TRANSFORMED TO BE LIKE HIM

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 26 January 2013

Hi all,

A day or so ago I mentioned Star Trek. Of all the Si-fi programmes on TV, it still endures as among the very best. Those who are old enough will no doubt remember Captain Kirk, Mr Spock and Scottie, the Star Ship engineer. I loved that series. They brought it back later with a different crew. But somehow the “magic” of the original was missing. In the original show, people were “beamed” up and down with what appeared to be some sort of scientific materializer/de-materializer. Of course it was imaginary but helped the series. Scottie was the engineer who looked after this “beaming” equipment. All this gave rise to an expression we still hear occasionally. “Beam me up Scottie, there’s no intelligent life here”.

The reason I liked the show was the indirect reference to what will happen to all genuine Christians one day. The trumpet will sound and we will all be “caught up” to join the Lord in the air. We will all have resurrection bodies in the prime of life. Exactly what that means in terms of gender, I really don’t know. I understand that for a man it’s about 33 years old. I’m told that for a woman it’s about 18. Personally I can hardly wait. If there is such a thing as gender, I can hardly wait to see Phyllida as an 18 year old beauty! We may fall in love again all over! Well, I will!

Today we meditate on being transformed to be like Him!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 26 January 2013			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	Transformed to be Like Him
Somewhere in the depths of memory there’s a hymn that went, “Changed in the twinkling of an eye”. I can’t remember all of it. No matter. These words express the essence of what Christians believe. Paul expressed it as follows: - 51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 1 Cor 15:51-53 NLT When we read this for the first time, we have that distinct feeling that if this was not in the Bible, it would be out of a children’s fairy story! It sounds too incredible! But it’s not incredible. It’s a fact! It will happen just as Paul stated. For those of us who are pensioners, the prospect of having a body that works properly again is fabulous. To be able to touch my toes! At present it seems that they are just too far away. As a pensioner friend stated recently, “If the Lord wanted me to touch my toes, He would have put them on my knees”. But what will we look like? I love the way the Eugene Peterson, in the Message, gives us an idea of our future appearance. 2 But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him--and in seeing him, become like him. 1 John 3:2 MSG What will it be to be like Jesus? We don’t really know. It’s most unlikely that we will all be “clone look-alike’s” of Jesus. No doubt we will be able to recognise each other and Him. It seems that we will have bodies like His supernatural body! I can’t even begin to imagine what that will mean. Yes, He appeared to His apostles and many other folk. They touched and handled Him. Then He vanished. What kind of body is that? One instant He was “flesh and bone”. The next instant he was gone. But flesh and bone can’t pass through walls! In the Old Testament, the Lord appeared to men and women occasionally. These pre-birth appearances are called a “Theophany” or, sometimes, a “Christophany” In these instances, He walked and talked with people. He looked human. But then He was gone. In some ways we may be looking at the same thing. We can’t say this is true. But it does indicate that the Lord has the ability to “materialise” and “dematerialise”. I know this sounds something like an episode from Star Trek. But since Jesus is God, He probably has no difficulty in doing so. From our point of view, does it