THE BRIGHTNESS OF JESUS

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 26 May 2012

Hi all,

And God said, “Light be” and there was light. It sounds very simple. In a way, it’s meant to be. It is simple enough for young children and sufficiently complex to try the minds of the world’s greatest scientists. We look at “light” in today’s meditation.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Time with Jesus – Saturday, 26 May 2012
INTRODUCTION	DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE BRIGHTNESS OF JESUS
How old is our planet? Some say it’s hundreds of billions of years old. Mostly they are those who believe in the hypothesis of Darwinian evolution. I’ve deliberately used the word “hypothesis” because 150 years later, it still has not been proved scientifically. Others believe in a young earth. One created by God. How long ago was that? I once asked that question and was told, “as long as a piece of string”. “How long is that” I asked. The reply was, “How long do you want it to be? I was then told that such various opinions were possible because many of the basic, underlying assumptions, could not be verified.  The comment was that if you wanted to believe it was hundreds of billions of years old no one could gainsay you. Likewise if you wanted to believe the young earth theory, your opinion could not be contradicted. So it seems that the planet is as old as you want it to be. There are two questions we should ask about our planet, as it follows its course around the sun. The first is, “Why is it rotating” We know that it is. But what caused it? Random chance or design? Rotation gives us night and day. No rotation and we couldn’t be here in our present life form. Which brings us to the next question? Why is the angle of rotation such that we have four seasons per year? Did it occur purely on the basis of random actions? No? Then there must have been a designer somewhere. The designer is God. A great number of people today don’t believe in God. They are perfectly entitled to do so. May I say that it is a God given right with which I don’t want to try and meddle. They prefer to believe in the slow process of evolution.  If this took billions of years, to go from a big bang of some sort, to the complexity of the life forms we see all around, so be it. This is what they sincerely believe. They have a lot more faith than I do. To think that all this developed from nothing of its own accord is much harder to believe than to put it all down to intelligent design. I’ve heard it described in simple terms. Let’s assume that you have a big stack of logs outside in the back yard. Now put a big stick of explosives – your choice – under the logs. Then as they used to say, “Light the blue touch paper and stand well back”. What are the chances that the logs will all come down and fall into place like a log cabin complete with doors and windows? Do you think this could happen? I think the log cabin is more likely than everything coming from nothing. You have a start with logs and explosive! They don’t even have that! What did “kick off” creation? God spoke and it happened. Interestingly, He commenced with the creation of a time/space continuum. This happened when He said, “Light be!” Since He is light, it was not difficult. God’s light still shines on our planet. A living testimony to His greatness. Jim & Phyllida Strickland	23 The city does not need the sun or moon to shine on it. God's glory is its light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by the light of the city. The kings of the world will bring their glory into it. Revelation 21:23-24 NIrV 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15 And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Acts 26:13-15 ESV 1 Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. 2 As the men watched, Jesus' appearance was transformed so that His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. Matthew 17:1-2 NLT 19 "No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the LORD your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. 20 Your sun will never set; your moon will not go down. For the LORD will be your everlasting light. Your days of mourning will come to an end. 21 All your people will be righteous. They will possess their land forever, for I will plant them there with My own hands in order to bring Myself glory. Isaiah 60:19-21 NLT 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 TNIV	Our planet is rotating. They say it’s slowing down. So far it’s just a little bit, so this won’t make us frown. But someday in the future, perhaps ten billion years, It’s going to stop its turning, unless the Lord appears. I do not know the science, so cannot really say, How this will change the period of night-time and of day. I guess that on the “light side”, things shrivel up and fry; And where it’s all in darkness, life forms will freeze and die. I think this brief prognosis, the scientists agree, Consists our little planet’s final destiny! I cannot argue with them. I’m told they know the best. But when I think of Jesus Christ, I think they merely jest! It seems a bit unlikely, that things will last that long. And when He takes things over, they’ll see they have things wrong. You won’t hear me complaining that day and night are done. Neither will be needed in the brightness of God’s Son! I hear that Jesus’ brightness, will make the sun seem pale. So bright the New Jerusalem’s electric lights can fail. Instead there will be brightness without the need for shade. All that really matters is that Christ has been obeyed. I know that John has seen it, with Peter, James and Paul. Moses at the burning bush; He was the first of all. They saw a transformation a place of burning light. When Paul got just a sample, it burned away his sight. I cannot speak of others. I cannot say for sure, If someone else has seen Him? Can any man endure, A light that is so radiant it turns the night to day? I’m told that the atomic bomb explodes and looks that way. But Jesus and His brilliance will never wax nor wane. His light will fill that city. We will not need again, The sunlight in the morning or moonlight in the night. They’ll fade to insignificance when Jesus shines His light. That great big massive city that could fit into the moon, Is what we are expecting; for He is coming soon. The God of grace has called us and we will always be, Rejoicing in the “Son-light” of His Divinity. Though we will face some problems before that special day. We know He is victorious; We’ll be with Him to stay. Jim Strickland  Written 26th May 2012

