NO CONTEST

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Hi all,

Way back in 1956, I was in Marist Brothers College Walmer boarding school. I was in standard 7 (grade 9 today) and rather enjoyed boarding school life. It was fairly regimented; a very busy life with hardly ever a dull moment. The school had a boxing club and we were free to join if so wished. A number of the boys joined the club which met regularly. The top boxer in the school was “Bully” Victor. I’ve no idea how he acquired the name “bully”. I don’t recall him bullying anyone. However, in the boxing ring he really was a bully. Few boys challenged him. Usually he made short work of any competition. From my observation, anyone who had the misfortune of climbing into the boxing ring, soon learned the error of their ways. He was just too good for the competition.

In a small way, “Bully” and his opponents are similar to God and his opponents. I was only 14 so I think I was overly impressed with his ability. In my eyes he was an awesome “Irresistible” figure. He was by no means in the same class as God. Nevertheless as an impressionable young teenager, I was duly amazed. I knew he wasn’t invincible; but that thought didn’t really cross my mind.

At the same time, I was going to confirmation classes in the Anglican Church and was beginning to learn something about God. I’d learned that God was invincible against all opponents. However to my young mind it seemed that “Bully” was also invincible in his own field. There wasn’t really any comparison between God and “Bully”. They were separately compartmentalised and never the twain would meet.

Reading today’s Scriptures and observing the overwhelming power of God, I was reminded of “Bully”. If they ever “squared off” against each other in the boxing ring it would be “no contest”. Poor old “Bully” would have more than met his match.

God’s word shows us the absolute futility of fighting against God. God doesn’t have power and strength, He is power and strength. Fighting with Him is always pointless. It would be a “No Contest” match. So how great is His power compared with ours? I have a little indication from a TV show in UK in the mid 1960’s. The contestants were each supplied in turn with a huge earth-moving vehicle. At the front it had a mechanical jaw enabling it to take huge bites out of the sand with very little problem. The contest was to pick up a raw egg with the earth moving vehicle without crushing the egg. I can’t recall the outcome other than to say that most eggs were crushed while getting the jaws in position around the egg. If nothing else, we had a lot of laughs.

God’s power and strength are infinite. The competition does not have infinite power, strength and ability. The waves, the seas, Tsunamis, or fires cannot match our God. Such confrontations with Him will always be a no contest.

Today’s meditation looks at this in a bit more detail.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

No Contest

He cannot be resisted, though scores of people try. They get their fingers badly burned and seldom wonder why. It isn’t very difficult, to see where they went wrong. They’re fighting with Almighty God and He is far too strong! But people keep on doing it. Their lesson they won’t learn. Their attitude is stubborn and they would rather burn, In Hell with all the sinners, than to admit defeat. What’s needed is a caning upon their precious seat! They think the Lord won’t do that; He is the God of Love. And that He’ll always treat them, with a velvet covered glove. But it is a delusion. It doesn’t work that way. If they deserve a spanking, He’ll give them one today! The sea tried to oppose Him. Its waters surged and roared. The breakers pounded on the beach; but they did not record, Any sort of victory. It tried with all its might; But it was not a contest, when God came into sight. The ocean tried another stunt. It swept upon the beach. “We know we are invincible; the victory’s in reach” That’s what they had decided but it all came to naught. It was with the Almighty God, with whom the oceans fought. The beach was still a barrier the oceans couldn’t cross. Not even a Tsunami could challenge Him as boss. For after it spewed violence and dashed onto the shore, It then had to retreat in shame. It couldn’t beat God’s law! The Lord God is the Master of all in time and space. Though He may be resisted by some of the human race, It all amounts to nothing. A little grain of sand, Has more chances of a victory disputing God’s command. And He has told His people, “There’s nothing you need fear. The rivers can’t defeat you. Not while your God is near. The fire cannot harm you; Indeed, you won’t be burned”. But there’s a tiny lesson that still needs to be learned. We overcome these monsters, by faith and faith alone. Never doubt or whimper; don’t try things on your own. There is no possibility that you will win the fight! Unless your God is with you, you’ll certainly take flight; And end up like the others, who thought they could succeed, Against these mighty enemies. A Christian should plead, The blood of Jesus over, the things which they all face. This is the sure prescription, for finishing the race, And knowing that the victory is not what they achieved. But by the Lord Almighty, Who knows what they believed. Jim Strickland – Written 15 February 2012

THE WATER SUPPORTER

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 14 February 2012

Hi all,

Logistics is not exactly my favourite topic. However, over the past fifty years or so, it has become a necessary part of life. Perhaps the best illustration of this is petrol for the car (gas for the automobile for the Yank’s). Those who have only an “itsy-bitsy” knowledge would be careful to fill up before the car ran out of juice. No one I know is keen on spending half the night somewhere between Laingsburg and Beaufort West because the “tank ran dry”. For much the same sort of reason, the housewife generally ensures there is sufficient to eat every day. Hungry children are inclined to be a bit grumpy! Oddly enough, husbands don’t like it either.