mean that when we are with Him and like Him, we can do the same? Will our new bodies be able to “materialise” and “dematerialise”? Frankly, we have no idea. All we know for sure is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him--and in seeing him, become like Him. Can we really understand this? I admit that I can’t. If you can, perhaps you will assist me? In the meantime, “Even so, Come Lord Jesus! Expressed in Star Trek language it would be, “Beam me up Lord Jesus, let’s get out of here!” Jim & Phyllida Strickland			20 But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Saviour, the Master, Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful & whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under & around him. Philip 3:20-21 MSG 26 And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. 27 And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. 28 Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking. Ezekiel 1:26-28 ESV 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Cor 3:18 ESV 2 But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him--and in seeing him, become like him. 1 John 3:2 MSG 15 That is why they are in front of the throne of God. They serve him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 They will never be hungry or thirsty again. Neither the sun nor any burning heat will ever overcome them. Rev 7:15-16 GW 2 They were holding God's harps 3 and singing the song of God's servant Moses and the song of the lamb. They sang, "The things you do are spectacular and amazing, Lord God Almighty. The way you do them is fair and true, King of the Nations. Rev 15:2-3 GW	I’ve wondered what we’ll look like, the day the Lord returns. We know we will be like Him. That flame within us burns. We’ll have a glorious body. One that can walk through walls. That floats into a cloudy sky, the instant that He calls! It never will grow older. We’ll all be at our peak! For men that is at 33. I do not have the cheek, To comment for the ladies. I’ve heard it is eighteen. But will there be a gender? If not, what does that mean? It’s all too complicated. My head’s in overdrive. The rest of me is thanking God, that I will be alive! And what about our relatives? I hope they’ll all be there. But who knows their condition! We’re mostly unaware, Of whom the Lord has chosen to reign with Him on high. And none of us know what they did before their time to die! I’m not sure if it matters? Our Master knows what’s best. And everyone who loved Him will surely pass His test. There has to be surprises! Who listened to His call? The big surprise for me will be that I am there at all! I know I don’t deserve it. It’s only by His grace, That there can be the slightest chance, I might access that place. I’m sure it will be wonderful; beyond what I can think; And He’ll transform each one of us far quicker than a wink! I wonder what He’ll look like. But this I understand. There still will be the nail prints in both His feet and hands. I cannot guess their purpose, but this I know for sure. Each time I get a glimpse of them, I’ll think what He endured, So the people He’s redeemed, forever more can see, How much the Master suffered, for folk like you and me. I know He’ll wash away our tears. But I’ll still want to cry, “O God, You did all this for me; a sinner such as I?” For as I think about it now, my eyes just fill with tears. Thinking just how much You’ve done to drive away our fears. Perhaps I’m thinking far too much about this great event. And tremble as I realise that this is heaven sent. It’s time to get excited, because He’s coming soon. The thought of a new body. It makes me want to swoon. To be a brand new man again; once more back in my prime! Renewed to be like Jesus! O what a thought Divine! Jim Strickland  Written 26th January 2012

