FOREVER BLESSED!

Time with Jesus - 02 Sept. 2013

Hi all,

RAY CHARLES	NAT KING COLE
"I Love You So Much It Hurts"	"Love Letters"
I love you so much it hurts me Darlin', that's why I'm so blue I'm so afraid to go to bed at night; I'm afraid of losing you. I love so much it hurts me And there's nothing I can do I want to hold you, my dear, Forever and ever I love you so much it hurts me so. I love you so much it hurts me And there's nothing I can do I want to hold you, my dear, Forever and ever I love you so much it hurts me so.	The sky may be starless The night may be moonless But deep in my heart there’s a glow For deep in my heart, I know that you love me You love me, because you told me so Love letters straight from your heart Keep us so near while we`re apart I`m not alone in the night When I can have all the love you write I memorize every line I kiss the name that you sign And darling, then - I read again Right from the start Love letters straight from your heart

Two men, both African Americans, have played a part in shaping me the way I am. The first was Nat King Cole. I’m told that he started in “showbiz” as a pianist. Then, more or less by chance, he started to sing while he played.  The effect was amazing. He had a rich crooner’s voice that was able to get under your skin. It touched you with soft, gentle passion that was unusual for teenaged boys like me. He came across in a “haunting way” that somehow personalised what he was singing. In those days I enjoyed singing and, by singing along with him, it made me feel as though I was in contact with love itself. He sang such songs as “Unforgettable”, Hoagie Carmichael’s “Stardust” and of course, "When I Fall in Love".

The second was Ray Charles. He had a rough, rasping voice which for me was electrifying. He sang “Georgia on my Mind”, “Take These Chains from my Heart” and my favourite by this singer/pianist, “I Love You so much it Hurts!” What particularly touched me was the fact that he was blind. Nevertheless, he had a way of combining singing and piano playing that I still love.

I’ve never been quite sure which way things work when God is molding character and personality into a man or a woman. Do we like a music style and the singer’s artistry because that’s how God has made us? Or could it be that God uses music and the artist’s style to form us into what we are?

What I do know is that I’ve got a typical artistic temperament; very emotional and sentimental. For me, crying is easy. To sit and weep through a movie “tear-jerker” does exactly that. At one time it was very embarrassing. Those were the days when men and boys were not supposed to display emotion. 

“Cowboys don’t cry” was the fallacy foisted upon us. Now it doesn’t matter.

Two verses of Scripture changed this for me forever. The first is found in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians: - ⁴ He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Cor. 1:4 NLT. 

In ordinary, everyday language this means I experience and go through problems and situations, so that I may be able to comfort and help those who are going through the same problem. For example Phyllida and I have both gone through the heartbreak of divorce. It’s a terrible experience. It’s not something we recommend to anyone. In many respects it’s worse than the death of a spouse. When a spouse dies, there are many beautiful memories. In a divorce, good memories are torn apart. They are hardly ever remembered. However, because we have been there, we are in a position to help those who are going through the experience.

The second Scripture is ³⁵ Jesus wept. John 11:35 NIV: - It occurred to me that if Jesus could weep in public, why shouldn’t I? In addition, Peter also wept. ⁷⁵ Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and cried and cried and cried. Mat 26:75 MSG. 

Most, if not all men and women, have been there at one time or another. Most men hide away from others, so that they aren’t seen to be crying and thought of as weak. We forget that when we are at our weakest, He is at His strongest in us.

This is one of the reasons why I love Song of Songs. It’s an earthy, passionate and intimate love story about a man and a woman. As you read the book you start to realise how much the couple loved each other. On occasions, as you read it, you feel as though you should “avert your eyes”. 

You feel you are trespassing into an intimacy that should be reserved exclusively between husband and wife. This is exactly what God intended. Here we see raw emotion when men and women cry; they cry out to and for each other in a “no holds barred” love that transcends humanity and touches divinity. At the end we are breathless and amazed.

Does God really love me like that? The truth is He does. It’s an intimate and personal love infinitely greater than anything we can understand. A love that is greater than the love of a mother for her first new-born infant. Can that infant grasp the depth of that love? Not at all; all the baby can do is bawl and squall. 

