THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Today is Christmas Day.
Please receive our prayers for a Christ filled Christmas.

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 25 December 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is topical. It’s on the Birth of Jesus. It was written in 1986 but is as fresh today as it was back then. I’m sorry the font size is so small. It’s the only way to get everything on one page. Increase the font size if you cannot read it properly.

All around us today we will see the imagination of man “sanitizing” what was a painful and traumatic experience for the young couple having to get from Nazareth to Bethlehem because of a command by Caesar. For such a journey during the final couple of weeks of pregnancy could be doubly fatal for mother and infant. In those days there were no medical facilities as we know them. The death of mother and infant in childbirth was not particularly unusual. But Mary was young; probably in her early teens. Women were “married off” quite young then.

I’ve tried to paint the picture as realistically as possible. Yes, it is from my imagination and it may be wrong in places. Be that as it may! I suspect much of it describes what actually happened. It’s very different from our Xmas cards.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 25 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					©
THE BIRTH OF JESUS 1			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE BIRTH OF JESUS 2
"We've got to go to Bethlehem", said Joseph to his wife. "But it's so far to travel and there is brand new life Developing inside me. Please Joseph, can't I stay? For Nazareth to Bethlehem's a hundred miles away! I really shouldn't travel. The birth's so very near! How can I walk or even ride?" "We have no choice my dear, For Caesar has commanded that taxes we must pay. Those who don't go to their towns, they've guaranteed to slay. I know it won't be easy, but if we take it slow And, if I take good care of you, we'll all be safe I know." She carried on protesting but still Joseph prepared And very soon they both set off, uncomfortable and scared. The journey was a nightmare for she could hardly ride. The movement of the donkey would jolt the child inside. So, often she dismounted and simply had to walk, Which made her so exhausted that she could hardly talk. They travelled in the mornings before the midday heat Had scorched the barren dusty road and burned her aching feet. They rested when the sun was high; where they could find some shade, And travelled on at evening both desperately afraid That she would start with labour. At night they just lay down And slept upon the barren road which led toward their town. Sometimes the opportunity to ride on someone's cart Gave a needed respite. But then she'd have to start And carry on the journey in agony and pain, Longing for another chance for her to rest again. For Joseph, it was terrible, for what else could he do? He had to keep on hurrying to see the journey through. Himself, he was much older. She was so very young. To keep her going like this was something that just stung. He also knew that time was short and that her time was near, So had to keep on travelling in spite of all his fear. Thus he was in the middle and torn apart with pain; The thought of what might happen kept churning in his brain. And though he didn't show it, it cut him to the heart Fearing with each step she took her labour pains would start. How long the journey took them we cannot know for sure. Perhaps it took a fortnight. What woman can endure The prospect of a journey like this when great with child? Perhaps it was her tender age that helped her through the trial. The distance seemed forever. Each step a jarring jolt. Be it on foot, or on a cart, or riding on a colt, The physical exhaustion kept coming on in waves. The rightful Royal family kept moving on like slaves! At last, there in the distance they sighted Bethlehem. But then the thing they greatly feared came up to smother them. The shooting pains of labour induced by what they'd done Made them both feel desperate. The birth had now begun. "God help us both!", said Joseph. "I'm going on ahead. I've got to find a place for you. Somewhere to lay your head." He hurried forward frantically. She plodded on behind. "There has to be a place for us. A spot where we can find Somewhere for the delivery. A house, a room, an Inn. Anywhere for privacy; Some spot to shelter in.			15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 TNIV A Psalm Of Thanksgiving. 