Finishing the Race

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 16 June 2013

Hi all,

The Olympic Games is surely the best known and most prestigious sporting event in the World. Athletes from all over come to compete against each other. At one time it was restricted to amateur athletes. That was changed when it became difficult to find out who was an amateur and who was a professional. The event was staged in London in 2012. I’ve deliberately used the word “staged” because, many of the athletes from some countries, came and participated in, what must be the biggest outdoor “stage” in the world. In a way it’s a bit like a Broadway show! The Olympic torch is lit on Mt Olympus in Greece. It is then taken to the host country, by literally thousands of men and women athletes. Everyone wants to see the “flame” lit in the Olympic Cauldron. with the “portable fire” from Greece. These days it is televised for all the world to see.

One of the most successful movies, which focussed on the Olympics, was “Chariots of Fire”. It centred round the 1924 Olympic Games. One thing it revealed was the huge difference between sport as it was then and what it has become. Somehow, those games seemed to be more “fun” for the competitors than today. It would be great to return to those days. That’s no longer possible.

In RSA we have had several good athletes competing. Perhaps the best remembered is Zola Budd, the barefoot athlete. She was highly fancied to win the 3000 metre race. Her chief rival was Mary Decker. Sadly, they collided on the track in the final. Decker failed to finish and Zola finished 7^th.

The tragedy for both athletes was, the only way to win was to finish the course. If you fall down before you reach the finishing tape, there are no prizes. Also, if you are assisted by a spectator or anyone else, you are disqualified.

It’s great to know that the Christian life is a bit like the Olympic Games. There is one major difference. The only other competitor in the race is you. The rules are slightly different. You are allowed to have people assisting you. Furthermore, you are not competing for a gold medal. You are in the race to win the Crown of Life from Jesus. Your time isn’t important. The objective is to finish. Note that the stands are packed with those who have already completed their race. They are cheering you on, encouraging you to get to the finishing line. There are no prizes for those who drop out. If you finish you get a “Well done, Good and Faithful Servant” from the King of Kings! He also wants you to finish. He wants this so much, at times he allows others to come and carry you when you are exhausted. If necessary, He will even carry you Himself. He hears your every cry for help and provides what’s needed.