JESUS REVEALED

Time with Jesus - Friday, 25 May 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is about the apostle John and the writing of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Time with Jesus – Friday, 25 May 2012
INTRODUCTION	DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	JESUS REVEALED
The first chapter of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ deals with the appearance of Jesus to John on the Isle of Patmos. At first it was a frightening experience. This was not the Jesus he remembered. Not the one he had leaned back on as they gathered to have a meal together. This was Jesus as He had never been seen before. The description of Jesus in Chapter one is awesome! The next two chapters are Jesus’s seven letters to each of seven churches. It seems John knew each of them fairly well. Only God knows what our reaction would be if Jesus manifested Himself to us in this manner. I suspect it would be one of abject terror. Perhaps a bit like the allied soldiers who landed on the Normandy beaches in 1944. I’m told that as the landing craft drew close to the beach, all the men experienced fear of some sort. I suspect I would have been no different. We are told that Jesus appeared to John on the Lord’s day. We have assumed that this was on a Sunday. Any Sunday in the year. It wasn’t. It was a special day which took place once a year. It was the day on which every man, woman and child was required to appear before the local priest. There they were required to say, “Caesar is Lord”. Those who refused would be killed by order of the Caesar. It was called “the Lordly day”. John would never do this. So, instead of killing this old man, they banished him to the Isle of Patmos. There, living under impossible conditions, John was kept a prisoner. Then the Lord’s day – the Lordly Day, came round again. Once again John would have refused to say the required words. Suddenly, Jesus appeared to him. Not as the man he knew and loved so well. He appeared with all the splendour and glory of the Son of God. John was overwhelmed. I’m sure that His appearance would have a similar effect on me and most of the readers. It seems to be fairly conclusive that everything recorded in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ came directly or indirectly from Jesus Himself. There are two portions of Scripture which must have come directly from God. One is the first two chapters of Genesis. The other is the content of the book of Revelation. I suppose in this context we can say that Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end of the Bible. He’s most certainly the Alpha and Omega. He is the starter and finisher of our faith. John saw this in vivid detail in a way no other man has ever seen. Thank You Lord! Jim & Phyllida Strickland	18 "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. Revelation 2:18 TNIV 9 "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? 10 But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve." Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT 8 You keep track of all our sins; every misdeed since we were children is entered in your books. Psalms 90:8 MSG 61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord's words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know Me." 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. Luke 22:61-62 NLT 24 But Jesus did not fully trust them. He knew what people are like. 25 He didn't need others to tell him what people are like. He already knew what was in the human heart. John 2:24-25 NIrV 14 He knows what we are made of. He remembers that we are dust. Psalms 103:14 NIrV 3 He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. Isaiah 42:3 NLT 19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." 2 Timothy 2:19 TNIV 14 "I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep as the Father knows me. My sheep know me as I know the Father. John 10:14 GW 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28 ESV	Jesus Christ wrote letters and put them in the book, We know as “Revelation”. He said He’d had a look, At seven of His Churches. It now was time to state, Exactly what He thought of them and what would be their fate! He told John the apostle that he must write them down. The details of His comments and send them to each town. To all those seven churches, He wanted to make clear, If they had been “successful” or was their judgement near? John tells us just what happened and how the Master looked. No longer like the victim whose goose the priests had cooked! This wasn’t baby Jesus wrapped up in swaddling clothes. This was the Lord Almighty from head down to His toes! They had been “buddy-buddy” and Jesus was His friend. But this was someone different to Whom his knees must bend. This was the God of Abraham who knew what’s in men’s hearts; Who knows how “good” or “bad” we are in detail, not just parts. The sort of cardiologist who looks inside to tell, The motives that are driving us - to Heaven or to Hell! When Jesus looked at Peter, we know it made him cry. But as the Lord looked at him, John felt that He would die. He knew the Lord remembers and knows that we are dust. He wouldn’t crush the weakest reed; provided He could trust. That person to be diligent and write down what he’d seen. And John would surely write down exactly what had been. Then, seeing the Lord Jesus as he’d never seen before, He fell down at His feet like a dead man to the floor. Then the Master touched him and told him not to fear. This sounded like the Shepherd he’d wanted to be near. The One he still remembered as the One who loved His sheep. The One who knew His Father and said that He would keep, His followers forever. He’d keep them “in His hand” No one would be “snatched away” or perish in the land. They would closely listen and go the way He led. That is what He promised; exactly what He said. When he had recovered, Jesus told him to write down Everything He showed him about those seven towns. John was very fussy and noted every word, That on the Isle of Patmos he knew that he had heard. Now we know what happened precisely on that day. The day when all the ;people were instructed they must say, “Caesar is the Master and Caesar is the Lord.” John would never say it. It’s Jesus he adored. No matter what they did to Him The only words He’d say Were, Jesus is the Lord of all forever and a day”! Jim Strickland – Written 25th May 2012

