BE A LITTLE PATIENT!

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 07 April 2012

Hi all,

Patience is a virtue. That’s what we are told. The problem is endemic in today’s culture. “I want it and I want it now!” Alternatively, “Lord, please give me patience; quickly!” Of course, the Lord has us at a great disadvantage. He has all the time in the world. We don’t!

The fact is, God has everything under control and timed down to the smallest part of a nanosecond. But that seldom helps us. For example, in Genesis we learn: ¹³ Then the LORD said to Abram, "You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. Gen 15:13 NLT Now I don’t want to be “picky”; but I’m not sure how I would feel if I was a slave. Then I found that there was a couple of hundred years still to go for me and my family. My comment would be something like this: “Lord, I know you have lots of time, but what do I tell my kids? It wouldn’t help, but it might make me feel a bit better.

In spite of all this, you and I have to get on with life. We either do so with enthusiasm and a passion for living, or we allow ourselves to sink into the slough of despond. The choice is ours. We can side with Solomon in his old age and say, ² "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." Eccl 1:2 TNIV or we can side with Jesus who said, ¹⁰ the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 TNIV

Our meditation looks at both aspects. We begin with a man asking “meaningless” questions; questions to which we have no answers. Then the tone changes and we meet the one Who is able to answer all questions; the One who wants us to have “abundant” life. The questions cannot be answered directly on this side of the grave. But the Lord has all the answers. The meditation concludes with Him giving us His assurance that all is well in Him and asking us to be a little patient.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Be a Little Patient!

Life is an enigma! No one seems to know,

The reason why somebody’s born: and why they have to go!

It seems so contradictory; we’re only born to die.

And no one I have known has ever said the reason why.

Are we just like the animals, who how have to find a mate,

To keep the species going and so they copulate?

Is this the only purpose? Then why be born at all?

Surely man’s extinction is better than his fall?

Why is it we continue? Why didn’t God see fit,

To finish with His creation and simply stop and quit?

I know these are big questions; but who can indicate,

His purpose in continuing with all our sin and hate?

How long has it been happening? About ten thousand years?

And man has still learned nothing; is how it now appears.

It’s like an endless treadmill that we can’t start or stop.

We’re born and keep on moving till finally we drop!

Where will we find the answer? Without theology,

Such questions can’t be answered; that’s how it seems to me.

God must have had a purpose; but where did it go wrong?

The fact is that the Father had known it all along.

It didn’t come and shock Him, or take Him by surprise.

He knew what Lucifer would say to spread his evil lies.

In fact He’d always known it. When Lucifer was made,

The Lord knew there would come a time when He was disobeyed.

That pride would be the reason for this archangel’s fall.

In spite of this, He knew that it was somehow worth it all.

The whole thing’s still in process. But Jesus knows the end.

It won‘t be interrupted; on this we can depend.

Some day the Lord will say to us, “My child can you now see,

It had to be all finalised to wind up history?

Look now at what has happened! See, It was all worthwhile!

Think back on your questioning. It’s sure to make you smile.

For sin and Satan’s empire, I had to bring to naught.

And that is why I came to earth. To fight the war I fought.

If I had quit the way you said, no one would ever see;

The awesomeness of Jesus and His Great Majesty!

While you were in the grip of time, I couldn’t then reveal,

The fullness of My purpose. You wouldn’t think it real!

How could it ever happen? But now it is so clear!

And in this new dimension, I am forever near!

So be a little patient and wait til time is done;

And you will have the answers directly from My Son.

Jim Strickland – Written Saturday 7^th April 2012

YOUR OPEN INVITATION

Time with Jesus - Friday, 06 April 2012

Hi all,

In the Scriptures today, Isaiah 9:6 appears three times as indicated in the quote. ⁶ A child will be born for us. A son will be given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. He will be named: (1) Wonderful Counsellor, (2) Mighty God, Everlasting Father, (3) Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 GW I’ve combined two of them to preserve the quoted Scripture portion to manageable proportions.

