DO MORE THAN IS EXPECTED

Time with Jesus - 10 July 2013

Hi all,

Some of us talk about “initiative”. It seems to be a quality of life sadly missing all over the world. I’m told that it is severely absent in Africa, mainly because of the “hand out mentality” pervading the continent. But what is it? The Free Dictionary defines it as follows. “The power or ability to begin, or to follow through energetically, with a plan or task. i.e. enterprise and determination”. The Wiktionary, (the free dictionary) defines it as “The ability to act first or on one's own”.

In some respects, the Trades Unions have inhibited initiative. So have the introductions of job descriptions. It’s difficult to “get on with the job” when the unions are constantly on the lookout for people doing work they shouldn’t be doing. 

I experienced a sample of this in Canada in the 1970’s. I wanted a device removed and its dimensions checked with an ordinary steel ruler. In the UK a commissioning engineer did this sort of thing as a part of their engineering responsibilities. As soon as I started doing so, the shop steward wanted to know what I was doing. I told him about wanting to check certain measurements. He commented that doing so was a task for his union. He would have to get the job done by a union member and provide me with the dimensions. 

I had to apologise to him. I’d only been in Canada for a couple of weeks and I hadn’t yet learned the right way to work with the union. It was a lesson for me in Union rules and regulations. I was subsequently advised that they did what was required; nothing, more or less. Where more than one union was involved in a task, each would do their own defined portion. They would watch each other till the job was finished. In this way, initiative was hampered.

Willingness to act on one’s own doesn’t happen much in South Africa. Our public hospitals have become some of the filthiest in Africa. The reason is, the wards must only be cleaned by the cleaning staff. The nurses look at any mess and leave it. Cleaning it up is not included in their job description. So things get ignored, even though the condition of the patients is in jeopardy.

Is it possible to be a Christian without using one’s initiative? I’m not certain how anyone can testify or speak about Jesus without making use of opportunities presented in day to day life. It’s unlikely that we will ever find a notice on the wall saying that it is now time to speak to someone. It doesn’t work that way!

Paul, in his second letter to Timothy wrote: ² Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 2 Tim 4:2 NLT

There will never be a “perfect” time to speak about Jesus. At the same time, speaking about Jesus must never be done in an objectionable way. We need to attract people to Jesus with our words and lifestyle. If we are objectionable as we speak to others, they will say to themselves, “How do I get away from this guy?” If we do that, we may have pushed someone away from the Gospel permanently. I’ve seen it happen on several occasions. It’s something we need to bear in mind as we journey through life. 

Yes, we need to be prepared to “speak up” for Jesus at any time; whether we feel like it or not. We also need to use our initiative. Yes, it’s a difficult requirement. But we are not alone. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into the right opportunities. He will do exactly that.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 10 July 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	DO MORE THAN IS EXPECTED
In the newspaper several weeks ago, there was a complaint by a student concerning her exam results. She ended up with 99.95% and was complaining that she should have received 100% Personally; I admire her for her very high achievement. 99.95% is a fabulous result for an examination. During my days at school, 40% was the pass mark. We all tried to do better and usually we were successful. Did you enjoy writing examinations? Most of the time I enjoyed. I suppose it was a matter of the effort you had put in. I have heard it said that if 40% is the pass mark and you get 41% it represents 1% wasted effort. A similar question goes like this. Two medical students write their final exams. A pass mark of 50% is required. One of the students get 90% and the other 51% What do you call them? The answer is you call both of them Doctor. The next question is which Doctor would you prefer to consult? How does this affect us in our Christian Faith? First of all we need to realise that there is no such thing as a part time Christian. It’s not possible to be 50% Christian and 50% pagan. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is recorded as having said: 24 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24 NLT It is just as true today as it was ±2000 years ago! In spite of this many Christians think they can. On Wednesday evenings and all day Sunday, they are Christian. For the rest of the week they are anything but Christian! This doesn’t work. King Solomon, the man who (supposedly) wrote Ecclesiastes, was in something of a bad humour when he wrote: 10 Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. Ecclesiastes 9:10 NLT Another way to put it is to say, “This isn’t a dress rehearsal. You only get one shot at life!” We need to be radical Christians. Anything less than 100% is only serving God part time. The young woman’s 99.95% does not qualify her as being a Christian. Yes, there are problems and difficult circumstances. How would you feel if Jesus said to you He will only be with you 99.95% of the time? You would ask Him, “Lord, please tell me when You are not around. That’s when Satan’s attack will be the greatest.” On top of this, it’s time to realise that every moment in life is your time for being a witness for Christ! I’m not talking about speaking but about life itself. In this 21st century, what you are speaks much louder than what you say. So do more than your best for Jesus. How can we do better than 100%? Jesus will show you. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			26 O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways. Proverbs 23:26 NLT	What is it that excites you? Is it the good or bad? The way you take a look at things, will make you sad or glad? But what will give you confidence, is following My way. Know that it will thrill you for your remaining days. But many do not fear Me. My Word, they won’t obey. If only they would do it; things wouldn’t go astray. If they would live forever, with all the family, They have to change direction and follow after Me. But at this very moment, things are not going right. Because your heart’s not with me, you’re sure to lose the fight. Your attitude before Me has got to be correct. If not, you’ll have a setback you never would expect. Stop looking at the hindrance; stop focussing on you! The situation will not change, if you don’t change your view. For those who fix their focus, on anyone but God, Will find that it’s a rocky road on which their feet have trod. The Lord will not approve of it, if He has been ignored, And you will reap the judgement of his terrible swift sword. My friend, don’t treat this lightly. He knows what’s going on. A Holy God will not approve of anything that’s wrong! It always leads to judgement and you are sure to lose. Now’s the time for taking sides. Which is it you will choose? Do more than is expected. You were not made a wimp. And you are not expected to be a spineless shrimp. So give yourself completely, to Him Who reigns on high. You will either follow Him, or you will surely die. Be like Hezekiah; incorporate God’s law, In every little move you make. Don’t think you can explore, The outer limits of His grace; for if you would succeed, The time has come to follow Him in word and truth and deed. Whatever else you choose to do, I bid you guard your heart. That’s where everything we do gets its initial start. Work with everything you have. Put all your energy, In doing what the Lord requires and not half-heartedly. Jesus is your Master; so be His willing slave. Whatever He requires of you is how you must behave. Do it with a willing heart, a servant of the King. Surely He will free you from all this world might bring. Jim Strickland Written 10th July 2012
			29 If only they would fear me and obey all my commandments as long as they live! Then things would go well for them and their children forever. Deuteronomy 5:29 GW
			21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Acts 8:21 ESV
			7 Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self, ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. 8 And God isn't pleased at being ignored. Romans 8:7-8 MSG
			5 They did more than we expected. First they gave themselves to the Lord. Then they gave themselves to us in keeping with what God wanted. 2 Corinthians 8:5 NIrV
			21 Hezekiah incorporated Moses' Teachings and commands into worship and dedicated his life to serving God. Whatever he did for the worship in God's temple, he did wholeheartedly, and he succeeded. 2 Chronicles 31:21 GW
			23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 TNIV
			23 Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23 NIrV
			6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Ephesians 6:6-7 NLT
			32 I am quick to follow your commands, because you have set my heart free. Psalms 119:32 NIrV

