THE KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Hi all,

As an ordinary Christian believer the words “textual criticism” appear to have almost no validity to the way life is lived. A brief excursion into the topic has convinced me that it’s a good subject to avoid. Sadly, it is not something we can all avoid indefinitely. The mere mention of men like Erasmus, Luther, Tyndale, Burgeon, Westcott and Hort is sufficient to arouse some scholars to the point of decidedly unchristian behaviour. Today’s meditation looks at the doxology in Matt 6:13 and describes one of the differences in translation that I would prefer to avoid. In this instance it’s not possible. So I submit today’s contribution to you for your consideration!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 17 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	THE KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY
I’ve mentioned before that I attended Marist Brothers College in Walmer, Port Elizabeth in the 1950’s. It was run by the Marist Brothers, a Roman Catholic Order that focused primarily on the education of boys. The fact that I was a protestant attending a Roman Catholic school didn’t seem to be terribly important. Since the head boy in my year was Jewish, it’s reasonable to conclude that teaching was more important than proselytising. Of course, the Roman Catholic influence was very strong. The hourly prayer times included the “Hail Mary” and the Roman Catholic version of the Lord’s (model) Prayer. If you say that you didn’t know there was a special Roman Catholic version, I must hasten to add that the words were identical to the protestant version. With one exception. The doxology was not included. Theirs ended with the words, “deliver us from evil”. For several years this puzzled me. When I opened my KJV Bible and looked at Matthew 6:9-13, I read the prayer with the doxology. As a schoolboy I wasn’t terribly bothered about the difference. It seemed somewhat trivial and I had no idea how “controversial” these words were. As a child, who cares about such trifles anyway? After I committed my life to Jesus Christ, I was aware of the difference but it was nothing to get aroused about. My days of Scriptural “tub-thumping” had not arrived. So I accepted it as one of the “quirks” of Catholicism. Back in the early 1960’s, the only Bible generally available in the UK was the KJV – the “Authorised version” to be pedantic. I did get hold of a JB Philips translation, but it was more of a paraphrase, so any textual variations didn’t matter. The next version I had available was the New English Bible. When I looked at Matt 6:13, the doxology was not included. There was however a marginal note quoting the doxology. My next version was the NIV affectionately called the “Nearly Infallible Version”. The doxology and marginal reference were not there! Since then I’ve learned a little bit about the origin of the various versions. Not enough to really understand the subject. Just enough to keep my nose out of textual criticism and sufficient to realise that the Roman Catholic version and all the English translations since ±1940 appear to come from a common root. I’m sure Roman Catholics would probably object to this comment. The other pre 1940 English translations come from a different root known as the “Received Text”. The principal difference between them seems to be the centrality and deity of Jesus Christ. So which do we use? I love the NIV for clarity and understanding the English. But when I want to know the truth of the Scripture I turn to the KJV. To me it’s still the best! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			13 And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:13 NLT 1 The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. 2 Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. Psalms 93:1-2 ESV 3 The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. Nahum 1:3 TNIV 31 What can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 GW 17 We might be thrown into the blazing furnace. But the God we serve is able to bring us out of it alive. He will save us from your powerful hand. Daniel 3:17 NIrV 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. John 10:29 TNIV 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 ESV 1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Psalms 115:1 ESV 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O LORD, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the One who is over all things. 13 "O our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name! 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to You? Everything we have is from You, and we give You only what You first gave us! 1 Chronicles 29:11, 13-14 NLT	This beautiful doxology is not in many texts. The reason why this is the case, makes many scholars vexed. Some think these words were added, by a very ancient scribe, Who thought that these concluding words all people should imbibe. I’ve known them since my boyhood; and for me to exclude, These words from Jesus’ model prayer, would be unjustly rude. They focus on the Father and magnify the King. They speak of God’s ability, to do most anything, They amplify His glory, which will not ever end. So I express approval of what the Scribe has penned! If Jesus didn’t say them, they were surely in His heart. A tribute to our Holy God, Who has no end or start. It is the Father’s Kingdom, where Jesus reigns as King. An everlasting sovereignty, that He will surely bring, To pass upon this planet, the moment He returns. A prospect so exciting, my heart inside me burns. A place where Satan’s presence is banished, so that he, Can’t deceive the members of all humanity. A time of glorious power, with Jesus on His throne, Ruling all the nations, just by His word alone! An everlasting Kingdom, of righteousness and peace. Where death has been excluded and love will never cease. The little word “forever” is appropriately apt. And where the King’s authority, by no man can be capped. The Father will be with us in this recreated realm, With Jesus and His followers securely at the helm. There’ll be no need for sunshine or moon to light the day. For He Himself will be our light, in each and every way. But what is most important, is Jesus will be there. The saints from all the ages will see their answered prayer! We will recognise Him and fall down at His feet; Lost in rapturous, wonder and savouring as sweet, The knowledge that it’s over. The crown of life is won. And we will spend eternity with Jesus Christ, God’s Son. What could be more important? What more could we desire? Father, Son and Spirit to set our hearts on fire. Eternity to worship, to glorify and praise The Faithful God Whom we can love, through endless, ageless days. Jim Strickland – Written 17th October 2012

