DON’T FORGET THE PARACLETE

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 22 May 2013

Hi all,

2000 odd years after Jesus walked the earth; most of us read the Word and struggle with Jesus’ comments. One that bothered me for a long time was His statement that if we would be to our advantage if He went away. Personally, I can think of nothing better than to have the manifest presence of Jesus Christ walking and talking with me. I suspect most Christians would agree with this. 

Is This possible?

But Jesus said, ⁷ But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send Him to you. John 16:7 NLT How could the attendance of the “advocate” be better for us than Jesus’ personal abiding presence? Even now, reading Jesus’ statement we are inclined to scratch our heads and ask how that could be possible.

To get a better “handle” on what Jesus was saying, we need to look at the word translated “advocate” in the Scripture. That word is Paraclete. According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word means “an advocate; one called to aid or support; hence, the consoler, comforter or intercessor, a term applied to the Holy Spirit.”

I’m sure each one of us would like to have the manifest presence of Jesus 24/7. I’m the first to support the proposal! But I live in Johannesburg. So if He is with me, He can’t also be with you. Sorry about that. There is only one Jesus and if He’s with me …. Sorry for you! Or, if you prefer, if He’s with you; what about me? We are on the horns of a dilemma. (Have you ever seen one? There had better be lots of dilemmas. If there are a million Christians, there must be a million dilemmas - as for their horns! Well   )

On the Horns of a Dilemma

The Lord Jesus knew about this “problem” before He ascended. He knew it was necessary for Him to send someone to us who could be everywhere present. The Holy Spirit; the Third Person in the Trinity is that person. He is with me in Johannesburg and with you wherever each of you are at the same time!

“So what?” I hear you ask. Well, if you dig into some of those musty old theological text books, you will find that Jesus only did what His Father told Him to do. You will also find that all His “miracles” were carried out by the Holy Spirit. So when Jesus ascended, He sent to earth the same “person” to us who carried out His miracles and raised Him from the dead. Furthermore, we don’t need those dilemmas, or their horns. We have the Holy Spirit with us 24/7. Suddenly, the Lord Jesus’ comment to his disciples begins to make sense. It is indeed better for us that He ascended and sent the Holy Spirit. He is the same Holy Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead.

So let’s think about all this for a moment. We have the Father in Heaven telling Jesus what to do. We have Jesus telling us to “ask”. We also have the same Holy Spirit, standing by ready to carry out the will of Jesus and His Father. So where are we? I guess we are still stuck on the horns of all those dilemmas.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Come Holy Spirit

