JOY TOMORROW

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 27 December 2011

Back in 1964 there was a program on TV in the UK entitled “All Our Yesterdays”. It was fairly popular and quite fascinating. What it did was give a sort of weekly running commentary on what had taken place 25 years previously. What was that? It was hostilities just before and after WW2 broke out in Europe.

Many young people had not experienced the war. The combatants were mostly in their mid fifties or more. I was born in 1942 in UK so most of what was shown on TV was something I’d heard about, but had not actually experienced. I’d heard about many of the incidents. D Day, the Battle of the Bulge, the Liberation of Paris. Names of people were well remembered. Names such as Churchill; Eisenhower; de Gaulle; Montgomery; the Dam Busters; along with many of the movies that had depicted the war. The Cruel Sea, Reach for the Sky and Carve Her Name with Pride”.

For me the programme was bitter-sweet. Both my parent’s families had been touched by this conflagration. It follows that it touched one or two raw nerves. Not that I remembered those who had been killed. I think the feelings were triggered by utter pointlessness of so many people being killed because of the lust for power of those who led the world into this mad killing spree.

Back then, Churchill was approaching the end of his life and people were being asked to contribute to a fund to remember what he had achieved. In the North of England, he was far from popular. Many men and women remembered the miners strike in the 1930’s. He had not responded to this well and had turned the army out to confront the strikers. Those people were not willing to put their hands into their pockets to contribute. This goes to show the importance of first impressions. It seemed that no matter what he had achieved, some still hated him.

As a Christian, what struck me about what I saw on TV was the impermanence of things. Buildings were bombed and collapsed into a smouldering heap. Important bridges were destroyed. The death camps horrified me. The fate of the Jews deeply impressed me. But mostly the fact is that what so many “things” we had counted on were swept away like sand castles as the tide swept in and out.

Actually seeing this on TV demonstrated the false security “things” provided. All destroyed in the wink of an eye! For me what it showed was that nothing in this life is permanent. Being something of a romantic at heart, I well remember one of the popular songs of the day went, “It’s very clear, our love is here to stay” It was sung by a couple of lovers. But it reminded me of the Saviour, Who could truly say “our love is here to stay” The song concluded with the words, “Someday the Rockies will tumble, Gibraltar will crumble; they’re only made of clay. But “our love is here to stay”.

I don’t think I realised the significance of the words at the time. I was young and half expected to love whoever became my wife forever. Now, all these years later, these words have taken on a new meaning. Only Jesus and the love of God is permanent. Everything else will crumble. Even the great pyramids of Egypt will one day be little more than a heap of sand. But His love for me and you really is “here to stay”.

Many men and women wept their way through that dreadful war. They found a measure of joy when peace returned. But for those of us who look forward to the day when Jesus returns; we know that our tears will be wiped away and all we have experienced will be little more than an instance in “all our yesterdays”.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

Joy Tomorrow

There are so many problems as we walk along life’s road. They’re very disconcerting and increase a Christian’s load. They seem to be so heavy and annoying at the time; But if we focus on them – that really is a crime. We need to keep on looking at the things we cannot see! A spiritual perspective that will last eternally. But if all our perceptions, are what’s seen upon the earth, We’ll quickly lose our focus on the glory of new birth. This world is not our future; it’s like a canvas tent. It has no lasting value and will soon be done and spent; Our man-made concrete jungle, is founded upon clay; It hasn’t any permanence and soon will pass away. We may think it’s enduring, but that is just a ruse, That Satan and his cohorts use to baffle and confuse. The pyramids of Egypt look as solid as can be; But all of them are crumbling and won’t last eternally. A Christian knows better. He knows things cannot last. They’re only just a shadow of what’s happened in the past. We think that death is permanent; a grave that has no end. But that is an illusion men fail to comprehend. The city which is permanent is being built on high. And none of us can see it, no matter how we try; It’s being built by Jesus, our everlasting King. He wants us all to live with Him and wear His wedding ring. He’s told us that His Father is pleased to give away, The Kingdom to the people who follow Him each day. A Kingdom so fantastic, our minds cannot conceive; A city built for Jesus and His people to receive. A place for all His followers, that’s just beyond the grave, Where death has been defeated, for those whom He has saved. A place where pain and suffering, just cannot carry on. Where all our tears and weeping will finally be gone. We cannot understand this, but it is worth our while, To put our trust in Jesus and to give the world a smile. No matter what they do to us, it cannot last for long; And when the world is done with us, we’ll sing His victory song. We’ll see Him in His glory and surely take our place Where we will live forever and see the Master’s face. Jim Strickland – written Tuesday, 27 December 2011

