OUR BE-ATTITUDE

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 27 October 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is on the beatitudes. Matt 5:3-12. I’d love to have seen the expression on the faces of the apostles and the crowd as Jesus launched into what we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount. If people thought the Law of Moses was “tough” these went to the next level! In brief we could say the Law of Moses focused on things people did. Now Jesus implies that to think about these things is to do them. “Take a fancy for the neighbour’s wife and you’re an adulterer”. It’s a brand new level of impossibility! Don’t believe me? Try it and see!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 27 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 BE-ATTITUDE
It was inevitable that Jesus Christ would draw the crowds. He had received a revelation from His Father that He is the Son of God. He was either crazy, a liar, or it was true. Take your pick. I made my decision sometime in the early 1950’s. For me, it is, was, and always will be the truth. In the early days of His ministry, He was followed by the crowds to the point where He often had to hide away. How do you hide when you have the reputation as the greatest walking miracle worker ever seen? If you can do so, please tell me! Matthew 5 advises us that on one occasion, He was on a mountain-side talking with His disciples. As He did so, a great crowd gathered round Him. Then He began to speak. What the crowd was about to hear, is the greatest and most remarkable “sermon” ever given. 2000 years later, it remains unsurpassed as the simplest and most beautiful lesson on the Kingdom of God that any person before or since has ever delivered. No man or woman other than Jesus Christ Himself has ever lived up to the impossible requirements of this sermon. Indeed, it is only “Him-possible” in and through His life in us. He set the ball rolling with the beatitudes. If you boil them all down you find that there are eight of them. They might possibly be considered as the eight gold medals of our “Olympic Games” of life. Individually, it may be possible for us to achieve one or two of them. Even a dedicated and committed Christian might succeed and put four or five of them into practice in daily life. Most Christians look at them, shake their head and say, “Don’t bother; they are beyond the likes of you and me.” I’ve heard it suggested that there are 8 because if we only succeed with one per day, a week will not be long enough for any of us. What we have to remember is that Jesus was not speaking about what you and I can achieve. Forget that. It’s a pipedream. But when we live in Him, as we are meant to, we find that they produce the most wonderful lifestyle possible. One day, Christians will realise that none of us can live the Christian life. We aren’t supposed to do it anyway. The beatitudes should force us onto our knees to cry out to God for help. We can’t do it. If we could, we would have no need for Him. We could say that these beatitudes are God saying, “This is how I live. Match it if you can!” It’s a bit like the Old Testament Law. It was impossible for the Jews to keep. The beatitudes are a type of Christian equivalent. “Here is My lifestyle” says Jesus. Come to Me. Make Me your Lord and we will do it together.” This makes me tremble. Please Lord; empower me to live like that! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			6 Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed." Numbers 22:6 TNIV 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:3-12 ESV 27 As He was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, "God bless Your mother--the womb from which You came, and the breasts that nursed You!" 28 Jesus replied, "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice." Luke 11:27-28 NLT 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Revelation 22:14 NLT	We call them the beatitudes; the attitude to be,                       When thinking of the Scripture; what it means for you and me! We wish that we could find them, but they are very rare, Very few are manifest of which we are aware. Tell me where they’re hiding; they’re difficult to spot. Life is very stressful, so most we haven’t got!                              Matt 5 We aren’t poor in spirit if we are filled with pride.                                                 3 Which means that from God’s Kingdom we run away and hide Mourners will be comforted; that’s wonderful to know.                                4 But mourning doesn’t happen, when we’re always on the go. Meekness is a quality we seldom understand.                                         5 If we lose our temper, we’ll also lose the land. Hungering and thirsting, in a quest for righteousness!                                    6 If we’d only do it, we won’t get in a mess. But if we’re committed, to putting Jesus first, We will never hunger and we will never thirst. When we’re being merciful, we will not bear a grudge.                                  7 Or take a position, from which we will not budge Jesus brought forgiveness and set the sinner free. Having a pure heart is an impossibility,                                                                        8 For normal sinful people; the likes of me and you. And though this sounds so logical it really isn’t true! By the blood of Jesus, our hearts have been made pure! We shall see the Master; that’s absolutely sure. Are you a peacemaker? Is Christ your source of peace?                            9 Take Him to your neighbours; and help them find release, From their dreadful bondages, when He becomes their Lord. We will all be sons of God when Jesus is adored! Are you persecuted? Called a “righteous freak”?                                          10 Do you hear the comment, “Don’t listen to him speak. He is just a hypocrite! So do not you waste your time. He has no authority from Jesus Christ Divine! Righteousness and heaven; what can he know of that?                                11 Tell him that it sounds as if he’s talking through his hat.” When they make such comments is when you should rejoice.                      12 Shout out “Hallelujah” in your very loudest voice. Jesus Christ has promised a reward for you on high. Everlasting glory with His prophets in the sky. Jim Strickland  Written 27 October 2012

