Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 12 March 2013
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| Jim & Phyllida - Switzerland |
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| Schindler Memorial - Jerusalem |
Hi all,
Jesus did nothing to prove or disprove that His Father is God, nor that His
Father existed. Not in a direct way. Of course, everything He did, was on the
instructions of His Father. The people of the day had a choice to either
believe Him, or not. Some did, many didn’t. In the following verses, the
meaning of the words, “the Christ” means, “the Anointed One”, a name they used
for the Messiah.24 So the Jews gathered
around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you
are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not
believe. The works that I do in my Father's name
bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not part of my
flock. John 10:24-26 ESV. Essentially
He was saying that His miracles attested to Who He was. They could believe, or
not. Those who believed were His flock. Those who didn’t believe were not part
of His flock. Belief was the essential component.
One of my favourite teachers of yesterday was Dr Ken Stewart. He said he
shared a room in seminary with an unbeliever. They challenged each other to prove
their point. He stated that neither of them succeeded in proving or disproving
God. Dr Stewart added, “when I began to believe, then signs from God started to
follow!”
Today, I want to challenge you to put God to a scientific test. I’m not
talking about walking on water or being able to fly. This is the test. Approach
this scientifically. Believe that God exists and is true. Believe in Him first.
Then the evidence of His reality will emerge. To quote from the epistle to the
Hebrews, 6 And without faith it is
impossible to please God, because anyone who
comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who
earnestly seek him. Heb. 11:6 TNIV In
this instance “having faith” implies believing in Him. Without belief, forget
it. Now look at the second part of the verse. If you believe that He exists, He
will reward your seeking Him.
Note that in this instance it begins with you. Believe, and see what
happens. God will respond to you when you believe. If you don’t – well, that’s
your problem.
Shalom,
Jim
& Phyllida Strickland
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 12 March 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 scientific Test
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Scripture
makes it very clear, that we are not to put God to the test. It’s no good my
saying, “I can walk off a roof and not fall because I’m a Christian”. I will
fall on my nose; rightly so! The test has more to do with my big mouth than a
call on God. Even Jesus would not put His Father to a foolish test. The message
is very clear. But there is one area in which God invites us to put Him to
the test. We find it in Mal 3:10.
Now you
and I are aware that today’s Scriptures have nothing to do with money. But
there is an important principle here. In Malachi, God invites the people to
test Him. I have heard it stated that He refers to a “scientific test”. Consequently,
on occasions, we are permitted to, “put God to the test”.
Now
science states categorically, that proof is required in order to establish
that something is true. For example, the entire world believed it was flat,
until science came along and proved otherwise. The scientific principle is
that you start with an “unproved hypothesis”. Then, by repeated test and
experiment, prove your theory!.(Hypothesis) The theory is then usually
checked by others. Finally, it is proved correct and is universally accepted.
The procedure is 1) hypothesis 2) test and verification 3) proven theory.
Today I
would like to invite the world to test the hypothesis that God exists and is
real. All I’m asking them to do is what every scientist does. Accept the hypothesis
that God is real. Then go about establishing whether or not it is true?
All
that’s needed, is to pursue the Lord as though He is true. Don’t begin by
believing! Begin with the assumption that you expect your experiments to
prove successful. Hebrews states, 6 And it
is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him
must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek
Him. Heb 11:6 NLT
My
point is this. Conduct your own scientific experiment with the Lord. Believe
He exists. Then, test the truth of this statement. In Malachi, God stated
that if they test Him with their money, He would “open the windows of heaven”
and pour out such a blessing that they could not contain.
Now I
am not God. However, He has said I am one of His many authorised
representatives. So, on His behalf, I’d like to invite you to take part in
this small scientific exercise. God has already said, 8 Open your
mouth and taste; open your eyes and see - how good GOD is. Blessed are you
who run to him. Psalm 34:8 MSG Here
is His personal invitation for you to carry out this little scientific test.
Go for it. He will answer you in ways you never thought possible!
