STATUS QUO

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 29 March 2012

Hi all,

Three thousand years ago, David was Israel’s King. Our Jewish brothers and sisters see it as Israel’s finest hour. We Christians know better. Even so, as we look back three thousand years we have some sympathy for their view.

Have a look at the life of King David. You’ll find that we are not much different from the people of those days. They may not have our technical advantages, but they still managed to be devious. They had their thieves and murderers just as we do. The status quo has not changed in 3000 years! Not really. It looks different because of progress. Well, we call it progress. Is it progress or is everything still served up the same way just tailored to 21^st century conditions?

About one thousand years after David, Jesus came along with His extraordinary recommendations. Recommendations that are as effective today as they were back then. “Don’t store up treasure on earth.” Store up treasure in heaven where there are no thieves and moths don’t devour”.

For us today, the question is how to go about Jesus’ sound recommendations. It’s all very well investing in heaven. But where are the deposit slips? What is the name of the bank? What is the bank code and what is your account number? Good question! The answer is easy. I’m told that the bank code is 777777 but this may be a rumour. Deposit slips are readily available. You get them by PRAYER and they are instantly available on line. Ask for them and you will receive. Heaven’s bank does not use account numbers. They use names rather than numbers. The name of the Bank is “Jesus Christ Unlimited” and is accessible by FAITH 24/7

Today’s meditation looks at change and Jesus’ recommendation in real time.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Status Quo

Things have not changed very much for some three thousand years. The problems which they had back then still bring the selfsame tears. The rich are getting richer; the poor are just as poor. Men are still enchanted by a woman’s sweet allure. What perhaps is different is the timing and the date. The thieves continue thieving and have the same old fate. The people are as devious as they have always been. The boys and girls experiment where they cannot be seen. We all have our ambitions. We want to reach the top. Anything to get there, as long as it won’t stop. Our vision is still limited. Our every thought is “me”. It seems that our sin nature is as bad as it can be. The time we are allotted is three score years and ten. Eighty if we’re strong enough and what will happen then? It doesn’t seem to matter. The days are rushing by. And all of our accomplishments are gone the day we die. Riches are uncertain. We know they cannot last. And still we think we’ve got the time to have our final blast! But all of the possessions which we accumulate, Are passed on to the children that we’ve had with our mate. We’re nothing more than shadows, rushing to our end; Heaping up our wealth but never certain who will spend, The money that has come to us by working night and day. If only we would take the time, we’d find a better way. The problem’s discontentment. Let’s make a little more. Gratify our inner greed and overfill our store. Here is my suggestion. A better way to go. A method that is guaranteed; that everyone should know. Open an investment in Heaven’s Super-bank. Nothing will depreciate. For that, there’s God to thank. There are no thieves to steal it. Nor moths who will devour. And you have access to it, regardless of the hour. Perhaps you cannot see it. But it is there for sure. And it’s accumulating though it’s used to feed the poor. There is a crown of righteousness; but Jesus knows what’s true. And says that where your heart is, your treasure is there too. So take a tip from David from those days and in his time. Do not look for vengeance. It isn’t worth a dime. Keep in mind your covenant and do not throw back spears. This is still the way in spite of some three thousand years. Try to be forgiving no matter what’s been done. And you will be a student of God the Father’s Son! Jim Strickland – Written Thursday 29th March 2012

RESURRECTION

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 28 March 2012

Hi All

“The only certainty in life is death and taxes”. The origin of this statement is uncertain. One of the most popular originators is Benjamin Franklin. The author is irrelevant. Taxes may come and go. But death is a certainty for all of us until Jesus returns.

Death for nearly everyone is an inevitable certainty which we prefer to put so far behind us on the back burner, it catches us by surprise. It shouldn’t, but it does. How many of us would enjoy an evening seated together discussing death in general and our own, in particular?

