FUTURE PERFECT

Time with Jesus - 15 Sept 2013

Hi all,

Today's the Day

How do most people make decisions? More often than not, it’s based on personal preferences. Assume for a moment you have just changed jobs. The position you have filled requires you to be presentable to others. If you’ve moved into a managerial position, they will probably expect you to come and go from the office looking acceptable, in line with your position. 

For example, if you are now on the board of management, albeit in a junior position, your employer will require that you dress according to norms in the industry or office. It’s probable that you will be required to wear a collar and tie. Perhaps the best expression is to say the “smart casual” look would be a minimum requirement. In some businesses, you will be obliged to wear a three or two piece suit. In all probability there will be a “dress code” associated with the job. So don’t come to work in jeans, a bright “Hawaiian” shirt and tackies unless it complies with the dress code.

Talking about dress code reminds me of an incident in Basildon in Essex in the 1960’s while I was an apprentice. At that time, Basildon was a new town that had recently been established to cater for the growing population in the area between London and Southend. There was not a great deal of night life in Basildon. There were several Pubs (Public Houses) which catered for adults. If you haven’t lived or visited UK you may not know that Pubs play an important role in the social life of the average Brit. The image of drunkenness and debauchery associated with the Pubs of the 19^th and early 20^th century is no longer true. Even in the 1960’s, many of them also served as restaurants. They required high standards of dress and behaviour in spite of the fact that their purpose was the sale of malt, wines and spirits. These once “all male” establishments (apart from bar maids) had changed and ladies were made very welcome.

One of the Pub’s, The Commodore, had a strict dress code. Men were required to wear collars and ties or they would not be admitted and served. There was no “dress code” for the ladies. It wasn’t necessary. Some of the young men objected to the dress code and tried to “push” the boundaries. However, a number of them were turned away because their dress didn’t comply with the requirement. A group of about 20 of them decided to fight back. No physically. 

Do you remember the old fashioned detachable collars? They went out of fashion many years ago. However they were still available if you look for them. Do you remember the old string ties? 

String Tie

They were popularised by the “Teddy Boys” of the 1950’s. When these young men arrived at The Commodore” they were shirtless. But each one was wearing a detachable collar complete with a string tie. It looked rather comical which is what they intended. At first there was uproar! Then the people started laughing. Shrieks of laughter came from the group of youngsters. Then the entire management and staff of the Commodore joined in. That was the end of the dress code. From then on, “smart casual” was the order of the day!

This story of the Commodore, collars and string ties illustrates the fact that decisions are not always cast in concrete. They can be challenged and even overturned. It also indicates that decisions result in repercussions. Some of them are good. Others are not. Nevertheless, decisions have to be taken. They can be postponed, but few can be left to “sort themselves out”!

The most important decision anyone can take is to surrender to the will of God and give their life to Jesus Christ. The fact is this decision directly affects our eternal future. The writer to the Hebrews states: ²⁷ People have to die once. After that, God will judge them Hebrews 9:27 NIrV.  Furthermore, according to John, ⁶ Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NIrV

Most of us settled this issue a number of years ago. For Phyllida it took place while she was seated on a rock near Ceres at a Baptist Church Camp in 1951. There is a picture of her seated on that rock in our study. For me it was in the Bainbridge Memorial Methodist Church Hall at a Youth Service in 1960. Neither of us will ever forget that time.

We both know how important our respective decisions were. But that was not the end of it. Those decisions taken over 50 years ago were wonderful. However, something further was needed. We needed to continue and live a life in line with what we had decided. If we didn’t, it would have been no more relevant than deciding to have none or one spoon of sugar in our coffee. It had to be more important than deciding to follow the Commodore’s dress code!

From where we were, our decisions had to be reinforced with deliberate action. After all, if Jesus Christ is Lord of your life, He is the one who makes the decisions! We quickly realised He had no problem with our deciding unimportant things such as which brand of toothpaste to use. But when it came to big decisions, it was a question of our obedience to Him. We needed to establish, His will for our lives. 

