THE CALL TO HOLINESS

Time with Jesus - 26 July 2013

Hi all,

Children say the cutest things. Particularly young ones as they are starting to become aware of the world around them. My grandson is a case in point. As you know, we are a family of cat lovers. Sadly, cats have a comparatively short life-span. In this regard, death is a part of life and all of us need to be aware that death catches up with all of us sooner or later.

Our cats have always been thoroughly spoiled. They get only the very best of everything. Actually, a dear friend suggested we run our own “kitty heaven” if you follow me. The death of one of our cats is always somewhat traumatic. Our vet is marvellous and he keeps them alive and well for as long as possible. When a cat of ours passes away, we have it cremated. Then we place the ashes in a suitable place in the garden. 

We usually have a short burial ceremony for them complete with a “headstone”; usually a small cat made of pottery. We always invite members of the household to join us for the brief “farewell service”. Our grandson usually comes to be with us and help us bury the ashes and put the “headstone” in place. When my dad died in 2007, our grandson went quietly to his mother and said, “Granny’s poor garden. Where are we going to put grandpa? For a six year old, it was a very good question! Indeed, kids say the strangest things.

God's Holy Book

As a youngster, I also had many questions to ask. We all did! For me, I wanted to know what was meant by God being Holy? The apostle Peter wrote ¹⁵ But because the God who called you is holy, you must be holy in every aspect of your life. ¹⁶ Scripture says, "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16 GW In those days I preferred comics to reading. Therefore this statement had me flummoxed. I thought it meant that God was full of holes. How that would work in practice was beyond me. 

However it was useful. I thought that prayers were unanswered because they went through one of the holes! The ignorance of youth; It’s very simple and straightforward.

But what is holiness? Webster states: Applied to the Supreme Being, holy signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character; and man is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions. We call a man holy, when his heart is conformed in some degree to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts. Hence, holy is used as nearly synonymous with good, pious, godly.

Does this help? It might help those who like chewing over “verbal gobstoppers”. For me, it’s a wee bit too complicated. Let me try and simplify it by asking a question. What is the holiest thing to you in your house? No prizes for saying, “My Bible”. In fact I hope you share your Bible with all and sundry. The answer I’m looking for is your toothbrush. We look at this more fully in the introduction. Essentially only He may use me.

Store in a Clean, Safe Place

Now there are additional qualities to Holiness. e.g. moral purity and perfection. Even so, don’t discard the idea of being Jesus’ toothbrush. If only He uses you, it means He picks you up and puts you down. He will never do that unless He keeps you in a place of moral purity and perfection. Where else? He won’t throw you on the floor. He will keep you in an appropriate place.

So let’s rejoice today. Holiness is not out of reach. It’s being in a place where He may instantly use you at any time. Be His exclusively and the Christian life will be easier!

