HOBSON’S CHOICE

Time with Jesus - Monday, 17 December 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is on the topic “Hobson’s Choice”. It comes from 1 Kings 10 and Matthew 12 and is presented as a small play featuring two soliloquies; one by the Queen of Sheba the other by Jesus.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 17 December 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	HOBSON’S CHOICE
THOMAS HOBSON – 1544-1631 Hobson's choice is a free choice in which only one option is offered. As a person may refuse to take that option. The choice is therefore between taking the option or not. “Take it or leave it". It originated with Thomas Hobson a livery stable owner in England. To rotate the use of his horses, he offered customers the choice of either taking the horse in the stall nearest the door or taking none at all. (Taken from Wikipedia via Google) “To be or not to be, that is the question”, must be one of the best known soliloquies ever written. Spoken by Hamlet, it is perhaps an ideal example of Hobson’s choice. Shakespeare’s “take it or leave it”. Do I, don’t I? Now Hobson and Shakespeare were contemporaries, maybe one inspired the other? The Bible is not written in “playwright” style. Not as we read it in English today. One or two of the books could be compiled that way. Job springs to mind, as does Habakkuk and Malachi. There is no suggestion of this anywhere in the New Testament. But at the same time, the words of Jesus are frequently presented to us in a “Take it or Leave it” style. A good example comes from John’s Gospel: 5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15: NLT This is typical of Jesus’ “Hobson’s choice” references. In our meditation today, I’ve compiled a small play. There are only two characters. One is the Queen of Sheba. The other is Jesus. The words of the Queen of Sheba are from 1 Kings 10. I’ve used the information recorded about her there. This, I’ve combined with a small amount of imagination to produce a soliloquy on with her impressions of King Solomon. Jesus’ soliloquy is based on His knowledge of the Queen of Sheba. It takes into consideration the contextual background and His words spoken to the Jewish leaders in Matthew 12. What happened was that they had been walking through the grain fields. Because they were hungry, His disciples had broken off some of the grain. They rubbed it in their hands in order to obtain the nourishment they needed. This made the Scribes and Pharisees furious. “They are harvesting grain on the Sabbath!” they said angrily. “This is forbidden by the Law of Moses”. Jesus’ answer to them was predictable and liberating. Unfortunately for Him, He made the point that He, the Son of Man, was Lord of the Sabbath. According to their strict interpretation, Jesus was saying that He had authority to interpret the Mosaic Law differently from them. If it had been possible for them to “foam at the mouth” like mad dogs, that’s what they would have done! In His soliloquy, I’ve taken phrases and statements from elsewhere in the Gospels. They present these leaders with a Hobson’s choice situation. A choice that is equally applicable to us today. What are we going to do with Jesus? Do we believe Him or don’t we? Will we obey Him or won’t we? Many of the Jewish leaders back then rejected Him. They will be rejected on Judgement Day. You and I have the same choice. “To be or not to be?” That is the question? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			7 But I didn't believe the reports until I came and saw it with my own eyes. I wasn't even told half of it. Your wisdom and wealth surpass the stories I've heard. 1 Kings 10:7 GW 42 The queen from the south will stand up at the time of judgment with you. She will condemn you, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon's wisdom. But look, someone greater than Solomon is here! Matthew 12:42 GW 14 So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. John 1:14 NLT 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NLT 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." 10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NLT 17 Your eyes will see the king in all his splendour and you will see a land that stretches into the distance. Isaiah 33:17 NLT 2 Dear friends, we are already God's children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is. 1 John 3:2 NLT 26 And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! Job 19:26 NLT 15 Because I am righteous, I will see You. When I awake, I will see You face to face and be satisfied. Psalms 17:15 NLT	QUEEN OF SHEBA: I wouldn’t have believed it, or thought that it was true, That someone was as wealthy and wise O King as you! Your temple is fantastic. Your palace better still. I thought it was impossible in all the world until, I visited Jerusalem to see with my own eyes. If what I’d heard was genuine, or just a pack of lies. But as I look around me, the things that I can see, Are so much more resplendent than what I thought could be. This surpasses anything and everything I’ve heard. And now that I have seen it, I know it’s not absurd! JESUS: That’s what the Queen of Sheba to Solomon did say. Perhaps that’s all she wanted before she went away? But on the Day of Judgement, be sure that she will stand, And bring her condemnation to many in the land. Especially the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law. She saw a man of wisdom and standing here before, The leaders of this Nation.  A Man who is more wise, Than anything King Solomon had set before her eyes. She travelled a great distance, King Solomon to test. And this man now before you is wiser than his best. Solomon’s great wisdom was there for her to see. But none of you will listen to what I say to thee. Ignorance is fatal and you just close your ears. One day at the judgement, your eyes will fill with tears! You will be excluded from the Kingdom of the Lord, Because of your hard-heartedness; He’ll put you to the sword. I know you don’t believe it. You look for clever words. You listen to the speeches of the pompous and absurd. Instead of something simple that a child can understand, You trust in man-made customs that make you feel so grand! And your religious practices, that drive the folk away. What is it at the judgement that you are going to say? The King in all His splendour; before Whom you will bow, Will say that you are hypocrites. And He will ask you how, The people you ministered to will want to let you in? You’ll stand in condemnation for a wicked life of sin. I’ve nothing more to tell you, except my heart is breaking, That even at this instant, your ways you aren’t forsaking. And you are lost forever, unless you turn to me; And you display repentance for everyone to see. So Priests and Scribes and Pharisees and teachers of the Law. Grab this opportunity. It may come back no more! Jim Strickland  Written 17th December 2012

