UTTERLY RELIABLE

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 11 April 2013

Hi all,

One of my favourite all time movies was made in 1951. It was called, “An American in Paris”. The story line wasn’t particularly impressive. The dancing ability of Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron were sensational. The climax of the movie was a 16 minute “ballet” dance routine. It must be one of the best exhibitions of dancing in American movies. In an extraordinary way, these two dancers with different dance styles produced something that was quite exceptional. 

The songs and their lyrics were unforgettable. One of my old time favourites is “Our Love is here to Stay”. The lyrics are included below:

An American in Paris – Music by George and Ira Gershwin – Featured Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron
It's very clear, Our love is here to stay ; Not for a year But ever and a day	The radio and the telephone And the movies that we know May just be passing fancies, And in time may go	But, oh my dear, Our love is here to stay. Together we're Going a long, long way	In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble, There're only made of clay, But, our love is here to stay.

The older I get, the more I’m reminded of the love of Jesus for His creation; particularly His people. My imagination has captured this song and transformed it into a duet between The Lord Jesus and me singing “Our Love is here to stay”. Of course it could be a duet between the Lord Jesus and any one of His disciples.

You and I have limited lifespan. Jesus is eternal. You and I will surely die. But our love for Him and His love for us will never end. It’s true that in time “the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble, there're only made of clay. But, our love is here to stay!”  Somewhere in the middle of eternity, (if there is such a place), we will be with the only One who is, immortal, invisible and the only wise God. This statement is utterly reliable! Thank you Lord Jesus.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 11 April 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	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					©
INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	utterly reliable
Teaching and knowledge are the two operative words in this morning’s Scripture. Both words are important to us today. We have certain automatic functions in life. We don’t need to be taught how to breathe. Our heart beats by itself without instruction. The blood goes round and round. We feel pain and get grumpy when we are hungry etc. Apart from these and a few other things, we arrive in this world knowing virtually nothing. Our brains appear to be completely uncluttered. We then go into a learning process that is phenomenal. I’m reminded of a Syrian friend of mine from Homs asking me if I could speak Arabic. Of course I’d picked up a couple of words. But I had to confess, I didn’t. “What’s the matter with you” he asked “tongue in cheek”! “My grandson is only two and he’s quite fluent!” Language is acquired quickly by a baby. They have the ability to do so very swiftly; they learn to be manipulative in the first seven days. A baby knows that when he bawls and squalls, someone will stick something in his/her mouth and feed him. They’ve found out that with a bit of effort, they can keep Mom and Dad continually on the run. I’m told that by the time a child is three, he has learned up to 80% of all they’ll ever learn. God’s Word associates knowledge with wisdom. It’s obvious, that we need knowledge in order to become wise. Sadly, many don’t want to learn. It’s too much like hard work. Many don’t believe that God exists. According to Scripture, they are foolish 7 If you really want to gain knowledge, you must begin by having respect for the LORD. But foolish people hate wisdom and training. Pro 1:7 NIrV The Scripture goes further and says that unbelievers are fools. 1 Godless fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt. They do disgusting things. There is no one who does good things. Psalm 14:1 GW Now you don’t have to believe me. God has given you the choice to believe in Him or not. Why should I try and deny you this privilege? Your decision is yours. On your head, be it. As far as Phyllida and I are concerned, we have learned from personal experience, that God is utterly reliable. Our meditation looks into this further. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			11 Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Psalm 27:11 NLT 8 The LORD says, "I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you. Psalm 32:8 GW 8 The LORD is good and does what is right; He shows the proper path to those who go astray. 9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them His way. Psalm 25:8-9 NLT 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:9 ESV 6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, & the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 NLT 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb. 10:19-22 ESV 1 "Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces; now He will heal us. He has injured us; now He will bandage our wounds. 2 In just a short time He will restore us, so that we may live in His presence. 3 Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring." Hosea 6:1-3 NLT 10 The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep His covenant and obey His demands. Psalm 25:10 NLT	A student, or a learner, or an undergraduate, People seem to think that on a certain future date, Our studies will be over and learning will be through. But friend, if that’s your attitude, I’ve got bad news for you. We’ll never quit from learning until we drop down dead. There such a lot more knowledge to cram into our head. The world is set on changing. Technology’s gone wild. The ones who seem to “get it” is now a little child. The “buzz word” in all industry is “keeping up to date”. And if you do not do it, I’m sad to have to state, That good qualification acquired in the past, Is going to be outdated and is losing value fast! What is the solution? What is it we must do, To keep our thinking current, reliable and true? If course it is impossible for us to know it all. But I can say for certain there’s a person you can call. He is the Master teacher, designer of all things. He knows why people have 2 legs and why the birds have wings! He’s fluent in all languages and has no need for sleep. He’s instantly available, He knows each time we weep. He knows your great grandfather as well as Abraham. So He’s the man to look to, when you are in a jam. His speciality is knowing if things are right or wrong. And He will gladly lead you and it will not be long, Before you’re on the right path your enemies don’t know. And He will take good care of you no matter where you go. He’s utterly reliable. In fact He is the way; The truth; the life; the open door; He never goes astray. He knows the way to heaven. In Him and Him alone Can anybody enter and see God’s Holy throne. It is an open secret just why this is a fact. Because His life was sinless. All others “dudes” were sacked. They’ll never get you entrance. They’re all as bad as me. There isn’t an alternative. It’s Him exclusively! So let’s be realistic. Let’s do what is required. The fount of every blessing can give what is desired. Ask Him any question and you will know as well, That He can show you heaven and even show you hell. We know His Name is Jesus. Some call Him Joshua. “Jehovah is salvation” “The Bright and Morning Star” No One’s better qualified to teach you how to go. And when you get to know Him, you’ll surely love Him so. He is forever faithful. He is unfailing love. The author of redemption, The One Who’s high above, Anyone and everything on whom we can rely The Son of God Almighty. Thank God He’s always nigh. Jim Strickland Written 11th April 2012