SOWING AND REAPING

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Hi all,

We have all of us grown up in a world of order. It may not be a perfect world. In spite of this, the world is filled with an order than could only have originated in the Mind of the great Creator of the universe. In spite of the catastrophic results of the fall of man, certain unchangeable laws remain. One of them is the law of sowing and reaping. What is meant here is that if a pair of canines mate, they produce canines. It’s not some sort of lucky dip in which you get whatever it was that came to the surface. There may be a small evolutionary variation within that species. But dogs produce dogs and not canaries.

This is true in each and every species. When men and women reproduce, the outcome is predictably human. Could you imagine what it would be like if, after the birth, the woman handed her husband a tortoise? No! It doesn’t work that way. Like produces, or reproduces like. There may well be considerable variations within a species. Nevertheless, in spite of all the Darwinian claptrap, the baby is always the offspring of the couple in question. Science can do wonderful things today. But even with invitro-fertilisation, the outcome for men and women is a little baby human. Thank God that’s not something Satan messed up after the fall.

Fish give rise to fish. Gorillas produce baby gorillas. Cats, dogs, cows, marmosets or all other species; they will reproduce after their own kind. Satan hasn’t been able to screw that one up! Not yet, thank God.

Sometimes, that which is reproduced looks different from its parents. A moth doesn’t look like a pupa. But this is the way God intended it to be. So, what will our resurrection bodies look like? We don’t really know. John’s statement gives us some thoughts. ² Dear friends, we are already God's children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is. 1 John 3:2 NLT

The Gospels and Acts give us some idea of what He looked like some 2000 years ago. Will we look like that? Scripture suggests we will be like Him. Will we be able to do what He does? Will we be able to appear and vanish, walk through walls and ascend into the sky? Good question. We don’t know. Perhaps we will all get a huge surprise. Paul puts it like this in his first letter to the Corinthians. ⁴² It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. ⁴³ Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. ⁴⁴ They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies. 1 Cor 15:42-44 NLT

What more can we say? Today’s meditation looks at this in further detail.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Sowing and Reaping

We went and bought a random pack of seeds the other day. We wondered what they would produce, there wasn’t any way, That they could be identified. So what on earth would grow? Perhaps some sort of specialist could look at them and know? They didn’t look exotic. To me, they looked the same. Runner beans or flowers? We knew whatever came, Would surely be acceptable; and it was kind of fun. We planted them and watered them and left them in the sun. At first we could see nothing. We thought to dig them up. But thought that if we bothered them, we surely couldn’t sup On anything that tiny. And so we let the be, Convinced that in a few short days we’d know the mystery. And so we kept on watering and fertilised the soil. We knew none of our cosseting would cause the plants to spoil. Then finally a few small shoots appeared above the ground. That’s when our curiosity could never know its bounds! They didn’t look like anything resembling the seed. The only thing we knew for sure was that they were not weeds. That’s how Paul the apostle, described what would take place. That when we’re dead and buried, that Jesus by His grace, Would take our feeble bodies, that were lying in the grave; And give them resurrection life, we’d know was truly saved. How was it ever possible? an evil man like me, Could get a brand new body that would live eternally? The question seemed improbable. But that’s what He can do, With dead and buried sinners, the likes of me and you. I don’t know how He does it. It’s rather like the seed. It grows into a healthy plant, by His Almighty deed! Why should I understand it? Why should I ever know, That dead and buried sinners would surely sprout, and grow, Into what He intended?  But then He pointed out, That only those who loved Him would germinate and sprout. Anyone who didn’t, would stay within the grave. They hadn’t been His people and still were Satan’s slave. But if we will believe Him; and we invite Him in. He’ll bring with Him the power to smash all death and sin. That’s when He’ll take the little seed that deep within us grows; And bring forth someone beautiful - Our Master’s fragrant rose. Jim Strickland – Written Tuesday, 21 February 2012

THE QUAIL’S TALE

Time with Jesus - Monday, 20 February 2012

Hi all,

Sometimes, to understand the Biblical narrative, it’s necessary to look at Bible commentaries to get a feel for what took place. The story of Moses, the Israelites and the quail is a good example of this. If you take the time to read Numbers 11, what took place, is recorded.

