JIMMETS – MAN’S PEACE - MY PEACE

Time with Jesus - 4 Nov 2013

Hi all,

Three of the four ‘”Major” Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel agreed on one particular point. There was no peace for the wicked! The context is very interesting. They were all speaking to Judah about the invasion and captivity of the Jews in and around Jerusalem. 

Isaiah was speaking of a time in the future. Jeremiah’s prophecy was both before and after the invasion and captivity of the people. Ezekiel was looking back to just before the captivity and commenting on the words of the “prophets” who said all would be well.

Isaiah 57:21 NLT	Jeremiah 8:11 KJV	Ezekiel 13:16 NLT
21 There is no peace for the wicked," says my God.	11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.	16 'They were lying prophets who claimed peace would come to Jerusalem when there was no peace. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!

Today we look at the past with “hind-sight”. We know what happened. 

Guessing games are pointless. At the time when things are taking place, past opinions about what would happen were divided. e.g. If Europe had known what Hitler was going to do when he came to power in 1933, he would have been dealt with immediately.

For you and me in the 21^st century, it’s much the same. None of us know the future. We all end up being taken captive by the circumstances we are presently in. “If only!” we say. It’s pointless. We are all the product of our historical past, reaping the results of decisions taken then.

Peace Rose

If I had known in December 1959 what would happen when I wrote matric, I wouldn’t have done what I did. 53 years later, I’m still faced with the outcome. I remember listening to a preacher talking about reaping what we sow. He said some of us should pray for a crop failure! Mmmm.

Is there anything we can do about this sort of thing? Apart from prayer, very little! We can try and protect others from making mistakes. As parents we try and protect our children from the mistakes we made. Nevertheless, they make similar mistakes. It happens in every generation and is largely the product of the sin nature. 

We don’t learn from history. David Pawson is on record as having said, “All we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history”. Each time I hear this said I feel like adding, “There’s no peace for the wicked”.

When we are going through a tough time, the one thing we seek is peace. 

In this regard I remember what happened immediately after I’d recommitted my life to Jesus in 1981. As I’ve stated, conditions between my ex-wife and me were tense. You get to a point in time when something has to be done. It’s a bit like drowning. You clutch at straws and hope that everything will turn out fine. 

What do you do when it doesn’t? The prodigal son looked back at what once had been and was no more. He went through a time of mental recriminations. Then, in spite of everything, he decided to return to his father, “cap in hand”. Taking the decision must have been the hardest thing for him. 

He felt intimidated by what he thought his father’s reaction would be. Finally, the seriousness of his situation demanded that he take the “bull by the horns” and go home. Clearly he had arrived at the point where if he didn’t, he would starve to death. For him, being treated as the lowest family slave was a better option.

I’ve sometimes wondered about what would have happened to the prodigal son a number of years after he returned home? When he arrived, he was treated as a son by his father. Would that have continued? What would happen to him after his father died? How would his older brother react? 

Each of us can put our own “spin” on that. For me, that was part of the problem. Going back to Jesus in repentance was one thing. What about my brothers and sisters in God’s family? 

It’s well known that the Christian army is the only one that shoots its wounded. In the final analysis, we have to decide to cope with this possibility. If anything, it only further postpones the decision to return. Eventually we arrive at a place where things are so bad, the reactions of others becomes irrelevant.

That night, after recommitting my life to Jesus, I want home almost in a state of euphoria. Jesus had received me the way the prodigal son’s father had received his son. The next question was what would happen in my home? Would there be great rejoicing at my return to the Lord, or would my ex-wife and children look at me the same way as the prodigal son’s elder brother looked at him? 

I wasn’t too concerned about the children. They were young enough to cope with a father who was a “Jesus freak”. The possible reaction of my ex-wife was another matter.

If this was a fairy story, we would have embraced and would live “happily ever after”. But this was at the opposite end of the scale. There was no embrace. She was not impressed. Nothing was said. What she was doing was see if this would change me into her prince charming. What she observed over the next couple of weeks was just the opposite. My following Jesus was, from her point of view, “over the top”! 

On reflection, I think she had a point. The problem for me was that after 15½ years in the wilderness, I couldn’t keep away from God’s people. There was so much to learn and so much time to make up. 

For me, the decision was made. Nothing less than 100% commitment to Jesus would satisfy my empty heart and restore the peace I’d lost before we met. That, as they say, was that! It was a question of me and Jesus or …… The rest is history!