There is only one problem for all of us. We must finish the race. If we quit, there is no prize. If we turn aside for selfish reasons, we won’t finish. There are no second or third prizes. It’s either the Crown of Life, or nothing. I must decide. You must choose. God has provided us with everything needed to finish the race. He will help us in many different ways. But in the final analysis, you and I must finish the race. There are no others prizes.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 16 June 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	FINISHING THE RACE
Stick-ability. One of the most difficult things we face as Christians and as people is to keep on keeping on. Many of us are excellent starters. But then it becomes boring and we stop. Perhaps the best example of this is going to the gym. We go and sign up for a fixed period. Usually two or three years. Then we go along for the first time. It’s new and exciting. It’s a bit like the first bloom of love. Wonderful. We’ll do this forever. After a couple of weeks, the gilt starts to wear off the gingerbread and our enthusiasm wanes. After about three months, it gets a bit tedious. All that keeps us going is the fact that we’ve paid up front for two or three years. It cost us a lot of money and we don’t want to lose it. Then we don’t attend as often as we should. Then finally we get to the stage where it’s too much of a schlep! Perhaps we’ve paid lots of money. But the investment is forgotten and we pull out. Of course there are those who carry on to the bitter end. There are also those who have made a commitment and the gym becomes a regular lifestyle. Which type are you? Things are not a lot different in Christianity. Jesus’ parable of the sower, puts it in perspective. Today, things are little different. I remember the joy that overflowed in my heart when the Lord found me. Things somehow looked different. They were! But suddenly, I found that many of my former habits and beliefs were put aside. This was not a problem at first. Then after a few months, friends wanted me to do some of the things I felt were incompatible with being a Christian. It was a struggle to say “No!” Sadly, I lost many of these friends. At the time, I thought it was what the Lord wanted me to do. On reflection, I think it was more a question of putting on a Christian face for Christian people! I’m sorry now that I lost those friends. Within six months I only had Christian friends. It sounds very noble and right. But my former friends were no longer impacted for Jesus. I’d isolated myself from “ungodly influence” and was regarded as a freak. There was a movie on the circuit in those days called “Elmer Gantry”. I have it on DVD. It was the story of an unsavoury “evangelist” who had one purpose in mind. He wanted to corrupt the Salvation Army Lady Officer who was the heroine. How he did this and the way he “duped” people into giving their lives to Jesus, I found very disturbing. It still happens. Some men will do almost anything to corrupt a faithful and devoted young woman who wants nothing more than to serve Jesus. Why I mention this is that one morning I came to work and found that my wooden toolbox had been painted. Someone wrote “Elmer Gantry” in paint on my toolbox. It reflected his opinion of my Christian witness. It is 50 years since that happened. Hopefully I’ve learned one or two things in the interim. Even so, I recognise how unloving and objectionable I was back then. Perhaps the only thing I can comment usefully on from those days of objectionable arrogance, is that many men have made commitments to Jesus since then. Many of them are no longer even pretending to follow Jesus. My problem is I cannot quit. I’ve tried to do it, but the pain of being without Him, is worse than the pain of following Him. So now, all these years later for Phyllida and me there is no longer an alternative. He is our reason for living. Even so, Come Lord Jesus! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. Revelation 3:11 NLT 21 She thought, "If I only touch his clothes, I'll get well." Matthew 9:21 GW 2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Him and knelt before Him. "Lord," the man said, "if You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean." 3 Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," He said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Matthew 8:2-3 NLT 20 He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20 ESV 35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Hebrews 10:35 NLT 12 My dear friends, you have always obeyed God. You obeyed while I was with you. And you have obeyed even more while I am not with you. So continue to work out your own salvation. Do it with fear and trembling. 13 God is working in you. He wants your plans and your acts to be in keeping with his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13 NIrV 28 The earth does it all without his help: first a green stem of grass, then a bud, then the ripened grain. Mark 4:28 MSG 3 Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth." Hosea 6:3 ESV 12 From the time of John the Baptizer until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful people have been seizing it. Matthew 11:12 GW 24 Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NLT	We talk of Christian giants and of faithful men of old. I’m sure they won’t agree with you; such comments leave them cold. We talk about Smith Wigglesworth and all that he achieved: But if he heard us speak like that, I’m sure he would feel grieved. We think he was “successful”; that he was greatly blessed. But if we go and ask him, I’m sure he’d have confessed; He only did his duty as His Master’s “worthless slave” “Well done My faithful servant!” is all he’d really craved. I think that D L Moody and Spurgeon would agree, That when their race was over, “The master came for me! It was no great achievement” is what they both would say. “The only thing I ever did was Jesus all the way!” We see the self-same attitude to Timothy from Paul. Some would say, “successful” But he’d say, “Not at all!” “Perhaps my best achievement was finishing the race. In spite of all the problems I was required to face! Just one thing kept me going; to run to win the prize. And see the loving-kindness expressed in Jesus eyes! I am no Christian giant. I don’t deserve a thing. I laboured for my Master. To Him, my praise I bring.” I’m sure no matter who you ask they’ll answer just the same. That everything they ever did was done in Jesus name. The woman got her healing through the tassels on His shawl. Then Jesus told her firmly, her faith had done it all. She knew that He could do it and she stretched forth her hand. Her bleeding stopped and she was healed by His inward command. He cleansed the man with leprosy; He raised men from the dead. He was the one who did it, just as His Father said. So let us all be honest. It isn’t me or you. It’s all the work the Father said that Jesus was to do. There are no Christian giants. There’s only you and me To do what He has told us, and be what we should be. We’re called to serve His purpose; to listen to His voice And do what He’s commanded, like it’s our only choice. We’re called to go the distance. To finish with a flair. To know, whatever happens, Christ Jesus will be there. To face up to our challenges and never ever quit. For those who do not finish, are certainly unfit, To go into His Kingdom. The Righteous crown we’ll wear, Only at the finish line. We’ve got to “hang in there”. So do not slip or stumble and put the race aside For if you do, you’ll surely find, you’ve been disqualified. Jim Strickland Written 16th June 2012

ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 15 June 2013

Hi all,

My home language is English. Both my parents were born in England. So was I. For all three of us, to speak English was normal. In fact, not all that many years ago, the English people of England believed they were “normal”. All the others were b----- foreigners. 

