

There is a difference between a new creation and a new earth. They are sequential. First, the new creation then, the new earth! Today we have a look at both.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 11 June 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE NEW CREATION
One of the most difficult things we ever do is start afresh. It nearly always comes about as a result of a change in circumstances. Something happens and circumstances demand a fresh start elsewhere. My father was a highly skilled turbine specialist. He trained as an apprentice working for a company called C A Parsons & Co. His forte’ was power stations or similar rotating equipment. He started working for them in 1932. He was 15. Dad had a natural aptitude for this type of work. As a result he was soon working in what was called the Outside Department. Initially he focused on overhauls and gained a reputation for first class work. So much so, when war broke out in the UK in 1939, he was immediately classified as an essential worker. So he spent most of WW2 travelling round UK repairing and re-commissioning a variety of equipment wherever he was needed. It meant lots of travelling. I’m told that because there was a “war on” he had some difficulty getting a week off even for his own wedding! That took place in June 1940. I was born in March 1942. Being married and having a young child didn’t enable him to spend more time with his family. The demands of war meant that he kept traipsing from place to place. After the war, the pace slackened off a little. Then there was a great demand to replace and install new equipment all over UK and many Commonwealth countries. He was asked to go to South Africa. New installations with larger turbines were being installed and that’s where he was needed. The three of us landed in Cape Town in 1947. Mom told me, that when she first saw Cape Town, it looked like Fairy Land. Once again the three of us lived a nomadic life. It would have continued that way but for the fact that I had to start school. So every year or so I would start attending a different school. Such a lifestyle does little toward helping anyone put down societal roots. Accordingly, new beginnings were par for the course for me. There’s a world of difference between a new beginning and a new earth. A new beginning retains the essentials of normal life. Things remain much the same. People are people. Houses, schools and all forms of life only change in terms of places and faces. School was school wherever I went. There was and is a dull familiarity which is on-going for each and every generation. A new earth is different. Expect the unexpected is perhaps all we can really say about it. We will have to “suck it and see”. What we do know is that it is beyond our wildest dreams. Paul says in Corinthians 9 No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him."1 Cor. 2:9 NLT There are a few things we do know. We will be with Him forever. There will be no more crying. Death will have “passed away” The Lord Himself will be there. He will provide all the light required for a city that will be big enough to just fit into the moon. No night and no darkness. The tree of life will be there. The trees will bring forth fruit every month. There will be no sin there. The earth and the heavens will be new. A Godly and Holy lifestyle will be the norm. We will see those who have died and gone before us. If all this sounds too good to be true, bear in mind that if you can imagine it, the reality will be so much better. Mom said Cape Town looked like Fairy Land. The new earth will be infinitely better. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			5 And the One sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" And then He said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true." Revelation 21:5 NLT 3 Jesus replied to Nicodemus, "I can guarantee this truth: No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." John 3:3 GW 17 Anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation. The old is gone! The new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIrV 26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26 NLT 7 Get rid of the old yeast. Be like a new batch of dough without yeast. That is what you really are, because Christ has been offered up for us. He is our Passover lamb. 1 Corinthians 5:7 NIrV 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:24 NLT 2 Foreign countries will see your righteousness and world leaders your glory. You'll get a brand-new name straight from the mouth of GOD. Isaiah 62:2 MSG 17 "I will create new heavens and a new earth. The things that have happened before will not be remembered. They will not even enter your minds. Isaiah 65:17 NIrV 11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 2 Peter 3:11 NLT	I am a new creation. The Word of God has said “Behold, I’m making all things new.” And that is in my head But, Lord, what is the meaning? What must I understand So that I am not missing out on just what You have planned. Perhaps it means that I have got some sort of extra nose? Does it mean that like a cat I have no need for clothes? Can I somehow disappear exactly as you did? Do I have an extra sense to do the things You’ve bid? For Lord, here’s my confession. I’m sure I look the same. I’m still as bald as ever; my tongue I still must tame. I’m told it is my spirit man that has been made anew. But how does that affect me? And what must I now do To let this new creation to take complete control Of all the things I’m doing. And what must be my goal. Tell me how to function please and carry on from here? And if You’ve no Objection Lord, please make it very clear. What is the relationship that You require of me? I’m sorry I am so obtuse but Lord I do not see Any sort of difference. Not since you’ve made me new. Please help me understand it, if it’s all the same to You! My child, I’m glad you’re asking. Please do not get things wrong You are not vaccinated to make you super-strong. To really understand it Please read the verse in full. If you don’t then all you’ll think is just a lot of bull. Look closely at what’s written. It’s only true “in Me” A branch can never function if cut off from the tree. You can’t be independent. You can’t go it alone. That is the sort of lifestyle I never will condone. I’m always in My Father. You have to be in Me. The New Creation can’t survive1 Not independently You have to be continually tapped into the vine. You have to be obedient and live a life like mine! I don’t expect perfection, for you are but a man. I do not want to hear you say, “I’ve done the best I can!” Your best is never good enough. I won’t be satisfied. You have to give it all to me; to put yourself aside And do not even take a breath, until you hear me say My Holy Spirit’s leading; walk in the narrow way. Don’t say it’s far too difficult. Don’t turn around and quit. Don’t think it is impossible. That’s true, I must admit. But You’re not doing things alone and you’ll get your reward. To spend eternity with Me, your ever loving Lord. Jim Strickland  Written 11th June 2012