Please Show us the Way

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 22 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	DON’T FORGET THE PARACLETE
The Christian lifestyle is impossible. None of us can do it. I’m not being negative. I’m stating a fact. Only Jesus has ever managed it. Those who say they are or have are mistaken. There is only one Who can do so. Jesus Christ. So how do we get Jesus to live a Christian life for us? He does it by the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us how it’s done in Galatians 5:16-25.(Read the entire passage). Because of space considerations I’ll quote two verses. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 & 25 ESV Here then is the way we can live the Christian life. Note that what is happening is that the Holy Spirit leads and guides us, the way we should go. Without Him, it can’t be done. In better words, when we are tired of trying to do the impossible, a Christian can ask the Holy Spirit, to do what He does best. He is the “Paraclete”. This means “the one who comes alongside”. He is the One Jesus told His disciples would come and take His place. Jesus told us that it was good for us that the Holy Spirit “takes His place”. John put it as follows: 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send Him to you. John 16:7 NLT An obvious reason is that Jesus is in one place at a time. The Holy Spirit is anywhere and everywhere simultaneously. Another reason is that He (the Holy Spirit) can “live in you” This is because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. He knows what is going on anywhere and everywhere. So although you may have no idea what to pray, the Holy Spirit within us knows exactly what we should be praying. So He intercedes on our behalf in ways we cannot tell. All we know is that there are “groans” within us that are His prayers expressed in ways we cannot imagine. One of the most beautiful “features” of the Holy Spirit is His gentlemanly conduct. He is our leader and our guide. He does not “take over”. He will never seek to “control” you. That would violate the freewill we have been given. What we do is our decision. He will lead us and guide us and empower us to keep out of sin. He enables us to “walk in the Spirit” But we are the ones who do the walking. He is not responsible for what we do. We are! He “comes alongside” as our helper. He even helps us do what is right. But we must do it. The final decision is ours. He can never be accused of sin. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. Romans 8:26-27 NLT 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative--that is, the Holy Spirit--He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26 NLT 19 Don't you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? The Spirit is in you. You have received him from God. You do not belong to yourselves. 1 Corinthians 6:19 NIrV 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Philippians 2:13 NLT 14 He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud. Psalms 103:14 MSG 3 He will not break a bent twig. He will not put out a dimly burning flame. He will be faithful and make everything right. Isaiah 42:3 NIrV 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray. Then you won't fall into sin when you are tempted. The spirit is willing. But the body is weak." Matthew 26:40-41 NIrV A Psalm of David. 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. Psalms 23:1-2 ESV	The lifestyle of a Christian is not a life of ease. In fact, it is impossible to even try to please, The people who are watching us each moment, every day. They long to point a finger, to look at us and say, “You say you are a Christian. I don’t believe it’s true. That which I see you doing, a Christian shouldn’t do”. Of course, it’s very easy to comment from the side. Their actions aren’t important. They don’t try to abide; Within the sort of framework of what they think is right. They’re not in competition and love to see us fight! And that is what we’re good at. To squabble and to brawl, With our fellow Christians to prove we’re best of all! Our attitude is terrible. In fact it’s upside down. We ought to help our brothers and see them wear the crown. For if we would be best of all, then we must be the least! Give them place of honour and let them be the priest. But every time we try it, we seem to get it wrong; Forgetting that when we are weak, then Jesus Christ is strong! We’re also quite forgetting that we are not alone. There is no need for us to try and do it on our own. We have the Holy Spirit and when He is in charge, Then He will be the helper of Christians at large. He is the Holy “Paraclete” and He is on our side. He isn’t just an ornament, He is a Special Guide! He helps us do the things we know that we can never do. When we don’t know what to pray He prays inside of you! We recognise the groaning, that comes from deep within. We know that He has “got it right” without committing sin! He truly is a gentleman and knows us inside out. He is my Lord and Shepherd. I’m His without a doubt. And He is always willing to help me get things right. So even unbelievers will say that I’m polite! He will not break a bruised reed; He won’t snuff out a flame; And everything He ever does, is done in Jesus name. He’s always working in us to please the Lord most High. And he will keep on doing this until the day we die. So while folk are comparing you, with what they think is right, Don’t forget the “paraclete” will help you win the fight. Relax and just be normal and to His will submit; And all your every action with Jesus Christ will fit! Jim Strickland Written 22nd May 2012

A MORNING MEDITATION

Booze can Kill

Time with Jesus - Monday, 20 May 2013

Hi all,

Alcohol
The Greatest Remover

Have you been, or have you ever come across someone who is addicted to alcohol or drugs? A relative of mine is an alcoholic. It’s a terrible addiction. I recall hearing the comment, alcohol is the greatest remover on earth. 

First, it removes all your money. Then it removes your house and your car. In time, it will remove your family and you will be left destitute. You may well end up in something like a Salvation Army Men’s Palace, unable to feed and clothe yourself. Even your dignity will be removed. That’s what can happen to an alcoholic.

Salvation Army Men's Palace

Thank God for Organisations like Alcoholics Anonymous. They cannot take away the addiction. What they can do is provide an environment in which a group of alcoholics can provide encouragement and at times, the desire to live life without alcohol. 

