Time with Jesus - 10
Nov 2013
Sadly, homo-sapiens have destroyed a great many creatures
because of our own greed and irresponsible behaviour. The extinction of the
dodo and passenger pigeon clearly demonstrates our moral shortcomings. No doubt,
the day will come when we are all called to account for this. The way we are
depleting our own natural resources does not bode well for our children and
grandchildren. University studies suggest that if we continue as we are, this
world will reach the “Omega point” in 2050. i.e. Homo-sapiens will have “wiped
themselves out”. That’s a mere ±40 years in the future, by which time most of
those who read this message will have passed away anyway!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had a means whereby we
could consult with God concerning our proposed actions before we make decisions?
It would be wonderful to have something similar to that which the High Priest
used to determine the LORD's will for His people. In Exodus, Moses describes
something worn by the High Priest. 30 Insert
the Urim and Thummim into the sacred chestpiece so they will be carried over
Aaron's heart when he goes into the LORD's presence. In this way, Aaron will always carry over his heart the objects used to determine
the LORD's will for His people whenever he goes in before the LORD. Exodus 28:30 NLT
Now that was in the Old Testament. Surely we have
something better in the New? Actually, we do. Jesus is our High Priest and He
is always interceding for us in the presence of His Father. If we ask Him, He
will tell us. He doesn’t need the Urim and Thummim. Because He is God, He
already has the answer. He makes that answer available to us through His Holy
Spirit. This is important because while we are living in this world, He will
always guide us concerning what we should or shouldn’t do. He will not compel
us to do anything. But if we ask Him, He will guide us. What we must realise is
that He will show the way, but we must make the decision. We remain the
captains of our own souls. It follows that if we end up shipwrecked; it’s our
own fault for not following His directions.
Why then do we make silly mistakes? Jesus half-brother
James gives us the answer: 14 Temptation
comes from our own desires, which entice us
and drag us away. James 1:14 NLT Phyllida
and I both admit that this was at the very root of our wrong marriages. We both
made a seriously bad choice. We both knew about the Lord’s instruction through
Paul in his letter to Corinth, not to marry an unbeliever. (Don't team up with
those who are unbelievers.) We were fully aware of this command. Even so we
went ahead and married unbelievers.
The Scripture states: 14 Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness
be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What
harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a
partner with an unbeliever? 16 And
what union can there be between God's temple and
idols? For we are the temple of the living
God. As God said: "I will live in them and walk among them. I will be
their God, and they will be My people. 17 Therefore, come out from
among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don't touch their filthy things, and I
will welcome you. 2 Cor. 6:14-17 NLT
We mistakenly thought we would change our respective
marriage partners. The very opposite happened. Our marriages to unbelievers
ended disastrously. We have nobody to blame but ourselves. It cost us both a large
chunck of our allotted years and many years of pain as we tried to survive within
marriage. We both understood that marriage is a covenant and should never be
broken. We didn’t intend to break covenant. In the end, it happened.
One of the reactions we found from a number of
Christians is best expressed by, “God will forgive you, we won’t!” Consequently,
in many fellowships, a divorced person becomes a sort of “second grade”
Christian. As I’ve said before, the Christian army is the only one which shoots
its wounded. Is there no such thing as forgiveness for divorced people? In some
churches the comment was to ask, “Have you repented?” If so, you may go ahead
and love again. You may go ahead and marry again if that is what the Lord has laid
on your hearts.
Phyllida’s divorce was in 1976. Her ex-husband came home
to collect most of his things. On the way out he told her she had better get a
divorce. She went to see the lawyer the following Monday morning. The Court
case and settlement took a while to sort out. Then she was free. But a divorced
woman is seldom free. She usually becomes the legal custodian of her children
and the father remains the children’s guardian.
Phyllida’s divorce became final in 1976. She came out of
it emotionally and verbally scarred. Over the following five years, God slowly worked
miracles in her life. He transformed her into the capable and confident woman
we all know today. So much so that one of her pastors in 1981 informed me “She
is all woman!” It was a real compliment to what the Lord had done in her life.
Here was clear evidence that God knows best. He takes men and women discarded and
thrown away onto the scrapheap of marriage and restores them into the treasure
He intended them to be. That’s our God. He’s the God of the second chance. Even
when we’ve “blown it” so badly and we’ve broken our marriage covenant, He’s there
encouraging us; telling us to repent, stand and move on! He sees the heart!
Shalom
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – 10 Nov 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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GOD
KNOWS BEST
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Have
you ever come to a place in your life when everything seems to be impossible?
Molehills look like mountains. The car has a flat tyre and a new one is
needed. Where the money for a new tyre will come from is anybody’s guess.
