GIFTS AND FRUIT

Time with Jesus - 3 Oct 2013

Hi all,

From “My Fair Lady

Hear a Yorkshire man, or worse, Hear a Cornishman converse, I'd rather hear a choir singing flat. The Scotch and the Irish leave you close to tears. There even are places where English completely disappears. - In America, they haven't used it for years! – Why can't the English teach their children how to speak? Norwegians learn Norwegian; the Greeks have taught their Greek. Arabians learn Arabian with the speed of summer lightning. And Hebrews learn it backwards, which is absolutely frightening. But use proper English you're regarded as a freak. Why can't the English, Why can't the English learn to speak?

Written by Allan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe

The vast majority of people who read this message are English speaking. 

Julie Andrews as Eliza

There are one or two friends who speak Afrikaans at home. However, their English is so impeccably spoken; you’d think their home language is English. I should say, “Queen’s English”. A visit to various parts of the UK would convince you that what you are listening to is a different language. 

The Original LP Cover

The Scots speak English in an immediately recognisable “dialect”. In the delightful Stage Show, “My Fair Lady”, which also became a “Hit Movie”, Professor Henry Higgins had a “conversation” with Colonel Pickering and Eliza. It was all about “bad” English. Nothing has really changed since then!

Rex Harrison - Audrey Hepburn
& Wilfred Hyde-White

Indeed, as Henry Higgins said, An Englishman's way of speaking absolutely classifies him. The moment he talks he makes some other Englishman despise him!

I submit that in the Christian Church today, we have a similar problem. We tend to classify each other in terms of the things we say and do. It’s a great tragedy. In the church we have two streams; “Charismatics” and “Evangelicals”. 

Both streams undoubtedly love the Lord Jesus. Both have a passion for the Word of God; perhaps the Evangelicals more so than the Charismatics. In the main, the Evangelicals are in Baptist, Anglican, Roman Catholic and Methodist churches. 

The Charismatics are mostly in the Independent churches such as IFCC, Vineyard and Pentecostal Church. Sadly, these two streams tend to take “pot-shots” at each other. The issue is usually the gifts of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. 

Evangelicals say these passed away with the last of the apostles. The Charismatics say they are as much “alive” today as they were ±2000 years ago. Personally, I don’t want to fight over this issue. 

We have some beautiful friends in both camps. However, what I would like to know from either camp is this. “How did the people in the book of Acts know others were filled with the Holy Spirit? For instance, did their eyes go all funny? How did Peter and Paul know if someone had been filled with the Holy Spirit? 

Did they suddenly have a “masonic type” handshake? How did Peter know Cornelius and members of his household had received the Holy Spirit? Was it a sudden desire to only eat kosher food? 

How did Philip know the new converts in Samaria had not received the Holy Spirit? Whatever it was, it must have been something seen and or heard!

Those who received the Holy Spirit didn’t look different. Reading the accounts of what happened, it seems it was nothing they saw. It was something they heard! 

What was that? Was there a “voice” from Heaven saying they were now filled? Of course not! The fact is those converts spoke in tongues. What does that mean? Well the Samaritans and the Jews had a common ancestry. 

It’s reasonable to assume that even if they spoke in the vernacular, Philip would understand. In which case, it would not be speaking in tongues. 

But Philip heard nothing! He knew they had not been filled with “Holy Spirit”. How did he know? The logical answer is because they did not speak in tongues! That happened later under the ministry of Peter and John. 

How did these two apostles know? Because they heard them speaking in tongues! They may well have spoken in an unknown language. But how would Philip, Peter and John know? 

They wouldn’t. Not unless they heard them overflow in “glossolalia” or something similar they would recognise. Otherwise, all these incidents make no sense.

What has this got to do with the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit? Everything! According to David Pawson, historically, being filled by the Holy Spirit can be traced back from today to the time of the apostles. 

Furthermore, since God doesn’t change, what happened back then can be expected today. That’s exactly what Phyllida and I have both experienced and seen in others. The only real difference is in time, people and clothing.

