A CONVERSATION WITH THE LORD

Prayer

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 16 May 2013

Hi all,

Watching a David Pawson DVD recently, he pointed out, correctly, that most Christians in the 1^st World have no need to depend on God for most things. We have good “jobs” which provide us with a good salary. We live in homes that are our own. It’s likely we have a mortgage or bond over the property. But the repayments have remained fixed while salaries have increased such that the repayments to the bank are not too difficult. 

Typical Large Mosque

We also have medical aid schemes which take care of most expenses. Our children or grand-children attend good schools and although the fees are considerable, we see it as a good investment for the child’s future. We drive cars that are in good condition. As David said, “What do we need God for?” He was not being irreverent. He was stating the picture as we should see it ourselves.

Typical Church Building

In other countries and in parts of South Africa, not everyone is in this position. If the Lord doesn’t heal the individual, he/she will die. Food is too expensive and if the Lord doesn’t provide, the individual will starve. Schools are few and far between. Those who would like to go to school often find they cannot do so because they have to work to help provide for the family. The young girls are “married off” at marriageable age so that they can work for their husband and their large family. Cars are out of the question. If you can afford it and it isn’t stolen, you may have a bicycle. Getting water is a problem. Sometimes it’s necessary to walk miles to a well! More often than not this is done by the women. Food is often “home-grown”. There is no other way.

Typical Syrian Arab

Those who have been blessed such that we have ample provision, shudder when we look at such poverty. We don’t like what we see. It should touch us more deeply than it does. If nothing else it should “compel” us to prayer. In most cases, it doesn’t. I suppose it has become a matter of, “I’m alright Jack!” No doubt, we will be called to account for this by God Almighty. Some have responded to the needs of those around us. Most have not.

Perhaps our biggest problem, collectively, is we don’t hear the voice of God. Individually, it is not possible to make very much of a change to things for other people. However, if we were more attuned to the voice of the Lord, we would be able to respond to His instructions for others. 

Starfish Story

I’m reminded of the story of the starfish. We may not be able to throw them all back into the sea. But if we listen to the Lord He will tell us which one to pick up and throw back. He is more than able to do this. I suspect that if all His children were listening, no starfish would remain languishing on the beach. Perhaps we may have to make several trips to the beach to do so. But He will clear the beach if we will cooperate.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Trying to Listen to the voice of the Lord

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 16 May 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	A CONVERSATION WITH THE LORD
In 1999, Phyllida and I were in Syria. Living in the city of Homs; the same city which has featured on the news recently. We loved the people and were sorry when we had to leave. We didn’t learn Arabic. So everywhere we went, we would hear the locals speaking but had no idea what they were saying. There were not many English speaking people in Homs although the bulk of the locals knew a few English words. We shopped where English was reasonably understood. On the few occasions we heard someone speaking English, we would turn round to see who it was. This experience reminds me of one of today’s Scriptures. 21 Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21 NLT This quotation comes from the time when Judah was seeking an alliance with Egypt for protection against the marauding Assyrians. Via Isaiah, the Lord told them not to do this. Egypt would not assist them. Then, speaking of a time in the future, Isaiah stated that the day would come when the people of Jerusalem would be safe and secure. At that time they would hear God speaking to them clearly. The illustration used is similar to our experience. They would hear someone speaking behind them. They would look behind them and realise it was God Himself speaking. He would tell them where to go and what to do. For Phyllida and I, the time spent in Syria was invaluable. We had nowhere to go for Christian fellowship and worship. The nearest Christian Church was in Damascus. In any case, Sunday was a normal working day. Friday was the religious holiday. Christian people were tolerated and were allowed to attend a church service on Sundays. They were required to be back at work at 12h00. Phyllida and I could have driven to Damascus to attend the Baptist Church there. But we couldn’t get back in time. So we were “forced” to rely on Him entirely. At first it was strange. But we soon found that these times of fellowship with the Lord were better than attending any church. There was no alternative. We had to listen for His voice. It was exciting. He gave us direction and guidance in a way we had heard about but never experienced. Thirteen years later, we look back on those days with sadness, particularly as we see the Syrians killing each other. We also look back with fond memories of the leading of the Lord. Which way to go and what to do. Today’s meditation dates back some 24 years. We desperately needed to hear from Him. We needed guidance. I was not well and Eskom was considering allowing me to retire, on the grounds of ill-health. The question was whether we could afford this. In the end, Eskom granted me early retirement. It was in September 1990. Exactly 30 years since I had started working in UK. We were sure that the Lord made this possible so that we could both concentrate on being ministers of the gospel without charge to the body of Christ. We had waited patiently for this to happen. We knew it would happen someday. We were not disappointed. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			7 I will praise the LORD. He gives me good advice. Even at night my heart teaches me. Psalms 16:7 NIrV 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 ESV 14 I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. Proverbs 8:14 ESV NUN 105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:105 NLT 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT 23 I know, GOD, which mere mortals can't run their own lives, Which men and women don't have what it takes to take charge of life. Jeremiah 10:23 MSG 21 Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21 NLT 3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3 ESV 10 But he knows every step I take. When he has put me to the test, I'll come out as pure as gold. Job 23:10 NIrV 24 The very steps we take come from GOD; otherwise how would we know where we're going? Proverbs 20:24 MSG 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Psalms 73:24 ESV 14 For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and He will guide us until we die. Psalms 48:14 NLT	MY PRAYER;- Father God, please listen as I come to You and pray. Lord, I long to really mean each syllable I say. Grant me understanding, to follow after You, And always be obedient Your sovereign will to do. Father it's appalling ---------- my insincerity: In truth, I long to do the things which You require of me, But laziness and slackness and other forms of ease Seem to overwhelm me and keep me from my knees. Father, I implore You. Hear my contrite prayer. Please control and guide me. Direct me anywhere That You, Lord, in Your wisdom, desire to have me go. But Lord, my supplication, is more of You to know. Jesus, be my Master. I long to crown You king; To worship and adore You and all my praises bring. I long to serve and bless You with all my earthly frame; To bow down low before You and magnify Your name. Jesus, You are precious; More valuable than gold; More beautiful than diamonds; Your worth cannot be told. For, if the entire universe were placed upon a scale The value of what You are worth would make it all look pale. THE LORD'S REPLY:- "My son, don't be ambitious and chase after those things That, only by My Spirit, a real achievement brings. No! Just relax and concentrate on doing what I say; Settle down to listening and waiting to obey. My child, please always realise that those things which I plan Will only be accomplished by a simple, honest man. So, if it's complicated and bound up very tight, It's probable that I've not been your partner in the fight! Often I would intervene and tell My people, 'Pause'. Don't gallop into battle, except it's for My cause; And don't be so determined, that what you think is true, That everything that I have said, no longer is in view! It's only the dogmatic that can never ever change; Who stands like a fanatic and other men estrange, From wanting to be truthful and following My way, And living out a Christian life on each and every day. So exercise intelligence in all the things you do, By using as your standard, The Word I've given You. It's so very simple neither adult nor a child Ever need to 'miss it' and by Satan, be beguiled. So, never act in ignorance and never act in haste, Or all the consequences by you must then be faced. Concentrate on listening and, with My Spirit, flow, And you will never 'miss' My way, no matter where You go." Jim Strickland Written 1989 Hungry Children