The baby cries for many reasons. One reason is for the one who has brought him/her into the world. No emotion is hidden. Utterly dependent on his/her parents for everything and understanding almost nothing, the infant reaches out for mother. He/she doesn’t understand. In a way, he/she never will.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 02 Sept. 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	FOREVER BLESSED!
Much to the surprise of the younger generation, I haven’t always been an old man. Hard as that may be for some to believe, it’s true. In fact 50 odd years ago I too struggled with the older generation who wouldn’t go along with new, young ideas. The wheel has gone full circle. Now I’m one of the “oldies” who resist youthful change. In spite of this, there is one thing which hasn’t changed and will never change. The Love of the Lord for the creatures He has made. Don’t ask me why this is true. There is nothing I can see in me or anyone else that is remotely loveable. When I think of His perfection and my imperfection, I wonder why He bothers. King David was right when he wrote: 2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the entire human race; He looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.  3 But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one! Psalms 14:2-3 NLT If I was God I’m sure I would just obliterate everything and start again. Of course that’s part of my problem. I’m not all wise and have all knowledge. Sadly that phase passed away with my 21st birthday! One of the hymns I loved to sing as a young man is in the 1936 Methodist Hymn Book. It went like this: I am so glad that our Father in Heaven; / Tells of His love in the Book He has given; / Wonderful things in the Bible I see; / This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.    It’s easily memorised and easy to sing. In Sunday school the boys sang the tune and the girls sang descant. Back then, as now, I struggle with the thought that Jesus loves me. I believe it intellectually. I know it the same way. But truly believing it is a horse of a different colour. If there was anything loveable in us, there would be no problem. But I’m sorry, there isn’t. As David wrote, “Not one of us is good”. Having said that, and aware of my shortcomings, as I’ve grown older the concept of God’s love for His people has become more evident. Two things have led me to this. The first is His grace active in Phyllida’s and my life. Frankly it’s been miraculous. The second has been my reading of Song of Solomon. Here we read of the love of the king for a girl who was “nobody”. It is a love that is deeply and intimately passionate! People have suggested that Song of Songs has no business being in the Bible. It’s too explicit. On the other hand the Jews refer to this book as the “Holy of Holies” of Jewish writ. So is it a case of “Pays your money and takes your choice?” No! It is a picture of the love of Jesus Christ for His bride of which you and I are part. This is the King of Kings loving you and loving me! It’s emotional, intimate and passionate. In today’s meditation the poem begins with questions about God’s rest and our rest. From there I’ve traced this progressively through a series of questions to the “Holy of Holies” in our relationship with Him. Much of it is written in the first person. That’s because I’ve got to the place in life where, in spite of everything, I long to give myself to Him emotionally, intimately and passionately. The pattern is taken from Song of Solomon. Come, share our passion! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, Psalms 23:2 TNIV	Why is it that we have to rest? Is it because we’re tired? Perhaps we’ve had more than enough and need to be inspired? Perhaps we’re feeling lazy and want to lay about? If that’s your motivation, the outcome is in doubt! So why is it God rested when creation was all done? Do you think He’d had enough and now He wanted fun? The Lord is never tired. He can’t run out of “vim”! Throughout the endless ages, there’s been no tiring Him. The Lord has need of nothing. He’s constantly the same. In everything He’s perfect with no desire for fame. You surely cannot “fit” Him in any kind of mould. His justice, power and mercy, by man should be extolled! Of course He is eternal and we are merely clay. And far above our thinking is how He’ll be always. He has no hidden weaknesses except perhaps His love. He loves us to infinity, beyond the stars above. So much, He sent His only Son to earth so He could die For then we could return to Him. Please do not ask me why. In Him we have our being. In Him we move and live. The air we breathe; the food we eat; to us He chose to give. But He will not control us. He wants us to be free, To worship Him and serve him and love Him passionately. And yet there are the occasions when He is in control. He makes me lie in pastures green as Shepherd of my soul! He grants His peace to those of us who honour and obey. But wicked men are tossed around, in muck and mire and clay. Whenever I feel weary, To Him I always go. I take His yoke upon me. It’s comfortably slow! He tells me to be patient; in Him I take my rest. And when I’m at my weakest, He tells me I am blessed. He’s tells me to be honest; admit it when I’m wrong. I sit in His delightful shade; His arms round me are strong. The Lord God is my Lover, my Master, Lord and King. And I, a lowly bond-slave, I wear His wedding ring. He takes me to the Banquet Hall, where everyone can see, The depth of our commitment; how much my Lord loves me! And I will dwell forever, in joy and peace and rest. The “bride” of the Almighty, I am forever blessed. Jim Strickland Written 2nd September 2012
			20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked." Isaiah 57:20-21 ESV
			28 Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NLT
			7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Psalms 37:7 NASB
			10 For all who have entered into God's rest have rested from their labours, just as God did after creating the world. Hebrews 4:10 NLT
			9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not from rules about food, which don't help those who follow them. Hebrews 13:9 NLT
			14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray. 15 Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. Ephesians 4:14-15 GW
			3 Like the finest apple tree in the orchard is my lover among other young men. I sit in his delightful shade and taste his delicious fruit. 4 He escorts me to the banquet hall; it's obvious how much he loves me. Song of Solomon 2:3-4 NLT

THE OLD CROSS OR THE NEW

Time with Jesus - 01 Sept 2013

Hi all,

Camden Power Station
South Africa

From the September 1961 to September 1963 I was working on the construction of West Thurrock Power Station. In those days the plant was slightly earlier than “state of the art”. As a consequence, it would be phased out and demolished in the middle of the 1990’s. It had been in service for ±30 years so the British public had already received value for their money.