NO SECRETS

Time with Jesus - 09 July 2013

Hi all,

Don't Pass it on

There are few things in life are more rewarding than “owning up” to something you have done. Trying to hide things away and seeking to conceal the truth, in most cases, makes things worse. Jesus warned us about this. 

In Luke’s Gospel, He is on record as saying: ³ Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear! Luke 12:3 NLT Experience has shown Phyllida and me, if we try and hide something we have done, the truth comes out. It always comes out. Far better to remain transparent, than to be “found out” in lying about something you’ve done. We have found the truth; liars need a good memory or they will quickly be caught out.

I think I mentioned a few weeks ago that as an apprentice, I accidentally dropped a nut down one of the main steam pipes during an overhaul. I was scared stiff! How could I tell the boss (my father) what I had done? He would be furious. Then I realised that if I didn’t tell him, serious damage could be done to the plant. It would be very expensive to put right. In the end, I went and told him what had happened. 

Admit the truth
IMMEDIATELY

He looked at me and asked if I was sure. I told him it was true. So we all went into “nut hunting mode”. We eventually found it using an “endoscope”. The boss said nothing until the nut was found and removed. He was angry. He thanked me for being honest. I got a “lecture” from him, but he assured me I’d done the right thing. I’ll never forget that experience ±50 years ago.

The most painful incident was something I read about in a WW2 book. The Nazi’s knew the town was hiding a spy. The town’s folk were told to surrender him. When the leaders refused, the Nazi’s chose 50 men, women and children from the town. “Give up the spy or we will execute all 50”, they stated. The town wouldn’t do it. “So the spy went and handed himself over”. The 50 prisoners were released and the spy was executed. Don’t ask me to comment meaningfully. It was war. Perhaps the only hero was the spy who handed himself over?

Buster Keaton
In Jail

The best advice we can give anyone is to be open and honest and do it quickly. I started doing so while I was still employed. On several occasions I was late for work. On one occasion, my boss “caught” me as I came in. “You’re late!” he said in an accusatory tone. He was waiting for a list of excuses. All I said was, “Yes, I’m late!” It completely defused the situation. It was true. I was late. Why trot out another lame excuse? That’s what my boss expected. My reply defused the situation. Since then, I’ve made a point of always owning for something I’ve done. After all, when the “culprit” is known, what more can be said?

In the church environment, I’ve found it also to be the best policy. Carrying out an inquest into what took place is a waste of time and money. So, if it was me, I’ve learned to put my hand up as soon as the question was asked. A good comment at this point is to acknowledge the mistake. Point out there has been many in the past and there is likely to be more in the future. Only Jesus never made mistakes!

