IN COVENANT

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 26 February 2012

Hi all,

How many times have you been taught about covenant from the pulpit? I've heard about the topic a few times. I've also taught about it on a number of occasions. Nevertheless, there isn't nearly enough understanding of covenant in the Church today. This is particularly true in Anglican, Methodist and other Episcopalian circles.

The first time I heard anything about it was in 1982 when I was in a local Bible School. I was greatly encouraged and greatly shaken by what I learned. I distinctly remember being informed that there was no higher commitment we could make with each other and/or with God than a Covenant. I was told that our salvation came about as a result of a covenant Jesus Had made with His Father on our behalf. It was a covenant sealed in Jesus’ blood and could not be broken; certainly not in the context being expounded. It was on this assumption that many believe that no matter what we do after cutting this covenant with God, it has no significance in our relationship with God.

The other aspect of covenant was it’s implications in marriage. We were taught, quite rightly, that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman. The only way out is death! Divorce is not an option. Adultery was punishable by death, because one of the parties had broken their covenant with their partner. Death by stoning would correct this breach of covenant. In the Old Testament, this took place. What bothered me was that it was only the woman who was stoned. It was originally intended as the penalty for both parties. But the man “got away with it”; presumably because he was male. (Male chauvinism?)

Phyllida and I have had a real life experience with the Lord concerning divorce. No names. No pack drill. In the light of our previous divorces, we now take the marriage covenant very seriously.

We have now been in a marriage covenant with each other for over 30 years. We have a marriage that is wonderful and as godly as we know how. Our commitment to each other is based on our covenant with each other and with God. If it could last for another million years, that would be fine by us. Realistically speaking we know that each day takes us closer to the end of our lives here on this planet. Until that day arrives we have the Lord and each other. Hallelujah!

Today’s meditation looks at covenant in more detail.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

In Covenant

When I was still in primary school, I joined a little gang. We didn’t seek to do a thing. We called ourselves “the Clan”. We had no plans for anything our gang would ever do. But somehow it appealed to us; and so our Clansmen grew, From four young boys to ten of us. That’s when we made a pact, That we would stick together and we would always act, In favour of each other. So we became a bunch, Of dedicated “Clangers”, till we went home for lunch. The next time that we met again, we thought we’d make a vow; To promise to be faithful, somewhere, some time, somehow. And so we took a little knife and each one cut his thumb. We mixed our blood in secret and vowed we’d be a chum, To all the other members. But it was getting dark; And we were all a bit afraid of night-time in the park. So all of us went home again; not sure what we would say, When we were asked by Mom and Dad, what we had done that day? I really can’t remember. My thumb was kind of sore. But Dettol and Elastoplast, made it feel fine once more. We didn’t understand it, but back there in those days, We’d touched upon a custom that teaches Bible ways. The reference was to covenant and just what it implied. A life-long vow of faithfulness; until the day we died. But we were only children and didn’t really mean, To enter into covenant endorsed by the unseen. For God records each covenant and tells us never break, The vow we’ve made with others. We never should forsake A promise made in covenant. There is no higher oath, That anyone can ever make. It’s like pledging our troth, To be forever faithful, as husband and as wife. Regardless what may happen, the promise lasts for life. We have a life-long covenant, with Jesus Christ our King, I never want to break it. I gave Him everything. I made Him Lord and Master. His slave I chose to be. And in exchange He promised He would take good care of me. This covenant we made that day was forged upon His cross. He gave me all His righteousness and He took all my dross! So now He gives the orders. My part is to obey. But I am not complaining. I’m loving it this way! Jim Strickland – Written Sunday, 26 February 2012

LOOKING FOR GOD

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 25 February 2012

Hi all,

Back in 1966, The Kinks recorded a song which was a parody of the shopping trends in London. A couple of us may remember it. It was called, “A Dedicated Follower of Fashion.” The lyrics were not Christian, but they were not obscene or smutty. A couple of lines of the song were: They seek him here, they seek him there; in Regent Street and Leicester Square. The connection is the promise of God that we will find Him if we look for Him wholeheartedly. ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² In those days when you pray, I will listen. ¹³ If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me. Jer 29:11-13 NLT

