THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ACTION

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 17 July 2012

Hi all,

This morning I’ve tried a slightly different style. There are nine Scriptures with 2 “truncated limericks” per Scripture. It was worth a try, but presents difficulties with available space for a one page meditation. The net result is small printing which may be difficult to read. The fact that most of the Scriptures touched on the Holy Spirit was very helpful for me. I hope and pray that the Lord will touch you through this meditartion.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 17 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	THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ACTION
Talking about Father Christmas among Christians is a bit like discussing the merits of eating pork in a synagogue! Unless you are careful, you will get shot down in flames. Some Christians are highly offended because “we are teaching our children to believe a deliberate lie”. I’ve heard it said many times and must confess that there are many facts to support this. Unless of course you have a wild imagination. Then, perhaps like me you can suggest in some ways, Father Christmas is a bit like Jesus Christ. Jesus doesn’t have reindeer and a sleigh. But if you look at Ezekiel Chapter 1, you will find that the Lord is transported in something almost indescribable. I think the average child could “cut his teeth” on reindeer and a sleigh, then move on to Ezekiel’s vision. The other thing about Christmas is that Father Christmas brings presents for little boys and girls. He always asks them if they have been good. I completely bomb out there! According to Jesus, no one is good except God. Now I can’t speak for you, but I’m definitely not God. So I can’t say that I’m good. However, if you are a good person, please send me your contact details. I’ve never been in the presence of so exalted a person and I’d like to come and get your blessing! I struggle a bit with Father Christmas coming down the chimney. In my case there isn’t a chimney. But I’m not sure the thought of God dying for me crucified on a wooden cross, is any easier to believe. Perhaps the greatest similarity is the gifts Father Christmas brings. They are entirely unmerited. Of course in this world, they come from the father and mother. For me, the greatest gift I ever received was completely unmerited. Not only did I not deserve the gift of eternal life with Him, it’s the very opposite of what I should have been given. A sentence to Hell for a million eternities would be more appropriate. This means that I don’t have to apologise to you for perpetuating the Father Christmas myth. It also means you don’t have to apologise to me for hating the idea and calling me a heretic. So what do we do with Pentecostalism in the 21st century? If my experience is anything to go by, a number of you would like to burn us at the stake, the way they dealt with heretics in fairly recent times. Sadly, that option is no longer available; which means that we are sort of stuck with each other. But that doesn’t solve the differences between Pentecostals and non-Pentecostals. (Looks like I’ve invented a new word!) The facts are, whether we like or approve of each other or not, we are brothers and sisters in the family of God. To quote Paul in his letter to the Romans: 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 TNIV So we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We can’t help it. We were all born into His kingdom this way. Now if you want to call me the black sheep in the family, that’s fine. (no racism please) You can be the white sheep. But we are all sheep adopted into His Family by the same Holy Spirit. So why don’t we all make an effort to love each other? Why don’t we all invite the Spirit of God to help us reconcile our differences and promote our Saviour? Jim & Phyllida Strickland – written 17th July 2012			13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV	We always should bring our thanksgiving, to God for each one of you. You haven’t been cursed. And you are the first! Who did what He told you to do.		You’re sanctified by His Spirit, because you of the truth you believed. The first fruit of those, Whom the Lord God has chose, And Jesus as Lord has received