Phyllida was “born again” in 1951. It was only in the latter 1970’s that she was filled with the Holy Spirit and overflowed in tongues. It’s a wonderful story which we can’t go into now. 

I was “born again” in October 1960. It was only in April 1981 (21 years later) that I was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a sense, our experience was similar to that of the Samaritans. For both of us, the experience was life changing. A passion for Jesus was “birthed” in us in a way we still don’t understand. Frankly, we don’t care if we never understand! Understanding it will not make it more real.

In a way, we were empowered by the Holy Spirit” to be “more” than we had been previously. Phyllida suddenly had a passion for the Bible and to teach God’s Word, initially to single women. I was blessed with an ability to write poetry. If you think its mere doggerel, that’s fine. John Newton wrote, “I once was blind, but now I see”. For me, once I couldn’t write that way. Now I can! He gave this gift to me. Why? I don’t know. It also doesn’t matter. I must continue writing until I die.

Eliza & Prof Higgins

Today in our meditation, we have a look at the gifts and the fruit. Usually we add the words, “of the Holy Spirit” after those words. On this occasion I’ve deliberately decided not to do so. 

Stanley Holloway

Instead I’ve used the title to describe the content of today’s meditation. It’s a huge topic and I’ve given a very basic overview. What I would like to draw to your attention is the MS Excel attachment, which I’ve found very helpful. Hopefully it will do the same for you.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 3 Oct 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	GIFTS AND FRUIT
When any of us speak about gifts from God, we somehow rush into some sort of theological minefield. People disagree with each other. It never comes to blows. Not as far as I’m aware. But the laundry bill after discussions about this topic get somewhat inflated. People get hot under the collar; this increases perspiration and makes for extra washing. Hence higher laundry bills. People tend to argue about which member of the Holy Trinity gives a particular gift. Frankly, this has never really troubled me. All three of them are God. Each of them appears to focus upon a certain aspect of the lives they created. James, the half-brother of our Lord Jesus Christ, adds clarity to this understanding. He wrote 17 Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn't change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon. James 1:17 GW We know that God created everything. Exactly how He did it, none of us really understand. Does it matter? Not really. I can’t imagine the three of them arguing about who did what. No doubt if you asked Them, each would say, “I did!” This is perfectly true. Sadly, those who are made in His image have opinions. The Lord may not be fussy about the question or the answer. But we are a contrary people. We love to fight for what we believe. He probably finds this intensely annoying but ends up writing it off to the sin nature we appear to so thoroughly enjoy! This will only change when Jesus comes again; so in the meantime please allow me to add something to this discussion which I’ve found helpful. Note that I wrote helpful! It is not intended to be God’s absolute and honest final revelation. Human beings seem to love categorising. You know what I mean. We file eggs under “E” and bacon under “B”. So we have taken the various gifts which all originated from God and have set them out neatly under various headings. Personally, I find this helpful. Others may not. The three categories are: We have A) the motivational Gifts of the Father. B) We seek the manifestation of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit along with the character of Jesus – the fruit of the Holy Spirit and C) so that we may become the ministerial gifts of God the Son. If this is as clear as mud, do not despair. One of today’s attachments presents this in a very understandable table format. If you take time to open and print the table you will find a diagram that can prove to be very helpful. Please note that I am not the author. It came to me some 13 years ago courtesy Rev Willie Liebenberg a minister in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. I took one look at the table and decided to make use of it myself. I have found it presents the various gifts and fruit of the Spirit of the Triune God in a thoughtful yet provocative way. My suggestion is to have a good look at the table. Revisit it from time to time and see if it hasn’t helped you clarify your ideas about the way it all “hangs together”. I love the way the table summarizes everything under the heading, “The Gifts of God”. The concept that this is what we have, this is what we seek and this is what we become, appropriately expresses that which God wishes to put in our hearts. Hopefully it will help us open our eyes to more of the wonders of the God we love to serve. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			5 There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. 1 Corinthians 12:5 GW	There’s different ways of serving, the same Lord is still served. The gifts God gives to each of us, are not what we deserved. They come to us from heaven, they are His sovereign choice; There is no “birthday wrapping” and there is no invoice! We cannot pick and choose them. And here’s the reason why. They all come from Almighty God, Who reigns from way up high. We try to list them separately, to say what comes from Who. We do it for convenience; as we’re inclined to do. We put each in a category we can understand; And so we miss the very point. They came by His command! There is another factor, which sometimes we forget. The Holy Spirit filled us, the time when first we met! There is a further filling each time we overflow. And yet we’re never empty. It’s Him each time, you know. Now when His Spirit’s comes to us, it’s not in little bits. It’s all of Him in each of us. Don’t ask me how He fits! I also do not understand, how all of Him’s in me, And all of Him’s in others! O Lord, how can this be? And yet it’s fundamental. It has to work that way. So favouritism’s not perceived by anyone each day. Now every good and perfect gift comes down from God above. James, the Lord’s half-brother, speaks of His light and love. In chapter one he tells us and in verse seventeen, He doesn’t change or alter; it’s how He’s always been. Now every gift God gives to us, is perfect, good and true. The Father, Son and Spirit, will not bamboozle you! We speak about each separately, so we can comprehend, Just what the Lord is doing with what He wants to send. The gifts for motivation, is what our Father gives; For serving and for speaking, to direct the way we live. The Son of God gives people; His ministers of grace; And they equip His people for what they have to face. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts, so we can manifest, The gifts for the occasion as only He knows best. He seeks to change our character, so we may all display, The sort of life the Master lived in each and every way. That is why we speak about the Holy’s Spirit’s fruit. To live a life for Jesus, that no man can dispute. But let’s not be too fussy, about Who gives us what. A man who walks with Jesus is never hard to spot. He’ll walk a path of holiness equipped by God above; And everyone he contacts will know he walks in love. Jim Strickland Written 3rd Oct 2012
			25 These were all the commanders in charge of King David's property: for the royal treasuries - Azmaveth, son of Adiel for the goods in the fields, cities, villages, and watchtowers- Jonathan, son of Uzziah 26 for the farm workers in the fields - Ezri, son of Chelub 27 for the vineyards - Shimei from Ramah for storing wine that came from the vineyards- Zabdi from Shepham 1 Chronicles 27:25-27 GW
			31 And over the flocks was Jaziz the son of Hagar. All these were the rulers of the substance which was King David's. 1 Chronicles 27:31 MKJV
			28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV
			11 All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when. 1 Corinthians 12:11 MSG
			10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10 -11 ESV

