Daily Devotionals in Verse and Rhyme: 09/15/13

Sunday, September 15, 2013

NOT PLAYING GAMES!

Time with Jesus - 16 Sept. 2013

Israel in the Days of Jesus

Hi all,

It’s no accident that God placed His people in a land at the crossroads of the world. This piece of land lies on the two major international trade routes of the world as it then was. The road from Europe to Arabia went through the Holy Land, as did the road from Africa to India and the East. They crossed each other at a place called “Megiddo” in the “Vale of Esdralon” Next to Megiddo there is a hill. The word for hill in Hebrew is “Harm”. From this we get the word Armageddon. This was important since God’s plan was to use His People to influence the entire world. One other fact of great significance is that the village of Nazareth overlooks this international crossroads. Thus Jesus was brought up overlooking the crossroads of the world. (Courtesy David Pawson)

In New Testament days, the fastest mode of transport was a horse or similar. If more than one person wanted to travel together, a horse drawn carriage or a cart would be needed. Rather similar to the Voortrekkers I suppose. The only other means was by “Shank’s pony”. Itinerant preachers and teachers would have walked everywhere, unless they could afford the luxury of a carriage or a cart. Walking speed would be ±2-3 miles per hour, mainly during daylight hours. So ±25 miles (40km) per day would be considered reasonable, particularly if you were accompanied by others

Symbol of Para-Olympics

The bulk of Jesus’ ministry was in the north; in and around Galilee, in this part of the country. Because of His healing and teaching ministry, He was very popular. The Israelites from this area would never have agreed to Him being crucified. Jerusalem, the Temple and His religious opponents were in the south as can be seen from the map.

Gold, Silver & Bronze Medals

After His Bar Mitzvah, it is most likely Jesus worked in Joseph’s carpentry business for ±18 years. He would have been a fit, “strong” young man, typical of a man accustomed to such work. His itinerant ministry would have kept Him in top condition physically. He would need this strength and fitness to endure the beatings and crucifixion.

First New Era Olympics
Athens - 1896

Some say it was because of His “Godhood” that this was possible. My comment is that He didn’t use His Godhood for His own ends throughout His ministry. It’s unlikely He would have done so on that final day.

Jesus’ apostles would also have been very “fit”.

First UK Olympics

After Pentecost; it would not have been possible for them to travel “world-wide” unless they were fit. If you follow the journeys of Paul, you would have found a man in excellent physical condition.

London 1948 Olympics

Speaking of some of the things he endured he wrote: ²⁴ Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. ²⁶ I have travelled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. ²⁷ I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 2 Cor. 11:24-27 NLT

At times I must confess that I feel ashamed of my own physical condition and that of so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Para - Tennis

Today we usually hear preached a cross-less and flabby Christianity, which demands little more than financial support to swell the coffers of the preacher’s ministry. No demands are made on the individual. Sin as much as you want, once you have your “ticket to glory”! God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life! Paul and the other apostles must be dizzy by now from the number of times they have turned over in their graves! Such a lifestyle is contrary to Biblical teaching.

Disqualified for being helped

Before the name “Christian” was used for believers, Jesus’ disciples were called “followers of the Way”. It’s a far better name. Following Jesus is not an event, it’s a journey; one that will last a lifetime. The way for us ends at our grave.

A One Horse Raced

It’s a way that demands hardship, trials, perseverance and a dogged determination to get there come “Hell or High Water”! The “Way” is a marathon. Some days will be something like NOT PLAYING GAMES!running the Comrades. Frankly, I don’t have the strength to finish. I’m too old and not in good physical condition. But Jesus Christ is with me.

He wants you to get there

Each time I falter, trip or fall, He lifts me to my feet and says, “Come on My son, you’re nearly there. You and I can do it together!” It’s at times like this my thoughts focus on what Paul experienced and what Jesus endured for me. How can I not continue? I’ll get there even if I have to crawl over the finishing line.

At times He'll carry you!

Why? It’s because He has made it worthwhile. He endured the worst Satan could throw at Him. He did it for you. He did it for me. Now He has the very best His Father could give Him. Now He wants to share it with you and with me! How can I quit? Not now! So near and yet so far. So if you are running out of steam and feel you can no longer cope, take His hand.

Keep On Going

If you can’t do that, take mine. Can you see the finishing line? You can? Me too! One last effort! Thank you Jesus!

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Do your best with what you've got!

