HATH GOD SAID?

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 17 March 2012

Hi all,

We talk about “the battle of the sexes”. We tell little jokes against each other. Mostly it’s a lot of fun. “Adam was the first dumb blond!” is one that makes me laugh! The one against the ladies refers to Adam talking to Enoch, his great, great, great, great, Grandson. “Why are we living here and not in paradise?” asked Enoch? “It was your great, great, great, great, Grandmother Eve’s fault!” said Adam. “She ate us out of house and home!”

The whole tragic incident is summarised for us in Genesis; 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 3:6 NIrV

Satan came with three basic temptations. 1) the lust of the flesh, 2) the lust of the eyes; 3) the pride of life. Eve fell for all three! Dumbo (Adam) let it happen.

We make light of such things. But they are not really something to laugh at. The fall of man was the greatest tragedy to ever befall the human race. “From paradise to poverty in one bite! It’s tragic rather than funny! The ramifications – sin - echoes down the centuries like the sound of a guillotine to this very day. Jesus was the only One Who could fix it! Fix it He most certainly did!

Satan tried to defeat Jesus with the same three basic temptations. Jesus did not fall for it. Sadly we often do. The Apostle John summarised the basic temptations as follows. ¹⁶ Here is what people who belong to this world do. They try to satisfy what their sinful natures want to do. They long for what their sinful eyes look at. They brag about what they have and what they do. All of this comes from the world. It doesn't come from the Father. 1 John 2:16 NIrV

Satan uses one other feature. It’s rather subtle. The temptation comes in the form of a question. The technique is shown in the temptation of Adam and Eve. He tried the same stunt when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness. The circumstances were different; but Satan questioned the three basic assumptions. “Did God really say --------?”

Back in the late 1980’s it occurred to me that he still employs the same technique. In old English, Satan asked the question, “Hath God said?” He used it directly on Eve. He tried the same technique on Jesus, somewhat more indirectly. Also, we know that when he tempts us, he repeats it. It gets a bit boring, but in the final analysis he asks, “Hath God said?”

With this in mind I compiled a nine verse poem. Each of the first two lines begin with “Hath God said?” It still gets a bit boring. But Satan has no new tricks. He rehashes the same stuff which worked so well with Adam and Eve. It failed with Jesus. But he keeps coming back to the same thing, rather like a cracked gramophone record. Mostly, Adam and Eve’s offspring still fall for it.

That 1989 poem is today’s meditation. It’s just as true today as it was back then.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Hath God Said?

"Hath God said?” the serpent asked the time he tempted Eve. "Hath God said?" His purpose was intended to deceive The woman into doing that which her husband knew, Was something God instructed him they should not ever do! "Hath God said?" And when she looked, the fruit had such appeal. "Hath God said?" But when she touched, it was so good to feel! It seemed so very innocent. To eat would make them wise. They'd be a little more like God and see with open eyes! "Hath God said?" He tempted her and so she took and ate. "Hath God said?" But nonetheless, she fed some to her mate. Who, through these proceedings, had silently looked on, Neglecting his authority to say to sin, "Be gone!" "Hath God said?" The wilderness was shimmering with heat. "Hath God said?”The devil asked attempting to defeat The Son of God incarnate, who stood in Adam's place; The Man who represented the fallen human race. "Hath God said?" The devil asked when to the Man he came; "Hath God said?" He tempted Him. The test was just the same. "To satisfy Your hunger, just turn these stones to bread. If You’re who You say You are, why shouldn't You be fed?" "Hath God said? Just look at all the kingdoms which are mine.” Hath God said? A miracle will prove You are divine. If You are the Son of God, then You can jump from here. His angels will protect You and harm will not come near!" "Hath God said?" the devil asks of Adam's race today? "Hath God said? Is that a fact? Did God really say, The thing you know He told you?” "Perhaps it isn't true?" That's only just the devil's voice and he is tempting you. Hath God said?" he questions; "But doesn't it look good." "Hath God said? That can't be wrong; Do what you feel you should.” “It doesn't really matter, so let it all hang out." The devil keeps on tempting us to disbelieve and doubt. "Hath God said?" Of course He has. It's written in His Word. "Hath God said?" That question is utterly absurd; And just like the Lord Jesus, we'll make the devil flee, When everything we say and do with God's Word does agree! Jim Strickland – Written 1989

CAN WE AGREE?

Time with Jesus - Friday, 16 March 2012

Hi all,

In our library we have a couple of authors of whom we are particularly fond; Gene Edwards, Dr AW Tozer, Jamie Buckingham and David Pawson to mention only four. We would be hard pressed to select a favourite. Each in their own way are unique and profound.

