WORKING OR SHIRKING?

Time with Jesus - 11 Sept. 2013

Hi all,

The Genesis account of creation is beautiful beyond description. It’s a simplistic explanation of the process of going from nothing to a magnificent world, perfect in every respect.

A Beautiful World
Perfect in all Respects

According to “Your Dictionary” the definition of “simplistic” is making complex problems appear to be simpler than they are in reality. For example, saying "let's give food to all the hungry," is an example of a simplistic solution because solving world hungry isn't as easy as handing out food to everyone. 

Precisely how God went about creating isn’t spelled out. It wasn’t intended to be a detailed scientific account. God didn’t intend it to be understood that way. How could He do so? Even today, the technical detail would be such that few, if any, could understand every part of it. However, although each of the events may not be understood, the sequence is logical and believable by men and women of every age, regardless of intellectual ability. This makes it all the more believable!

We are told creation took place in six days. Some believe this to be six, twenty four hour periods. I will not argue this with you. My concern is that when God created light, our planet had yet to be created. Since “day” as we understand it, constitutes one revolution of our planet on its axis, how can we define a “day” in those terms when our planet didn’t exist on day one?

Adam's First Job

On the sixth day, God created human beings. In Genesis 1 we are told, ²⁶ Then God said, "Let Us make human beings in Our image, to be like Us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground." ²⁷ So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. Gen 1:26-27 NLT

The creation story continues to the “end” of the sixth day, when God looked at His handiwork and stated that everything was very good. ³¹ Then God looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day. Gen 1:31 NLT

Chapters and Verses?

When reading the Bible we must remember that in the original, there were no chapters and verse numbers. These are a man-made addition for our convenience. Although it has helped us find a place in Scripture, in many instances, the divisions have done more harm than good. 

Just in case we've forgotten!

A good example is the end of Genesis 1. Gen 2:1-3 fits more comfortably at the end of Genesis 1. For better understanding, in my opinion, Genesis 2 should begin at Gen 2:4. In this way, the establishment of the day of rest (the seventh day) would be seen as part of the overall creation account. The present chapter divisions give the impression that creation ended at the end of chapter 1. But the end was when God “stepped back” as it were, to look at creation and enjoy what He saw. He said It was very good!

If you don't do what he said,
This guy will surely shoot you dead!

In Gen 2, we note God created the Garden of Eden and placed Adam in it. Adam’s job was to “work” it! ¹⁵ The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Gen 2:15 NIV.

It’s an interesting observation that God required Adam to work before he was given a wife. Of course, this is how it should be. A man’s first priority is to work for a living. Interestingly enough, Adam’s work preceded fellowship with God in the cool of the day and before marriage and a family. 

In Summary

This principle applies even after the fall in Genesis 3. As a man, I am expected to provide for my wife and family before attending a church. I know this is not popular, but it follows the creation sequence. 

Get Going Guy!

God expects men to work to provide, initially for himself, then after marriage, to provide for his wife and children. It is the way it was originally intended. His wife was originally intended to be the nurturer; the producer of and care giver of their children. Basically, the man was to be the provider for the family. He would do this by working. The woman; the wife, was to be the carer of the family. This is stated simplistically. Furthermore, the fall of man has made the lot and the work of man and woman much harder.

Genesis 3 states, ¹⁶ To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." ¹⁷ To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. ¹⁸ It will produce thorns and thistles for you and you will eat the plants of the field. ¹⁹ By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." Gen 3:16-19 NIV

The net result is that God expects men to work. In this regard Paul wrote: ¹⁰ Don't you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? "If you don't work, you don't eat." 2 The. 3:10 MSG (Sorry guys, it’s a hard working world.)

The experience of women down through the centuries has been, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you”. In many respects, since the fall, women have “worked” harder than their male counterparts. 

We usually speak of the fall of man. Sometimes I think we should speak of “the fall of woman”. They appear to have “worked harder”, been pushed around and “suffered” far more than men over the past ±6000 years! Working, not shirking!