Shalom

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 4 Nov 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 – MAN’S PEACE - MY PEACE
Choruses. We all remember them from long ago. I recall singing, “I’ve got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart”. I sang it with the other youngsters back in the early 1960’s. It was very popular. One of the reasons was, we could include our own words in place of “Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy”. A popular addition was “the guarantee of His salvation”. Mine was, “the peace that passes understanding”. We would sing it with great gusto. Sadly, on reflection, I’m forced to the conclusion that the words were from my head and not my heart. But when you are in your early 20’s who knows the difference? I certainly didn’t. How do you recognise “the peace that passes understanding?” Sure it was on several bumper stickers but what did it mean? The fact is, if we don’t know, it truly passes understanding; mine and yours! It seems a terrible thing to say, but most Christians are basically dishonest! We would sing about peace in our hearts. But what were we singing? Did we or didn’t we? Most of us would have vehemently said we have “it” and wouldn’t admit we didn’t. After all, as a Christian, it should be true. Furthermore we would rather die than say anything to the contrary! Twenty years later this was taken to a new level of dishonesty by the statement, “fake it till you make it”! Most of us did, for fear of making a “negative confession”. I remember in 1981, while going through a terrible divorce, people would ask me how things were going at home. I would put on a somewhat forced grin and say, “Fine, just fine”. It was an out and out lie! Things at home were not fine. They were unbelievably horrible. But I didn’t dare say that. It would have been a negative confession and that was forbidden. There was a feeling going round that to say the wrong thing, invited Satan to destroy you. But he already had! Saying so would at least have been truthful. What then is this “peace”? John Wesley tells us a little about it. He was crossing the Atlantic and a huge storm arose. The people on board were terrified. All except a family of Moravian missionaries. When he asked them why, they told Him that they were in God’s hands and whatever happened He would be with them. Wesley was “gob-smacked”. They had peace and he didn’t! Today we are surrounded by Christian men and women who don’t realise that peace is not an emotion. It’s supernatural. It is knowledge, based on Scripture that “It is well. It is well with my soul!” Do you have it? Do I have it? Does anyone have it? The answer is a definite “yes”. But it’s not based on me or how I feel. Often I don’t think I do have it. But when I take time alone with God’s Word in a quiet place, suddenly He becomes “real” in a special way. That’s His peace touching you and me. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			6 For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NLT	MAN’S PEACE What do people understand by “peace”? A word that tells them that there is no war? That inter-human conflicts are deceased, And man won’t kill his brother anymore? The dis-United Nations seem to think; That if the nations put away their arms; Quicker than the fastest eye can blink It will be the end of all the harms, We inflict on others every day! Sorry, but they have the whole thing wrong. Wickedness is in our hearts to stay, And power’s always hijacked by the strong. Pretty speeches never have sufficed. Peace will only come in Jesus Christ. Jim Strickland Written 4 Nov. 2012 MY PEACE In the upper room that fateful night, Jesus said, “My peace I give to you. There will be no need for you to fight, In the way that worldly people do. Peace is only ever found in Me. Peace that tribulation can’t prevent. Peace which I bestow eternally. Peace that can’t be shaken bowed or bent. Peace that, come what may, you can endure. Peace with God! That is what I bestow. Peace to help you realise for sure, You are someone I will always know. Persecution is a certainty. But My peace will always be on thee” Jim Strickland Written 4 Nov 2012
			2 He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. 3 The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. Psalms 72:2-3 NIV
			6 He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. 7 In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. Psalms 72:6-7 NIV
			14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14 MKJV
			78 Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace." Luke 1:78-79 NLT
			36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), Acts 10:36 ESV
			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
			27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV
			7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 ESV

THE PRINCE OF PEACE

Time with Jesus - 3 Nov. 2013

Hi all,

Jesus Christ is Prophet, Priest and King. As we know, Moses was the prophet of the Exodus. He led the Israelites for ±40 years. He was not a priest, although he was from the family of Levi. His brother Aaron was the first High Priest. 

Moses was followed by Joshua. After him came the Judges who are all regarded as prophets. The last prophet to lead Israel was Samuel. From then on, Kings ruled and led the Israelites. i.e. From Saul to Zedekiah when the people went into the Babylonian captivity. When they returned to the land, they were led by Priests. The Priests were still leading the people when Jesus came. Now, in the New Covenant, our leader, Jesus Christ is Prophet, Priest and King.

God raised up men and women as prophets throughout the Old Testament. They usually spoke to men on behalf of God. Some only “spoke” on behalf of God. Others also spoke, but their words were written down. The books of the “writings” of these prophets are recorded in the Old Testament from Isaiah to Malachi. The final Old Testament prophet was John the Baptist. He was the one who went before Jesus to “prepare the way of the Lord”.

