LOOKING FOR GOD

Time with Jesus - Monday, 25 February 2013

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Hi all,

Men are often accused by females in the family that they don’t really look for anything! Certainly Phyllida has this problem with me. My mother used to comment, “He can’t see it for looking at it”! On the other hand, Phyllida always knows where something is. “Have you looked properly” she will say to me. Then she has the uncanny ability of walking past me and putting her hand on whatever it is I’m looking for. She is incredibly patient with me. I’ve been like this since before we met. Sometimes it’s infuriating. I pick something up and put it down somewhere. 30 seconds later I can’t find it. They say this is typical of most men. Perhaps it’s the difference with ladies being able to “multitask”. They have an astonishing ability of being able to do several things at once. I don’t know how. For me, doing one thing at a time is bad enough. Ladies seem to have an automatic “filing ability” and know exactly where everything is. Typically they can read a book, listen to the radio or watch the TV, cook dinner, dry their hair, take care of the children and talk to a friend on the phone all at the same time! The male mind boggles!

Looking for God is altogether different. We all seem to find it difficult finding Him. In a sense, this is strange because He is everywhere. An illustration is a fish in water. It is their natural habitat. They do everything in water. Take them out of water for long enough and they will die. However, are they aware of water? It’s much the same for you and me. Paul said to the Athenians, ²⁸ "In him we live and move and have our being. Act 17:28 TNIV. We are only alive, because we are in God. If we weren’t, we’d die!

Since God is everywhere and all around us, you’d think we would have no problem locating Him. It should be easy to find Him. Our difficulty is, we are the ones who are lost. God is not lost. We are. So why can’t we find Him? Instantly my mother’s comment becomes relevant today. “We can’t see Him for looking at Him”! To use the above illustration, perhaps we need a “female” to show us where to find Him. I’m not suggesting that the Holy Spirit is female. But when it comes to locating God, the Holy Spirit is the specialist! Jesus reminds us that if we are persistent, we will find Him. ⁹ "So I tell you to ask and you will receive. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened for you. Luke 11:9GW

For us there is a challenge associated with “finding” God. James states; ⁸ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Jas 4:8 ESV In our locating God, we find He matches what we do. If we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. Pull away from Him and He seems further away. If you refuse to have anything to do with Him, He will have nothing to do with you.

