FROM SAUL TO PAUL

Time with Jesus - Friday, 20 April 2012

Hi all,

Wow! Thanks a million. The general consensus is that the new three column “Time with Jesus” is a winner. Thanks to everyone who has commented. So I’ll stick to this format. I particularly like having the Scriptures central. His Word is central in the lives of His followers so having them central makes good sense to me. This will definitely simplify the book next year; always assuming that we are all here next year. I would raise no objection if He decides to return before then!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

INTRODUCTION

Do you have a testimony? Many of us have one of some sort. Some are dramatic. Rather like Paul, they can point to a time and place. “This is how I was”, they say. “This is what He has done in my life”. I can say that too, although nothing quite as dramatic as Paul’s was. Some years ago I heard a story that helped me with this difficulty. It seems that a lady evangelist was visiting a church. (Lady evangelists are out there somewhere!) Another lady had been asked to chauffer her around. Accordingly, these two women spent several hours together. At one of the meeting, the evangelist gave her testimony. She spoke of where she had been. Drugs, prostitution, alcohol. You name it and she had been there. Then very dramatically she heard about Jesus Christ and what He could do in her life. She was converted “on the spot”. Jesus broke all her addictions, cleaned her up and called her into His service. The outcome was like night and day. Later that afternoon driving the evangelist to her next appointment, the “chauffer” broke down in tears. She turned and said to the woman, “I don’t have a testimony at all. I was brought up in a Christian home. I committed my life to Jesus when I was a young girl. I’ve always known Him. Nothing like what has happened to you has happened to me. At that the evangelist herself started crying. “You’ve got a much better testimony than I have”, she mumbled through eyes awash with tears. “I can only speak of His saving power. You can speak of His keeping power”. They stopped at the nearest safe stopping place and embraced. The power of what Jesus Christ can do in the lives of His people is limitless. We hear of testimonies, “From the gutter-most to the uttermost”. At times they are dramatic. Mine was fairly typical of your average teenage male in the 1960’s, along with one or two other things I prefer not to remember. Then Jesus came into my life. I’d like to say that I’ve been as faithful to Him as He has been to me. I haven’t. But on the occasions when I’ve returned to Him, something like the prodigal son, all that “stuff” didn’t seem to matter. He made me welcome and enabled me to pick up where I’d left off. That was the greatest surprise. He found me 52 years ago. I didn’t find Him. I wasn’t even looking for Him. But He found me! That’s the really unbelievable part. For the past 32 years He’s walked with me. Through the ups and downs of life He has never let me down. He’s said He never will!

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES

15 "'Who are You, lord?' I asked. "And the Lord replied, 'I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting. Act 26:15 NLT 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." Matthew 14:27 ESV 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Isaiah 43:2-3 NLT 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 ESV 23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (Meaning, God with us). Matthew1:23 ESV 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."  Matthew 1:20-21 ESV 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1 ESV 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

Romans 8:34-35 ESV

FROM SAUL TO PAUL

The first Damascus visit that was carried out by Saul, Transformed his life forever; and so they called him Paul. He set out breathing curses against “Christians” who’d been Jews. He wanted to arrest them so they could be accused, Of following a man Saul considered was a cheat; A Rabbi whom they’d crucified. This ‘sect’ he had to beat. As he neared Damascus, Saul saw a blinding light. He heard a voice Who spoke to him and gave him such a fright He fell upon the pathway his face against the floor. “Saul, what is the reason you persecute Me for?” “Who are you Lord?” Saul answered. “I’m Jesus!” He replied. “It’s Me you’re persecuting! From now, you’re on My side! So Saul became a Christian. We know the story well. And Paul went to the Gentiles, to save their souls from Hell. This story of the impact that Jesus has on men, We find has been repeated, time and time again. He brings with Him the savour of His delightful peace. He proclaims His presence and all our worries cease. If we are in deep waters, He said He’d calm us down. Soothing every worry and banishing our frown. Even in the furnace, we will not be consumed. It’s only Jesus’ enemies who’ll find that they are doomed. Walking in the valley, when death is all around; Evil can’t befall us, if in Him we abound. His rod and staff protect us. His comfort calms us so. We call His Name Emmanuel, God with us where we go. He came here as a miracle. A virgin girl conceived, And gave birth to the Son of God. That’s what we all believe. They gave Him the Name “Jesus”. He saved us from our sin. He is our Righteous Advocate and he is bound to win. And though we often stumble and sin comes in to call. We know that by His precious blood, we do not have to fall! Repentance and forgiveness are ours throughout the land. And He in His unending grace will help us all to stand. No one can condemn us. Although they all may try His Holy Spirit’s with us and He is God Most High So everything that happened to the apostle Paul Can happen to believers who make Christ Lord of all! Jim Strickland – Written 20th April 2012

