PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 07 June 2012

Hi all,

“Everything is wrong with a man without Jesus.” These words of A W Tozer are still fresh in my mind. I think he summed up the situation very well. Today we look at the transformation Jesus Christ makes possible. It’s because Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 07 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	PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR
Fear is a terrible thing. Primarily it’s an emotion. But it occurs to me, that it’s much more than that. Oddly enough, it has qualities we need in order to live a proper balanced life. For instance, we know that if we touch the hot plate on the stove, we are liable to get burned. Such fears are or become instinctive. When we look over the edge of a precipice, we tend to recoil from it. If we see a child running across the motorway, we become fearful for the child’s safety. Our eyes are protected from dust or similar objects. We blink as a form of protection. Such fears are good and normal; instinctive in some instances. There is another fear which is utterly debilitating. Shell shock is an example of what happens to soldiers who are constantly under attack. Men and women under such conditions sometimes go into a “trance” of some sort. Some have “gone mad”. Some have turned and run away and accused of being cowards. Parents “fear” for what might happen to their children. If the child is a few moments late home, they are frantic with worry for the safety of the child. Cell phones have helped alleviate this but not completely. In South Africa, most of us are concerned with the possibility of rape and HIV Fear is not the opposite of faith. But the fact remains that they are closely related. I remember Lester Sumrall saying, “Faith is knowing God”. He used a valuable illustration. A little girl was standing on a stage. Her father came close to the stage and shouted, “come on darling, jump!” The little girl turned round, saw her daddy. She ran to the edge and threw herself into her father’s arms. Obviously she had faith in her father’s ability to catch her. A few minutes later the little girl was back on the stage. Lester held out his arms and shouted, “come on darling, jump!” She turned round, saw Lester. She shook her head. “Why not?” Lester tried to reason. “I’m just as able to catch her as her father.” Then he realised the problem. She didn’t know him! Put simply, if you know God you will trust Him. If you know Him, you have confidence in Him. If faith is confidence in God, there is a sense in which fear is confidence in Satan. John, in his first epistle wrote: 18 There is no fear in love. Instead, perfect love drives fear away. Fear has to do with being punished. The one who fears does not have perfect love. 1 John 4:18 NIrV Today’s meditation is an imaginary story about a fearful man trying to escape from God. He knows very well that he cannot do it. But, just like you and me, he tries anyway. Then, Jesus arrives on the scene. It could be the story of just about any of us. It’s not exactly my testimony. It easily could be. The man goes from incredulity to trust as Jesus ministers to him. In a way it is a journey from fear to faith. Faith in Jesus is the key. I can confirm from personal experience. At times, I’ve been terrified. Then Jesus has arrived on the scene. The outcome is transformation! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			18 Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. Psalms 25:18 NLT 18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18 ESV 2 Some people brought him a paralyzed man on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, "Cheer up, friend! Your sins are forgiven." Matthew 9:2 GW 25 "But I, yes I, am the one who takes care of your sins--that's what I do. I don't keep a list of your sins. Isaiah 43:25 MSG 6 I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." Then he spoke to the man who could not walk. "Get up," he said. "Take your mat and go home." Matthew 9:6 NIrV 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7 ESV 5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Titus 3:5-6 NLT 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14 ESV 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases. Psalms 103:2-3 ESV	He huddled in a corner. His mind was filled with fear. His every thought and action was, “Somehow I must keep clear. I mustn’t let Him near me. He’ll crush me like a bug; Or treat me like a piece of slime that trails behind a slug. I have to find a hiding place. I’m feeling so exposed. And every time I hear a noise my body’s stopped and froze. I know He is omnipotent; omniscient as well. I can’t remain in hiding. But nobody must tell Him all about my hiding place. I’ve got to get away. Won’t somebody please help me? I dare not even pray! He’ll get to me much quicker if I talk to Him first. And after all that I have done, I’m sure I will be cursed. How can I be forgiven? My sins are crimson red! I haven’t ever served Him and soon I will be dead! I know I used to know him when I was just a child. I tried to give my life to Him. I think He turned and smiled. And then a few weeks later, I turned around and quit. And now to start and serve Him, I don’t think that I fit! He trembled with his sobbing. I’ve seldom seen such pain. The very thought he could be lost was beating in my brain. There’s surely something I can do. Then suddenly a light, Drove away the darkness and Jesus was in sight. The man froze in his terror. He couldn’t speak or budge. I wanted to assure Him Jesus didn’t bear a grudge. No matter what the man had done, the Lord had been there too. There had to be a way to cleanse this frightened “witches brew”. The Lord stood there in silence; an expression so serene, Adorned His very being. He knew where he had been. He reached out very gently and gripped him by the hand. He helped him get back on his feet, to look up and to stand. The calmness of expression and love in Jesus’ eyes, Seemed to settle on the man and ease his wretched sighs. Come now; let us reason. Your sins are crimson red. Its sins like yours that took my life; precisely why I bled. But I am here to tell you, I’ll wash you white as snow. And I will always be with you no matter where you go. “Cheer up, you are forgiven: I want to set you free, To be the sort of man I know that you would like to be. So straighten up my soldier. Your now are white as wool. The life I have in front of you, please know it will be full. Filled with My Holy Spirit with righteousness and joy. The sort which you experienced when you were still a boy. I took that list of wickedness. Upon My cross it’s nailed. I’ve cancelled out the record. I say you haven’t failed. Just know that from this moment you’re pure as driven snow. So go into the future. My love, you’ll always know. Jim Strickland  Written 7th June 2012.

