ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 10 February 2013

Hi all,

When it comes to the working of the Holy Spirit on earth today, there are many conflicting views. Some say the gifts of the Holy Spirit, were only available in the early days of the church. God used them to “launch” the church. Then, with the death of the last apostle, they were taken away. The theory is that Christians were by then sufficiently mature to have no further need for the gifts of the Spirit. Some say, they are still available to those who seek the Lord. Today He continues to pour out His Gifts of the Holy Spirit as He wills. As a result, many are deluded into thinking that anything from nervous ticks, hysterical laughter and similar manifestations must be evidence of the moving of the Holy Spirit. Of course, it is possible that such manifestations might be from the Holy Spirit. What we should never do. is discard anything on the basis that it isn’t in line with our opinion. Many of the Pharisees of Jesus’ day made this mistake.

The apostle John referred to this in his first epistle: ¹ Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. ² This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. 1 John 4:1-2 NLT

Referring to this passage, the Life Application Study Bible states; "Do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God" This means that we shouldn't believe everything we hear, just because someone says it is a message from God. There are many ways to test teachers to see if their message is truly from the Lord. One is to check to see if their words match what God says in the Bible. Other tests include their commitment to the body of believers (1 John 2:19), their life-styles (1 John 3:23-24), and the fruit of their ministries ( 1John 4:6). But the most important test of all, says John, is what they believe about Christ. Do they teach that Jesus is fully God and fully man? Our world is filled with voices claiming to speak for God. Give them these tests to see if they are indeed speaking God's truth.

We should all seek to apply these few words of instruction in our daily lives. It will go a long way toward keeping us on the straight and narrow.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 10 February 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	Ask The Holy Spirit
Twelve years ago, Phyllida and I were in Syria. We lived in Homs and formed a close attachment with several people. This accounts for our interest in what is happening in Syria and Homs at present. The majority of Syrians are Muslim. There is a small number of Greek Orthodox Christians and a few Jews, all of whom were more or less integrated into the population. There was also a number of Palestinians among the inhabitants. People who claimed they were displaced when Israel was established as a country in 1948. Strangely enough, these people were not anti-Jewish. Their “beef” was with the state of Israel. Living in a Muslim country was a fascinating experience. We found the people hospitable and welcoming. They introduced us to concepts that were strange to us. Among them was their idea, that anyone who came from UK or America, was a Christian. Of course, we knew better. But we all make assumptions about what other people are like in foreign lands. Phyllida and I were never asked whether or not we were Christians. There was no need for them to do so. We were from a “Christian country” so we were Christians. We were all “lumped together” as Christians, regardless of our denominational, or non-denominational preferences. This is a very common error; one which we tend to make ourselves. Saying “Syria is a Muslim Nation”, does not take into consideration the many different Muslim sects found there. It follows, that when we say we are living in a Christian country, some errors immediately spring into the conversation. The biggest error, is to say that a country is Christian. By definition that is impossible. Only an individual can be a Christian. There is no such thing as a Christian horse. Likewise, there is no such thing as a Christian country. A piece of real estate may belong to a Christian. But the real estate can never be Christian. Taking this a little further, we must understand that within Christianity, there is a plethora of different belief systems. To gather everyone into one belief system is foolish. Roman Catholics and Baptists are not the same. They may share a number of beliefs, but they are very different. Sadly, the word “Christian” is misunderstood and is hated in some quarters. Too many wicked things have been done in the name of Christianity. That’s why Phyllida and I have dropped the word in favour of “Christ Follower”. It is more descriptive of a life style. Perhaps we should go back to the original expression, followers of “The Way”? In today’s meditation, I’ve contrasted the beliefs of followers of “the way” with those of 1) a typical modern Liberal Christian, 2) A New Age Believer, 3 An agnostic or 4) An atheist. These views and opinions are very different. Sadly, “Christ Followers” are seen as fundamental extremists! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			20 Yes, He can strike a rock so water gushes out, but He can't give His people bread and meat." 21 When the LORD heard them, He was furious. The fire of His wrath burned against Jacob. Yes, His anger rose against Israel. Psalm 78:20-21 NLT 1 I don't want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. 2 In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. 3 All of them ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that travelled with them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness 1 Cor 10:1-5 NLT 34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out John 19:34 NLT 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 ESV 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:40 ESV 13 "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, To hew for themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns That can hold no water. Jer 2:13 NASB 37 On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. John 7:37 MSG 17 The Holy Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" Let those who hear say, "Come!" Anyone who is thirsty should come. Anyone who wants to take the free gift of the water of life should do so. Rev 22:17 NIrV	Water is essential, for those who want to live. For people who are thirsty, its essential that we give, Water that is drinkable and largely free of salt. If you do not give it, they’ll die and it’s your fault! Back there in the wilderness, Moses got it right. “Strike the rock” God told him and they beheld the sight, Of water flowing freely, from a rock that looked so dry! Their thirst was quenched completely and so they didn’t die. For forty years it happened. They dined on heaven’s food. We’re told it had the flavour, according to the mood, Of everyone who tasted the water and the bread. About two million people would drink and were well fed. We wonder why God did it. He’d sentenced them to death. So why not kill them quickly? Why let them waste their breath? But that is not the method, which God would ever choose. Forever He’s compassionate and wouldn’t hold such views. This happened in the physical, while they were on the earth. Then Jesus made His visit and spoke of second birth. He spoke of “living” water. His “body” was the bread. It may sound very strange to us, but that is what He said. His Spirit would be in us and we would overflow, In ways that only God above could understand and know. This special kind of water, we’d get from Him for free. An undeserving gift of grace, He’d grant to you and me. It never could and never would, be based on what we’d done, But only on the Master; God’s One and only Son. But people want to work for it. They think that they can earn, The gift of Christ the Saviour. Some folk will never learn. They think that by self-effort they’ll get to God Most High. They keep on working desperately for somewhere in the sky. They do not want the Spirit. “It must be done my way!” Is what this kind of person will think about and say. They think that the atonement is immoral and is wrong! They think that they are good enough and they will join the throng Of those who are developing into divinity. That Jesus Christ was just a man Who looks like you and me. They’re on their way to godhood. Religion’s all the same; That we are fundamentalists and that our silly claim, That Jesus Christ is God most High. They say it is “hate speech”. That all the “god’s” are equal and all within our reach. But they have been deluded by, humanistic aims. And so refuse to tolerate God’s realistic claims. So what is the solution? What can God’s people do? Let God’s Holy Spirit speak from deep inside of you! Jim Strickland  Written 10th February 2012