PASSION FOR JESUS

Time with Jesus
Thursday, 19 April 2012

INTRODUCTION

Back in the early 1990’s, Mike Bickle wrote a book called, “Passion for Jesus”. The details are not the issue. The statement is! Passion for something is what has set this world alight from the earliest days of recorded history. It was a passion for God that kept Noah building the arc. I’ve heard it said that Noah was a terrible preacher. Only his wife, his three sons and their wives joined him in the arc. But he was a fabulous builder. Through all those years he laboured to build this enormous “thing” in his “back yard”; to save them from what? From something no one had ever seen before? After all, what’s rain, the unbelievers asked? What about Abram’s passion for God. He left his comfortable home; a two story house in Ur to follow the voice of God. “Madness!” must have been the reaction of the other “Ur-ites”. Sure, a few members of the family joined him. But he had Passion for God. It must have been quite extraordinary. Would I have done it? The Bible is full of such men and women. Would you go and marry a prostitute? For further examples read Hebrews 11. Some refer to this as the Faith Chapter. It’s not a bad name. Certainly it speaks of men and women who exercised great faith. But think for just a moment. Isn’t passion an expression of what you believe? I suspect that these men and women had a passion for God that inspired them. Perhaps we could say it drove them? Consider the words of Jeremiah. 7 O LORD, You misled me, and I allowed myself to be misled. You are stronger than I am, and You overpowered me. Now I am mocked every day; everyone laughs at me. 8 When I speak, the words burst out. "Violence and destruction!" I shout. So these messages from the LORD have made me a household joke. 9 But if I say I'll never mention the LORD or speak in His name, His word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can't do it! Jer 20:7-9 NLT Can you sense his passion! It’s unmistakable. Paul said much the same to the Corinthians: 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 1 Cor 9:16 TNIV One of the problems with many Christians in the 21st century is that they have no passion for Jesus. Many have adopted observer mode! It only features on Sunday mornings in their Church service. This won’t inspire passion. It can’t. There is no personal involvement. I can watch a piano teacher for 50 years. To play the piano, I must do it. Are you passionate for Jesus? If not, why not?

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

-oOo-

DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES

Sometimes I think, "I won't talk about him anymore. I'll never speak in his name again." But then your message burns in my heart. It's like a fire inside my very bones. I'm tired of holding it in. In fact, I can't. Jeremiah 20:9 NIrV If I proclaim the Message, it's not to get something out of it for myself. I'm compelled to do it, and doomed if I don't! If this was my own idea of just another way to make a living, I'd expect some pay. But since it's not my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me, why would I expect to get paid? So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message at no cost to you. You don't even have to pay my expenses! 1 Corinthians 9:16-18 MSG Once again the leaders called in Peter and John. They commanded them not to speak or teach at all in Jesus' name. But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves. Which is right from God's point of view? Should we obey you? Or God? There's nothing else we can do. We have to speak about the things we've seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20 NIrV For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 2 Corinthians 5:14 ESV I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.' "The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest. Matthew 25:25-27 MSG As Jesus was getting into the boat, the demon-delivered man begged to go along, but he wouldn't let him. Jesus said, "Go home to your own people. Tell them your story--what the Master did, how he had mercy on you."