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 26 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	THE CALL TO HOLINESS
Holiness. What exactly is it? How do I know I’m holy? Or, more importantly, how do I know when I’m not being holy. Not so very long ago, holiness meant keeping a number of rules dictated by the Pastor and his elders. It was particularly bad for the ladies. If they looked attractive and used make-up, they were definitely not holy. Chin high collars, calf length dresses, wearing hats to church and doing everything their husbands said instantly and without question; then they were definitely holy! Two words describe them. Drab and dowdy. How they would ever find a man who wanted to marry them, was irrelevant. Better to live in a convent, than sin by looking beautiful! Not only was sex a no-no, it was reserved exclusively for having children. Any lady who enjoyed it was a candidate for hell fire and damnation. It wasn’t quite as difficult for the men. They were allowed to look good. But dancing was out, So was going to the movies, looking at “girly” pictures, kissing a girl or drinking any form of alcohol. Smoking was anathema. If they had a “date” with a young woman, there was always a chaperone. Much of this was a carry-over from UK in the Victorian era. Yet that era was one of the most licentious, immoral and cruel in history. In the UK it was the time of the industrial revolution. Little children of 5 worked down in the mines opening and closing gates for the miners. 12 hours per day was not unusual. Women crawled on hands and knees through the mine tunnels pulling coal trucks. At the same time, church society promoted the sort of “holiness” mentioned above. How you equate these two types of living is beyond me. So, what is holiness? Two “aspects” immediately spring to mind. One is moral, sinless perfection. Of course this describes God. No one except Jesus Christ has ever succeeded in living such a life. The Jewish Pharisees of Jesus’ day certainly tried their best to do so. They failed just as many others have failed. No mistakes were permitted. No sin allowed. Anyone want to try? Those who attempt it often become the most self-righteous men possible. Of course women could never get to “heaven”, This was because for two weeks during her monthly cycle, she was considered to be ritually unclean! The second “aspect” of holiness is to be completely set apart for an exclusive purpose. An insightful example for us is our toothbrush. My toothbrush is “holy” to me. As far as I know, no one uses. Most of us would be horrified by the thought of a guest wandering into the bathroom and using our toothbrush. I know that occasionally a husband and wife may make use of their partner’s toothbrush. But it would be the exception rather than the rule. From this we see that holiness means “for the exclusive use” of someone or something. In my case I do my very best to keep myself for the exclusive use of the Lord. Do I always succeed? Not always. But certainly I do my best to make sure I do. I don’t want to be used by Satan and his cohorts. You could say in this respect I’m “holy” to the Lord. To the best of my knowledge, you too can be “holy” to the Lord. “For His exclusive use”. Note the complete “lack” of “rules”. It’s not a question of not doing this or that. Instead it’s an attitude of being set aside for Jesus’ only. If you do, you will find that moral perfection is not as much a “pipe-dream” as you thought it was! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			12 Find joy in the LORD, you righteous people. Give thanks to him as you remember how holy he is. Psalms 97:12 GW	"'Holiness! Yes, Holiness!', is what you are to cry. For it's a lack of holiness, which is the reason why, The name of many Christians has now become a stench; Because they will not change their ways, they consequently wrench, The leading I have given them from My directing hand; And live a life that all can see is what the devil planned! But you have been appointed a shepherd of the flock. It's your responsibility to quietly take stock, Of how the sheep are living and how the pasture seems, To ascertain the difference, 'tween vision and the schemes, That Satan would endeavour, to place into their minds; To know if what they're eating will feed, or make them blind; To be a flock protector and not a bird of prey. To keep the wolves and predators continually at bay. For this is what I've called you to and this is My desire. But it is your obedience that really I require. “The way ahead is difficult. With danger it is fraught. But you will find that I am there, the enemy to thwart. Provided that you're listening and do the things I show, Then, step-by-step and day-by-day, you'll definitely know, That nothing I require of you, will ever be too much, Successfully to overcome. For I will be your crutch! And as you start to lean on Me and let Me take your weight, The power of The Holy Ghost will clearly demonstrate, That you are Mine. A Servant; A Shepherd of the King; Because I have decided, that I will do a thing, To shake the very heavens and rattle earth and sky. To illustrate to everyone, just what it means to die! Just what I have accomplished, by coming to the Earth, And giving to the human race, the chance of second birth. But many of My people. don't seem to care at all. Their lives aren't changed and many have ignored My Holy call; And consequently, judgement is now upon the scene; And they will experience just what My wrath can mean. But even now it's possible for Me to stay My hand. If they will change their attitude and DO what I command; Diligently minister to ALL of those I've saved, And demonstrate repentance by the way that they behave. For if a sinner turns from sin, I've promised he will live. Regardless what a man has been, I always will forgive. But if the righteous turns to sin and practice fleshly lust, I will forget their righteous acts. For them it will be just, As though they never came to Me; And all their sinful acts, Will be restored again to them and judgement will be fact. I know that it sounds terrible, but that is what must be. If a man or woman says they want to walk with Me. Jim Strickland Written 1985
			15 Look, God does not even trust the angels. Even the heavens are not absolutely pure in His sight. 16 How much less pure is a corrupt and sinful person with a thirst for wickedness! Job 15:15-16 NLT
			5 Why, even the moon has its flaws, even the stars aren't perfect in God's eyes, 6 So how much less, plain men and women-- slugs and maggots by comparison!" Job 25:5-6 MSG
			11 "Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? Exodus 15:11 ESV
			3 And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" Isaiah 6:3 ESV
			14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV
			10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. Hebrews 12:10 NASB
			17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:17 NLT
			11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness. 2 Peter 3:11 ESV
			14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 2 Peter 3:14 ESV
			29 Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:29-30 NLT a

PSALM 16 AND CHOICES

Time with Jesus - 25 July 2013

Hi all

Before he died, my dad loved taking photographs. At least he did before he retired. He had an old 32mm camera. He loaded it with standard photographic film. For processing he posted the film to a company called “Gratispool”. 