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 16 Sept. 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	NOT PLAYING GAMES!
Did you enjoy watching the Olympic and Paralympic Games on TV? It really was special. We only saw the final moments of that which the athletes have invested in time and effort to get there. Most of them didn’t even win a medal! Sure we cheer the winners. We should do. But how many of us identify with those who won silver or bronze medals. Many of the athletes were in tears because they didn’t get “gold”. It seems that there are no prizes for being second best! As Christians our hearts reach out to them. Not because we are better than them. Frankly I don’t have the dedication to sport that they do. The training, the pain and suffering to win a race. Why? It’s beyond me! There is a comparison between training for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Christian life. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians expresses it as follows: ²⁵ All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. 1 Corinthians 9:25 MSG Eugene Peterson’s translation puts it in classic “Olympic Games” language. What we do not realise is that in the race of Christian life, there is only one person we have to beat. Ourselves! In a way, everything is the “wrong way round”. In London 2012, only one person in the race gets gold. They get it after they have won the race. In Christianity, we are informed that the “Gold medal” is awarded to everyone who finishes the race. To get “gold”, we have to keep on keeping on! Others may be faster and better than we are. But not in Jesus’ eyes. He sees us all as gold medal winners, if we complete the course. That’s encouraging. There is a sense in which we are running as “Paralympic” athletes. In London, the Paralympic contestants were divided into various groups so that people only compete against others similarly challenged. That’s quite correct and is considered fair. But in our race of life each of us is in a class of our own. Jesus sees you and me as unique. We don’t get categorised. We run against ourselves in a one person race. If we finish the course we win. The “gold” is there for the taking. If we finish the race, we’re in first place! The question is, will we finish? The Paralympics is a competition. But in the Christian race of life, we are not competing with others. The difference is that Satan and his bunch do everything they can to discourage and force us out of the race. In a way, we could say that most of the officials don’t want us to finish and use everything they know to keep us away from the finishing line. We can’t ignore them. We have to get past them. But we have the greatest Coach who ever lived on Earth. Jesus Christ. More than that, He runs with us. With Him, we will never be defeated. The “gold” is ours. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			⁵ For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favour lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalms 30:5 NLT	His anger lasts a moment. His favour lasts for life. No matter what our problems are; regardless of the strife, We know we’ll be delivered, the weeping soon be gone. The night will soon be over; with joy we’ll carry on. Don’t let pain and suffering cause us to fail the test. Go through the experience and in it we’ll be blessed. Our enemies are doing it; the devil wants to smash, The followers of Jesus and cause our hopes to crash. We knew that it would happen. It’s what he’s always done. But we’ve received the victory through Christ, God’s only Son. The Lord said tribulation, was sure to come about. So it is going to happen. Of this, there is no doubt. Even in the midst of it, we’ll know His inner peace; No matter what they do to us, His love for us won’t cease. So let us be encouraged and let us all take heart. The Lord has overcome the world and Satan cannot part, Us from the love He has for us. The world cannot succeed, And tear us from God’s Kingdom and the life He helps us lead. Indeed it’s like a nightmare. Excruciating pain, Is what the devil uses. But it is all in vain. It only lasts a moment; and in eternity, The actual duration is just momentary. There’s really no comparison. It isn’t cause to quit. Pray and ask the Master to help you cope with it. He will not refuse you. He will not let you down. And in His Royal Kingdom, you’re sure to wear a crown. A woman in her labour will cry out in her pain. But when the child’s delivered, the thoughts within her brain, Will never be her anguish; she will be filled with joy, Because she cradles in her arms her baby girl or boy! Her suffering was worth it. She knows it very well. Even if she went through the very fires of hell, The joy which she experiences through her baby’s birth, Is more than all the treasures we find upon the earth. So let us all take courage. Our life on earth is short. Yes, there’s tribulation. Satan will resort To anything available, to keep you from the Lord. But Jesus is the One Who should be worshipped and adored. Nothing is worth keeping! He’ll dry up all our tears; He will swallow death and put an end to time and years. We will live forever and be with God Most High. If we follow Jesus ‘til the instant that we die. Jim Strickland Written 16^th Sept. 2012
			³ We sent him so that no one would be upset by times of testing. You know very well that we have to go through them. ⁴ In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that our enemies would make us suffer. As you know very well, it has turned out that way. 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4 NIrV
			³³ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 ESV
			¹⁵ Because I do what is right, I will enjoy your blessing. When I wake up, I will be satisfied because I will see you. Psalms 17:15 NIrV
			¹² The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. Romans 13:12 MSG
			⁴ Then he will be like the light of morning at sunrise when there aren't any clouds. He will be like the bright sun after rain that makes the grass grows on the earth.' 2 Samuel 23:4 NIrV
			⁸ He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 25:8 ESV
			⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4 NIV
			¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them. We will be taken up in the clouds. We will meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with him forever. ¹⁸ So cheer each other up with these words of comfort. 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 NIrV

FUTURE PERFECT

Time with Jesus - 15 Sept 2013

Hi all,

Today's the Day

How do most people make decisions? More often than not, it’s based on personal preferences. Assume for a moment you have just changed jobs. The position you have filled requires you to be presentable to others. If you’ve moved into a managerial position, they will probably expect you to come and go from the office looking acceptable, in line with your position.