FATHERS AND FATHERHOOD

Time with Jesus - Friday, 25 January 2013

Hi all,

When you were growing up, did you ever come across a book or magazine focusing on the family? I can’t recall seeing one. There were a number of books on bringing up children. If I remember rightly, there was one written by a certain Dr Spock. At one time, it was regarded as a sort “Child Rearing Bible”, if you know what I mean. I vaguely remember it was slavishly followed. Also, it did not always produce the successes it claimed. The final indignity was that when it came to raising his own children, Dr Spock refused to have anything to do with his own book! Then, in the 1960’s, Star Trek arrived on the TV screen. It amused me greatly, that the emotionless man, with long pointed ears from the planet Vulcan and the mind of a computer, was called Mr Spock. I remember wondering if there was a connection? Today’s meditation is all about fatherhood.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Friday, 25 January 2013			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	Fathers and Fatherhood
The Lord blessed me with an extraordinary man as a father. He was not easy to get to know. He tended to be a thinker and was well read. I distinctly remember seeing the complete works of Charles Dickens in his father’s home. His father (my grandfather) was an extraordinary reader. He even read books walking to and from work. My grandfather was something of a pianist. In the days between the wars, going to the pub was more or less the only form of entertainment available in North East England. He would walk into a pub and sit down at the piano; a prerequisite in those days. In no time there would be several “pints” lined up on the piano for Ernie the pianist. He would play for a couple of hours and then get up, walk out and go home. My father, another Ernie, was like my grandfather. He didn’t learn to play the piano, but he was like his father. Both of them were good listeners and poor talkers. They were content to listen, take it all in and quietly go about the business of living life. Dad had a touch for working on large turbo-alternators. This skill put him into a reserved occupation during WWII. He spent most of the time visiting power stations etc. He managed to get them going again in spite of Hermann Goering’s bombers. He met my mother in 1938. They married in 1940. She was his first and only girlfriend. I was born in 1942 and called Ernie! Mom insisted they call me by my second name (James) Jim for short. In some respects, his skill influenced our relationship. He was constantly being called away to fix things - turbines. When we came to South Africa he travelled around installing, checking and repairing similar equipment. So we were never really able to get close. In any case, he was my Dad. He was seldom wrong about anything. He only ever commented about topics he was familiar with. Was he a good role model for me? How would I know? He was the only father I had. I thought the world of him. It never occurred to me that he might not be right. Besides, he behaved much like his father. That’s the way it was back in the 1950’s for me and the 1930’s for him. No doubt it would have been much the same as my grandfather was treated at the beginning of the 20th century! Before that? Who can say? Was I a good father? In the light of God’s word I must say no. I treated my children much the same way as I’d been treated. It was the same way for each generation! All of it was terribly normal – whatever normal means. Those days are now about 60 years ago! Knowing what I know now, I’m sure things would have been much different. But that’s the problem. Hindsight is always 20/20 vision. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			15 You didn't receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear once again. Instead you received the Holy Spirit, who makes you God's child. By the Spirit's power we call God "Abba." Abba means Father. Rom 8:15 NIrV 1 After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so He can give glory back to You. John 17:1 NLT 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to You. Holy Father, You have given Me Your name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as We are. John 17:11 NLT 25 "O Righteous Father, the world doesn't know You, but I do; and these disciples know You sent Me. John 17:25 NLT 36 And He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Mark 14:36 ESV 6 Because you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. He is the Holy Spirit. By his power we call God "Abba." Abba means Father. Gal 4:6 NIrV 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. 19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. Eph. 2:18-19 NLT 16 You are our Father. Abraham and Israel are long dead. They wouldn't know us from Adam. But you're our living Father, our Redeemer, famous from eternity! Isaiah 63:16 MSG 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:18-20 ESV 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Eph. 5:1 ESV	Take a little walk around Jerusalem today, It won’t be very long before you hear a young boy say, “Abba” meaning father. The little boy will run, And jump into his father’s arms. Why not? He is his son! It’s really quite delightful. It’s often on the go; And from a Christian standpoint, it’s wonderful to know, That fathers and their little boys, relate in such a way, That people in the Western world so seldom see today. We’re missing out on something. The father - son lifestyle, It’s something that we ought to know. It makes Our Father smile. But what about the fathers, that you and I have known? Have they truly acted the way the Bible’s shown? For what we have experienced, is what we’ll likely be. That is our role model, most unfortunately. Some of it was very good; some of it was not; And some of it was something far better off forgot! Some fathers are fantastic. They seem to get it right. They do just what the Bible says, by day as well as night. They clearly love their children the way a father should. So when it comes to fathering, we say that they are “good”! Some men are a “disaster”, if you’ll forgive the phrase. These men abuse their children in many different ways. Some of it is physical. They leave their children sore. Others psychological, which damages far more, Than giving a few bruises. They leave their children scarred, Some should be arrested and from all children barred. The problem which arises is, these children never trust Any sort of father, they treat them with disgust. And so because of what they’ve seen, they think that every Dad, Is better off avoided, or they’ll be driven mad. So when it comes to Father God, they think that also He, Will be as bad as what they knew back in their history. But this is a perception and never is the truth. We can’t compare God’s Fatherhood with knowledge from our youth. He’s infinitely better than anything we’ve known. We cannot rate His fatherhood – not even with our own. I may be a “good father”. But only God is good! The very best that I can be, it can’t be what it should. My fatherhood is limited to hours in the day. And when I’m busy sleeping, there isn’t any way, That I can be a father. As long as I’m asleep, What sort of standard can I set? I cannot ever keep, The standards He has set out. I also have my moods; And cannot feed my children on supernatural food. There is a gulf between us. I do the best I can. But I am not Christ Jesus. I’m only just a man. Jim Strickland  Written 25th January 2012