Fenchurch Street Station

West Thurrock was fairly close to London. Fenchurch Street station was a little under an hour away on the train. We were also fairly close to Dagenham and the Ford Motor works. I was told that any Ford part required, could be obtained in Dagenham. 

Ford Dagenham UK

These parts were “very cheap”. These parts could be “ordered” and obtained at these excellent prices on the old, “Ask no questions” basis! Clearly they were stolen. How the thieves got them out of the Ford Plant is anyone’s guess. 

Ford Dagenham
Assembly Line

I’m not in a position to say what could and could not be obtained “very cheap” in that part of the world. What I can say is, some of the construction workers were able to supply just about anything you wanted. All you had to do was ask them and within a day or two, it would be yours.

Rolex

You could buy “Rolex” watches. A genuine Rolex cost a small fortune and was rather scarce. But you could buy one on the construction site. The real question is whether or not they were genuine. Yes, they looked like the real thing. They would run for a few months and stop. We quickly realised that although the word “Rolex” was on the dial, they were cheap imitations.

Now a Rolex watch, real or imitation, looked like the real thing. It would take an expert to say which was which.

Expert

Even then you and I, the general public, would be dependent on the integrity of the expert. Did he have an “axe to grind”? Did he have a hidden agenda? Was he taking bribes to identify something as genuine? The reason I ask this question is because we have a similar situation with our Bibles today.

Manuscript on a Scroll

Actually our Bible is not merely one big book. It’s a bit like a library. There are 66 books within its precious pages. 27 are in our New Testament and 39 in the Old, written by some 40 different people over ±1600 years. The Old Testament is mainly in Hebrew and the New, mainly Greek. Now Paul wrote to Timothy and said, ¹⁶ God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. 2 Tim 3:16 NIrV

Scribe "writing" a document

In other words, that which was originally written, the autograph, was inspired by God. Sadly, back then there were no photocopying machines and no printing presses. So if I wrote a letter to you, the only way to get a copy to someone else would be to copy the letter by hand. That’s what happened. So if you needed 50 copies, one man would write 50 copies, or 50 men would write one. 

Let’s now send a copy to 50 different destinations and start again. It would not take very long before the autograph was so dog-eared through handling that it would become illegible and perhaps thrown away. That wouldn’t matter, provided each copy made from the autograph was 100% accurate. To avoid inaccuracy, scribes would follow well defined rules to make sure every copy was identical.

KJV - Tried and Tested

Scribes could and did make mistakes. Not many, but it did happen. An added complication was that on occasions, the recipient of the scroll made “edited” copies. He would read the scroll. Then he would find that the scroll did not agree with his understanding. So he would “adjust” the text accordingly. 

The New Testament was affected this way during the early ±400 years of Christianity. Round about then, erroneous copies of the New Testament we identified and put to one side. 

“Received Text” or
the “Byzantine Text"

Others, believed at that time to be accurate, continued to circulate. These had been written or copied in Greek. Today there are now ±1800 scrolls, portions of scrolls as well as quotations by the early Church fathers which support what is called the “Received Text” or the “Byzantine Text”.

In 1481 a manuscript, Codex Vaticanus was “found” in the Vatican Library. Some think it is one of the early “corrupt” manuscripts. 

Then in 1844 a further manuscript, Codex Sinaiticus, was discovered in a waste paper basket in St Catherine’s monastery on Mt Sinai. Some think this is also one of the early erroneous manuscripts. However, they are older than the “Received Text” manuscripts. 

Codex Sinaiticus 

These “manuscripts” have become the basis for most of the translations from Greek into English which have been published since 1881. At that time, the Revised Version was published. This version was strongly influenced by Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus rather that the Received Text.

Today, you and I must decide which version of the Bible is correct; the Received Text (KJV) or the Sinaiticus/Vaticanus Text. My preference is the KJV. It’s an “old chestnut” problem that has been with us for over 100 years. 

