RESURRECTION

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 28 March 2012

Hi All

“The only certainty in life is death and taxes”. The origin of this statement is uncertain. One of the most popular originators is Benjamin Franklin. The author is irrelevant. Taxes may come and go. But death is a certainty for all of us until Jesus returns.

Death for nearly everyone is an inevitable certainty which we prefer to put so far behind us on the back burner, it catches us by surprise. It shouldn’t, but it does. How many of us would enjoy an evening seated together discussing death in general and our own, in particular?

The opposite of dying is the resurrection. Life after death! Never dying is so remote that we only know 2 names of men who reportedly didn’t die. They are Enoch and Elijah. This means that the resurrection from the dead should be at the top of our favourite topics. Sadly, it’s not even discussed. But in the day of the early church, it was the hottest topic known. Men and women flocked into God’s Kingdom because they had heard that Jesus gives everlasting life. It’s still true. But it doesn’t even raise a yawn today. The reason is because it seems that no one believes it!

It’s one of those “things” in Christianity which is difficult to prove. “Show me the evidence” we hear on every side. But we do have the evidence; irrefutable evidence, witnessed by so many people. The event is not even thought of as untrue. I’m referring to the death and resurrection of Lazarus.

We know that Lazarus was dead for four days. We also know that he was seen after his resurrection. So much so, the Jewish elders wanted to kill him again. ⁹ When all the people heard of Jesus' arrival, they flocked to see Him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, John 12:9-10 NLT

No matter how anti-Christian someone might be, here is irrefutable evidence that Lazarus had died and Jesus resurrected him. No person in his or her right mind can imagine how the elders would want to kill someone who was already dead! Of course people could say that it’s a fable. Why would that be? If I wrote a story today saying that Fred Bloggs had died and had been resurrected, they’d say I was mad. But the truth of the resurrection was so powerful that it turned the then known world on its head in a matter of a couple of hundred years.

I’m told that there is more evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ than there is evidence that Julius Caesar invaded the UK. The invasion of UK by Julius Caesar makes no demands on you or me personally. So What? The fact is people don’t want to believe in the resurrection of Jesus. It disturbs their preferred theology. It makes demands on them they are not willing to acknowledge. It’s been like that since the days of the early church. So what else is new?

Today’s meditation looks at the resurrection of Lazarus. Do you believe it? The choice is entirely yours.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Resurrection

One of our biggest problems is the raising of the dead. “I’m sorry it’s not possible”, the unbeliever said! “I really can’t accept it. The cemetery is closed. The only way to enter is when life has been disposed. The body simply lies there and soon it’s very rotten. And in a very few short years, that person is forgotten. It’s absolutely certain. It’s always been that way. So do not try and tell me it will come to life one day! Perhaps all that’s remaining is just a bone or two; And brother it is certain; it will happen unto you. Please give me the evidence, that this is not the case. Take me there and show me, the time, the date and place, Where this has ever happened. Describe where it was seen. Bring to me the witnesses. Bring “Facts” not “might have been” My friend it isn’t difficult. Come back with me in time. Before the Lord was crucified, He gave us all His sign. A friend of His called Lazarus, we know had passed away. Then they prepared his body in that special Jewish way. They wrapped him up in linen as tight as it could be. It looked just like a mummy from ancient history. The wrappings were intended to keep all things in place. They also put a napkin to cover up his face. The body was so tightly wrapped, it couldn't even scratch. So if it came to life again, how would it ever snatch, A lung full of the oxygen it needed to escape? It couldn't ever stand or rise or even change its shape. The body was immoveable; it couldn’t even wheeze. In fact it was impossible for it to even sneeze. They placed it in a chamber behind a great big stone. Effectively that chamber was an exclusion zone. None could ever enter; and no one could get out. A dead man couldn’t run away; that’s far beyond a doubt! Four days the body lay there. The smell proved he was dead. Then Jesus came upon the scene. He wept and then He said. “Lazarus come forth!” and in an instant they all saw, His body ‘teleported’ and come out of the door. No one touched or carried him. At Jesus’ command, A dead man was brought back to life; his corpse once more could stand. There a host of witnesses; the Pharisees were scared. Who was this man who raised the dead? They hardly even dared, To think He was the “Maker”, whom dead men must obey. When He said “Lazarus come forth” no power could tell it “nay!” This was a miracle of God, to prove to us that He, Could speak and dead men will arise and come forth instantly. You don’t have to believe it. The choice is up to you. But resurrection is a fact; don’t tell me it’s not true! Jim Strickland  Written Wednesday 28th March 2012

