KEEP YOURSELVES FROM IDOLS

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 02 May 2013

Hi all, 

Yesterday's Idols - Some still with us

According to Webster’s Dictionary an idol is:-

1.     An image, form or representation, usually of a man or other animal, consecrated as an object of worship; a pagan deity. Idols are usually statues or images, carved out of wood or stone, or formed of metals, particularly silver or gold. - The gods of the nations are idols. Psalm 96.

2.     An image. - Nor ever idol seemed so much alive.

3.     A person loved and honoured to adoration. The prince was the idol of the people.

4.     Anything on which we set our affections; that to which we indulge an excessive and sinful attachment. - Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21

5. A representation.

Yesterday's Golden Cow

Webster goes on to say, “An idol is anything which usurps the place of God in the hearts of his rational creatures”. It follows that many people, throughout the world are idolaters.

A National Deity

Think for a moment about the people of South Africa. Perhaps we don’t bow down to Baal, or worship Molech. Instead we worship our favourite rugby team. The Bulls, the Sharks, the Cheetahs, the Springboks. We have special places of worship for their followers. The Wanderers, Loftus, and Newlands qualify in this league. Our traditional rugby rivals, the All-Blacks, start every game with the “Hakka”; a traditional song of worship to one of their local deities. 

The Haka

We worship our cars, pastors, sports stars, cricket teams, bioscope (cinema) stars and TV programmes. Few of us will be unfamiliar with the TV programme “Dallas”. It had such a grip on the nation; few folk were available for other purposes. Normal life was suspended while people gazed in silent adoration of their TV gods. Even today the expression, “Who shot JR?” remains as a sort of “introit” to the worship of these “super-folk”.

Sacrifice Baby to Molech

We no longer throw our young babies into the fiery red outstretched hands of Molech to be consumed in the flames. Instead, we leave them to their own devices, to play games or chat on “Mix-it”. They to send messages and photographs to each other. Go for a drive with children. Their heads are all bowed in worship of the “gods” available on the cellular network. It seems the art of intelligent conversation has deserted us.

What has happened to the worship of our Creator? His name is peddled on radio and TV to attract the gullible. Genuine worship has been replaced by entertainment. Slick preachers strut across the stage encouraging people to pour their wealth into the hands of their respective “ministries”. The preachers are accompanied by talented musicians, who do what they can to “wind up” the congregation, to respond to the charm and guile of the big named speaker. 

Thd Golden Cow

Worship of the Golden Cow continues at a frenetic pace, with hundreds of people gathered round its udders to lap up “prosperity”. Frankly it’s obscene. The people are fleeced, so that the few may live a lifestyle contrary to that of Jesus. 

One Armed Bandit
Slot Machine

Looking at the faces of many of the worshipers, you can’t fail but to recognise the similarity to the faces of punters sitting at the “one armed bandits” (slot machines) of our legalised Casino’s!