I’ve often wondered why we are told that, 1) a child will be born for us and 2) a son will be given to us. At first I thought it was just semantics. So I consulted a couple of commentaries. The Believer’s Bible Commentary stated: The First Advent is described in verse 6a: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given." The first clause speaks of His humanity, the second of His deity: Isaiah 9:6

This made a lot of sense and I’ve incorporated this into today’s meditation. Thus you find them highlighted in the Scripture portion and emphasised in the poetry portion.

The meditation has been compiled as a dialog with the Lord. The two colours make it easier to follow. The topic emphasises Jesus’ Humanity and His Divinity to assist us understand the Scripture.

I wonder what was in Isaiah’s mind when he wrote this Scripture. Seldom were the prophets even remotely aware that their words were inspired by the Holy Spirit. I suspect that if they had been, they would have been terrified. The insight was so “normal” that they had no clue of Divine influence. I’ve noticed this in my own life. On the odd occasion when I’ve been used by the Lord in any capacity, it was so normal that I was completely unaware what was taking place. For this I thank God. I’m sure that if something abnormal took place whereby I was convinced that what I was about to say or do was motivated by the Lord, I would have run away! It’s altogether too awesome to consider seriously!

Many years ago I heard a man speak about this in his own life. The comments above more or less correspond with what he said. He was afraid of getting into pride because of what happened. This terrifies me too. If I knew that my next few words were directly from the Lord, I think I would be struck dumb. It’s not something to brag about but something very humbling.

The meditation is an open invitation for people to come to Him. The invitation is open to us from birth to death. After that the opportunity has gone.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Your Open Invitation

To know Him is to trust Him. This is forever true!

But you will never know Him, until He’s met with you.

It seems a contradiction and also rather odd.

But if we are to know Him, we first must meet with God.

But where’s the invitation for us to go and meet?

Is it in the market place or on a busy street?

This is the burning question in more that just one sense.

For if we’re not in contact, what will be your defence,

If He turns round and says to you, “You never even tried,

To come and meet your Maker. No effort on your side,

Was made by you to contact Me. You seldom had the time,

For anyone except yourself. This is your greatest crime.

My doors were ever open and just one little prayer,

Was all you ever needed; but you just didn’t care.

There were too many baubles attracting you away!

And there was never time enough to hear what I would say.

You missed out on the blessings through the power of My Name.

To you, your sojourn on the earth, was just a little game.

And yet a child was born to you, an ordinary man.   Isaiah 9:6 - Humanity

Deliberately chosen to fit into My plan.

He had to take on Satan and never ever sin.

A person fully human to represent your kin,

Or He would be disqualified. An angel wouldn’t do.

He had to be a person, a man the same as you.

Yet in his full humanity, He had to be Divine;

And so a Son was given. The only Son of Mine.      Isaiah 9:6 - Divinity

Humanity united with Divinity in One.

A sinless individual whom man could look upon.

He came here as a servant. No title and no rank.

And by the very life He lived, the “ship of Satan” sank!

Each moment He was on the earth He had to spend with me.

Yet represent your people simultaneously!

So why was it so difficult? For you one little glance,

Would be of such sufficiency, that you would have the chance,

To live with us forever! But you would not comply.

So you must reap the consequence. Indeed you have to die,

Outside of the protection that I had offered you.

You showed you didn’t want it; and I’ll respect your view.

Your lifestyle demonstrated the way you wish to go.

Do not try and lie to Me and say you didn’t know!

My brother or my sister, you’ll surely rue the day,

If you reject the Master before you pass away.

Spend some time with Jesus. If you’ll invite Him in,

You will not know the consequence of your disgusting sin.

Repent and cry out to Him, to be one of His own.

Then follow in obedience, the way His Word has shown,

Jim Strickland – Written 6^th April 2012

THE LORD AND THE ROUND-ABOUT

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 05 April 2012

Hi all,

Reading today’s Scriptures gave me the sense of being on a roundabout. As a youngster, riding on one of those horses that go up and down while we went round and round was very popular. It was fun. It was only later in life that I spotted the similarity between life and a ride on a roundabout. It seems to go up and down and round and round and achieve just about nothing.

Back in the 1960’s there was a play called, “Stop the World, I Want to Get Off”. I didn’t go and see it. But I can understand the sentiments. Shakespeare expressed it as follows: - “Life’s but a walking shadow; a poor player that struts and fumes his hour upon the stage; and then is heard no more. A tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing” (dug out from school day memories). The problem is Shakespeare was right. We must get off the roundabout! “Stop the world, I want to get off”! But we are all on the roundabout. We get on when we are born. We get off when we die. In between? Good question.