DON'T LET US YIELD TO TEMPTATION

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Hi all,

Trials and temptations are the topic for today’s meditation. Trials are inevitable. The temptation arises from whether or not you are willing to pass through the trial. Satan usually tempts us to avoid the trial.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 16 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	DON'T LET US YIELD TO TEMPTATION
We are approaching the end of Jesus’ model prayer. Here He refers to temptation. He knew very well what He was facing. He knew He was destined for the cross. He knew He would be tempted to avoid that which He would have to endure to the very end. We know that He did. We need to distinguish immediately between a trial and a temptation. Trials in life are inevitable. They are as certain as the fact that until Jesus returns, death will eventually call for us. A trial is almost anything we must endure. For example a music examination. Perhaps a dentist appointment? Perhaps an operation in the hospital? For Christians, it could be being thrown to the lions or being burned at the stake. This was the trial many had to endure. There may have been an associated temptation. To deny their faith in Jesus Christ. In many cases if they chose to deny Jesus, they would be set free. That would be an enormous temptation. The book of Hebrews focuses on this. If a Christian was a Jewish convert, by denying Christ publically in the synagogue, he/she would be received back into Judaism and would no longer be persecuted. Some did this. Others did not and suffered accordingly. Certainly the temptation to apostatise was huge. It could mean avoiding persecution for the whole family. Many chose to go through the trial of being persecuted rather than fall into the temptation of remaining faithful to Jesus. When people ask me what I would have done in those circumstances, I confess that I really don’t know. Part of me wants to pretend to be willing to endure to the end. The other part reminds me that under these circumstances, I’m still a coward. God alone knows what I would do! Paul in his first letter to Corinth speaks about temptation. He wrote, 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Cor. 10:13 NLT It’s comforting to know that even under such terrible circumstances; the Lord will be faithful to us. I won’t be expected to endure the unendurable. He will show a way out. That way may well be martyrdom. Others have passed through being martyred for they faith. I’m not more special than they were. The same is true for my wife and children. My way out of may be martyrdom. What if it’s martyrdom, not only for me, but for my family? Am I ready for that? It’s a very brave man who can say in advance that he would choose martyrdom. The answer may be easy for me alone. But for wife and children as well? That’s a horse of a different colour. Can I face the prospect of my wife and children being thrown to the lions or burned at the stake? What will I do? What would you do? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			13 And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.] Matthew 6:13 NLT 26 Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. Proverbs 28:26 TNIV 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:13-15 NLT 17 The Lord says, "Get away from unbelievers. Separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with anything unclean. Then I will welcome you." 2 Corinthians 6:17 GW 10 Then Lot looked in the direction of Zoar as far as he could see. He saw that the whole Jordan Plain was well-watered like the LORD'S garden or like Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot chose the whole Jordan Plain for himself. He moved toward the east. They each went their own way, 13 (The people who lived in Sodom were very wicked. They committed terrible sins against the LORD.) Genesis 13:10-11 & 13 GW 7 But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. 9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 2 Peter 2:7 & 9 NLT 4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4 NIV	Temptations come, temptations go; our God is not the cause. Most of them originate within our human flaws. They’re accentuated by the devil and his wiles. If he can deceive you, he’ll wipe away your smile. A prayer about temptation was common among Jews. “Do not lead me into sin”, is what they’d sometime use. “Not into transgression; nor in iniquity. Do not let sin’s power, overshadow me. Such a mighty onslaught perhaps would make me sink; So keep me safe, Almighty God, from what I do or think.” But there are some temptations, we simply can’t avoid. Even though they irritate and make us feel annoyed. Sometimes they are useful and we must overcome. They must not destroy us; or to their power, succumb. There are some temptations which we must all endure. Hard and disagreeable, designed to make us pure. Perhaps in an affliction, the type Job underwent. Where Satan was permitted to test his real intent. God loosed the reins of Satan, to test and try His man; To show that Job was “righteous” was actually God’s plan! He may “withdraw His presence”, to demonstrate His grace, And show that you can overcome the problems which you face. He also lets false prophets arise among His folk, To see if we will tolerate their rough and heavy yolk. But even in these trials, we know that He is near. That we can still depend on Him and there is naught to fear. Such trials are essential. Through all of them we grow, In grace and perseverance, so all of us will know, That we’ll continue faithful and watchful unto prayer. Following the Master, regardless when or where. Then there are temptations Satan often brings; Testing our ability to stay beneath God’s wings. Tempting us with evil and prompting us to lie. Filling us with doubts and fears; to quit and go awry. Putting thoughts of blasphemy and evil in our head. He’ll continue trying this until we are all dead. But if we resist him, we know that he will flee! And through Jesus Christ the Lord we will have victory! Jim Strickland – Written 16th October 2012