SAUL’S FALL

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 09 February 2013

Hi all,

God has many advantages over His creation. One of the greatest must surely be his omniscience and understanding of the human heart. You and I cannot see into the heart of men and women. We do not know what will happen to any infant when he/she is born. Some will go on to be wicked criminals. Others will be among those who seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. God knows and has always known the future of each individual before birth!

In the case of Saul, the Benjamite and son of Kish, we have an example of a man who looked good on the surface. Good enough for the people to demand from God, he be made king. Sadly, the inner man was nothing like what the people needed from a king. Nevertheless, God acquiesced and Saul became king. I can’t help thinking God was giving the people what they wanted, in much the same way, as He had provided them with quail in the wilderness. So they got King Saul. He was a disaster.

We must always be careful when we ask the Lord for something. If we keep on insisting on getting what we want, He may decide to grant the request and allow us to live with the consequences.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 09 February 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	Saul’s Fall
There’s something tragic about the death of King Saul. He had been an impressive young man, standing head and shoulders above most of his countrymen. Handsome, strong and modest, he was exactly what the people demanded; a king similar to the surrounding nations. Samuel went to God and apologetically “told” God, the people didn’t want Him as their king. They wanted someone they could see and follow. Samuel had warned them what would happen if they insisted on making Saul their king. God consented. But even as I read God’s consent, I am reminded of what happens when God’s people demand their own way. 15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. Psalms 106:15 KJV. I can’t help thinking God was saying something like, “They want a king? Try this one for size.” Something like what happened in the wilderness when the people didn’t want manna. The wanted meat. They got quail! For a whole month they ate quail, until it was “coming out of their ears”. They were nauseated with it. It’s a very real danger when we “bellyache” for something from God. He just might agree with terrible consequences. Moses had pointed out; one day God would give them a king from the tribe of Judah. Probably God had already started making preparations for David. God’s only begotten Son would someday be called the Son of David. But the people couldn‘t wait for God’s timing. They were impatient. They sowed impatience and reaped an impatient man. For forty years, Saul was on the throne. For most of these years, Saul treated the people much as Samuel warned them their king would behave. But it was too late. They were stuck with him. An ancient Proverb states, “Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad”. The comment is not Scriptural but it’s what happened to Saul. His mind crumbled. He experienced fits of madness, senseless jealousy and melancholy. He became a periodic lunatic. Finally, desperate to hear something – anything from God, he consulted the witch of Endor. It’s interesting to note, she was the only known witch, who survived his earlier attempt, to rid his kingdom of idolatry and witchcraft! Finally, he died by falling on his own sword. The Philistines beheaded his corpse and hung his body on the walls of their city. His kingdom was taken over by a red headed youngster, who conquered a giant with a pebble and a slingshot. A Man descended from the tribe of Judah. In spite of all his faults, David was God’s chosen King. God saw Saul’s and David’s hearts. Saul went insane and failed. David went on to be the most loved king the Jewish people have ever known. Only those who have met King Jesus know a better King. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the One who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. 