Mark 5:18-19 MSG

-oOo-

PASSION FOR JESUS

The moment that I met Him, my world was changed around. Listen while I tell you exactly what I’ve found! Silence is impossible; I know I must declare, What’s bubbling inside me; If I do not, I swear, There will be an “explosion”; and I will go off “pop”. His every word consumes me; I cannot make it stop! It feels like there is fire that’s burning in my bones. And even as I think of it, my soul and spirit groans! If I spin round in circles it might just ease the pain. But Jesus and His Gospel keeps ringing in my brain! If I do not make public, the glory of His name, There’s only one way I can go and that’s to go insane. Mammon can’t control me. I’ll preach His Word for free! What’s more it is the only way and how it has to be. I haven’t asked for finance. I really can’t resort, To charging for the Gospel. I’ll preach His Word for naught. Forget about expenses. Just point the way to go, And I will take His message; His Word consumes me so! They tried to silence Peter and also threatened John. There isn’t an alternative. “We have to carry on!” They told the Jewish Council and asked, “Whom to obey?” They had to speak of Jesus. There was no other way. The love of Christ consumed them. His Words they couldn’t hide. And if they didn’t do it, they thought they’d burst inside. They couldn’t take God’s treasurer and hide it in the ground! They had to keep on preaching to spread His Word around! To spread His Word to everyone, of every ethnic group, Was churning deep within them; they’d both be in the soup, If they neglected preaching to people everywhere. Regardless what might happen, they really didn’t care. The cost was not important; their lives they’d sacrifice. To take His Word to others was not too high a price! Peter knew the day would come when he’d be crucified. This did not deter him. His life he’d put aside! I know about this feeling. I long to do the same. To labour for my Master and glorify His Name! I only have one small request, that those who hear me speak, Will go back to their houses and tell those who are weak; That Jesus Christ will strengthen them; that mercy they would find. To help them know for certain, He’d snap the chains which bind! That He will never cast them out, provided they are true; And follow in His footsteps! “That’s what I have to do!” Jim Strickland – Written 19th April 2012

ETERNAL COMFORT

Time with Jesus
Wednesday, 18 April 2012

INTRODUCTION

Backsliding is a serious thing in the life of any Christian. The great danger is that it might become permanent. The letter to the Hebrews highlights this possibility in a sombre and thought-provoking way. To better understand this we need to know why the letter was written in the first place. The author had an extraordinary knowledge of the background of Hebrew theology and culture. Many have suggested that Paul was the author. But this has not been conclusively established. The letter seems to have been written before the destruction of Jerusalem. Probably in the time of Nero. Many Jewish men and women were Christian converts. Remaining Jewish had one advantage. The Jewish religion was accepted by the Roman authorities. It was a “legal religion”. This meant they were permitted to worship the one true God without hindrance. Those who converted to Christianity had something of a problem. Christianity was an “illegal religion” and was banned by Rome. For Christians in Rome it became a problem, particularly when the persecution of Christians gathered strength. To be a Christian could mean the loss of everything you possessed. Your wife and children could be killed or sold as slaves for being members of an illegal religion. The prospect for you was much the same. Jewish Christians soon realised that they could save their family and themselves by going back to Judaism. Their logic was that it was the same God so everything would be fine. The problem arose when they went to the synagogue. They had to publicly deny Jesus Christ in front of the synagogue leaders. To do this they would have to deny Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself had warned against this. 33 But what about someone who says in front of others that he doesn't know me? I will say in front of my Father who is in heaven that I don't know him. Mat 10:33 NIrV The letter to the Hebrews makes it clear that to deny Jesus would be to lose Him permanently.  The letter puts it as follows: 26 What if we keep sinning on purpose? What if we do it even after we know the truth? Then there is no offering for our sins. 27 All we can do is to wait in fear for God to judge. His blazing fire will burn up his enemies. Heb 10:26-27 NIrV We thus see that Hebrews makes it clear. Deny Jesus Christ publicly and you are lost forever. There can be no return. Repentance after this point is impossible! Now I don’t like this any more than you like it. But I don’t make the rules. I’m just the carrier of the message. If you refuse to believe this, I have no problem with you. Your problem is between you and the Lord! In view of this, it is easy to see how dangerous it is to backslide. You may go past the point of no return. Is there such a place? Hebrews tells us there is. I’m not able to define it for you or me. It may not be the same for everyone. Much depends on your or my knowledge and attitude. My recommendation is to remain in His love by being faithful. Don’t jeopardise your Kingdom Citizenship through cowardice of fear of the consequences. You may never be able to be restored!