We decided to commit ourselves to hearing His voice daily if possible. We also decided it would only be possible if we spent time with Him in His Word. We decided this would have to be our way of life. We have done our best to do so. Yes we have made mistakes; many of them. However, in spite of these mistakes, He still perseveres with us. We’ve decided we will continue to seek His will and purpose for us to the very end. It’s the best decision we have ever made.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Choose you this day whom ye will serve;

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 15 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	FUTURE PERFECT
They say that hindsight is always 20/20 vision. I’ve no fight with that. You can always be sure today about what you did a couple of weeks ago. The challenge is knowing today what is right for next week! Stories of what this is like abound. People dream of being able to cash in by backing a horse that we know in advance is going to win. If I knew today which horse was going to win the 2014 Durban July, it would be worth a fortune. That’s why most people want to know what’s going to happen tomorrow. People are greedy for money! We don’t know. God knows, but He isn’t telling! Omniscience is an “attribute” of God. He knows everything. There is nothing concealed that He doesn’t know. He has known the date of my birth and the date of my death since before He laid the foundation of the Earth. I know the date of my birth. I’m not sure I’d like to know the date of my death. We celebrate birthdays. Would we celebrate our death day? It’s a bit macabre isn’t it? Even if the date is fifty years in the future. Would any of us enjoy ticking off the years, months, days and hours? How would you like to send out an invitation card to attend your own funeral? No thanks. What about exam results? Could there be examinations? If you know the questions beforehand, it couldn’t be an examination! God has to “live” with this every day. He could tell me the name of my great, great, grandson if He chooses. He doesn’t. He knows how impossible it would make life for us. Can you imagine what it would be like during the middle ages if people knew all about the Wright brothers and Boeing 747’s? The concept scares me! Nevertheless men and women are incurably curious; the fact that it would take all the fun out of life, doesn’t seem to matter. Most of us struggle with knowing the correct thing to do today; so that we won’t foul up tomorrow! Our poetic section describes one way men and women determine what they are about to do; flip a coin! It has one thing in its favour. You have a 50% chance of being right. A pessimist would say there’s a 50% chance of being wrong! There is a better way to “handle” tomorrow. Ask the only One Who can tell you. Ask the Lord Jesus. He is able to tell you. But if we ask Him, do we believe what He says? We probably would if we knew it was Him answering. We don’t know, because we seldom ask Him about anything else. So in the final analysis, the only way to be sure of tomorrow is by being confident that we are hearing His voice! Are we sure? One or two of us can answer “Yes”. They can answer this way because they are constantly in fellowship with Him. They know what His voice sounds like, by deciding to be one of His sheep. They hear His voice because they are constantly listening. 27 My sheep hear my voice, & I know them, & they follow me. John 10:27 ESV It takes time to hear and recognise the voice of the shepherd. It doesn’t happen overnight. We have to learn to filter out the other sounds which demand our attention. With patience and practice we can all get to the place where we know His voice. In the process, we will make mistakes. But that’s OK. Perseverance will be rewarded. In the end you will be able to dialog with Him much as you do with other people. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			6 But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord; 8 a double minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:6-8 ASV	Standing at a crossroad he wondered where to go. “I see there’s two directions. Which one, I do not know? The left one or the right one? But which one is correct? Father, is there any way, by which I can detect, The way I should be going? And which way I should choose? I can’t afford an error; that way I’m sure to lose, The object of my calling. I know that I could wait. But Father, it is getting dark and it is rather late”. But nothing seemed to happen. He took a look around; Perhaps the right direction to take would thus be found. But not a thing had altered, It all looked just the same; And he was getting tired of this little waiting game. He reached into his pocket. He’d had a” good idea”. A little game of heads or tails will draw the answer near. Then with his supple fingers, he flipped into the air, The coin he thought would show him the way of getting there. “Head’s I’ll take the left hand. Tails I’ll take the right”. The coin lay there face upward and “tails” was in his sight. But that was far too easy. “I’ll choose the best of three. That way I am quite certain it isn’t “picked” by me”. He put it into practice. Two heads and just one tail. “I have to take the right hand path or I am sure to fail. I hope the Father influenced the way that the coin fell, One route goes to heaven. The other goes to hell” But still he vacillated. “Perhaps I’ve got it wrong”. He couldn’t make his mind up. It wasn’t very long, Before he had decided that he would pitch his tent. For he was undecided which way he had been sent. Meanwhile the Holy Spirit was watching him perform. The man was double minded. Such actions were his norm. He thought that He should show him. But would he hesitate. Perhaps tomorrow morning he would select his fate. But Jesus wouldn’t tell him the way he ought to go. The man was “double minded” and Jesus wouldn’t show The route he should be following. He first, must make a choice, Before he’d know for certain and heed the Master’s voice. The moral of this story is something unconcealed. You make the decision, before the way’s revealed, That what you have been doing, is either wrong or right; And Jesus Christ has plenty time to sit and wait all night. It’s you who’s in a hurry. It’s you who must decide, To trust the Lord Almighty and let Him be your guide. Jim Strickland Written 15th September 2012
			62 Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62 ESV
			6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NLT
			24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 ESV
			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
			4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:4 ESV
			58 With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort. 1 Corinthians 15:58 MSG

FAITH FOR FELLOWSHIP

Time with Jesus - 14 Sept 2013

Hi all,

In the late 1970’s early 1980’s, a change came to South Africa concerning what was believed. The “Faith” movement, which had begun in the USA, was preached and introduced here. It was not so much something new. Rather, it was something which had been known in the past, reintroduced into our land. This new introduction came largely as a result of the teaching of the Hagen’s, Copeland, Savelle, McCauley and members of the Rhema organisation. 