We are forced to the conclusion that our world is as full of idolatry as it has always been. The “god” is the same. The only difference is the style and ways of worship. Today’s meditation takes another look at this.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 02 May 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	KEEP YOURSELVES FROM IDOLS
The Apostle John made an interesting statement in his first epistle. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 1 John 5:21 KJV What is fascinating about the comment is what so many people had learned. They accepted that which was happening around them, as normal. History confirms that conditions in the Roman Empire were similar to what we see around us now. All that appears to have changed is “who?” and “why?” We are a strange people. We soon become adjusted to that which is happening where we are. We are told by holocaust survivors that life in the camps was terrible. But in order to survive, it was necessary to live in it and through it. We are told that the prison camp guards went home in the evening, to sing Christmas carols and play with their children. For them, their monstrous behaviour and lifestyle had become “normal”. One prisoner stated that Camp commanders we so convinced that the Jews were sub-human, they wanted the Allies to join them in their fight with the Russians. We find such behaviour so contradictory to the Christian way of life that we are repulsed by such stories. Standards usually deteriorate with the passing of time. Things which were unacceptable fifty years ago are seldom seen as wrong in society today. Biblical history describes the conditions in Judah during the prophet Habakkuk’s lifetime. He was horrified by what he saw. In many ways it was similar to what we see in and around us today. He took his complaint to God and asked for justice. God already knew about it. The people were following a god of their own imagination: a deity who permitted them to do anything they wanted. The book of Judges tells us; 25 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. Judges 21:25 NLT This attitude has been consistent throughout history. The Lord sees it as idolatry: worshipping our own god! There comes a day when he decides that enough is enough. That’s when He acts in ways we seldom like! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 1 John 5:21 KJV 26 O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways. Proverbs 23:26 NLT 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 ESV 3 "Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests? Ezekiel 14:3 NLT 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 NIV 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:9-11 ESV 10 Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. Psalms 62:10 ESV 19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! Proverbs 8:19 NLT 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21 NLT 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT	Idolatry; Idolatry, we see it everywhere. It seems to be so prevalent; it gives us quite a scare! We see it on the bill-boards; we see it on the news. We see it in our households. It permeates our views. Large screen television with a great big fancy screen; Watching our “soap operas” to see how “good” they’ve been. All those famous characters - we hunger after more. That’s whom we bow down to; to worship and adore. Murder and hijackings, corruption and deceit. Such enormous quantities, it clearly can’t be beat. Steal from the Receiver. Don’t pay income tax Schoolwork is impossible for discipline is lax. Undermine authority. It’s better to be free? Anything we think is right is how it has to be. This is what was happening in Israel that day. Habakkuk was watching. He didn’t like the way, People were behaving. Just as bad as us. “Lord what are You doing? Lord please cause a fuss! Change what is occurring!” “I’ve got it all in hand! Babylon is coming to sanitise the land. They will “gut” Jerusalem and tear the Temple down. The people go in slavery into a distant town. All that they’ve been doing is mere idolatry. That which I am planning is not prosperity! The people need to realise they’ll reap the things they sow. When My prophets speak to them, they do not want to know. They carry on regardless, no matter what I do. Babylon will conqueror them. Judgement is now due.” Habakkuk was mortified! Just what was He to say? The things he had been looking at were certainly that way, Rightly he described it. It couldn’t carry on. And just as God had stated, Jerusalem was gone. The only thing in question is what will happen here? Judgement is approaching; abundantly that’s clear. Will there be survivors? It’s clearly up to you. Worship God Almighty. No other “god” will do. Jim Strickland Written 2nd May 2012

THE NEW JERUSALEM

Top of the Muck Hep

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 01 May 2013

Hi all,

Still on Top

Very strange things happen to our aspirations on the journey from the cradle to the grave. In our late teens, early twenties, our minds are filled with a variety of possibilities. Fame and fortune feature largely among our intentions. Perhaps a president, or the husband/wife of a king/queen. There are no limitations and we see ourselves at the helm of a huge organisation. We see ourselves among the movers and shakers that change worlds. 

Solomon had it all
Sex, Money & Power

After full time education is complete we find an employer. In no time at all, we realise that there are many others working alongside with similar aspirations. More than that, we find we are surrounded by people with completely different value systems to yours and mine!

Suddenly we realise that we are somewhere on something like a “pyramid”. We want to climb higher and, with time and effort, we move up to the next rung on the pyramid.  This keeps happening until we reach a place from which, further upward progress becomes very difficult. We realise that there can only be one man at the top of the pyramid. Furthermore, the competition gets fiercer for the next few rungs of the ladder. But we carry on until age starts catching up with us. We aren’t quite as quick on the uptake as once we were and our annual holiday is something we badly need. When we go back to the office we find that our desk has been moved into the passage and someone else is in the office we previously occupied.

Your Empty Desk

At this time in life we realise we will never be the President. Things aren’t quite as exciting as they once were and we realise our days are numbered. This is called the rat race. We’ve been trying to climb to the top of the muck heap. The few that make it to the top realise that it’s still a muck heap! Effectively we’ve wasted our life. Only that which is done in and for Jesus has lasting value. All the other “stuff” may provide a top of the range Mercedes; a large and very expensive house in the most fashionable part of town; perhaps with overseas trips and all the other trimmings which go with worldly “success”.

King Solomon achieved all this and more. He was said to be the wisest man who ever lived. He had more women than most men would think possible. He was not only on the top of the muck heap; he was on the top of all the muckheaps. What did he say about all this? “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity. ² “Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” Eccl 1:2 TNIV

He is Preparing a Place for us

There is a better way to live life. That way is the way of Jesus Christ. His way leads us to the place John Bunyan called the Celestial City! The City God is preparing for His people. Forget about all the “stuff” this world can provide.  Yes, we do have to stay here for our allotted time. Just don’t get too fond of what you can see and feel. It’s meaningless. Try and imagine the City He is preparing for those who love Him. Bear in mind that if you can imagine it, you are cheating yourself. His City and His reward exceed anything and everything we can imagine. For starters, the City itself appears to be mobile! It must be if it can down to us from heaven.