BOAST ONLY IN THE LORD

Time with Jesus - 2 Oct 2013

Hi all,

Attached herewith, please find a copy of my latest Daily Light Meditation in rhyme and metre.

Various meanings of the word “Boast”
angry	daring	pride	to rush onward
arrogant	evil	puffed up
bad	glory	shrewd,	to threaten
bold	inflated	swell
brag	noise	swollen	vanity
clever	presumption	to blow	wicked

Today’s meditation looks at the topic of boasting. 

For convenience I’ve listed a number of meanings of the word on Wiktionary. Included were a couple descriptions as follows:

1. A brag, a loud positive appraisal of oneself.
2. Squash – (sport) A shot where the ball is driven off a side wall and then strikes the front wall.

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned Mohammed Ali/Cassius Clay aka the Louisville Lip. In the 1960’s and into the 1970’s, he was the world heavyweight boxing champion. 

There is no question of his ability. He was fast on his feet and moved with grace and style. “I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” was his claim. Because of his agility, he would drop his guard, inviting his opponent to hit him. Almost none of them were able to do so while he was comparatively young. 

Only one boxer succeeded. He was Henry (the Hammer) Cooper from UK. At almost the end of one of the rounds, Clay was hurt. It took some fancy footwork by Clay’s manager to get the interval between the rounds extended long enough for Clay to recover. 

