JIMMETS – COVENANT GIFT

Time with Jesus - 14 Aug. 2013

1666 - London in Flames

Hi all,

We have all heard that Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Nero blamed the blaze on the Christians. This unleashed a time of great persecution on Roman Christians. It is thought that Nero started the blaze. He planned a new Rome; one of his own design to replace the old. 

Portion of London Destroyed by Fire

It’s difficult to know how much of this was achieved. No doubt parts were rebuilt and parts were built according to Nero’s design. “It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good”.

The Monument to
The Great Fire

We know the saying. It’s an English proverb and is based on the premise that when something is bad, someone else will usually benefit. However, a wind would have to be really bad if it brought nothing good to anyone!

London Before the Fire
Note houses built on London Bridge

In slightly more recent times (1666) a great fire destroyed a part London. It was a catastrophe. Many homes were completely destroyed and many lives lost. However, there were two small benefits. 1) The plague epidemic came to an end. 2) The rebuilding of much of the town along with St Pauls Cathedral.

London in the mid 1800's
Note the Dome of St Paul's Cathedral

The Great Plague epidemic of 1665 is believed to have killed a sixth of London's inhabitants, or 80,000 people. It is sometimes suggested, since plague epidemics did not recur in London after the fire, the fire saved lives in the long run. It did this by burning down unsanitary housing with their rats and fleas which transmitted the plague.

Panorama of London Before the Fire

The Old St Paul’s Cathedral burned down. Many people who had taken refuge within the building were killed. It is thought the scaffolding around the building caught fire resulting in its destruction. The connection with Nero is, many thought the fire had been started by Roman Catholics.

Sir Christopher Wren

The Old St Paul’s was being repaired by a young man, later Sir Christopher Wren. He would have been 32 at the time of the fire. The design of the New St Paul’s was largely his. Construction began in 1675 and was complete in 1720. Wren died in 1723 when he was 90. Thus he witnessed the project from destruction to finalisation.

Zerubbabel

Few men get the opportunity of building or rebuilding a cathedral or temple from start to finish. King Solomon was one of them. The architect was his father, King David. Another Bible character associated with rebuilding the temple was Zerubbabel. 
These buildings were all made from ordinary materials, available almost anywhere.When it comes to the building or rebuilding of a temple for the Kingdom of God, there is a great difference. In a way, Wren, Zerubbabel and even David and Solomon “missed it”. They were looking for a beautiful earthly cathedral or temple made from bricks, stone, mortar and other earthly materials. 

Jesus Temple
Made from "Living Stones

The Temple Jesus is building is different. Paul expressed this as follows: ¹⁹ So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. ²⁰ Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself. ²¹ We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Eph. 2:19-21 NLT

Being Built into a Temple

You and I have no idea exactly where we are located in this Holy Temple. We do know that Jesus is the cornerstone and this new “house” is being built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. 

I’m particularly drawn to the fact that you and I are just “bricks” in the temple He is building. We also know that Jesus is the architect and He will see the “building project” through from start to finish. Sir Christopher Wren was a magnificent architect. But he is not in the same class as Jesus Christ. Furthermore, you and I have no fear that what He builds will burn down. 

The very opposite is true. It is the wind and fire of the Holy Spirit which keeps us in position in the edifice. In fact we need the wind and fire to purify us. Bricks are always baked in the sun or in a fire. This gives them the strength to bear the weight of the bricks around us. The wind is used to provide air into the furnace, so that the temperature of the bricks is controlled.

A "Temple of People"

The Lord Jesus is in full control of the building of His Holy Temple. He chooses each and every brick and places them in the building exactly where they are best needed. He is the Master Builder. We may not “like” our position in the building. However, Jesus knows best. Furthermore, He has plans for the temple He is building. Where will it “fit” into His Kingdom or into the New Jerusalem? Good question!

"God's Holy People" in the "New Temple"

Today we meditate on God’s Promise to David and on Ephesians 1:3-6. There is also reference to Romans 8:28 in the introduction. 2 Tim 1:12 is not referred to directly, but Paul’s conviction that God is able to guard that with which He has been trusted is clear. This conforms with Romans 8:28. Thus all four Scripture references are utilised. Expressing Ephesians 1:3-6 in Jimmet form was fun!