FAITHFULNESS

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 27 March 2012

Hi all,

What exactly is faithfulness? We all have different ideas about this topic. As a youngster for me it was indicated in a “cowboy song” sung by Elvis Pressley. I’ve found a copy of the lyrics on the net this morning. It was called “Old Shep” It was a sentimental tear jerker. But that’s me anyway. In those days we had a dog called “Blackie”. A black Labrador combined with Heinz 57 varieties; Blackie was a faithful old dog. I’ll never forget him. He was a genuine canine comedian. In a strange canine sort of way, he is unforgettable.

So, what is faithfulness? A story I heard many years ago illustrates it beautifully. It’s about a man and his dog. They were inseparable. Suddenly he died. The dog didn’t understand. How could he? But he managed to follow his late master to the corner of the cemetery. He lay there at the foot of the grave. For the rest of his life that dog came to the grave everyday regardless of the weather. He lay down at the foot of the grave looking toward the headstone. Somehow that dog knew where his master was. It only stopped when the old dog passed away. Now that was faithfulness personified. Or should that be per-dogified.

Am I faithful to My Lord to the same extent as that dog? I’m sorry to admit that I’m not. Time tends to reduce memories and change how we see things. Even the memory of past pain dulls with age. Thank you Lord. If it didn’t, life would become unbearable.

Old Shep - Clyde (Red) Foley When I was a lad and old Shep was a pup O'er hills and meadows we'd roam. Just a boy and his dog, we both full of fun; We grew up together that way. I remember the time at the old swimming hole, When I would have drowned beyond doubt. Shep was right there, to the rescue he came, He jumped in and helped pull me out.	So the years rolled along, and at last he grew old, His eyesight was fast growing dim. Then one day the doctor looked at me and said "I can't do no more for him, Jim." With a hand that was trembling, I picked up my gun, I aimed it at Shep's faithful head. I just couldn't do it, I wanted to run, And I wished - they'd shoot me instead.	I went to his side, and sat on the ground, He laid his head on my knee. I stroked the best pal, that a man ever found, I cried so - I scarcely could see. Old Shep he knew, he was going to go, For he reached out and licked at my hand. He looked up at me, just as much as to say, We're parting, but you understand. Old Shep is gone where the good doggies go, And no more with old Shep will I roam. But if dogs have a heaven, there's one thing I know, Old Shep has a wonderful home.
Faithful One - BRIAN DOERKSEN Faithful one, so unchanging Ageless one, youre my rock of peace Lord of all I depend on you I call out to you, again and again I call out to you, again and again	You are my rock in times of trouble You lift me up when I fall down All through the storm Your love is, the anchor My hope is in You alone.

Another precious memory is of a time spent in Worcester. We came across Vineyard music and loved it. It was the day when the “Toronto Blessing” was spreading round the world. We loved the music. One of the songs on the CD was called “Faithful One. We loved it! We still do!

Today’s meditation looks at this in more detail.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Faithfulness

Faithfulness is difficult, because we are so weak. Things go wrong so easily. We have a faithless streak. We know what we’re supposed to do, but do not get it done. The problem is, we’ve actively gone out to have some fun. We know it was a promise. It’s inconvenient. I’ll leave it for the moment and later I’ll repent! But who is it we’re cheating? We dare not truly say. Because we think it’s better, to carry on this way. And so we justify it and ask who really cares? The answer is undoubtedly, the one Who answers prayers. He has a special instrument to note our current score. If we are unfaithful, it tots up a little more. The total is quite frightening and herewith is the rub. It makes us all a member of the devil’s evil club. It doesn’t cost us anything; the membership is free. But trying to get out is an impossibility. He wants to keep us with him and in his “faithful” way. He doesn’t want defectors on each or any day. Thank God he has forgotten that Jesus is in charge. And He has the authority to set us all at large. Provided we are faithful and Jesus is our King, He’ll faithfully preserve us in the shadow of His wing. So we have got two choices. To follow Him or No. To promise we will stick with Him, wherever He may go. To faithfully obey Him, regardless of the cost. Then we have His assurance we never will be lost. When things are inconvenient in any sort of way, We promise to be faithful on each and every day. To always do our utmost, to put the flesh aside. To let Him be a husband and we will be His bride. To worship Him forever, no matter how we feel; And show Him that our love for Him is absolutely real. So if we’re feeling faithless, it means we’re being weak. And we are exercising a somewhat stubborn streak. In which case it is time for us, to take ourselves in hand. Make a firm decision, that we are going to stand; And faithfully obey Him, regardless what may come. There is no other way for us to be the Master’s chum! Jim Strickland Written Tuesday 27th March 2012

THE KINGDOM ECONOMY

Time with Jesus - Monday, 26 March 2012

Hi all,

Today is my seventieth birthday. A word of thanks to those who have sent their greetings! If you have not done so, please don’t feel that you must do so now. It’s not necessary. Incidentally, having arrived at the big 70, it’s nothing to get excited about. Things don’t suddenly change on the day of the big 70. It would however, be much more fun if we could do the things we were able to do in our twenties and thirties.

Somewhere in our bookcase there is a book by Tony Lighterness written in the 1970’s called, “Living in the Kingdom Here and Now”. As the title suggests, it is not necessary to die before we begin living in the Kingdom. According to Paul, It begins here and now: ⁶ For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Eph 2:6 NLT

If you are anything like me you will probably struggle with this concept. Scripture tells me I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. My problem is that at present I’m seated in front of my computer in Johannesburg. Paul does help us with this. ¹⁸ There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. 2 Cor 4:18 MSG

In other words, what I am looking at as I sit in front of my computer, is some form of an optical illusion. It looks real. But for a Christ follower, we are not looking at reality. This will pass away and the truth will be apparent. So I am seated in the heavenly realm with Christ Jesus. That’s what Scripture teaches and I can’t contradict God’s Word.

It’s a rather odd thought, but we all need to understand we are living in a temporary world in temporary bodies with temporary eyes. To “see” reality we need our spiritual eyes. How does that work? I’ve no idea. Without wanting to be irreverent, it’s something like what we see when a conjurer “performs” before us. We “see” something. Then it somehow vanishes. I’ve seen this done on TV with an aeroplane. Now you see it, now you don’t. Of course we all know that it is a trick. But Spiritual reality is not a trick. It’s more real than anything we see!

Our meditation today takes a “look” at the Kingdom at what it means.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

The Kingdom Economy

For those who are in business, herewith my sympathy. You’re in a strange environment where Christians shouldn’t be. The problem’s business methods and the things you have to do. You have to be competitive and pressure’s put on you. Your product must be better than all of those around. Undermine their products wherever they are found. We are in a world in which the truth is relative. It’s different for each one of us no matter where we live. Two and two are seven. That is the truth for me. Don’t say that I’m dishonest, that’s how it has to be. And so you climb the ladder that leads you to success. But Jesus isn’t in it and you are in a mess. The way we aught to do it is to imitate the Lord. But be a little careful, for business can’t afford, To let the competition, find a winning edge. That will put you out the door and standing on a ledge. They’ll try to push you over, so grab them by the throat. Run them out of business and steal their hat and coat. No part of this is Christian. It’s wicked through and through. No wonder I have sympathy for businessmen like you! We have to change our methods and trust the Lord to act. Start by helping others and you will find in fact, That other folk will help you so you don’t have to cheat. And you have His assurance there’ll be enough to eat. Give to those who ask you. Even stand aside. Feed the hungry, quench their thirst and stay away from pride. Give a cup of water to those who are in need. Don’t hold on too tightly, for that will turn to greed. If they prosecute you and want to take your shirt, Give your coat along with it. For ladies, give your skirt! If they want to take your job, then simply stand aside. The Lord has one much better, if in Him you’ll abide. You only ever get to keep that which you give away. And if you do not do it, you’ve lost it all that day. Never doubt God’s justice. But God is never fair. That’s a man-made concept and He does not go there. Put the other person first in everything you do. Do not make a whimper if he is cheating you. What is said may be correct, significant and just. But who is it you’re following and Who is it you trust? If they want to curse you and beat you ‘till you’re raw. Let them mock and spit on you till they can do no more. It is what the Master did. He never made a sound. If you emulate Him, Your blessings will abound. Nothing really matters in this life of sin and pain. If it’s done for Jesus, it won’t be done in vain. Jim Strickland Written Monday 26th March 2012