The opposite of dying is the resurrection. Life after death! Never dying is so remote that we only know 2 names of men who reportedly didn’t die. They are Enoch and Elijah. This means that the resurrection from the dead should be at the top of our favourite topics. Sadly, it’s not even discussed. But in the day of the early church, it was the hottest topic known. Men and women flocked into God’s Kingdom because they had heard that Jesus gives everlasting life. It’s still true. But it doesn’t even raise a yawn today. The reason is because it seems that no one believes it!

It’s one of those “things” in Christianity which is difficult to prove. “Show me the evidence” we hear on every side. But we do have the evidence; irrefutable evidence, witnessed by so many people. The event is not even thought of as untrue. I’m referring to the death and resurrection of Lazarus.

We know that Lazarus was dead for four days. We also know that he was seen after his resurrection. So much so, the Jewish elders wanted to kill him again. ⁹ When all the people heard of Jesus' arrival, they flocked to see Him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, John 12:9-10 NLT

No matter how anti-Christian someone might be, here is irrefutable evidence that Lazarus had died and Jesus resurrected him. No person in his or her right mind can imagine how the elders would want to kill someone who was already dead! Of course people could say that it’s a fable. Why would that be? If I wrote a story today saying that Fred Bloggs had died and had been resurrected, they’d say I was mad. But the truth of the resurrection was so powerful that it turned the then known world on its head in a matter of a couple of hundred years.

I’m told that there is more evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ than there is evidence that Julius Caesar invaded the UK. The invasion of UK by Julius Caesar makes no demands on you or me personally. So What? The fact is people don’t want to believe in the resurrection of Jesus. It disturbs their preferred theology. It makes demands on them they are not willing to acknowledge. It’s been like that since the days of the early church. So what else is new?

Today’s meditation looks at the resurrection of Lazarus. Do you believe it? The choice is entirely yours.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Resurrection

One of our biggest problems is the raising of the dead. “I’m sorry it’s not possible”, the unbeliever said! “I really can’t accept it. The cemetery is closed. The only way to enter is when life has been disposed. The body simply lies there and soon it’s very rotten. And in a very few short years, that person is forgotten. It’s absolutely certain. It’s always been that way. So do not try and tell me it will come to life one day! Perhaps all that’s remaining is just a bone or two; And brother it is certain; it will happen unto you. Please give me the evidence, that this is not the case. Take me there and show me, the time, the date and place, Where this has ever happened. Describe where it was seen. Bring to me the witnesses. Bring “Facts” not “might have been” My friend it isn’t difficult. Come back with me in time. Before the Lord was crucified, He gave us all His sign. A friend of His called Lazarus, we know had passed away. Then they prepared his body in that special Jewish way. They wrapped him up in linen as tight as it could be. It looked just like a mummy from ancient history. The wrappings were intended to keep all things in place. They also put a napkin to cover up his face. The body was so tightly wrapped, it couldn't even scratch. So if it came to life again, how would it ever snatch, A lung full of the oxygen it needed to escape? It couldn't ever stand or rise or even change its shape. The body was immoveable; it couldn’t even wheeze. In fact it was impossible for it to even sneeze. They placed it in a chamber behind a great big stone. Effectively that chamber was an exclusion zone. None could ever enter; and no one could get out. A dead man couldn’t run away; that’s far beyond a doubt! Four days the body lay there. The smell proved he was dead. Then Jesus came upon the scene. He wept and then He said. “Lazarus come forth!” and in an instant they all saw, His body ‘teleported’ and come out of the door. No one touched or carried him. At Jesus’ command, A dead man was brought back to life; his corpse once more could stand. There a host of witnesses; the Pharisees were scared. Who was this man who raised the dead? They hardly even dared, To think He was the “Maker”, whom dead men must obey. When He said “Lazarus come forth” no power could tell it “nay!” This was a miracle of God, to prove to us that He, Could speak and dead men will arise and come forth instantly. You don’t have to believe it. The choice is up to you. But resurrection is a fact; don’t tell me it’s not true! Jim Strickland  Written Wednesday 28th March 2012

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