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 11 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	WORKING OR SHIRKING?
Naivety is one of the most prevalent difficulties associated with Christianity today. We tend to believe anything and trust everyone. It doesn’t take long before the “gilt wears off the gingerbread” and for us to realise that, generally speaking, Christians are not much different from unbelievers. I know it’s a terrible conclusion to reach, but it’s true. We know it shouldn’t be this way. Christians should live a Christ-like lifestyle. We seldom find this to be the case. The biggest surprise in this regard was when I went to Bible school. My expectation was that all of us would be doing our very best to live a Biblical lifestyle. Many did. But the lifestyle was more like that of Ahab and Jezebel than of Jesus. Within three weeks a man was “unmasked”. He could “flow in the Holy Spirit” and “prophesy” most convincingly. Sadly he was like Elmer Gantry. His purpose was to rip-off young ladies. He was impressive and a total “shyster”. I had been able to save the fees for Bible School and paid for the full year in advance. The norm seemed to be people who wanted to attend for free. They had been “called” to attend Bible School but had no money to pay the fees. For several months the school staff pursued them before eventually, either the people left, or they paid up. They found someone to pay their fees! What really shook Phyllida and me was the way so many Christians were not interested in working. They said they were trusting God for their finances. But the idea of working was anathema. They struggled on day after day, week after week and year after year. At the end of the period they were still waiting for God to fill their pockets. It’s rather sad. Much of this originates from our passion for taking Scripture out of context. A good example comes from Phil. 4:13 It’s qualified by Phil. 4:12, the preceding verse. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Phil. 4:12-13 NLT Looking at both verses together we see that Paul was talking about living with and without the essentials of life. He was saying Jesus empowered him to do all this in and through His strength. Phil. 4:19 NLT has also been misinterpreted. In the previous verses, Paul was referring to how their gift had provided for his needs. Paul was confident that others would provide for their needs in a similar way in and through Jesus. What was sad was that 2 Thess. 3:10 (Anyone who will not work will not eat) & 1 Thess. 4:11 (do your work, and earn your own living), were ignored. Not that we were surprised. Why work if you can find someone who will support you financially? I’m trying not to be cynical, but it’s not easy. Christians are not welcome by many businesses, because they don’t pay their bills. They steal from their brothers and sisters when they ask them to do a job and have no means of paying their bill. That makes them liars and thieves! This happens regularly. Personally, I prefer not to do business with a Christian unless I know he/she will pay up. I can’t afford to work without them paying their bills. Am I being too fussy? I don’t think so. What I’m longing to see is integrity among my brothers and sisters in Jesus. Is it ever likely to happen? You tell me. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			23 Meanwhile, men and women go out to work, busy at their jobs until evening. Psalms 104:23 MSG	I’m told that we are swearing when we use four letter words. A lot of people do so. Still do, from what I’ve heard. Some words are quite disgusting and banned from Christian speech. But even so, for some of them, these words are still in reach. But now there is another word which seems to haunt the church. Some Christian when they hear it, it knocks them off their perch. Please read it very quietly and don’t spread it around. Some people say it’s toxic and never should be found, In any Christian circle, because they’re trusting God, To get another hand out, while on the road they trod. What is this frightful little word that makes folk run off scared? I’m going to have to use it, although you’re unprepared. It only has four letters and rhymes with the word “shirk”. So please excuse me using it; the little word is “work”. I know it isn’t popular, but it’s what God requires. Sadly, many Christians, find that the word inspires Many to be busy.  They’d rather spend the day, Jabbering and chattering in every sort of way. “I’m trusting God” they tell us. “I hate activity; And I’ve received a calling that’s totally work free. Please don’t be offended. I think I’d rather pray For God to send me money, in His mysterious way”. We meet them by the dozen and mostly they are poor, Some are getting hungry, but they are very sure, That just around the corner, someone will help them out; That they’ll be given millions, they do not ever doubt. They do not read the Bible to find what it contains. The thought of their employment, is banished from their brains. It seems they are allergic to working with their hands. And haven’t ever read the Word, that says the Lord demands, His people to be working. Without it, they won’t eat. That’s what the Lord is saying. Man has to earn his meat! Whatever you can find to do, do it with all your might. That way the Lord will bless you, with blessings “out of sight”. There is a sure connection about our daily bread. God says, “Go out and earn it, without food you’ll be dead”. And if you are a father, it’s you who must provide, To feed all of your family. From this you cannot hide. The Lord holds you responsible for all your family. If anyone is starving, He’ll put the blame on thee. And though it sounds unsavoury, make work your way of life. Then He will take good care of you, your family and wife. Jim Strickland Written 11th September 2012
			19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." Genesis 3:19 TNIV
			10 Even when we were with you, we gave you a rule. We said, "Anyone who will not work will not eat." 2 Thessalonians 3:10 NIrV
			11 Also, make it your goal to live quietly, do your work, and earn your own living, as we ordered you. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 GW
			10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV
			4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the One who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. John 9:4 NLT
			9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV
			58 My dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Don't let anything move you. Always give yourselves completely to the work of the Lord. Because you belong to the Lord, you know that your work is not worthless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIrV
			9 So there is still a Sabbath rest for God's people. Hebrews 4:9 NIrV
			12 'These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.' Matthew 20:12 MSG
			12 to whom he has said, "This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is repose"; yet they would not hear. Isaiah 28:12 ESV

THE GREAT EXCHANGE

Time with Jesus - 10 Sept. 2013

Hi all,

Record Player

When Phyllida and I first met in the early part of 1981, South Africa’s music came to us on records. It was the very early days of the CD and players, so it was “normal” to have a number of Long Playing Records. In those days, DOS was something you did when you were tired. 

