Time with Jesus - Saturday, 03 November 2012
Hi all,
Our meditation continues today with another look at
Isaiah 9:6. The depth within this small portion of Scripture is something we mortals
will probably never plumb. These words written by Isaiah some 650 years before
Jesus was born stagger the imagination of man; immortal words written by Isaiah
under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Who was it Isaiah had in mind? Jesus
Christ is the only person who qualifies!
Blessings,
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Saturday, 03 November 2012
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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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
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY
LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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THE
PRINCE OF PEACE
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Have
you noticed that the number of self-appointed Apostles, Prophets and assorted
other titled “Christians” appears to have proliferated over the past few
years? It seems that people have found that a title gives credence to those
who otherwise would have none. To some extent it’s a bit like the phrase in
Charismatic circles, “Says the Lord”! It’s added so that anyone who doesn’t agree
has a problem with God. To me it’s perilously close to the assumption made by
our Roman Catholic friends, that if the Pope has said it “ex-cathedra” it is
infallible. For me, I would like it to be true. But I’m aware that I’ve got
feet of clay and an uncontrollable tongue!
Part
of our problem can be found in the Bible. We divide part of the Old Testament
into Major and Minor prophets. In the New Testament we read of prophets and
apostles. Some of these men were no doubt aware that they were prophets and
apostles. Paul is a good example of an apostle. Acts 13:1 tells us of certain
prophets and teachers in the church in Antioch. How they qualified for such
titles is not clear. For my part, God forbid that I would disagree with Scripture.
This means that in the New Testament Church, such people existed. Whether or
not they still exist is another matter. Assuming there are such men and
women, who “bestows” these titles? Self-appointment is invalid. So by what
right has anyone to call himself, Apostle Fred or Prophet Brian?
It’s
my opinion that no one living in the 21st century warrants such a
title. Let me illustrate using the name of a 20th century Christian,
Dr A W Tozer. Dr Tozer died in the 1960’s. Today he is considered to have
been a 20th century prophet. Reading about his life and writings,
I’m inclined to agree. But if you asked him during his life if he was a
prophet, I’m sure he would have vehemently denied it. Likewise, if someone
said to me, “Jim, you’re a prophet” I would categorically deny it. But 100 years
from now, it may be the opinion of Christians. It’s something I will never
know this side of the grave,
One
of the great prophets of all time is Isaiah. His writings are as sharp and
clear now as they were during his life. His prophetic utterances are astonishing.
Isaiah 9:6 is an outstanding example. What was in his mind when he wrote
those words? Did he know their significance? Probably not. Peter gives us
great insight into this mystery. 20 Above
all, you must realize that no prophecy in
Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and
they spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT
In a
very small way I’ve experienced something like this. I’ve written something
while thinking about X. Then in category Y, God speaks to someone through my
scribbling. It doesn’t mean I’m a prophet. What it may mean is that while I
am writing, the Holy Spirit has prompted me to state something that has
little relevance to me. But He has guided my thoughts to express something
about which I have no inkling. That’s writing in the supernatural. “A child
is born; a Son is given”. Prophetically, a description of someone who would
be 100% man and 100% God. Isaiah didn’t know. God did!
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 ESV
4 "Hear, O Israel:
The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV
30 I and the Father are
one. 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe
me, believe the works that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
John 10:30&38 ESV
19 They said, "Where is this so-called Father of
yours?" Jesus said, "You're looking right at me and you don't see
me. How do you expect to see the Father? If you
knew me, you would at the same time know the Father."
John 8:19 MSG
8 Philip said to Jesus,
"Lord, show us the Father, and that will satisfy us." 9
Jesus replied, "I have been with all of you
for a long time. Don't you know me yet, Philip? The person who has seen me
has seen the Father. So how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
John 14:8-9 GW
13 And again, "I will put my trust in him."
And again, "Behold, I and the children God
has given me."
Hebrews 2:13 ESV
11 When He sees all that
is accomplished by His anguish, He will be satisfied. And because of
His experience, My righteous Servant will make it possible for many to be
counted righteous, for He will bear all their sins.
Isaiah 53:11 NLT
8 "I am the Alpha
and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is
to come, the Almighty."
Revelation 1:8 ESV
58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to
you, before Abraham was, I am."
John 8:58 ESV
14 God said to Moses,
"I AM WHO I AM. Here is what you must say to the Israelites. Tell them,
'I AM has sent me to you.'"
Exodus 3:14 NIrV
8 But to the Son He says,
"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. A sceptre of
righteousness is the sceptre of Your kingdom.
Hebrews 1:8 MKJV
17 He was there before any
of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.
Colossians 1:17 MSG
9 For in Christ all the
fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.
Colossians 2:9 TNIV
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“For unto us a child is born.” It’s His humanity.
He got this from His mother, because He had to be,
An ordinary person, Who’d grow into a man;
Who would defeat the devil! No other being can,
Take back what had been stolen, when Adam bowed his knee.
No other type of creature had that authority.
“To us a Son is given.” He had to be Divine.
He had to be the Son of God to take your sins and mine.
One person saves one person. It can’t be any more.
So if you give your life for me, that is the final score.
One for one is proper. So if I die for you,
No one else can benefit, no matter what they do!
But if the One who gives His life, is also God Most High,
How many people can He save? Then you can multiply,
The number of saved people, up to infinity!
And so the death of Jesus Christ saves all humanity!
There is a small condition. It doesn’t help at all,
Unless you meet the terms He set. He says we have to call,
On Him in true repentance and turn away from sin.
If people do not do that, they won’t be counted in!
So what Name shall we call Him? Wonderful Counsellor?
Yes Jesus Christ is Wonderful. He’s that and so much more.
Shall we call Him Mighty God? That’s absolutely true.
There isn’t any other god. No substitute will do.
The Everlasting Father? There is no other Name,
That we could ever call Him, to minimise the claim,
That He has placed on all of us. Our Father and our Lord!
Nothing in Creation is fit to be adored!
All the other gods are fakes; not one of them exists.
Forgot about the lot of them and they will not be missed.
But Jesus has another Name. This Name will never cease.
“King of Kings” and” Lord of Lords, Almighty Prince of Peace”;
Peace between the Nations. Peace with God and man.
Peace between each racial group; with every tribe and clan.
Beyond all understanding; the Peace which He will bring.
Reconciliation, Twixt God and everything!
Jim Strickland
Written
3rd November
2012
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