On the occasions when men have been hauled before a church general meeting, I’ve found that the people are very forgiving if you acknowledge something. If you try and wriggle out, you’ll be found out. Then it’s “game over”.

Church elders and leaders would be well advised to make sure there are no secrets hidden from the people. Jesus has made it very clear that the secret will be uncovered and the outcome, very unpleasant.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 09 July 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	NO SECRETS
There is a tale that goes back to the late 19th or early 20th century. It is about two British Parliamentarians .They decided to play a trick on 6 other members of parliament chosen at random. They wanted to observe their reactions. So they sent identical letters to the 6 MP’s. The letters read, “Flee – all is discovered”. The story is all six of them left England as quickly as possible. Is it a true story? I don’t really know. What I can say is that I’m not surprised! Most of us have “skeletons in our closets”. When I was growing up I quickly learned not to speak about one of my aunts. If I did, the subject was changed immediately. Exactly what had happened was not revealed for several years. She had done the unthinkable. In those days it was a lot more unthinkable than it is today. She fell pregnant before she was married. So she was sent to a private nursing home in a distant town. Then, after the baby was born, the child was adopted by person or person’s unknown. The child was never referred to again by anyone in the family. Everything was quietly swept under the carpet. But for many years thereafter, she was thought of as the black sheep of the family. In point of fact she was a delightful person. Except for sadness in her approach to other family members. It was hard to understand, unless you knew the circumstances. I guess all of us have something in our history that is “unmentionable”. Mine was being caught cheating in my matric examination. The result was my being whisked out of the country to serve an apprenticeship as a fitter in the same company that employed my father. It was a devastating experience. In the end, it brought to me the reality of Paul’s letter to the Romans: 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT28 Perhaps the most important lesson I learned, was that it’s better to own up and admit something, than to try and hide behind a pack of lies. Liar’s need to have good memories. Telling the simple truth may bring embarrassment. But in the long run it is the only solution. This is vital if you are going to launch out as a minister for the Lord. Secrecy can be fatal in the ministry. Jesus warned us about this: 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Mark 4:22 NLT Without going back into the details of the Bill Clinton “affair”, it is fairly clear that if he had spoken up and admitted what he had done, history would be much “kinder to him”. Then it could not be said that he’s a philanderer and a liar! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			13 Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 1 Corinthians 3:13 ESV	Do you have a secret you think nobody knows? Do you think it’s something you never will disclose? Have you done your very best to hide it far away? Perhaps you’ll be ashamed of it until your dying day? Was it done in secret where nobody can see? Have you done it often? Perhaps repeatedly? If the secret came out now, how is it you’d react? You know your character would be horribly attacked. You’d suffer great embarrassment and massive loss of face; And in the daily papers, experience disgrace? If this is a description of what it is you’ve done, Perhaps I just might help you to put it right old son. Think of our Lord Jesus and all that He went through. Nothing quite as serious will happen unto you. Handled like a charlatan and beaten with the lash, Accused of speaking blasphemy; they said that He was trash! Stripped till He was naked nailed upon a “tree”. Exposed to all creation; He died for you and me. Went through that embarrassment and suffered all that pain. So that evil people might all be born again. If He could go through this, for folk like me and you, Surely you can emulate the things which you must do. They won’t execute you; perhaps you’ll pay a fine? But you’ll have the approval of Jesus Christ Divine. Nothing more can happen. Perhaps you’ll go to jail? And you’ll be in the bosom of the God Who cannot fail. But if you confess it and say, “It was a sin”! “Master, come and help me this victory to win”. You will know His presence and He will set you free. Even in a prison, the Lord will be with thee. So stand up to the problem and face it like a man. Jesus Christ can do it. He always makes a plan. The worst thing you could ever do is turn and walk away. He desires to set you free upon this very day. He has the authority from God to be your judge. Don’t reject His offer and say you will not budge. Don’t think it is a secret. He’ll spread it far and wide! Those are the alternatives. What is it you decide? Jim Strickland Written 9th July 2012
			5 Therefore, don't judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will also bring to light what is hidden in the dark and reveal people's motives. Then each person will receive praise from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5 GW
			10 Now then, who are you to judge your brother or sister? Why do you look down on them? We will all stand in God's courtroom to be judged. 11 It is written, "'You can be sure that I live,' says the Lord. “And you can be just as sure that every knee will bow down in front of me. Every tongue will tell the truth to God.'" (Isaiah 45:23) 12 So we will all have to explain to God the things we have done. 13 Let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put anything in your brother's way that would make him trip and fall. Romans 14:10-13 NIrV
			16 And this is the message I proclaim--that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone's secret life. Romans 2:16 NLT
			22 In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, He has given the Son absolute authority to judge, John 5:22 NLT
			27 And He has given Him authority to judge everyone because He is the Son of Man. John 5:27 NLT
			18 You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents' sins into the laps of their children after them. Great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD Almighty, 19 great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all; you reward everyone according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve. Jeremiah 32:18-19 TNIV