RIGHT IS LIGHT

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 31 March 2012

Hi all,

Back in my Bible School days, one of our favourite choruses was: “Walk, walk in the light, Walk, walk in the light, Walk, walk in the light, Walking in the light of love”. I’m not too sure why it was so popular. I think that a major contributing factor was the desire of the students to break out of the darkness of the apartheid era and walk in the light with brothers and sisters we had not met. It would be a further twelve years before it became a reality.

Being kept in the dark has been one of the weapons of oppression for more years than any of us realise. The expression, “I didn’t know!” is a very common one. The German people didn’t know about the Nazi death camps. The People of the Soviet Union didn’t know what Stalin was busy with. Sadly, the “white people” of South Africa had almost no idea what was happening in the townships. This was a deliberate policy of the government of the day. “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men do nothing! It was true when stated by Edmund Burke (1729-1797) It’s still true some 250 years later.

We have a similar problem in the church. In most instances, the people are kept ignorant of the truth of the gospel. Religion continues to be a profitable business. People are separated into clergy and laity - an unscriptural distinction that is most convenient. Who can challenge them? The average pew occupant certainly can not!

The tragedy is, the Lord Jesus Christ wants to walk with us. He desires us to have a personal relationship with Him. You can never have a relationship with someone you don’t know. We may know something about Him. But we don’t know Him. I may know that the President of the USA is Barrack Obama. But I don’t know him. His wife and children do!

One of the beautiful things about light is the way it enables us to see things. We see very little in the dark. Until recently, wars were only fought during the day. It’s hard to shoot an enemy you can’t see! That has changed since the development of night vision glasses and infra-red cameras.

It’s impossible to walk in the light when it is dark. In John’s Gospel we are told: ⁹ Jesus replied, "There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. ¹⁰ But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light." John 11:9-10 NLT

Today’s meditation looks at walking in the light of God’s word. In a nutshell, obedience to Him is to walk according to the instruction of His Word. Let’s do it instead of talking about it.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Right is light

We see the dark as evil. The good is always light. Thieves break in at night time so they are not in sight. We find it is much better to sleep when it is dark. To slumber through the night time and get up with the lark! But there’s another meaning which we should all prefer. A warning from the Scripture, which should serve as a spur, To stop us all from doing it. Thereby, we have been warned; And we will bear the consequence if ever it is scorned. Keep away from partnerships with unbelieving men. They have a different outlook on which they will depend. Their motivation’s money. God’s Kingdom has no place; So if you are in partnership, you’ll surely be disgraced. If times are getting difficult, they’ll often up and run. And you will be deserted to face what has been done. It happens regularly. The Christian is the man, You find who has been cheated and carries home the can! But what is true in business is also true in life. Do not ever marry an unbelieving wife. Those who do it anyway, cease following the Lord. They find that they are walking on the way that’s wide and broad. My friends, I make confession, that it is what I did. It was a huge disaster costing many, many quid. It ended in a sad divorce and I was left alone; Having lost my furniture, possessions and my home. I went back to the Scripture and it was underlined. I’d been disobedient and thought God wouldn't mind! I thought I’d lead her to the Lord, but that objective failed. And in my desperate anguish it felt I had been jailed. So if you’re doing something you know you shouldn't do. Ask the Lord to bring His light and indicate to you, If what you’ve selected is darkness or is light. Make a firm decision, to do good in His sight. If it’s of the darkness, please ask Him show the way, To cut it off completely, while it is still your day. Know that you will have to pay the cost of consequence. But if you let Him do it, He’ll show you what makes sense. Do your very uttermost to bring it to the light. He will make the outcome to be good and clean and right. Jim Strickland  Written Saturday 31st March 2012

HIS FATHER’S SON

Time with Jesus - Friday, 30 March 2012

Hi all,

According to Mark Twain in His autobiography, “Truth is stranger than fiction; but it isn't because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't.” In the light of this statement, what do we do with Jesus’ parables? Were they real stories about real people, or were they merely teachings used as illustrations to demonstrate truth by the greatest mind Who has ever lived?

It’s difficult thinking that Jesus would tell stories that were not true in real life. So were these parables the product of His fertile imagination or things that He had seen and known? We are inclined to think that they were just stories. But the fact is, what He spoke about had actually taken place somewhere. As the TV shows state, “Names have been changed to protect the identity of individuals.

We don’t have to be Jewish or Christian in order to follow His parables. Some are so well known that people are surprised they are Jesus’ parables. The Good Samaritan is a case in point. Regardless of our “religious” views, the story grips the imagination and can leave us feeling rather uncomfortable!

One of the best known parables is the Prodigal Son. The title is not really accurate because the prodigal one was the father and not the son. But was this parable a story or something that actually happened? By way of answer, if we look back over Christianity for the past two thousand years, we see it repeated regularly by men and women in every generation. The details may not be identical, but the truth comes shining through in the lives of many Christians. Men like William Wilberforce and John Newton. Women like Florence Nightingale. Hundreds, dare I say hundreds of thousands, of Christians throughout the generations? It’s true of me. What does a young man do when the bottom has fallen out of his world? It happened to me. It’s true to say that I’m a 20^th century prodigal son.

