Time with Jesus - Saturday, 06 April 2013
Hi all,
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| Counsellor |
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| Mighty God |
Why is this mentioned? In his early days as an author, just before he
completed his studies, (PhD in biochemistry) he wrote a short story. It was
destined to become one of the great short stories in science fiction. He
mentions this in his early biography, “The Early Asimov”. He states that when
he sat down to write the story, he had no idea that what he was about to write, would
become what it ultimately became.
Today’s meditation is called, “Your Open Invitation”. It looks at Isaiah
9:6 and speaks of the coming Messiah. Did Isaiah know the significance of what
he was writing? Probably not! At the time it meant very little. Some 2600 years
later, we know that it referred to Jesus Christ. We see that his prophetic word
was “right on!” Jesus Christ, the God/man. A child was born – a Son was given.
The superlatives are fact! Thank You Lord. He is the One Who extends an open
invitation to all, to be reconciled with God in Him.
Shalom,
Jim
& Phyllida Strickland
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Saturday, 06 April 2013
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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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Your Open Invitation
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In the Scriptures today, Isaiah 9:6 appears three times as indicated
in the quote. 6 A child will be born
for us. A son will be given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders.
He will be named: (1) Wonderful Counsellor, (2) Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, (3) Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 GW I’ve combined two of them to
preserve the quoted Scripture portion to manageable proportions.
I’ve often wondered why we are told that, 1) a child will be born for
us and 2) a son will be given to us. At first I thought it was just
semantics. So I consulted a couple of commentaries. The Believer’s Bible
Commentary stated: The First Advent is described
in verse 6a: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given." The first
clause speaks of His humanity, the second of His deity: Isaiah 9:6
This made a lot of sense and I’ve incorporated this into today’s
meditation. Thus you find them highlighted in the Scripture portion and
emphasised in the poetry portion.
The meditation has been compiled as a dialog with the Lord. The two
colours make it easier to follow. The topic emphasises Jesus’ Humanity and
His Divinity, to assist us understand the Scripture.
I wonder what was in Isaiah’s mind when he wrote this Scripture.
Seldom, were the prophets even remotely aware, that their words were inspired
by the Holy Spirit. I suspect that if they had been, they would have been
terrified. The insight was so “normal” that they had no clue of Divine
influence. I’ve noticed this in my own life. On the odd occasion when I’ve
been used by the Lord in any capacity, it was so normal that I was completely
unaware of what was taking place. For this I thank God. I’m sure that if
something abnormal happened, whereby I was convinced that what I was about to
say or do, was motivated by the Lord, I would have run away! It’s altogether
too awesome to consider seriously!
Many years ago I heard a man speak about this in his own life. The
comments above more or less correspond with what he said. He was afraid of
getting into pride. This terrifies me too. If I knew that my next few words
were directly from the Lord, I think I would be struck dumb. It’s not
something to brag about, but something to fear and very humbling.
The meditation is an open invitation for people to come to Him. The
invitation is open to us from birth to death. After that, the opportunity has
gone!
Jim & Phyllida
Strickland
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10 Those who know your
name trust you, O LORD, because you have never deserted those who seek
your help.
Psalm 9:10 GW
5 "The days are coming," declares the LORD,
"when I will grow a righteous branch for David. He will be a king who
will rule wisely. He will do what is fair and right in the land. 6
In his lifetime, Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety. This is the name that he will be given: The LORD Our
Righteousness.
Jer. 23:5-6 GW
16 I will (go) come with
the mighty deeds of the Almighty LORD. I will praise your righteousness,
yours alone.
Psalm 71:16 GW
23 I know, GOD, that mere
mortals can't run their own lives, That men and women don't have what it
takes to take charge of life.
Jer. 10:23 MSG
6 For a Child is born to us,(His
Humanity) a Son is given to us.(His
Divinity) The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 NLT
12 That's why I'm suffering the way I am. But I'm not ashamed. I know the One I have believed in.
I am sure he is able to take care of what I have given him. I can trust him
with it until the day he returns as judge.
2 Tim 1:12 NIrV
6 For a Child is born to us,(His
Humanity) a Son is given to us.(His
Divinity) The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be
called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 NLT
14 So he is our peace.
In his body he has made Jewish and non-Jewish people one by breaking down the
wall of hostility that kept them apart.
Eph. 2:14 GW
1 Therefore, since we
have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because
of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
Rom 5:1 NLT
10 The name of the LORD is
a strong tower. A righteous person runs to it and is safe.
Prov. 18:10 GW
1 Woe to those who go
down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots
because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do
not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!
Isaiah 31:1 ESV
5 The LORD of Heaven's
Armies will hover over Jerusalem and protect it like a bird protecting its
nest. He will defend and save the city; He will pass over it and rescue
it."
Isaiah 31:5 NLT
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To know Him is to trust Him. This is forever true!
But you
will never know Him, until He’s met with you.
It seems a contradiction and also rather odd.
But if we
are to know Him, we first must meet with God.
But where’s the invitation for us to go and meet?
Is it in
the market place or on a busy street?
This is the burning question in more that just one sense.
For if
we’re not in contact, what will be your defence,
If He turns round and says to you, “You
never even tried,
To come
and meet your Maker. No effort on your side,
Was made by you to contact Me. You seldom had the time,
For anyone
except yourself. This is your greatest crime.
My doors were ever open and just one little prayer,
Was all
you ever needed; but you just didn’t care.
There were too many baubles attracting you away!
And there
was never time enough to hear what I would say.
You missed out on the blessings through the power of My Name.
To you,
your sojourn on the earth, was just a little game.
And yet a child was born to you, an ordinary man. Humsnity
Deliberately
chosen to fit into My plan.
He had to take on Satan and never ever sin.
A person
fully human to represent your kin,
Or He would be disqualified. An angel wouldn’t do.
He had to be a person, a man the same as you.
Yet in his full humanity, He had to be Divine;
And so a
Son was given. The only Son of Mine.
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Divinity
Humanity united with Divinity in One.
A sinless
individual whom man could look upon.
He came here as a servant. No title and no rank.
And by the
very life He lived, the “ship of Satan” sank!
Each moment He was on the earth He had to spend with me.
Yet
represent your people simultaneously!
So why was it so difficult? For you one little glance,
Would be
of such sufficiency, that you would have the chance,
To live with us forever! But you would not comply.
So you
must reap the consequence. Indeed you have to die,
Outside of the protection that I had offered you.
You showed
you didn’t want it; and I’ll respect your view.
Your lifestyle demonstrated the way you wish to go.
Do not try
and lie to Me and say you didn’t know!
My brother or my sister, you’ll surely rue the day,
If you
reject the Master before you pass away.
Spend some time with Jesus. If you’ll invite Him in,
You will
not know the consequence of your disgusting sin.
Repent and cry out to Him, to be one of His own.
Then
follow in obedience, the way His Word has shown,
Jim
Strickland
Written
6th
April 2012
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