Is there nothing we can do about this? Yes and no. We have to be born. Then we have to die. Die to sin. We call this conversion, or being saved. Jesus Christ made this possible. By His Spirit we are then born again. Physically it may look as though we are still on the roundabout of life. But in and through Him, the journey of life takes on a new meaning. No longer is it pointless and meaningless. It may look the same to unbelievers. But by His Spirit, the horses become eagles and we can soar aloft into a personal relationship with our Creator. This expands the roundabout to approach infinity and His arms are around us to hold us and love us. Of course Satan tries his best to “cut the power” so that everything grinds to a halt. But as we confess our sin, repent and obtain forgiveness from Him, our new dimension hardly has time to feel the bump! All this made possible by our Saviour!

Today’s meditation looks at the roundabout, our Saviour and God’s infinite qualities!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

The Lord and the Round-About

Round and round in circles the sinful men will go!

But as for destination; the Lord alone can know.

They think they’re on a round-about as each of them rotate.

But if they are repentant, He’ll surely change their fate.

They have to do what’s needed and serve the Lord with zeal.

Then Jesus, in His wondrous love, will make salvation real!

He tells them all quite clearly, that if they persevere,

He’ll stop the dizzy feeling and quench their every fear.

For He is the beginning; He also is the end.

The Alpha and Omega, on whom we can depend.

He is, He was and will be. He’s the Almighty One.

He’s there when time was started and will be when it’s gone.

God causes things to happen and sees them carried out.

The author of creation knows what this world’s about!

He knows what in the papers, ten thousand years ahead!

He watches us from when we’re born; and even when we’re dead,

His presence will be with us. From Him, there’s no escape.

He’s known us from the starter’s gun up to the winning tape.

He planned His crucifixion before the worlds were made.

There wasn’t any other way, His Word could be obeyed!

If there had been a better way, He would have always known.

And He who made the Universe has heard creation’s groan.

There isn’t an alternative for us to know His peace.

He multiplies our blessings and causes wars to cease.

He curses disobedience, when people turn away.

But He is merciful to those who turn to Him and pray.

His love endures forever. His plans for us are good.

And we will see them all fulfilled, if we do what we should.

He doesn’t think like we do. He’s always known it all!

The sins we have committed; the big ones and the small.

And none of them are graded. To Him sin’s all the same.

From murder in the first degree, to ogling some dame!

From stealing from your mother’s purse, to rape and homicide.

And He tells us the very worst is being filled with pride!

And yet He takes great pleasure each time someone repents.

Compassion deep inside Him permits Him to relent!

His love endures forever. And He would rather be,

The Saviour of His people than them lost eternally.

Jim Strickland – Written 5^th April 2012

“JIMMETS” – PRIEST AND PRAYER

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 04 April 2012

Hi all,

There are 10 Scriptures in the Daily Light. That’s a bit too many to cover in one meditation. My verse and rhyme also needed something of a change. So I’ve put together two “Jimmets” (Jim style sonnets). It makes for a welcome change for me as well as the readers.

It seemed a good idea to “twin” Philippians 4:6-7 with Isaiah 25:4. From this developed “The Attitude of Prayer”. They appear to be as “seamless” as I could get them without distorting the two parts. The idea of combining “Be anxious for nothing” with the refuge for the poor seemed most appropriate. Be anxious for nothing has always struck me as an unusual statement. From my limited experience most people are anxious about having nothing. In other words they are anxious for (about) nothing! So I suppose it’s a Scripture that can be read both ways. Mind you, that’s not what Paul had in mind. The conclusion of this “Jimmet” struck me as very appropriate just as we see in the last few words of Isaiah 24:4. The idea of God taking care of every aspect of life including the storms of life is exactly what Jesus does for His followers.

Twining John 10:28-29 with Hebrews 6:19-20 also seems to fit. The fact that the eternal life given by the Lord Jesus and the fact that He is our Great High Priest also seemed congruent. It was a struggle fitting “Melchizedek” into the verse. It presented something of a challenge. However, having done so, it left me with three possible last lines.

