Time with Jesus - 3
Nov. 2013
Hi all,
God raised up men and women as prophets throughout the
Old Testament. They usually spoke to men on behalf of God. Some only “spoke” on
behalf of God. Others also spoke, but their words were written down. The books
of the “writings” of these prophets are recorded in the Old Testament from
Isaiah to Malachi. The final Old Testament prophet was John the Baptist. He was
the one who went before Jesus to “prepare the way of the Lord”.
Whether or not there are genuine prophets today, is hotly
debated by scholars. Looking back down the years, it would seem to me, many
have spoken to men on behalf of God. Such men as the Venerable Bede and more recently
William M. Branham and Dr A W Tozer might well be included. What we do know is,
according to Paul, every
Christian should earnestly desire to prophesy. 39
So, my brothers, earnestly
desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking
in tongues. 1 Cor. 14:39 ESV In this
regard, Phyllida and I firmly believe not only in the priesthood
of all believers but also in the prophet-hood
of all believers.
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| Jonah |
We are not saying we should all dress like John the
Baptist and eat locusts and wild honey. Nor do we say we are a man like
Jeremiah or a women like Huldah. But with the Holy Spirit of God living in us, all
Christians should be able to speak prophetically.  |
| John the Baptist |
Thus, my poetry might be said
to be prophetic. Not because I’m a prophet. I hotly dispute that. However, 50
years after I’m dead and gone, others might think so. All Phyllida and I do, is
seek to bring the mind of the Lord to others (and ourselves) for their
edification, exhortation, and comfort in the way Paul describes. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 1 Cor. 14:3 KJV
In 1981, when I started attending Bryanston Baptist
Fellowship, I noticed many examples of this type of prophesying. For me it was
very exciting. In the services, ordinary men and women spoke in tongues. Someone
else then interpreted what had been spoken. Others brought a “prophetic word”.
It was much like the way Paul described a church meeting should be in 1
Corinthians 12 to 14.
It was all carried out in a very orderly and reverential
way. Furthermore, the interpretations and prophetic words were written down and
circulated after the service so the Lord’s instructions for the people at the
time were clearly understood and followed. The recorded words were also checked
against the content of the Bible, to make sure everything was Scriptural.
In
this way the fellowship was growing as we learned from each other under the
supervision of the elders and moved collectively in the direction the Lord was
leading. I noticed that Phyllida was often one of the people whom the Lord used
to bring interpretation and prophesy. In those early days, I thought that she
was a modern prophetess! I was right!
As the days passed, few people in the fellowship were
interested in my poetry. Only Phyllida would listen. I thought it was done more
out of a sense of sympathy for this man who was going through a divorce. She
wasn’t condescending and made some useful suggestions. I’d never come across her
name before so I spelled it “Filador”!
On Friday evenings some of us would meet in the home of
one of the members of the fellowship. Both of us attended. There, we would all
pray and seek to receive direction from the Lord. Most evenings everyone prayed
for the restoration of my marriage. It was wonderful. Afterwards we would go
home. Occasionally we would go to Phyllida’s home for coffee. It was all very
innocent.
After several months, my wife and I had a brief reconciliation.
I phoned everyone, including Phyllida, to let them know the good news. The reconciliation
lasted about 3 days before returning to the way it was. The next Saturday
morning, after the prayer meeting in BBF, we were having coffee in the lounge.
Phyllida came and asked me how things were at home. In those days we were told
never to make a negative confession.
I smiled at her and said, “Fine!” She
looked at me and said, “Tell me the truth!” “It’s worse than ever” I said. “Then
we must all continue praying!” she said. But there was now a big difference. I’d
had enough of what was happening at home. I couldn’t pray for restoration. I
felt too tired and too hurt. Then my wife told me she wanted a divorce. They
were terrible words. But they were also wonderful words!
The nightmare was just
about over. The following Monday she went to see a lawyer. I raised no
objections. The separation and divorce cost me just about everything I owned.
All I had when I left my family home, were my clothes, my Eskom car, a trailer and a second car I was buying for my wife. It wasn’t paid for, so I wouldn’t let her have it. Otherwise, the product of 15½ years of my working life was gone. I felt devastated. But life with Jesus was restored. Now it was a question of, “What next Lord?”
Shalom
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| The Last Supper |
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – 3 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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THE
PRINCE OF PEACE
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Have you noticed that the number of self-appointed
Apostles, Prophets and assorted other titled “Christians” appears to have proliferated
over the past few years? It seems that people have found that a title gives
credence to those who otherwise would have none. To some extent it’s a bit
like the phrase in Charismatic circles, “Sayith the Lord”! It’s added so that
anyone who doesn’t agree has a problem with God. To me it’s perilously close
to the assumption made by our Roman Catholic friends, that if the Pope has
said it “ex-cathedra” it is infallible. For me, I would like it to be true.
But I’m aware that I’ve got feet of clay and an uncontrollable tongue!
