WHAT’S YOUR INHERITANCE?

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 02 June 2012

Hi all,

The Psalmist, in this case David, tells us, the Lord is his inheritance. Our meditation is about inheritance.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 02 June 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	WHAT’S YOUR INHERITANCE?
English expressions can be accurate and amusing. “People who live in glass houses should not throw stones”. For me this conjures up visions of someone living in a greenhouse and throwing stones at his neighbour! Ok, it sounds ludicrous. But the expression must have originated somewhere! Another is, “Where there’s a will there’s a way”.  This has been modified to read, “Where there’s a will there’s inheritors! One wonders what Hollywood or the TV program makers would do if they didn’t have a greedy relative trying desperately to get his hands on the fortune left to someone else. The story is more or less stereotype. At this point please do yourself a favour and make sure you have made a “Last Will and Testament” If you leave it too late it will be too late. Incidentally it’s never too soon for an adult to compile a will. If Jesus tarries, be assured that you are going to die. I’d like to guarantee it. But I may go before you!. The other important thing is to finalise the beneficiaries on your insurance policies. You may have nominated great aunt Suzie. But if she goes before you, the insurance company will have a nightmare trying to get things sorted. One of my favourite choruses is Lord You are. Lord, You are more precious than silver; Lord, You are more costly than gold; Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds; And nothing I desire compares with You It encapsulates what our attitude toward the things of this world should be. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus put it succinctly: 36 What good is it for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your soul? 37 Or what can you give in exchange for your soul? Mark 8:36-37 TNIV How do we answer such a question? Our answer reveals our priorities! It’s an interesting observation that money and wealth are neutral. What is important is how we use what we have. We can spend thousands of Rand feeding the poor. We could use the same thousand Rand in the illegal drug trade. I’m sure Jesus would agree with my comment. He was never against money. His Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills! The question is, do you have money or does money have you? Only you can answer! It will be true if you rich or poor! So what do we do with an inheritance? You can spend it, or you can spend yourself using it. Spending money is easy. Watch a child with his pocket money. It will soon be gone. If you spend yourself for others and the promotion of Jesus Christ and the gospel, you will have acquired something money can never buy; an eternal inheritance. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			5 LORD, You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. 6 The land You have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! Psalms 16:5-6 NLT 17 And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Romans 8:17 NLT 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 1 Corinthians 3:21 ESV 16 "My love belongs to me, and I belong to him. Like an antelope, he eats among the lilies. Song of Solomon 2:16 NIrV 20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 NASB 20 And the LORD said to Aaron, "You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel. Numbers 18:20 ESV 25 As long as I have you, I don't need anyone else in heaven or on earth. 26 My body and mind may waste away, but God remains the foundation of my life and my inheritance forever. Psalms 73:25-26 GW 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalms 23:4 ESV 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 2 Timothy 1:12 ESV A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalms 63:1 ESV	I can’t forget my parents and how much they meant to me. You cannot put a value on a person’s family. We speak of astronomical and more than we can count. And now they have both passed away, I’d give any amount, To have a little chat with them, the way it used to be. My father and my mother, and little tiny me! But when I speak of “anything”, I don’t include my soul. That wouldn’t be God honouring, nor under His control. We know that God’s forbidden us from speaking with the dead. We have to go the Jesus and pray to him instead! So be aware I’m saying this quite sentimentally. It’s rather that I miss them and would like them here with me. Of know that this sounds selfish. But that’s not my intent. But just my way of saying, how much to me they meant. I know they had to leave me. I knew that they would die. They left me an inheritance, that fact I can’t deny. But that was only money and a little bit of land. They specified it in their will and so I understand, That they were quite determined that there would be no lack. But if it were just possible I’d love to give it back. Another thing to think about. Someday I too will go. And what my parents did for me, my family will know. But it is only earthly goods. It too will pass away. It may amount to billions, but on the judgement day, It won’t have any value. The silver and the gold, And all of our possessions can’t enter Jesus fold. But for those who love Jesus, the value of it all, Will surely be irrelevant, or infinitely small. You don’t need an inheritance if you are the high priest. God made it plain to Aaron. He didn’t need the least, Part of such an inheritance. He is the Lord Most High. And if He is your Saviour, you’ll surely never die! Of course, this mortal body will surely pass away. But He’ll give me another one when He comes back to stay. So let us tell the world about our Saviour, God and King. If they crucify you, it will not mean a thing. Let them cast your body into a pauper’s grave. They cannot touch your spirit. Jesus Christ will save, His people from destruction. No matter what they do, Jesus Christ has promised that He will be with you! He is your inheritance and He is worth far more, Than all this world can give you for an earthly treasure store. Jim Strickland – Written 2nd June 2012

EMMANUEL!