But I’m not looking for an “imitation Rolex”. I want the genuine article. Don’t be fooled by what you read on the label of your Bible. Your and my eternal future could be jeopardised by the wrong choice.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 01 September 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 OLD CROSS OR THE NEW
For many years, Phyllida and I have been convinced that the Word of God – the Bible - is inerrant. No mistakes in it whatsoever. Of course this applies to the original version in the original language. It may be that over the centuries; scribes have made errors in copying. Although scrupulous attention was paid to detail, errors of transcription may have taken place. Furthermore, the original has been translated into a variety of languages. So what we read in the English version of our choice may not be 100% accurate. One only has to compare translations with each other to realise that there are differences. For us to establish now what was written in the original is difficult. Textual critics do not agree. We do know that the King James Version was compiled by exceptionally highly qualified Scholars based on the received text, sometimes called the Byzantine text, of which there are some 1800 ancient documents extant which roughly correspond with each other. Translations that have been made since 1881 or thereabouts have made use of older manuscripts which some regard as corrupt. (I’m one of them). My approach to these devotionals has been to look at the KJV; then find a translation which best reflects the KJV in more understandable English. The reason I make this point is because it is essential we understand what the author intended us to understand; not something filtered through the minds of many of today’s preachers. I have found that many preachers today preach a “feel good” and “prosperity” gospel that is not in harmony with Jesus’ teaching. Luke tells us; 23 Then Jesus said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23 NLT. This Scripture makes it very clear. To follow Jesus means to put aside your own selfish desires. Then to pick up the cross on which you will be crucified and go to your own Calvary. You are supposed to do this every day until it actually happens. I can find no evidence of Mercedes Benz, big fancy luxurious homes in the best part of town with millions in your bank account. I find the complete opposite. Historically, the genuine Christian lifestyle for some 1900 years after Jesus was crucified, was to lay aside your own life and obey Him even unto death. The early Christians did this. Satan tried everything he could do to smash the fledgling church. He failed because people would rather be tortured to death than deny Jesus. They perished in their thousands; crucified; fed to the lions; covered with pitch and used to light the gardens of the Caesar. Read Foxes Book of Martyrs. It gives the details of the suffering and death of Christians up to the middle of the 1650’s. At one time it was regarded as a “must read”. Only the Bible was more widely read. Over the last hundred years or so, the “flavour” of Christianity has changed. The cross has been velvet padded. We have seen the influx of “cross-less Christianity” An attitude that says, “Come to Jesus” He will bless you and give you all you need to enjoy life here. A sort of heaven on earth in which you can do anything you wish, confident His grace is more than enough. Sadly, that’s a lie. To follow Him we still have to die to ourselves. Then, each day, take up our cross and make our way to our place of execution. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			23 Then He said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23 NLT	The strangest thing has happened in the past one hundred years. Something so deplorable, we all should be in tears. It seems the very nature of the cross is not the same, As that which Christians looked at, back then when Jesus came. An instrument of torture, of agony and pain. The instant that you picked it up, you set out to be slain. No more opportunity to tell the folk “good bye” It was a one way journey to the place where you would die. The cross was unforgiving and made no compromise When you were nailed upon it and lifted to the skies Your life on earth was over. This was your final act; And death in monstrous agony would soon become a fact. It may be that you’d linger on perhaps for several days. But death by suffocation and exhaustion were the ways, You would be defeated and your candle be snuffed out. The cross was going to murder you. Of that there was no doubt. The victim picked his cross up and took it to the place, Where all of the above was something which he had to face. How long that it would take him before he would arrive, Was all the time available for him to be alive. Everybody knew this and Jesus showed the way. That is what His followers expected every day. They were on a journey, the cross upon their back. Without the opportunity of finding time to pack. They all knew the outcome; that they would surely die. But every day they picked theirs up it didn’t matter why. You couldn’t be His follower, unless you had agreed, To pick your cross up daily and go where He would lead. But this longer happens. A velvet padded cross, Speaks about prosperity, where you won’t suffer loss. The cross has been downgraded. It’s comfortable and clean. Grace has been interpreted in ways God didn’t mean. Living will be painless and God will pay your bills. Off you go and live it up; enjoy as many thrills You’ll find along the journey. The fact is, you’ve been saved. Therefore it doesn’t matter how badly you’ve behaved! But that is not the gospel and Christians are tricked. They follow in a lifestyle which Jesus never picked. Sadly they’re deluded. The cross has never changed. If you think sin’s acceptable, you’re mentally deranged. And all that you believe in, will crumble and will fall. Instead, pick up the old cross and make Him Lord of all. Jim Strickland Written 1st Sept 2012
			8 We serve God whether people honour us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 2 Corinthians 6:8 NLT
			12 Those who try to live a godly life because they believe in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12 GW
			11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. Galatians 5:11 TNIV
			10 Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. Galatians 1:10 NLT
			14 Suppose people make fun of you because you believe in Christ. Then you are blessed, because God's Spirit rests on you. He is the Spirit of glory. 15 Suppose you suffer. Then it shouldn't be because you are a murderer or a thief. It shouldn't be because you do evil things. It shouldn't be because you poke your nose into other people's business. 16 But suppose you suffer for being a Christian. Then don't be ashamed. Instead, praise God because you are known by that name. 1 Peter 4:14-16 NIrV
			29 There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. Philippians 1:29 MSG
			14 Either way, Christ's love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NLT
			12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will deny us. 2 Timothy 2:12 NLT