So let’s decide to draw close to Him; to seek Him with all our heart. He will find us and our search will be over.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 25 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	Looking for God
Back in 1966, The Kinks recorded a song which was a parody of the shopping trends in London. A couple of us may remember it. It was called, “A Dedicated Follower of Fashion.” The lyrics were not Christian, but they were not obscene or smutty. A couple of lines of the song were: They seek him here, they seek him there; in Regent Street and Leicester Square. The connection is the promise of God that we will find Him if we look for Him wholeheartedly. 11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me. Jer 29:11-13 NLT The exiles in Babylon were greatly encouraged by this. Much of the religious thinking of the day, was that the gods were all localised. In the Israeli context, it would mean that they were now under the control of some local deity. So for them to hear that God intended to take them home, some 70 years later, helped them enormously. It also indicated that God’s authority went beyond Israel’s borders. This would be a new thought for the nations in those days. We should not be surprised at this attitude. They had none of our advantages of motor cars, engine driven ships, aeroplanes or trains. The fastest means of transport was on horseback. In the 18th century, John Wesley went on horseback all over UK. It was the fastest means of transport, other than a horse drawn carriage. The effect of this on the local population, was that there was little opportunity to travel. People simply didn’t go on travel ventures. It was expensive. Furthermore, most would work from sunrise to sunset every day, except perhaps on Sunday, if they could afford to take such time off. For me there is one word that needs emphasising. That word is “wholeheartedly”. It’s a magnificent truth to know, that wherever we are, we will find Him. It’s as true today as it was in ±560BC. If we seek for Him by faith, wholeheartedly, He assures us, we will find Him. This should encourage all of us. We know that God has no favourites and that He treats us all equally. It is impossible to say of Him, that He won’t attend to someone, because he/she is too great a sinner. There is no such thing as being too much of a sinner, whom God will not listen too. Prince or peasant, He cares for all of us equally. Every one of us starts from the same place. We are all “monsters of Iniquity” until He rescues us from ourselves and Satan. To seek God wholeheartedly, is the opposite of indifference, or being lukewarm. In Revelation we are told His reaction to lukewarmness. 15 I know what you have done, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16 But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I'm going to spit you out of my mouth. Rev 3:15-16 GW If I may be permitted to paraphrase Jesus Christ’s words: “Luke-warmness makes me sick enough to vomit!” What do we do with this sort of statement by Jesus, written to Christian believers? If nothing else, it encourages me to seek Him by faith, with all my heart. As mentioned recently, fear of the Lord has all but vanished from much of the body of Christ. Have you checked your temperature with God lately? If not, this is a good time to do so. You will only be as enthusiastic for God as you choose. So choose life! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			3 Oh that I (Job) knew where I might find him; that I might come even to his seat! Job 23:3 ESV 10 Does anyone among you have respect for the LORD? Does anyone obey the message of the LORD's servant? Let the person who walks in the dark trust in the LORD. Let the one who doesn't have any light to guide him depend on his God. Isaiah 50:10 NIrV 13 When you look for me with all your heart, you will find me. Jer. 29:13 NIrV 9 "And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:9-10 NLT 3 This is the life we have seen and heard. We are reporting about it to you also so that you, too, can have a relationship with us. Our relationship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 GW 13 But now through Christ Jesus you, who were once far away, have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Eph 2:13 GW 18 So Jewish and non-Jewish people can go to the Father in one Spirit. Eph 2:18 GW 6 If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth--we're not living what we claim. 1 John 1:6 MSG 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Mat 28:20 NLT 5 Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," Heb. 13:5 MSG 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn't looking for Him and doesn't recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you. John 14:17 NLT	I wanted to find Jesus, so I looked everywhere, I tried behind the sofa and underneath my chair. I wandered round the bathroom; the bedroom and the “loo”. But sadly, couldn’t find Him, no matter what I’d do. I looked around the garden and tried the cabbage patch; But everything I spotted, could never ever match, Creation’s great designer. He just could not be found. I was so disappointed, I tried to look around, Alternative locations. The library, the stores, The Anglican cathedral, beneath its “sacred” floors. Eventually I realised the problem was with me. I never would locate Him; my search should never be, Confined to a location. The focus was too small, To look in a locality for Him Who’s all in all. Job had the self-same problem, back in antiquity. He wanted to explain to God his little tragedy. He thought that if he found Him, that he could make it clear, That he had been mistreated. If only He could hear, And give him His attention; He’d sort the whole thing out. And put things back together, of that he had no doubt. Down throughout the ages, mankind has thought the same. Perhaps the Lord Almighty had changed address and name? Perhaps He was on holiday? But this they knew for sure. That He had all the answers and also knew the cure. But they had missed the reason, why He could not be found. They thought that they were innocent and if God was around, To try their little problem in the courts of heaven above. That He would find them innocent; and they just needed love! The truth is, if we really seek Him by faith wholeheartedly, Our search would be successful as sure as sure can be. For God is never hidden. No! He is all around! He promised, if we seek Him, He surely will be found. We needn’t go to Bethlehem, Jerusalem or Rome. He’s right where He’s needed. Our heart is now His home. He’s said He’ll never leave us. So why is it we hunt? He will not hide behind us; He’s always way up front! There is no need for stumbling, complaining He has gone. He won’t walk off and leave us alone to carry on. He’s also told us clearly, He will not let us down. Albeit we are living in the country or in town. We know the Holy Spirit our comforter and guide, Is busily preparing us to be His Holy Bride. Jim Strickland Written 25th February 2012

CALVARY FOR YOU AND ME.