			16 Wake up, North Wind, get moving, South Wind! Breathe on my garden, fill the air with spice fragrance. Oh, let my lover enter his garden! Yes, let him eat the fine, ripe fruits. Song of Solomon 4:16 MSG	From North and from South blow the breezes, to breathe on my garden so fair. The air smells so nice, With the fragrance of spice, And with fruit that’s deliciously rare.		If only my lover would enter. Come sample the fruit which is here. He’d stay here all day. And would not go away. And would be forever so near!
			11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 2 Corinthians 7:11 NLT	See what your sorrow’s producing; a touch from the Lord we can see. You’re filled with such zeal. Your alarm is so real. The way that we hoped it would be!		You wanted to punish wrongdoers, for that which you knew they had done. The concern and the care, You displayed everywhere! Repentance has surely begun!
			9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:9-10 NLT	When you look deep down inside you, what is it that you can see? If darkness reigns - Your Christian gains Are squandered for eternity!		But if you see deep within you, that which is right and is true. You’ll see His light. - Burning so bright. Taking such good care of you!
			16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn't looking for Him & doesn't recognize Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you now & later will be in you. John 14:16-17 NLT	I’m going to ask the Father, to send the Divine Advocate. Do not be surprised, That you’ll recognise, Him, when He descends upon you!		He is the Lord’s Holy Spirit, whom you haven’t gotten before. But He will be, In each one of Thee. And power will be lacking no more!
			5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 TNIV	How do you know that God loves you? His Spirit has filled all your hearts. With strength and with power, To fill every hour, Set free from the enemy’s darts.		No longer will you shake and tremble and walk around cringing in fear. No! You’ll win the day, The Spiritual way. No matter who tries to come near!
			22 But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind & good. It is being faithful Galatians 5:22 NIrV	The character that you are needing, to stand against every foe. He’s sure to provide, From deep down inside. And His fruit will abundantly show.		It isn’t something accidental. By God it has all been inspired. Love, joy and peace, No more will they cease. Far more than you could have desired!
			2 They have suffered a great deal. But their joy was more than full. Even though they were very poor, they gave very freely. 2 Corinthians 8:2 NIrV	They didn’t have oodles of money. We’d say they were terribly poor. But they were so brave. They liberally gave, And wanted to give so much more!		Their giving exceeded the limits; of what we’d consider was wise. They gave with a glee, Quite hilariously. God’s love shining bright in their eyes!
			11 All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when. 1 Corinthians 12:11 MSG	They only have one thing in common, the gifts which The Spirit bestows. Form God they all came. In Jesus’ Name. His love and His care overflows!		He gives people just what is needed, in each individual case. It wasn’t in haste. And none went to waste; Regardless the time and the place!
				Jim Strickland – written 17th July 2012