Whether or not there are genuine prophets today, is hotly debated by scholars. Looking back down the years, it would seem to me, many have spoken to men on behalf of God. Such men as the Venerable Bede and more recently William M. Branham and Dr A W Tozer might well be included. What we do know is, according to Paul, every

Jonah

Christian should earnestly desire to prophesy. ³⁹ So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 1 Cor. 14:39 ESV In this regard, Phyllida and I firmly believe not only in the priesthood of all believers but also in the prophet-hood of all believers.

We are not saying we should all dress like John the Baptist and eat locusts and wild honey. Nor do we say we are a man like Jeremiah or a women like Huldah. But with the Holy Spirit of God living in us, all Christians should be able to speak prophetically. 

John the Baptist

Thus, my poetry might be said to be prophetic. Not because I’m a prophet. I hotly dispute that. However, 50 years after I’m dead and gone, others might think so. All Phyllida and I do, is seek to bring the mind of the Lord to others (and ourselves) for their edification, exhortation, and comfort in the way Paul describes. ³ But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 1 Cor. 14:3 KJV

In 1981, when I started attending Bryanston Baptist Fellowship, I noticed many examples of this type of prophesying. For me it was very exciting. In the services, ordinary men and women spoke in tongues. Someone else then interpreted what had been spoken. Others brought a “prophetic word”. It was much like the way Paul described a church meeting should be in 1 Corinthians 12 to 14. 

It was all carried out in a very orderly and reverential way. Furthermore, the interpretations and prophetic words were written down and circulated after the service so the Lord’s instructions for the people at the time were clearly understood and followed. The recorded words were also checked against the content of the Bible, to make sure everything was Scriptural.

In this way the fellowship was growing as we learned from each other under the supervision of the elders and moved collectively in the direction the Lord was leading. I noticed that Phyllida was often one of the people whom the Lord used to bring interpretation and prophesy. In those early days, I thought that she was a modern prophetess! I was right!

As the days passed, few people in the fellowship were interested in my poetry. Only Phyllida would listen. I thought it was done more out of a sense of sympathy for this man who was going through a divorce. She wasn’t condescending and made some useful suggestions. I’d never come across her name before so I spelled it “Filador”!

On Friday evenings some of us would meet in the home of one of the members of the fellowship. Both of us attended. There, we would all pray and seek to receive direction from the Lord. Most evenings everyone prayed for the restoration of my marriage. It was wonderful. Afterwards we would go home. Occasionally we would go to Phyllida’s home for coffee. It was all very innocent.

After several months, my wife and I had a brief reconciliation. I phoned everyone, including Phyllida, to let them know the good news. The reconciliation lasted about 3 days before returning to the way it was. The next Saturday morning, after the prayer meeting in BBF, we were having coffee in the lounge. Phyllida came and asked me how things were at home. In those days we were told never to make a negative confession. 

I smiled at her and said, “Fine!” She looked at me and said, “Tell me the truth!” “It’s worse than ever” I said. “Then we must all continue praying!” she said. But there was now a big difference. I’d had enough of what was happening at home. I couldn’t pray for restoration. I felt too tired and too hurt. Then my wife told me she wanted a divorce. They were terrible words. But they were also wonderful words! 

The nightmare was just about over. The following Monday she went to see a lawyer. I raised no objections. The separation and divorce cost me just about everything I owned.

All I had when I left my family home, were my clothes, my Eskom car, a trailer and a second car I was buying for my wife. It wasn’t paid for, so I wouldn’t let her have it. Otherwise, the product of 15½ years of my working life was gone. I felt devastated. But life with Jesus was restored. Now it was a question of, “What next Lord?”