Jesus our High Priest forever more!	Jesus our High Priest forever more!	Jesus our High Priest forever more!
Like Melchizedek in days of yore.	Like Melchizedek who went before.	Like Melchizedek whom Abram saw.

In the end Phyllida and I settled for the middle one above. The first (days of yore) seemed too vague and the last (whom Abram saw) would require readers digging into Genesis; and asking why he was Abram and not Abraham? Mind you I’d be interested to hear your comments on this.

I find this type of poem a bit more difficult. (Iambic Pentameter) than the usual. (Iambic Octameter) The lines are shorter and limited to fourteen. Shakespeare set the model and I’m no Shakespeare! I’m also not an English scholar so whether or not the word Octameter exists or not, is pure guesswork. Or is it poetic licence?

Well I’ve dribbled on long enough. Enjoy the two “Jimmets”.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

THE ATTITUDE OF PRAYER

Philip 4:6-7 & Isaiah 25:4 NLT

You need not be anxious for a thing!

Prayer and supplication is the way,

To express to God your thanksgiving,

For the things you need from day to day.

If you do, you’ll surely know His peace,

More than you will ever understand.

Surely your protection will not cease;

True security will be at hand.

Guarding and protecting heart and mind.

For He is a refuge for the poor!

Only in Christ Jesus will you find

Strength, so you can everything endure.

Though the storms may beat against your wall.

He will help you overcome them all.

Jim Strickland – 4 April 2012          JESUS – PRIEST FOREVER              John 10:28-29 & Heb 6:19-20

                “Life eternal, that is what I give.

None of them will perish on the way.

Father has assured Me they will live.

They have this assurance every day.

He’s more powerful than anyone.

No one can be snatched from Father’s hand.

No one can instruct Him to be gone,

Or against His Word can ever stand!”

So we have an anchor that is sure.

Giving us the confidence to go,

In beyond the veil into the pure

Presence, where His holiness we’ll know.

Jesus our High Priest forever more!

Like Melchizedek who went before.

Jim Strickland – 4 April 2012

Time with Jesus 3rd April 2012

Hi
Couldn't put together an introductory email. So I've just sent off the Psalm
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Psalm 40

I waited patiently for God: And then He heard my cry!

He drew me from the deadly pit and set my feet on high;

Upon a rock; above the mire; establishing my ways,

That I might sing to Him a song of reverence and praise!

Blessed is the man that places in Almighty God his trust;

Who isn't proud, nor turns aside, nor follows after lust.

Many wonders, O my Lord, by You they have been done.

All the things You've planned for us aren't told by any one.

No man alive has numbered them, or totalled the amount;

Exceeding the ability of any man to count!

Sacrifice and offerings, The Lord does not desire

It's only man's obedience You've said that You require.

I then said, "Here am I, I've come" as it says in the scroll.

I long to do Your will because Your law fills heart and soul;

And in the great assembly I'll speak of righteousness;

I will not cease declaring, Lord, You love and faithfulness.

Do not withhold Your mercy Lord. May love and truth protect

Me from the countless troubles, I see when I reflect

Upon my may sins. Far more than hairs upon my head,

Preventing me from seeing you. They make my heart stop dead!

Be pleased, my Lord, to save me. Come quickly to my aid;

May all who seek to take my life be rapidly dismayed.

May all who wish to ruin me, be turned back in disgrace

And those that say to me, "Aha" be shamed by what they face!

May those that love salvation, exalt You with their voice;

And may those that are glad in You and seek Your name, rejoice!

For though I'm poor and needy, You'll think of me today.

The Lord God's my Deliverer! His help He won't delay.

Jim Strickland - Written 1986

WHAT WILL HE FIND?

