Time with Jesus - 26 July
2013
Children say the cutest things. Particularly young ones
as they are starting to become aware of the world around them. My grandson is a
case in point. As you know, we are a family of cat lovers. Sadly, cats have a comparatively
short life-span. In this regard, death is a part of life and all of us need to
be aware that death catches up with all of us sooner or later.
Our cats have always been thoroughly spoiled. They get
only the very best of everything. Actually, a dear friend suggested we run our
own “kitty heaven” if you follow me. The death of one of our cats is always
somewhat traumatic. Our vet is marvellous and he keeps them alive and well for
as long as possible. When a cat of ours passes away, we have it cremated. Then
we place the ashes in a suitable place in the garden.
We usually have a short burial ceremony for them complete with a “headstone”; usually a small cat made of pottery. We always invite members of the household to join us for the brief “farewell service”. Our grandson usually comes to be with us and help us bury the ashes and put the “headstone” in place. When my dad died in 2007, our grandson went quietly to his mother and said, “Granny’s poor garden. Where are we going to put grandpa? For a six year old, it was a very good question! Indeed, kids say the strangest things.
We usually have a short burial ceremony for them complete with a “headstone”; usually a small cat made of pottery. We always invite members of the household to join us for the brief “farewell service”. Our grandson usually comes to be with us and help us bury the ashes and put the “headstone” in place. When my dad died in 2007, our grandson went quietly to his mother and said, “Granny’s poor garden. Where are we going to put grandpa? For a six year old, it was a very good question! Indeed, kids say the strangest things.
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| God's Holy Book |
As a youngster, I also had many questions to ask. We all
did! For me, I wanted to know what was meant by God being Holy? The apostle
Peter wrote 15 But because the God who
called you is holy, you must be holy in every aspect of your life. 16
Scripture says, "Be
holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter
1:15-16 GW In those days I preferred comics to reading. Therefore this statement
had me flummoxed. I thought it meant that God was full of holes. How that would
work in practice was beyond me.
However it was useful. I thought that prayers were unanswered because they went through one of the holes! The ignorance of youth; It’s very simple and straightforward.
However it was useful. I thought that prayers were unanswered because they went through one of the holes! The ignorance of youth; It’s very simple and straightforward.
But what is holiness? Webster states: Applied to the Supreme Being, holy
signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character; and man
is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from
evil dispositions. We call a man holy, when his heart is conformed in some
degree to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts.
Hence, holy is used as nearly synonymous with good, pious, godly.
Does this help? It might help those who like chewing
over “verbal gobstoppers”. For me, it’s a wee bit too complicated. Let me try
and simplify it by asking a question. What is the holiest thing to you in your
house? No prizes for saying, “My Bible”. In fact I hope you share your Bible
with all and sundry. The answer I’m looking for is your toothbrush. We look at
this more fully in the introduction. Essentially only He may use me.
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| Store in a Clean, Safe Place |
Now there are additional qualities to Holiness. e.g.
moral purity and perfection. Even so, don’t discard the idea of being Jesus’
toothbrush. If only He uses you, it means He picks you up and puts you down. He
will never do that unless He keeps you in a place of moral purity and
perfection. Where else? He won’t throw you on the floor. He will keep you in an
appropriate place.
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – 26 July 2013 |
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
CALL TO HOLINESS
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Holiness. What exactly is it? How do I know I’m
holy? Or, more importantly, how do I know when I’m not being holy. Not so
very long ago, holiness meant keeping a number of rules dictated by the
Pastor and his elders. It was particularly bad for the ladies. If they looked
attractive and used make-up, they were definitely not holy. Chin high
collars, calf length dresses, wearing hats to church and doing everything
their husbands said instantly and without question; then they were definitely
holy! Two words describe them. Drab and dowdy. How they would ever find a man
who wanted to marry them, was irrelevant. Better to live in a convent, than
sin by looking beautiful! Not only was sex a no-no, it was reserved
exclusively for having children. Any lady who enjoyed it was a candidate for
hell fire and damnation.
It wasn’t quite as difficult for the men. They were
allowed to look good. But dancing was out, So was going to the movies,
looking at “girly” pictures, kissing a girl or drinking any form of alcohol.
Smoking was anathema. If they had a “date” with a young woman, there was
always a chaperone.
Much of this was a carry-over from UK in the
Victorian era. Yet that era was one of the most licentious, immoral and cruel
in history. In the UK it was the time of the industrial revolution. Little
children of 5 worked down in the mines opening and closing gates for the
miners. 12 hours per day was not unusual. Women crawled on hands and knees
through the mine tunnels pulling coal trucks. At the same time, church
society promoted the sort of “holiness” mentioned above. How you equate these
two types of living is beyond me.
So, what is holiness? Two “aspects” immediately
spring to mind. One is moral, sinless perfection. Of course this describes
God. No one except Jesus Christ has ever succeeded in living such a life. The
Jewish Pharisees of Jesus’ day certainly tried their best to do so. They
failed just as many others have failed. No mistakes were permitted. No sin
allowed. Anyone want to try? Those who attempt it often become the most
self-righteous men possible. Of course women could never get to “heaven”,
This was because for two weeks during her monthly cycle, she was considered
to be ritually unclean!
The second “aspect” of holiness is to be completely
set apart for an exclusive purpose. An insightful example for us is our
toothbrush. My toothbrush is “holy” to me. As far as I know, no one uses.
Most of us would be horrified by the thought of a guest wandering into the
bathroom and using our toothbrush. I know that occasionally a husband and
wife may make use of their partner’s toothbrush. But it would be the
exception rather than the rule. From this we see that holiness means “for the
exclusive use” of someone or something. In my case I do my very best to keep
myself for the exclusive use of the Lord. Do I always succeed? Not always.
But certainly I do my best to make sure I do. I don’t want to be used by
Satan and his cohorts. You could say in this respect I’m “holy” to the Lord.
To the best of my knowledge, you too can be “holy” to the Lord. “For His
exclusive use”. Note the complete “lack” of “rules”. It’s not a question of
not doing this or that. Instead it’s an attitude of being set aside for
Jesus’ only. If you do, you will find that moral perfection is not as much a
“pipe-dream” as you thought it was!
Jim &
Phyllida
Strickland
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12 Find joy in the LORD, you righteous people. Give
thanks to him as you remember how holy he is.
Psalms 97:12 GW
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"'Holiness! Yes, Holiness!', is
what you are to cry.
For it's a lack of holiness, which is the reason why,
The name of many Christians has now
become a stench;
Because they will not change their ways, they
consequently wrench,
The leading I have given them from My
directing hand;
And live a life that all can see is what the devil
planned!
But you have been appointed a shepherd
of the flock.
It's your responsibility to quietly take stock,
Of how the sheep are living and how
the pasture seems,
To ascertain the difference, 'tween vision and the
schemes,
That Satan would endeavour, to place
into their minds;
To know if what they're eating will feed, or make
them blind;
To be a flock protector and not a bird
of prey.
To keep the wolves and predators continually at bay.
For this is what I've called you to
and this is My desire.
But it is your obedience that really I require.
“The way ahead is difficult. With
danger it is fraught.
But you will find that I am there, the enemy to
thwart.
Provided that you're listening and do
the things I show,
Then, step-by-step and day-by-day, you'll definitely
know,
That nothing I require of you, will
ever be too much,
Successfully to overcome. For I will be your crutch!
And as you start to lean on Me and let
Me take your weight,
The power of The Holy Ghost will clearly demonstrate,
That you are Mine. A Servant; A
Shepherd of the King;
Because I have decided, that I will do a thing,
To shake the very heavens and rattle
earth and sky.
To illustrate to everyone, just what it means to
die!
Just what I have accomplished, by
coming to the Earth,
And giving to the human race, the chance of second
birth.
But many of My people. don't seem to
care at all.
Their lives aren't changed and many have ignored My
Holy call;
And consequently, judgement is now
upon the scene;
And they will experience just what My wrath can
mean.
But even now it's possible for Me to
stay My hand.
If they will change their attitude and DO what I
command;
Diligently minister to ALL of those
I've saved,
And demonstrate repentance by the way that they
behave.
For if a sinner turns from sin, I've
promised he will live.
Regardless what a man has been, I always will
forgive.
But if the righteous turns to sin and
practice fleshly lust,
I will forget their righteous acts. For them it will
be just,
As though they never came to Me; And
all their sinful acts,
Will be restored again to them and judgement will be
fact.
I know that it sounds terrible, but
that is what must be.
If a man or woman says they want to walk with Me.
Jim
Strickland
Written
1985
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15 Look, God does not even trust the angels. Even the heavens are not absolutely pure in His sight.
16 How much less pure is a corrupt and sinful person with a thirst
for wickedness!
Job
15:15-16 NLT
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5 Why, even the moon has its flaws, even
the stars aren't perfect in God's eyes, 6 So
how much less, plain men and women-- slugs and maggots by comparison!"
Job 25:5-6 MSG
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11 "Who is like you, O LORD, among the
gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious
deeds, doing wonders?
Exodus 15:11 ESV
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3 And one called to another and said: "Holy,
holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his
glory!"
Isaiah 6:3 ESV
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14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your
former ignorance, 15 but as he who
called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16
since it is written, "You shall be holy, for
I am holy."
1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV
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10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but
He disciplines us for our good, so that we may
share His holiness.
Hebrews 12:10 NASB
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17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
1 Corinthians 3:17 NLT
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11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of
holiness and godliness.
2 Peter 3:11 ESV
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14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to
be found by him without spot or blemish,
and at peace.
2 Peter 3:14 ESV
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29 Don't use foul or abusive language. Let
everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an
encouragement to those who hear them. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way
you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you
will be saved on the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:29-30 NLT
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