The exiles in Babylon were greatly encouraged by this. Much of the religious thinking of the day was that the gods were all localised. In the Israeli context it would mean that they were now under the control of some local deity. So for them to hear that God intended to take them home some 70 years later helped them enormously. It also indicated that God’s authority went beyond Israel’s borders. This would be a new thought for the nations in those days.

For me there is one word that needs emphasising. That word is “wholeheartedly”. It’s a magnificent truth to know that wherever we are, we will find Him. It’s as true today as it was in ±560BC. If we seek for Him by faith, wholeheartedly He assures us we will find Him.

To seek God wholeheartedly is the opposite of indifference or being lukewarm. In Revelation we are told His reaction to lukewarmness. ¹⁵ I know what you have done, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I'm going to spit you out of my mouth. Rev 3:15-16 GW

If I may be permitted to paraphrase Jesus Christ’s words: “Lukewarmness makes me sick enough to vomit!” What do we do with this sort of statement by Jesus written to Christian believers? If nothing else, it encourages me to seek Him by faith with all my heart. As mentioned recently, fear of the Lord has all but vanished from much of the body of Christ. Have you checked your temperature with God lately? If not, this is a good time to do so.

Today’s meditation takes a look at searching for God

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Looking for God

I wanted to find Jesus, so I looked everywhere, I tried behind the sofa and underneath my chair. I wandered round the bathroom; the bedroom and the “loo”. But sadly, couldn’t find Him, no matter what I’d do. I looked around the garden and tried the cabbage patch; But everything I spotted, could never ever match, Creation’s great designer. He just could not be found. I was so disappointed, I tried to look around, Alternative locations. The library, the stores, The Anglican cathedral, beneath its “sacred” floors. Eventually I realised the problem was with me. I never would locate Him; my search should never be, Confined to a location. The focus was too small, To look in a locality for Him Who’s all in all. Job had the self-same problem, back in antiquity. He wanted to explain to God his little tragedy. He thought that if he found Him, that he could make it clear, That he had been mistreated. If only He could hear, And give him His attention; He’d sort the whole thing out. And put things back together, of that he had no doubt. Down throughout the ages, mankind has thought the same. Perhaps the Lord Almighty had changed address and Name? Perhaps He was on holiday? But this they knew for sure. That He had all the answers and also knew the cure. But they had missed the reason, why He could not be found. They thought that they were innocent and if God was around, To try their little problem in the courts of heaven above. That He would find them innocent; and they just needed love! The truth is, if we seek Him by faith wholeheartedly, Our search would be successful as sure as sure can be. For God is never hidden. No! He is all around! He promised, if we seek Him, He surely will be found. We needn’t go to Bethlehem, Jerusalem or Rome. He’s right where He is needed. He’s made our heart His home. He’s said He’ll never leave us. So why is it we hunt? He will not hide behind us; He’s always way up front! There is no need for stumbling, complaining He has gone. He won’t walk off and leave us alone to carry on. He’s also told us clearly, He will not let us down. Albeit we are living in the country or in town. We know the Holy Spirit our comforter and guide, Is busily preparing us to be His Holy Bride. Jim Strickland – Written Saturday, 25 February 2012

CALVARY FOR YOU AND ME.

Time with Jesus - Friday, 24 February 2012

Hi all,

The great tribulation! Will the church of Jesus Christ be here when it happens, or will they have been “raptured” out of the way? Called the “pre-tribulation rapture”, this is the popular opinion today. Of course God is not subject to popular opinion. So this continues to be argued by Christians internationally.

My opinion is irrelevant. What is clear is that what has happened to Christians since the birth of the Church is liable to happen again. Furthermore, it follows that if it starts again in western “Christian Nations” it need not be part of the great tribulation. I say this advisedly because the persecution and martyrdom of Christians today is a reality in many countries. In other words, persecution is merely part of everyday life for those who are committed to Jesus Christ in the 21st century. It may not have been experienced by many of us. But this does not make it any less real. There is also evidence that persecution of Christians, in one form or another, has been ongoing since the days of the early church.

I’m not in a position to comment on the nature or severity of persecution of Christians during the great tribulation. Frankly, the severity being currently experienced is bad enough to intimidate many. Certainly the prospect of this breaking out in my locality is not something I am looking forward to.

As far as I am aware, the Lord has allowed His church to be persecuted for the past ±2000 years. So if it comes calling for us in South Africa, we should not be surprised. Nor should we jump to the conclusion that such persecution is part of the great tribulation. Our attitude should be that it is our turn to experience what much of the world has known for ±2000 years!

Those of us who are serious about serving Jesus Christ would be well advised to stop worrying about the great tribulation. We should focus on what could take place anywhere and at any time where you and I live. This tribulation is more than enough for me. My own personal Calvary may not be part of the great tribulation. But it will certainly be more than enough tribulation for me!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Calvary for You and Me.

There’s things about the Master, I do not understand. Things that have been taught to me, that do not seem too grand. We limit God the Father and “stick Him in a box”, Through things we only cling to if our head is full of rocks. So let us take a look at things which people have believed, To see if they are likely, or if we’ve been deceived. First we must acknowledge that without the Lord above, Nothing would exist and everyone could not know love. Everything created is the product of His hand; And this is true in heaven, the sea and on the land. There’s nothing we can ever do and no where we can go, That Jesus cannot look at, or hear, or see, or know. He knows when we are suffering. He knows when we are well. There’s nothing in existence, we can think about or tell. He doesn’t know the circumstance; the tiniest detail, Cannot be concealed from Him; He knows it without fail. Indeed He is the potter; and we are just the clay, And all that we have ever done, He knows in every way. There’s nothing which He cannot do. We must accept this fact. He always does what’s righteous, regardless how we act. He sits as a refiner, of silver and of gold; And purifies the people to do what He has told. He disciplines severely, each and every child, So we can be more like Him; pure and undefiled. We know He is the healer; He wants to see us well. But if we practise wickedness, He’ll send us off to Hell! He may allow the devil to put us to the test; But every time it happens, it happens for our best. He doesn’t bring us sickness, but it is also true, The trial of Job by Satan can happen unto you. And even when we’re hurting more than anything we’ve seen, He sometimes will allow it, for that is where He’s been. It happened to the Master. Why not to you and me? We have to learn obedience, to gain the victory! Our comfort’s not important and Christians have died, By facing up to torture and being crucified. Some have died in agony; by burning at the stake. Some have faced a cruelty far more than we can take. Millions have died this way; and if God’s word is true, The things that they experienced are ripe for me and you. Can it be avoided? O Lord I pray it could. But it appears the Father sees our martyrdom as good! It really makes me tremble. I’m not a masochist. But if it happens to me. Lord, help me not resist, The martyrdom you’ve chosen and allotted unto me. That I may follow faithfully and know my Calvary. Jim Strickland – Written Friday, 24 February 2012

KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 23 February 2012

Hi all,

None of us can say we know God. Those who think they do are mistaken. God is unknowable because He is infinite. Everything He is, He is infinitely. He doesn't have these “things”; He is these “things”. God does not have love. He is love. God doesn't have mercy, He is mercy. He is justice, He is omniscient, He is omnipotent, He is Omnipresent. Frankly, I don’t understand any of these “attributes”. I use the word “attributes” advisedly because I have no idea how to describe the indescribable. It’s a bit like defining colour to a man born blind! But even if we are able to define colour to a man born blind, we are only beginning to touch on the mystery of God.