Several years ago, I went on a course on what was called, “Supply Side Management”. I found it was just another word for planning ahead. Mind you, I need to be careful. There are professors of this stuff out there, who would have my guts for garters if they thought I was demeaning their expertise.

This forward planning stuff helps you get prepared for each and every eventuality, most of which alternatives are never likely to occur anyway. One much loved model was called, “Just in time” (JIT). The theory was that as the last one was taken away, the next one arrived in the warehouse. I licked this theory. It’s wonderfully God-fearing. Only God can arrange anything that works like that 100% of the time.

By coincidence, I went to the course at about the same time as I was reading the book of Exodus. Almost everything in that book occurred JIT. At the time, I had the idea that Jesus was the best JIT specialist this world has ever known. He is never early or late. With timing accurate to the nearest tenth of a millisecond, things were there as needed. Now that’s JIT at its best; although the acronym now stands for “Jesus is Terrific”.

Now we’ve all heard the story of the manna in the Wilderness. It was there every morning on cue. There was never too much or too little. On Friday’s there was enough to collect for two days. There was none on the Sabbath. What is not mentioned is water supply. Obviously, it wasn’t a problem through most of the journey. Why or why not? I asked myself. Then the penny dropped. It was not mentioned because it wasn’t a problem. (after Marah) So who was their water supporter?

Today’s meditation looks at this and puts forward a theory. If you have a better answer, please tell us about it.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

The Water Supporter

They wandered through the desert, for nearly forty years. There were two million people, is what it now appears. Six hundred thousand menfolk, their children and their wives Made up the total number. That’s what my maths derives. And then there were the animals; the many flocks and herds. The cost of feeding all of them can’t be expressed in words! The people lived on manna; it was their daily food. They ate it boiled, or baked, or fried, or on occasions, stewed! The problem would be water. The people had to drink. To keep the people healthy and living in the pink, Would be a major factor. So how much was required, To keep the people going before they all expired? It’s difficult to estimate; the land was hot and dry. They had their “air conditioning” from God up in the sky. The fiery pillar warmed them, right through the long cold nights; The cloud that covered them by day kept their conditions right. But they all needed water, three litres each per day. About six mega litres approximately – say. Now that’s a lot of water. Enough to fill a boat, The size of the Titanic or keep the thing afloat. I’ve wondered where it came from. There wasn’t much around. It couldn’t be a trickle that came up from the ground. For God it was no problem. He speaks and instantly, There’d be enough to quench their thirst regardless where they’d be. But did the Lord bring rain clouds? I don’t think it was so. The Bible then would tell us, so everyone could know. They’d need a daily miracle. The manna came that way. But water doesn’t come in blocks; not even in that day! And what about the buckets that they would have to fill? That’s also not an option to satisfy this bill. The only way to do it, as far as I can tell, Was that they didn’t draw it, from any desert well. Perhaps just like the jar of oil that didn’t once run dry, The Lord filled their containers with a similar supply? I know I am not certain. It’s only just a guess. But how could the Creator fix their little mess? If you know something better, please won’t you tell us all? The problem has been stated. My friends, it’s now your call. Jim Strickland – Written 14th February 2012

THE STORY OF LIFE

Time with Jesus - Monday, 13 February 2012

Hi all,

How many of us remember the chorus, “life is wonderful”? Sure it’s a bit old. Old fashioned even. But it’s very accurate and descriptive.

LIFE IS WONDERFUL
Life is wonderful; yes it’s wonderful Life is wonderful now for me. I let Jesus in. He changed everything. Life is wonderful now.	Since His blessing came into my heart; Joy unspeakable fills every part. Now I want to live for my Lord. Life is wonderful now.