STAY WITH IT

Hi all,

Perseverance! The character quality which identifies a Christian is perseverance. Throughout the New Testament we are encouraged to “endure to the end”. On the other hand it’s clear that those who don’t endure to the end have nothing to look forward to. In Revelation 2, the Lord Jesus Christ tells the church at Ephesus ¹¹ "Those who have ears should listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the churches. Those who overcome will not be hurt at all by the second death.' Rev 2:11 NIrV

Logic is not my strong point. But even my logic tells me that by implication “Those who do not overcome will be hurt by the second death”. This may offend your theology. However, we should be aware of what we can expect as a result of our behaviour. Over-comers get rewarded. Under-goers (opposite of over-comers) don’t.

It’s very sad to record that I’ve known a number of people who have started well in the Kingdom of God and are no longer serving Jesus. I wish this was not the case. Indeed, I spent several years in the wilderness myself after committing my life to Jesus. Will they be with the Lord after the second death? I would love to say that they will. There’s a part of me that shudders at the prospect of those whom we have met and loved over the past 50 years not being with us in God’s Kingdom. But the Scripture tells us that only those who endure to the end will be saved. How can I make it read something differently? I wish I could. I hope I am wrong. I want to be wrong. The problem is it seems clear that my understanding is correct.

There are only two possibilities with respect to this understanding. If I am right and you don’t believe it, you will have a major problem. The other is if I am wrong. Then you have no problem. What I’m trying to encourage people to do is to proceed on the assumption that I am right. That way you will have no problem. You will have covered both possibilities and not be leaving anything to chance.

Today’s meditation is a call to endure; to stay with it. If we both do that, the chances are excellent that we will be together in paradise. If not…..

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

Stay with it

My friends I must encourage you to keep on keeping on.     Stand your ground and don’t hold back until your life has gone.

The Master will take care of you; that’s very, very plain. You’re sure to be rewarded. Your labour’s not in vain. Your labour isn’t wasted. You may not see it now. But when you get to be with Him, you’ll see it all – and how! My counsel’s very easy. Be simple and be straight. You’re grounded on the Master. You aren’t left to your fate. You needn’t change direction. Your roots are deep and strong.

Your faith is like a bulwark; and you’re not going wrong. The challenge is to stay with it; that’s what the Lord requires. You’ll surely reap salvation; It’s what our Lord desires! To find an illustration, just think about good seed. Under correct conditions, they’ll sprout up like a weed. But only at the harvest, when there’s been time to grow. You’ll garner in the produce, of that which you did sow. The same applies to everything that’s done for God Most High. It’s only when your race is run, the harvest will apply. You may not see what’s happening, before the task is done. That’s when the Lord will tell you, “I’m pleased with you My son”. So do all His assignments; with joy cooperate. Your faith will be rewarded, when He has set the date. Just do the tasks He’s set for you, as long as it is light. Do them while you’re able, before the coming night. Keep your eyes on Jesus; He’s the illumination, Of everything that’s in this world; the author of salvation. He’s sure to bring you justice and see you reap a crop, That nothing in the universe can interrupt or stop. Live only by His Spirit; you will not reap decay. Instead there’ll be a blessing that man can’t take away. Just seize each opportunity that Jesus sends along. And live to be blessing; you will not get things wrong. Jim Strickland – written 26 December 2011

