Time with Jesus - 8
Oct 2013
Hi all,
Some of the programmes were also popular. “The OK Pot
of Gold Show” was well-liked. At one time, OK Bazaars was just about the only
store in South Africa. Now it has been replaced by ShopRite/Checkers and Pick
‘n Pay. In the 1950’s, that would have been thought to be impossible.
Peter
Chiswell was popular with his “Strangers from Space”. Then there was “Mr Walker
Wants to Play” I think the broadcaster was Johnny Walker? However I may be
confused with the whiskey distiller.
Every Tuesday evening there was
“Consider Your Verdict”. It was one of the few programmes that were still on
Springbok Radio when I returned to South Africa in 1974. It had a unique
“signature tune”. There were no words and I don’t think I’ve heard it anywhere
else. Now I’m not a lawyer. But if anything introduced the South African public
to court room procedure it was “Consider Your Verdict”. 
Who can forget the
words, “I promise that the evidence I give will be the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth. So help me God!” Similar words were included in a
number of subsequent TV court room dramas. Perhaps the most memorable was Perry
Mason, popular in the UK and Canada in the 1960’s and early 70’s.
Something I did learn back then was
that the witness never volunteered evidence or information. It was unthinkable.
All a witness was required and permitted to do was answer questions. Very often,
the questions were cleverly phrased in such a way that, very often, all that
was necessary for the witness to say, was to answer with a simple “Yes” or
“No”.
This made a great impression on me. I can remember thinking that it must
be something very hard to learn to do. This was reinforced by court room dramas
on UK TV. All the officers of the court were dressed complete with wigs and
gowns. At times it looked a bit like something out of “Monty Python”. Yet at
the same time, there was very little frivolity. What it did do for me was make
the point that life as a barrister (senior counsel in RSA) was not something
I’d like to pursue.
After committing my life to Jesus, I
found that court room procedure was loosely based on Biblical Law. For example,
according to the Law of Moses, 15 "A
single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any
wrong in connection with any offense he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses
shall a charge be established. 16 If
a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, 17
then both parties to the dispute shall appear
before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those
days.
18 The judges shall inquire
diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother
falsely, 19 then you shall do to
him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your
midst. Deuteronomy 19:15-19 ESV.
As a
Christian, I must say I rather like the accountability placed on witnesses. The
penalty for lying “in court” was most severe. Read verses 20 and 21 and see the
“eye for an eye” principle.
A lesson Christians need to learn is, witness
procedure. A witness only answers questions; he doesn’t volunteer information.
A witness must be credible and speak truthfully. 5 An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
Pro 14:5 TNIV. Another important lesson is
that a witness is seen before it is heard. 
It’s something like the moon or a
rock pile erected to bear witness to something. 37 It will be as eternal as the
moon, My faithful witness in the sky!"
Interlude Psalm
89:37 NLT In Joshua we see the principle of stones bearing witness. 26
And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the
Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set
it up there under the oak near the holy
place of the LORD.
27 "See!"
he said to all the people. "This stone will
be a witness against us. It has heard all
the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a
witness against you if you are untrue to
your God." Joshua 24:26-27 TNIV
These same principles should be observed by Christians
as they seek to “witness” for the Lord. Jesus commissioned each and every
disciple/follower to do the following:
19 Go
out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit. Mat 28:19 MSG and 8 What
you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the
ends of the world." Act 1:8 MSG
From the above we see that a witness only answers
questions. First a witness is seen. It’s what is seen that gives credibility.
Then, from a position of being credible, answer questions concerning Jesus.
Don’t rush in with information before you are asked.
That’s not being a
witness. As St Francis of Assisi said to his followers, “Go into the world and
spread the gospel. Then, only if you have to, speak!” That’s real Christianity!
Shalom
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – 08 Oct 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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BE
A WITNESS
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It’s a terrible thing to say but the fact is the
Christian Church today, is apparently more or less powerless. We look at
programmes on TV and notice that although there is a measure of healing
taking place, the power and the presence of God appears to be lacking. I’m
not accusing anyone about this. If anything I’m pointing at myself. Think
about this for a moment. The Holy Trinity is the same forever. So what was
done by the Living God in the past should be seen today. Sadly we see hardly any
observable and documented healings that can be medically attested. Why? Don’t
tell me God doesn’t do that anymore. Don’t tell me that it’s a lack of faith on
our behalf. If this is the case, it means that God is tucked away in some
“hidey-hole”. He won’t show Himself until our Faith level has reached some
prescribed quantity! To say that implies that the power of God depends on you
and me! That’s not true.
Now I know the Word says 58 And so He did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief. Matthew
13:58 NLT. The question that must be asked here is what Jesus meant?