FORGIVE US OUR SINS

Time with Jesus - Monday, 15 October 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation looks at forgiveness. This is one of the most neglected topics in churches today. We see that God will only forgive us as we forgive others. It blows holes in much evangelistic practices. Not that the evangelists are wrong. The just don’t give the whole truth. The truth is God will not forgive you if you don’t forgive others. He uses your measure of forgiveness to measure His forgiveness to you!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 15 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	FORGIVE US OUR SINS
Perhaps the greatest problem confronting Christians today is the problem of un-forgiveness. It shouldn’t be like this. Sadly, it’s true. The words spoken by Jesus immediately following His model prayer in Matthew were: 14 "Forgive people when they sin against you. If you do, your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive people their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matt 6:14-15 NIrV These are some of the most terrifying words spoken by the Saviour. They have a huge implication concerning our own salvation. These words tell us that if we don’t forgive others, we won’t be forgiven! So why don’t we Christians forgive each other? The most likely reason is that there is so little fear of the Lord in most Churches today. Christians prefer to think that they have been given a ticket to heaven so their behaviour doesn’t really matter. They say “God knows and understands! His love is unconditional. He’ll be tolerant of the things we say and do”. I can’t forgive my granny because of what she did to my hamster. I won’t and I never will. That’s a huge mistake. That’s not what the Bible teaches. His grace may be free, but it is not cheap. Furthermore, although His love is infinite, it is not unconditional. To say it’s unconditional implies that all are saved regardless what they say and do. That’s a terrible lie. He will not overlook sin in the life of a believer that He condemns in the life of an unbeliever. To do so would make Him a respecter of persons. Furthermore, it would mean that sanctification was unnecessary. It’s been said that today, God’s people want justification (forgiveness of sin) in this life and sanctification (holiness) in heaven. But God wants us to be justified (made right with Him) in this life and sanctification (holiness) in this life too. We may not like this. We may “belly-ache” about it too. But in the final analysis, He makes the rules! His decisions are not subject to the democratic process. He always does as He pleases. But what’s this got to do with our failure to forgive? Everything. The Lord uses our own standards on us! Our own standard becomes His yardstick for every Christian. He will deal with me using my standards. Likewise He will deal with you according to your standards. Bear in mind the following basic little equation. No forgiveness = no salvation. If God has not forgiven you, you are not saved. Likewise, for you no forgiveness = no salvation. If you do not forgive others, you are not saved. That is the bottom line. No matter how delightfully your pastor or minister may preach. No matter how many times you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, unless you forgive others, you will not be forgiven. No matter how many times you may go to the front by invitation of your pastor. No matter the amount and quantity of your tears, if you do not forgive others, your efforts are worse than useless. Incidentally, the same is true for your pastor, your favourite healing evangelist, and the head of your denomination or anyone else – including me! If they do not forgive others, they are not forgiven. Scripture makes this abundantly clear. If anyone requires full salvation he/she must give full forgiveness. In fact you set the standard by which He will deal with you. That scares me. It should make us a forgiving people. I know I need it. Several buckets of water the size of the Atlantic ocean would merely dampen the surface. What about you? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			12 Forgive us our sins, just as we also have forgiven those who sin against us. Matthew 6:12 NIrV 21 Peter came to Jesus. He asked, "Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but 77 times. Matthew 18:21-22 NIrV 32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. 35 "That's what My heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart." Matthew 18:32-35 NLT 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NLT 13 You were once dead because of your failures and your uncircumcised corrupt nature. But God made you alive with Christ when he forgave all our failures. 14 He did this by erasing the charges that were brought against us by the written laws God had established. He took the charges away by nailing them to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14 GW 13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 NLT	Peter asked the Master, “Lord how many times, Must I forgive my brother for the many crimes, That he has perpetrated and committed against me? I think it should be seven times. But Lord, what thinketh Thee? Anyone who murdered Cain would truly cost him dear. God would punish seven times. The Word makes it quite clear. (Gen 4:7) If that is the standard which God said should apply, Surely that’s the standard for folk like You and I?” “Seven’s insufficient. See what Lamech said. Seventy and seven times for striking Lamech dead.          (Gen 4:24) But by implication, it’s so much more than that. Peter, stop your counting. You’re speaking through your hat! You can never calculate how often to forgive. If you want a number, what number would you give? For there is a principal that always must apply. That’s the number God will use when you’re the one He’ll try. He brings perfect justice. He says that you will set, The standard of forgiveness which you yourself will get. If you say that seven times is what he has to pay. God will use your seven times on you on Judgement Day. If you’re unforgiving, He’ll be that way with you. You will find the torturers know what they have to do. They will carry on until the total price is paid”.                 (Matt 18:34) This is terrifying and makes me sore afraid! Do not be vindictive. Be tender-hearted, kind, Always be forgiving. For then you too will find, He’ll be tender-hearted and treat you with compassion. You’re the one directing what the Lord above will fashion. If you’re harsh and cruel, my brother, hear me well. You will be consigned into the lowest pit in hell. Isn’t Father wonderful! He knows what you should get! What you have dictated, by the standards you have set! So, if un-forgiveness, is the order of your day, Better you repent of it and turn to God and pray, You will be forgiven. Then here’s what you must do. Go and tell the people, who have sinned and damaged you, You need their forgiveness for the things which you have done. Then you’ll be forgiven by Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Jim Strickland – Written 15th October 2012