Time with Jesus - Monday, 02 April 2012

Hi all,

Jesus told the people many parables. Most are easy to understand. Some make us scratch our heads wondering what He meant. Much of the mystery associated herewith is our tendency to chop up His statements so that they mean something different to what He intended. A case in point is the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow in Luke’s gospel. ¹ One day Jesus told His disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. ² "There was a judge in a certain city," He said, "who neither feared God nor cared about people. ³ A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, 'Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.' ⁴ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, 'I don't fear God or care about people, ⁵ but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'" ⁶ Then the Lord said, "Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. ⁷ Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don't you think God will surely give justice to His chosen people who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? ⁸ I tell you, He will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will He find on the earth who have faith?" Luke 18:1-8 NLT

A number of us have been brought up during a time of the “faith” movement. Sadly, we have been led to understand that “faith” is a noun. Something like an egg, a car or a baseball. But faith is not a noun. It’s more like a verb than a noun. It’s an action word. It’s not static. It’s a way of life. Now let’s look at the way the KJV translates Habakkuk 2:4. It states, ⁴ Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Hab 2:4 KJV. A different rendition, the New Living Translations puts it this way. ⁴ "Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. Hab 2:4 NLT

In the NLT the word, “faith” has been translated as “faithfulness”. In Habakkuk we see that the operative word is faithfulness to God. The meaning of any passage of Scripture must be derived in term of its context. Habakkuk thought that the Babylonians would completely wipe out the Jewish people in Judah. God’s answer to Habakkuk was that those who were faithful to Him would survive. The truth of this is statement can be read in Hab 3. His song celebrates the fact that no matter what happens when the Babylonians invade; those who are being faithful to God would be preserved by God. History confirms that this is what took place.

In the light of this, let’s have another look at Jesus’ parable. What was the parable all about? Jesus was referring to the widow’s persistence. She kept on “hammering on the door of the unjust judge” until she obtained justice. She was being faithful to what she believed; the parable is all about her persistence; her faithfulness to what she believed. So how should we read Luke 18:8? In the KJV, Jesus ask the question, “But when the Son of Man returns, how many will He find on the earth who have faith?

Now change the understanding of verse 8 to be in line with the context of the parable. Now His question must be, “But when the Son of Man returns, how many will He find on the earth that have this kind of faithfulness? Suddenly the parable makes sense. He wasn’t talking about “faith” as a noun. He was talking about people being faithful to Him. May I suggest that Jesus’ question is better understood as, “But when the Son of Man returns, how many will He find on the earth who are as faithful to God as this widow was toward the justice of her cause?

Faithfulness to Him and His Father is what Jesus is looking for. It’s not some nebulous noun that makes no sense. Rather He is talking about a way of life; of men and women being faithful to the Living God. Will He find it? It’s up to you and me!

Today’s meditation asks the question, what will Jesus expect to find when He returns.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

What Will He Find?

When Jesus Christ comes back again, what is it He expects? Do you think He’ll shake His head and ask what happens next? What will He be looking for when He surveys the earth? A mass of false Messiah’s, or folk with second birth? Religion based fanatics who murder folk at will? Determined that to spread their faith, they are compelled to kill? Perhaps He’ll find a people enthused by God Most High, And hundreds of His followers who are prepared to die, If that is what is needed? What “faith” will be expressed? Will people be excited or will they be distressed? What “faith” will He be looking for? Will He find men of prayer, Or many, many millions who simply do not care, About their daily lifestyle? Do you think they’ll be glad, Or will this world continue to be a world gone mad? Will He find faith upon the earth? But does this “faith” mean? What is His definition? A world that’s squeaky clean? A people who had come to Him when they were just a lad, And from that very moment had kept on being bad? That’s not the understanding of what His words imply. But living as His follower until the day they die. A better word is faithfulness. A “faith” that carries on, Regardless of the circumstance or where the world has gone. The word means stick-ability. It’s never turning round, To see if there’s a better way that someone else has found. It means that they will carry on regardless of the odds; And not go off a-whoring in lust for foreign gods. It isn’t being perfect. He knows that cannot be. Because with our sin nature, from sin we’re never free. It still remains a choice we make. It’s what we always do. The only way to beat it is with Jesus within you. I’m sure that’s what He’s seeking. It’s what He wants to find. Not what people think is right; correct in their own mind! That’s no good for the Saviour; We must obey His Word. That’s the definition of what should have occurred. But is He going to find it? What is it He will see? I hope it is obedience in folk like you and me. Because friend, if He doesn’t, what is it He will do? I’m sure it will be horrible for those who are untrue. Jim Strickland – Written Monday 2nd April 2012.