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope,

2 Thess 2:16 NLT

All the same, I'll remember the covenant I made with you when you were young and I'll make a new covenant with you that will last forever.

Ezekiel 16:60 MSG

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 10:14 ESV

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:25 ESV

That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the One in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until the day of His return.

2 Timothy 1:12 NLT

God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty--never cancelled, never rescinded.

Romans 11:29 MSG

Who can separate us from Christ's love? Can trouble or hard times or harm or hunger? Can nakedness or danger or war?

Romans 8:35 NIrV

The Lamb, who is at the centre of the area around the throne, will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Revelation 7:17 NIrV

Then, together with them, we who are still alive will be taken in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. In this way we will always be with the Lord. So then, comfort each other with these words!

1 Thess 4:17-18 GW

Get up, and go away! This is not a place to rest! It will be destroyed, completely destroyed, because it offends me.

Micah 2:10 GW

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

Hebrews 13:14 ESV

ETERNAL COMFORT

Why is it that our brothers and sisters in the Lord, Do not get excited, when they find that He has poured, His wondrous love upon us? He’s done it lavishly. It isn’t just a sample He has given you and me. Perhaps we should be shouting, hip, hip, hip Hooray? Although I have been told that it is not the Christian way. But surely it is better than the moaning, which we find. There’s so much we can celebrate. The Lord has been so kind! We have eternal comfort with grace and love and hope. If this does not excite you, then concentrate, don’t mope. Think about the covenant. It cannot be destroyed. The Father’s sure to keep it and it will not be void. Unless you turn your back on Him and go your own sweet way, He’ll be coming back for you; expect Him any day! This everlasting covenant was cut when you were young. Expounded in the finest words that you have ever sung. Glory Hallelujah, in the very loudest voice, Is typical for Christians as each of them rejoice. If you go to prison and find you’re locked up tight. Concentrate on Jesus and let Him shine His light. If you are not guilty of any sort of crime, Use the opportunity to have your quiet time! Even in the middle of a noise that’s deafening! There’s your opportunity to let your praises ring! Ask Him for a gift to use while you are still in jail. Surely He will give it and it will never fail. So, what if you’re hungry, naked or at war? Ask the Lord to tell you what you've been put there for. Ask for living water. He’ll let you overflow. Use it as the source of telling everyone you know, That Jesus Christ will shepherd you and take you to His throne. Ask them to come with you! Why go there all alone? Tell them You will meet Him in the clouds up in the sky, Living in a body that will not ever die. Here you have no shelter. This place is not your rest. Give your life to Jesus; you’ll receive His very best. A mansion in the city. That’s where we will all dwell. Not in some dark and smelly place; a loveless, painful Hell! Jim Strickland – Written 18th April 2012

CAN YOU HEAR THE TURTLEDOVE?

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 17 April 2012

Hi all,

Thanks for the feedback on the new format. It will be used in future.

With this format I don’t think I’ll be able to continue with the Blog. If you would like me to send you an email copy every day, please contact me on ejsnpbs@gmail.com

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

P. S. If you would like to be removed from the circulation list please return the message with the instruction "unsubscribe" I will do so as soon as possible

Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 17 April 2012
INTRODUCTION	DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	CAN YOU HEAR THE TURTLEDOVE?
Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me, now that I can dance? Anyone remember this hit record? It does go back in few years. But I still remember the question being “belted out” by the pop singer of the day. Who he was I’ve forgotten. The question cannot be forgotten though. The connection between dancing and love is still vague. But the music was good. Unless it was Jerry and the Pacemakers. Perhaps he needed a pacemaker to be loved while dancing? Loving and being loved is one of the greatest needs we have today or any other day. We all need someone to love; some say we must love ourselves before we can love others. There is a measure of truth in this. But what would we do if there was no one else to love? It would drive us mad. We have been made in the image of God. We know that God is love. It follows that we need to love and be loved. One of the most convincing proofs that God is at least three in one is the issue of love. There must be someone else to love and to be loved. Thus there must be at least two members of the “Trinity”. But without a third person, love is little more than a double appreciation society. Of course a husband and wife can love each other deeply and passionately. But the union is not complete without a “by” product! A husband and wife are fine when they are together on their own. But fulfilment comes when that love produces another person. It’s not a trinity! A threesome is a better expression. But God is the perfect threesome. Each person of the Godhead loving the other. It’s Divine perfection. We need to understand this to realise the sacrifice the Father made to be separated from the Son when Jesus died on the cross. Even knowing in advance that His Son would be “raised from the dead’ it must have been “traumatic” for the Father and the Spirit to be “torn away” from the Son on account of our sin! Because He is love in all its many aspects, God knows all about the intimate life of a man and his wife. He should. He designed it perfectly. Every portion perfectly positioned for absolute physical fulfilment! A Miracle placed into the hands of men and women - no less! Tragically the media has cheapened it to the place where it has become a glandular thrill! Now God desires to have the same sort of relationship with us as He has designed for a husband and his wife.  Amazing! The consummation of our love is described beautifully for us in Song of Songs. The Jewish people refer to this book as the Holy of Holies! How else? Perhaps this explains why He is jealous of us and wants us to be obedient! My relationship with Him and your relationship with Him is likened to a bride and groom. Indeed, we are called the bride of Christ! When Jesus returns we will all attend the wedding feast. The principal difference will be the fact that we are all part of His bride! How does that work? Please don’t ask me. Take the question to your heavenly bridegroom. Whisper the words lovingly into His ear and listen to His reply! He will give you an answer that will “blow you away”! Today’s meditation takes this to the very throne room of God! Enjoy! Jim and Phyllida Strickland	Take me with you. Let's run away. The king has brought me into his private rooms. [The chorus of young women] We will celebrate and rejoice with you. We will praise your expressions of love more than wine. How right it is that the young women love you! Song of Songs 1:4 GW	The Lord says that He loves us with a love that is Divine! I wish that I could understand. It’s so much more than mine. The language which He uses is very intimate. The sort that married couples alone should contemplate. A physical attraction we cannot comprehend, Combined with a devotion that will never have and end. God’s love is everlasting. He’s drawn us to Himself. He wants us to be with Him, not sitting on the shelf. His love for us is jealous. He doesn’t tolerate, Our running after other gods. That’s something which He hates. We know we are encompassed with bands that cannot break. A covenant commitment, He never will forsake! He’s said He’s always with us and will not let us down. He wants us all to “marry” Him and wear His bridal gown. We know His yoke is easy and that His burden’s light. And though we cannot see Him, we’re always in His sight! We know that we can spurn Him; that we can walk away. But He’ll continue loving us although we go astray. This is incomprehensible and far above my head. And He says He’ll pursue us until the day we’re dead. It isn’t very difficult for people to respond. He doesn’t use compulsion and has no magic wand! He woos us like a lover, looking for his mate; Testing our fidelity and knowing we must wait, Until the marriage nuptials when we will all be free, To love Him with a passion experientially. There’s no one better suited. None other we prefer. Our “husband” is from heaven, to Him we all defer. He is the very Lamb of God, our Lord, our Mighty King! We give Him our submission and will wear His wedding ring. He watched us from a distance and offered us His love, Before we were aware that He is Christ, the Lord above! He sees us all as beautiful; a woman in her prime, Longing for her husband and aching for the time, When love is consummated and we are all His own, Living in His palace which He has made our home. Can you hear the turtledove and see the flowers bloom? The evidence of Jesus Christ our heavenly bridegroom. Jim Strickland – written Tuesday 17th April 2012.
	Long ago the LORD said to Israel: "I have loved you, My people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself. Jeremiah 31:3 NLT
	I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. Hosea 11:4 ESV
	And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." John 12:32 ESV
	The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" John 1:35-36 ESV
	And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14-15 KJV
	Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. Psalm 73:25 ESV
	We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 KJV
	My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. Song of Songs  2:10-12 ESV