TO LIVE WITH YOU FOREVER

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 11 July 2012

Hi all,
Ambition is a terrible thing in Christianity. It may drive men to build a church business which they call their ministry. To lay aside everything, like Jesus did, is not an option they consider. Jesus’ lifestyle produces martyrs rather than mansions and money. This is today’s meditation.
Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 11 July 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	TO LIVE WITH YOU FOREVER
It’s called ambition; that which we plan on doing, or become. Most young boys go through a phase of wanting to be a fire engine driver. In the 1950’s it was to be an engine-driver or a cowboy. It was strongly influenced by such names as Gene Autry, Roy Rodgers and the Lone Ranger. From the Saturday morning bioscope it was “Hi-ho Silver” and “Let’s go Tonto”! In those days we could also have our fill of John Wayne, Tarzan and Superman. We would swap comics and sing songs. “Hooray for it’s Saturday morning ….”. Remember them? The little girls preferred dolls and their main ambition was to be a nurse. Some wanted to be a Mommy, but neither the boys nor the girls had any idea what was involved. Perhaps the closest we ever came to, was playing doctors. This seemed to bother our parents more than it bothered us! Ah, the innocence of youth! It must have been 1950. I was playing with a young girl in the hotel called Joan. We were both about 8 years old and decided to play “barbers”. Joan had beautiful long hair. After she had cut mine, it was my turn to cut hers. I’m told that she looked as though she’d been scalped! Mom and Dad were furious. I didn’t really understand why. Joan’s mother laughed and told her she would have to let it grow again. Going on from Primary School to High School, I must confess that very few of my school friends had any idea about what they would like to be. It didn’t seem important at the time. I had no idea either. I was very “drawn” to the church. But I thought you had to be “called” to become a minister. Since I had no idea what that meant, it became one of those things I didn’t do! I suppose I could have discussed it with someone. But I never did! It’s just as well! Since those dim and distant days, many things have happened to all of us. Most of us “stumbled” into our careers. I qualified as an engineer. But engineering was not my line. 32 years later I picked up the call I’d missed all those years previously. One thing I found was that the ministry is filled with two types of men. The one type is serving the Lord for what they can get out of it. They have one ambition; to build a bigger and better ministry. They get away with it because they are competing with others who are doing the same. I’d love to meet are men and women who are willing to put themselves aside and serve Him for His glory. They are a very rare breed. They put others ahead of themselves and step aside for them. They have one purpose. To help others to become better than themselves. An attitude that says, “if you want it, you can have it. I’ll help you get there by getting out of your way”. They’ve only one interest and ambition. To lay down their lives for Jesus and others. Which type are you? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			9 He gives those who are thirsty all of the water they want. He gives those who are hungry all of the good food they can eat. Psalms 107:9 NIrV 2 Like babies that were just born, you should long for the pure milk of God's word. It will help you grow up as believers. 