TRAPPINGS

Time with Jesus - Friday, 26 October 2012

Hi all,

Ministry today can be a trap. We are always strongly influenced by the people we meet and hear about. Many of us rely on modern business methods to bring us the “success” we so sincerely seek. Advertising is one of the more popular methods. Today’s meditation looks at this and asks whether we should do so or not.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Friday, 26 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	TRAPPINGS
Advertising! The Western Church seems to be besotted with it. Some of our “big name” preachers have an itinerary that is fully booked for more than a year ahead. A month or so ago we went to see one of the best known names among Astronomy and Christianity. Dr David Bloch gave a presentation at local South African Methodist Church. It was wonderful stuff. But if you want him to come and give a lecture, try booking something like two years ahead. Much the same can be said for men like Benny Hinn and T D Jakes. You may find it easier with women like Joyce Meyer or Paula White, but I have my doubts. Incidentally, I’m not seeking to criticise these men or women in any way. They are doing the best they can under tremendously difficult circumstances. Personally, I would be greatly intimidated by having to generate the finance for the number of people who are working in their ministries. They can’t afford to have a poor “turn-out” where they have been invited to preach. If this means that there is insufficient money coming in to finance them, it will very quickly be “game over”. Incidentally, don’t be put off (or on) by the comment “God will Provide”. Charlatans and wicked men have succeeded without God’s help. So don’t be impressed by the “size” of their Ministry. It can be a real trap. You have to preach what the people want to hear. If you don’t, the people will soon go elsewhere. The fame is fabulous but what about motive? Jesus put it like this: 5 "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth that is all the reward they will ever get. Matthew 6:5 NLT Now people may point at me and say, “You are speaking from an envious spirit”. Perhaps that’s true. At least I’m willing to consider that possibility. In the final analysis, the Lord will decide! Jesus used none of these advertising tricks. He didn’t “pander to the crowd”. At times He deliberately avoided them. He didn’t publicise. He relied entirely on word of mouth and the power of the Holy Spirit. I’ve heard it said it’s doubtful if even His ministry could have survived the “fall-out” from a modern advertising campaign! I believe that people didn’t only come to watch a miracle worker. They came to see a man full of the Holy Spirit. A Man in Whom the Fruit of the Holy Spirit was visible in abundance. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Even during His closing hours, hanging on the cross, these “qualities” were on display. From these qualities, the very Nature of God was revealed. But crucifixion invariably exposes hidden agenda. He had none! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. Malachi 2:15 ESV 49 John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you." Luke 9:49-50 ESV 54 And seeing, His disciples James and John said, Lord, do You desire that we command fire to come down from Heaven and consume them, even as Elijah did? 55 But He turned and rebuked them and said, You do not know of what spirit you are. Luke 9:54-55 MKJV 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, "My lord Moses, stop them." 29 But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!" Numbers 11:27-29 ESV 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26 ESV	Jesus, when He walked the Earth, was not like us at all. His hunt for reputation was very, very small. He didn’t use the internet, or send out bulk email. He had no use for Google. And measured on a scale Of one to ten, publicity would not have helped one jot. The “Galilean Herald”, He totally forgot. He didn’t use these trappings. There truly was no need. Dependence upon word of mouth was what had been decreed. Was it a disadvantage? Not from the things I’ve read. You don’t need 10 inch headlines, to say you’ve raised the dead! And when you cleanse the lepers; and recreate an eye. You don’t need a press agent! The folk won’t pass you by! And what of competition? He didn’t really mind. If you’re not against Him, I’m sure that you will find, That He is not against you. That’s what the Scripture says. And He retained this attitude. Big-heartedness still pays! He had no hidden motives; God’s Kingdom was His goal. He came so He could rescue us and save our sinful souls. He didn’t have to look around at the itiner’y, Of other big name preachers, within the ministry. He didn’t have to do that. He knew He wouldn’t fail; And it would be accomplished on a vast eternal scale! Moses was the first one; when others prophesied. “Don’t think I am jealous” this man of God replied. “I wish the Lord’s anointing was resting on them all! If everyone could prophesy, I think we’d have a ball! So leave Eldad and Medad and do not make them stop. If it isn’t from the Lord, you’ll find their words will flop!” This was the Master’s attitude! He wanted folk to try. No lost opportunities should ever be passed by. His face was not on street-pole adds and there was no campaign. I’m sure He would regard such things with absolute disdain. If folk were not attracted, by Holy Spirit power, To come along and hear Him, the meeting would go sour! And that is what we’re seeing throughout the world today. If we advertise it, we will not have to pray! No wonder signs and miracles are now so seldom seen. The only way that this will change is when our hearts are clean. Jim Strickland – Written 26th October 2012

TAKE YOUR PICK

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 25 October 2012

Hi all,

Today’s topic is a bit controversial. We are paying a brief visit into the dangerous realm of eschatological opinion. I’ve tried to be as neutral as possible. This will offend some. I’ve expressed the three major views in humorous language. It’s the only way to present differences impartially. It’s worked for me. How about you?