1 Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. 3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. 5 For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalms 100:1-5 NLT 6 For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NLT 32 Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won't He also give us everything else? Romans 8:32 NLT 6 He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.’ Mark 12:6 ESV 21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Psalms 107:21 NIV Of David. 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Psalms 103:1 ESV 46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; Luke 1:46-48 ESV	The first place which he came to he knew would have to do. Then just around the corner an Inn came into view. He rushed into the courtyard to find to his dismay That all the rooms were occupied. There didn't seem a way For him to find vacancy. "O God, where can I go?" This added complication was just another blow That jarred him to the very core. And then he saw a place Among the cattle droppings which filled him with distaste. The floor was filthy dirty. It made him want to weep. But naught else was available and so he tried to sweep The dung and other droppings away so she could lie Upon a bed he made for her for now her time was nigh. She staggered to the courtyard and fell upon the straw. The pain of the contractions enveloped her once more. And then at last it happened and she cried out with pain. The time had come... A mighty push... and then the baby came. The moment they'd been waiting for, at last it had arrived. The miracle to both of them was that they had survived. Poor Joseph looked so helpless. What was he now to do? The birth was in the courtyard for all the world to view. He hovered in embarrassment his countenance perplexed. What was the proper thing to do and what would happen next? But Mary was delivered. At last she seemed at peace. It may have been in public but here was the release From all the fearful struggling and all the pain and hurt. She and the babe seemed comfortable in spite of all the dirt. He handed her a swaddling cloth in which to wrap the child. Then looked and saw a feeding trough in which some straw was piled. The animals had left it and though it seemed quite rough There wasn't an alternative and there was room enough. So there he placed the infant upon that bed of straw; A manger standing in the yard on that disgusting floor Is where he placed the baby. That's how God's Son was born; A probable reflection of that first Christmas morn. The agony and heartbreak of what is written here Is more true than the fairy tale so many hold so dear. The artificial Christmas cards so often we receive Are just a vain concoction men want us to believe. The truth is far more painful and shows that God regards Our thinking of what should have been as broken, splintered shards. So as you come to Christmas with all the celebration Think about the way it was. Use your imagination To understand what happened. A little teenage girl Was treated like an outcast and not some tender pearl. For as you think about it, it's sure to change your mind About the Christmas story and all the junk you find Described upon your calendars your cards and at your feasts. God chose as his place of birth a spot among the beasts To come and bring salvation. Let this truth settle in For he came here to save the world from wickedness and sin. And as you think about it, it ought to change your ways For Christmas to be meaningful, not just a holiday. Jim Strickland  Written 1986

