PRICELESS LIVING WATER

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 05 September 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is in 5 poems. The first three are different. The final two are in the same style. It’s an attempt to give variety within the poetry section. It seems to have been acceptable.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 05 September 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	PRICELESS LIVING WATER
Dad used to say “A change is as good as a holiday”. So here’s a change for me. Four different writing styles. Hopefully you will find the content helpful and perhaps I can have a holiday? The Jimmet originated from Jeremiah’s comments by the Lord concerning the things His people had done. In Jeremiah 2, The Lord was speaking to the prophet about His people. He was commenting on the fact that His people had abandoned Him and pursued other gods which were not gods at all. They were images the people had dreamed up. It seems that this portion of Scripture came from the period before the Babylonians invaded Judah and Jerusalem and carried off His people to Babylon. Actually, the Babylonians attacked on three separate occasions with ±10 years between each invasion. The first time was in ±606BC. Jeremiah’s ministry began in ±627BC. It follows that these words recorded by Jeremiah must have been in ±620BC. The Jimmet focuses on the words of God through Jeremiah. It is a brief summary of those times and reflects something of God’s attitude to the people’s unfaithfulness in “chasing after” foreign gods and idols. This is followed by an interpolation of Psalm 37 7-9. This, my “standard” poetry style, contrasts with the Jimmet and focuses on the goodness of God. Our total dependence on and need for God includes references to Paul’s words to the Athenians in Acts. 28 For in Him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are His offspring.' Acts 17:28 NLT In this portion of our meditation I’ve tried to show our utter dependence on Him. Jesus’ words to the woman at the well are referred to in the next few lines of verse. The astonishing dialog between Jesus and this woman! In those days, Jews didn’t speak to Samaritans. For a Jewish Rabbi to speak to a Samaritan woman of questionable morals at that time was unthinkable. But this was the Lord Jesus. This dialog in John 4 must have done more to elevate the status of women in those days and subsequently, than we will ever appreciate in the 21st century. Jesus showed the men the way in this regard. In His own unique way Jesus led the way to the liberation of women that few people realise. The final two poems are in a very simple four/four style. The first refers to words written by Isaiah. They are God’s invitation to the thirsty to come and drink from His abundant supply. Notice that no cost would be involved. It sounds like an evangelical 21st century appeal! The final short verse is taken from the end of the book of Revelation. It seems to reflect the words of Isaiah  Jim & Phyllida Strickland			13 "For My people have done two evil things: They have abandoned Me--the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! Jeremiah 2:13 NLT 7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. 9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Psalms 36:7-9 TNIV 13 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame; Isaiah 65:13 ESV 14 But those who drink the water that I will give them will never become thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give them will become in them a spring that gushes up to eternal life." John 4:14 GW 39 (He said this in regard to the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. The Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.) John 7:39 MSG 1 "Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink--even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk--it's all free! Isaiah 55:1 NLT 17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." Let anyone who hears this say, "Come." Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. Revelation 22:17 NLT	My people have just done two evil things. The first is that they have abandoned Me. The only One who living water brings; Dug their cisterns which are water free! Cracked and empty, they’re dry as bones. Not a trace of moisture anywhere! Why is it they leave their God alone, When I Am the only One who cares? Sadly this is how it’s always been, Searching for a god when there is none. Images to look at and be seen. But the fact is, I’m the only One! They prefer the idols of their mind. And reject the One who’s good and kind. How priceless Your unfailing love. O Lord in Thee we hide. In the shadow of Your wings is where we all abide. Feast on the abundance, which only You supply. From delightful rivers, we drink and are not dry. Lord You have provided this. You are the source of light. The fount of living water You give us day and night. Without You there is nothing. Not one of us could be. You are our existence. We live and move in Thee. You feed us when we’re hungry. Warm us when we’re cold. Give us all we’ll ever need. Our silver and our gold, Is what You provided back when You shaped the land. So that we could find it as from Your mighty hand. Water from a reservoir a man must drink to live;           In order that his thirst, he can contain; Whoso drinks the water that I, alone, can give,           He will never ever thirst again! That which I provide is like a flowing, bubbling spring,           Gushing up and flowing from inside. Streams of Living Water will flow from deep within,           And everlasting life will thus          abide!" It won’t cost you anything.                       Not the water which I bring.                    Wine and Milk I give for free,                   If you’ll come and follow Me!                    The Spirit and the Bride say come. To your thirst, do not succumb. Anyone who’s parched and dry. Anyone who’s parched and dry.
				Jim Strickland – Written 5th September 2012

