TEMPTATION

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Hi all,

Phyllida suggested that since I’ve used the word in today’s meditation, I give a definition of “miasma”. Here goes; an unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapour which surrounds or emanates from something. Straight from Google! So fight with them please. I’ve described sin as a miasma. It most certainly smells that way. A stench in the nostrils of the Lord.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 27 November 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	TEMPTATION
In 1789, Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, wrote: In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. He may or may not be the originator of this well-known saying. But the facts are it is true! I cannot say for certain whether or not he was a Christian. If he was, surely he would know that death is a by-product of sin. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NLT So Ben Franklin would have put it better if he had written, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except sin and taxes”. But “death and taxes” sounds better than “sin and taxes”. For our purposes, they are the same. Talking about sin, Dr Ken Stewart told a story some 35 years ago. It seems his deacons had come to him and complained that all he ever preached about was Jesus Christ! “What about some teaching about the wickedness of sin”, they asked? Somewhat nonplussed, he agreed. So the following Sunday morning he got up and said. “I’ve been asked to talk about sin. God’s against it. The deacons are against it and I’m against it. So let’s talk about Jesus.” One thing we must admit about sin. It seems to be the most popular activity in the world today. The vast majority of people on this planet are either committing it or thinking about committing it. According to Jesus, thinking about it is the same as committing it. The other fact is that we are incapable of not committing sin. According to Paris Riedhead, we are all “monsters of iniquity who love our sin”. I don’t like it, but have to admit that it’s true. It takes a miracle from God to change it. Each and every one of us was falling into the bottomless pit until God intervened. If He hadn’t it would have been “game over” for all of us. Oscar Wilde, in his play of 1892, “Lady Windermere's Fan” wrote, “I can resist anything but temptation”. It’s a fair assessment of the power of temptation and sin in our lives. I’ve deliberately emphasised the power sin holds over us. The only “way out” is in and through the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit through our being born again. There is no other way! Yes, the words have been cheapened by overuse and bad interpretation. But that does not make them any less true than they were when Jesus spoke them ±2000 years ago. The prophet Isaiah stated, 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 ESV It describes us all perfectly. I don’t know how He did it. I don’t really care why He did it. The fact is, He did it! Now we must walk in it. But we can’t unless He enables us to do so. He has and He will for you. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			10 My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! Proverbs 1:10 NLT 6 When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it--she'd know everything!--she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate. Genesis 3:6 MSG 20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah break faith in the matter of the devoted things, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? And he did not perish alone for his iniquity.'" Joshua 22:20 ESV 2 "You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice. Exodus 23:2 NLT 13 "Enter through the narrow gate because the gate and road that lead to destruction are wide. Many enter through the wide gate. Matthew 7:13 GW 7 For we do not live to ourselves alone and we do not die to ourselves alone. Romans 14:7 TNIV 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 NIV 9 But be careful that by using your freedom you don't somehow make a believer who is weak in faith fall into sin. 1 Corinthians 8:9 GW 12 When you sin against other believers in this way and harm their weak consciences, you are sinning against Christ. 1 Corinthians 8:12 GW 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 ESV	It’s just like a miasma, that flows up through the grate, Of hell and tries to harm the folk and leave them in a state. It’s terribly insidious. It wants your heart and soul. Given opportunity, destruction is its goal. If it can annihilate or smash you to the ground, It’s achieved the purpose, the one the devil found. You know what I’m speaking of. The miasma is sin. If it can defeat you, then Lucifer will win. You will be his prisoner; and far beyond a doubt, You will never find a way whereby you can get out. It starts off with deception. He makes it look so good. “Try a little sample. You know you really should. Jesus told you something that’s not completely true. A little bit of evil, is very good for you. The difference you have heard about, you’ll never know for sure, While you’ve this obsession for always being pure. Here’s a bit. Just try it. And then you’ll really know, That what the Lord was telling you is not the way to go. To know something is evil, you have to try it first. Then your eyes will open and you will not be cursed” Can you sense the wickedness of what is written here? Eve and Adam tried it. That’s why they are not here. Sin looked so inviting, according to the snake. Both of them were tempted; with all this world at stake. They succumbed and listened. They ate forbidden fruit; And Satan captured both of them. Creation was his loot. So do not trust a sinner. Far better, turn away. Do not mess about with it or you will be its prey. Perhaps it does look tempting. But surely that’s the point. Give the devil half a chance and he will “own the joint”! We must always follow, the straight and slender way. Enter by the narrow gate and from its path don’t stray. Don’t think it’s acceptable to join in with the crowd. Jesus Christ has made it plain, that it’s not allowed. Set a good example for everyone to see. That is why the Saviour came. To set the captives free. Follow His example. It’s perfect and it’s good. If you are obedient, you’ll do the things you should. Jim Strickland  Written 27th November 2012