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 24 February 2013

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Hi all,

Those of us who have taken time to look at church history and how it has intersected with British history, know something of King Henry VIII. We know that he had six wives. He wanted to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. The Pope wouldn’t give him permission. So Henry broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and began the Church of England. He declared himself head. Henry wanted a son. His wife, Catherine, did not give him one. They had a daughter called Mary. Catherine remained an ardent Roman Catholic and brought up her daughter the same way. Her upbringing and the influence of her mother, molded Mary into the cruel queen she became.

It’s not my place to list this king’s marriages and offspring. We do know that Anne Boleyn gave birth to his “second” daughter, Elizabeth. Jane Seymour, his third wife gave birth to Edward. She died shortly thereafter. The crux of the matter, the line of succession was Edward VI, then  Mary I, then by Elizabeth I.

Edward VI died at the age of 16. After a nine day rule by Lady Jane Grey, the throne was taken by Mary I. Mary was a devout Catholic and determined to end the Protestantism of her father and Edward. She became known as “Bloody Mary” because of the terrible bloodshed of Protestants during her reign. She was only Queen for five years and died during a ‘flu epidemic. During her reign, she married King Philip of Spain. (Was this perhaps not the chief reason for the subsequent Spanish armada?)

The persecution of Protestants during her reign was terrible; very much a “Tribulation” of the 1550”s. Among those she had burned at the stake, were the Anglican bishops, Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley and Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Further details of what transpired during the reign of Mary I, can be found in “Foxes’ Book of Martyrs”. English Protestants of those days would be forgiven for saying it was the time of the “Great Tribulation”. The Huguenots and the Spanish Inquisition are but two other examples. There are many more. It is interesting to note that the USA Founding Fathers sprang out of the persecution of Christian Puritans. In South Africa we are grateful for the French Huguenots to our history and culture. The RSA and USA have benefited from it!

Perhaps one of the greatest times of persecution inflicted on the Jewish people, was during the Crusades. In this regard, the Christian “Church” has little to be proud of. In many ways the Crusades are responsible for the mistrust of Jews and Islam toward Christians in general. Some of those wounds are with us today.

Will any of these times of persecution be exceeded by Christians during the Great Tribulation? It’s just about impossible to give a categorical “Yes!” All down the centuries since the days of Jesus and earlier, persecution of Jews and subsequently, of Christians and Jews, has been consistently horrible. Will the great tribulation be worse? It’s hard to imagine what could be worse than what we have already seen in history. How can that be “cranked up” and made worse? It’s hard to imagine.

Today’s meditation looks at tribulation. Can it possibly be crueler? You tell me!