IN SPITE OF TEARS

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 06 June 2012

Hi all,

At the lowest point of WW2, Churchill told his people, “I have nothing to offer you except blood, sweat and tears. Jesus said much the same thing.¹³ "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. ¹⁴ But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13-14 NLT Which road are you on?  Are you sure?

Comments, and previous Devotionals can be found on my Blog – http: //jimnphyllida.blogspot.com

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 06 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	IN SPITE OF TEARS
One of the most successful travel agents of all times was Thomas Cook. In the days before Flight Centre, Cosmos Tours and Trafalgar Tours, one company lent its name to travel to distant places. If you made a circuitous journey to diverse places the expression was that you were on or had been on a “Cook’s Tour”. He was the “father” of all travel agents. What few people know is that he was a committed Christian. He was a member of and promoted the temperance movement. The very first “Cooks Tour” was to take 540 temperance campaigners from Leicester to Loughborough; in England. In one respect, Jesus Christ was a Travel Agent. His plan was for people to go from the “City of Destruction” to the “Celestial City”. John Bunyan described such a journey in his book “Pilgrim’s Progress”, published in the 17th century. Many of the scenarios described in this allegorical book, are scenes and the sayings of Jesus. If you have the patience to put up with the somewhat archaic English, it’s well worth reading. I remember it being read to us at school in 1951. (I was 9) Jesus came to live among us for one particular reason; to reopen the way for man and God to be reconciled. It was necessary for Him to deal with sin. In this sense He came to make it possible for men and women to escape Satan’s prison and journey to be with Him. Many of the things He said dealt with this Journey. Perhaps one of the best known statements made by Jesus to Thomas and quoted in John’s Gospel states: 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 ESV It would be incorrect to describe this as a travelogue! But Jesus was explaining to His disciples where He was going and how His disciples and others could get there! Perhaps the best known “travel directions” are in Matthew’s Gospel. 13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few”. Matthew 7:13-14 ESV This is a warning to all of us. The Christian life is not a “cake walk”. It takes time; the way is difficult; there are no short-cuts. To me, 21st century “cross-less” Christianity does little more than direct men and women onto the wide and easy gate that leads to destruction. My limited 50 year journey toward the “Celestial City” has been through the narrow gate onto the narrow road. Only God knows how I found it. At times the journey has been difficult enough to prompt me to want to quit. That’s when Jesus has put His arms around me and helped me wipe away the tears. There is no other way. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			20 Jesus has opened a new and living way for us to go through the curtain. (The curtain is his own body.) Hebrews 10:20 GW 16 So Cain left the LORD's presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Genesis 4:16 NLT 2 But your sins have separated you from your God. They have caused him to turn his face away from you. So he won't listen to you. Isaiah 59:2 NIrV 14 Try your best to live in peace with everyone. Try to be holy. Without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 NIrV 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 ESV 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 2 Timothy 1:10 ESV 8 By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use. Hebrews 9:8 NLT 14 For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. Ephesians 2:14 NLT 50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and He released His spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. Matthew 27:50-52 NLT 14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:14 NASB 11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever. Psalms 16:11 NLT	Many spend all of their days, looking for the Lord. They spend their every penny and all they can afford, Hunting for the Master where He will never be. I wish I could persuade them to take a tip from me. If they’re looking for him within the land of Nod. They’ll find their quest is useless; it’s not where they’ll find God. Cain had left His presence so he could get away. From being with the Master on each and every day! There is a way to find Him. He’s just beyond the veil. He is the only way to God, all other methods fail. They must make a decision to turn away from sin. Repentance is foundational for them to enter in. Then ask Him, “Where’s the entrance”? It is the narrow way. He’ll point you to the narrow gate. Just turn to Him and pray. The way most people walk on, is easy and it’s wide. Many Christian people have been swept up with the tide. They think that it is easy; That they can surely cope. But they will find salvation was just a distant hope. The troubles Jesus went through; on you they will descend It is an uphill battle; on that you can depend. But Jesus and His Spirit will surely lead and guide. As long as you are teachable and put your will aside. Seek the Tabernacle and all it represents. There is now a difference. The inner veil is rent. Jesus gave us entrance to the Most Holy Place, Where we can meet the Father and Jesus face to face! His body had been broken. The cross had done its worst. Jesus sacrificed His life, so we would not be cursed. And all that still is needed is to let Him take your hand, And lead you on the narrow way into the Promised Land. Do not be discouraged. The way is hard and tough. Just concentrate upon Him; your soul may shout, “Enough!” I really can’t continue. I can’t take any more. And then you get the vision of the one Whom you adore. Suddenly it’s worth it. You’re strengthened for the fight. You won’t care what has happened or how dark is the night. With loving arms around you and eyes filled with your tears. You’ll know that you will serve Him for the balance of your years. Jim Strickland Written 6th June 2012