Later on Clay said Henry had hit him hard enough to blow him all the way back to his roots in Africa! Was it a “lucky punch”? Who can say? The fact remains; Henry Cooper is one of the very few boxers who almost defeated Cassius Clay. It also showed the world that Cassius Clay could be beaten.

Cassius Clay aka Mohammed Ali, is surely one of the greatest boxers of all time. The problem the world had with him was his boasting. “He would say something to the effect, ‘”He’ll go in five!” Clay was predicting that his opponent would be “knocked out” in round five. In most cases that’s what happened. Somehow, his speed and agility made his opponents look like bulls trying to get to the matador. Occasionally, the bull wins, but not very often.

The difficulty you and I have with statements like those of Cassius Clay is whether or not what they are saying is true. Comments like, “I am the greatest!” seldom have credibility. Such talk is not typical of many of our sportsmen and women. 

An exception in this regard seems to be professional wrestling. Tune in to any pre-match statements and you will find both wrestlers sounding off about how they are going to beat their opponent. The majority of them look like the sort of men you would like on your side in the event of a fight. Dear old Ken Dodd, the British comedian used the expression, “I’ll marmalise them!” to describe what he would do to the opposition. The expression didn’t catch on in the wrestling world. Perhaps it should!

For you and me, any statement like, “I’m the greatest!” should be tested. It’s either true, or it’s not. In most instances it’s not true. It may perhaps be wishful thinking. 

Much depends on who is saying what, to whom. In show biz it’s likely to be nothing more than someone trying to boost their popularity. 

Such statements can draw a crowd of people wanting to see the person fail miserably. It’s a type of advertising intended to draw a crowd, for good or bad reasons. 

“It sells newsprint” is a good way to look at it. I’m reminded of the story: ”Dog bites man”. That not news. “Man bites dog!” That’s news. Come and see it! That’s advertising!

JESUS STATEMENTS

I am the bread of life:

I am the light of the world:

I am the door of the sheep.

I am the good shepherd:

I am the resurrection, and the life

I am the way, the truth, and the life:

I am the true vine

What you and I have to decide is whether the claims made by an individual are true or not. In some cases, the claims are preposterous. For example, what do you do when someone comes and says, “I am the Messiah”? If you refer the person to Tara, it would be a sensible choice.

What about if someone tells you, “I am the greatest!”? Cassius Clay said this and it was true at that time.

What do you do if someone claims to be the best preacher since Spurgeon? Perhaps you should at least give him a hearing. It may be that he is only boasting about his preaching talent. On the other hand, test his claim to see if it’s true.

Christians seldom bother to check things out. Phyllida and I have heard many preachers who “stretch” the truth. It’s often referred to as “evangelastic preaching”. Someone might say, “1000’s came to Jesus at the service last night”. It’s worth taking the time to check it out!

Some folk are merely seeking to impress. To do so they make outrageous claims; claims that cannot be validated. Usually, such people are boasting to impress. Typically they will be like the fisherman who speaks about “the one that got away”. 

Once in ±6000 years a man will say, “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. Some of His other claims are listed above. Was He just boasting? Christians believe what He said is true. Phyllida and I will go to our graves believing He is right!

Comments and previous Devotionals can be found on my Blog http://jimnphyllida.blogspot.com