The New Jerusalem cumming down

This is where we will spend eternity with God living in a place Jesus has specially provided for us. Wow! I can hardly wait.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus –			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE NEW JERUSALEM
Imagination is a wonderful thing. It enables us to go where we can never go while in our “earth-suit”! I’d like to walk onto the middle of the sun and see what God has at the centre. To explore the moon or the bottom of our deepest oceans unhindered by the limitations we all know so well. To soar aloft with the eagles. What would it be like? Did Adam and Eve know any of this before the fall? All answers are pure guesswork. Imagination is a God-given quality. But we can’t imagine the unimaginable! Paul in his letter to the Ephesians writes: 20 God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20 MSG As we think about this and our imagination, we are forced to the conclusion that no matter what we can possibly think or imagine, what He has prepared for us, is infinitely more. Put another way, if you can think it or imagine it, it doesn’t measure up to what He has prepared for those who love Him. We know that He reveals things to us by His Spirit. We also know that He has placed into His Word just enough to make us ravenous for Him. Today’s Scriptures deal with the new heaven and earth. What will it be like? In today’s meditation I’ve tried to express some of the things He has already shown us in His Word. To a large extent they challenge our thinking. “Can such things be true?” we ask, not really knowing the question or the answers! One thing I can assure you is that what I have written is only what I see in His Word. I have imagined and thought these details through and have written them down accordingly. What I can, and will say, is that what I have written is utterly inadequate to describe the fullness of God’s plans for those who love Him. I suppose we could say that they are like the daubs on canvas of a two year old compared with a Rembrandt or a Reuben’s. There is almost no comparison other than the desire in the mind of a two year old to state what he sees in his imagination. If I can imagine it or you can imagine it, we are still daubing paint on the canvass of our imagination. We can say only one thing in its favour. We are at least trying to make use of the faculties He has given us. I love the daubs of paint by my young relatives. They are meaningless to me. But the potential within them exceeds my wildest dreams. I suspect Divinity feels the same way about us! Jim and Phyllida Strickland			35 "The four sides of the city measure to a total of nearly six miles.(18,000 cubits) ”From now on the name of the city will be YAHWEH-SHAMMAH: "GOD (the Lord) IS-THERE." Ezekiel 48:35 MSG 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, God's home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them. Revelation 21:3 NLT 22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. Revelation 21:22-23 NLT 15 Because I do what is right, I will enjoy your blessing. When I wake up, I will be satisfied because I will see you. Psalms 17:15 NIrV 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. Psalms 73:25 ESV 20 "But Judah will be filled with people forever, and Jerusalem will endure through all generations. 21 I will pardon My people's crimes, which I have not yet pardoned; and I, the LORD, will make My home in Jerusalem with My people." Joel 3:20-21 NLT 10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD. Zechariah 2:10 ESV 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. Revelation 22:3 TNIV	When Jesus is creating, We think in terms of size. But when we see what He has done, we’re in for a surprise. He has gone to make a place within His Father’s house. It takes some understanding and requires a bit of nous, To think what He’s been doing for some two thousand years. We know He has been busy. That’s how it now appears. But stop for just a moment and think how long it’s been. A day is like a thousand years. For God that’s how it’s seen. Now Jesus Christ ascended on a Thursday afternoon. So as He calculates it, it’s really far too soon. To Him, this is the middle of the next Saturday. It also is the Sabbath, if thought about His way. So from the Master’s view-point, the weekend isn’t through! So brother if He’s coming soon, what day is this to you? Furthermore the project is massive everywhere. The base as it’s explained to us is measured as a square. We know twelve thousand stadia is fourteen hundred miles, Give or take a mile or two. It makes me think awhile. That’s bigger than the distance from Jo’burg to the Cape! Such a massive city! Our mouths will be agape. Fourteen hundred miles each way and fourteen hundred high! It seems to use a massive chunk of Our creator’s sky! Is it like a pyramid, or cubic in its style? As I think about it, I sort of want to smile. What about the mansions? That’s what we’d like to know. There’s no need for lighting; our God provides that glow! Someone has informed us; it would just fit in the moon! And Jesus has informed us that He is coming soon! I’m glad He’s the Creator. A project of this size, Is quite beyond the reasoning of any mortal’s eyes. No temples will be needed! The Lord Himself is there! Everything required will come from Him to share. There will be no sun or moon and there will be no night. Father, Son and Spirit will be the source of light! There will be no sickness and death will pass away. There will be no crying; Lord, hasten in the day! This is what He’s making and I can hardly wait! Please do us a favour Lord! Don’t postpone the date. “Jim Strickland” Written 1st May 2012