OCCUPY TILL I COME

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 16 December 2012

Hi all,

“Occupy till I Come!” These were Jesus’ instructions to us via the parable of the money (talents) and the three servants in Luke 19:13-27. “Invest this for me while I am gone” is the NLT translation. The parable deals with those who were obedient. It also deals in a devastating way with the one who did nothing with his master’s money. A fair question for me would be to ask us, “What are you doing with His gifts, talents and blessings?” Don’t answer me. Answer Him. One day there will be no alternative!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 16 December 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	OCCUPY TILL I COME
Some years ago, I read a story about a man. He’d been all over the world on a ship. He’d been unable to disembark. He had no means of identification. No birth certificate, no ID book and no passport. How he managed to get on the ship was not explained. At every port he visited, the authorities had refused to admit him. He was what we could best describe as a non-person. What happened to any family members, who might have identified him, was not stated. Nothing was mentioned about his life aboard the ship. Presumably the captain or owners must have given him work of some sort so that he could eat and drink. It was a sorry tale with little prospects of anything changing. There is a vague similarity with this wandering man and the life of a Christian on planet earth. Sure we have passports which enable us to travel round and see various places. But we are not really at home wherever we go. In a way our status is similar to the old Chorus: This world is not my home I’m just a passing through. / My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. / The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door. / And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore! This is part of the greater problem Christians face. We are in the world but not of the world. There is a clear distinction. When we have had glimpses of the glory of God and the splendours of His Kingdom, the things of this world become somewhat tasteless. In his letter to the Philippians Paul wrote: 23 I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. Philippians 1:23 NLT It’s easy to identify with this and look forward to leaving this world and being with Jesus. But that would do nothing for the Kingdom of God. If every Christian suddenly vanished from the face of the earth, who would be left to take to Gospel to the Nations? Current “rapture of the church” theory espouses this thinking.  Christians can “escape the tribulation”. Personally, I don’t think they are right. In which case they are in for a very rude awakening. I’d love to think I’m wrong! What we should do as Christians, is live as though He is coming back tomorrow. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve heard is that we should live as though He is coming back tomorrow and prepare to serve Him here indefinitely. Andrew Murray in a book written about a hundred years ago put it this way. He said that if his daily task was to plant a tree. Even if he knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow, he would start the day by planting a tree! Jesus, in the parable of the King and three servants used the phrase: 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. Luke 19:13 KJV Occupy till I come. It’s what He wants! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, Ephesians 2:19 NIV 22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God's firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God Himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. Hebrews 12:22-23 NLT 13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Hebrews 11:13 NLT 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Saviour. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control. Philippians 3:20-21 NLT 13 For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, Colossians 1:13 NLT 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11 ESV	They say I’m a South African; and I was born a Brit. But somehow these Nationalities just do not seem to fit. It’s stated in my Passport’s and so it must be right. And with these two Authorities, I do not wish to fight. But sadly, with these passports, there’s little one can do. Except visit some countries who really don’t want you. They only want your dollars; They’ll settle for your pounds. But if you are a nuisance, you’ll soon be homeward bound. It’s called the tourist industry. “Please come and see our land. But when you’ve spent your money you have to understand The quicker you get ready, and you have gone away, Another foreign tourist will visit us next day.” I’ve got another passport which Jesus Christ supplied.               Ephesians 2:19 NIV He’s given me a heart of flesh and hidden deep inside, This Diplomatic Passport, is all I’ll ever need, To get me into heaven. It’s recognised indeed! I’ve got the right of access, to the city of my God.                    Hebrews 12:22-23 NLT To tramp the Holy City, in the steps my Lord has trod. I’m sorry, I can’t show it. It’s hidden from your view. But when I’ve started doing the things He told me to, You’ll see things in abundance as clear as any bell, The fruit I’d be displaying, if I was bound for Hell. The fact is I am righteous! It’s like an overcoat. My Master gave it to me when I gave Him my “vote”. He said that I may wear it. It fits me like a glove. And it will by my covering, while walking in His love. He’s also given promises that still must come to pass. So I am truly confident and just as bold as brass; When I confess that someday, the Lord will give to me, Everything He’s promised back to antiquity!                Hebrews 11:13 NLT His diplomatic passport will never once expire. Not while Christ my Saviour is the One Whom I desire. No one else can steal it while it’s in my chest. While I serve the Master, I know that I’ll be blessed. I’ve still got one ambition, one purpose and one goal. To fight against the passions which war against my soul.1 Peter 2:11 ESV From darkness I’ve been rescued and this I know for sure. Jesus will assist me to keep my lifestyle pure!             Colossians 1:13 NLT Jim Strickland  Written 16th December 2012