MY CHRISTMAS TESTIMONY

Today is Christmas day. Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus. There’s a big sign at Northgate, the local shopping mall, which reads, “Happy Birthday Jesus”. We know for a fact that 25^th December was not His birthday. Opinions are divided concerning the correct day of the year to celebrate His birth. But In a way, everyday is His birthday, because every person who has ever been born is in some way connected to Him. Along with you and me, they comprise the “whoever” ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 TNIV

Today’s meditation comprises the outline of my testimony. In it you will find some of what took place which changed me from a “whoever” into an adopted son of the Most High God. As I look back over my life to that dreadful experience in 1959, I become more convinced that He “set me up”. It’s as though I was a small part in the great ocean of life and that miraculously He pulled me from the waves.

As a 9 year old boy I attended Kingswood College in Grahamstown. That was in 1951. Every Wednesday evening all the boys in the junior school gathered in the hall and sang hymns from the Methodist hymnbook. In that school I believe that the Lord began to whisper into my heart. Sometimes we would sing Charles Homer Gabriel’s great Hymn,

In loving-kindness Jesus came My soul in mercy to reclaim. And from the depths of sin and shame, He came and lifted me.		He called me long before I heard Before my sinful heart was stirred But when I took Him at His word Forgiven He lifted me.	His brow was pierced with many a thorn His hands by cruel nails were torn When from My guilt and grief forlorn In love He lifted me.	Now on a higher plain I dwell And with my soul, I know tis well Yet how or why, I cannot tell He should have lifted me!
Chorus:	From sinking sands He lifted me. With tender hand, He lifted me. From Shades of night, to plains of light. O Praise His Name. He lifted me!		Hymn No 336 in the 1936 version of the Methodist Hymn Book

As I reflect over my life and read the words of this great hymn, I get the feeling that the author was thinking of me when he composed these words. If not for me it must have been the twin brother I’ve never known.

Phyllida and I pray that today will be a great blessing for you and your family.

Blessings

My Christmas Testimony

I thought that I was clever and unquestionably smart.

I thought I had life by the tail; and couldn’t wait to start.

A lawyer, or a doctor or perhaps an engineer?

And in my pride and arrogance, I wouldn’t let God near.

I thought I didn’t need Him; I thought my way was the best.

And then disaster happened; I didn’t pass the test.

They caught me in the very act of doing something wrong.

And so I went and wrote the words; my “pity party” song.

Who was there I could turn to? I didn’t have a clue.

There was no easy answer for what I was to do.

I thought I’d be rejected and I’d be cast away.

My parents would want answers; and what was I to say?

For me this was a crisis. I thought that I should run.

But when my father spoke to me, he said I’m still His son!

I started to appreciate the fullness of his love.

I didn’t know that all of this came from the Lord above.

I felt just like the prodigal; I’d gone home to my dad.

He greeted me with open arms, which made me feel quite sad.

He soon made an arrangement for me to join his firm.

I’d start as an apprentice, with such a lot to learn.

And so I started working on the ladder’s lowest rung.

But after my ambitions – those memories still clung!

I think that Jesus chose for me, the proper thing to do.

And an apprentice fitter was something rather new.

And when He came and called me some 50 years ago,

It really was a miracle, beyond what I could know.

He showed me that He loved me far more than I could guess.

He said He was the starter and ender of my mess!

He said that through my father, I’d found that I was worth,

Far more than I would understand could happen by my birth.

He said His Father loved Him much more that man could see,

And as He loved His only Son, He loved me equally.

His love was so much bigger than everything I’d done.

And He would like to take me on as His adopted son.

How could I understand this? What ever could I say?

That God could be my Father. My reason said, “No way!”

That surely Jesus didn’t know about the way that I had been.

The wrong man had been chosen and I was far from clean!

And then I glanced up at Him; the love shone in His eyes.

I knew that He had meant it. O what a great surprise.