Perhaps the most sophisticated electronic piece of equipment was the pocket calculator. There were two “types”. The one was by Hewlett Packard, which had a different method of data entry. The other, used the conventional entry system. 

Changing from the one to the other was traumatic. Something like Open Heart Surgery at midday on the streets of Jo’burg! It’s interesting to recall that by 1979, the examining authorities, for most technical institutions, permitted the use of electronic calculators, provided the memory was “cleared” before the exam. If there were any built in mathematical functions, they could not include engineering formulae. 

The demise of the “slide rule” was in full swing. Today most students have no idea what a slide rule might be! We also used log tables. These were not dining room tables made from logs!

Ho! every one that is thirsty in spirit, Ho! every one that is weary and sad; Come to the fountain, there’s fullness in Jesus, All that you’re longing for: come and be glad!
	Chorus
	I will pour water on him that is thirsty, I will pour floods upon the dry ground; Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing; While ye are seeking Me, I will be found.
Child of the world, are you tired of your bondage? Weary of earth joys, so false, so untrue? Thirsting for God and His fullness of blessing? List to the promise, a message for you!
	Chorus
Child of the kingdom, be filled with the Spirit! Nothing but fullness thy longing can meet; ’Tis the enduement for life and for service; Thine is the promise, so certain, so sweet.
	Chorus

 Phyllida and I both had a number of long playing records. These were mainly Christian artists singing hymns and choruses. My favourite back then was a 3 LP recording of Handel’s “Messiah”. We still have it but it has been transferred to CD and I-Pod. 

Phyllida had a couple of very popular LP’s. One was by “Vineyard” Another was by Harry Secombe. Our favourite was by a group called “The Hawaiians”.  The best for me from that LP, was a track entitled, “Ho! Everyone that is thirsty in Spirit”. It was written in 1884 by Lucy J Meyer. 

The words are shown in the box on the left and come from the book of Isaiah. ¹ Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Isa 55:1 KJV

Thirst gives rise to
More Thirst

I’ve sometimes wondered why this particular track was so important to me some 32 years ago. It wasn’t just because it was sung so beautifully by the young couple who produced this delightful LP. There was something much deeper than that. 

As the Deer Pants for Water

Today as I sit writing this message, the importance has dawned. From 1964 to 1981 I’d wandered away from the Lord to do my own thing. Yes, it was very silly. It was dangerous spiritually and perhaps more important than everything else was the emptiness deep inside. The life of a backslider is hell! You know how things once were with the Lord and apparently are no longer. 

In the Psalms David wrote: ¹ O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; Psalm 63:1 KJV

Streams of
Living Water

Being thirsty for God is a dreadful experience. You know that only the living water of Jesus will slake your thirst, but like a petulant child, you’d rather “die” than admit you were wrong. It takes a calamity on a massive scale to bring you back to Him repentant and seeking forgiveness. This hymn composed in 1884 has all the ingredients needed to bring a strayed sheep back to the fold.

Jesus' Purpose is
Saving People

The first verse sets the scene. It speaks of Jesus’ willingness to minister to the thirsty and the sad. More than that it shows how He exchanges sadness for gladness. 

Cliff College Dining Room

The chorus reverberates with what He does for His people, even those who have wandered away. In summary it says that if we seek Him, He will be found. He will satisfy those who thirst for Him. If this means pouring floods of water on the parched earth, He will do so.

Mount up on Eagles Wings

 For me, verse 2 and 3 are almost interchangeable. I felt like I’d become a child of the world but was still a child of the Kingdom. This meant both verses somehow applied to me. That’s when He changed me around once more. The great exchange took place in my heart.

Searching for God

Phyllida and I are still searching for Him, as though we are living in a dry and thirsty land; a “Strick-land”. But we are not stricken and without hope. Our thirst is now to know more and more of Him. There is still so much to learn; so much still to hear. 

Thirsting Together

We are not surprised. He is infinite and we are minuscule. Moreover, the more we learn of Him, the more we want to learn. How can such a thirst be satisfied? There is only one way; by being in His presence. The great exchange; His life for ours; His life for you and for me.