Today’s
meditation is an imagined dialog between an unbeliever (In red) and a
believer. (In blue) Go ahead. Taste and see! You won’t be disappointed.
Jim & Phyllida
Strickland
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21 And friends, once that's taken care of and we're no longer accusing
or condemning ourselves, we're bold and free before God! 22 We're
able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we're doing what he said, doing what pleases him.
1 John 3:21-22 MSG
6 It's impossible to please God apart from
faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe
both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek
him.
Heb. 11:6 MSG
8 That's why those who are still under the
control of their sinful nature can never please God. 9 But
you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the
Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those
who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at
all.)
Rom 8:8-9 NLT
3 Let them praise his name with dancing. Let them make music to him
with harps and tambourines. 4 The LORD
takes delight in his people. He saves those who aren't proud. He makes
them feel like kings.
Psalm 149:3-4 NIrV
19 For this is a gracious thing, when,
mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are
beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you
endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
1 Peter 2:19-20 ESV
4 Rather, beauty is something internal that can't be destroyed. Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude
which God considers precious.
1 Peter 3:4 GW
22 Consider this, you people who forget God. Otherwise, I will tear you
to pieces, and there will be no one left to rescue you. 23 Whoever offers thanks as a sacrifice honors me. I will
let everyone who continues in my way see the salvation that comes from
God."
Psalm 50:22-23 GW
30 I will praise God's name by singing to
him. I will bring him glory by giving him thanks. 31 That will please the LORD more than offering him an ox.
It will please him more than offering him a bull with its horns and hoofs.
Psalm 69:30-31 NIrV
1 So here's what I want you to do, God
helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating,
going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering.
Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him
Rom 12:1 MSG
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(Question)
Do
you believe in Jesus? I’m here to ask you why?
What
is it that convinces You? Perhaps it is a lie?
Please
tell me where you saw Him? I’d like to go there too.
An
optical illusion, I’m sorry, will not do!
You
tell me He has saved you. From what have you been saved?
Was
it a true conversion or a nice way to behave?
Don’t
beat about the bushes. Relate the truth to me.
How
is it you’re a follower of someone you can’t see?
Don’t
give me your opinions. Religious platitudes,
Are
not what I’m in need of. Be honest and be rude.
I
find it fascinating. You say, “In God I trust”
But
science says conclusively your dreams are only dust.
So
what is it you’re trusting in? How can you say for sure,
That
Jesus Christ is still alive and that His life is pure?
(Answer)
Thank
you for the questions. So now please hear me out.
The
One Whom I believe in is here without a doubt.
Of
course I cannot see Him. It doesn’t work that way.
But
He is just as much alive as He was yesterday.
You
challenge me with science. But science tells us how.
It
cannot tell us where or why. It’s just a holy cow,
The
people need to slaughter. You cannot reason God.
Perhaps
you find that difficult, remote, or even odd.
You
have to first believe in Him. Believe that he exists.
Perhaps
you think it’s rubbish, but friend I must insist.
For
if you can’t accept it, I’m sorry friend to say,
You
really cannot know Him in an ordinary way.
We
say that faith is needed to prove that He is there.
That’s
when He starts to visit you and talks to you in prayer.
This
truth is the first hurdle that you must overcome.
And
if you don’t believe it, It’s rather sad, old son.
For
He is a rewarder of those who seek to find.
And
if you are not looking, I’m sorry, you’ll stay blind.
It’s
really sad to tell you, no other way will do.
And
if you do it truthfully, you’ll find He’ll come to you.
The
Lord rewards a person, who diligently seeks.
To
come in any other way, brings tears to both your cheeks.
I’m
sorry to inform you, that if you do not try,
You’ll
end up on the road to hell the moment that you die.
So
let’s be scientific and put it to the test.
Say
that you believe Him. He’ll see to it you’re blessed!
And
you’ll be on a journey into the Master’s heart,
And
have your questions answered, in every little part!
Jim Strickland
Written
12th March 2012
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