So way back in October of that dim and distant year,

He made me His step brother. Since then, He’s always near

Jim Strickland – Written 25^th December 2011

LIVING WITH HIM IN GLORY

Some people I meet, who claim they are Christians, don’t behave like Christians at all! Of course, this sounds as though I’m being judgmental. Perhaps I am. But in my experience, you are what you look like. There is a very popular comment doing the rounds that states, “If it looks like a dog, barks like a dog and behaves like a dog, the chances are, it is a dog.” In the same way it seems to me that when we look at someone, “If it looks like a sinner, talks like a sinner and acts like a sinner, the chances are excellent that it’s a sinner”. Or to put it another way, If you put a cow into a garage, you can’t say it’s a motor car!

Am I entitled to observe this? The answer is an unequivocal “YES”! Note that I’m not talking about an individual. I’m talking about what I see. We are supposed to do this. How can we flee from all forms of evil if we can’t keep away from those who behave that way?

God’s Word is very clear on this issue. He says, “Judge not that you be not judged”. So even if your neighbour is a celebrated international drag queen, don’t discard him – or should I say her? Take this to a logical conclusion. If your close friend has been sent to jail for murder, he has committed a grave crime against God and humanity. He has broken the commandment. Thou shalt not kill. (Actually the commandment is against murder rather than killing) Now he is in prison. So do you reject him as a friend? If you do, you are judging him. You should reject what he has done. But he needs you now more than ever. Instead, obey the Lord by visiting him in prison.

Several years ago, a well known singing evangelist was caught in an adulterous relationship. At the time, Billy Graham expressed his disappointment in what had happened. But he added that they had been friends for a number of years and he would not abandon his friend.

So what do we do about people who say they are Christians but live like the devil? The answer is we should seek to show him or her, the error of their ways. Not with your special Gospel Colt 45. You know what I mean. Don’t use God’s Word on the person to inflict on him some sort of spiritual blunt force trauma. That’s what we are commanded not to do. It’s not the way to love your neighbour.

So let’s make a decision that no matter what others do, we will not judge them. But, as a person, will judge what they do. Then, don’t do it yourself. That’s real Christianity. Paul put it as follows: “⁶ But instead, one believer sues another--right in front of unbelievers! ⁷ Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? ⁸ Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers.” 1 Cor 6:6-8 NLT It’s strange but in 50 years of following Jesus, I’ve never heard anyone preach on these verses of Scripture!

Today’s meditation goes down the road of looking at looking at what people do. Learn from what you see. Just don’t follow their bad example. I didn’t say it’s easy. It’s painful. But Jesus will be your closest friend.

The verse and rhyme content from previous days can be seen on my blog – http: //jimnphyllida.blogspot.com

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

Living with Him in Glory

We’re told we have a duty; our bodies to control; There is no other way to let the spirit man be whole. Our carnal sinful nature will only bring us death. But in the Holy Spirit’s power, we share His mighty breath. The leading of the Spirit, isn’t subject to the law. But law is not abandoned. We don’t need it any more! The Holy Spirit guides us and keeps us clear of deeds, Our carnal self would follow, to satisfy its greed! Like blatant immorality, wild living, crime and lust. Idolatry and fighting; and a life that is un-just. It drunkenness and envy and all the others things, That Satan and his cohorts celebrate and bring. That’s not the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t lead that way. His way is love and patience; it’s kindness every day. It’s joy and peace and goodness and having self control. It’s faithfulness and gentleness; these are what make us whole. This is the “law of Jesus” and those who live this way, Obey the ten commandments on each and every day. So take all of your vices and nail them to the cross. You’ll find you do not need them, while Jesus is the boss. You’ll find you have the power for you to conquer sin. And through the Holy Spirit, you cannot fail to win! So take this opportunity, to cast off godless ways. Reject your secret longing for all that Satan says, And live a life like Jesus, our great and blessed hope; And you will find the power to more than merely cope. Keep looking unto Jesus and ask Him to draw near; He’s standing at the very door and soon He will appear. He set us free from evil. He wants us to be pure. He said that by His Spirit, we surely can endure. He wants to give us victory. He wants us to be free, To live with Him in glory throughout eternity. Jim Strickland – Written Saturday 24th December 2011

JESUS’ PLANS

Time with Jesus - Friday, 23 December 2011

Hi all,

The impact of the sin nature on men and women is horrendous. So much so, we are almost unable to separate lies from truth. Popular opinion today believes that man is basically good. He is filled with altruistic purpose and only occasionally violates this innate goodness. That, if we are left to ourselves, everything will end up like roses. Many of these people ridicule religion in any form. They see it as a crutch to support those who are struggling to accept their own deity. They would go so far as to state that everything exists for the happiness of man and that God is nothing more than a delusion, weak people need to prop up their lack of faith in themselves.