THE LORD’S DISCIPLINE

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 04 September 2012

Hi all,

The Lord’s discipline is today’s topic for meditation. We all know that a father disciplines his children and that discipline is essential for life in this world. It comes in various ways. The rod is one method but is usually a “last resort”. Christians love to talk about the blessings spelled out in Deut. 28. & Lev. 26. The curses are seldom even read! They should be. Yes we are under grace. But God will discipline us. Personally, I’m glad. It shows He loves us.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 04 September 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 LORD’S DISCIPLINE
A couple of weeks ago I heard a rather funny story by a certain lady. She was dealing with her son. When asked about his will power, she said she wasn’t worried about his “will” power. It’s his “won’t” power that has her bothered. Phyllida and I have had some experience with this. Two of our sons lived with us in 1982. They were in the final year of Primary School and were sharing a room ou home. The boys were very different from each other. I’m not talking about being naughty. They were much the same as any youngster of their age. The difference was in their response to being asked to do something. The one would say he would do it then didn’t. The other said he wouldn’t and a little later he did! This sort of behaviour is difficult to deal with! How do you discipline a son who says he will, then doesn’t? What about a son who says he won’t and then does? I know Jesus speaks about such a situation. It’s found in Matthew’s gospel. 28 "But what do you think about this (asked Jesus)? A man with two sons told the older boy, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' 29 The son answered, 'No, I won't go,' but later he changed his mind and went anyway. 30 Then the father told the other son, 'You go,' and he said, 'Yes, sir, I will.' But he didn't go. Matthew 21:28-30 NLT It’s clear only one of them obeyed his father’s will. The other needed to be disciplined. How? We had to filter this through our own understanding. God doesn’t need that. He already knows. We know that Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees. They said they would obey the Lord but didn’t. On the other hand, “sinners” said they wouldn’t (couldn’t?) and did. In many ways, this is typical of things which take place in our lives. Either way, our Heavenly Father will deal with us. We understand that delayed obedience is disobedience. So both required a measure of discipline. But the one who said “No” and did, will be dealt with less severely that the one who said “Yes” and didn’t. One of our main difficulties is we don’t have much time to waste. Our life-span is very short. Furthermore, in this interlude, we have to make choices that have eternal consequences. It follows that we need the Lord’s discipline here and now. We need Him to tell us if we are doing well or badly! We need His discipline to establish this conclusively. I’ve heard of a young man who was allowed to “run wild”. He was undisciplined. His anti-social behaviour ultimately landed him in prison. But if he had been disciplined as a child, the chances are that he would have been O.K. The discipline would have been in the child’s best interests. Is the Lord disciplining you? Rejoice if He is! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			7 Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later." John 13:7 MSG 2 Remember that for 40 years the LORD your God led you on your journey in the desert. He did this in order to humble you and test you. He wanted to know whether or not you would wholeheartedly obey his commands. Deuteronomy 8:2 GW 8 And when I passed by again, I saw that you were old enough for love. So I wrapped My cloak around you to cover your nakedness and declared My marriage vows. I made a covenant with you, says the Sovereign LORD, and you became Mine. Ezekiel 16:8 NLT 6 For the LORD disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child." Hebrews 12:6 NLT 11 My child, don't reject the LORD's discipline, and don't be upset when He corrects you. 12 For the LORD corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12 NLT 12 Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad--for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT 17 For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT	None of us can comprehend the things the Lord does do. One moment everything is well. The next He’s telling you, That something you are doing is somewhat incorrect. Better have another look in order to detect, The reason for the problem. He is not amused. And as He’s looking at you, He says you are accused, Of something inconsistent with what is in His Word. Don’t you think the time has come to check out what you’ve heard? No it isn’t pleasant. In fact at times it’s tough. But He’ll increase the pressure until you cry “Enough! O Master, please forgive me, and help me get things right; So that my bad behaviour will end as from last night!” That’s typical behaviour between father and a son. He’d quickly show the problem with the things which I had done, And if it was quite serious, my dad would use his rod. That’s rather like that happens when it comes to you and God. He disciplines His children. His dealings may be sore. But He wants an assurance you won’t do it anymore. In fact, He steps up pressure, the longer that it takes. Until He sees you listening and decision to forsake, The thing He disapproves of. He starts with just a word; And ratchets up the pressure, ‘til He sees that you have heard. I’m glad the Father does this. If we are just ignored, Perhaps there’s something serious, between you and the Lord. We know the Father loves us when discipline takes place. If He doesn’t do so, you’re truly in disgrace. The one way we can know that we are objects of His love, Is when we know that discipline is coming from above. It happened in the Wilderness. The Lord said, “Go on in! Take the land I’ve given you, so go in now and win.” Instead they sent twelve spies out to investigate the land. Ten said we can’t do it the way the Lord has planned. The people were depressed about their negative report. Then God said their reactions meant they were getting naught. ‘Wander round the wilderness for almost forty years”. And that is just what happened, in spite of all their tears. So let us pay attention, to what the Father says. He will do the same to us, unless we change our ways. Do what we’re commanded, as soon as He has said. Or perish in the wilderness, left behind as dead. Jim Strickland – Written 4th September 2012

