JIMMETS – PS 118:7 & 1 COR 10:13

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 12 September 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation focuses on two verses of Scripture. Both of them are in Jimmet style. There is a connection between them both.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 12 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	JIMMETS – PS 118:7 & 1 COR 10:13
Today’s Scriptures and meditation were “tailor made” for writing a couple of Jimmets. Both of them remind me of my early days in Christianity. I seem to recall that we did much more singing back then than we do now. Perhaps this is a subjective opinion brought about by what we used to refer to as “Old Man Syndrome”. As a young man in the 1960’s, the “old men and women” didn’t seem to have any time for the latest modern music. Now things have gone full circle. It the folk of my generation that get irritated with modern music. I’m tempted to ask if it really is music. But I’ve thought better of it! I’m reminded of a UK TV programme in the early 1960”s called “Juke Box Jury” It was one of my favourite programmes in those days. The compare, David Jacobs, would play one of the latest musical releases and ask the jury to mark it out of five. The younger members of the jury always gave a favourable mark. The older ones didn’t. I suspect it was this question and answer time between each song that the audience enjoyed most. One young girl – she must be in her 70’s now, would listen and in a deep Somerset accent say, “Oi Loikes it, Oil Bouy it and Oil give it foive”. The audience would roar with laughter. The most amusing incident I recall was when one of the older members of the jury appeared with a peg on his nose. He said that the noise was bad enough. He couldn’t face the smell. Over the next couple of years, music changed. We went through a marvellous time when Dave and Dale Garret recorded “Scripture in Song”. They had a gift of being able to find tunes suitable for singing various Scripture verses. Some 40 years later I still find myself “singing” those old songs. It was because it was the way I was able to memorise Scripture. Today the easiest way for me to remember the first few verses of Isaiah 61 is to sing them. Never loudly of course. It wouldn’t be appreciated. The first Jimmet is an extrapolation of Psalms 118:7. As I read, it I’m reminded of singing “Who is on the Lord’s side?” The Scripture states “The LORD is on my side as my helper”. It’s not exactly the same thing. But if He is on my side, logic tells me that I’m on His side. That must be the connection in my mind. One of the first Scriptures I committed to memory was 1 Corinthians 10:13 Back then the only readily available translation was the KJV. It follows that the Scriptures memorised were all in King James translation English. No doubt people memorise verses today from one of the more recent translations. That’s fine. But somehow there is something about the KJV that still appeals to me. I must confess that many times I don’t understand the KJV meaning. That’s when I look at other translations to get a “feel” for the meaning. This is why the Scripture quotations in the middle of these meditations are from different translations. My “Daily Light” is from the KJV. So I try to find a Scripture which I think brings out the best meaning. Sure it’s subjective. But it helps me. The 1 Cor. 10:13 has been of great help. Through it I’ve started to understand that everything I’ll ever experience has been experienced by Jesus and or those who have gone on ahead of us. It’s comforting to know that Satan can’t dream up anything new that will ensure his success over us. It’s also good to know that Jesus is fully in charge. Satan can’t stop Him. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			7 The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. Psalms 118:7 ESV For the choir director: A psalm of David. 1 In times of trouble, may the LORD answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm. 2 May He send you help from His sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem. Psalms 20:1-2 NLT 5 May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the LORD answer all your prayers. Psalms 20:5 NLT 7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the LORD our God. 8 Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm. Psalms 20:7-8 NLT 19 So they shall fear the name of Jehovah from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of Jehovah shall make him flee. Isaiah 59:19 MKJV 13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 MSG 31 What should we say then? Since God is on our side, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 NIrV 6 The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Psalms 118:6 NLT 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. Daniel 3:17 ESV	PSALMS 118:7 We know that if the Lord is on our side, We’ll look in triumph at the ones who hate, Us with a passion which they cannot hide; And constantly are seeking to berate, God’s people. Lord, that’s why we look to You. You have been our helper through the years. Thank You there is naught that they can do, And they’ll become a victim of their fears. O Lord is there a possibility, That You will change them? Lord for this we pray. It would be so wonderful to see. Them following You, Master,  every day. Though it seems the chance is very slim, Without You Lord, their future is so grim! Jim Strickland 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 You’ve said that no temptation comes along, That ever in our lives we’ll have to face, That can’t be overcome if we are strong. That’s why, O Lord, You’ve granted us Your grace. Our trials and our temptations aren’t unique. Other men of God have faced them too. You have strengthened them when they were weak; And the time has come for us to do, What they did. To stand and not to yield. The enemy may come in like a flood; And tell us that our fate is surely sealed, But, we have the power of Your blood. And that Master, You will show the way, To escape; regardless; come what may! Jim Strickland – Written 12th September 2012