Time with Jesus - Friday, 01 June 2012

Hi all,

Isaiah prophesied it. Mary was the vehicle through whom the prophesy came true! Many Christians object to the overemphasis placed on Mary by the Roman Church; to be fair, we protestants under-value her. But, she was and is a unique channel of God’s blessing to humanity. Today’s meditation looks at this.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8  Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Friday, 01 June 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	EMMANUEL!
There was a time when people believed the Bible and believed in God because the prophetic word had been fulfilled. There was no question that Jesus Christ was a real person. His miracles were accepted as fact. Every detail in the Bible was accepted as “Gospel” truth. For me, it is still the truth. It doesn’t really matter what others think. The Bible is true. It is the Word of God. Today there are more sceptics than believers. Indeed, many University professors and lecturers are not just sceptics, they are unbelievers! They may be theologians, but they believe nothing! As far as they are concerned, all religions are equal. They teach about the God they don’t know! In this regard I’m reminded of something Dr Ken Stewart said when I was in Bible School thirty years ago. He said he went to Seminary to prove the existence of God. He shared a room with a man who had gone to the same seminary to prove God doesn’t exist. Ken added that when he entered the seminary, about 20 students believed in God. By the time he qualified with his doctorate, there were only three believers remaining. Unbelief dominated the campus. What baffles me is how these men can be regarded as Christians. Thank God this is not true in all universities. There still remain those who are committed to Jesus Christ. Nevertheless it is a wise Christian parent who will warn their sons and daughters about the onslaught against Christianity they will encounter in many places of tertiary education. Today, it takes a certain amount of courage to face up to the challenge of the unbelieving “masses”. This is not new. It has been on-going for centuries. This world has always ridiculed those who are out of step with them. In this regard it is probably true that the Jews have suffered from this form of treatment since the days of the Egyptian Pharaohs. Some 2000 years ago, the Jewish people believed the time had come for God to send the Messiah. The Son of David who would deliver them from the hands of the Romans. It would have been the desire of nearly all the young women to be the mother of Messiah. No doubt many prayed and asked the Lord to choose her. There could be only one mother of Messiah. There would have been no shortage of applicants. Perhaps we might compare it with the young ladies in the 21st century who would have given anything to marry Prince William. Mary qualified biologically. She was descended from King David. She was young, loved the Lord, unmarried and a virgin. In addition, she was promised in marriage to Joseph, another descendant of King David. This was essential. The Jewish religious authorities knew the Messiah would be a “son of David”. They had all the genealogical records and would reject out of hand anyone called the Son of David unless it was possible. Then the date in history arrived when a young Jewish virgin would conceive miraculously, just as their prophets had foretold. Mary had been chosen “before the foundation of the world”. The time was exactly right. Mary conceived supernaturally. Her baby was the Son of God. It’s not necessary to go into the detail. It’s recorded for us in the Bible exquisitely. There we get a beautiful insight into what took place. A culmination of what is predicted so joyfully in Song of Songs. God’s love for His people through the woman of His choice! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" Matthew 1:23 NLT 18 "But will God really live on earth among people? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain You. How much less this Temple I have built! 2 Chronicles 6:18 NLT 14 The Word became a human being. He made his home with us. We have seen his glory. It is the glory of the one and only Son. He came from the Father. And he was full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NIrV 16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16 NLT 2 And now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son He created the universe. Hebrews 1:2 NLT 19 That Sunday evening, the disciples were together behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jews. Jesus stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you!" 20 When he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were glad to see the Lord. John 20:19-20 GW 26 A week later Jesus' disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Take your hand, and put it into my side. Stop doubting, and believe." 28 Thomas responded to Jesus, "My Lord and my God!" John 20:26-28 GW 6 For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NLT	Isaiah spoke about it, a long, long time ago. He had it written in his book, so everyone would know, There would be a Messiah long after he had died. Someone Who would save us from our sins of stubborn pride. He told us it would happen. He didn’t tell us when. And from that very point in time, the “Jews” saw it as “gen”. Examine what he prophesised. The Lord God would draw nigh. His name would be “Immanuel”, God with us from on High He said a virgin would conceive. That’s rather strange to me. How could that ever happen? It surely cannot be? But this is what would happen, just when the time was right. And from that time in history, the girls would pray at night, And ask to be the virgin who’d bring forth the Divine! She had to be descended from the Davidic line. We know that Mary qualified, her genealogy Complied with every aspect of Isaiah’s prophesy. So now we have the woman. A virgin through and through, Praying she would be the one whom this would happen to! Then when the Lord was ready and when the time was right, God’s Spirit “overshadowed” her one very special night. And here we see the miracle; a virgin girl conceived. We think it is impossible and hard to be believed. But nothing is impossible; not for the Living God. So why are we so sceptical and think that it was odd? But there’s something important. After the baby’s birth, She couldn’t be a virgin. Not on this present earth. I don’t need to explain it from man’s biology. I’m sure that every mother will totally agree! So Mary was a virgin until the birth was done. And she brought forth “Immanuel”, God’s One and only Son! They gave Him the Name “Jesus”, and people couldn’t tell. That He was God in overalls while being man as well! This was no schizophrenic! He made the universe. But when He came to be with us, He needed a wet nurse! Was this humiliation? He didn’t think that way. He only ever did the things He heard His father say. He lived among His people a life of truth and grace. And He became the Saviour, of all the human race! Exactly what Isaiah said, down to the fine detail, Took place when Jesus Christ was born. It happened without fail. A Son was given to us; a virgin girl gave birth. The “Everlasting Father” was sent from Heaven to Earth “The Prince of Peace”; the “Mighty God”, “The Counsellor Divine”, Came as had been promised to take your sins and mine. Indeed this really happened. Believe that it is true. For Jesus came and gave His life, for folk like me and you. Jim Strickland Written 1st June 2012

ABIDING IN JESUS

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 31 May 2012

Hi all,

Today we meditate on what it means to “Abide in the Vine”. Truth is best brought with humour. 