DAVID, SAUL AND ACHISH

Time with Jesus - Monday, 24 December 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation focus on three men; they were contemporaries. All three were either kings or would become kings. Saul, king of Israel and Judah; king Achish of Gath in Philistia and the future king David of Israel and Judah. Three most unlikely characters; yet the interaction between the three of them would more or less define the future of Israel and Judah with Philistia. It’s all convoluted in the book of First Samuel. This book makes fascinating reading. From Samuel to the death of Saul, complete with the life of the pre-royal David. Wonderful Biblical history.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 24 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	DAVID, SAUL AND ACHISH
Do animals laugh? It’s a strange sort of a question but strange things do happen and answers are never easy to come by. I can’t think I’ve ever seen anything like laughter from any animal that I’ve come across. I can remember seeing a “Francis the Talking Mule” movie. But I suspect it was “rigged” for Donald O’Connor’s benefit. We do have an account of Balaam’s donkey speaking in Numbers 22:28. Read it and see. The donkey certainly wasn’t laughing! Many folk feel that the Bible has no humour in it. It’s true that most of it is tragedy, or human stupidity if you prefer. But dotted here and there we find delightfully amusing statements. One of my favourites is found in the book of Jeremiah. Speaking about idols of the nations, Jeremiah records the Lord as saying, 5 Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good." Jer. 10:5 NIV. I love it. For me it’s the ultimate Biblical “put down”. There is very little we could describe as “funny” in the tale of the Saul, David and Achish. If it had been written by Shakespeare, it would be classified and included as one of his tragedies like Hamlet and Macbeth. King Saul who could be classified as the villain of the piece had become quite mad. He was obsessed with a desire to kill David. He seems to me to have had a depressive nature. Then he heard the women sing: - 7 "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands."1 Samuel 18:7 NIV. Saul hadn’t read “How to Make Friends and Influence People”. For a while he sat on it and “incubated” it! Then, when his envious anger broke out of its shell, he threw a spear at David. David ducked! If he hadn’t, he could never have become the King. From that time, more or less, David was on the run. The saga of David running from Saul comprises much of 1 Samuel. Saul’s determination to capture and kill David was a calamity. In the end, almost in desperation, David leaves the country and goes to live with King Achish of Gath! Perhaps the same Gath as Goliath’s home? The time David spent in Philistia seems to have been an all-time, pre Bathsheba, low. It does little for his reputation. He is revealed as a liar and heartless killer. He was nearly murdered by his men at Ziklag. While living in hiding from Saul in Philistia, he fooled Achish into thinking he was raiding his own people. The truth is he was raiding the places of Israel’s enemies. Achish was fooled. The Philistine officers were not. David was still the enemy. Hence David didn’t have to fight Saul in the battle with the Philistines. In this battle, Saul and three of his sons died. One of them was David’s blood covenant brother Jonathan. What a tragedy! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			3 The Philistine officers asked, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" Achish asked the Philistine officers, "Isn't this David, the servant of King Saul of Israel, who has been with me now for a year or two? I've found nothing wrong with him from the day he defected until now." 1 Samuel 29:3 GW 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory-the Spirit of God-is resting on you. 15 If you suffer, you shouldn't suffer for being a murderer, thief, criminal, or troublemaker. 16 If you suffer for being a Christian, don't feel ashamed, but praise God for being called that name. 1 Peter 4:14-16 GW 16 Don't let something you consider good be spoken of as if it were evil. Romans 14:16 NIrV 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12 TNIV 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ESV 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellences of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Peter 2:9 ESV	The very strangest threesome that you could ever see. David, Saul and Achish. An “oddball” history! Saul was chasing David. He wished to see him dead. Achish was a Philistine. A man whom Saul should dread. David had been running, to get away from Saul. Anyone who helped him, found no mercy at all. He slaughtered all the priests who lived within the town of Nob. The Hebrews wouldn’t do it, so Doeg did the job! Doeg was an Edomite, so it is no surprise, He would kill the Priests of Nob; to look good in Saul’s eyes. Saul kept hounding David. I think he had gone mad! David wouldn’t harm Saul; though he be good or bad. Saul was God’s anointed, so David wouldn’t kill, This ruler who went crazy. He ran away until, In order to find respite, he joined the Philistines. And so he went to Achish to join their army’s lines. Achish was a ruler. Gath was his home town. Goliath was the Gathite whom David had struck down. It didn’t seem to matter and David was “his man”, So Achish gave him Ziklag; for David, a good plan. For sixteen months in Ziklag and Gath, David would raid The enemies of Israel, a dreadful price was paid. Women, men and children were all put to the sword. He said that they were Hebrews; but it was just a fraud, He used to trick King Achish. He told a bunch of lies; So he would be acceptable. Impressive in the eyes, Of Achish and his people. But would he go and fight, Against Saul and his people? How could he get that right? The generals of the Philistines refused to take him on. And very soon next morning, David’s men were gone. They all went back to Ziklag. But Ziklag was forsaken. Raided by Amalekites; and everyone was taken. All his men were angry and David took the blame. And so in desperation unto the Lord he came. There he found encouragement and what he had to do. Go and bring them back again before your men kill you! The mission was successful and families restored. All was “done and dusted”; courtesy the Lord. Jim Strickland  Written 24th December 2012