There are two possible reasons. One is that He was not able to perform a
miracle because of their unbelief. That can’t be true. Whether we believe or
not, God’s power and ability remains the same. Nothing we do can ever change
that. The second is that Jesus responds to the faith of the people. In better
words, if you don’t believe, He won’t heal. This is probably nearer the facts
and may well be what took place. Certainly we know that if you don’t believe,
you won’t receive. It follows that this is probably the Scriptural reason. We
also know that 17 Faith comes from hearing
the message. And the message that is heard is the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 NIrV
The fact is the vast majority of those who attend a
church meeting, are already believers. So “faith” must be there. Even so,
almost nothing seems to happen. People do not receive their healing. Why?
Don’t tell me they do receive and lose it immediately. That’s a “cop out” and
is nonsense!
I suspect that the problem is our own motives. We go
to hear a message. We should go to meet Jesus. The preacher gives a message.
Even so, nothing happens. Question: Have we gone to listen to a man or woman
instead of going to be with Jesus? Our big name and small name evangelists
and their ilk are there to promote their own ministry and – and this is
usually the case – to make money or to point to Jesus? Sure it looks very
professional; the speakers are eloquent and inspiring. But is the focus on
Jesus or on us?
One of my “favourite” saints of yesterday – yes he
was a Roman Catholic – St Francis of Assisi would commission his followers
with words to the following effect. “I want you
to go into all the world and spread the Gospel. Then, only if people ask you,
speak”. Speaking should follow seeing. What people say should be seen
to be their life in action. This was Jesus’ model. The voice of Jesus created
all that we will ever see. “Light be” and it was so! But Jesus knew people.
He knew they would not listen, even to Him, unless they knew His lifestyle
corresponded with His words. How should we respond to this message? Easy.
Next time we meet; let’s not focus on what any person says. Let’s focus on Jesus
entirely. If we have to sit in absolute silence worshipping and praising Jesus,
that’s fine. Let’s get the focus on Jesus and not man!
Jim & Phyllida
Strickland
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For the choir director:
A psalm of David.
1 I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and He turned to me and
heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the
mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and
steadied me as I walked along.
Psalms 40:1-2 NLT
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What do we do with “hate-speech” in
two thousand and thirteen?
Does it mean our witness, is heard and
seldom seen?
There’s great misunderstanding about
this very thing.
We have not been muzzled. Our praises
to our King,
Are still just as important as they
have ever been;
And Jesus told us clearly, our witness
must be seen!
A witness answers questions. He
doesn’t volunteer,
To give his information to everyone
who’s near.
Try that in the courtroom. They’ll
tell you to be quiet.
If you want to go to jail, just carry
on and try it.
Don’t give your opinions. We’re
looking for the facts.
Courtrooms aren’t the proper place for
distributing tracts.
Listen to the lawyer. Do not rabbit
on.
Give an answer truthfully. You’re not
number one!
We are living in a world which truly
is a court.
Don’t fall into error. You must not
resort,
To blabbing and to chatting about the
Lord Most High.
You must be a witness men look at with
their eyes.
They can spot a liar and recognise a
fake.
Every little word you say could show
them you’re a flake.
Go and preach the Gospel That was the
Lord’s command.
Do it with a lifestyle which men can
understand.
Everyone is looking and if the things
you say,
Contradict your actions in just a tiny
way,
They’ll call you a hypocrite and what
they say is true.
But, if they first see it, they’ll
listen unto you.
Back in the Old Testament a witness
was a stone
Set up by the people so everyone was
shown,
What was commemorated. A rock says not
a word.
But every time men looked at it, its
message could be heard.
If it had started speaking, the folk
would run away.
They’d think perhaps a demon was
visiting that day!
Christians must remember that
credibility,
Is not what people listen to, but that
which people see!
The people in the Bible first saw what
Jesus did.
Heal the sick and raise the dead. His
witness wasn’t hid!
They could see it plainly. That’s how
He got their ear.
If He had only spoken, the folk would
not draw near!
He told each of His followers. His
words were “follow Me”!
And that is still the only thing a
Christian should be.
Walking in His footsteps and speaking
not a thing.
We won’t find the Living God by idle
chattering.
But when people see it, their hearts
will open wide.
And they’ll know the living God is
down on your inside.
Jim Strickland
Written 8th Oct 2012
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4 They all drank the same supernatural water. They drank from the
supernatural rock that went with them. That rock
was Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:4 NIrV
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16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17
Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because My Father in
heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.
18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build My church, and all the
powers of hell will not conquer it.
Matthew
16:16-18 NLT
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12 And there is salvation
in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by
which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12
ESV
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22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts
sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure
water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is
faithful;
Hebrews
10:22-23 NASB
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6 But let him ask in
faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea
that is driven and tossed by the wind.
James 1:6
ESV
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35 Who shall separate us
from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or
famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is
written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are
regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us. 38 For
I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things
present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor
depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans
8:35-39 ESV
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