Time
with Jesus - 20 July 2013
Hi
all,
Comedians
are supposed to be “funny” people. They come onto the stage, TV or radio and
make us laugh. Many have acquired International status by virtue of their
ability. Most will have heard of Bob Hope, Charlie Chaplain, Buster Keaton, Morecombe
and Wise, Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, Ken Dodd and many others.
Comedy
being what it is, opinions concerning their ability to make us laugh, varies
from person to person. Furthermore, as times have changed, so has the
presentation of the individual.
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| The Thin Blue Line |
Rowan
Atkinson took the leading part of Inspector Fowler in “The Thin Blue Line”. I
understand it’s one of the most popular BBC programs ever. We think it’s hilarious
and we have copies of the two DVD’s among our collection. We asked ourselves,
“Why?” We quickly spotted the reason. The difference is the scriptwriter, Ben
Elton, who wrote it.
Likewise,
the immensely popular Goon Show featuring, Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe, Peter
Sellers and initially, Michael Bentine, (1951–1953) was the zany comedy of
Spike Milligan with, in the early days, a small contribution from Michael
Bentine. According to Wikipedia, 238 episodes and 12 specials were broadcast
from 1951 to 1960. Phyllida and I recall some of the series which we heard on the
radio while we were still at school.
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| The Goons (L/R) Peter Sellers, Harry Secombe Spike Milligan |
Comedians
are not always “fun” people in real life. In many instances they suffer from heavy
bouts of depression. Their comedy is an act they use to cover their dilemma.
Perhaps the best example is the late Tony Hancock. During the 1950’s and early
1960’s he was perhaps the most popular comedian in UK and many other places. In
spite of his success, he felt threatened by other, up and coming radio and TV
stars. His disagreement with people resulted in his separation from his two
scriptwriters, Allan Simpson and Ray Galton. It was the beginning of the end. He
was never able to reach the same heights of popularity he had previously known.
Finally, on 24 June 1968, age 44, he committed suicide.
What
relevance does this have for you and me in 2013? It’s this. Who is writing your
scripts? Are you taking your lead from Jesus or Satan? We will never be any
better than the imagination of our scriptwriters and what they provide for us. God
has a life planned for you and me which is better than anything we could
imagine. 
In
the meantime, go and do it. The Psalmists wrote11 I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin
against You. Psalm 119:11 NLT The
script will not be too hard for you, because He knows what you are going to
say. 4 You know what I am going to say even
before I say it, LORD. Psalm 139:4 NLT
He
has also provided you with a Divine prompter should you struggle with your
part. Your prompter is the Holy Spirit. You are called to go out joyfully and reflect
the life of the greatest star this world has ever known. What are you waiting
for?
Shalom,
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Saturday, 20 July 2013
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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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JOYFUL
IN GOD
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The derivation
of words can be fascinating. The word translated “joy” in Gal 5:22 and
rejoice in Phil 3:1 come from the same root. In other words joy and rejoice mean
about the same thing! It’s important!
When
I first came into Christianity, I was full of the joy of the Lord. There were
a number of other young men and women who had been touched the same way. It
sounds a bit cock-eyed, but when we sang Wesley’s Great hymn, “And can it be
that I might gain an interest in my Saviour’s blood?” I used to cry like a
baby! God’s Spirit had so touched me I would weep tears of joy. It seemed the
right thing to do.
What
disappointed me at the time was the fact that so many of the older people
could sing it. But it was without any display of enthusiasm at all. At the
time I felt that this was “normal” for older people.
There
was a problem in those days. People would not discuss religion or politics in
public. It seemed to be an unwritten law of the “church” that people would
not wax lyrical about Christianity.
I’m
reminded of a story from those days. A rather excitable Pentecostal visited a
Cathedral while on holiday. Naturally, he got a bit excited during the
service and kept on interjecting, “Praise the Lord” or “Amen, Hallelujah”
Eventually one of the church elders tiptoed up to him and whispered in his
ear, “We don’t praise the Lord here”. It would be funny if it wasn’t so
tragic. No doubt the church elder and others in the congregation were
disturbed by what they thought were the man’s emotional outbursts. Nevertheless,
we see that the usual “atmosphere” in the church was one of strictly
controlled emotion. Certainly that’s what I saw in the 1960’s. The comment
was that the people looked as though they had been baptized in lemon juice!