3 You can do it now that you have tasted how good the Lord is. 1 Peter 2:2-3 NIrV A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah. 1 O God, You are my God; I earnestly search for You. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen You in Your sanctuary and gazed upon Your power and glory. Psalms 63:1-2 NLT 2 I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O LORD of Heaven's Armies, my King and my God! Psalms 84:2-3 NLT 23 I find it hard to choose between the two. I would like to leave this life and be with Christ. That's by far the better choice. 24 But for your sake it's better that I remain in this life. Philippians 1:23-24 GW 15 And me? I plan on looking you full in the face. When I get up, I'll see your full stature and live heaven on earth. A David song, which he sang to God after being saved from all his enemies and from Saul. Psalms 17:15 MSG 16 Never again will they be hungry. Never again will they be thirsty. The sun will not beat down on them. The heat of the desert will not harm them. 17 The Lamb, who is at the centre of the area around the throne, will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:16-17 NIrV 8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. Psalms 36:8 ESV 14 I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 31:14 TNIV	He gives those who are thirsty, all the drink they need. And those who have gone hungry; they are the one’s He’ll feed. Like a new born baby, it’s milk which they require. And this is what I’ll give. Whenever they desire. It only takes a little sip. A thimble full will do. To grow as new believers the way I want them to. Every time they taste of Me, they’ll find that I am good. And grow to become strong in Me, the way they always should. O Lord, I’m looking for You. My mouth is parched and dry. My body has been searching and so to You I cry, “Lead me to the water in this dry and thirsty land. I am longing for you, in ways You understand. I’ve seen you in the Temple and gazed upon your power. I’ve beheld your glory each moment, every hour. I long to come before You. O Lord, please let me in. I cannot live without You. O Father, let me win, Admittance to your courtyards for my body and my soul. Only You are able, to make my spirit whole. Let me find a resting place. A place where I may hide. From everything around me that tempts me from Your side. My God I long to be with You. I’d love to pass away! It’s better to be with You than living here today. But as I contemplate this, Lord from Your point of view, It’s better that I stay here, so that’s what I will do. So Master, in the meantime, until You call me home, I’ll continue doing the things which You have shown. I must help Your people; for they are mine as well. If only one goes missing, What story can I tell? But even so, like David, I long to see Your face. This life on earth is tedious and only by Your grace, Can I continue working in this world of sin and pain. To die and come to be with You, for me would be great gain! To nevermore be hungry; to never suffer thirst! Just thinking of it Master; my heart just wants to burst; To feast on Your abundance from Your rivers of delight! To walk with you in “Son-shine” where it is never night. This is my one ambition; my very highest goal. To live with You forever; the Saviour of my soul. Jim Strickland Written 11th July 2012