WORKING OR SHIRKING?

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is about integrity. It’s about working or shirking. We look at the problem we have with many brothers and sister who do not want to work. Be aware that I’m not talking about those who cannot work because of whatever. It’s about those who don’t want to work and would rather others provided for them

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 11 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	WORKING OR SHIRKING?
Naivety is one of the most prevalent difficulties associated with Christianity today. We tend to believe anything and trust everyone. It doesn’t take long before the gilt wears off the gingerbread and for us to realise that, generally speaking, Christians are not much different from unbelievers. I know it’s a terrible conclusion to reach but it’s true. We know it shouldn’t be this way. Christians should live a Christ-like lifestyle. We seldom find this to be the case. The biggest surprise in this regard was when I went to Bible school. My expectation was that all of us would be doing our very best to live a Biblical lifestyle. Many did. But the lifestyle was more like that of Ahab and Jezebel than of Jesus. Within three weeks a man was “unmasked”. He could “flow in the Holy Spirit” and “prophesy” most convincingly. Sadly he was like Elmer Gantry. His purpose was to rip-off young ladies. He was most impressive and total shyster. I had been able to save the fees for Bible School and paid for the full year in advance. The norm seemed to be people who wanted to attend for free. They had been “called” to attend Bible School but had no money to pay the fees. For several months the school staff pursued them before eventually either the people left or they paid up. They found someone to pay their fees! What really shook Phyllida and me was the way so many Christians were not interested in working. They said they were trusting God for their finances. But the idea of working was anathema. They struggled on day after day, week after week and year after year. At the end of the period they were still waiting for God to fill their pockets. It’s rather sad. Much of this originates from our passion for taking Scripture out of context. A good example comes from Phil. 4:13 It’s qualified by Phil. 4:12, the preceding verse. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Phil. 4:12-13 NLT Looking at both verses together we see that Paul was talking about living with and without the essentials of life. He was saying Jesus empowered him to do all this in and through His strength. Phil. 4:19 NLT has also been misinterpreted. In the previous verses, Paul was referring to how their gift had provided for his needs. Paul was confident that others would provide for their needs in a similar way in and through Jesus. What was sad was that 2 Thess. 3:10 (Anyone who will not work will not eat) & 1 Thess. 4:11 (do your work, and earn your own living), were ignored. Not that we were surprised. Why work if you can find someone who will support you financially? I’m trying not to be cynical, but it’s not easy. Christians are not welcome by many businesses, because they don’t pay their bills. They steal from their brothers and sisters when they ask them to do a job and have no means of paying their bill. That makes them liars and thieves! This happens regularly. Personally, I prefer not to do business with a Christian unless I know he/she will pay up. I can’t afford to work without them paying their bills. Am I being too fussy? I don’t think so. What I’m longing to see is integrity among my brothers and sisters in Jesus. Is it likely to happen? You tell me. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			23 Meanwhile, men and women go out to work, busy at their jobs until evening. Psalms 104:23 MSG 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." Genesis 3:19 TNIV 10 Even when we were with you, we gave you a rule. We said, "Anyone who will not work will not eat." 2 Thessalonians 3:10 NIrV 11 Also, make it your goal to live quietly, do your work, and earn your own living, as we ordered you. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 GW 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV 4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the One who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. John 9:4 NLT 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV 58 My dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Don't let anything move you. Always give yourselves completely to the work of the Lord. Because you belong to the Lord, you know that your work is not worthless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIrV 9 So there is still a Sabbath rest for God's people. Hebrews 4:9 NIrV 12 'These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.' Matthew 20:12 MSG 12 to whom he has said, "This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is repose"; yet they would not hear. Isaiah 28:12 ESV	I’m told that we are swearing when we use four letter words. A lot of people do so. Still do, from what I’ve heard. Some words are quite disgusting and banned from Christian speech. But even so, for some of them, these words are still in reach. But now there is another word which seems to haunt the church. Some Christian when they hear it, it knocks them off their perch. Please read it very quietly and don’t spread it around. Some people say it’s toxic and never should be found, In any Christian circle, because they’re trusting God, To get another hand out, while on the road they trod. What is this frightful little word that makes folk run off scared? I’m going to have to use it, although you’re unprepared. It only has four letters and rhymes with the word “shirk”. So please excuse me using it; the little word is “work”. I know it isn’t popular, but it’s what God requires. Sadly, many Christians, find that the word inspires Many to be busy.  They’d rather spend the day, Jabbering and chattering in every sort of way. “I’m trusting God” they tell us. “I hate activity; And I’ve received a calling that’s totally work free. Please do not be offended. I think I’d rather pray For God to send me money, in His mysterious way”. We meet them by the dozen and mostly they are poor, Some are getting hungry, but they are very sure, That just around the corner, someone will help them out; That they’ll be given millions, they do not ever doubt. They do not read the Bible to find what it contains. The thought of their employment, is banished from their brains. It seems they are allergic to working with their hands. And haven’t ever read the Word, that says the Lord demands, His people to be working. Without it, they won’t eat. That’s what the Lord is saying. Man has to earn his meat! Whatever you can find to do, do it with all your might. That way the Lord will bless you, with blessings “out of sight”. There is a sure connection about our daily bread. God says, “Go out and earn it, without food you’ll be dead”. And if you are a father, it’s you who must provide, To feed all of your family. From this you cannot hide. The Lord holds you responsible for all your family. If anyone is starving, He’ll put the blame on thee. And though it sounds unsavoury, make work your way of life. Then He will take good care of you, your family and wife. Jim Strickland – Written 11th September 2012