How
the church of Jesus Christ has changed. There was a time when men and women
were “thrilled” to have been whipped or beaten for believing in the Saviour.
I’ve often wondered why it was like it in those dim and distant days. The
question is not easy to answer. In every outpouring of the Holy Spirit that
I’m aware of, the result was to touch the people in their emotions. People
wept, shouted, cried and fell over unconscious as a result of what took place
in their lives. There are even stories of people laughing hysterically under
the influence of the Spirit of God. Why? I suspect it has much to do with the
way they suppress themselves. Then, when they are touched by the Lord, the
chains of their suppression are snapped. Then they start doing things they
would have liked to do, but wouldn’t. Now they were free. Joy at their
release would bubble up and overflow in a delightful expression of their love
for the One who liberated them.
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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15 All
the days of those who are crushed are filled with pain and suffering. But a cheerful heart enjoys a good time that never ends.
Proverbs 15:15 NIrV
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God is not a spoilsport, He likes us
having fun.
It all depends on what it is He sees
and what we’ve done.
It is our definition of all the things
we do.
We may think it is funny! But what is
it to You?
If we abuse our parents, so we can
have a laugh,
The Lord will blow us all away like
little bits of chaff.
We may think stealing’s funny; but God
is not amused;
And entry into heaven, for you will be
refused.
There’s lying and there’s cheating and
other funny jokes;
And sexual offences with other gals or
blokes.
There’s cheating on your husband and
there is also pawn.
The only things these do to God are
aggravate His scorn!
God has a word for all of this. He says
it’s blatant sin.
And when we dabble into these, you’ll
never see Him grin.
In fact the Bible tells us, in words
so very clear,
That if we carry on with them, He
never will draw near.
We will not enter the reward the Lord
Himself has planned;
And end up in a dungeon, in darkest
demon-land.
The Lord is not a prostitute. He’s
made it clear as day.
That He is not a bit like that in the
remotest way!
He’s not manipulate-able; you cannot
twist His arm.
The Christians, who think that way,
are at the “funny farm”!
We really have to understand, that
humour isn’t joy.
The things I think are funny, may
easily annoy,
People who think differently. Perhaps
you want to cry?
But with the joy of Jesus, His peace
is standing by.
So even if the fig tree has no
blossoms we can see.
Even if the grape vine fails, perhaps
the olive tree,
Is barren and the flocks and herds lie
slaughtered in the field.
You can still rejoice because your
covenant is sealed.
With the blood of Jesus, there’s sure
to be no lack.
The Word of God declares that Satan
has to bring them back!
We don’t know how he’ll do it. We do
not even care.
He must find a method on time, in
place, somewhere!
Even if we suffer and they burn you at
the stake.
It’s an opportunity for joy to surely
break,
The bonds that are restraining you. So
laugh aloud with glee.
In just a few short moments, the Lord
your God you’ll see.
Pain is momentary and joy is evermore.
Kept for those who persevere, right up
to heaven’s door!
Jim Strickland
20th July 2012
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10 He continued, "Go home and prepare a feast,
holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don't have anything: This
day is holy to God. Don't feel bad. The joy of
GOD (The Lord) is your strength!"
Nehemiah 8:10 MSG
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17 The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,
but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
Romans 14:17 TNIV
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18
Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among
yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20
And give thanks for everything to God the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:18-20 NLT
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15 So let us never stop offering to God our praise through
Jesus. Let us offer it as the fruit of lips that say they believe in him.
Hebrews 13:15 NIrV
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17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there
are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields
lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the
cattle barns are empty, 18 yet
I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Habakkuk 3:17-18 NLT
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10 We are sad, but we are always full of joy. We
are poor, but we make many people rich. We have nothing, but we own
everything.
2 Corinthians 6:10 NIrV
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3 That's
not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer.
We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on.
Romans 5:3 NIrV
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