BETRAYER

Time with Jesus - Monday, 26 November 2012

Hi all,

Ahitophel! The name sounds ordinary. But he was far from being ordinary. He was a traitor. He betrayed King David in much the same way that Judas betrayed Jesus. Psalm 55 describes David’s circumstances. ¹² It is not an enemy who taunts me--I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me--I could have hidden from them. ¹³ Instead, it is you--my equal, my companion and close friend. Psalm 55:12-13 NLT  I started writing about this and found that I was only halfway through when I came to the end of the usually allotted space. So there is no introduction today. The story of Ahitophel is enough to meditate on anyway!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 26 November 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					©
AHITOPHEL			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	BETRAYER
He had a reputation, for being very wise. And when it came to counsel, there surely “were no flies”, On what he’d said to David. He usually was right. But it was most unfortunate what he had said that night. His name “brother of foolishness” was surely rather apt. He always chose the “winning side” and thereby, he was trapped. He was Bathsheba’s grandfather, is what some scholars say. Perhaps that’s why he saw the king at any time of day? Had he been reliable? I guess he must have been. And since he was related, to David’s favourite queen, He must have had some influence on what the monarch said. No doubt this sort of impact would “turn King David’s” head. He would start to trust this man; this crafty Gilonite. And the king concluded, he “always” got things right. But he had one purpose. To have authority. To be David’s advisor. Get him to do what he, Said he should be doing. The power behind the throne, Is what he really wanted, all for his very own! So he befriended David. It easily was done. Because he was related to David’s wife and son. He gained a reputation, for often being right. Thus he always looked so good, within King David’s sight. And so their “friendship” blossomed. And very soon he knew, The King would do precisely what he told him to do! And so they had walked together and David loved him well. It really was a tragedy for bad Ahitophel. But it was insufficient. He wanted so much more. He joined himself with Absalom. He sort of “crossed the floor” And when the young pretender entered Jerusalem. Ahitophel had obviously taken sides with them. What this new king needed was getting some advice. Ahitophel said something that Absalom thought nice.  2 Sam 16:21 “Take your father’s concubines upon the palace roof. And there, before the people, give them the living proof, That you have taken over. Then take each one by force. Where everyone could see them, have sexual intercourse.” Absalom consented and soon he had had it done. He thought it was exciting and also lots of fun. Continued under Betrayer			10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT 23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice hadn't been followed, he saddled his donkey, left, and went home to his own city. He gave instructions to his family. Then he hanged himself, died, and was buried in his father's tomb. 2 Samuel 17:23 GW 14 A person's spirit can endure sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit? Proverbs 18:14 GW 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? Jeremiah 8:22 TNIV 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon Me, for the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to comfort the broken-hearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. 2 He has sent Me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD's favour has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. 3 To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own glory. Isaiah 61:1-3 NLT 28 Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30 NLT 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. Acts 8:35 NLT 3 He heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds. Psalms 147:3 NLT	But what he didn’t realise, was it would take some time. He was still a strong young man quite early in his prime. When all of this was over, Absalom’s next move, Was still to be decided. What was it he’d approve? Ahitophel suggested, that almost straight away, Absalom should chase the King, without further delay. “Give me twelve thousand soldiers and I will run him down I will kill King David and you will get his crown!” Ahitophel’s suggestion was excellent and good. The “New King” would have done it as quickly as he could. But first he called for Hushai, the Arkite to advise, If this is what he ought to do and if the course was wise? Now Hushai still supported King David and so he, Spoke and said to Absalom, “That isn’t right for me. David is still powerful. You need a lot more men Otherwise he will return and take the crown again. So wait until your army is a far larger size. Send a call for extra troops; I think that would be wise.” So Absalom decided to simply hang around. It’s likely that the pleasure that Absalom had found, Was rather preferential to running off to war. The women had been fabulous. Perhaps he wanted more? So Absalom decided that he would rather stay. He’d resume the battle upon some other day. This would be disastrous; bad for Ahitophel. It sounded like the first stroke of this traitor’s own death knell. He realised that very soon, King David would return. And that when David saw him, his ire would surely burn. There were no other prospects. A most unpleasant death. Surely now was threatening, to snatch his final breath. He had no further comment. He knew what to do next. He’d better be untouchable when David’s ire was vexed. He saddled up his donkey and headed off for home. Suicide was better than waiting all alone, For David’s men to find him and give him to the King. Rather death by hanging. He wouldn’t feel a thing. He put his house in order. Took a rope and died. What a dreadful ending; committing suicide!               2 Sam 17:23 Jim Strickland  Written 26th November 2012