ETERNAL LIFE IN JESUS

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 23 December 2012

Hi all,

Our meditation focuses on the very first Scripture. “Eternal Life in Jesus”. I’ve tried to include all 9 Scriptures in the poem. The introduction looks at the same thing but concludes that in the first world, we appear to have been distracted from our focus on Jesus. Many tend to focus on men, buildings and money. These cannot and never will lead to fulfilment in the Christian walk. At best, they are distractions from Him who is of supreme importance. He is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 23 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	ETERNAL LIFE IN JESUS
According to the Bible, Methuselah lived for 969 years. 27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died. Genesis 5:27 ESV Dates like this are meaningless to us in any real sense. I’m not sure how I would greet someone who could remember the days of William the Conqueror; (1066 AD) who could talk about Henry VIII and his various wives and have had a chat with Martin Luther and Sir Isaac Newton. Talking with people who are centenarians or thereabouts can be difficult. But how about someone who was 969 years of age? A couple of weeks ago we looked at the fact that man wasn’t made to die. We should live forever. Sadly, sin entered all of us and death is the wages each of us will receive. Thus, unless Jesus returns, we are all going to die. So what do we do with 1 John 5:11? If God has given us eternal life in His Son, why is death inevitable? We have a serious problem with our thinking. We see death as the end of life. Since none of us have seen anything beyond the grave, we see death as the end point. A bit like the old pinball table. Remember the sign which read “game over”. Well if we put a few more coins in the slot, we could have another go. But if we had a few more coins in our pocket, we could keep going until they were gone. That was that. Unfortunately, many Christians must be included in this category. We all know that in Jesus Christ, we will never die. Our “earth suit” will wear out and be discarded. But we will be with Jesus. According to Paul, this is much better. It is a question of getting this reality down into the very depths of our spirit and soul. The question is how do we go about it? In the early days of Christianity, the resurrection was welcomed and celebrated. Men and women had no problem with giving their lives for Jesus because He was alive and well and living in them. Down through the Dark ages and until fairly recently, men and women “believed” to the point of dying for Him. Where has all this gone? Today, people are so “lukewarm”. They settle for 90 to 120 minutes in a comfortable “lecture room” (church building) These places are now entertainment centres. Our preachers are skilled orators who can hold an audience in the palm of their hands. They want to build bigger auditoriums so that they can attract more people to come and support them financially. They are successful when they drive big expensive cars, live luxuriously in mansions and are in demand all over the globe. We’re told “He became poor, so that by His poverty, He could make you rich”. (2 Cor. 8:9) Our “riches” are in the abundance of the Spiritual blessings in His robe of Righteousness which we’ve been given to wear. Instead, He took the poverty of our sin-sick lives. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			11 This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. 1 John 5:11 MSG 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. John 5:26 ESV 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. John 5:21 ESV 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even if he dies. 26 And those who live and believe in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26 NIrV 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 ESV 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." John 10:17-18 ESV 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 TNIV 12 So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life. 1 John 5:12 MSG 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. Colossians 3:2-6 ESV	God gave us eternal life; this life is in His Son.                         1 John 5:11 Can you find it elsewhere? I’m sorry there is none Other name in heaven, on earth or in the sea. Life is in the Son of God; in Him exclusively! It came from God the Father. There is no life elsewhere.               John 5:26 He gave His Son this self-same life, so it is His to share.        John 5:21 We have to understand this. There’s nowhere else to go. There is no other deity. No other god to know. No man can assist you, to find another way. Jesus is the only one available today. He’s the resurrection and life is His to give.                             John 11:25-26 None else in creation can empower you to live. All believers in Him will live and not pass on. All living believers; their “life” is never gone. Death can never hold them. They’ll merely fall asleep; And in His loving presence, them evermore He’ll keep. He is the Good Shepherd. His life He’ll lay aside,                           John 10:11 To give His sheep protection and be their faithful guide. He said His Father loves Him. And here’s a reason why. Because He’d go to Calvary; quite willingly, He’d die. Nobody could kill Him; so of His own accord,                          John 10:17-18 He yielded up His Spirit to His Father and His Lord. This was not a suicide. Let’s make it very clear. Death came in to claim Him and drew in very near. But it could never hold Him. He still was in control. His Spirit wasn’t conquered and neither was His soul! His body was inanimate. That portion had to die. But Jesus Christ, the Son of God was quietly standing by. He still had authority to take up life again.                                                                                  John 10:17-18 And on the Sunday morning, the place where He had lain, Witnessed resurrection; His body was transformed. He has the keys of death and hell. Satan’s empire stormed. Rev 1:17 Nothing stopped King Jesus. The battle had been won. Satan’s mighty empire is defeated by God’s Son. But there’s another miracle each one of us must see. Because He gave His life away and died for you and me, Death has been defeated; sin has lost its force; And Satan’s reign of terror, at last has run its course. Jim Strickland  Written  23rd December 2012