Free Film!

Several readers may remember them. The company had a novel idea. They produced a special “film” which could only really be processed by themselves. The processed slide photographs were then returned, along with a free film! 

The name “Gratispool” had a South African connection. One of the original directors visited South Africa in the early 1930’s and came across the word “Gratis” meaning “free”! Thus the idea of supplying a free spool of undeveloped film when the photographs were processed, gave rise to the word Gratis-spool. In this way, they were one of the early mail order companies.

Butterfly

They were reasonably successful. They originated in Leeds in the UK and spread to South Africa. 

My Dad used their products; so did I. Our prints were not conventional colour photographs. They were colour slides for use in a “slide projector” specially made for the purpose. It was a very profitable business.

The Veil in the Temple was
ripped in two

Colour slides had a major problem. To see them properly, you needed to set up the projector with a suitable projection screen. There were hand held viewers available, but they didn’t give good results. Slide viewing was a “schlep”! Slides were best seen in a darkened room or at night. Things had to change!

The first “change” was the “polaroid” camera. This type of camera is still used for “instant” photographs for Passport and ID pictures. The end of the slide projector came about with the digital age. Electronic cameras with “pics” stored on mini-discs came onto the market. I suspect the Japanese developed the technology to the point where Gratispool’s system became redundant. By the end of the ‘80’s the company was sold and the system ended.

The demise of Gratispool was inevitable unless they changed. Today, it’s a case of “adapt or die”. Nothing continues indefinitely without responding to changes all around us. 

I’m told that computer technology is developing so rapidly, the new computer bought today is already outdated.

When I wound up my Dad’s estate, I came across boxes of old slide photographs. My wife and I knew we would never look at them. In the end we discarded about 90% of that collection.

As Christians, we need to realise, only God is permanent. Only He is changeless. We need to thank Him for this. If He changed, how would we know that Jesus’ sacrifice was still sufficient? 

A B Simpson 1843 - 1919

We wouldn’t know. If you were forgiven yesterday, how would you know you’re forgiven today? We couldn’t know for sure. Not if He changes. There are certain immutable laws He has decreed for us. What would happen if the law of gravity was variable? Could we survive on a planet where the oxygen concentration changed from day to day with chlorine gas?

Many years ago A B Simpson wrote one of the great hymns of the Christian faith. Here-under I’ve included the first verse and chorus to remind us of the changelessness of Jesus:

By A B Simpson - 1890	Refrain
O how sweet the glorious message simple faith may claim. Yesterday, today, forever Jesus is the same. Still He loves to save the sinful, heal the sick and lame. Cheer the mourner, still the tempest, glory to His Name.	Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same. All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His Name! Glory to His Name! Glory to His Name! All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His Name!

