OUR FATHER

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 10 October 2012

Hi all,

There are more religions in the world today than we can guess. In every one except Christianity, God is some distant unfathomable figure who wants to squash you like a bug. You need lots and lots of their deity’s “brownie points” to please him and get to heaven. Nothing was certain except one day you will die. Then you’ll know if you had made the grade for heaven. If not? Let’s not go there. Then Jesus came and told us that His Father had sent Him. More than that! His Father wanted to be our Father. Today’s meditation is on this topic.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 10 October 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	OUR FATHER
All the Schools I attended had an “assembly” every day. All the pupils would meet and line up in their classes and listen to whatever it was that was being said. Normally it was routine and the assembly would conclude with prayer. The Roman Catholic School I attended, always concluded with us reciting the “Our Father” prayer. Usually this was “done” in a disinterested manner. We just had to get to our class and get on with the day. The Roman Catholic boys would then repeat the “Hail Mary” prayer which, after several repetitions, we all knew. The Jewish boys were never expected to participate in these times of prayer. But there we were, all together at the assembly time and they had to either participate, or stand saying nothing. Needless to say, by the end of the year, every pupil, Catholic, Protestant and Jew, was thoroughly familiar with the Lord’s prayer and the “Hail Mary” prayer. The first period of the day was “Catechism” for the Catholics and “Scripture” for all the protestants. The Jewish boys had a free period. I loved the Scripture classes. It gave me knowledge of the names of the books of the Bible. Paul’s Missionary journeys were part of the Scripture period as was the 10 Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount and many of the parables. In my final year I was awarded the School Scripture prize for Protestant boys! Even then I loved the Scriptures! Because it was a Catholic school run by the Marist Brothers, prayers were said every hour. The bell would ring and everyone in the class would stand and say the “Hail Mary” for as long as that took. We all heard the bell and stood immediately. At 12h00 the bell would ring. We would all stand and recite the “Angelus”. My memory fails trying to recall the details. This took ±one minute. Then it was lunch time. No doubt an interested observer would think that we were a class of devoted young Catholic boys seeking to serve God to the best of our ability. That was not true. We were a bunch of boys and later young men who were required to pay lip service to God. Sincerity or insincerity was irrelevant. What it did for me was help me get to know a few of the universal prayers along with the Apostles creed which was also included somewhere in the prayer ritual. Later on, when I made a personal commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, this ritual proved to have been of considerable benefit. I had a head start on many of the people who committed their lives to Christ at that time. My one regret is that we filled our minds with knowledge of God and had almost no interest in Him. Repetition does this. I realised you could teach a parrot to say the “Our Father”, but it would not change the parrot. That was the great tragedy. It was all talk without the heart! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Matthew 6:9 TNIV 1 Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said: Father, it's time. Display the bright splendour of your Son So the Son in turn may show your bright splendour. John 17:1 MSG 17 Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" John 20:17 ESV 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, Galatians 3:26 NIV 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:15-16 ESV 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:6-7 ESV 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24 ESV 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 ESV	When Jesus said, “Our Father”, this world was changed for good. The thoughts of distant deity’s, you’d pray to if you could, No longer were appropriate. We didn’t have to shout, So that some god would hear us, Such thoughts were now in doubt. God wasn’t so impersonal, that we would try in vain, To capture His attention; and treat us with disdain. He said God is a Father. What does that mean to you? That we are all His Children and everything we do, Is terribly important. That He is on our side; And loves us with the passion of a husband for his bride. Such thoughts were quite disturbing for those who love to sin. God isn’t as convenient as one made out of tin! It also means, almighty God, is actually my Dad; And I will get a spanking, if I do something bad. You cannot treat your father as a stranger you’ve just met. You have to be responsible and not get into debt. For that would bring dishonour, unto your Father’s Name. You can’t keep on behaving as if life is just a game. You’ve also many brothers and sisters in the Lord. And in your daily dealing with them, you can’t afford, To ever rob or cheat them. For Dad will get to know; He’ll “sort the situation” with a well-directed blow! If God is Jesus’ Father; and this we know as fact, We have to treat our siblings, with courtesy and tact. They’ve also been adopted, just the same as you; And you must “stick together”, as if by “super-glue”! It means they have His Spirit and each of them may claim, The self-same right of access, to Jesus and His Name. Each one of us is equal in every little way; And He will also hear them when they come to Him and pray! We love our elder brother. He is God’s first-born Son. We know that by His power, Satan’s on the run. That anything we ask for the Father will provide, If we ask in Jesus Name and not from sinful pride. So God is now our Father. The Bible tells us so. And as we get to know Him, our love for Him will grow. And there will come a moment, when we are face to face, Worshiping our Father, because of Jesus’ grace. Jim Strickland – Written 10th October 2012