I first heard and sang the chorus back in 1962 at the Easter convention at Cliff College in UK. “Cliff” as it was affectionately called was a Methodist Evangelistic College, fairly close to Sheffield. Its history went back to the middle of the 1800’s. Many evangelists had trained at Cliff. In those days, part of their training was to take the gospel all over UK. In many instances, they would pull an old hand-cart from place to place and preach wherever they could. It was always seen as a “team event” and from the point of view of the number of converts they were moderately successful.

But Cliff was more than that. It was an excellent training ground in basic theology. The focus was primarily on Bible exposition and teaching. Methodists came from all over the world for training. Phyllida and I met one of them in Worcester in the Western Cape. He had trained there in 1935 and had many memories of those days.

As far as Cliff visitors and students were concerned, Cliff was taking “life” to the people of UK. The Easter convention was much loved and well attended. I was 20 and life was a “blast”! I revelled in the environment and enjoyed the different quality of “life” that was experienced there.

As a young Christian I was taught that we should be in the world but not of the world. This is easier said than done when you are a young apprentice mixing with people who are no more Christian than an egg-beater. Trying to keep “pure” was an exercise in self-effort. If you advocated a “Christian” lifestyle, you were accused of being a pompous, religious misfit. That was my problem. If you joined in with the things going on, you were called a hypocrite. To find the “happy medium” was just about impossible. The people knew what the “life” of a Christian was supposed to look like. Their standards were all different, so it was impossible to win. If I tell you that my nickname was “Elmer Gantry” you’ll get some idea of how I appeared to the casual onlooker. It wasn’t good! To be honest, as I look back on those days, I don’t blame them!

The balance between the two perceived lifestyles was hard to find. For me, it was impossible. I did my best to discover what “life” meant. It eluded me for years. Finally, it occurred that the best plan was to live life as simply and as normally as possible and leave the difference to the Holy Spirit.

Did it work? Only the Lord knows. On the one hand I’ve become less concerned with what other folk think of me. Instead I’ve tried to live consistently in the way I think Jesus would like. This has made “life” far less complicated.

Today’s meditation looks at “life” in more detail.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

The story of Life

There is a special something, we can’t identify. A quality inside us, that’s not there when we die. We say that living creatures, have got a quality, That mankind cannot copy and looks for desperately! We say that it is living. Vibrant it moves and breathes. It vanishes the moment, this aspect “up’s and leaves”. But what exactly is it? How is it best described? How can it be transmitted? To what is it ascribed? We say that something’s “living”; but what is it we mean? We know when it is present; yet it remains unseen. We’d rather like to catch it and keep it in a jar. So if and when we need it, we needn’t look too far. But science has no answer. They know when it is there. But when it has departed – they grope out in despair. We know that Jesus had it. “I am the Life” said He. And it is only given, by His authority. It’s never artificial. We think it aught to stay. We’d like to keep it going, forever and a day. But it has been subjected by sin to certain death. For life is surely ended, after our final breath. We know where it has come from. God gave it sovereignly; When He created Adam, way back in history. He made a man-like “dummy”, from bits of mud and clay. It looked just like a dolly, with which our children play. Then after it was fashioned, He blew into its “nose”; And at that very instant, a human being arose! I don’t know how He did it. I do not really care. For life was now pulsating, through what was hand-made there. He called that first man “Adam”; he was a living soul. A model of perfection; in every aspect, whole. We all know what then happened. We know he sinned and fell. For death had taken captive, mankind’s first sentinel. It looked like a disaster. It was in many ways. But it had not defeated the Ancient of all Days! He knew that it would happen and had devised a plan. That through the Second Adam; that He would rescue man. And though for generations, mankind would all be “dead”, He knew the crucifixion would give “life-giving bread”! This was not accidental. It had to be this way. God couldn’t make a “robot” who loved Him every day. That’s why He sent the Saviour. The One Who made it all. So Life could be imparted, to subjects of the fall. Now they could be obedient; and it could be for life; No longer terminated, through wickedness and strife. Once more God’s Holy purpose, by man could be attained. Not by what man accomplished, but by what Christ ordained. Jim Strickland – Written Monday 13th February 2012

SEEING GOD’S GLORY!