REVERSE THE CURSE

Time with Jesus - Monday, 03 September 2012

Hi all,

Genesis is perhaps the most important Book in the Old Testament. It’s sometimes called the “Seed plot” of Scripture because without it, much of the rest of the Bible would be meaningless. If we didn’t have the description of the fall of man, Scripture would, to a large extent be meaningless. Today, in our meditation, we look at the fall of man along with the armour needed in our struggle with Satan.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 03 September 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	REVERSE THE CURSE
Man’s history contains within it, a devastating root. We were made in the image of God. Exactly what this means is still a matter for debate. Many think they know. Mostly it’s speculation. Don’t be surprised at that. We are inquisitive by nature. We want to know who, how, where, why and when. If we don’t know, we investigate. Sometimes, to our own detriment, we don’t believe. That’s the whole point. No one compels us to believe anyone or anything. It is a none-negotiable God given freedom. We are free to obey or disobey. He will not interfere. God appears to have a law in place the effect of which is that He tells His people once only. He advises them of the consequence of disobedience and then leaves us to get on with it. This is exactly how it should be. If He never tells a lie, why should He speak more than once? If at the end of a jetty there is a big sign which reads, “No parking beyond this point” Try it by all means. But you and your vehicle will get wet. One sign is sufficient! Any more signs are superfluous. I’m fascinated by the fact that the forbidden fruit was on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Presumably the fruit on all the other trees contained the knowledge of good only. I can’t prove this but it seems logical. There was another tree in the garden. The tree of life. Apparently neither of them ate any of that fruit. I’ve occasionally wondered why? My guess is that there was no actual fruit on it at the time. They already had life – the life of God in them. Presumably the fruit of this tree in some way “reverses” the curse. Perhaps it’s the “antidote” to the effects of the curse? Perhaps a Divine cure for snake-bite? It’s interesting that the armour of God referred to in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, does not have a reference to trees. The armour is summarised as follows: 1) Prayer in the Spirit; 2) The belt of truth; 3) The breastplate of God's righteousness; 4) The sandals of the good news of peace; 5) The shield of faith to stop the devil’s fiery arrows; 6) The helmet of salvation and 7) The sword of the Spirit - the Word of God. (Eph. 6:11–18) Of course, Paul was using the “equipment” of a Roman Soldier as his reference point. The fact that it was the reference point of 2000 years old armour does not invalidate the picture. If anything it reinforces it. It’s the description of a Roman Soldier prepared for war. Primarily, battles in those days were hand to hand. There were some mechanical contrivances but they did not change the way a soldier prepared for battle. Today, our battle is a hand to hand spiritual battle. Yes, there are other items used in the fight. But these are more for general use than for hand to hand fighting. This indicates that our preparation for “war” is much the same, or at least similar, to what it was in Paul’s day. Are we wearing our armour? Never take it off! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			4 "You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:4-5 TNIV 3 And now I'm afraid that exactly as the Snake seduced Eve with his smooth patter, you are being lured away from the simple purity of your love for Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 MSG 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God's armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17 NLT 11 We don't want Satan to outsmart us. We know how he does his evil work. 2 Corinthians 2:11 NIrV	It happened in the garden when Satan tempted Eve. He posed to her a question about what she believed. The Lord had made it very clear. To eat it was to die. Satan said she wouldn’t. “So give the fruit a try”. And so she took a little bite to see if it was true. Gave a piece to Adam to see what he would do. Adam took a little bite. He did it without thought. And in that little sample, Satan knew he’d caught, Adam and his partner. They now belonged to him. And death in all its horror resulted from that sin. The story of what happened next. Creation sort of groaned. Distorted by sin’s power and all that it now owned. Adam’s inner spirit-man was darkened and then died. Eve and all creation must certainly have cried. They were unprotected; They now were Satan’s slaves; And stayed in that position; for only Jesus saves. All of their descendants were in the self-same boat. Christ alone is able to grab Satan by the throat. So Satan’s been defeated and Jesus Christ can be, The Saviour of God’s people and all humanity. Nonetheless we’re living in a world of death and sin. Fighting evil forces over which we have to win. But we’re not defenceless. God’s armour we must wear. Thus we are protected; a part of this is prayer. Praying in the spirit, is what we need to do; On all times and occasions for folk like me and you. Fasten tight the belt of truth, which goes around the waist. The breastplate of God’s righteousness must always be in place. So in the Name of Jesus, we’re able to resist! The shield of faith securely, gripped within the fist. The gospel of God’s peace is worn like sandals on the feet The Helmet of Salvation shared with everyone we meet. We have a deadly weapon that can’t be overcome. The Word of God from which the enemy is sure to run. Quench the fiery arrows the devil shoots at you. Stand firm in the victory that’s certain, sure and true. You needn’t be outsmarted by all of Satan’s lies. If you will resist him, see how rapidly he flies. This is what to do so everyone may take the curse, And in the name of Jesus, put the whole thing in reverse. Jim Strickland – Written 3rd September 2012