BEING PURIFIED

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 09 October 2012

Hi all,

Purity! Living a life that is pure before the Lord for most of us is little more than a pipe-dream. We’d like to get there but the difficulties of everyday life make it virtually impossible. Our meditation today looks at this in more detail.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 09 October 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	BEING PURIFIED.
Purity is a very strange thing. We try to achieve it and soon find that it is an impossible task. Those of you who remember or know about the 1950’s will recall the drive among athletes to beat the 4 minute mile. Today, most of us don’t know what a mile is! Why should we. It was a measurement of length in the old “English” system. At the time, this was seen as the “Holy Grail” of middle distance athletes. The record for this distance had been reducing from 4min 10 seconds. Many regarded the time to be an impossible target. Then on 6 May 1954 Roger Bannister succeeded. A couple of weeks later, John Landy, the great Australian runner, also than the mile in less than 4 minutes. In the British Empire Games in Vancouver, in a race billed as "The Mile of the Century," both runners beat the four minute time, but Bannister came in first at 3:58.8 to Landy's 3:59.6. Since then, many men have broken this “barrier” and it is no longer seen as impossible If people ask what has happened in the intervening years, we are informed that training techniques have changed significantly. Better nutrition and intensive exercise have equipped sportsmen to achieve what was once thought to be impossible. Obviously, there will come a time when it will be humanly impossible to break the record. In other words, we will never be able to produce a perfect athlete. Now Jesus is perfect in every respect. But, in His manhood, to improve on the record will be impossible, even for Him in His perfection! Don’t ask me when that will be. But it would be very helpful if you would tell me! If you take the time to read the dietary requirements and exercise programme of any Olympic athlete, you will probably decide not to try it yourself. I came to that conclusion shortly after the Sydney Games. There was a TV program showing us some of the young Australian gymnasts preparing for the Beijing and London Olympics. Little girls who volunteered to commit to a regimen to which they would devote the following 4 or 8 years of life. Will any of us achieve perfection? It’s a good question. In the race of life it takes the willingness of an Olympic athlete to finish the course. But there is a difference. We only compete against our self. In addition, the Holy Spirit is our coach and Jesus is our trainer. They assure me that if I keep going, I will definitely come first in my race! They also tell me that it won’t be for just a gold medal. It will be for a crown of gold that Jesus will give. All who finish the course will get the same or similar golden crowns. Will we then be perfect? I’m told that by then it could be possible. Our mortal bodies require adjustment. But when we will change our mortal body for a resurrection body, It may be bit easier. Will we then be able to run a sub 4 minute mile? Good question! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. Psalms 12:6 TNIV 140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much. Psalms 119:140 NLT 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Psalms 19:8 TNIV 5 Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection. 6 Do not add to His words, or He may rebuke you and expose you as a liar. Proverbs 30:5-6 NLT 11 I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You Psalms 119:11NLT 15 I will study Your commandments and reflect on Your ways. Psalms 119:15 NLT 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV 2 Like new-born infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation 1 Peter 2:2 ESV 17 You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ's authority, knowing that God is watching us. 2 Corinthians 2:17 NLT 2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don't try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. 2 Corinthians 4:2 NLT	Purifying anything takes lots and lots of time. Silver in a crucible, is how it is refined. Gold is heated seven times to skim away the dross. People can be purified by nailing on a cross. Jesus was the perfect man. And yet He had to learn, Obedience to Father, by going through that burn. The agony of whipping, which would kill lesser men, Inflicted by a specialist for pain beyond our ken. Tormented by the hammering, of nails through hands and feet; Of hanging there stark naked in that “hellish” midday heat. That’s what Jesus suffered, when He was crucified. That’s what He experienced while being “purified”. He didn’t have to do it. He could have walked away. But in the middle of it, He knew He had to stay. Because He traded places; He took it all for me, And all the other members of the human family. We needed to be purified. The sin was yours and mine. But since the Blessed Master, was also Christ Divine, His death was efficacious for all the human race. So what the Lord experienced, we do not have to face. There wasn’t an alternative. The heat was turned up high. And just because of what He did, we know that death will die! What Jesus did was flawless. He is the Living Word. Everything predicted has certainly occurred. Not a tinge of falsehood.  Each prophesy fulfilled. There is now a “way to God” because His blood was spilled. Lord, You said You’d do it. O Lord You’ve been proved right. You achieved the victory, so we may win our fight. You sent Your Holy Spirit, so we’re not on our own. We grow in our salvation, through You and You alone. You gave Your commandment, to help us stay on track; And by Your generosity, there’s nothing that we lack. You grant to us discernment to reject all shameful deeds. And willingness to follow You and put aside our greed. We know You are refining us, to bring us forth as gold. That somehow in the process, Your plans for us unfold. We’re yearning for perfection, when we will be like You! And all the promises You’ve made, will certainly come true. Jim Strickland – Written 9th October 2012