Please forward my poetry to others you think would enjoy it. All I ask is that it is not used for commercial purposes.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 2 Oct 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	BOAST ONLY IN THE LORD
In God’s eyes, there is a very small difference between forgiveness and judgement. Both are available for Him to pronounce. Judgement is the outcome of forgiveness one way or the other. Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant (Matt 18:23-35) illustrates this beautifully. The master had a servant who owed him 10 000 talents. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. Matthew 18:24 ESV. According to Adam Clarke, this was equal to the revenue of the entire British Commonwealth. It could be even more because, as I understand, the Greek term used means an amount so large it cannot be calculated. This makes good sense. It was so large it couldn’t be repaid in a lifetime. Not even in several consecutive life-times could the average man repay such a debt. When the servant couldn’t pay, the Master forgave him the debt. This same servant had loaned a few Rand to a fellow-servant. When that man couldn’t pay, he had him arrested and thrown into prison. We all know the outcome. One of the points of this parable was to highlight how important it is for us to be forgiving towards each other. My debt and your debt to God for a lifetime of sin is incalculable. The expression, “ten thousand talents” indicates the enormity of the amount. The few Rand owed to us by others is negligible. Now here’s the nub of the parable. If we don’t forgive others for the few odd sins they have committed against us, we are in big trouble. God will require payment in full for our sin. Eternity itself would not be enough time to discharge our debt to Him. The connection between judgement and forgiveness is, therefore, something we determine. If we have forgiven others, He will forgive us. If we haven’t forgiven them, His judgement on us is certain and we will be condemned. In other words, your measure of forgiveness of others is the measure He will use on you! Now that’s scary! Particularly when I sit in judgement on someone else. If I declare him guilty, how much more will God find me guilty? If I forgive and release him, God will do the same with me. That’s what it means to use my measure on me. It really isn’t worth it. For the sake of your own future in God’s Kingdom, be generous and forgive others – quickly! What has this got to do with boasting? Everything. When you boast about your own achievements you are setting yourself above your brothers and sisters. By saying, “I wouldn’t do that”, and declaring them guilty, you are implying they owe you something. Perhaps they do. But that’s not the issue. If you think you are superior, you declare them inferior. If you do that, God will declare you inferior. So much so that there will be no room in His Kingdom for you! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			7 For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift? 1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT	There’s nothing that you have or are, that doesn’t come from God. Consequently, judgement is something rather odd! Whatever He has given you, was given as a gift. Do you think your purposes you really ought to sift? How can you make comments about what others do? The self-same standard you have set, the Lord will use on you. Instead, be most forgiving, you need to empathise; Or you will find the Master will cut you down to size. The Lord had mercy on you and poured on you His grace. You surely didn’t earn it. In fact your rightful place, Is in the very pit of hell. That’s where you ought to be. But Jesus in His mercy, had pity upon thee. Your “modus operandi” must be to strengthen those, Whom Jesus as their Saviour, to others will disclose. Christians are all brothers or sisters on their way To be with Christ their Saviour on each and every day. So you must never judge them. Perhaps you’ll see them sin. Then give the Holy Spirit space for Him to enter in. Remember how He saved you. He used God’s Holy Word, That’s when you responded to what was seen and heard. Of course you are not perfect. But Jesus wants to show, The depth of His forgiveness to all whom He does know! You’ve been made His creature; a jewel in His crown. This is not the time for you to want to let Him down. Remember His compassion did not originate, From bleeding hearts or moral sweat. But in your sinful state! That’s when His awesome mercy, was poured upon all men. In ways which are so staggering, they’re far beyond our ken! His mercy is the leveller which treats us all the same. None of us was worthy, Not one of us can claim, That we could be superior to any of the rest. It’s only by His righteousness that we can pass the test. So put away all bragging. Not one of us can boast. The only one significant is Jesus’ Holy Ghost! In Christ there is redemption and we are sanctified. There’s nothing in our favour; there is no place for pride. And when it comes to boasting, boast only in the Lord. For He alone is worthy to be worshipped and adored. Jim Strickland Written 2nd Oct 2012
			10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV
			18 He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures. James 1:18 MSG
			16 Compassion doesn't originate in our bleeding hearts or moral sweat, but in God's mercy. Romans 9:16 MSG
			27 So who can brag? No one! Are people saved by obeying the law? Not at all! They are saved because of their faith. Romans 3:27 NIrV
			30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 ESV
			1 You were living in your sins and lawless ways. But in fact you were dead. 2 You used to live as sinners when you followed the ways of this world. You served the one who rules over the spiritual forces of evil. He is the spirit who is now at work in those who don't obey God. 3 At one time we all lived among them. We tried to satisfy what our sinful nature wanted to do. We followed its longings and thoughts. God was angry with us and everyone else because of the kind of people we were. Ephesians 2:1-3 NIrV
			11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV