Time with Jesus - Thursday, 28 June
2012
Hi all,
Today’s meditation is about
Peer Pressure and what it can do to us. Very often it’s a question of “Monkey
see, monkey do!” Except that no human being is a monkey! Jesus warned about
this in the end times. We want to be like all the other “Christians”. So we succumb
to doing what others do and listen to what others say. Check out what people
say by looking at God’s Word.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Thursday, 28 June 2012
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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©
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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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PEER
PRESSURE
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Peer pressure. It’s one
of the greatest challenges we will ever face. I started smoking while I was
still a schoolboy because all my “mates” were doing it. It’s a bit of a
contradiction. Young people want to be different. Different from the rest of
society. So they start doing things which are different. In my days it was
the “duck-tail” haircut for the boys. Within a short space of time, all our
“mates” also had “duck-tail” hair. (Baldness was not a problem for young men
in those days) So we end up looking the same as all the others who want to be
different. We have it today in our schools. Drugs are taken because everyone
else is doing it. We were trying to keep up with the other boys. Today, the
girls have sex with the boys because, if they remain virgins, they will be
out of step with the other girls in the class. That’s peer pressure!
In my matric year, one
of the guys got a motor scooter. He used it to and from School. It ignited
the “green eyed monster” in us and we all wanted one. Another guy had a
“Bubble Car” (remember them?) Almost immediately we also wanted one. One guy
got a girlfriend. We all wanted one too! Suddenly, life was all about keeping
up with the Jones’ even though the Jones’ didn’t always exist.
In Christianity there is
a serious problem with peer pressure. Thirty years ago we had the “Name it,
claim it and frame it” brigade. Actually it was very presumptuous. On
reflection I sometimes wonder whether we were there to serve God or He was
there to serve us! We would, stand on the Covenant promises of God and demand
He do what we were asking!
Things are not grossly
different today. The prosperity message has taken the people by storm. So if
we have a ministry we must look the part! “Pastors” drive round in flashy
expensive cars. They wear silk shirts and expensive suits because “God’s man
must never look poor”. He must look prosperous. The fact that he does it at
tremendous cost to his flock is thought to be normal. “They may learn from me that God can afford my lifestyle”.
Oddly enough, Jesus didn’t do this and He is the Son of God. So charlatans
with oratorical ability prey on the flock and acquire great wealth at the
expense of the people. It’s reached the point in Limpopo Province evangelists
are shunned. Why? Because one man toured the area and told them that if they
put a certain amount in the offering, they would be millionaires in three
weeks! He left town with their money. Not one of them are millionaires over a
year later!
This shouldn’t surprise
us. Jesus warned about this in the last days. The question is, what are we
going to do about it? We can continue to preach the simple Gospel Jesus
proclaimed and look out for thieves and robbers. “By their fruit you will
know them” said Jesus. So let’s all see what men do rather than what men say!
Jim
& Phyllida Strickland
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1 The Holy Spirit clearly says that in the last days some
people will leave the faith. They will follow spirits that will fool them.
They will believe things that demons will teach them.
1 Timothy 4:1 NIrV
18 "So pay attention
to how you listen! Those who understand these mysteries will be given
more knowledge. However, some people don't understand these mysteries. Even
what they think they understand will be taken away from them."
Luke 8:18 GW
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with
all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16 NASB
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with
which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Ephesians 6:16 ESV
165 Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing
can make them stumble.
Psalms 119:165 TNIV
103 How sweet Your words taste to me; they are sweeter than
honey. 104 Your commandments
give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. 105
Nun Your
word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Psalms 119:103-105 NLT
99 I know more than all of my teachers do, because I spend
time thinking about your covenant laws.
Psalms 119:99 NIrV
14 And
no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an
angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to
you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:8 ESV
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The Holy Spirit tells us, in the last day’s there’ll be fakes.
People who speak “Christian talk” but actually are flakes.
They have been deluded; they think that they are right
But all the things they say and do are evil in God’s sight.
Motivation’s everything in all they say and do.
They’re building up their ministry and friend they’re using you.
Their motive isn’t Jesus, it’s money in the bank
They cast out demons in His name; but who they really thank,
Is Mammon and His partners, avarice and greed
A big cheque in the offering is what they really need.
O yes! They’ll are convincing. And even the “elect”
Can easily be turned away. They are an evil sect.
We must be very fussy about whom we will hear.
Stand aside and look at them and see who they appear.
First look at their lifestyle and how they love their mate.
If it’s inconsistent, don’t enter a debate.
If they truly love the Lord, their Christianity,
Will be the sort of lifestyle that Jesus wants to see.
Are they rich and flashy and all their people poor?
Then get up and leave them. You can be very sure
That they are just self-serving. They’re in it for the fame
They may all speak of Jesus but it is the devil’s game
What about their workers. How much is it they’re paid.
It it’s on the ‘bread-line’, be terribly afraid.
Get out and get out quickly, or you may be sucked in.
And find that you are serving the devil and his sin.
If in doubt, don’t do it. From Christ don’t turn away.
You’ve had plenty warning your part is to obey.
Not the clever orator who has a way with words
You’re sure to find his teaching is strictly “for the birds”
Check out every statement with what is written down
If it isn’t Biblical, get up and leave that “clown”!
He may look like an angel all clothed in dazzling light.
Just dig a little deeper; his words will have the “blight”.
For if you hear a gospel that isn’t what we taught.
The Lord Himself will curse him and he will come to naught.
So let His Spirit lead you; and you will stay away
From all of the false teachers and all the lies they say.
Jim Strickland –
Written 28th June 2012
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