Shalom

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

The Last Supper

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 3 Nov. 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	THE PRINCE OF PEACE
Have you noticed that the number of self-appointed Apostles, Prophets and assorted other titled “Christians” appears to have proliferated over the past few years? It seems that people have found that a title gives credence to those who otherwise would have none. To some extent it’s a bit like the phrase in Charismatic circles, “Sayith the Lord”! It’s added so that anyone who doesn’t agree has a problem with God. To me it’s perilously close to the assumption made by our Roman Catholic friends, that if the Pope has said it “ex-cathedra” it is infallible. For me, I would like it to be true. But I’m aware that I’ve got feet of clay and an uncontrollable tongue! Part of our problem can be found in the Bible. We divide part of the Old Testament into Major and Minor prophets. In the New Testament we read of prophets and apostles. Some of these men were no doubt aware that they were prophets and apostles. Paul is a good example. Acts 13:1 tells us of certain prophets and teachers in the church in Antioch. How they qualified for such titles is not clear. For my part, God forbid that I would disagree with Scripture. This means that in the New Testament Church, such people existed. Whether or not they still exist is another matter. Assuming there are such men and women, who “bestows” these titles? Self-appointment is invalid. So by what right has anyone to call himself, Apostle Fred or Prophet Brian? It’s my opinion that no one living in the 21st century warrants such a title. Let me illustrate using the name of a 20th century Christian, Dr A W Tozer. Dr Tozer died in the 1960’s. Today he is considered to have been a 20th century prophet. Reading about his life and writings, I’m inclined to agree. But if you asked him during his life, if he was a prophet, I’m sure he would have vehemently denied it. Likewise, if someone said to me, “Jim, you’re a prophet” I would categorically deny it. But 100 years from now, it may be the opinion of Christians. It’s something I will never know this side of the grave. One of the great prophets of all time is Isaiah. His writings are as sharp and clear now as they were during his life. His prophetic utterances are astonishing. Isaiah 9:6 is an outstanding example. What was in his mind when he wrote those words? Did he know their significance? Probably not. Peter gives us great insight into this mystery. 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT In a very small way I’ve experienced something like this. I’ve written something while thinking about X. Then in category Y, God speaks to someone through my scribbling. It doesn’t mean I’m a prophet. What it may mean is that while I am writing, the Holy Spirit has prompted me to state something that has little relevance to me. But He has guided my thoughts to express something about which I have no inkling. That’s writing in the supernatural. “A child is born; a Son is given”. Prophetically, a description of someone who would be 100% man and 100% God. Isaiah didn’t know. God did! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 ESV	“For unto us a child is born.” It’s His humanity. He got this from His mother, because He had to be, An ordinary person, Who’d grow into a man; Who would defeat the devil! No other being can, Take back what had been stolen, when Adam bowed his knee. No other type of creature had that authority. “To us a Son is given.” He had to be Divine. He had to be the Son of God to take your sins and mine. One person saves one person. It can’t be any more. So if you give your life for me, that’s the final score. One for one is proper. So if I die for you, No one else can benefit, no matter what they do! But if the One who gives His life, is also God Most High, How many people can He save? Then you can multiply, The number of saved people, up to infinity! And so the death of Jesus Christ saves all humanity! There is a small condition. It doesn’t help at all, Unless you meet the terms He set. He says we have to call, On Him in true repentance and turn away from sin. If people do not do that, they won’t be counted in! So what Name shall we call Him? Wonderful Counsellor? Yes Jesus Christ is Wonderful. He’s that and so much more. Shall we call Him Mighty God? That’s absolutely true. There isn’t any other god. No substitute will do. The Everlasting Father? There is no other Name, That we could ever call Him, to minimise the claim, That He has placed on all of us. Our Father and our Lord! Nothing in Creation is fit to be adored! All the other gods are fakes; not one of them exists. Forgot about the lot of them and they will not be missed. But Jesus has another Name. This Name will never cease. “King of Kings” and” Lord of Lords, Almighty Prince of Peace”; Peace between the Nations. Peace with God and man. Peace between each racial group; with every tribe and clan. Beyond all understanding; the Peace which He will bring. Reconciliation, Twixt God and everything! Jim Strickland Written 3 Nov 2012 St Thomas
			4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV
			30 I and the Father are one. 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." John 10:30&38 ESV
			19 They said, "Where is this so-called Father of yours?" Jesus said, "You're looking right at me and you don't see me. How do you expect to see the Father? If you knew me, you would at the same time know the Father." John 8:19 MSG
			8 Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will satisfy us." 9 Jesus replied, "I have been with all of you for a long time. Don't you know me yet, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father. So how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? John 14:8-9 GW
			13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me." Hebrews 2:13 ESV
			11 When He sees all that is accomplished by His anguish, He will be satisfied. And because of His experience, My righteous Servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for He will bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:11 NLT
			8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:8 ESV
			58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." John 8:58 ESV
			14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. Here is what you must say to the Israelites. Tell them, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" Exodus 3:14 NIrV
			8 But to the Son He says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Your kingdom. Hebrews 1:8 MKJV
			17 He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. Colossians 1:17 MSG
			9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. Colossians 2:9 TNIV