Essentially, the Israelites began to complain that all they were given to eat was manna. But they wanted meat. They complained and complained about this and finally the Lord decided that if they wanted meat, He would give them quail to eat. That’s all they would get for one whole month. They would eat quail til it came out of their nostrils.¹⁹ You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, ²⁰ but for a whole month--until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it--because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, "Why did we ever leave Egypt?"'" Num 11:19-20 TNIV

One of the dangers of moaning and groaning to the Lord about something is that He may give you what you want. But with it will come “leanness of soul”. ¹⁵ So He gave them what they asked for, but He sent a plague along with it. Psalm 106:15

John Gill’s commentary describes this as follows: But sent leanness into their soul: he gave them flesh to the full, even to a nausea; they fed too heartily on it, and were surfeited with it; which not being digested brought a repletion, and issued in a consumption; or rather death, immediate death, for while the flesh was in their mouths, and they were chewing it between their teeth, the wrath of God came upon them and slew them. ³³ But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. Num 11:33 TNIV

This is an aspect of the Lord which most of us don’t like. We badger God repeatedly with “ungodly requests”. Rather like the way the people badgered Samuel/God for a king. They got Saul. He (Saul) ended up giving the people “leanness of soul”.

Jesus encourages us to ask and keep on asking. So how can we tell the difference between “badgering” God and repeatedly asking God for something?

Perhaps James tells us the difference: ² You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. ³ And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong--you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:2-3 NLT

Phyllida and I have found a useful rule of thumb to help us with this difficulty. Prayer for our own needs can come from bad motives. But prayer for the needs of others is seldom likely to be to waste on our own lusts. I’m not in a position to say this is always correct. But perhaps you may also find it useful

Today’s meditation is the Quail’s Tale. It elaborates on what happened when they “got the bird” for wanting “bird”.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

 The Quail’s Tale

He gave them what they wanted. But oh what a surprise! Their stomachs soon got sickened, til it “came out of their eyes”! Quail they had for breakfast, for dinner and for tea. Quail for each and every meal was fed continually. And then when they had eaten it, they had to eat some more. They didn’t like the manna, so quail was all they saw. But with it came a sickness. The body can’t digest, Such huge amounts of quail and soon their bodies manifest, A sort of inner churning, that filled them up inside, So chock-a-block with quail meat, they turned around and died. This sort of thing still happens, when God’s people belly-ache; And keep up with their badgering – “O Lord for Jesus sake, Please let me have a “whatsit” and let me have it now. I really can’t afford to wait, so won’t you please, somehow, Provide me with a “whatsit” or better still, a pair. I don’t know what I’ll do with them, but certainly somewhere, I’ll find a use for both of them. Please Lord don’t make me wait. I have to have an answer Lord, before it’s ten past eight!” I’m not sure if you’re like that; whether you are or not, Be sure that what you’re asking for, you may not like a lot. He’ll give you what you wanted. But let me make it clear. You’ll wish you hadn’t asked for it till August of next year! You’ll find your “whatsit” poisonous; Inhabited with “fleas”, The size of baby marrows with infection and disease. So don’t be in a hurry with your requests to God. If you are impatient He may not spare the rod. He may give you an answer far quicker than you need. And send a special “whatsit” to satisfy your greed. Don’t think that He won’t do it. You may be tempting “fate” And wish what you hadn’t badgered Him, but were prepared to wait! This little funny story that’s intended to amuse, Is written so that Christians, may know that if they choose, To ask the Lord for something and badger Him each day; He may well give it to you and give it in a way, That you will find unpleasant. You may receive your quail, And find you have a serpent you’ve picked up by the tail. Then, after you’ve been bitten and you are dead and gone. You’ll wish you hadn’t carried on and on,and on, and on! Jim Strickland – Written Monday, 20 February 2012

THE JUBILEE

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 19 February 2012

Hi all,

In the past 30 years I think I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve heard anyone speak about the year of Jubilee. I confess that I have not spoken about it very often either. So I’m in good company or bad company depending upon the way you look at it.

Much of the teaching on the Year of Jubilee can be found in Leviticus 25 and this chapter is well worth reading. It was supposed to take place every 50 years. What was intended was that every seventh year the land was to lie fallow. This would give the land an opportunity to rest for one whole year. It was a Sabbath for the land. After seven Sabbath years for the land, (49 years) the year of Jubilee was to be declared. I remember Malcolm Smith saying that the year of Jubilee was the year in which God blew all the bells and whistles and said it was time for everyone to start again. What I particularly liked about this was that theoretically every Israelite should experience the year of Jubilee once in their lifetime.