DO MORE THAN IS EXPECTED

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Hi all,

In today’s meditation we look at percentages. Of course there’s nothing wrong with attaining 100% in the examination of life? What we are required to do is the very best we can and go even further than that. The question is, do we try? Are we as committed to Jesus Christ as He is committed to us!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 10 July 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	DO MORE THAN IS EXPECTED
In the newspaper this past weekend there was a complaint by a student concerning her exam results. She ended up with 99.95% and was complaining that she should have received 100% Personally; I admire her for her very high achievement. 99.95% is a fabulous result for an examination. During my days at school, 40% was the pass mark. We all tried to do better and usually we were successful. Did you enjoy writing examinations? Most of the time I enjoyed. I suppose it was a matter of the effort you had put in. I have heard it said that if 40% is the pass mark and you get 41% it represents 1% wasted effort. A similar question goes like this. Two medical students write their final exams. A pass mark of 50% is required. One of the students get 90% and the other 51% What do you call them? The answer is you call both of them Doctor. The next question is which Doctor would you prefer to consult? How does this affect us in our Christian Faith? First of all we need to realise that there is no such thing as a part time Christian. It’s not possible to be 50% Christian and 50% pagan. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is recorded as having said: 24 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24 NLT It is just as true today as it was ±2000 years ago! In spite of this many Christians think they can. On Wednesday evenings and all day Sunday, they are Christian. For the rest of the week they are anything but Christian! This doesn’t work. King Solomon, the man who (supposedly) wrote Ecclesiastes, was in something of a bad humour when he wrote: 10 Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. Ecclesiastes 9:10 NLT Another way to put it is to say, “This isn’t a dress rehearsal. You only get one shot at life!” We need to be radical Christians. Anything less than 100% is only serving God part time. The young woman’s 99.95% does not qualify her as being a Christian. Yes, there are problems and difficult circumstances. How would you feel if Jesus said to you He will only be with you 99.95% of the time? You would ask Him, “Lord, please tell me when You are not around. That’s when Satan’s attack will be the greatest.” On top of this, it’s time to realise that every moment in life is your time for being a witness for Christ! I’m not talking about speaking but about life itself. In this 21st century, what you are speaks much louder than what you say. So do more than your best for Jesus. How can we do better than 100%? Jesus will show you. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			26 O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways. Proverbs 23:26 NLT 29 If only they would fear me and obey all my commandments as long as they live! Then things would go well for them and their children forever. Deuteronomy 5:29 GW 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Acts 8:21 ESV 7 Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self, ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. 8 And God isn't pleased at being ignored. Romans 8:7-8 MSG 5 They did more than we expected. First they gave themselves to the Lord. Then they gave themselves to us in keeping with what God wanted. 2 Corinthians 8:5 NIrV 21 Hezekiah incorporated Moses' Teachings and commands into worship and dedicated his life to serving God. Whatever he did for the worship in God's temple, he did wholeheartedly, and he succeeded. 2 Chronicles 31:21 GW 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 TNIV 23 Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23 NIrV 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Ephesians 6:6-7 NLT 32 I am quick to follow your commands, because you have set my heart free. Psalms 119:32 NIrV	What is it that excites you? Is it the good or bad? The way you take a look at things, will make you sad or glad? But what will give you confidence, is following My way. Know that it will thrill you for your remaining days. But many do not fear Me. My Word, they won’t obey. If only they would do it; things wouldn’t go astray. If they would live forever, with all the family, They have to change direction and follow after Me. But at this very moment, things are not going right. Because your heart’s not with me, you’re sure to lose the fight. Your attitude before Me has got to be correct. If not, you’ll have a setback you never would expect. Stop looking at the hindrance; stop focussing on you! The situation will not change, if you don’t change your view. For those who fix their focus, on anyone but God, Will find that it’s a rocky road on which their feet have trod. The Lord will not approve of it, if He has been ignored, And you will reap the judgement of his terrible swift sword. My friend, don’t treat this lightly. He knows what’s going on. A Holy God will not approve of anything that’s wrong! It always leads to judgement and you are sure to lose. Now’s the time for taking sides. Which is it you will choose? Do more than is expected. You were not made a wimp. And you are not expected to be a spineless shrimp. So give yourself completely, to Him Who reigns on high. You will either follow Him, or you will surely die. Be like Hezekiah; incorporate God’s law, In every little move you make. Don’t think you can explore, The outer limits of His grace; for if you would succeed, The time has come to follow Him in word and truth and deed. Whatever else you choose to do, I bid you guard your heart. That’s where everything we do gets its initial start. Work with everything you have. Put all your energy, In doing what the Lord requires and not half-heartedly. Jesus is your Master; so be His willing slave. Whatever He requires of you is how you must behave. Do it with a willing heart, a servant of the King. Surely He will free you from all this world might bring. Jim Strickland – Written 10th July 2012

NO SECRETS

Time with Jesus - Monday, 09 July 2012

Hi all,
Jesus’ clear instruction to us was not to hide our light under a bushel. Another way to put it is to say, don’t have any secrets you cannot or will not disclose. Bring out your past into the light. If you do, that secret will be “shouted from the roof tops” for the entire world to hear and know about. Be open and honest and there will be nothing to fear. This is examined in more detail in today’s meditation.
Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday 9th July 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	NO SECRETS
There is a tale that goes back to the late 19th or early 20th century. It is about two British Parliamentarians .They decided to play a trick on 6 other members of parliament chosen at random. They wanted to observe their reactions. So they sent identical letters to the 6 MP’s. The letters read, “Flee – all is discovered”. The story is all six of them left England as quickly as possible. Is it a true story? I don’t really know. What I can say is that I’m not surprised! Most of us have “skeletons in our closets”. When I was growing up I quickly learned not to speak about one of my aunts. If I did, the subject was changed immediately. Exactly what had happened was not revealed for several years. She had done the unthinkable. In those days it was a lot more unthinkable than it is today. She fell pregnant before she was married. So she was sent to a private nursing home in a distant town. Then, after the baby was born, the child was adopted by person or person’s unknown. The child was never referred to again by anyone in the family. Everything was quietly swept under the carpet. But for many years thereafter, she was thought of as the black sheep of the family. In point of fact she was a delightful person. Except for sadness in her approach to, that was hard to understand. Not unless you knew the circumstances. I guess all of us have something in our history that is “unmentionable”. Mine was being caught cheating in my matric examination. The result was my being whisked out of the country to serve an apprenticeship as a fitter in the same company that employed my father. It was a devastating experience. In the end, it brought to me the reality to Paul’s letter to the Romans: 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT28 Perhaps the most important lesson I learned, was that it’s better to own up and admit something, than to try and hide behind a pack of lies. Liar’s need to have good memories. Telling the simple truth may bring embarrassment. But in the long run it is the only solution. This is vital if you are going to launch out as a minister for the Lord. Secrecy can be fatal in the ministry. Jesus warned us about this: 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Mark 4:22 NLT Without going back into the details of the Bill Clinton “affair”, it is fairly clear that if he had spoken up and admitted what he had done, history would be much “kinder to him”. Then it could not be said that he’s a philanderer and a liar! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			13 Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 1 Corinthians 3:13 ESV 5 Therefore, don't judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will also bring to light what is hidden in the dark and reveal people's motives. Then each person will receive praise from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5 GW 10 Now then, who are you to judge your brother or sister? Why do you look down on them? We will all stand in God's courtroom to be judged. 11 It is written, "'You can be sure that I live,' says the Lord. “And you can be just as sure that every knee will bow down in front of me. Every tongue will tell the truth to God.'" (Isaiah 45:23) 12 So we will all have to explain to God the things we have done. 13 Let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put anything in your brother's way that would make him trip and fall. Romans 14:10-13 NIrV 16 And this is the message I proclaim--that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone's secret life. Romans 2:16 NLT 22 In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, He has given the Son absolute authority to judge, John 5:22 NLT 27 And He has given Him authority to judge everyone because He is the Son of Man. John 5:27 NLT 18 You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents' sins into the laps of their children after them. Great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD Almighty, 19 great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all; you reward everyone according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve. Jeremiah 32:18-19 TNIV	Do you have a secret you think nobody knows? Do you think it’s something you never will disclose? Have you done your very best to hide it far away? Perhaps you’ll be ashamed of it until your dying day? Was it done in secret where nobody can see? Have you done it often? Perhaps repeatedly? If the secret came out now, how is it you’d react? You know your character would be horribly attacked. You’d suffer great embarrassment and massive loss of face; And in the daily papers, experience disgrace? If this is a description of what it is you’ve done, Perhaps I just might help you to put it right old son. Think of our Lord Jesus and all that He went through. Nothing quite as serious will happen unto you. Handled like a charlatan and beaten with the lash, Accused of speaking blasphemy; they said that He was trash! Stripped till He was naked nailed upon a “tree”. Exposed to all creation; He died for you and me. Went through that embarrassment and suffered all that pain. So that evil people might all be born again. If He could go through this, for folk like me and you, Surely you can emulate the things which you must do. They won’t execute you; perhaps you’ll pay a fine? But you’ll have the approval of Jesus Christ Divine. Nothing more can happen. Perhaps you’ll go to jail? And you’ll be in the bosom of the God Who cannot fail. But if you confess it and say, “It was a sin”! “Master, come and help me this victory to win”. You will know His presence and He will set you free. Even in a prison, the Lord will be with thee. So stand up to the problem and face it like a man. Jesus Christ can do it. He always makes a plan. The worst thing you could ever do is turn and walk away. He desires to set you free upon this very day. He has the authority from God to be your judge. Don’t reject His offer and say you will not budge. Don’t think it is a secret. He’ll spread it far and wide! Those are the alternatives. What is it you decide? Jim Strickland – Written 9th July 2012