BE A WITNESS

Time with Jesus - Monday, 08 October 2012

Hi all,

The Scriptures today really challenged me. For several years I’ve been gravely concerned that people go and attend Miracle and Healing Crusades and nothing happens; lots of healings that may be psychosomatic; but just about nothing that can be confirmed medically. I know that Kathryn Kuhlman was most particular about this. We should be too. God is not hiding away. So we should be quite sure that a so called “miracle” is a genuine “miracle” before we start to spread lies about something that isn’t true. God is not impressed.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 08 October 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	BE A WITNESS
It’s a terrible thing to say but the fact is the Christian Church today is apparently more or less powerless. We look at programmes on TV and notice that although there is a measure of healing taking place, the power and the presence of God appears to be lacking. I’m not accusing anyone about this. If anything I’m pointing at myself. Think about this for a moment. The Holy Trinity is the same forever. So what was done by the Living God in the past should be seen today. Sadly we see hardly any observable and documented healings that can be medically attested. Why? Don’t tell me God doesn’t do that anymore. Don’t tell me that it’s a lack of faith on our behalf. If this is the case, it means that God is tucked away in some “hidey-hole” and won’t show Himself until our Faith level has reached some prescribed level. To say that implies that the power of God depends on you and me! That’s not true. Now I know the Word says 58 And so He did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58 NLT. The question that must be asked here is what Jesus meant. There are two possible reasons. One is that He was not able to perform a miracle because of their unbelief. That can’t be true. Whether we believe or not, God’s power and ability remains the same. Nothing we do can ever change that. The second is that Jesus responds to the faith of the people. In better words, if you don’t believe, He won’t heal. This is probably nearer the facts and may well be what took place. Certainly we know that if you don’t believe, you won’t receive. It follows that this is probably the Scriptural reason. We also know that 17 Faith comes from hearing the message. And the message that is heard is the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 NIrV The fact is, the vast majority of those who attend a church meeting are already believers. So “faith” must be there. Even so, almost nothing seems to happen. People do not receive their healing. Why? Don’t tell me they do receive and lose it immediately. That’s a “cop out” and is nonsense! I suspect that the problem is our own motives. We go to hear a message. We should go to meet Jesus. The preacher gives a message. Even so, nothing happens. Question: Have we gone to listen to a man or woman instead of going to be with Jesus? Our big name and small name evangelists and their ilk. Are there to promote their own ministry and – and this is usually the case – to make money or to point to Jesus? Sure it looks very professional; the speakers are eloquent and inspiring. But is the focus on Jesus or on us? One of my “favourite” saints of yesterday – yes he was a Roman Catholic – St Francis of Assisi would commission his followers with words to the following effect. “I want you to go into all the world and spread the Gospel. Then, only if people ask you, speak”. Speaking should follow seeing. What people say should be seen to be their life in action. This was Jesus’ model. The voice of Jesus created all that we will ever see. “Light be” and it was so! But Jesus knew people. He knew they would not listen, even to Him, unless they knew His lifestyle corresponded with His words. How should we respond to this message? Easy. Next time we meet; let’s not focus on what any person says. Let’s focus on Jesus entirely. If we have to sit in absolute silence worshipping and praising Jesus, that’s fine. Let’s get the focus on Jesus and not man! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			For the choir director: A psalm of David. 1 I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. Psalms 40:1-2 NLT 4 They all drank the same supernatural water. They drank from the supernatural rock that went with them. That rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4 NIrV 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because My Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build My church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Matthew 16:16-18 NLT 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 ESV 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; Hebrews 10:22-23 NASB 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 ESV 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 ESV	What do we do with “hate-speech” in two thousand and twelve? Does it mean our witness, each one of us must shelve? There’s great misunderstanding about this very thing. We have not been muzzled. Our praises to our King, Are still just as important as they have ever been; And Jesus told us clearly, our witness must be seen! A witness answers questions. He doesn’t volunteer, To give his information to everyone who’s near. Try that in the courtroom. They’ll tell you to be quiet. If you want to go to jail, just carry on and try it. Don’t give your opinions. We’re looking for the facts. Courtrooms aren’t the proper place for distributing tracts. Listen to the lawyer. Do not rabbit on. Give an answer truthfully. You’re not number one! We are living in a world which truly is a court. Don’t fall into error. You must not resort, To blabbing and to chatting about the Lord Most High. You must be a witness men look at with their eyes. They can spot a liar and recognise a fake. Every little word you say could show them you’re a flake. Go and preach the Gospel That was the Lord’s command. Do it with a lifestyle which men can understand. Everyone is looking and if the things you say, Contradict your actions in just a tiny way, They’ll call you a hypocrite and what they say is true. But, if they first see it, they’ll listen unto you. Back in the Old Testament a witness was a stone Set up by the people so everyone was shown, What was commemorated. A rock says not a word. But every time men looked at it, its message could be heard. If it had started speaking, the folk would run away. They’d think perhaps a demon was visiting that day! Christians must remember that credibility, Is not what people listen to, but that which people see! The people in the Bible first saw what Jesus did. Heal the sick and raise the dead. His witness wasn’t hid! They could see it plainly. That’s how He got their ear. If He had only spoken, the folk would not draw near! He told each of His followers. His words were “follow Me”! And that is still the only thing a Christian should be. Walking in His footsteps and speaking not a thing. We won’t find the Living God by idle chattering. But when people see it, their hearts will open wide. And they’ll know the living God is down on your inside. Jim Strickland – Written 8th October 2012