AA - Alcoholics Anonymous

I have a dear friend; a retired pastor; who meets with such a group every week. First he stands up and gives his first name. e.g. “I’m Tom and I’m an alcoholic”. (Tom is not his name) This friend of mine has been an alcoholic for 35 years. In all those year he has not drunk any form of alcohol. His statement is of great encouragement to men and women starting out on their battle with this terrible disorder.

Destitute

I asked him on one occasion, if Jesus had healed him from alcoholism. He says it is Jesus Christ who enabled him to be “dry” for 35 years. But if he takes a drop of alcohol, even after 35 years, he knows he will be back on the bottle. Quite correctly he tells us, that Jesus has helped him keep off booze. But Jesus will not empower him to drink alcohol again without the inevitable consequences. What an intelligent answer.

I’m no expert on alcoholism or drug addiction. I was a smoker for many years. Breaking the habit for me was not particularly difficult. I’m convinced that Jesus helped me quit in April 1981. On the other hand I’ve met men and women who have found breaking the nicotine habit one of the most difficult things in life.

Another friend of ours fought the battle with lung disease. He said he couldn’t stop smoking. He contracted emphysema and was confined to bed for months. Even then he “couldn’t stop”. Toward the end of his life, he was on oxygen. Even then, he would take the oxygen pipe away, so that he could have another cigarette. On one occasion he set himself alight with the pure oxygen. We watched him die slowly over a period of several months. Why didn’t Jesus heal him from emphysema? I don’t have a complete answer for this. The best answer I can give is that He does not heal you so that you can carry on abusing your body with self-inflicted wounds. Perhaps that’s too simple?

In 1973, Roberta Flack recorded a song which reminds me of this problem. It was called “Killing me Softly” The chorus went: - Strumming my pain with his fingers; singing my life with his words. Killing me softly with his song; telling my whole life with his words. Killing me softly with his song! Thinking back all those years I’m reminded that very often, we enjoy doing the very thing that’s killing us!

In 1986, I had a nervous breakdown. Why? The problem for me was I loved the job I was doing. But the job brought with it a high level of stress. In the end, something had to give. In a way, rather like Roberta Flack’s lyrics, the job I loved was killing me. “Killing me softly”.

Wasn’t my faith strong enough to carry on without the breakdown? I can’t answer that. What I do know is that the breakdown ultimately led to my being given an early pension by Eskom. There are times when the Lord takes you through a situation, for a reason that is as clear as mud at the time. Certainly it was unclear to me. But four years later, I was a pensioner at 48!

Retired at 48

The pension wasn’t much, but it kept the wolf from the door. Since then, Phyllida and I have been able to follow the Lord wherever He sent us. Furthermore, the pension enabled us to be independent. We weren’t looking for an employer; we were seeking to be a blessing. Twenty three years later the Lord has continued to provide. Thanks to Him, we are still in that position.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Addiction can touch anyone and everyone