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 24 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	Calvary for You and Me.
The great tribulation! Will the church of Jesus Christ be here when it happens, or will they have been “raptured” out of the way? Called the “pre-tribulation rapture”, this is the popular opinion today. Of course God is not subject to popular opinion. So this continues to be argued by Christians internationally. My opinion is irrelevant. What is clear is that what has happened to Christians since the birth of the Church, is liable to happen again. Furthermore, it follows that if it starts again in western “Christian Nations”, it need not be part of the great tribulation. I say this advisedly, because the persecution and martyrdom of Christians today is a reality in many countries. In other words, persecution is merely part of everyday life. It is reality for those who are committed to Jesus Christ in the 21st century. It may not have been experienced by many of us. But this does not make it any less real. There is also evidence, that persecution of Christians, in one form or another, has been on-going since the days of the early church. I’m not in a position to comment on the nature or severity of persecution of Christians during the great tribulation. Frankly, the severity being currently experienced is bad enough to intimidate many. Certainly the prospect of this breaking out in my locality is not something I relish! What I can say, is that in those places considered strongholds of Islam, Christians are being murdered for no reason, other than they have rejected Islam in favour of Christ. To the North of us in Somalia, Northern Nigeria, Northern Mali, Northern Kenya and Uganda, gangs of Muslim fanatics kill, torture and burn Christians. The only reason is, the victims are Christians. It is a similar story in India, Pakistan, and Malaysia and throughout the Middle East. As far as I am aware, the Lord has allowed His church to be persecuted for the past ±2000 years. So if it calls for us in South Africa, we should not be surprised. Nor should we jump to the conclusion that such persecution is part of the great tribulation. Our attitude should be, it is our turn to experience what much of the world has known for ±2000 years! Those of us who are serious about serving Jesus Christ, would be well advised to stop worrying about the great tribulation. We should focus on what could take place anywhere and at any time where you and I live. This tribulation is more than enough for me. My own personal Calvary may not be part of the great tribulation. But it will certainly be more than enough tribulation for me! In any case, persecution and tribulation is not something you can measure and say it is or isn’t the “great” one. Any amount is too much! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			9 His wife said to him (Job), "Are you still continuing to be faithful to the LORD? Speak evil things against him and die!" 10 Job replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. We accept good things from God. So we should also accept trouble when he sends it." In spite of everything, Job didn't say anything that was sinful. Job 2:9-10 NIrV 74 Those who fear you will see me and rejoice, because my hope is based on your word. 75 I know that your regulations are fair, O LORD, and that you were right to make me suffer. Psalm 119:74-75 GW 8 But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand Isaiah 64:9 ESV 18 So Samuel told him (Eli) everything and hid nothing from him. And he (Eli) said, "It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him." 19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 1 Samuel 3:18-19 ESV 1 O LORD, even if I would argue my case with you, you would always be right. Yet, I want to talk to you about your justice. Why do wicked people succeed? Why do treacherous people have peace and quiet? Jer 12:1 GW 3 He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD. Malachi 3:3 NLT 6 The Lord disciplines everyone he loves. He severely disciplines everyone he accepts as his child." 7 Endure your discipline. God corrects you as a father corrects his children. All children are disciplined by their fathers. 8 If you aren't disciplined like the other children, you aren't part of the family. Heb 12:6-8 GW 25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of My household will be called by even worse names! Mat 10:25 NLT 8 Though he was God's Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do. Heb 5:8 MSG 13 Instead, be very glad--for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:13 NLT 14 And I said to him, "Sir, you are the one who knows." Then he said to me, "These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. Rev 7:14 NLT	There’s things about the Master, I do not understand. Things that have been taught to me, that do not seem too grand. We limit God the Father and “stick Him in a box”, Through things we only cling to if our head is full of rocks. So let us take a look at things which people have believed, To see if they are likely, or if we’ve been deceived. First we must acknowledge that without the Lord above, Nothing would exist and everyone could not know love. Everything created is the product of His hand; And this is true in heaven, the sea and on the land. There’s nothing we can ever do and no where we can go, That Jesus cannot look at, or hear, or see, or know. He knows when we are suffering. He knows when we are well. There’s nothing in existence, we can think about or tell. He doesn’t know the circumstance; the tiniest detail, Cannot be concealed from Him; He knows it without fail. Indeed He is the potter; and we are just the clay, And all that we have ever done, He knows in every way. There’s nothing which He cannot do. We must accept this fact. He always does what’s righteous, regardless how we act. He sits as a refiner, of silver and of gold; And purifies the people to do what He has told. He disciplines severely, each and every child, So we can be more like Him; pure and undefiled. We know He is the healer; He wants to see us well. But if we practise wickedness, He’ll send us off to Hell! He may allow the devil to put us to the test; But every time it happens, it happens for our best. He doesn’t bring us sickness, but it is also true, The trial of Job by Satan can happen unto you. And even when we’re hurting more than anything we’ve seen, He sometimes will allow it, for that is where He’s been. It happened to the Master. Why not to you and me? We have to learn obedience, to gain the victory! Our comfort’s not important and Christians have died, By facing up to torture and being crucified. Some have died in agony; by burning at the stake. Some have faced a cruelty far more than we can take. Millions have died this way; and if God’s word is true, The things that they experienced are ripe for me and you. Can it be avoided? O Lord I pray it could. But it appears the Father sees our martyrdom as good! It really makes me tremble. I’m not a masochist. But if it happens to me. Lord, help me not resist, The martyrdom you’ve chosen and allotted unto me. That I may follow faithfully and know my Calvary. Jim Strickland Written 24 February 2012