CREATION

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 05 June 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation looks at the creation. It describes in brief the creation of Adam and goes on to make a couple of imaginative assumptions.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 05 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	CREATION
There is a huge difference between questioning God and asking Him questions. The issue here is challenging His authority. By way of explanation I’ll illustrate from my own experience with my father. In his own special way, my father loved me and in my own special way I loved, respected and held him high regard. I suspect most of us know what I mean because of their relationship with their fathers and sons. Whatever we did as a family, my dad made the final decision. Of course my mom and I had an input into his decision. But when it was taken, there was no further argument considered. If I moaned and groaned, Dad would deal with me appropriately. As I grew older, the more He valued my opinion. But the final decision was his. He would “truck” no challenge to his authority. To question that authority was a “no-no”. On the other hand he loved my asking him questions. He would do his best to explain comprehensively. When I could add anything to the subject, he more than welcomed it. I was not challenging his authority. It was a quiet chat between a father and son. On reflection, these were precious moments that happened all too infrequently. In many ways, our dealings with the Lord are similar. He is omniscient. He takes pleasure in helping us with questions. The best example I can think of was an Afro-American called George Washington Carver. (January 1864 – January 5, 1943) He became a Christian at the age of 10. He prayed and asked the Lord to please help him unlock the secrets of the peanut. Progressively over the years this is exactly what happened. Carver explored peanut and many other related technologies. Carver was not challenging God. He was asking God questions. The result is that God delighted to answer him. Today, the world has more or less adopted Darwin’s theory. What has happened is that the world has rejected creationism. In this they have challenged God. As a result more and more people have turned from the light of God into the darkness of human imagination. Those who choose to continue with this will be allowed to continue doing so. Paul expressed it as follows: 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. Romans 1:22 NLT Read Romans 1:18-2, you will find the process described in detail. Does it matter if unbelievers unite against anything the Lord has said? Paul states in Romans 3:4 “Let God be true and every human being a liar”. So what really happened? Why did God create man? None of us have the complete answer. I certainly don’t pretend to understand the thinking of the Almighty. What I’ve put together is a possible scenario explaining what creation was all about and fitting it into what we know of the creation story. It happens to be my own opinion which has been strongly influenced by the teachings of David Pawson. In particular I am taken with his reason for the entire creation. He states that God so enjoyed fellowship with His Son and the Holy Spirit, He thought He would like a bigger family. In other words, everything He did culminated in the creation of Adam. It has also been suggested that He was looking for a “bride” for His Son. I’ve “cobbled these ideas together” and come up with the scenario described in the poetry section on the right. Am I correct? Perhaps some of it is correct. To what extent, is not important. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			14 For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust. Psalms 103:14 NLT 7 Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person. Genesis 2:7 NLT 14 I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this. 15 My bones were not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, when I was being skilfully woven in an underground workshop. 16 Your eyes saw me when I was only a foetus. Every day of my life was recorded in your book before one of them had taken place. Psalms 139:14-16 GW 10 Don't we all come from one Father? Aren't we all created by the same God? So why can't we get along? Why do we desecrate the covenant of our ancestors that binds us together? Malachi 2:10 MSG 28 "For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17:28 TNIV 13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. Psalms 103:13 ESV 38 Yet He was merciful and forgave their sins and did not destroy them all. Many times He held back His anger and did not unleash His fury! 39 For He remembered that they were merely mortal, gone like a breath of wind that never returns. Psalms 78:38-39 NLT	We’ve no idea how long it’s been since God began creation. The trouble is, it’s subject to our human speculation. Put it to the scientists and they do not agree. If that’s the case, there’s not much point in people asking me. But I am a Creationist. I’ve put my faith in God! And many people think that I am something rather odd. But I will not apologise; my faith in Him is sure. And all the things that He has made continue to endure. But where do people come from? Not from a ball of slime! The Darwinists suggest they do.  But that’s a waste of time. To say that we are here because of purely random chance. Is something like our teaching pigs the skills to ballroom dance. The one way it could happen is intelligent design. Another way of saying it was done by the Divine. He tells us how He did it. By using mud and clay. He squeezed it all together in a rather special way. He moulded it collectively and shaped it like a man. Then breathed the breath of life in it. That’s how it all began. I don’t know how He did it; not scientifically. But that is what He told us and that’s good enough for me. Adam was the reason why creation had begun! Father, Son and Spirit were having so much fun, They thought that They would like to have a bigger family. And all of the creation was so that this thought could be. Then, step by step and year by year, they put it all in place, Until the Lord of heaven looked at Adam in the face. But only just one person, could not possibly suffice. They thought a “bride” for Jesus was surely very nice. And since the Lord is infinite, they needed quite a few. His bride would be a composite of folk like me and you. I do not know how many. The number’s been concealed. But some day in the future, all will be revealed. Then you and I will constitute the bride whom He will wed, Along with the believers who’ve risen from the dead. Jesus will be bridegroom and we will be His bride. And all the gender issues the Lord will put aside. Will the Holy Trinity increase and number four? It’s only supposition. We don’t know any more. Will the bride and bridegroom bring forth a family? I honestly can’t tell you with any certainty. But this one thing is certain. Where Jesus is adored, Nothing is impossible as Jesus Christ’s reward. Jim Strickland  Written 5th June 2012.