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 25 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	TAKE YOUR PICK
The Great Tribulation. One thing all Christians agree is that it will happen. Jesus made this very clear: 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. Matthew 24:21 ESV According to Strong, the Greek word is thlipsis (thlip'-sis) which means “pressure (literally or figuratively) such as afflicted, (-ion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.  Eugene Peterson translates the same verse: This is going to be trouble on a scale beyond what the world has ever seen, or will see again. It follows it’s not something any of us should look forward to. It’s going to be very tough! Now if that was all there was to it, Christians would agree. They know it will happen. The question is, “when”? That’s when things get decidedly murky! The disagreement focuses around the none-biblical word “Rapture”. The Bible talks about our being “caught up” (1 Thess. 4:17) to meet the Lord in the air. The disagreement is whether the “rapture” will occur before, during or after the tribulation. Of course this is an over-simplification. Tomes thick enough to choke a donkey have been written attacking and defending each author’s opinion concerning “when”. But which one is correct? That’s the $1 000 000 question! The most popular view in Western Christianity is the pre-tribulation rapture. It is comforting to think that when the big trouble comes, you and I will not be here. We will be having a party in the sky somewhere with Jesus and all the saints who have gone before us. This may not be theologically correct. But who wants to be here when God pours out His wrath? Any volunteers? Personally, not me. The reason is because I don’t fancy being “tribulated”! I’m also not entirely convinced the Scripture supports this view. But that’s just me! The view of the Church Fathers was the post-trib rapture. i.e. Jesus will come for His saints afterwards. This view was held by all the Church up to about 1820. Changes came about as a result of some of the thoughts of J N Derby. Along with others he rediscovered many forgotten Biblical truths. The idea was taken to the USA and promoted by Dr C I Scofield, a brilliant man and preacher. In 1909 a KJV Bible with his notes was published. This included pre-trib theology. It was and is hugely popular. In USA this view is almost universally accepted. The other view; the mid-trib rapture, is not extensively supported. It may be little more than a place to settle between pre-and post trib thinking. Ultimately it’s up to you to decide. What is sad is that most Christians seem to have forgotten the protective power of God. He can still protect His people. He is greater than the tribulation. He preserved His people during the Babylonian invasion. He still can! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 1 Peter 4:7 ESV 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. Revelation 20:11 ESV 7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. 2 Peter 3:7 NLT To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah Psalms 46:1-3 ESV 6 You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Matthew 24:6 TNIV 1 We know that the earthly tent we live in will be destroyed. But we have a building made by God. It is a house in heaven that lasts forever. Human hands did not build it. 2 Corinthians 5:1 NIrV 13 But we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth. Godliness will make its home there. All of this is in keeping with God's promise. 14 Dear friends, I know you are looking forward to that. So try your best to be found pure and without blame. Be at peace with God. 2 Peter 3:13-14 NIrV	Pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib. Which one do you prefer? Not matter what folk want to think, it causes quite a stir! It hasn’t reached the stages yet, of grabbing by the throat. But folk who think that they are right just sit around and gloat. “I’m going with the first batch; the day the dead will rise. I‘m sorry, I don’t want to see the sorrow in the eyes, Of those who didn’t get it right. For I can guarantee, That when the tribulation comes, nobody will find me. I’m going to the party, with Jesus in the sky. And all those sort of fun and games will simply pass me by. The Lord thinks I am special, so I will go ahead, And leave the unbelievers to suffer ‘til they’re dead!” “You’ve got it wrong!” mid-trib replies, “it happens in the middle. And through the comfy, early bit, you’re going to have to fiddle. You’ll have to stay and watch it and hope you won’t get caught. For if they get their hands on you, your prospects equal naught. So we will miss the first bit; before things get real bad. And then we’ll take the fast train and be with Jesus’ Dad!” “I’m sorry, you are both wrong!” Post-trib to them declares. “Better dig a basement and fire-proof the stairs. You will have to hide away till tribulations done. Then listen for the trumpet call announcing that God’s Son, Is calling you to glory; to join Him in the sky. Hopefully the worst of it will simply pass you by. Have you heard these arguments? Which one appeals to you? It really doesn’t matter. The Living God will do, That which He intended before time was begun. Pre-trib; mid-trib; post-trib; before you turn and run, Could it be that some of you are also incorrect? Have you all forgotten, that Father will protect, Those who will be faithful? So let the tempest rage. He will do what He has done in each and every age. Of course you may be martyred. Do not be filled with fear. Jesus Christ has promised that He is ever near. You will be rewarded; it will be worth the pain. And you will get a special crown, when Jesus comes again. Jim Strickland – written 25th October 2012