5 But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:4-5 NLT 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven. "Write this," it said. "Blessed are the dead who die as believers in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Holy Spirit. "They will rest from their labour. What they have done will not be forgotten." Rev 14:13 NIrV 17 In the grave, sinful people don't cause trouble anymore. And there those who are tired find rest. Job 3:17 NIrV 15 Samuel asked Saul, "Why did you disturb me by conjuring me up?" Saul answered, "I'm in serious trouble. The Philistines are at war with me, and God has turned against me and doesn't answer me anymore-either by the prophets or in dreams. So I've called on you to tell me what to do." 1 Sam 28:15 GW 10 Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! This is your last and only chance at it, For there's neither work to do nor thoughts to think In the company of the dead, where you're most certainly headed. Eccl 9:10 MSG 17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to the place of silence; 18 it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD. Psalm 115:17-18 TNIV 6 My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God. 7 I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. 8 The prize that shows I have God's approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again. 2 Tim 4:6-8 GW 9 Therefore, a time of rest and worship exists for God's people. 10 Those who entered his place of rest also rested from their work as God did from his Heb. 4:9-11 GW	King Saul was a Benjamite. A son of Kish was he. The people had selected him. His genealogy, Disqualified from kingship, this tall and handsome man. But when the people wanted him, God told them, “Yes you can!” But it was a disaster. He set off rather well. But when he did a task that God reserved for Samuel, The kingdom was torn from him. He’d broken God’s command; And he was on the downward slope to losing all his land. Of course he didn’t abdicate. He tried to carry on. But in the fullness of the time, his kingly power was gone. His final act was played out, when He went to Endor. He went to see the local witch, to hear from her, his score. She conjured up a person who looked like Samuel. Who said his days were over. Today was his death knell. He’d die next day in battle, along with all his sons. The Philistines would win the day; his army’s day was done. And this is just what happened. Saul’s reign was at an end. This king was going to the grave. Too late to make amends. The Bible makes it very clear, one day we all shall be, Taken to a lifeless grave; the dead can’t hear or see. The grave takes all men captive; and they will be at rest, Waiting for the day they will arise at Christ’s behest. Until our certain ending, the best thing we can do, Is anything that comes to hand, to challenge me or you! There in the silence of the grave, each one of us must wait, Until the Master comes again. That’s when we’ll hear our fate. Christian “believers” will arise to their reward. Those who have resisted Him shall perish by His sword. But what about the “others”. Those who are unprepared? The Word of God tells plainly, they too will not be spared. They’ll join the unbelievers and share their frightful lot. It is the judgement’s sentence. Like it or like it not! I wish that I could change it. I wish I could repent, For those who thought God’s judgement, for them just wasn’t meant. But I have no authority. The Lord God has it all. I’d love to tell all nations the outcome of the fall. I’d love to take them with me. I wish that I could share, The love of the Lord Jesus for sinners everywhere. Jim Strickland  Written 9th February 2012

A VIEW OF HEAVEN

Time with Jesus - Friday, 08 February 2013

Hi all,

Science has never been one of my strong subjects. I do, however, have a great respect for scientists. It follows that the name “Einstein” impresses me greatly. But his theory of relativity leaves me speechless. I’m told that on one occasion he was asked to explain it in words that just about anyone can understand. He said, “Two seconds sitting on a hot stove seems much longer than two minutes talking with a pretty girl”. Another was, “Everything is relative, especially my relatives”.

Now having stated my scientific limitations, perhaps one or more of you can tell me what cross polarised light is? I remember Polaroid photographs and polarised sun glasses. How they work and what they do remains a mystery. But I have been told that cross polarised light is pure light. I have no problem with the “cross” bit. Also, my imagination tells me its light that has all its kinks taken out. Hence all you see is “pure light”! I’m informed that science has only known about polarised light for some ±100 years. I’m also told that in the days when John wrote the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, polarised light had not even been imagined. This is why I am compelled to draw our collective attention to something strange. In the presence of cross polarised light, some precious stones “glow” with changing colours emitted. Sadly, diamonds go dark and ugly. Science has a list of precious stones that behave like this. Included are all twelve of the precious stones listed hereunder from Revelation!