Things today are not grossly different from the days of the Jewish prophets. Here and there men like Isaiah and Jeremiah would speak out against the things that were taking place around them. They spoke for the Lord and called the people to repentance. They gave dire warnings of impending judgement. But the people were stubborn.

Today’s Scriptures speak of what would happen to Israel unless the people repented. Isaiah told them God saw them as His vineyard. He poured out His love on them and did everything He could to persuade them to live godly lives. He warned them that there would come a time when His vineyard was so full of weeds, thorns and briars that He would have to take action against them. First He would deal with them locally within Judah. But if there was no real change, He would hand them over to the Babylonians.

There were three invasions of Judah by the Babylonians. The first was in ±606BC. Daniel and his three friends were among those taken to Babylon. The next was in ±596BC. The final one was in ±586BC when everything was destroyed and very few Jews escaped capture. Figuratively, it was time for His vineyard to be torn down.

Yet even in captivity, God did not forget His people. He promised to bring them back. He told them through Jeremiah to settle down in Babylon and that after 70 years they would be permitted to return.

The patience and long-suffering of God is incredible. His judgement took them away. His love would bring them back. How do we see this long absence of His people from the land He had given them? I’m not a farmer but I’ve been told that by leaving the land to lie fallow for 70 years it was rejuvenated.

It’s an astonishing fact, but the same land which was useless and unproductive remains in that condition until the Jewish people farm it. Why? That’s the great question? Why is it that only when it is farmed by Jews does its fruitfulness return? It’s an ongoing miracle.

Today’s meditation begins with God’s vineyard and culminates in Jesus! I’ve tried to express the meditation in the first person; to show that what He said and did led from Isaiah’s description of the vineyard to the coming of Jesus Christ. It explains that even in our fallen state, God loves us and wants us to be with Him. Don’t ask me why? That’s one of the great differences between men and God. Fortunately for us, He has the only vote and the outcome is in His hands alone.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

Jesus’ Plans

I sing about a vineyard, I cared for every day. I watered and protected it, but still it went astray. I said that I would guard it; That I’d incinerate, The briars, thorn and thistles, if they pursued that state. But if they found repentance and turned around to Me, There would be no destruction; just peace abundantly. But that is not what happened. My folk they led away; As prisoners to Babylon where they would have to stay. Yet in that foreign country they would be treated well. My plans for them were very good. I told them, “buy and sell. Settle in your houses, work hard and carry on. For I will bring you home again when 70 years are gone”. Declare this with a passion. Announce to them for Me, That like a flowing river is how their peace would be. But I’d deal with the wicked. Their peace would disappear. They’d have to face My judgement. That’s absolutely clear. But one day in the future I’d turn things all around. I’d cut a brand new covenant, where righteousness is found. I’d send them a redeemer. A man I’d fill with Me. A God-man who would smash their chains and set My people free. In Him, My very nature would be upon display. But few would recognise Him when He came to them that day. Instead they mocked and spat on Him. They nailed Him to a cross. And He would let it happen. They’d see it as a loss. But by the act of dying and pouring out His blood, Mankind would be forgiven; It would produce a flood, Of such enormous magnitude! Far greater than the mess, That Satan tricked them into. It would be nothing less, Than ending the dominion that Adam gave away. He’d bring back peace and righteousness into this world to stay. So now there is a way for men to deal with all their sin. A matter of repenting and inviting Jesus in; Their sins would be forgiven; unrighteousness undone. Completely done and dusted by Jesus Christ, My Son. Jim Strickland – Written Friday, 23 December 2011