The one I’d like to refer to this Morning is David Pawson. He’s an Englishman who has travelled the world with his teachings and insights into the Word of God. David trained at Oxford and started out as a conventional Methodist Minister. A couple of years later he had to leave the Methodist Church as a result of his position concerning infant baptism. He joined the Baptist Church and shortly thereafter received the “Pentecostal” experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The impact on him was extraordinary. It left him with a great desire to reconcile Charismatics with Evangelicals. It is a desire that Phyllida and I share. We love the enthusiasm and freedom of the Charismatics. We also love the Evangelicals great desire to teach and understand the Word of God. In our opinion, we need each other. Evangelicals tend to be too rigid and stodgy. Charismatics tend to allow liberty to turn into license!

David wrote a book entitled, “The Fourth Wave”. It was an attempt to bring reconciliation between these two streams. It’s an excellent book. It outlines the strengths and weaknesses of both.

If there is one issue that causes friction between the two, it’s “speaking in tongues”. We’ve sometimes thought that if we could all pause long enough to listen to each other on these sorts of differences, we may be able to narrow the gap. That would thrill us beyond measure. We also believe that Jesus Christ would be pleased.

Today’s meditation seeks to close this gap. I suspect that the meditation will offend both sides of the divide. I hope it won’t and I hope it will. The body of Christ is divided on this issue. We think it’s time we looked at ourselves and see ourselves for the pompous bigots many of us have been in the past. I’ve certainly been there. It’s time to laugh at the things which divide and embrace the truth we all have in common. Jesus is so much bigger and better than we are. So let’s move closer together in love and Christian fellowship.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Can we Agree?

Right here in South Africa, the Church is in two parts. The one is Pentecostal. The other will not start To think about the other. It’s really rather sad, Because the unbelievers are saying we are mad! The issue is “tongue talking” Some say it’s only junk. A form of glossolalia that people can debunk. The others say it’s genuine; it hasn’t passed away. It’s just as valid as it was in apostolic days. These gifts have never passed away, look back along the years; At no time in Church history do any disappear. “But it is only gibberish!” is how some folk react. “They don’t know what they’re saying!” That’s true and is a fact! Without interpretation, it’s just a foolish sound. But when it’s from the Spirit, it always has been found, To give help and direction; so that God’s people know, The “sounds” of what they’re hearing, is how they aught to go. “It isn’t from the devil!” as many people state. If it’s from God, such people are really tempting fate. To attribute to Satan, the things the Spirit’s said, Is almost unforgivable, just as Christ Jesus said. Of course no one is perfect. Mistakes are often made. But that is not a reason for standing back afraid. It’s sad to have to comment that folk are just like me. “We don’t like to be criticised. We hear reluctantly. For we have got the standard that truly is the norm And if we see things differently, It’s you who must reform!” I mean, let’s be quite honest. I’m hardly ever wrong, And when you disagree with me, my shouting gets quite strong. My brothers and my sisters. When will we ever learn To love in spite of differences? If we would only turn, And say to one another. “I don’t know if I’m right. But since you are my brother, I am prepared to fight With everything I have for you”. The Lord did that for me, When I was just a seething blob of lost humanity! That’s when the Master saved me. In spite of all my mess, He took me in His loving arms and said that He would bless, Any “whosoever” who trusted in His Name! Is it so impossible for us to do the same? Jim Strickland  Written Friday, 16th March 2012

THE LORD OF THE SABBATH

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 15 March 2012

Hi all,

How do you see the Sabbath? For the Seventh Day Adventists (SDA), it’s a Holy day. That’s the day they assemble to worship God. We also have a day of rest. At least we’re supposed to have one. The pressure of modern business has just about removed the day from the weekly cycle. Those who can, take their Sabbath on Sundays. Is this acceptable from God’s perspective? Should we go back to celebrating the Sabbath on Saturday?

Is this change from Saturday to Sunday acceptable to God? The SDA say No! That God commanded that it should be on the seventh day and that’s it’s cast in concrete. What to do with this view is something I’m not in a position to deny or endorse. We all must decide this for ourselves. We are told that the early church met on the Lord’s Day and not on the Sabbath. Perhaps your hotline to God can help?

In today’s meditation, I’ve tried to take us all on a journey from where the heavens are declaring His glory, to resting in Him and trusting Him. I’ve assumed that the Sabbath Day was made for His people and not His people for the Sabbath. I’ve painted the Sabbath as a day when we can rest, relax and enjoy fellowship with Him and with each other. Sadly, in today’s world, few of us have time to observe the Sabbath in the beautiful way He intended.