¹⁸ The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. ¹⁹ The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰ the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. Revelation 21:18-20 NLT

What I’d like to know is, who told the author of the book of Revelation about cross polarised light? It would be at least 1900 years before anyone knew about this. Not even a 21^st century understanding of Einstein’s simple story could account for this many years. We are compelled to conclude that God knew what He was telling John, as he wrote down the things he saw. For me, this is one of the simplest “proofs” that God is real. Not that God needs to be proved. But it does help ordinary men and women realise that God is not a Myth! “QED”!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Friday, 08 February 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	A View of Heaven
Have you ever read or heard accounts of men or women taken briefly to see heaven and/or hell? Many Christians and unbelievers find these visits fascinating and highly descriptive. Certainly they can and do challenge people to examine their relationship with Jesus Christ. This is a good thing. The question is, “How real are they?” None of us can say with any degree of certainty that the one describing the “event” they really saw and what they claimed to see. Indeed, some of the statements made by these “visitors” appear to be inaccurate. Most of us have a tendency to elaborate on what we have seen. Many years ago, in Emmanuel Church on Grosvenor Road (Now called New Life Church) I felt moved to bring a prophetic word. I duly went to the front and was handed the microphone. The message I believed I was to bring was the following: "Why do you call me Lord but don't do what I tell you?” Luke 6:46 GW It was a very challenging message; one which remains true for all Christians today. But somehow or other I felt that I should continue. So for the next couple of minutes I rabbited on inanely trying to add something extra. All I succeeded in doing was to confuse everyone with my drivel. Afterwards, it was clear that my contribution made things worse. I wasn’t deliberately intending to cloud the issue. I was trying to be helpful. One thing it did do. It made me aware that we are all able to deflect the truth from something, by a desire to be helpful. It’s a very common human weakness. I suspect that this is the sort of thing that sometimes happens, when people elaborate on their experiences in heaven or hell. They are not deliberately telling lies. They are trying to be more helpful. Today’s meditation takes a look at the New Jerusalem. Some of it was written several years ago; in particular the portion about the foundation of the walls being from semi-precious stones. Getting them all included into rhyme and metre was a real challenge. So what I’ve done is to incorporate portions of that poem into today’s meditation. In its construction, I’ve tried to stick to the descriptions in the Bible. (NIV) The New Jerusalem will be so much more than this poor description. Quoting from Isaiah 64:4, Paul tells us: 9 It is written, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has known what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Cor 2:9 NIrV In the case of my description and God’s Word, it’s clear that the most fertile mind can’t imagine the things God has prepared for us. All we can do is point to the unimaginable, unseen and agree with John the apostle, 20 He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Rev 22:20 NLT Jim & Phyllida Strickland			18 People will no longer harm one another in your land. They will not wipe out or destroy anything inside your borders. You will call your walls Salvation. And you will name your gates Praise. Isaiah 60:18 NIrV 12 The city had a huge, high wall with 12 gates. Twelve angels were at the gates, one at each of them. On the gates were written the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east and three on the north. There were three gates on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had 12 foundations. Written on them were the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb. Rev 21:12-14 NIrV 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. 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. Eph 2:19-22 NLT 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness. 4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by people, but He was chosen by God for great honour. 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 2:2-5 NLT To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song. 1 Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. 2 O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. 3 When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions. 4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! Psalm 65:1-4 ESV	We're looking for a city that will ever more endure. One, not made with human hands, but one which Christ made pure. The Heavenly Jerusalem that Jesus Christ prepared, For those who love and follow Him and whom His teachings shared; The mansion He erected that's filled with love and light; With streams of living water flowing outward day and night; With trees that have the healing of the nations in their leaf, Which bear twelve different kinds of fruit and harvest-time's not brief; Where walls are made from jasper and the city is pure gold. Laid on a foundation that is lovely to behold. From emerald and sardonyx, from beryl and sapphire, Chrysolite and amethyst that glows with inner fire; With chrysoprase, carnelian and precious chalcedony, With jacinth and twelve gates of pearl in glittering harmony. We’ll call the walls “Salvation”, The gates will be called “Praise” In honour of the Master, the Ancient of all Days. The city has been measured. It’s long and wide and high. About two thousand meters that reaches to the sky. We think it would fit perfectly, right within our moon. We cannot wait to see it. “Lord Jesus, please come soon!” Twelve gates have been inserted. Three gates along each side. An angel’s stationed at each one; each gate identified; And named after the founders of the tribes of Israel. The names of the apostles are written there as well, On each of the foundations. Their service to the Lord, Acknowledged for eternity where Jesus is adored! It doesn't need a temple, Almighty God is there; And Jesus Christ illuminates the pure and death free air. But, what makes heaven wonderful is not what man can see, It's rather just the presence of the Lord of Majesty; The ever-living presence of the God of endless love; The radiance of everything The Christ! The Lord Above! It’s been years in the making; a home for Jesus’ bride; A place where every one of us, will constantly abide. Furnished to perfection, to suit each person’s taste. Where nothing that was done for Him will ever go to waste. At last we will be with Him. Our Saviour, Lord and King. We’d rather be with You O Lord, far more than anything. Jim Strickland  Written 8th February 2012