In many ways, it was like a breath of fresh air into the stiff formalism of many of the traditional denominations. Suddenly the Gospel of Jesus Christ became alive to many people. Men and women began to believe, what was written in the Bible, applied as much in the 20^th century, as it did in the days of Jesus and the church fathers. 

Many of us, Phyllida and I included, were swept up in the euphoria of the moment. Suddenly, Christianity took on a vibrancy that had been missing for many years. 

Sure, there had always been small pockets of Christian enthusiasm dotted round South Africa. But the “Faith movement” in RSA seemed to unite our people and gave us a common focus. It was a very exciting time. One we look back on with great fondness.

HEBREWS 11:1
ASV	Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.
ESV	Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
GW	Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see.
KJV	Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
MSG	The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see.
NASB	Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
NIrV	Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being certain of what we do not see.
NIV	Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
NLT	Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

On reflection it seems clear that although we all said we knew what faith is/was, we didn’t really understand much of what was being spoken. The problem is/was that although we could see how faith worked, we didn’t really know much about it. Many of us thought we did and used Hebrews 11:1 as our definition of faith.

For convenience I’ve listed 9 versions of Hebrews 11:1 from various translations which all indicate that faith is more “abstract” rather than a noun or a verb.

However vs. 1 is not really a formal definition of faith. It’s more a description of what faith does for us. In some respects it’s like electricity. You can see it working as you turn lights on and off. You can hear it “buzzing” in the overhead power lines. We’re told of the movement of electrons and other things. But we can’t see it.

Faith, electricity, wind and time are all “abstract". You can’t go into the local supermarket and ask for R10,00 of faith. The same is true of wind and time. You can buy electricity because there are methods of measuring what it does. That’s what we pay for. If you buy batteries or put money into your electricity card, you are paying for what it does and not the actual “thing”.

Faith makes things hoped for as real as if we already had them. It provides unshakable evidence that the unseen, spiritual blessings of Christianity are absolutely certain and real. In other words, it brings the future within the present and makes the invisible seen.

Faith is confidence in the trustworthiness of God. It is the conviction that what God says is true and that what He promises will come to pass.

Faith must have some revelation from God, some promise of God as its foundation. It is not a leap in the dark. It demands the surest evidence in the universe, and finds it in the word of God. It is not limited to possibilities but invades the realm of the impossible. Someone has said, “Faith begins where possibilities end. If it's possible, then there's no glory for God in it.”

Courtesy Believers Bible Commentary

At the same time, Faith is something that can increase or decrease. Yet it depends entirely on God! Having “faith” in “faith” is pointless. That doesn’t work. 

Listen for His Voice and
DO what He Says

People have “thrown away their medicine” on the basis that if they do so, they will be healed. That’s presumptuous. Healing doesn’t come by throwing away medicine. Healing comes from God. It comes through hearing from Jesus Christ. Paul writing to the Romans stated, ¹⁷ Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Rom 10:17 NIV In other words, when Jesus tells you to throw away the medicine, you may confidently do so.

One of the errors we so often stumble into is mistaking the reading of the Word for hearing a word from Jesus. At the same time, unless you read the “Word” and assimilate it, you will not hear a direct word from Jesus. 

The second depends on the first. Faith depends on your hearing what He says to you now! When He has spoken, you can be confident of the outcome. If He hasn’t, your “faith” is useless. The only way to journey into faith is to spend time listening for His voice. In simple terms, “If you don’t, He won’t!” In engineering terms we say, no input = no output. Faith is just the same! No input with Jesus = no output from Jesus!