This attitude toward other languages, no doubt, comes about as a result of living on a small Island, some 20 odd miles from the coast of continental Europe. But English “as she am spoke”, varies all across England, with a plethora of English dialects all the way from Land’s End to John O’ Groats.

Frankly, I’m rather “proud” of the fact that I’m an English speaker. It’s not an easy language to learn. “My Fair Lady” indicated how difficult it is to master what we all call “Queen’s English”. I saw the show in London in 1960. A number of the members of the original cast were still performing. It remains one of the best “shows” I’ve seen.

Why can't the English teach their children how to speak? This verbal class distinction, by now, should be antique. If you spoke as she does, sir, Instead of the way you do; Why, you might be selling flowers, too!

For me one of the highlights was the part where Professor Higgins asks the question, “Why can't the English teach their children how to speak?” A couple of lines are included above and on the left.

This reminds me of the story of the shy Frenchman who was determined to learn to speak English flawlessly. So he devoted a couple of years to mastering the language. He didn’t want to visit England until he was thoroughly familiar with each and every aspect of it. Eventually he was satisfied. Accordingly he went to Paris and caught the high speed train to London.

 On his way, he read one of the English newspapers sold at the station. He was fascinated by the report of the latest theatrical production which had just been released. At last the train arrived in London. He alighted and walked a couple of steps. Then he suddenly turned round and got back on the train. He had seen a banner headline which read, “Production pronounced Success”. You can’t help having sympathy for this poor misguided Frenchman. He didn’t know the meaning of what he read.

Christians have a similar problem when it comes to reading the Bible. We read it and believe that it means just what is written. So when we read the words, “I am the door of the sheep”, (⁷ Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. John 10:7 ESV) we begin to look for handles and hinges. But that’s not what the Scripture means. Another example is from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, ¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13 MKJV) People get the weirdest ideas about what this includes. For example, as a man, I’ll never fall pregnant. 

A careful examination of the Scripture indicates what Paul was referring to: ¹¹ Not that I was ever in need; for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. ¹² I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Phil 4:11-13 NLT The passage speaks of Paul’s way of dealing with the hardships and luxuries he experienced in life.

I AM THE DOOR

Against this background what did Jesus mean when He said, ²³ At that time you won't need to ask Me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use My name. John 16:23 NLT We live in a greedy world with greedy people. Inevitably, we associate Jesus’ words with a desire to ask God in His name, to satisfy that which springs from greed. It won’t work! He knows all about us. If there is a trace of selfishness in our prayer, we have missed the point and wasted our breath. James tells us ³ And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong--you want only what will give you pleasure. Jas 4:3 NLT

Sometimes the only way to get
through the storm is to
Weather It!