Our meditation this morning contains a part of my own testimony to what God regularly does in the lives of people. I’m only one of them

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

His Father’s Son

He sat down in the corner with his hands across his face. The thing he’d done was silly and he was in disgrace. His parents were so far away and he had let them down. How could he ever tell them in that far off distant town? He trembled with anxiety. He knew his foes were near. With each and every passing hour he trembled in his fear. Could he find forgiveness? How would things all turn out? And each time that he thought of it, his mind was filled with doubt. He felt alone and desolate. He couldn’t face the truth. And life forever changed for him that moment in his youth. There still was so much more to learn. He thought he knew it all. He’d heard about the Prodigal; about his rise and fall. He knew he had gone home again disgraced and wearing rags. He knew that in the pig pen how much his heart could sag. But he was far too hungry. A servant of his dad, Was given food and clothing; a lot more than he had. And so he set out homeward. No sandals on his feet; Hoping that his father would give him food to eat. He didn’t know his father. At least not how he should. Perhaps the only thing he knew; his father was so good. And when his father greeted him, the thing that he had done, Was suddenly forgotten; he was his father’ son. That young man in the corner I have to say was me. What would my father ever say and just how would he be? And so I went back home again, “my tail between my legs”. I had received the poisoned cup and drained it to the dregs. My father didn’t mention it. Just, “welcome home my lad”. I thought that I was gob-smacked. To hear this from my dad! It’s not what I expected. I thought He’d rant and rave. Instead he just accepted me. I thought that he was brave. A few short months thereafter I heard about the Lord. I went to Him in penitence and out to Him I poured; The truth of what had happened. But He already knew. He said I was forgiven and told me what to do. Learn about my Saviour and put Him in control. He would give direction, a purpose and a goal. And since that very moment the thing which I had done Was swallowed up by Jesus. Now I’m His Father’s son. Jim Strickland  Written Friday 30th March 2012.

STATUS QUO

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 29 March 2012

Hi all,

Three thousand years ago, David was Israel’s King. Our Jewish brothers and sisters see it as Israel’s finest hour. We Christians know better. Even so, as we look back three thousand years we have some sympathy for their view.

Have a look at the life of King David. You’ll find that we are not much different from the people of those days. They may not have our technical advantages, but they still managed to be devious. They had their thieves and murderers just as we do. The status quo has not changed in 3000 years! Not really. It looks different because of progress. Well, we call it progress. Is it progress or is everything still served up the same way just tailored to 21^st century conditions?

About one thousand years after David, Jesus came along with His extraordinary recommendations. Recommendations that are as effective today as they were back then. “Don’t store up treasure on earth.” Store up treasure in heaven where there are no thieves and moths don’t devour”.

For us today, the question is how to go about Jesus’ sound recommendations. It’s all very well investing in heaven. But where are the deposit slips? What is the name of the bank? What is the bank code and what is your account number? Good question! The answer is easy. I’m told that the bank code is 777777 but this may be a rumour. Deposit slips are readily available. You get them by PRAYER and they are instantly available on line. Ask for them and you will receive. Heaven’s bank does not use account numbers. They use names rather than numbers. The name of the Bank is “Jesus Christ Unlimited” and is accessible by FAITH 24/7

Today’s meditation looks at change and Jesus’ recommendation in real time.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Status Quo

Things have not changed very much for some three thousand years. The problems which they had back then still bring the selfsame tears. The rich are getting richer; the poor are just as poor. Men are still enchanted by a woman’s sweet allure. What perhaps is different is the timing and the date. The thieves continue thieving and have the same old fate. The people are as devious as they have always been. The boys and girls experiment where they cannot be seen. We all have our ambitions. We want to reach the top. Anything to get there, as long as it won’t stop. Our vision is still limited. Our every thought is “me”. It seems that our sin nature is as bad as it can be. The time we are allotted is three score years and ten. Eighty if we’re strong enough and what will happen then? It doesn’t seem to matter. The days are rushing by. And all of our accomplishments are gone the day we die. Riches are uncertain. We know they cannot last. And still we think we’ve got the time to have our final blast! But all of the possessions which we accumulate, Are passed on to the children that we’ve had with our mate. We’re nothing more than shadows, rushing to our end; Heaping up our wealth but never certain who will spend, The money that has come to us by working night and day. If only we would take the time, we’d find a better way. The problem’s discontentment. Let’s make a little more. Gratify our inner greed and overfill our store. Here is my suggestion. A better way to go. A method that is guaranteed; that everyone should know. Open an investment in Heaven’s Super-bank. Nothing will depreciate. For that, there’s God to thank. There are no thieves to steal it. Nor moths who will devour. And you have access to it, regardless of the hour. Perhaps you cannot see it. But it is there for sure. And it’s accumulating though it’s used to feed the poor. There is a crown of righteousness; but Jesus knows what’s true. And says that where your heart is, your treasure is there too. So take a tip from David from those days and in his time. Do not look for vengeance. It isn’t worth a dime. Keep in mind your covenant and do not throw back spears. This is still the way in spite of some three thousand years. Try to be forgiving no matter what’s been done. And you will be a student of God the Father’s Son! Jim Strickland – Written Thursday 29th March 2012

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