Cliff College UK

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 10 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	THE GREAT EXCHANGE
When I committed my life to Jesus Christ, I started to get excited about the things of the Lord. In 1961 I heard about an event in Derbyshire called the “Cliff Convention”. Cliff College was a school for evangelists, teachers and ministers in the Methodist Church. Since I was in the Methodist Church, I decided I’d like to attend. Their convention took place over the “Easter” long weekend. I was an apprentice at the time and couldn’t afford the conference fees. So I volunteered to be one of the workers for the duration of the conference. The college agreed. I managed to get away early and arrived there at about lunchtime on the Thursday. Like many of the other volunteers, I spent the rest of the day preparing for the conference. One task was scrubbing the floor of the dining hall. It wasn’t exactly what I would have liked to do, but since I was there for “free” it seemed reasonable. The next morning, the people arrived by the hundreds. At that time the “Cliff Convention” was one of the most popular events in the Methodist Church in UK. It had been in existence for over a hundred years. They would train the young men (men only back then) to go round the towns pulling a hand-cart and preaching wherever they could. A bit like what happened back in John Wesley’s days. I can’t recall how successful this was. But I do know that many young men had passed through Cliff College and had gone on to taking on a variety of ministries. I met one in 1995 who had been a student in the 1930’s At the turn of the nineteenth century, Cliff College’s Head’s was the renowned Samuel Chadwick. It’s said he had a “silver tongue”. He could preach or lead a prayer meeting in such a way, men and women would sit for hours just listening to him. Three hours was not unusual! On my first visit to Cliff, I came across most of the students and could listen to what was happening. They mostly talked about the things of the Lord and the way God had spoken to them. I hadn’t come across this sort of thing before. I knew God had led men in the past but didn’t know an example in the 20th century. One young man whose name I’ve forgotten told me about his call from God to attend “Cliff College as a student. He told me that the Lord had spoken to him through the following verse. 31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 ESV In particular, “they shall mount up with wings like eagles”. He said that he had tried to establish what this meant for him but had been unsuccessful. In the end he wrote to “Cliff”, asked for an application form, completed it and sent it in. Then he waited to see what would happen. A few weeks later he received a letter from Cliff saying he had been accepted for the following year’s student intake. Then he was amazed with what he saw. There was a picture on the letter. It showed Cliff college high up on a hill. Suddenly he spotted the similarity between the word “Cliff” and a mountain. “Perhaps Cliff College is where the Lord wants me to mount up and study?” He said to himself. He continued to read the acceptance letter, At the bottom of the letter there was the signature of the Dean of students. His name? Professor Eagles! Suddenly he knew! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			31 But those who trust in the LORD will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak. Isaiah 40:31 NIrV	Have you never heard of it? Do you not understand? The Lord God everlasting, created our great land! He never does grow weary. He doesn’t need to rest. He spoke the word – It happened – All this was manifest. We cannot comprehend Him; His depth we cannot plumb. Everything which we can see. He is its total sum. He is the Great Exchanger who made all things from naught. He spoke into the nothingness and in His speaking brought, Everything to being. In this He specialises. He’s the Great Exchanger Who sees through all disguises. A man may look unbeatable, with muscles made of steel. But when it comes right down to it, his power isn’t real. If power doesn’t come from God; he’s like a little flea, And God will take the weakest man and give him victory. For God has all that’s needed. He has all kilojoules; And those who wish to take Him on don’t realise, “God rules!” That’s why a new-born infant, can beat the strongest man. When God exchanges power with him. The little infant can Destroy that mighty warrior. God cannot be denied. And He will do what He will do. He will not be defied! When we are at our weakest, that’s when He makes us strong. But if we trust in our right arm, we get the whole thing wrong! He gives strength to the powerless exactly when it’s needed. Just enough to win the fight. That will not be exceeded. Have a look around you at young men in a race. They quickly get exhausted and fall down on their face. They cannot keep on going, eventually they flop. But God will keep you going when all men have to stop! How can a man achieve this? How can he know for sure, That God will undertake for him so that he may endure? It only comes by trusting God, each and every day. Then we’ll know His awesome strength in each and every way. We think that we are eagles which soar on high with wings. Those of us who trust the Lord. will know what trusting brings. New strength He’ll surely give us. The power to carry on, When all the strength which we possess, has crumbled and has gone. That’s when He gives a second wind or even nine or ten! The weariness will vanish and we’ll have strength again. The distance will not matter. A thousand miles or more. We’ll walk and won’t be weary. What do we need that for? To glorify the Master and praise His Holy Name. To walk without our fainting! And give Him all the fame! Jim Strickland Written 10th September 2012
			10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV
			5 "And now," GOD says, this God who took me in hand from the moment of birth to be his servant, To bring Jacob back home to him, to set a reunion for Israel-- What an honour for me in GOD's eyes! That God should be my strength! Isaiah 49:5 MSG
			9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 TNIV
			5 Or let them take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me. Isaiah 27:5 MKJV
			22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalms 55:22 NLT
			24 But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel Genesis 49:24 TNIV,
			26 Then the Man said, "Let Me go, for the dawn is breaking!" But Jacob said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me." Genesis 32:26 NLT
			45 David answered, "You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel's troops, whom you curse and mock. 1 Samuel 17:45 MSG
			A psalm of David.1 O LORD, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. 2 Put on Your armour, and take up Your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid. Psalms 35:1-2 NLT