For example, if you are now on the board of management, albeit in a junior position, your employer will require that you dress according to norms in the industry or office. It’s probable that you will be required to wear a collar and tie. Perhaps the best expression is to say the “smart casual” look would be a minimum requirement. In some businesses, you will be obliged to wear a three or two piece suit. In all probability there will be a “dress code” associated with the job. So don’t come to work in jeans, a bright “Hawaiian” shirt and tackies unless it complies with the dress code.

Talking about dress code reminds me of an incident in Basildon in Essex in the 1960’s while I was an apprentice. At that time, Basildon was a new town that had recently been established to cater for the growing population in the area between London and Southend. There was not a great deal of night life in Basildon. There were several Pubs (Public Houses) which catered for adults. If you haven’t lived or visited UK you may not know that Pubs play an important role in the social life of the average Brit. The image of drunkenness and debauchery associated with the Pubs of the 19^th and early 20^th century is no longer true. Even in the 1960’s, many of them also served as restaurants. They required high standards of dress and behaviour in spite of the fact that their purpose was the sale of malt, wines and spirits. These once “all male” establishments (apart from bar maids) had changed and ladies were made very welcome.

One of the Pub’s, The Commodore, had a strict dress code. Men were required to wear collars and ties or they would not be admitted and served. There was no “dress code” for the ladies. It wasn’t necessary. Some of the young men objected to the dress code and tried to “push” the boundaries. However, a number of them were turned away because their dress didn’t comply with the requirement. A group of about 20 of them decided to fight back. No physically.

Do you remember the old fashioned detachable collars? They went out of fashion many years ago. However they were still available if you look for them. Do you remember the old string ties?

String Tie

They were popularised by the “Teddy Boys” of the 1950’s. When these young men arrived at The Commodore” they were shirtless. But each one was wearing a detachable collar complete with a string tie. It looked rather comical which is what they intended. At first there was uproar! Then the people started laughing. Shrieks of laughter came from the group of youngsters. Then the entire management and staff of the Commodore joined in. That was the end of the dress code. From then on, “smart casual” was the order of the day!

This story of the Commodore, collars and string ties illustrates the fact that decisions are not always cast in concrete. They can be challenged and even overturned. It also indicates that decisions result in repercussions. Some of them are good. Others are not. Nevertheless, decisions have to be taken. They can be postponed, but few can be left to “sort themselves out”!

The most important decision anyone can take is to surrender to the will of God and give their life to Jesus Christ. The fact is this decision directly affects our eternal future. The writer to the Hebrews states: ²⁷ People have to die once. After that, God will judge them Hebrews 9:27 NIrV. Furthermore, according to John, ⁶ Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NIrV

Most of us settled this issue a number of years ago. For Phyllida it took place while she was seated on a rock near Ceres at a Baptist Church Camp in 1951. There is a picture of her seated on that rock in our study. For me it was in the Bainbridge Memorial Methodist Church Hall at a Youth Service in 1960. Neither of us will ever forget that time.

We both know how important our respective decisions were. But that was not the end of it. Those decisions taken over 50 years ago were wonderful. However, something further was needed. We needed to continue and live a life in line with what we had decided. If we didn’t, it would have been no more relevant than deciding to have none or one spoon of sugar in our coffee. It had to be more important than deciding to follow the Commodore’s dress code!

From where we were, our decisions had to be reinforced with deliberate action. After all, if Jesus Christ is Lord of your life, He is the one who makes the decisions! We quickly realised He had no problem with our deciding unimportant things such as which brand of toothpaste to use. But when it came to big decisions, it was a question of our obedience to Him. We needed to establish, His will for our lives.

We decided to commit ourselves to hearing His voice daily if possible. We also decided it would only be possible if we spent time with Him in His Word. We decided this would have to be our way of life. We have done our best to do so. Yes we have made mistakes; many of them. However, in spite of these mistakes, He still perseveres with us. We’ve decided we will continue to seek His will and purpose for us to the very end. It’s the best decision we have ever made.