It was supposed to be a very special year; a year in which everyone started again. I rather liked the illustration from the board game “Monopoly”. The “old game” was over. Everything was restored to the families. Then a new game would start. What appealed to me was the fact that a family may have had a bad time during the previous 50 years. Now, with everything being restored, they were able to begin a new 50 year cycle.

A careful reading of Leviticus 25 gives a good idea of what was supposed to happen.

Whether or not the Israelites ever celebrated the year of Jubilee is something I’m unable to establish. It seems unlikely. If they didn’t give the land it’s seven year Sabbath, there is even less likelihood that they celebrated Jubilee. It’s also worth noting that Jesus commenced His ministry in the Nazareth synagogue by referring to the Year of Jubilee. He was quoting from Isaiah. (Isaiah 61:1,2) –¹⁸ "The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has anointed me to tell the good news to poor people. He has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners. He has sent me so that the blind will see again. He wants me to free those who are beaten down. ¹⁹ And he has sent me to announce the year when he will set his people free." Luke 4:18-19 NIrV

The aspect that blessed me most is the application of the year of Jubilee for Christians. We were all slaves of sin, living, bankrupt in prison in a loveless society. Then Jesus appeared on the scene. His presence declared that the time had come for us to be restored. Everything the devil had stolen was to be returned. The prison doors were opened and I could walk free. Few things could be more exciting.

It follows that He is our Jubilee. He gave us a chance to start over. Everything anticipated and referred to in Leviticus 25 has been done by Jesus for you and me. I’m so glad it happened just as was promised.

Today’s meditation looks at the Day of Jubilee and one or two of the associated implications.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

The Jubilee

God’s answer to inflation was the year of Jubilee. All the debts were cancelled and all Jewish slaves set free. The ram’s horn was the trumpet that cancelled every debt. That was The Lord’s direction. The finest method yet! If you had sold your property, because you were in need,      It had to be returned to you. You kept the title deed.

If you had sold your daughter as the slave to a Hebrew, The trumpet blast at Jubilee said “She’s returned to you!” It took place every fifty years. That’s what the Lord had planned. And was supposed to happen, throughout the Promised Land. I’m not sure that they did it. I doubt that it was done. But Jesus is our Jubilee, God’s One and only Son. We also have the promise that He’ll come back some day. We’ll know He took our burdens and cast them far away. He took our sins and sicknesses. Our health He will restore. A resurrection body we’ll have for ever-more. I cannot understand it but He has set me free, Because He is my Master – my Day of Jubilee! So many folk will be there. Far more than we can count. Along those who've passed away, we’ll all meet at the Mount. There’ll be so many people, the crowd that gathers there,      Will need their brand new bodies, to float up in the air.

The things that the apostles saw their Lord and Master do, When He was resurrected, will be done by me and you. Our former limitations will never more apply. Perhaps the very finest is that we’ll no longer die. To vanish and to reappear, for us will be routine; And do a lot of other things we’ve neither known nor seen. Is any of this possible or are we self-deceived? It sounds to be ridiculous and shouldn't be believed. But it is in the Bible, so doubt is put away. And I believe the Master in spite of what men say. With God, all things are possible, and He’s still in control. No person can resist Him or His power over the soul. So though it sounds irrational, God cannot be confined, Within the feeble limits of the greatest human mind. He is the Lord Almighty who made the Jubilee. And anything He’s said He’ll do is what I’m sure we’ll see. Jim Strickland – Written Sunday, 19th February 2012

LIBERTY IN JESUS

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 18 February 2012

Hi all,

The fall of man had a terrible effect on Adam and Eve and all their offspring all the way down to us today. They may have been tricked into Disobeying God. The fact remains, Adam was influenced by his wife and he ate the forbidden fruit. This is not intended as a slur on women. If we look carefully at the dialog between the serpent and Eve it is clear that she wasn’t quite sure of her facts. She should have been.