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus 21 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	A MORNING MEDITATION
In yesterday’s meditation we explored the reaction of Mary Magdalene. Hers was almost tangible. You can almost feel her emotion as she finally grabs Him round His feet and says “Rabboni”. This morning I’d like to share with you something which took place in 1986. Personally, it was one of the hardest years of my life. The pace at work was increasing and this led to a nervous breakdown at the end of the year. Strangely enough, I’ve found that as the pressure of the work load builds up, God grace seems to multiply. It’s as though He compensating for what is happening in the physical world with what He is doing in the Spirit world. As I reflect on 2000 years of church history, I’m amazed at how God’s people could endure the severest forms of persecution and remain faithful to Him. I suspect Paul had this in mind when he wrote: 20 The law was given so that sin would increase. But where sin increased, God's grace increased even more. Rom. 5:20 NIrV In those days I would get up early in the morning and spend time with Him. I’ve always believed that you can only get to know someone by spending time with that person. It’s particularly true when seeking to know more of Jesus. John tells us Jesus said, 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 TNIV This verse is usually believed to be referring to physical things; a new car, a washing machine, a better job. No doubt it does. But it occurred to me that if someone wanted to dialog with Jesus, a good place to start would be by asking Him questions. There is a major difference between asking God questions and questioning God. It’s His desire to talk with us. So if we ask Him about walking with Him in obedience, we can expect Him to answer. It may not be good doctrine, but I’ve found that God is more willing to talk with us than we will ever understand. I’d been “dialoguing” with Him for some months. The results were never spectacular, but always encouraging. So it was that on this occasion I wrote out my questions to God. Something I still do when I can. That morning, I received an extraordinary answer. The questions in prayer and His answer is the subject of today’s meditation. At the time I suppose I was a bit like Thomas in John 20:28 But as I went deeper into praise and worship, suddenly the light in my heart went on. It felt as though His presence was with me. His answer “blew me away”. It still does. As a result I was able to endure to the end. Sure, there were many trials. There still are. But these promises have helped me keep going! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for He is faithful to do what He says, and He has invited you into partnership with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 NLT 21 She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus [He Saves], because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 GW 8 He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honour and gave Him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8-11 NLT 25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things." John 4:25 ESV 1 The Spirit of GOD, the Master, is on me because GOD anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, Announce freedom to all captives, and pardon all prisoners. Isaiah 61:1 MSG 45 We follow this sequence in Scripture: The First Adam received life, the Last Adam is a life-giving Spirit. 46 Physical life comes first, then spiritual-- 47 a firm base shaped from the earth, a final completion coming out of heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:45-47 MSG 26 A week later Jesus' disciples were again in the house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Take your hand, and put it into my side. Stop doubting, and believe." 28 Thomas responded to Jesus, "My Lord and my God!" John 20:26-28 GW 13 You call Me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because that's what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. 1`5 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. John 13:13-15 NLT	PRAYER: For all that I am feeling; for the clouds up in the sky; For the chill of coming winter; for the fact that I will die; For the knowledge of time passing; for the mystery of age; For the going into battle; for the warfare we must wage; For these things most blessed Father that will happen to us all; I lift my hands in worship and my Lord to You I call. You're the touch of golden sunshine on a bitter winter's day. You're a soft and gentle raindrop after clouds have passed away. You're the shade of welcome shadow in the scorching midday heat. You're a banquet of contentment when there's nothing we can eat. It is true most blessed Jesus; You provide eternally, And I lift my heart to listen to what You would say to me. You are better than the answer to a lonely maiden's prayer. You provide all we are needing through the wonder of Your care. You delight us with Your presence in an empty, lonely room. You have shown You are Almighty, raising Jesus from the tomb. So I greet You Holy Spirit and give thanks that You abide; In this world of joys and sorrows You are ever by my side! God the Father; Holy Spirit; Blessed Jesus; God the Son; God the Counsellor, Almighty, ruling all You've made and done; God the Triune; God the Lovely; God the Saviour; God the King; God the bringer to repentance; God the Lord of everything; Lord I come in expectation and bring praises to Your Name; Listen to Your voice a speaking and which always is the same. ANSWER: Saying, "Come to Me my servant; come to Me and be My friend. I will lead you and I'll guide you ever more unto the end. I will bless you if you'll follow and will do what I command. I will take you into Canaan for it is your promised land. For I love you and I change not; you are Mine forevermore, Be ye comforted and know that I have everything in store. Be ye trusting in the knowledge I am always in control, With assurance in your spirit that My Son has made you whole. So be confident and valiant; lean heavily on Me; I'll provide what you are needing; stop and look around and see. Were you ever disappointed in the things that I have done; Through My precious Holy Spirit in the Name of Christ My Son? For you'll find in Me contentment, be ye young or be ye old; There's delight for those who follow to the safety of My fold. There’s healing and forgiveness in this world of sin and pain; If you'll trust and honour Me, I'll cleanse your guilty stain! For I'm the One Who loves you. I'm Jehovah; Adonai; Elohim; The God of plenty; Everlasting; El-Shaddei!" Jim Strickland Written 1986