Part of our problem can be found in the Bible. We
divide part of the Old Testament into Major and Minor prophets. In the New
Testament we read of prophets and apostles. Some of these men were no doubt
aware that they were prophets and apostles. Paul is a good example. Acts 13:1
tells us of certain prophets and teachers in the church in Antioch. How they
qualified for such titles is not clear. For my part, God forbid that I would
disagree with Scripture. This means that in the New Testament Church, such
people existed. Whether or not they still exist is another matter. Assuming
there are such men and women, who “bestows” these titles? Self-appointment is
invalid. So by what right has anyone to call himself, Apostle Fred or Prophet
Brian?
It’s my opinion that no one living in the 21st
century warrants such a title. Let me illustrate using the name of a 20th
century Christian, Dr A W Tozer. Dr Tozer died in the 1960’s. Today he is
considered to have been a 20th century prophet. Reading about his
life and writings, I’m inclined to agree. But if you asked him during his
life, if he was a prophet, I’m sure he would have vehemently denied it.
Likewise, if someone said to me, “Jim, you’re a prophet” I would categorically
deny it. But 100 years from now, it may be the opinion of Christians. It’s
something I will never know this side of the grave.
One of the great prophets of all time is Isaiah. His
writings are as sharp and clear now as they were during his life. His
prophetic utterances are astonishing. Isaiah 9:6 is an outstanding example.
What was in his mind when he wrote those words? Did he know their
significance? Probably not. Peter gives us great insight into this mystery. 20
Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's
own understanding, 21 or from
human initiative. No, those prophets were
moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT
In a very small way I’ve experienced something like
this. I’ve written something while thinking about X. Then in category Y, God
speaks to someone through my scribbling. It doesn’t mean I’m a prophet. What
it may mean is that while I am writing, the Holy Spirit has prompted me to
state something that has little relevance to me. But He has guided my
thoughts to express something about which I have no inkling. That’s writing
in the supernatural. “A child is born; a Son is given”. Prophetically, a
description of someone who would be 100% man and 100% God. Isaiah didn’t
know. God did!
Jim &
Phyllida
Strickland
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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
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“For unto us a child is born.” It’s His humanity.
He got this from His mother, because He had to be,
An ordinary person, Who’d grow into a man;
Who would defeat the devil! No other being can,
Take back what had been stolen, when Adam bowed his knee.
No other type of creature had that authority.
“To us a Son is given.” He had to be Divine.
He had to be the Son of God to take your sins and mine.
One person saves one person. It can’t be any more.
So if you give your life for me, that’s the final score.
One for one is proper. So if I die for you,
No one else can benefit, no matter what they do!
But if the One who gives His life, is also God Most High,
How many people can He save? Then you can multiply,
The number of saved people, up to infinity!
And so the death of Jesus Christ saves all humanity!
There is a small condition. It doesn’t help at all,
Unless you meet the terms He set. He says we have to call,
On Him in true repentance and turn away from sin.
If people do not do that, they won’t be counted in!
So what Name shall we call Him? Wonderful Counsellor?
Yes Jesus Christ is Wonderful. He’s that and so much more.
Shall we call Him Mighty God? That’s absolutely true.
There isn’t any other god. No substitute will do.
The Everlasting Father? There is no other Name,
That we could ever call Him, to minimise the claim,
That He has placed on all of us. Our Father and our Lord!
Nothing in Creation is fit to be adored!
All the other gods are fakes; not one of them exists.
Forgot about the lot of them and they will not be missed.
But Jesus has another Name. This Name will never cease.
“King of Kings” and” Lord of Lords, Almighty Prince of Peace”;
Peace between the Nations. Peace with God and man.
Peace between each racial group; with every tribe and clan.
Beyond all understanding; the Peace which He will bring.
Reconciliation, Twixt God and everything!
Jim Strickland
Written 3 Nov
2012
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4 "Hear, O Israel:
The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
Deuteronomy
6:4 ESV
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30 I and the Father are
one. 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe
me, believe the works that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
John
10:30&38 ESV
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19 They said, "Where is this so-called Father of
yours?" Jesus said, "You're looking right at me and you don't see
me. How do you expect to see the Father? If you
knew me, you would at the same time know the Father."
John 8:19
MSG
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8 Philip said to Jesus,
"Lord, show us the Father, and that will satisfy us." 9
Jesus replied, "I have been with all of you
for a long time. Don't you know me yet, Philip? The person who has seen me
has seen the Father. So how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
John
14:8-9 GW
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13 And again, "I will put my trust in him."
And again, "Behold, I and the children God
has given me."
Hebrews
2:13 ESV
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11 When He sees all that
is accomplished by His anguish, He will be satisfied. And because of
His experience, My righteous Servant will make it possible for many to be
counted righteous, for He will bear all their sins.
Isaiah 53:11
NLT
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8 "I am the Alpha
and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is
to come, the Almighty."
Revelation
1:8 ESV
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58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to
you, before Abraham was, I am."
John 8:58
ESV
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14 God said to Moses,
"I AM WHO I AM. Here is what you must say to the Israelites. Tell them,
'I AM has sent me to you.'"
Exodus
3:14 NIrV
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8 But to the Son He says,
"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. A sceptre of
righteousness is the sceptre of Your kingdom.
Hebrews
1:8 MKJV
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17 He was there before any
of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.
Colossians
1:17 MSG
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9 For in Christ all the
fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.
Colossians
2:9 TNIV
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