Perhaps a child or a spouse has died? Perhaps you are alone because your last
child has left home to make a new home with his/her new spouse? Perhaps you’ve been struck down with a dread
disease e.g. cancer? Perhaps you’ve just discovered that your first-born is a
drug addict? Perhaps the Bank is about to have you evicted because you can’t
pay the mortgage? Perhaps you’ve done something silly and it’s possible that
you will be sent to prison?
There
are so many possibilities. One answer is to trust, God will provide for your
need. Our prayer (Jim & Phyllida) is that the Lord will do so. The fact
is He also may not. Statistically, Divine help does not come and you have to
confront your situation “on your own”. Of course, as a Christian you will
never be alone. Jesus will not desert you. But He may direct that you must go
through the circumstance anyway. I remember on one occasion, Phyllida and I
had to move home. My health dictated that it was necessary. I had not been
healed miraculously and the only opportunity for us was to move from one
power station to another. The idea was about as welcome as flies round the
braai! Then on the morning we were moving, our faithful little cat died. We
think it was poisoned. I found the body in the back garden and had to bury
it. We were both distraught. I remember crying out to the Lord. These were
real tears not something “put on” for effect. Then with tears streaming down
my face I paused and raised my eyes to heaven. Lord, Your Word says, 28
And we know that God causes everything to work
together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His
purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT I
know it, but for the moment it seems impossible to believe. The pain is too
great.
Later,
as God’s will for Phyllida and I began to unfold, we began looking back and
getting excited about His promise. I became progressively more ill and in the
end Eskom decided that I should go off on early pension. So I was out of a
job but started to draw a small pension. We still don’t know how He did it
but He kept our heads above water and we were able to pursue a call into
ministry. So it was that 3.5 years after leaving that power station, we were
both set free to serve the Lord. We had learned a valuable lesson. Even in
extreme circumstances, God continues with His purposes. All that was needed
was to wait patiently for Him. It is now 23 years since I was an employee of
Eskom. In all that time He has been faithful. I’m not sure Phyllida and I
have been!
Jim & Phyllida
Strickland
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1
Restless in bed and sleepless through the night, I longed for my lover. I wanted him desperately. His absence was painful.
Song of Solomon 3:1 MSG
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O Lord my God I need you. I truly
cannot cope.
Distress is overcoming me and I’ve run
out of hope.
I’m lying in my bedroom; I’ve tossed
around all night.
The prospects of not seeing You, it
fills my heart with fright.
There is a pain within me, a yearning
in my soul,
Which only You can satisfy, none else
can make me whole!
My need for you is desperate. I’m
red-hot with desire.
My bones inside are burning; My heart
is now on fire.
O God please come and help me. Nothing
can take Your place.
And I am undeserving, to look upon
your face.
My sins are overwhelming. It feels
like being crushed.
My thoughts are all in overdrive. How
can all this be hushed?
Return O Lord; forgive me; O come to
me once more.
Come and soothe my spirit as in the
days of yore.
Cast out this dreadful emptiness which
only You can fill.
You know that I have loved You; and
Lord I love You still,
It isn’t You who’s tempting me. It’s
from the other side.
They drive me toward wickedness; to
fill my heart with pride.
I’m drawn to sinful actions. Temptation’s
ugly head,
Is standing right before me and seeks
to fill my bed.
Send that which is perfect; nought
else will satisfy.
Please send Your Holy Spirit. Without
Him, I shall die.
Resistance is now waning. My feet have
almost slipped.
But if You Lord will come to me, then
I will be equipped,
To stand against the evil one and see
his power reversed.
Save me from myself O God; then I will
not be cursed.
You tell me to be patient; courageous,
strong and brave.
You have made it very clear just how
we must behave.
But I can hardly stand it. I’ve waited
far too long.
My days have all been numbered; and
soon they will be gone.
But even so, I trust You. Lord even if
I’m slain.
It’s absolutely certain I’d do it all
again.
So if I die a million deaths; am
crucified like You,
There’s one thing which I know for
sure; that You will always do,
The right thing for your children. So
I’ll lie down and rest,
Knowing that in everything, My Master
knows what’s best.
And even though You slay me, it comes,
Lord, from Your hand.
And it will serve a purpose, which You
will understand.
Jim Strickland
Written 10 Nov
2012
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1 Israel, return to the LORD your God. You have stumbled
because of your sins. 2 Return
to the LORD, and say these things to him: "Forgive all our sins, and
kindly receive us. Then we'll praise you with our lips.
Hosea 14:1-2 GW
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13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say,
"God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and He
never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation
comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15
These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow,
it gives birth to death. 16 So don't
be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God
our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or
casts a shifting shadow.
James 1:13-17 NLT
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14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.
Psalms 27:14 NLT
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26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the
salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:26 ESV
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6 And
the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him
day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you,
he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man
comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Luke 18:6-8 ESV
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For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David. 1
I wait quietly before God, for my victory
comes from Him.
Psalms 62:1 NLT
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5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.
Psalms 62:5 NLT
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