In the world God created, God spoke initially with Adam. At that time, Eve was only there in the sense that she was still within Adam. God gave very clear instructions to Adam. ¹⁵ The LORD God put the man in the Garden of Eden. He put him there to work its ground and to take care of it. ¹⁶ The LORD God gave the man a command. He said, "You can eat the fruit of any tree that is in the garden. ¹⁷ But you must not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you do, you can be sure that you will die." Gen 2:15-17 NIrV

There is nothing ambiguous about this statement. Before the fall Adam, was in full possession of his faculties. It’s likely that he was able to do and understand things that we cannot begin to comprehend. There’s no question about it. He was “the boss” on earth. He was the pinnacle of God’s creation with authority over the entire planet. Now Eve was taken out of Adam. God did all that was necessary with one of Adam’s ribs. Personally, I cannot possibly believe that the woman brought to Adam was a great big “dumb blond”. She wasn’t there as his plaything. She was his companion; His helpmeet. There is no evidence to suggest that she was mentally inferior to Adam.

Now God usually says things once only. In normal circumstances, once is sufficient. It follows that God expected Adam to communicate His prohibitions and restrictions. The question is, did he do it properly. This seems unlikely. Look at the dialog; ¹ The serpent was more clever than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. The serpent said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat the fruit of any tree that is in the garden'?" ² The woman said to the serpent, "We can eat the fruit of the trees that are in the garden. ³ But God did say, 'You must not eat the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden. Do not even touch it. If you do, you will die.'" ⁴ "You can be sure that you won't die," the serpent said to the woman. ⁵ "God knows that when you eat the fruit of that tree, you will know things you have never known before. You will be able to tell the difference between good and evil. You will be like God." ⁶ The woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good to eat. It was also pleasing to look at. And it would make a person wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. And he ate it. Gen 3:1-6 NIrV

Reading this I get an uncomfortable suspicion that Adam had not briefed Eve adequately. So she didn’t tell the serpent what God had told them. Then, after eating her forbidden fruit, she gave some to Adam. He was standing with them. Adam should have sent Satan packing. He didn’t. He copped out and did what his wife told him to do. At that point they submitted to Satan, sinned and lost their liberty.

It was a catastrophe. Satan was now in charge and sin was the order of the day. Sin would be passed down from generation to generation. As far as Satan was concerned, it was permanent. As far as man was concerned, liberty was lost forever and they were slaves of sin. As far as God was concerned, He would redeem man and destroy Satan. As we know, He achieved this in and through Jesus.

In some ways, the entire Bible is the account of how God achieved this. In and through Jesus Christ, man again has access to liberty. In Romans, Paul expounds on this. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Rom 8:2 NASB

To misquote Shakespeare; “To sin or not to sin; that is the question”. This is now the situation confronting us. Through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been given liberty. We are no longer compelled to sin. It is no longer a foregone conclusion.

Today’s meditation traces our Biblical history from the birth of Seth to where we are today and deals with what took place in more detail.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

liberty in Jesus

According to the records, Seth was son number three. The first son was a murderer; what a catastrophe. Cain had murdered Abel, ‘cause Abel did what’s right. He offered up a sacrifice; one pleasing in God’s sight. Cain brought God the produce he’d worked for with his hands. Abel brought a sacrifice in line with God’s commands. Cain became so jealous; he simply had to kill And Abel was his victim in defiance of God’s will. The line of Cain was wicked. The line of Seth did right. They tried to do their very best to keep God’s ways in sight. But Cain and Seth had something they shared throughout out their days. A heart inclined to evil and to follow Satan’s ways. It came in at conception; a drive to follow sin. They couldn’t really help themselves and Satan had to win. We have the self-same problem because we are sin’s slave. We have an inner instinct to always misbehave. Even if we want to, we cannot change our ways. We’re dead in sin and trespasses, until we end our days. But there is a solution. The Lord has bought us back. The cost was astronomic for us to change our tack. We have to trust in Jesus, that He has paid the price; Believe He’s done it properly by His blood sacrifice. For as we start to follow Him and trust in Him alone, We know His Spirit tells us, we’re no longer on our own. The spirit that was ruling us and bringing sin and death, No longer is controlling our each and every breath. Instead, His Holy Spirit, seeks to make us whole; And live a life for Jesus Christ, where He is in control. It’s Jesus Christ Who does this. It isn’t you or me. Satan wasn’t willing to ever set us free. He thought he was victorious and Jesus Christ had lost. It was a little later he found what it had cost. Jesus had defeated him and set His people free. We’re not in Satan’s kingdom, in chains of slavery. We needn’t be entangled by sin and death and law. And liberty in Jesus means we’re Satan’s pawns no more! So let us praise the Father, for all that has been done. And thank Him for the freedom; we have in Christ His Son. Jim Strickland – Written 18th February 2012