PRAYER AND VIGILANCE

Time with Jesus - Monday, 16 July 2012

Hi all,

By way of a change, a couple of “Jimmets” today. They are written on prayer, vigilance, supplication and the Bible. The Jimmets focus on Phil 4:6-7 and Neh. 4:9. I particularly enjoyed writing the introduction.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 16 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	PRAYER AND VIGILANCE
When all else fails, read the instructions. These words were drummed into me when I was an apprentice in England in the 1960’s. It was excellent advice. The trouble is I seldom learned the lesson in advance. Like most of us I tried to “tinker” with things before I read the manual. You know what I mean. “No dumb book will stop me getting this thing working”. After many disasters, you’d think I’d learn. But I didn’t. It could have been very expensive. Fortunately, for me, the biggest loss was loss of face. Some years later, I came across a young man who loved tinkering with radios and a variety of electronic “knick-knacks”.  You’d think he would learn a lesson. In this case, just the opposite was true. He’d take something to pieces. Then he’d put just about everything back leaving several bits and pieces still on the table next to the thing. Curiously, you’d think the thing wouldn’t work. Much to my chagrin, it seemed to work better than it had before. Here was a young man who seemed to have no need for manuals. However, I am reliably informed that when his son was born, he looked all over to find the working instructions! I can’t really blame him. Most new parents, new fathers in particular, seem to be completely void of any real knowledge about babies. Thank God for mothers! Talking about working instructions, we Christians have a book which tells us all we need to and do while living on this earth. It’s called the Bible. Each and every year, the sales of copies of the Bible are greater by far than the sale of any other book published. In view of this, you would think Christians would be experts in the art of living a Biblical lifestyle. Sadly, although the Bible is purchased in great numbers, people seldom read it. We have been taught that the word “Bible” comes from the Greek word “Biblos”. I used to think that too. Then I found that actually the word is an acrostic. Using each letter of the word Bible, it means; Basic; Instructions; Before; Leaving; Earth. Presumably that’s why people don’t read it. Books of basic instructions are ignored in favour of self-experimentation; “suck it and see” “let me have a go” and “Who needs instructions anyway; This is what my granny did!” I thought the same way myself. I tinkered around with life and tried to take things to pieces. Then, when finished, like my young friend, I found there were bits left over. I’d like to say that life worked better without them. It didn’t. It was a disaster and I did a spot of reaping what I’d sown. Now, I find it far better to check things out in my Bible. After that, vigilance and prayer combine nicely. I highly recommend it to you. Bible; Vigilance and Prayer; a recipe for guaranteed success Jim & Phyllida Strickland			9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. Nehemiah 4:9 ESV 41 Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." Matthew 26:41 MSG 2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT 7 Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you. 8 Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour. 9 Be firm in the faith and resist him, knowing that other believers throughout the world are going through the same kind of suffering. 1 Peter 5:7-9 GW 46 "Why are you so polite with me, always saying 'Yes, sir,' and 'That's right, sir,' but never doing a thing I tell you? Luke 6:46 MSG 22 Don't just listen to the word. You fool yourselves if you do that. You must do what it says. James 1:22 NIrV 15 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the people to get moving! Exodus 14:15 NLT 6 Don't worry about anything. Instead, tell God about everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to him. 7 Then God's peace will watch over your hearts and your minds because you belong to Christ Jesus. God's peace can never be completely understood. Philippians 4:6-7 NIrV	Prayer and Vigilance – Neh. 4:9   We thought the enemy was all around,   And didn’t really know what we should do.   Then upon reflection we all found,   If we prayed and trusted, Lord, in You, It would be the way to keep ahead!   Prayer and vigilance to spot our foes.   For we knew for sure that You had said, “Keep on praying and stay on your toes. If you do, you’ll keep the foe at bay,   Nothing that the enemy may try, Can come and defeat you any day;   Neither will they know the reason why! It will be your secret of success.   Prayer and vigilance and nothing less!” -oOo-  Jim Strickland Written 16 July 2012 Be careful for nothing – Phil 4:6-7 Christians need never, ever fear That the enemy will win the day.   Not if you will let the Saviour near,   And you do the things that He will say. Prayer and supplication will succeed,   If it issues from a thankful heart.   Ask the Lord to give you what you need.   Surely that’s the proper place to start! Make all your requests to the Most High.   Come to Him in true humility.   Lift your hands to Him and to Him cry, “You alone are my necessity!”   Then His peace will fill your heart and mind,   In a way that mortal man can’t find. -oOo- Jim Strickland Written 16 July 2012

A CONVERSATION WITH THE LORD

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 15 July 2012

Hi all,

Today’s Scriptures are mainly about hearing the voice of God. Our meditation looks at this and an example is included in the “poetry” section. It was written in 1986, so is not exactly “hot off the press”. But it does show what I mean by hearing His voice.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 15 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	A CONVERSATION WITH THE LORD
“Did you hear what I said?” I suppose most of us have heard this from our parents at one time or another. “Don’t you understand English?” was another comment, particularly from my father. “Do you think I’m talking to myself?” Strangely enough, this is what my Mother said to me on many occasions. Talking about this with friends, I quickly learned that this was normal behaviour by parents to their children. Furthermore, I used the same expressions with my own children as they were growing up. As a grandfather it is not surprising to hear my children using the same words or their modern equivalent to their children. On reflection it seems we all have a tendency to be selective listeners. As children, when things are to our advantage we listen and react immediately. If Mom or Dad said something like, “anyone for ‘seconds’”, it was understood immediately. There was no problem with statements like, “Its pocket money time” or, “Who wants to go to the bioscope tonight”? Then there was no problem with my understanding. To be honest I suspect that if my parents had said the same words in Mandarin, Inuit or Hindi, they would have been instantly understood.. But if the words, “It’s your turn to wash the supper dishes tonight” were spoken, my hearing problem was as acute as it was instantaneous. Children have an almost supernatural ability to understand what is being said. But, only “favourably inclined” words are registered. It seems that God has much the same problem with His children. We seem to have this extraordinary ability to receive blessings gracefully and instantaneously. But when it comes to a rebuke for something we have done wrong, we immediately blame the devil. Some years ago there was a comedian who said, “the devil made me do it” every time he did something questionable! Shortly after committing my life to Jesus Christ, my selective hearing of His voice began to manifest in ways not thought possible earlier. I learned early on in my Christian walk that prayer was meant to be a dialog with God and not my monolog to the Almighty and He probably didn’t listen anyway. This view was exacerbated by the fact that I didn’t really expect Him to answer me. It was a number of years before it dawned on me that If I asked the Lord a question, He would answer me. Incidentally, there is a huge difference between questioning God and asking God questions. To question God implies that you are challenging Him. We stumble into this very often. We say something like, “Why are there so many sick people in hospital? If I was God, I would walk into the hospitals and heal everybody.” The implication is that you can do a better job running the universe than He does. Never do that. It’s challenging God and could lead you into a lot of trouble. But you can and may ask Him questions and it’s likely that He will answer. Today’s poem was written in that style in 1986. There is one difference here. Not only have I recorded my prayer to Him, I’ve written down what I believe His answer was. Was I on the right track? Well, my questions didn’t challenge God. They were merely statements of how I was and what was bothering me. The “answer” is what I believed God was saying to me at that time. I have found this method very fruitful. Have a look at the poem and see what you think. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			3 Job said, 'The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.' Job 34:3 NLT 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit. Put the spirits to the test to see if they belong to God. Many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 NIrV 24 Don't be nit-pickers; use your head--and heart!--to discern what is right, to test what is authentically right. John 7:24 MSG 15 You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true. 1 Corinthians 10:15 NLT 16 Let Christ's word live in you like a rich treasure. Teach and correct each other wisely. Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing with thanks in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NIrV 29 Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 2:29 GW 15 Spiritual people evaluate everything but are subject to no one's evaluation. 1 Corinthians 2:15 GW 24 "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you--and even more. Mark 4:24 TNIV 2 "I see what you've done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can't stomach evil; that you weed out apostolic pretenders. Revelation 2:2 MSG 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 NIV 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." John 10:3-5 TNIV	My Prayer:- Father God, please listen as I come to You and pray. Lord, I long to really mean each syllable I say. Grant me understanding, to follow after You, And always be obedient, Your sovereign will to do. Father it's appalling ........ my insincerity: In truth, I long to do the things which You require of me, But laziness and slackness and other forms of ease, Seem to overwhelm me and keep me from my knees. Father, I implore You. Hear my contrite prayer. Please Lord, come and guide me. Direct me anywhere, That You, Lord, in Your wisdom, desire me to go. But Lord, my supplication, is more of You to know. Jesus, be my Master. I long to crown You King; To worship and adore You and all my praises bring. I long to serve and bless You with all my earthly frame; To bow down low before You and magnify Your name. Jesus, You are precious; more valuable than gold; More beautiful than diamonds; Your worth cannot be told. For, if the entire universe were placed upon a scale, The value of what You are worth would make it all look pale. The Lord's reply:- "My son, don't be ambitious and chase after those things, That, only by My Spirit, a real achievement brings. No! Just relax and concentrate on doing what I say; Settle down to listening and wanting to obey. My child, please always realise that those things which I plan, Can only be accomplished by a simple, honest man. So, if it's complicated and bound up very tight, It's probable I haven’t been your partner in the fight! Often I would intervene and tell My people, 'Pause'. Don't gallop into battle, unless it's for My cause; Don't be so determined, that what you think is true; That everything that I have said, does not apply to you! It's only the dogmatic that can never ever change; Who stand like a fanatic and other men estrange, From wanting to be truthful and following My way, Living out a Christian life on each and every day. So exercise intelligence in all the things you do; By using as your standard, The Word I've given You. It's very, very simple no adult nor a child, Ever need to 'miss it' and by Satan, be beguiled. So, never act in ignorance and never act in haste, Or all the consequences by you must then be faced. Concentrate on listening and with My Spirit, flow, And you will never 'miss' My way, no matter where You go." Jim Strickland Written - 1986