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

PO Box 1694, Randpark Ridge, 2156, South Africa.

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 31 May 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	ABIDING IN JESUS
Looking at the first Scripture today; abide in Him, is the topic for today’s meditation. I’ve included most of the other Scriptures. Hopefully you will enjoy the humorous touch! Humour is the best way to convey bad news. This approach has come about as a result of what is implied by “abiding” in Jesus. Essentially, abiding in Him means to live like He did; imitating Him as much as humanly possible. The expression “living seamlessly” could well be a good way to put it. Of course, for us that is impossible! Not without the help and guidance of His Spirit. Abiding in Him does not mean speaking the way He did. We can train parrots to do that; parrots can never be Christian. It means to live a lifestyle like His. It’s a question of behaviour rather than speech. In this way, behaviour underlies speech. I’m vividly reminded of the expression, “Do as I say, not as I do!” Parents are often accused by their children of such hypocrisy. John Gill, the 18th century theologian commented on 1 John 2:28-29 as follows: - The visible proof of being a Christian is right behaviour. Many people do good deeds but don't have faith in Jesus Christ. Others claim to have faith but rarely produce good deeds. A deficit in either faith or right behaviour will be a cause for shame when Christ returns. Because true faith always results in good deeds, those who claim to have faith and who consistently do what is right are true believers. Good deeds cannot produce salvation (see Eph. 2:8-9), but they are necessary proof that true faith is actually present (see James 2:14-17). It is particularly distressing that men believe they could “make a decision” for Jesus 30 years ago. From then on they believe they can do anything at all. They may sin indiscriminately and God will not hold them accountable. But it is inconceivable that the same God Who condemns sinners will not condemn “Christians” for the same sins! Those who live like the world are not abiding in Him! Personally, I’m not prepared to risk it. My love for Him compels me to follow His lifestyle, the essence of abiding in Him. Am I sin free? No! But His blood cleanses me from all unrighteousness.  I’m trusting that abiding in Him will inevitably result in my producing good “fruit”. Sure, He gets all the credit! But as Paul wrote to the Romans in the Message translation; 1 So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? 2 I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Romans 6:1-2 MSG There will come a day when God judges everyone. I’d hate to flirt with sin and be included among the disobedient. My way may be more difficult but it is the “safer” approach. Abiding in Him assures me of His eternal reward. Continuing to live like a sinner is likely to lead to destruction. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 1 John 2:28 ESV 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:5-8 NLT 6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to Himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 8 Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. Galatians 1:6-8 NLT 4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace. Galatians 5:4  NLT 7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? Galatians 5: 7 NLT 4 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me. 5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in Me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! John 15:4-7 NLT 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV	We used to sing it often, in the church to which we went. But no one ever told us just what “abiding” meant. “Abiding in the Vine”; these were the words we used to sing. Reflecting back upon them now, they didn’t mean a thing. They brought a “gooey” feeling as we sang in one accord. Enthusiastic praises to our Everlasting Lord. Webster’s Dictionary says it is a transitive verb. Assuming that you understand such highfaluting blurb! It talks about the syntax and means that we must wait. But if SARS puts a tax on sin, we’d all be in a state. Another definition means, to bear things patiently. Not a favourite pastime I can state assuredly. Another way to put it is, “endure and never yield”. A sort of fun expression on the rugby playing field. I hope you understand it. It’s clear as mud to me. And really doesn’t help me with my daily poetry. So much for dictionaries. That didn’t help a bit. I think the Lord meant, “be prepared” and “never ever quit!” He’s told us He is coming back, but none of us know when! What will we be doing and what will happen then? Will we be ashamed of all the things which we have done? Will we wish we didn’t have to meet with God’s own Son? Not if we use wisdom. He’ll generously give, All the wisdom needed for each of us to live. But a bigger danger, is we may fall away, Following a “gospel” which is not the truth today! There are many teachers who pervert the Word of God. None of them will pass beneath the Master’s measuring rod. Just like the Galatians they’ve fallen from God’s grace! I for one don’t envy all the problems they will face. Sadly, they had started to “run the race” so well. Why they were deflected? I’m sorry, I can’t tell. There is a solution. Abiding in the vine. Tapping into Jesus will keep us doing fine. Never ever leave Him; without Him we are lost. Furthermore, to leave Him, is much too great a cost. Think about His promise. If we will but remain, Abiding in the Master; then when He comes again, We will be rewarded. But more importantly, We will be with Jesus throughout eternity. God has many promises. In Christ they are AMEN! It’s only just a question of when He comes back again! Jim Strickland   Written 31st May 2012