BE A WITNESS

Time with Jesus - Monday, 08 October 2012

Hi all,

The Scriptures today really challenged me. For several years I’ve been gravely concerned that people go and attend Miracle and Healing Crusades and nothing happens; lots of healings that may be psychosomatic; but just about nothing that can be confirmed medically. I know that Kathryn Kuhlman was most particular about this. We should be too. God is not hiding away. So we should be quite sure that a so called “miracle” is a genuine “miracle” before we start to spread lies about something that isn’t true. God is not impressed.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 08 October 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	BE A WITNESS
It’s a terrible thing to say but the fact is the Christian Church today is apparently more or less powerless. We look at programmes on TV and notice that although there is a measure of healing taking place, the power and the presence of God appears to be lacking. I’m not accusing anyone about this. If anything I’m pointing at myself. Think about this for a moment. The Holy Trinity is the same forever. So what was done by the Living God in the past should be seen today. Sadly we see hardly any observable and documented healings that can be medically attested. Why? Don’t tell me God doesn’t do that anymore. Don’t tell me that it’s a lack of faith on our behalf. If this is the case, it means that God is tucked away in some “hidey-hole” and won’t show Himself until our Faith level has reached some prescribed level. To say that implies that the power of God depends on you and me! That’s not true. Now I know the Word says 58 And so He did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58 NLT. The question that must be asked here is what Jesus meant. There are two possible reasons. One is that He was not able to perform a miracle because of their unbelief. That can’t be true. Whether we believe or not, God’s power and ability remains the same. Nothing we do can ever change that. The second is that Jesus responds to the faith of the people. In better words, if you don’t believe, He won’t heal. This is probably nearer the facts and may well be what took place. Certainly we know that if you don’t believe, you won’t receive. It follows that this is probably the Scriptural reason. We also know that 17 Faith comes from hearing the message. And the message that is heard is the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 NIrV The fact is, the vast majority of those who attend a church meeting are already believers. So “faith” must be there. Even so, almost nothing seems to happen. People do not receive their healing. Why? Don’t tell me they do receive and lose it immediately. That’s a “cop out” and is nonsense! I suspect that the problem is our own motives. We go to hear a message. We should go to meet Jesus. The preacher gives a message. Even so, nothing happens. Question: Have we gone to listen to a man or woman instead of going to be with Jesus? Our big name and small name evangelists and their ilk. Are there to promote their own ministry and – and this is usually the case – to make money or to point to Jesus? Sure it looks very professional; the speakers are eloquent and inspiring. But is the focus on Jesus or on us? One of my “favourite” saints of yesterday – yes he was a Roman Catholic – St Francis of Assisi would commission his followers with words to the following effect. “I want you to go into all the world and spread the Gospel. Then, only if people ask you, speak”. Speaking should follow seeing. What people say should be seen to be their life in action. This was Jesus’ model. The voice of Jesus created all that we will ever see. “Light be” and it was so! But Jesus knew people. He knew they would not listen, even to Him, unless they knew His lifestyle corresponded with His words. How should we respond to this message? Easy. Next time we meet; let’s not focus on what any person says. Let’s focus on Jesus entirely. If we have to sit in absolute silence worshipping and praising Jesus, that’s fine. Let’s get the focus on Jesus and not man! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			For the choir director: A psalm of David. 1 I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. Psalms 40:1-2 NLT 4 They all drank the same supernatural water. They drank from the supernatural rock that went with them. That rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4 NIrV 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because My Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build My church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Matthew 16:16-18 NLT 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 ESV 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; Hebrews 10:22-23 NASB 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 ESV 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 ESV	What do we do with “hate-speech” in two thousand and twelve? Does it mean our witness, each one of us must shelve? There’s great misunderstanding about this very thing. We have not been muzzled. Our praises to our King, Are still just as important as they have ever been; And Jesus told us clearly, our witness must be seen! A witness answers questions. He doesn’t volunteer, To give his information to everyone who’s near. Try that in the courtroom. They’ll tell you to be quiet. If you want to go to jail, just carry on and try it. Don’t give your opinions. We’re looking for the facts. Courtrooms aren’t the proper place for distributing tracts. Listen to the lawyer. Do not rabbit on. Give an answer truthfully. You’re not number one! We are living in a world which truly is a court. Don’t fall into error. You must not resort, To blabbing and to chatting about the Lord Most High. You must be a witness men look at with their eyes. They can spot a liar and recognise a fake. Every little word you say could show them you’re a flake. Go and preach the Gospel That was the Lord’s command. Do it with a lifestyle which men can understand. Everyone is looking and if the things you say, Contradict your actions in just a tiny way, They’ll call you a hypocrite and what they say is true. But, if they first see it, they’ll listen unto you. Back in the Old Testament a witness was a stone Set up by the people so everyone was shown, What was commemorated. A rock says not a word. But every time men looked at it, its message could be heard. If it had started speaking, the folk would run away. They’d think perhaps a demon was visiting that day! Christians must remember that credibility, Is not what people listen to, but that which people see! The people in the Bible first saw what Jesus did. Heal the sick and raise the dead. His witness wasn’t hid! They could see it plainly. That’s how He got their ear. If He had only spoken, the folk would not draw near! He told each of His followers. His words were “follow Me”! And that is still the only thing a Christian should be. Walking in His footsteps and speaking not a thing. We won’t find the Living God by idle chattering. But when people see it, their hearts will open wide. And they’ll know the living God is down on your inside. Jim Strickland – Written 8th October 2012