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 12 February 2012

Hi all,

God’s glory: This is what Moses asked to see. He had been having a discussion with God. That’s when Moses found the courage to ask Him to see His glory. I must confess that I have wondered what it was that Moses expected to see. The dialogue was as follows: ¹⁸ Moses responded, "Then show me Your glorious presence." ¹⁹ The LORD replied, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will call out My name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. ²⁰ But you may not look directly at My face, for no one may see Me and live." ²¹ The LORD continued, "Look, stand near Me on this rock. ²² As My glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. ²³ Then I will remove My hand and let you see Me from behind. But My face will not be seen." Exodus 33:18-23 NLT

When we use the word “glory” or “glorious” we tend to think of something visibly impressive. For example, I remember that when I was a teenager, the “four minute mile” was thought of as almost impossible. No man had ever managed to run the mile in under four minutes. Many men had tried, but it was still thought of as a “bridge too far”. Then at about the same time as the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, Dr Roger Bannister achieved the impossible. The news of the achievement spread like wildfire. It was described as a “glorious” achievement. However it wasn’t long before other athletes had followed Bannister’s achievement. Henceforth to run the mile in under four minutes was not quite as glorious.

One of man’s greatest achievements was walking on the moon in 1969. The TV pictures of the event flashed all around the world. For those watching the TV that day, the sight of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the moon was a glorious event! His words, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." are now famous in history.

Was this the sort of thing Moses expected? It’s hard to state with any degree of certainty. We know that He had “seen” the Lord “in action”. The plagues, the opening of the Red Sea, these signs and others he had witnessed. So it would seem that Moses expected to see something spectacular. I’m not Moses, but I must confess that after seeing all these displays of God’s supreme ability, I would expect to see something along these lines.

But God’s ideas and man’s ideas are always different. We expect a King to be born in a palace, not a stable. We expect the king to be served. Jesus came as a servant. Almost everything we associate with “going up” in the world, God sees the very opposite in His Kingdom. To be the greatest, I must become the least. That’s God’s idea!

¹⁹ I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will call out My name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. ²⁰ But you may not look directly at My face, for no one may see Me and live." Exodus 33:19-20 NLT

I suspect Moses expected to see “the display of a Royal King”; a picture of great power and ability. That’s certainly what I would have expected to see. But God does not think as we do. His glory is expressed in terms of goodness, mercy and compassion. This is the opposite end of our scale of values!

What was there about this that Moses could not see? He had already spoken face to face with the Lord. ¹¹ Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting. Exodus 33:11 NLT

Now I’m not trying to establish some new theology. But what I do suspect is that the glory of God is so different from anything we know, the full revelation would instantly annihilate us. What we have already “seen” is quite sufficient for us to serve Him and each other.

In today’s meditation, I've tried to express the effect of God’s glory on mortals.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Seeing God’s Glory!

We have never seen God’s glory; not while we are living here. We’d be blasted from existence, if His glory came too near. That is what the Lord told Moses. Certainly He got it right. But when God had passed right by him, Moses caught a tiny sight. It was not too overwhelming. Just enough so he could cope. Adequate to banish darkness and leave Moses filled with hope. Have I ever seen the Master? Frankly I would love to do. What for us is terrifying; Tell me if you’d like that too? Could I ever stand and take it, as the Lord of life appears? Just the concept is so scary it ignites my inner fears. That is why I’m vacillating. Can I do it? Will I die? Part of me is all a tremble, if His glory should draw nigh. Peter had a little sample, on his fishing boat that day. He’d already been out fishing. “It was useless” he could say. Then this wandering Jewish teacher told him to let down the nets. Then he got a load of fishes! He could settle all his debts! Then he turned and looked at Jesus. “Do not come too near to me. Sorry Lord, I am a sinner and You are Divinity. Do you comprehend his feelings? Part of Him would just rush in. But somehow he sensed the danger, brought about by all his sin. So he stood there and he wavered. “Dare I do it? No I can’t! Part of me want’s to embrace him. But through fear, I know I shan’t”. Have you been in this position? If you have, what did you do? Did you kneel before the glory, of the One confronting you? I have often thought about it. Secretly it’s my desire. Just the very thought of Jesus, fills me with celestial fire. There is no one more important than my Lord and God to me. If Your glory will consume me. Even so Lord, let it be! Just like Peter, I’ve been sinful, in my sojourn in this place. But I know I long to see Him! Stand before Him face to face! Do I think that it will happen? Friend it is a certainty. Some day in my dying moment, Jesus Christ will come for me. Then His glory will not matter. Surely I’ll be dead and gone. But until that very instant, I’m content to soldier on. What about my friends and loved ones? What about my family? So I’m trusting in my Saviour. That He’ll take my wife and me. We will both behold His glory on that not so distant date. Go and be with Him forever! Not too early – not too late. Jim Strickland – Written Sunday 12th February 2012.