RESTORED BY THE LORD

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 24 May 2012

Hi all,

Restoration after backsliding is today’s topic for meditation. God deals very severely with those who know what He wants and don’t do it. I've learned this from personal experience!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Time with Jesus – Thursday, 24 May 2012
INTRODUCTION	DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	RESTORED BY THE LORD
The biggest problem facing men in this day and any age is women. This is not intended as a derogatory or negative comment about a woman or women in general. It is a fact. Men and women are different. A cursory glance is sufficient evidence to confirm this without reservation. Furthermore, a man is not a woman’s equal and a woman is not a man’s equal. The concept is preposterous. We are the same species. But we are different; wonderfully and marvellously so. We need each other. Helen of Troy may have had the face that launched a thousand ships. I can almost guaranty, none of the sailors on these ships were women! In addition I’ve never seen a man take part in the Miss South Africa contest. If we are the same, why not? Men have a weakness for women. We do! I do not apologise for saying this. It’s been like this since the fall, I’m told that men have an ability to love several women at the same time. To women this is anathema! But the women have an extraordinary ability to “multitask” Men have enough trouble dealing with one task at a time. I suppose we can say women multi-task and men multi-woman! My weakness for women has been the source of many of my problems since I entered puberty. Most of the dumb things I’ve said and done have been as a result of this weakness. Thank God He has provided a solution to this problem. It’s having a Godly marriage to a Godly woman and a shared faith in Jesus Christ. This weakness for women was what brought about ±18 years of backsliding. Of course, in my immaturity, I blamed the Lord for this. Most of us do. But the real reason was that my “plans” were thwarted and I needed someone to blame. I chose to blame Him. Let me say that the life of a backslider is the worst kind of “hell” we can find on this earth. You become something approaching being bi-polar. You know what you’re missing but are too busy sulking to do anything about it. Then something happens to disturb your tranquillity. Your heart wants to turn back to God. But your mind is still going through the sulks. We think all this is purely coincidental. It isn’t, The Lord is dealing with His child. He keeps on increasing the pressure until you surrender. I wasted ±18 years doing this. Eventually I capitulated. Life in the pig pen was unendurable. It was my own fault I got there, that’s when my heart and mind turned back to Him. So I set out to go home. That’s when my miracle took place. It only took a couple of steps and there He was! I wept over my foolishness. He took me in His arms and said, “Welcome Home My Son!” Jim & Phyllida Strickland	15 I will go back to my home in heaven. I will stay there until you admit you have sinned. Then you will turn to me. You will suffer so much that you will really want me to help you. Hosea 5:15 NIrV 1 Listen! The LORD’S arm is not too weak to save you, nor is His ear too deaf to hear you call. 2 It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore. Isaiah 59:1-2 NLT 6 But when opened the door he was gone. My loved one had tired of waiting and left. And I died inside--oh, I felt so bad! I ran out looking for him But he was nowhere to be found. I called into the darkness--but no answer. Song of Solomon 5:6 MSG 17 I was angry, so I punished these greedy people. I withdrew from them, but they kept going on their own stubborn way. 18I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them I will comfort those who mourn 19 bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the LORD, who heals them. Isaiah 57:17- NLT 17 Haven’t you brought that on yourselves? I am the LORD your God, but you deserted me. You left me even while I was leading you. Jeremiah 2:17 NIrV 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 ESV 4 I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. 5 l will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; Hosea 14:4-5 ESV 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 TNIV	The problem with backsliding is all the pain and hurt. You know the way things used to be and cannot stand the dirt. You think back on the fellowship which once was very sweet. And now you’re in the pig pen, with nothing you can eat. You think of what’s been wasted. You think about the time, When once you walked together. It seemed to be Divine! But something happened to you, which made you walk away. Your heart is filled with deep regret for what you did that day. You wish it hadn’t happened. You think you’re being brave. It’s difficult to realise you’re almost Satan’ slave But like a sulking school boy who won’t admit he’s wrong And yet It’s to the Lord your God you still want to belong! The pressure then increases. God won’t leave you alone! In spite of all your dreadful sin, He wants you for His own. He is the Hound of Heaven and you are now the prey. Don’t think for just a moment, He’ll let you get away. He will not use compulsion. The choice you make is yours. But in your covenant with Him, there’s no escaping clause. He’s totally committed to bring you home one day; And He will keep on chasing you, until you will obey. How do you think I know this? My friend I have been there. I knew what fellowship was like. I’d talked with Him in prayer. I knew Who filled that emptiness. It made me feel insane. The need to get back home again kept beating in my brain. The pressure kept increasing. At last my heart went “pop’! ‘Forgive me Lord!” I cried to Him. It made the pressure stop. And He had won the victory. I just capitulated. He knew that I would do it; and so the Master waited. He hadn’t once deserted me. I’d been a silly fool; And graduated once again from Jesus’ training school. Again the Lord had healed me. Once more He’d picked me up. Once more I had a little taste from His salvation cup. Since then I’ve grown much older. I left that all behind. And proved again conclusively that He is Good and Kind. He healed my gross apostasy, His anger turned away. The many years I’d wasted were forgiven me that day. Once more we walk together. I’m His and He is mine Restored to be a bond slave of Jesus Christ Divine. Jim Strickland  Written 24th May 2012