Time with Jesus - 27 Aug 2013
Don't Stall - Keep Moving |
Buried Dreams and Goals |
Biblical Oil Lamp |
You are invited to A Wedding |
Five went in 5 were locked out |
Jesus' Warning! |
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – 27 Aug 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
|
GOING HOME?
|
||||
Those who believe “Once Saved Always Saved” will not
like this message. I wish I could believe that. It has some Scriptural
support. But not nearly enough to contradict the teaching of the Scripture.
This indicates that God demands His people live a “sin free” life. I know
that none of us can do that! But, in His strength, we should commit ourselves
to living that way. I’m sorry, I can’t believe that a few words of prayer
mumbled 20 odd years ago and not followed up with a changed life, allows us
to sin as much as we want with impunity. The fact is I can train a parrot to
say “the sinner’s prayer”. But the parrot is not saved. Nor can it ever be
saved.
God makes it very clear that without repentance,
there is no forgiveness. Thus without repentance a “sinner” isn’t saved. I
wish this was not the case. But God’s Word states this is true. I believe
that a garbled prayer, not followed with the fruit of repentance, is
worthless. Worse than worthless. The person in question has been given a
false sense of security, which is a lie!
Now I’ve heard about “extreme grace”. I’ve also know
about the argument that living a sin free life is more or less impossible. It
is impossible. But God knows our hearts. He knows if we are sincere or otherwise.
He knows our weaknesses. There is nothing He doesn’t know. So He knows if
your decision to receive Christ as your personal Saviour was genuine. It may
have been just words strung together to satisfy some convenient formula.
Satan doesn’t want any of us saved. So, if he can make us think we are saved
when we are not, he has achieved his objective.
Now you don’t have to believe me. But think of the consequences.
I committed my life to Jesus Christ over 50 years ago. According to your
belief I am saved and have been for all that time. According to me, that’s
only true if I’ve followed Him through trials, temptations and errors. So in
Terms of “Once Saved Always Saved” I am saved. In terms of my understanding
of the Scripture, salvation takes place when life is over. In other words,
God insists that my life be changed continuously. Matthew
10:22 informs us: But the person who
patiently endures to the end will be saved. Furthermore God promises
the reward “To him who overcomes” in the
following Scriptures in Revelation, 2:7; 2:17;
2:26; 3:5; 3:12 & 3:31. “Overcomes
what?” people ask. Good question. The only possible answer is sin. Not
necessarily sinless perfection. It must surely be an attitude; a desire to be
holy just as we are commanded in Scripture. 1
Peter 1:16 "Be holy, for I am holy."
In addition we are told in Hebrews 12:14 Work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy
will not see the Lord. Nowhere are we told that we may live a life the
same or worse than sinners and be assured we are saved. God does not condone
that. Of course if you don’t believe me, that’s between you and Him. I’d like
to think you are right. I want you to be right. But if I’m correct, you had
better start praying for God to show you the things you must do for
salvation. Ask Him for the help of the Holy Spirit. You will not be successful
without Him. The next step is entirely in your own hands. Joshua 24:15 states “choose
this day whom you will serve”. No one can do this for you or for me.
We must change! Whom do you choose? It’s your call!
Jim &
Phyllida
Strickland
|
6 The captain went to him and said, "How
can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice
of us, and we will not perish."
Jonah 1:6 NIV
|
The
Lord our God will only use a vessel on the go.
A stationary vehicle, He will not use, you know.
It’s
only those who are alive, that Jesus will inspire.
When you’re lying in the grave, it’s too late for His fire.
Others,
who are sleeping, may also miss His call.
He tells us to be awake, to greet the Lord of All.
Know
you’re fully organised; although the time is late.
If you are caught out unawares, you will regret your fate.
Ensure
your lamp is ready and you have oil to spare.
In your haste to fill your lamp, you may find He’s not there.
Perhaps
He’s in the banquet hall and He has closed the door?
Don’t bother with your knocking you can’t get in no more.
Don’t
think it will not happen. The parable is clear.
Those who are not ready, have very much to fear.
Remember
He’s the bridegroom. His people are His bride.
But if you are not ready, then you’ll be left outside.
That’s
why He keeps on saying, “Get up and go away.
This world is not your resting place. Don’t think you’re here to stay.
Because
this world is ruined; beyond all remedy.
Frankly it’s not suitable for those who want to be,
Living
in My Kingdom. Don’t think of things on earth.
Only use them for the chance to find your second birth.”
Extortion
will not help you. The Lord cannot be bribed.
He won’t tolerate the sin to which you have subscribed.
One
look and He says, “Uh-Uh! That doesn’t work old son.
Go and join the other side and see if it is ‘fun’!”
Get
your life in order. Do not be afraid.
I know you cannot do it; but the Holy Spirit’s aid,
Is
so much more effective than trusting in yourself.
You will miss the banquet and be left upon the shelf.
Satan
wants to tempt you with orgies and with booze.
He will stoop to anything that causes you to snooze.
Don’t
be too concerned with all the worries of this life.
Husbands please take note that He is looking at you wife!
He
will treat you just the way that you have treated her.
Is that kind of treatment you think you would prefer?
Don’t
provoke your children! Treat them tenderly.
Care for them the self-same way that He has cared for thee.
Wives
obey your husbands and quietly submit.
If he treats you badly, just wait a little bit.
He
will have a problem with Christ the Lord Most High.
That’s how he’ll be treated in His home up in the sky.
“Do
not be discouraged. Wait patiently for Me;
And you’ll be excited about what I have for thee.”
Jim Strickland
Written 27th August 2012
|
||||
10 Get up, go away! For this is not your
resting place, because it is defiled, it is ruined, beyond all remedy.
Micah 2:10 NIV
|
||||||
2 Think about things that are in heaven.
Don't think about things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:2 NIrV
|
||||||
10 Do not count on extortion to make you rich. Do not hope to gain
anything through robbery. When riches increase,
do not depend on them.
Psalms 62:10 GW
|
||||||
19 your part is to give yourselves, heart
and soul, to praying to your GOD. So get moving--build the sacred
house of worship to GOD! Then bring the Chest of the Covenant of GOD and all
the holy furnishings for the worship of God into the sanctuary built in honour
of GOD."
Chronicles 22:19 MSG
|
||||||
46 He said to them, "Why are you sleeping?
Get up, and pray that you won't be tempted."
Luke 22:46 GW
|
||||||
34 "Watch out! Don't let your hearts be
dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don't
let that day catch you unaware,
Luke 21:34 NLT
|
||||||
5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all
became drowsy and fell asleep.
Matthew 25:5 NLT
|
||||||
37 In just a very little while, "The
one who is coming will come. He will not wait.
Hebrews 10:37 NIrV
|
||||||
11 Besides this you know the time, that the
hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now
than when we first believed.
Romans 13:11 ESV
|
||||||
35 Therefore, be alert, because you don't
know when the owner of the house will return. It could be in the evening or
at midnight or at dawn or in the morning. 36 Make sure he doesn't come suddenly and find you asleep.
Mark 13:35-36 GW
|
No comments:
Post a Comment