THE BUILDER

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 15 December 2012

Hi all,

When I was little my mother had a dream for my future. She wanted me to be a Chartered Accountant. It sounded good. But to this day I have an “addition” problem. I get the numbers switched round so that 67 looks like 76. Engineers cope with this sort of problem with adding machines, log tables, abacuses, slide rules, pocket calculators, fingers and toes. There is one thing I do remember from my brief excursion into bookkeeping. It was the delightful expression E&OE, meaning “errors and omissions excepted”. Armed with those four letters I may have made it as a Charted Accountant. Can you imagine a detailed financial audit with those 4 letters included? Incidentally, our balance sheet with Satan is liberally sprinkled with these four letters on every page. Accuracy is irrelevant. One sin and you’re in!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 15 December 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 BUILDER
Solomon ben David has been called the wisest man who ever lived. If we exclude Jesus from the list, this may well be the case. Certainly some of the decisions he made and revealed to us in the Bible could qualify him to be on the list. But when it comes to women, he must be at the opposite extreme. We are told, 3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray.1 Kings 11:3 TNIV I find that a bit difficult to equate with wisdom. Nevertheless, he impressed the Queen of Sheba greatly, although her reasons may not have been entirely “kosher”. Solomon is supposedly the author of Ecclesiastes as well as the major contributor to the Book of Proverbs and one or two of the Psalms. A verse in Ecclesiastes that comes to mind is, 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Eccl. 3:11 TNIV This issue of having eternity in our hearts speaks directly to you and me. Somehow we know instinctively, that we were not originally created to die. We were made for eternity. Think for a moment of a baby being born and growing. That infant should go on and on indefinitely. It doesn’t happen because of some “death factor” written into us. It shouldn’t be there. We were not made for it to be there. This heinous killer is on the rampage and will get each and every one of us. We can’t duck, dodge or avoid it. It will get us all sooner or later. This killer is worse than any virus or bacteria we have known. It has no pity, no sympathy and is always terminal. It’s called sin! We are all born with it within us. Humanly there is no way for us to deal with it. Only one sin in a lifetime is sufficient for it to ravage us. Babies are probably born with it latent within them. Very early in the child’s development the sin factor is energised by some small seemingly insignificant action. But that’s all it takes for this sickness to take control. It’s not in a hurry. It knows very well that in the end it will deal with the individual. It is inherited from fathers and mothers. No one is immune. We are all condemned. Our situation is hopeless. We need a cure. The cure requires a miracle from God! The problem is “The Wages of Sin is Death!” It’s not a slogan, its fact. Sin demands death. Someone’s death. To be correct, if I sin, my wages are compulsory. We all deserve payment! There are no special discounts. But if someone is found Who is worth more than all humanity, if He dies for us, the cost is covered. God’s Son is worth more than all of us. So His death for sin covers the full cost. No E&OE! It’s done! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT 17 At the king's command, they quarried large blocks of high-quality stone and shaped them to make the foundation of the Temple. 1 Kings 5:17 NLT 7 The stones used in the construction of the Temple were finished at the quarry, so there was no sound of hammer, axe, or any other iron tool at the building site. 1 Kings 6:7 NLT 5 And you are living stones that God is building into His spiritual temple. What's more, you are His holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 1 Peter 2:5 NLT 20 Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through Him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by His Spirit. Ephesians 2:20-22 NLT 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:10 ESV 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. 1 Corinthians 3:9 ESV 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 2 Corinthians 5:5 ESV	Jesus is a builder of a very different kind. He builds things out of nothing; which sort of blows my mind. I’ve always needed mortar, bricks and sand and stone. I also need an architect, or folk will surely moan, And say that it looks ugly. It’s beautiful to me. But they have a perspective that I will never see. All that Jesus ever builds is absolute perfection. Everything He touches, from the instant of conception, Everyone a masterpiece. Not one of them is flawed. I think that is a reason why He’s worshipped and adored. Each one an original and thoroughly unique. To walk, to sit and contemplate, to hear, to look, to speak. I know I cannot do that but if I cooperate, A new one is created, courtesy my mate! But neither of us did it. He fashioned in the womb, A masterpiece of DNA who’d be a bride or groom. We look at man-made marvels. Of course they look OK. But none of them are “living” and in this world today. We like to fashion buildings. We like to watch them grow. They keep on getting taller. As tall as man can go. And when they are completed, they reach into the sky, We look and we admire them. But they’ll collapse and die. They’ll quickly be outdated; and in a hundred years, They’ll be reduced to rubble and quickly disappear. The pyramids of Egypt, the Parthenon, the Sphinx. Will someday be a pile of sand – much sooner than man thinks. The Temple of King Solomon assembled with great care. It’s pointless looking for it. It is no longer there! We know Nebuchadnezzar, had the place destroyed. Other temples have been built but Solomon’s is void. All our human effort is just a Babel tower. Only that which Jesus builds, won’t have a final hour. And Jesus Christ is building a temple made of men; And women out of people, who have been born again; Of folk from every nation, who worship and adore, The author of Salvation; Who lives forevermore. His precious new creation, whose purpose is to be, Anything which He desires, for all eternity. Jim Strickland  Written 15th December 2012