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 14 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	FAITH FOR FELLOWSHIP
“Friendship with Jesus, fellowship divine, Oh what wonderful communion. Jesus is a friend of mine”. Do you remember singing this song or one of its slight variations? A good friend told me that the tune was that of an old “Negro Spiritual”. We shouldn’t be surprised. For many years, “Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs” have been put to the tunes of the day. I’m told that the Wesley brothers used the tunes of their day and composed wonderful hymns of praise and worship to God. The people sang them with great gusto. It’s not quite so easy today. We find that the words and tunes are copy-right protected. I’ve sometimes wondered what the words were before the Wesley brothers “saved” the tunes for God’s glory! It does happen. I understand that Cliff Richards had a small problem along these lines. He took the song “I Did It My Way” and wrote the words, “I Did It His Way” He was only able to sing it once. He was informed that he had infringed copy-right and that was the end of that. I wish I had heard back then. I like Cliff’s singing anyway. I’ve done the same thing now and then. But I’ve never had an opportunity to sing my version in public. Just as well I suppose. One song I distinctly remember was called “Vincent”. It was the tribute to Vincent Van Gogh and was very popular at the time. The version I composed was a tribute to Jesus Christ. The words are different. The tune is the same. If you put your ear right next to the speaker of your computer, you might hear me sing it for you. Probably not! This whole copy-right thing is a bit of a problem. I know that writers and composers should be entitled to some form of financial return for their effort. What that should be and how it should work, is a horse of a different colour. How do you reward someone for what they like doing? We are all confronted with this to one degree or other. Many people love their job of work. They are so devoted to it, they are willing to commit all their time to it. I know this because I’ve met people who have made their passion in life their means of employment. Professional football players and their ilk fall into this category. I suppose great orchestra conductors are similarly devoted. At the other end of the scale we have those who dislike their job with a passion that is hard to understand. Those who are forced to work in sweat shops fall into this category. Being free and with the right to choose your own destiny, appears to be very much a by-product, of those who love the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s simple to see why. The fact is no one can be compelled to love. Freedom and love go together as a unique combination. They are a by-product of a relationship with Jesus Christ. This was one of the great tragedies of apartheid. For it to “work” it had to be enforced. It was an unrighteous and illegitimate concept in the first place. There was no room for love in such an environment. There was no way it could continue indefinitely. Ultimately it would implode at the expense of the people it sought to control. That’s what happened. Today it is part of SA’s dark and tragic past. There was a popular song that describes what had happened so well. The words are, “The song has ended, but the melody lingers on”. Our country will only know fellowship & enjoy peace. when we are united in Jesus Christ. It could happen! Will it? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV	Jesus Christ is faithful. That’s how He’s always been. He’s utterly reliable, regardless what we’ve seen. We don’t know why He does it. He’s always been this way; And even if we ask Him, we know what He will say. “Right back at the creation, We knew what was required. A creature that would follow us and do what was desired. We didn’t want a robot. Some strange automaton, Without a mind to think with, but would just carry on, Doing what we told it. We’d make them by the score. Not one of them can love you. That is their fatal flaw. The purpose was to fellowship with people who were free. To choose that which they wanted and turn away from Me. We wanted men and women, whom We would not control. A people who would love Us with all their heart and soul. We knew that it was dangerous. The whole lot could rebel, And choose their independence; But would they love as well? It could have taken ages. But not for Deity. We knew the best solution, instantaneously! And that’s when We decided that We could then proceed. And so We put in motion that first creative deed. The rest of it is history. It isn’t a mere tale. We know how it will all work out in minuscule detail. Realise We love you; you’re children of the Lord. Please do not be frightened; do not be overawed. Our love is given freely There isn’t any charge. We’ve made it all available to all the world at large. Many folk don’t know us. It really is a shame; They can find salvation by calling on My Name! Be an imitator and copy My lifestyle. That’s the way that You should go to make Our Father smile. None of you are servants. You are joint heirs with Me. Moulded in My image, from sin and death set free! No! You cannot feel it. Believe it is a fact. You will only know it when you begin to act, And live within the compass of that which I have said; Following My Spirit, the way that He has led. Put aside timidity. Let your light be seen; Other folk will see you, and know where you have been. Then they’ll praise My Father for all that He has done; And want to be a follower of Me, His Holy Son. Soon I will be with you. Shortly I’ll return; Bringing the reward for faith that nobody can earn! Freely I have given. Freely do the same. And you’ll know the fellowship of those who love My Name. Jim Strickland Written 14th Sept 2012
			17 Jesus resplendent with light from God the Father as the voice of Majestic Glory spoke: "This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of all my delight." 2 Peter 1:17 MSG
			1 How great is the love the Father has given us so freely! Now we can be called children of God. And that's what we really are! The world doesn't know us because it didn't know him. 1 John 3:1 NIrV
			1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children Ephesians 5:1 NIV
			17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17 TNIV
			3 This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says--powerful words! After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honoured place high in the heavens right alongside God, Hebrews 1:3 MSG
			16 "In the same way, let your light shine in front of others. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will praise your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIrV
			2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 ESV
			13 "I am coming to you now. But I say these things while I am still in the world. I say them so that those you gave me can have all my joy inside them. John 17:13 NIrV
			5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5 TNIV