It would be wonderful if we could do so. It would be fantastic if we could take a few minutes of our day, any day, to listen to His voice and hear Him speaking to us. Because we haven’t got the time for Him, we scratch round trying to find some purpose and meaning to what we are doing. There is a solution. Take time to take a Sabbath rest.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

THE LORD OF THE SABBATH

The heavens declare God’s glory. The stars come out at night, To twinkle out their special song, in bursts of glowing light. Together in a symphony of praises to the King, Who spoke the Word and thereby, has created everything. How long did all this take Him? We’re told it took six days. He rested on the Sabbath; our God of timeless ways! We think of the rotation of our planet here below. But four and twenty hours? We really do not know. Could each “day” be an epoch, of many, many years? It really isn’t stated and so is not too clear. It’s also not important. Not from the Lord’s high view. A day is as a thousand years; and to the Lord that’s true. So was the time specific? Perhaps it was that way? But when was it the Lord defined the length of just one day? So please don’t let us argue. A day, a month, a year, What difference will it ever make, when Jesus Christ is here? And this we know for certain, God made the Sabbath Day. It wasn’t a suggestion, about a way to pray. A day of rest, He stated, was made for everyone. A day to take things easy. A day when work is done. A day for recreation; and Holy fellowship, With Jesus and His people. When He can reequip; His people for the battle which they face every day. To worship the Almighty, do it His Sabbath way. “Refresh yourself” He told me, in nineteen eighty one. “Drink deeply from My Spirit. Then you may carry on”. I can’t forget what happened. It’s forged into my brain. Each time I think about it, it settles all the pain Of working for a living, so I could earn a wage; To take care of my family, until another stage, When I could focus on Him and give to Him my all. Doing what He wanted and answering His call. In those past days of blessing, some thirty years ago. He told me that He loved me and wanted me to know, That He had made a Sabbath wherein I could delight. And in His Wholesome presence, could learn to do things right. Now when I think of Sabbath, I think of taking time. Of resting in the spirit with Jesus Christ Divine. So if you’re feeling jaded and cannot stand the pace, Here’s the one solution that you can put in place! Think of all the blessings of putting all aside, And spending time with Jesus as if you are His bride. Give Him your weekly Sabbath. Make Him your all in all. You won’t be disappointed. In fact you’ll have a ball. Include all of the family so all may be at rest. Relax and be with Jesus and see how you’ll be blessed. Jim Strickland – Written  15th March 2012

KNOWING JESUS

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Hi all,

The elixir of youth. Not exactly Christian but the “Holy Grail” of most non-Christians. Why not? Most people would like to live forever. In some ways, it’s still very popular. Although we all know that, unless the Lord returns beforehand, we are 100% certain to die.

This overwhelming certainty doesn’t seem to bother any of us. Why? Because God has put eternity in our hearts. ¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecc 3:11 ESV So in spite of the overwhelming evidence we think it won’t happen. Not yet anyway.

This “eternity” concept is supported by science which tells us that there is no reason why our bodies should die. Scientifically we should live indefinitely. Except for the fact at some juncture in our lives, the cells don’t work as well as they did. The final outcome is well known and inevitable.

But the Lord has not left us helpless in our situation. Put simply the principle is; Born twice, die once. Born once, die twice. The maths is strange. I doubt if Newton would approve. But it’s still true.

In the meantime we have an opportunity of being obedient to the Lord. It’s all there in His Word. It is best summed up and recommended by Jesus. ³⁰ And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' Mark 12:30 NLT

We see here that husbands are commanded to love their wives. Probably, because as a general rule, they don’t. Oddly enough wives are not commanded to love their husbands. Could it be because most of them do? Unlikely. But we are all commanded to love our neighbour as ourselves. I can’t think of any husband who isn’t his wife’s neighbour. So we are all left stranded in our own love boats! Thank God for that

Today’s meditation is about love. What else?

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Knowing Jesus

This is life eternal, to know God’s only S        John 17:3 GW  And this is what’s important when all is said and done. We have some strange ideas; we think it is a place But really it’s with Jesus Christ and looking at His face Of course it will be somewhere. But I don’t care a jot. As long as I’m with Jesus I’m in the proper spot. The very words He speaks to us are spirit and are life. All other human effort bring nothing more than strife. But how is it we get their? The Lord has made it plain The only opportunity is being born again. We’ve got to quit the contract that’s locked us into death. We have to follow Jesus with each and every breath. Unlike the Law of Moses the covenant He’s made Has made it possible for us that He may be obeyed. This is a different covenant. This one is clean and new. And He has made it possible for folk like me and you To follow and obey Him and go the way’s He’s led. And we may all partake of Him; of Christ the living bread. We’re told how we should love Him; as husband loves his wife. Be constantly aware of Her and even give his life. If it’s in the best interests of the woman he has wed. Give her the pre-eminence and, as the Lord has said She’ll give her submission as she’s been told to do. Never by compulsion, but out of love for you! But how can it be possible for us to live this way? It isn’t complicated. Just honour and obey The master who has shown you the Bible is the place For us to find the right way for all the human race. Obey its guiding principles; for it will keep you pure. It will bring you comfort when is so hard to endure. It will give instructions more valuable than gold. And its awesome wonders for you it will unfold. Taste His Word. It’s sweeter than honey from the comb. Read it to your family when gathered in your home. God is not a spoil-sport. He wants to see you thrive. And think you have the very finest family alive. All this seems incredible; but there is so much more? Made available to those, whom Jesus Christ adore. Jim Strickland – Written  14th March 2012