UTTERLY DEPENDABLE

Time with Jesus - Monday, 19 March 2012

Hi all,

Psalm 119 is awesome. It’s a wisdom psalm. It’s an acrostic of praise about God’s Word. An acrostic is very difficult to write. In English we would have 26 lines. Each successive line begins with the next letter of our alphabet. It’s a daunting task. Now Psalm 119 has 176 lines. It is divided up into 22 parts. Each part begins with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Thus we have eight lines beginning with the letter “Aleph”. This is followed by eight lines beginning with the letter “Beth”. Thus they use the entire Hebrew alphabet. The NIV indicates this by using the phonetic for each successive Hebrew letter. We have to bear in mind that Hebrew poetry is unlike traditional English poetry. We talk about rhyme and metre. Hebrew poetry is different. There is insufficient space to elaborate on this. Even so, this psalm is a masterpiece.

What is important here is Psalm 119’s focus on God’s Word. Reading it gives the impression that the accuracy and reliability of God’s Word is paramount. As Christians we need to have the same attitude toward the Bible. Liberal Scholars tend to approach the Bible with a pair of scissors. They cut out everything that doesn’t appeal to their reason. It seems that they regard the rational mind is greater than God’s Word!

One of the questions we are often asked is how do we know that the Bible is God’s Word? It’s a fair question. How do we answer it? We can’t call God to the bar of human logic. It has been written and we are not compelled to accept it as God’s Word. What we can do is test it for veracity. This has been done by many scholars. It hasn’t failed the test.

I’m reminded of a story told by Dr Ken Stewart when I was in Bible School 30 years ago. He stated that he went to seminary to prove God’s Word was true. To his amazement he shared a room with a man who had gone to seminary to prove that God’s Word was not true. He added that neither of them succeeded. Then Dr Ken decided he would accept it as true. That’s when it started working for him.

In my early days as I Christian I was faced with the same problem. Was the Bible really God’s Word? Like Dr Ken, I was unable to prove it. Then, when I started to believe it, everything fell into place. That’s when I realised that God isn’t impressed with unbelief. He has no need to prove Himself. The epistle to the Hebrews makes the very clear. ⁶ It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Heb 11:6 MSG When I started to believe that the Bible is God’s Word, veracity was no longer an issue.

Now, when I’m being challenged on this issue or and other faith issue, I have a standard reply. “I believe”. No man or woman can gainsay it. No matter what they say, my reply is “I believe”. “But you’re an arrogant, dogmatic, fundamentalist, idiot!” “I believe!” No apology is necessary. “I believe”, is all we need!”

Today’s meditation is on God’s Word. What it means to me and what this belief has done for me.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Utterly Dependable

Veracity; veracity is what we truly need! Without it, can we ever tell if on it we can feed? It has to be dependable! The Word of God - No less! For everything that comes from man, will curse and never bless! So how can we be certain the Bible is God’s Word? It has to be consistent and all of it occurred, At some time in our history that we can verify. If it’s a “fairy story”, it’s no more than a lie. It has to be consistent and it’s inerrancy, Confirmed in every aspect, throughout all history. In cannot be just guesswork; it must be guaranteed! It has to be reliable in each and every deed. It must include a future that only God could know. It must describe each incident correctly, blow by blow. It must contain correction; so we need not go wrong. It has to bring encouragement, to help us to be strong. It must speak of the places we can identify. It has to bring us laughter. It aught to make us cry. We have to know for certain that all who wrote it down, Were not some raving lunatics or some celestial clown! It has to bring us comfort; it has to bring us hope! It has to show it’s possible that somehow we can cope. It has to touch our spirit, our body and our mind. It has to give us guidance and never leave us blind. We have to know that others have found these qualities; And that we can be like them. We can’t complain at these! It has to show relationships within this world of men, Can also be repeated. Not only now and then, But with a certain confidence that if in Him we trust, We will not be discarded or thrown outside to rust. It must have all these qualities and many, many more. It must reveal a Saviour Whom people can adore. It has to give us confidence that right up to the end, We have a God on whom we can forevermore depend. My brothers and my sisters, for over fifty years, God’s Holy Word, the Bible, has brought me joy and tears! I’ve found that it’s dependable far more than I can say. Not once, but through the many years, right up until today! It’s been the central bastion of all I’ve sought to do. And every single word of it’s proved absolutely true. No longer can I doubt it. For Christ has done for me, Far more than I can think about, or estimate, or see. Jim Strickland  Written Monday 19th March 2012

MR AND MRS

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 18 March 2012

Hi all,

Marriage was and is God’s idea. He never makes mistakes. We make them all the time. Today’s Scriptures focus on the marriage relationship between God and His people.

The idea that “our Maker is our husband” is not strange. Before The Lord made Eve from Adam’s rib, there is a sense in which Adam was the closest thing to what we might describe as God’s marriage partner. If not, it was the closest relationship to marriage we see in antiquity. The Nation of Israel entered into covenant with God on Mt Sinai. It was a commitment to each other. They would be His people and He would be their God. To me that sounds suspiciously like a marriage. Isaiah expressed the relationship with God as follows; ⁵ For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. Isaiah 54:5 ESV

I’ve heard it said that the entire Bible is the story of God going about finding a bride for His Son. This is perhaps an over-simplification. Nevertheless this “process” began in Genesis and culminates in the Book of Revelation. There we see the Heavenly Jerusalem coming down from God. It could well be the final dwelling for His Son Jesus with His heavenly bride – His people.

How this all fits together is beyond my understanding. But we don’t have to understand it. All we need to do is believe it and leave the details to God.

Over the years, men and women have married and been given in marriage since the early parts of Genesis. Various nations have developed customs associated with the wedding. Even today in South Africa, if we look at the standard wedding ceremony in Protestant churches, we find customs that go back for longer than we can guess. The bride is “given away” by her father (usually) to her husband. She wears a wedding ring or some other symbol stating she is now a married woman. I understand that little girls are brought up with a fantasy of being the perfect bride at a perfect wedding. Why not? On that day she has the right to take on the surname of her husband. Although this is no longer compulsory, most brides choose to do so anyway.

In today’s meditation I’ve taken some of the wedding customs we know so well and applied them to the marriage of the Lion of the tribe of Judah to His bride. Some of the similarities are from my own imagination. For instance I’ve equated the Name on the forehead of God’s people to be like a wedding ring. That name I've guessed is the name His bride will take when they are married. Be aware that I’m not seeking to provide some new doctrine. It’s only my imagination being applied to some of the symbolism. They may well be wrong. But they were fun exploring. I trust you’ll have as much fun meditating on these illustrations as I had composing them!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Mr and Mrs

Way back in antiquity, when man and wife were wed; There was a marriage custom which even now’s not dead. Because it was so serious; the two were seen as one! They came to an agreement which even now’s not gone. Because they were in covenant and they would procreate, They had to have a common name for husband and his mate. A married man was Mister, with surname at the end They called his partner Mistress. At least, that was the trend. This meant from that day onward, if he was Mister “Fred”. His wife would now be Mistress “Fred” from then till she was dead! This was the normal custom, back in the days of yore. The wife took on her husband’s name until - forevermore. She also started wearing a special wedding band. This said that she was married. “See here, it’s on my hand!” It seems the Lord has planned for us that He will do the same. On all His people’s forehead’s, He’s going to write His Name. I’m not sure of the “gender” His people will all share. It isn’t in the Bible, recorded anywhere. The Lord will be our Husband! A shepherd through and through. He’ll take care of His people, the way that shepherds do. He’s said that we will know Him. The secret will be out. His name upon our foreheads. That’s what it’s all about. It’s something like a wedding band that’s sealed upon the head. This says, “He is our Husband” and that we have been wed. The Holy Spirit did this, so we could all be sure, That marriage to the Master, forever will endure. The other implications are not so very clear. It should be quite sufficient that Jesus Christ is near. But as for procreation, It seems to make no sense. And other things we think about – my mind’s a little dense! But this I know for certain; we’ll gladly bear His Name. We’ll give Him our submission and things won’t be the same. We’ll live in New Jerusalem. A home that He’s designed. “The Lord God is our Righteousness”, is how its name’s defined. I’m sure we all will love it. We’ll think it’s paradise. To be with Him forever, is more than plain old “nice”. There is no honour higher than being Jesus’ bride! Married to our Maker and with Him to abide! Jim Strickland  Written Sunday 18th March 2012

HATH GOD SAID?