God is unknowable. But here’s the paradox. He want’s us to know Him! How does that work? What illustration can we use to describe Someone Who is unknowable, Who wants us to know Him? The closest I can think of is a kitten and a University Professor. The kitten will never know the Professor. The Professor knows that; but because He loves the kitten, he want’s it to know him. The shortcoming with this description is that this is a creature dealing with another creature. Yes indeed, there is a huge gap between them. But the gap between the Creator and the Creature is infinite. It cannot be described.

We live in a “Christian Society” which, by and large, has no fear of God. David Pawson states that we have been taught to believe in the Father All-matey rather than the Father Almighty. Few of us have ever “trembled before the Lord”. He has become our “chum”. He has forgiven our sins so we can now do anything we like. God has been taught as a benign myopic old man who wants us to come back to him no matter what we have done or are still doing. Grace has been so exaggerated that there is no longer any penalty for sin in the lives of believers. The expression, “He knows what I’m like and He understands” seems to be a universal panacea for the wicked things we do. But it’s a delusion. He is just as angry about sin in a believer as He is in an unbeliever. In fact, He is angrier with a believer, because we are supposed to know better. In Proverbs we find: ¹⁰ "If you really want to become wise, you must begin by having respect for the LORD. To know the Holy One is to gain understanding. Pro 9:10 NIrV

Today, there is a desperate need among Christians to get to know the Father, albeit based on the very limited knowledge He has given us about Himself. We will never be able to communicate with God and each other until we have a basic idea of Who He is, what He allows, as well as what He will and will not tolerate.

One of the very best books I’ve read about knowing God is entitled, “The Knowledge of the Holy” Written in the late 1950’s by Dr A W Tozer. ISBN 1-85078-621-6. Our copy was printed and published by Authentic Media, 9 Holdsom Avenue, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK1 1QR, UK. Phyllida and I state unequivocally that this book has helped us acquire what little knowledge of God we have. We think it is among the greatest pieces of English literature on this topic. Do yourself a favour. Get a copy and become entranced with the wonderful God we love.

Today’s meditation is about the Knowledge of our Holy God.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Knowledge of the Holy

We’d think that understanding God would be a piece of cake. We think we have Him figured out and so we seldom take, A look at the reality; that He is so much more, Than even in our wildest dreams we thought we could explore. The King of all Creation! We’ll never comprehend, A God Who loved us sinners, enough for Him to send, His only Son to come to earth and die “upon the tree” This sort of pure extravagance make’s little sense to me. The truth is, we dwell in Him. This universe of ours; The realm of Stars and Planets, of Suns, of Rain and Showers, Is somewhere deep within Him. Space isn’t infinite. He has control of all of it and all is in His sight. It seems a contradiction, that anyone so vast, Has time to even think of us. We’d surely be the last, That He would ever bother with. In fact we are so small, We’re not even a micro-dot, on some gigantic wall!. Of course, that is the problem. We think of time and space; And consequently, we dismiss all of the human race. We think we’re insignificant. So small we do not count. How can God ever find us? We’re sure that we amount, To something like a needle in a haystack universe; Who sinned and for that reason, the lot of us are cursed. So when we’re told of Jesus, we say, “Pull the other leg, We’ve fastened bells upon it, now we can go and beg. Who knows the One who made us? He’s left us all to rot, Upon this little planet that even He forgot.” Then, when we think of Jesus, we find reality. We know we have a Holy God who cares for you and me! A God who loves each one of us, more than we’ll ever know, Who knows all of the details, of how we come and go. A God who solved our problems, when we had no idea, We even had a problem! Our lot was far from clear. For size is unimportant. He sees a galaxy, Just as well as He can look at folk like you and me. In fact He sees us better, than all the stars that shine. A star can never love Him with a love like yours and mine And that is what He’s looking for; a loving, caring folk, Who always want to be with Him; and wear His pleasant yoke. Jim Strickland Written Thursday, 23 February 2012