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 14 Aug. 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	JIMMETS – COVENANT GIFT
A couple of days ago we looked at an occasion early in David’s reign. At that time he had wanted to build a “house” for God. The Temple that would be built by his son Solomon. David was told by the Lord, through His prophet, he was not permitted do this. He was a man of war with blood on his hands. The temple would be built by his son, who would be a man of peace. However, he was informed that God would build him a house! A throne on which his descendants would always sit. David’s reaction was that he felt completely overwhelmed. It’s worth pointing out, God would build this line. He would be the One who would design and supervise the building of David’s “house”. In a way, David would emulate, what God had promised to do. He became the architect of the Temple and went about accumulating materials for the task. He also made provision, so that on his death, all his personal wealth would be donated to the building of the temple. In this respect, although Solomon built the temple, it was based on his father’s provision. Perhaps we should refer to the Temple as “David’s Temple” rather than “Solomon’s Temple”. We don’t do that for good reasons. But we do remember Sir Christopher Wren as the architect of St Paul’s Cathedral in London. Does anyone know who the builder was? In today’s first Scripture, we move in time to the end of David’s reign. By now, he was an old man. In spite of this, we notice, he had not forgotten God’s everlasting covenant with him. It’s interesting to read how confident David was that God would do this. The New Living Translation expresses his confidence in God’s undertaking to him and his family: 5 "Is it not my family God has chosen? Yes, He has made an everlasting covenant with me. His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. He will ensure my safety and success. 2 Samuel 23:5 NLT David’s attitude sheds additional light on the assurance Paul describes in Romans 8: 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  David had no idea that it would be some 1000 years before Jesus would be come. During the interim, David’s line had almost disappeared. But it could be traced back through his mother’s antecedents as well as His stepfather’s antecedents. Here was the fulfilment of God’s promise to David; the everlasting King of Kings! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			25 "Is it not my family God has chosen? Yes, He has made an everlasting covenant with me. His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. He will ensure my safety and success. 2 Samuel 23:5 NLT	EVERLASTING COVENANT An everlasting covenant was cut; That David would forever have a son, Who sat upon the throne; no ifs or buts; Until creation’s time on earth was done. I wonder if He really understood, How God would bring this promise into fact? He realised that God, the Father, would Keep His Word and was obliged to act; The way He had declared to him that day. Who else but God had the ability, To bring about the things he heard God say, And keep it going for eternity? But there was one thing David knew for sure. God’s promises forever would endure. Jim Strickland Written 14th August 2012 HIS FREE GIFT Praise be unto the Father of our Lord; Who blessed us in the heavenly realms above. All Spiritual blessings He has poured, On us, through Jesus Christ, the King of Love. In Him. He chose us in the “days” before, He started to create the things we see. Predestined our adoption to be more, Than creatures who are lost eternally. This was according to His Sovereign will; The Sons of God; Not merely men of mud. And by His grace, decided He would spill Christ Jesus’ own and very precious blood! O what a plan! To take our punishment! The very reason why His Son was sent! Jim Strickland Written 14 August 2012
			12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 2 Timothy 1:12 TNIV
			3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:3-6 TNIV
			27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:27-30 TNIV

Behaviour

 Time with Jesus - 13 Aug 2013

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is on the topic of behaviour. It was written 29 years ago as a result of my observation of what was taking place in and around where we were living. Today’s Scriptures strongly reminded me of that poem. I’d like to say things are different today.

Basically, behaviour is acting on what we think. We do what we think is right or, in some instances, what we think is wrong. Many factors influence our thinking. e.g. Teachers, parents, societal norms and God. It should be God only.

One of today’s Scriptures states: - ⁸ "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. ⁹ For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT. It’s a strange statement concealing more than it reveals.

Firstly, God states that His thoughts are nothing like our thoughts. At first glance we are tempted to say, “OK Lord, we know that. So, what’s for lunch”? It’s the sort of superficial language we use so often about things we think we know. 

We are accustomed to our own way of thinking. We want to make a decision, so we marshal all the facts in our minds; then we try and find the most appropriate course of action in the circumstances. For us, it’s our normal thought process. It’s the best we can do anyway. We are compelled to make a decision and can only do so based on what we know. In a way, it’s what keeps most of us honest.

For example, we think about robbing a bank. We decide not to do so; based on the fact that God forbids it! For those who do not fear God, His opinion doesn’t matter. So they think about the next possibility. It’s illegal and will attract the “unwelcome attention” of the police. 

It seems that “fear of repercussions” keep most of us honest. We don’t want to disobey God and/or we don’t want to end up in jail. In both cases it is a thought process. For many, the possibility of our robbing a bank has been pushed so far into the background; we don’t have to think about the “dumb” idea. This is because we know the repercussions and don’t fancy them.

The issue here is that we “know” the answer without “thinking”. Now, God knows everything. He doesn’t have to “think things through”. He knows. No matter how complex and convoluted the question might be, He can give the answer instantly, without even having to think. So what exactly are His thoughts? What does He think about? It’s a good question. We are trying to establish the thought process within the Trinity! One thing we can say. It’s nothing like ours at all.

Secondly, He tells us His ways are higher than our ways. He adds “For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways. The words to look at are “as the heavens are higher than the earth”. This is also an astonishing statement. By how much are the heavens higher than the earth?

Man has walked on the moon and we have sent spacecraft into the immense void of the cosmos. Recently, on TV, there was a photograph of earth taken from a spacecraft. I can’t recall how many trillions of miles it was from the earth when the picture was taken. 

The commentator needed to point out a little pinprick of “light” behind the distant spacecraft. Without him, we would never have guessed which “pinprick” was earth. They all looked the same. We were told the spacecraft will continue on its journey indefinitely. It will never get to the end of space because from mankind’s perspective, there is no end. We speak of space being “infinite”. It cannot be infinite. Only God is infinite.

By how much are the heavens higher than the earth? Forgive me for saying it’s “infinitely higher”. I don’t have a phrase or a word to describe the difference, so “infinity” has to do. Furthermore, from our vantage point on earth, the heavens are “infinitely higher” than the earth.

What then do we conclude? God has indicated the difference between Himself and us. What's more, since He has put “thoughts” and “ways” together, It confirms He is infinitely “higher” than we are. It boggles the mind. How is it possible, for Someone infinitely higher than we are in thoughts and ways, to love us? 

If we think back to the photograph from space, where earth is little more than a pinprick of light, we begin to see the magnitude of the difference. In spite of this, He loves and has said so in His Book.

We can say we believe something because God has said so. This should be sufficient. We don’t have to understand it! We have to trust Him and do it. That is good Christian behaviour!

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 13 August 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					©
	BEHAVIOUR - 1		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	BEHAVIOUR - 2
There's such a contradiction in things that I have seen. The sinners love each other and say just what they mean. When something doesn't please them, they speak and spit it out. Perhaps they're not God's children, but that's what love's about! They do not judge each other. They know they all fall short, Of how they know they ought to live. They do not resort, To sifting through the Bible to find out what it says, And then draw a comparison with all their brother's ways! They do not use The Word of God as some form of excuse, For leaving people helplessly to suffer man's abuse. They do not spend their waking hours, holding in their fist, Some doctrinal barometer or spiritual checklist. Few of them are hypocrites; They do just what they feel; Following their consciences with fervency and zeal! It's true they are not 'Christians'. They do not 'Praise The Lord', But sometimes it occurs to me, THEY should get the reward! We Christians have missed it! We've heard all about love, But in our 'willingness to serve', we push and pull and shove Anyone who's different right out of the way. We cannot help each other because we have to pray........! We have to go to 'meetings', organised at 'Church' And leave our friends and neighbours alone and in the lurch. It seems that all that's missing are our phylacteries, For most of us behave like the Scribes and Pharisees. Even all the artefacts and clothing that we wear Are frequently selected to make the sinner stare; And gaze in admiration as we walk proudly by, Pretending that we're 'holy' with noses in the sky. The language we keep using is pious and a pain. The sinners know we're different and most of them complain, About the way we witness. They say it’s 'verbal stones', Thrown by 'whited sepulchres, filled with dead men's bones'. It seems there's little difference between the things You saw, When, Lord, You dwelt among us. Except, perhaps, we're more Adept at self-deception. Religiosity, Is just as much in evidence, as what You used to see. It's just the mode that's altered; our ways are more refined; Our 'brand' of legalism's doctrinally defined;			28 God chose things despised by the world; things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 1 Corinthians 1:28 NLT	All is compartmentalised, clinical and pure, Organised and marketed and packaged to ensure, That everything is perfect; designed and guaranteed, To meet specifications, religious men decreed! O Lord! Where is Your Spirit? Why have we gone so far, From what, in the beginning, You wanted? Lord, we are, Exactly what men stated ... Pious, pompous freaks, Peddling religion and stealing from the weak; Living as it pleases, in immorality, While paying our lip service to what we know should be. Only You can change us. Only You know how, To help us see what we should be, right in the here and now. Lord please consecrate us to being what we could; To live as men and women, who really love You should. Father, dedicate us to being, day by day, The love of God incarnate to all along the way; To crucifying everything that doesn't glorify, The God of all Creation. Lord Jesus, please draw nigh And take away religion. Replace it with a verve, To serve You, Lord and Master, with sinew, bone and nerve. All that we comprise of, Lord, please purify, In order that, in what we are, with You, we do comply. Mould us by Your Spirit; Bring us to our knees; Modify our attitudes and make us what does please. Until the final product is Christian in fact. Not Religious Thespians whose life is just an act! Jim Strickland – Written 1984
			9 Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people--none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NLT
			1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil--the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else. Ephesians 2:1-3 NLT
			5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Titus 3:5-6 NLT	This 1984 poem seems as fresh today as it was 29 years ago. Almost nothing has changed. Sadly I find myself stumbling into this sort of thing too often. What makes it a bigger problem is we fail to see our own behaviour in this light. The English say, “The pot is calling the kettle black”. Recently the Lord has been whispering the word “rebellion” in my ears. First Samuel states: 22 Samuel said, (to king Saul) "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, He has rejected you as king."1 Samuel 15:22-23 NLT. I rather suspect The Lord is asking all of us to check out our behaviour. Are we in any form of rebellion and/or stubbornness? Jim & Phyllida Strickland 13th August 2012
			8 "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT