FAITHFULNESS

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 27 March 2012

Hi all,

What exactly is faithfulness? We all have different ideas about this topic. As a youngster for me it was indicated in a “cowboy song” sung by Elvis Pressley. I’ve found a copy of the lyrics on the net this morning. It was called “Old Shep” It was a sentimental tear jerker. But that’s me anyway. In those days we had a dog called “Blackie”. A black Labrador combined with Heinz 57 varieties; Blackie was a faithful old dog. I’ll never forget him. He was a genuine canine comedian. In a strange canine sort of way, he is unforgettable.

So, what is faithfulness? A story I heard many years ago illustrates it beautifully. It’s about a man and his dog. They were inseparable. Suddenly he died. The dog didn’t understand. How could he? But he managed to follow his late master to the corner of the cemetery. He lay there at the foot of the grave. For the rest of his life that dog came to the grave everyday regardless of the weather. He lay down at the foot of the grave looking toward the headstone. Somehow that dog knew where his master was. It only stopped when the old dog passed away. Now that was faithfulness personified. Or should that be per-dogified.

Am I faithful to My Lord to the same extent as that dog? I’m sorry to admit that I’m not. Time tends to reduce memories and change how we see things. Even the memory of past pain dulls with age. Thank you Lord. If it didn’t, life would become unbearable.

Old Shep - Clyde (Red) Foley When I was a lad and old Shep was a pup O'er hills and meadows we'd roam. Just a boy and his dog, we both full of fun; We grew up together that way. I remember the time at the old swimming hole, When I would have drowned beyond doubt. Shep was right there, to the rescue he came, He jumped in and helped pull me out.	So the years rolled along, and at last he grew old, His eyesight was fast growing dim. Then one day the doctor looked at me and said "I can't do no more for him, Jim." With a hand that was trembling, I picked up my gun, I aimed it at Shep's faithful head. I just couldn't do it, I wanted to run, And I wished - they'd shoot me instead.	I went to his side, and sat on the ground, He laid his head on my knee. I stroked the best pal, that a man ever found, I cried so - I scarcely could see. Old Shep he knew, he was going to go, For he reached out and licked at my hand. He looked up at me, just as much as to say, We're parting, but you understand. Old Shep is gone where the good doggies go, And no more with old Shep will I roam. But if dogs have a heaven, there's one thing I know, Old Shep has a wonderful home.
Faithful One - BRIAN DOERKSEN Faithful one, so unchanging Ageless one, youre my rock of peace Lord of all I depend on you I call out to you, again and again I call out to you, again and again	You are my rock in times of trouble You lift me up when I fall down All through the storm Your love is, the anchor My hope is in You alone.

Another precious memory is of a time spent in Worcester. We came across Vineyard music and loved it. It was the day when the “Toronto Blessing” was spreading round the world. We loved the music. One of the songs on the CD was called “Faithful One. We loved it! We still do!

Today’s meditation looks at this in more detail.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Faithfulness

Faithfulness is difficult, because we are so weak. Things go wrong so easily. We have a faithless streak. We know what we’re supposed to do, but do not get it done. The problem is, we’ve actively gone out to have some fun. We know it was a promise. It’s inconvenient. I’ll leave it for the moment and later I’ll repent! But who is it we’re cheating? We dare not truly say. Because we think it’s better, to carry on this way. And so we justify it and ask who really cares? The answer is undoubtedly, the one Who answers prayers. He has a special instrument to note our current score. If we are unfaithful, it tots up a little more. The total is quite frightening and herewith is the rub. It makes us all a member of the devil’s evil club. It doesn’t cost us anything; the membership is free. But trying to get out is an impossibility. He wants to keep us with him and in his “faithful” way. He doesn’t want defectors on each or any day. Thank God he has forgotten that Jesus is in charge. And He has the authority to set us all at large. Provided we are faithful and Jesus is our King, He’ll faithfully preserve us in the shadow of His wing. So we have got two choices. To follow Him or No. To promise we will stick with Him, wherever He may go. To faithfully obey Him, regardless of the cost. Then we have His assurance we never will be lost. When things are inconvenient in any sort of way, We promise to be faithful on each and every day. To always do our utmost, to put the flesh aside. To let Him be a husband and we will be His bride. To worship Him forever, no matter how we feel; And show Him that our love for Him is absolutely real. So if we’re feeling faithless, it means we’re being weak. And we are exercising a somewhat stubborn streak. In which case it is time for us, to take ourselves in hand. Make a firm decision, that we are going to stand; And faithfully obey Him, regardless what may come. There is no other way for us to be the Master’s chum! Jim Strickland Written Tuesday 27th March 2012

THE KINGDOM ECONOMY

Time with Jesus - Monday, 26 March 2012

Hi all,

Today is my seventieth birthday. A word of thanks to those who have sent their greetings! If you have not done so, please don’t feel that you must do so now. It’s not necessary. Incidentally, having arrived at the big 70, it’s nothing to get excited about. Things don’t suddenly change on the day of the big 70. It would however, be much more fun if we could do the things we were able to do in our twenties and thirties.

Somewhere in our bookcase there is a book by Tony Lighterness written in the 1970’s called, “Living in the Kingdom Here and Now”. As the title suggests, it is not necessary to die before we begin living in the Kingdom. According to Paul, It begins here and now: ⁶ For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Eph 2:6 NLT

If you are anything like me you will probably struggle with this concept. Scripture tells me I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. My problem is that at present I’m seated in front of my computer in Johannesburg. Paul does help us with this. ¹⁸ There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. 2 Cor 4:18 MSG

In other words, what I am looking at as I sit in front of my computer, is some form of an optical illusion. It looks real. But for a Christ follower, we are not looking at reality. This will pass away and the truth will be apparent. So I am seated in the heavenly realm with Christ Jesus. That’s what Scripture teaches and I can’t contradict God’s Word.

It’s a rather odd thought, but we all need to understand we are living in a temporary world in temporary bodies with temporary eyes. To “see” reality we need our spiritual eyes. How does that work? I’ve no idea. Without wanting to be irreverent, it’s something like what we see when a conjurer “performs” before us. We “see” something. Then it somehow vanishes. I’ve seen this done on TV with an aeroplane. Now you see it, now you don’t. Of course we all know that it is a trick. But Spiritual reality is not a trick. It’s more real than anything we see!

Our meditation today takes a “look” at the Kingdom at what it means.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

The Kingdom Economy

For those who are in business, herewith my sympathy. You’re in a strange environment where Christians shouldn’t be. The problem’s business methods and the things you have to do. You have to be competitive and pressure’s put on you. Your product must be better than all of those around. Undermine their products wherever they are found. We are in a world in which the truth is relative. It’s different for each one of us no matter where we live. Two and two are seven. That is the truth for me. Don’t say that I’m dishonest, that’s how it has to be. And so you climb the ladder that leads you to success. But Jesus isn’t in it and you are in a mess. The way we aught to do it is to imitate the Lord. But be a little careful, for business can’t afford, To let the competition, find a winning edge. That will put you out the door and standing on a ledge. They’ll try to push you over, so grab them by the throat. Run them out of business and steal their hat and coat. No part of this is Christian. It’s wicked through and through. No wonder I have sympathy for businessmen like you! We have to change our methods and trust the Lord to act. Start by helping others and you will find in fact, That other folk will help you so you don’t have to cheat. And you have His assurance there’ll be enough to eat. Give to those who ask you. Even stand aside. Feed the hungry, quench their thirst and stay away from pride. Give a cup of water to those who are in need. Don’t hold on too tightly, for that will turn to greed. If they prosecute you and want to take your shirt, Give your coat along with it. For ladies, give your skirt! If they want to take your job, then simply stand aside. The Lord has one much better, if in Him you’ll abide. You only ever get to keep that which you give away. And if you do not do it, you’ve lost it all that day. Never doubt God’s justice. But God is never fair. That’s a man-made concept and He does not go there. Put the other person first in everything you do. Do not make a whimper if he is cheating you. What is said may be correct, significant and just. But who is it you’re following and Who is it you trust? If they want to curse you and beat you ‘till you’re raw. Let them mock and spit on you till they can do no more. It is what the Master did. He never made a sound. If you emulate Him, Your blessings will abound. Nothing really matters in this life of sin and pain. If it’s done for Jesus, it won’t be done in vain. Jim Strickland Written Monday 26th March 2012

 

DEEP WATER AND PLANTING

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 25 March 2012

Hi all,

It’s time to be different again. There are Eight Scriptures for the Evening so it was a question of quoting all eight in limerick style. For clarity the Scriptures are listed from A to H as is their respective limericks.

Finding a title for the poetry is a problem as usual. As a result, “Deep water planting” is a sort of a “catch all” that doesn’t catch all. This style is slightly more difficult to write, but it was fun anyway.

I’ve often wondered what exactly took place on the shore when Jesus told them to “go out into deep water to catch some fish”. Why did Jesus do this? Was He trying to embarrass Peter and the other fishermen? I don’t think so. It took place fairly early in His ministry. So I thought perhaps it was His way of paying Peter for the use of his boat that morning. As a carpenter, He would have been aware of good business practices. Similarly He may have wanted to demonstrate His authority, even over the fish in the lake. Another possibility is that since His time of speaking was over, the time was right for Peter to take charge of the boat again.

Peter’s reply is fascinating. The crowd had not yet departed. Many, if not most of them, were fishermen. Now Peter knew about fishing. You don’t go fishing at that time of the day. Experience had demonstrated that conclusively. So here he was, a thoroughly experienced fisherman, being told to go out and put down the nets! I can almost hear him say under his breath. “What a waste of time. We won’t catch anything. Many have tried it and it’s made them look like fools. So how do I do what Jesus says without other fishermen thinking I’m a fool”. To make the point, he says in a loud voice, “OK Lord we will do it because you say so”. Peter wanted to make sure all the fishermen present knew this was not Peter’s idea. He was just doing what he had been asked.

What we see next is what happens with us regularly. We are told to do something that others will think looks silly. That’s when the blessing comes. It’s clear, if they had not gone out to try again on His instructions, there would have been no fish caught. It’s a bit like Naaman being told to wash seven times in the Jordan. ¹⁰ But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: "Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy." 2 Kings 5:10 NLT

The end result for his obedience to God via Elisha was being cleansed of his leprosy. No other place for washing would work. Only after seven times in the Jordan did it happen. Six washings would not have been sufficient. Naaman must have thought he looked like a fool. Peter had similar misgivings. Peter had a huge catch! Naaman was cleansed. Obedience to the Lord always leads to blessings.

There are countless similar stories in Christianity. By allowing themselves to look foolish and weak, God’s power and strength was manifest! Our embarrassment is the least of His concerns. Obedience is what matters.

Thank you Peter for such a magnificent illustration of success coming from obedience.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Deep Water and Planting

“Go out into deep water and there let down your net”. “We’ve worked all night,             Without a bite,       A  And we’ve caught nothing yet”. “But Teacher, since You’re asking, we’ll do it once again. Just as You wish. We know the fish, You stick with catching men”. Reluctantly they did it. The nets went down once more. They got a catch, They couldn’t match. Above what they could draw. Just like God’s Holy Kingdom, with nets thrown in the sea. They’ll take on board,           C            The Slaves and Lords, From each society. Christ has all authority in heaven and on land. Go and equip,                  B                   Discipleship,_________ To folk on every hand. “Teach them to observe the things I have commanded you. Baptise each one, Excluding none, Is what you are to do”. “Tell them I am with them wherever they may be. My Spirit’s care is everywhere; The Holy Trinity, He never will desert them and leave them on the shelf. If they will just, Give Me their trust. I’ll Love them as Myself!”	“I have to preach the Gospel; there really is no choice. There is no fee,                         To pay to me.      D  I have to use my voice, To bring the people tidings of what the Lord has done. Without a doubt, I must speak out, About God’s Holy Son”. “I share in people’s weakness to draw them to the Lord. I’ll be like them,           E                      To win the men, And Christ can be adored! ______________ Let us not grow weary of doing what is right. We’ll reap a crop,             F          Whom none can stop, In God the Father’s sight!” “The Words that I have spoken are never old and stale. All men will see,               G                                 What I decree, And not one word will fail. For I will make it prosper and achieve what I intend. Man can’t resist . My iron fist, ‘Till worlds without and end.” “Who cares who does the planting? God makes the seeds to grow. Without a doubt, Each seed will sprout.               H For God has made it so. But planting and the watering God’s given unto man. We play our part, And see the start, Of God Almighty’s plan!”
Jim Strickland – Written Sunday 25th March 2012