THE GREAT EXCHANGE

Time with Jesus - Monday, 10 September 2012

Hi all,

Mount up with wings as eagles. Have you ever watched an eagle in flight? There is a pair of eagles which have a nest in the rocky heights above the Jo’burg Botanical Gardens. I’ve watched them in flight briefly. They use the thermals to go higher and higher. Their wings seem motionless. But they rise higher and higher. Isaiah says that this describes those of God’s people who are willing to wait patiently for Him! This is our meditation.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 10 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 GREAT EXCHANGE
When I committed my life to Jesus Christ, I started to get excited about the things of the Lord. In 1961 I heard about an event in Derbyshire called the “Cliff Convention”. Cliff College was a school for evangelists, teachers and ministers in the Methodist Church. Since I was in the Methodist Church, I decided I’d like to attend. Their convention took place over the “Easter” long weekend. I was an apprentice at the time and couldn’t afford the conference fees. So I volunteered to be one of the workers for the duration of the conference. The college agreed. I managed to get away early and arrived there at about lunchtime on the Thursday. Like many of the other volunteers, I spent the rest of the day preparing for the conference. One task was scrubbing the floor of the dining hall. It wasn’t exactly what I would have liked to do, but since I was there for “free” it seemed reasonable. The next morning, the people arrived by the hundreds. At that time the “Cliff Convention” was one of the most popular events in the Methodist Church in UK. It had been in existence for over a hundred years. They would train the young men (men only back then) to go round the towns pulling a hand-cart and preaching wherever they could. A bit like what happened back in John Wesley’s days. I can’t recall how successful this was. But I do know that many young men had passed through Cliff college and had gone on to taking on a variety of ministries. I met one in 1995 who had been a student in the 1930’s At the turn of the nineteenth century, Cliff College’s Head’s was the renowned Samuel Chadwick. It’s said he had a “silver tongue”. He could preach or lead a prayer meeting in such a way men and women would sit for hours just listening to him. Three hours was not unusual! On my first visit to Cliff, I came across most of the students and could listen to what was happening. They mostly talked about the things of the Lord and the way God had spoken to them. I hadn’t come across this sort of thing before. I knew God had led men in the past but didn’t know an example in the 20th century. One young man whose name I’ve forgotten told me about his call from God to attend “Cliff College as a student. He told me that the Lord had spoken to him through the following verse. 31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 ESV In particular, “they shall mount up with wings like eagles”. He said that he had tried to establish what this meant for him but had been unsuccessful. In the end he wrote to “Cliff”, asked for an application form, completed it and sent it in. Then he waited to see what would happen. A few weeks later he received a letter from Cliff saying he had been accepted for the following year’s student intake. Then he was amazed with what he saw. There was a picture on the letter. It showed Cliff college high up on a hill. Suddenly he spotted the similarity between the word “Cliff” and a mountain. “Perhaps Cliff College is where the Lord wants me to mount up and study?” He said to himself. He continued to read the acceptance letter, At the bottom of the letter there was the signature of the Dean of students. His name? Professor Eagles! Suddenly he knew! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			31 But those who trust in the LORD will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak. Isaiah 40:31 NIrV 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV 5 "And now," GOD says, this God who took me in hand from the moment of birth to be his servant, To bring Jacob back home to him, to set a reunion for Israel-- What an honour for me in GOD's eyes! That God should be my strength! Isaiah 49:5 MSG 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 TNIV 5 Or let them take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me. Isaiah 27:5 MKJV 22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalms 55:22 NLT 24 But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel Genesis 49:24 TNIV, 26 Then the Man said, "Let Me go, for the dawn is breaking!" But Jacob said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me." Genesis 32:26 NLT 45 David answered, "You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel's troops, whom you curse and mock. 1 Samuel 17:45 MSG A psalm of David.1 O LORD, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. 2 Put on Your armour, and take up Your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid. Psalms 35:1-2 NLT	Have you never heard of it? Do you not understand? The Lord God everlasting, created our great land! He never does grow weary. He doesn’t need to rest. He spoke the word – It happened – All this was manifest. We cannot comprehend Him; His depth we cannot plumb. Everything which we can see. He is its total sum. He is the Great Exchanger who made all things from naught. He spoke into the nothingness and in His speaking brought, Everything to being. In this He specialises. He’s the Great Exchanger Who sees through all disguises. A man may look unbeatable, with muscles made of steel. But when it comes right down to it, his power isn’t real. If power doesn’t come from God; he’s like a little flea, And God will take the weakest man and give him victory. For God has all that’s needed. He has all kilojoules; And those who wish to take Him on don’t realise, “God rules!” That’s why a new-born infant, can beat the strongest man. When God exchanges power with him. The little infant can Destroy that mighty warrior. God cannot be denied. And He will do what He will do. He will not be defied! When we are at our weakest, that’s when He makes us strong. But if we trust in our right arm, we get the whole thing wrong! He gives strength to the powerless exactly when it’s needed. Just enough to win the fight. That will not be exceeded. Have a look around you at young men in a race. They quickly get exhausted and fall down on their face. They cannot keep on going, eventually they flop. But God will keep you going when all men have to stop! How can a man achieve this? How can he know for sure, That God will undertake for him so that he may endure? It only comes by trusting God, each and every day. Then we’ll know His awesome strength in each and every way. We think that we are eagles which soar on high with wings. Those of us who trust the Lord. will know what trusting brings. New strength He’ll surely give us. The power to carry on, When all the strength which we possess, has crumbled and has gone. That’s when He gives a second wind or even nine or ten! The weariness will vanish and we’ll have strength again. The distance will not matter. A thousand miles or more. We’ll walk and won’t be weary. What do we need that for? To glorify the Master and praise His Holy Name. To walk without our fainting! And give Him all the fame! Jim Strickland – Written 10th September 2012