Lord we thank you for your changelessness. There is no such thing as “Gratis-grace”. It cost you dearly.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 25 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	PSALM 16 AND CHOICES
Most of us dislike change with a passion that is difficult to comprehend. In Primary School, I was two years with the Boy Scouts. It was great fun and I would have liked to have continued. Sadly, we moved from Port Elizabeth to a power station close to Sasolburg. That was the end of my scouting days. Later, as my son was growing up, I got involved with the cubs. The things the more senior cubs were doing were similar to what I had done in 1953/4.  Thus I was in a position to assist as leader of the Cub Pack. I was able to help them working from my past knowledge. Then Headquarters decided that the time had come to change the system completely. It changed from the comfortable system I had known as a scout in the early 1950’s, to something more complicated. Certainly it was in the best interests of the youngsters. But for me, the change was a bit like open heart surgery without anaesthetic! I didn’t like it one bit. Fortunately it came at the time when my son was too old for the cubs. So we both left at the same time. I’ve found over the years that change happens whether we like it or not. In one respect, I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to complete things under the previous system, before the change was forced on me. This was true of my engineering studies. One year after I qualified, the syllabus changed radically. I doubt if I could have passed the new syllabus exam. As a Christian, I’ve found that change is normal! We have to change. God never changes and He expects us to change as we progress along the pathway of life. Paul spoke of this sort of change in his second letter to the Corinthians. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT. There are times it feels as though we pass through a stage of being changed from being an ugly caterpillar, into a beautiful butterfly. This illustration speaks so well of the Christian life. We are in this world as sinners; ugly and unattractive. Then we meet Jesus Christ. Encountering Him leads to our own death to self. At least that is what is supposed to happen. Then we pass through the most traumatic change we could ever imagine. Finally, when life in this dimension is over, we emerge as the most beautiful butterfly we could picture. It’s all part of the change process. We go through a phase of being changed from glory to glory, as we submit to the changes which are necessary for us. What I particularly like about this process is the fact that we must change from being an ugly, repulsive caterpillar into that which God envisions for us. Somehow, in the cocoon of change, we are changed. Of course, we are the ones who change. But He is the one who makes it possible. Psalm 16 describes part of this process. I’ve rephrased the Psalm so that it is in rhyme and metre. The second half of the meditation follows the Scriptures. We see that we have to make a choice to follow Him. Then we are taken to a place where we must choose the correct gate in order to walk on His Holy Highway. What we can expect on the narrow way and the easy way is spelled out. Finally, we go on to be with Him. We become His beautiful butterflies! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11 ESV	Psalm 16 - (God is my refuge) 1)      Keep me safe O Lord my God. In You alone I Hide. 2)     You are MY God. Apart from You, can no good thing abide. 3)     All the saints within the land are glorious within! In all of them You take delight. For they're set free from sin. 4)     Those who follow other gods, their sorrows shall increase. Their names are never on Your lips, their sacrifices cease. 5)     But Lord, you have assigned to me my portion and my cup. 6)     My boundaries have fallen in a place I can look up In praise for my inheritance; Wherein is my delight. 7)     I'll praise You, Lord, who counsels me within my heart at night. 8)     Your ways are set before me. You are at my right hand. 9)     My Heart is glad; my body rests; rejoice my tongue as planned. 10)    For You will not abandon me nor leave me in the grave; Your Holy one won't see decay; You've caused me to behave, 11)     With joy upon the paths of life, on which You have made known. The pleasures of eternal life, in which I'm free to roam. Jim Strickland - Written 1992 -oOo- CHOICES You may be nine or ninety, A little less or more. You’ll still be faced with choices to finalise your score.             (Jer 21:8) A little bit of evil? Perhaps, a lot of good? The choice is always up to you, to do the things you should.      (1 Sam 12:23) Sometimes God is in it. More often, He is not. It really doesn’t matter. Your choice is what you’ve got. Perhaps you’ll give to charity? Perhaps you’ll rob a bank? Whatever you decide to do, there’s only you to thank! The Lord does nothing evil. The devil, nothing right. And in the last analysis, it’s you that has the fight. Temptation’s always present, to lead you far astray. But if you follow Jesus, He’ll surely show the way! He said if you will follow Him, He’ll teach you how to fish.        (Matt 4:19) Not for hake or kingklip; It’s not that sort of dish. It’s people you’ll be catching, from every racial group. It’s not their nationality, or if they’ve flown the coop. They may think what they’re doing, is how they should behave. But it could lead them in a loop or right into the grave! (Prov. 14:12) Through a gate we enter. The wide one will not do. We have to find the narrow gate; it’s found by very few.   (Matt 7:13-14) The wide gate is the easy way. A life of sin and ease. A life of sex and drunkenness and anything you please. The highway of God’s Holy Road starts at the narrow gate.       (Isaiah 35:8) You’ll find the way is difficult, but the reward is great. Rude or the rebellious are not allowed thereon. But if you’re persistent, you’ll reach the Holy One. So let us be obedient, Press on to know the Lord.               (Hosea 6:3) And we are sure that at the end we’ll have our great reward. (John 14:2) Jim Strickland Written 25 July 2012
			8 "Tell the people, 'The LORD says, "I am offering you a choice. You can choose the way that leads to life. Or you can choose the way that leads to death. Jeremiah 21:8 NIrV
			23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 1 Samuel 12:23 TNIV
			6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 NLT
			19 And He *said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19 NASB
			12 There is a way that may seem right to a man. But in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12 NIrV
			13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14 ESV
			8 There will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road. It's for GOD's people exclusively-- impossible to get lost on this road. Not even fools can get lost on it. Isaiah 35:8 MSG
			3 "So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth." Hosea 6:3 NASB
			2 There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? John 14:2 MSG