Perhaps the time has come for us to establish what was meant when it was said. In addition we need to make sure our motives are pure. Answers to prayer depend on these factors.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 15 June 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	ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME
I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, that Jesus found me in 1960. I didn’t find Him. I was the one who was lost. He knew exactly where I was and He found me. What it does mean, is that I’ve been in and around Christianity for just about 53 years. That does not necessarily mean that I’ve got 53 years of experience. There is a subtle difference between repetition and experience. For example, a teacher may have taught grade 4 for forty years. She may have 40 years teaching experience. It is also possible that she has one year’s experience repeated forty times. The same is true in Christianity. Many have not progressed any further than Grade one. They may have gone round and round in circles like the Israelites in the wilderness and learned virtually nothing. Of course our lecture and pew system does nothing to get men and women busy serving the Lord. How can they? It’s easier to be entertained than active. One thing I have observed over the past 50 years is that, generally speaking, prayer seldom seems to assist. This is not intended as a criticism. It appears to be one of the facts of Christianity. Statistically only 3% of prayers for healing are answered. Incidentally, I’m not excluding my own prayers in this. Why is this? I don’t have a complete answer. But it seems that many Christians approach God rather like a slot machine. You know what I mean. We pray to the Father in Jesus Name. Then nothing happens. This is incongruent with Jesus’ words in John 16. Now we all know that God is timeless. What Jesus said to the 11 disciples back there at the gates of the temple, is as applicable now as it was when Jesus spoke them. So, what’s the problem? Why doesn’t it work out like that? I can’t accept that the problem lies with God. It lies with us. Thirty years ago, I was taught that the difficulty was lack of faith on our behalf. We needed to develop our “faith” muscle, rather like a body-builder develops his muscles. At first I accepted that. But on reflection, it would mean that healing depends on you and me, rather than on the grace of God. I’m not denying the need for us to have faith in God. But to say that it depends on our attaining the “right amount”, to trigger the grace of God? That’s nonsense! I’d like to suggest that in Christianity over the past 30 years, the emphasis has moved away from God, to an emphasis on you and me. Praying to the Father in Jesus’ Name has become a religious “mantra”. Something to “tack on” at the end of our prayer, in an effort to get the Lord to give us what we have asked for. This attitude will have as much effect on the Lord as the Tibetan prayer wheels which get blown round in the wind. The “results” over the past few years confirms this. Occasionally the “slot machine” spits out a bonanza. God help us get back to genuine Christianity; putting Jesus and not ourselves, first in everything. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. Romans 8:27 NLT 23 At that time you won't need to ask Me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use My name. 24 You haven't done this before. Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. John 16:23-24 NLT 18 Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18 ESV 14 There is one thing we can be sure of when we come to God in prayer. If we ask anything in keeping with what he wants, he hears us. 15 If we know that God hears what we ask for, we know that we have it. 1 John 5:14-15 NIrV 3 God's will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 NLT 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 ESV 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus. 19 Don't put out the Holy Spirit's fire. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 NIrV	There’s something that is missing when we ask in Jesus Name. The Trinity is constant, eternally the same. So praying to the Father and asking Him for “things”, Doesn’t mean a motor car, nor yet a pair of wings. We know that prayer is needed; along with faith I’m told. And that we should be confident, or even very bold. So why is it the answer, is very seldom seen? There must be something missing; or what did Jesus mean? The passage speaks of questions. They didn’t understand, That He would soon be absent. The Leader of their band, Was going to the Father, for just a little while. Then He would come back to them and bring them back their smile. So they were asking questions and saying “Please explain” What’s this about Your going, then coming back again? He said they would be mourning and the world be full of glee. The world would think it’s finished and they’d seen the last of Me. But for the Lord’s disciples, that grief would turn around. They would be rejoicing at precisely what they found. They could ask the Father and go to Him direct. If they asked in Jesus name, they’d not be incorrect He also indicated, that the Spirit from on High, He’d send as His “replacement”. And that they could rely, On what the Spirit stated; the truth is what He’d bring. And this describes the context of “Ask for anything!” The problem with our thinking in two thousand and twelve, Is that we think it’s anything to squander on ourselves. I can’t see a connection with a mansion by the sea, And what the Lord was meaning going to Gethsemane. We think that it is baubles and a pocket full of gold. Of aeroplanes and bank account and dreams of wealth untold. That wasn’t Jesus’ thinking as they reached the temple gates, And helps our understanding of what the Bible states. The Spirit will not help us, to satisfy our lusts. Nor will He comply with, the list of all our “musts”. To use the Name of Jesus as an “Open sesame”, Is bordering on witchcraft, not Christianity. So let us ask for wisdom; the Father will comply. And then the things we ask for, won’t be a stream run dry. Jim Strickland Written 15th June 2012