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 17 March 2012

Hi all,

We talk about “the battle of the sexes”. We tell little jokes against each other. Mostly it’s a lot of fun. “Adam was the first dumb blond!” is one that makes me laugh! The one against the ladies refers to Adam talking to Enoch, his great, great, great, great, Grandson. “Why are we living here and not in paradise?” asked Enoch? “It was your great, great, great, great, Grandmother Eve’s fault!” said Adam. “She ate us out of house and home!”

The whole tragic incident is summarised for us in Genesis; ⁶ the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good to eat. It was also pleasing to look at. And it would make a person wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. And he ate it. Gen 3:6 NIrV

Satan came with three basic temptations. 1) the lust of the flesh, 2) the lust of the eyes; 3) the pride of life. Eve fell for all three! Dumbo (Adam) let it happen.

We make light of such things. But they are not really something to laugh at. The fall of man was the greatest tragedy to ever befall the human race. “From paradise to poverty in one bite! It’s tragic rather than funny! The ramifications – sin - echoes down the centuries like the sound of a guillotine to this very day. Jesus was the only One Who could fix it! Fix it He most certainly did!

Satan tried to defeat Jesus with the same three basic temptations. Jesus did not fall for it. Sadly we often do. The Apostle John summarised the basic temptations as follows. ¹⁶ Here is what people who belong to this world do. They try to satisfy what their sinful natures want to do. They long for what their sinful eyes look at. They brag about what they have and what they do. All of this comes from the world. It doesn't come from the Father. 1 John 2:16 NIrV

Satan uses one other feature. It’s rather subtle. The temptation comes in the form of a question. The technique is shown in the temptation of Adam and Eve. He tried the same stunt when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness. The circumstances were different; but Satan questioned the three basic assumptions. “Did God really say --------?”

Back in the late 1980’s it occurred to me that he still employs the same technique. In old English, Satan asked the question, “Hath God said?” He used it directly on Eve. He tried the same technique on Jesus, somewhat more indirectly. Also, we know that when he tempts us, he repeats it. It gets a bit boring, but in the final analysis he asks, “Hath God said?”

With this in mind I compiled a nine verse poem. Each of the first two lines begin with “Hath God said?” It still gets a bit boring. But Satan has no new tricks. He rehashes the same stuff which worked so well with Adam and Eve. It failed with Jesus. But he keeps coming back to the same thing, rather like a cracked gramophone record. Mostly, Adam and Eve’s offspring still fall for it.

That 1989 poem is today’s meditation. It’s just as true today as it was back then.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Hath God Said?

"Hath God said?” the serpent asked the time he tempted Eve. "Hath God said?" His purpose was intended to deceive The woman into doing that which her husband knew, Was something God instructed him they should not ever do! "Hath God said?" And when she looked, the fruit had such appeal. "Hath God said?" But when she touched, it was so good to feel! It seemed so very innocent. To eat would make them wise. They'd be a little more like God and see with open eyes! "Hath God said?" He tempted her and so she took and ate. "Hath God said?" But nonetheless, she fed some to her mate. Who, through these proceedings, had silently looked on, Neglecting his authority to say to sin, "Be gone!" "Hath God said?" The wilderness was shimmering with heat. "Hath God said?”The devil asked attempting to defeat The Son of God incarnate, who stood in Adam's place; The Man who represented the fallen human race. "Hath God said?" The devil asked when to the Man he came; "Hath God said?" He tempted Him. The test was just the same. "To satisfy Your hunger, just turn these stones to bread. If You’re who You say You are, why shouldn't You be fed?" "Hath God said? Just look at all the kingdoms which are mine.” Hath God said? A miracle will prove You are divine. If You are the Son of God, then You can jump from here. His angels will protect You and harm will not come near!" "Hath God said?" the devil asks of Adam's race today? "Hath God said? Is that a fact? Did God really say, The thing you know He told you?” "Perhaps it isn't true?" That's only just the devil's voice and he is tempting you. Hath God said?" he questions; "But doesn't it look good." "Hath God said? That can't be wrong; Do what you feel you should.” “It doesn't really matter, so let it all hang out." The devil keeps on tempting us to disbelieve and doubt. "Hath God said?" Of course He has. It's written in His Word. "Hath God said?" That question is utterly absurd; And just like the Lord Jesus, we'll make the devil flee, When everything we say and do with God's Word does agree! Jim Strickland – Written 1989

CAN WE AGREE?

Time with Jesus - Friday, 16 March 2012

Hi all,

In our library we have a couple of authors of whom we are particularly fond; Gene Edwards, Dr AW Tozer, Jamie Buckingham and David Pawson to mention only four. We would be hard pressed to select a favourite. Each in their own way are unique and profound.

The one I’d like to refer to this Morning is David Pawson. He’s an Englishman who has travelled the world with his teachings and insights into the Word of God. David trained at Oxford and started out as a conventional Methodist Minister. A couple of years later he had to leave the Methodist Church as a result of his position concerning infant baptism. He joined the Baptist Church and shortly thereafter received the “Pentecostal” experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The impact on him was extraordinary. It left him with a great desire to reconcile Charismatics with Evangelicals. It is a desire that Phyllida and I share. We love the enthusiasm and freedom of the Charismatics. We also love the Evangelicals great desire to teach and understand the Word of God. In our opinion, we need each other. Evangelicals tend to be too rigid and stodgy. Charismatics tend to allow liberty to turn into license!

David wrote a book entitled, “The Fourth Wave”. It was an attempt to bring reconciliation between these two streams. It’s an excellent book. It outlines the strengths and weaknesses of both.

If there is one issue that causes friction between the two, it’s “speaking in tongues”. We’ve sometimes thought that if we could all pause long enough to listen to each other on these sorts of differences, we may be able to narrow the gap. That would thrill us beyond measure. We also believe that Jesus Christ would be pleased.

Today’s meditation seeks to close this gap. I suspect that the meditation will offend both sides of the divide. I hope it won’t and I hope it will. The body of Christ is divided on this issue. We think it’s time we looked at ourselves and see ourselves for the pompous bigots many of us have been in the past. I’ve certainly been there. It’s time to laugh at the things which divide and embrace the truth we all have in common. Jesus is so much bigger and better than we are. So let’s move closer together in love and Christian fellowship.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Can we Agree?

Right here in South Africa, the Church is in two parts. The one is Pentecostal. The other will not start To think about the other. It’s really rather sad, Because the unbelievers are saying we are mad! The issue is “tongue talking” Some say it’s only junk. A form of glossolalia that people can debunk. The others say it’s genuine; it hasn’t passed away. It’s just as valid as it was in apostolic days. These gifts have never passed away, look back along the years; At no time in Church history do any disappear. “But it is only gibberish!” is how some folk react. “They don’t know what they’re saying!” That’s true and is a fact! Without interpretation, it’s just a foolish sound. But when it’s from the Spirit, it always has been found, To give help and direction; so that God’s people know, The “sounds” of what they’re hearing, is how they aught to go. “It isn’t from the devil!” as many people state. If it’s from God, such people are really tempting fate. To attribute to Satan, the things the Spirit’s said, Is almost unforgivable, just as Christ Jesus said. Of course no one is perfect. Mistakes are often made. But that is not a reason for standing back afraid. It’s sad to have to comment that folk are just like me. “We don’t like to be criticised. We hear reluctantly. For we have got the standard that truly is the norm And if we see things differently, It’s you who must reform!” I mean, let’s be quite honest. I’m hardly ever wrong, And when you disagree with me, my shouting gets quite strong. My brothers and my sisters. When will we ever learn To love in spite of differences? If we would only turn, And say to one another. “I don’t know if I’m right. But since you are my brother, I am prepared to fight With everything I have for you”. The Lord did that for me, When I was just a seething blob of lost humanity! That’s when the Master saved me. In spite of all my mess, He took me in His loving arms and said that He would bless, Any “whosoever” who trusted in His Name! Is it so impossible for us to do the same? Jim Strickland  Written Friday, 16th March 2012