THE MAN WHO IS GOD

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 17 May 2012

Hi all,

Jesus Christ is man and God! Today’s meditation explores this in further detail.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Time with Jesus – Thursday, 17 May 2012
INTRODUCTION	DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE MAN WHO IS GOD
Mathematics. The word alone is often sufficient to make people run for cover. At first it was also my reaction. Then Brother Leonard came on the scene. Suddenly, Maths made sense. He seemed to have a way of teaching that was right for me. He imparted the logic of the subject. Part of his method was the liberal use of the cane! It’s amazing how much difference this made. You “got the point” one way or another. Even dear old friend Pythagoras made good sound sense! At that time I was introduced to the symbol Ξ It meant “is congruent with”. It looks like a double equals sign and meant “is the same in every way” or “is identical to”; a convenient maths shorthand which was very much the “sauce” in geometry if you follow my meaning. If you sprinkled the sign liberally round a couple of equal triangle it meant they were “identical”. Those days are now long gone. But the sign remains in memory and is useful in theology in the 21st century. For example we can say that Jesus is identical to God and is identical to man. In maths it would read Jesus Ξ God, and Jesus Ξ with man. In some incomprehensible way, when you look at Jesus, you are looking at man. Also, when you are looking at Jesus you are looking at God. Now I must admit my memory is not all that good some 52 years later, so if I’ve misled you, please forgive me. But to my way of thinking it is a very useful way of showing that Jesus is 100% man and 100% God. Note that this is essential from the point of view of fallen man. When we look at Him, He looks like any other ordinary man. There was nothing about Him which would cause you to say, “There goes God!” Of course Satan and his demons knew it! So did the Father and His angels. It was necessary for Jesus to be both, simultaneously. He had to be a man to defeat Satan. He also had to be every man who has ever lived, a feat only possible by God Himself. This raises a couple of interesting problems which I’ve tried to understand and explain. The first is how it was possible for God to make Himself small enough to fit into Mary’s baby. Charles Wesley put it this way, “Our God contracted to a span. Incomprehensibly made man.” It’s marked in green in the meditation. The other is how He could possibly have lived a sin free life? To do so, it was imperative that he be born without the sin nature we all share. Thus God had to be His Father and His mother had to be mortal. This didn’t make Him 50% human and 50% God. In some respects He was like us. We are not 50% our mother and 50% our father. We are their offspring. We are 100% the combination of them both. How does that work? I thought that perhaps I should ask you! The blood in His veins was not tainted by sin. If it had been, there would have been no point in shedding it for us. He would then have been the same as every other person who has lived since Adam and Eve. But He wasn’t. He was Divinity in the flesh. He was and is the Son of the Most High God. There are times I’m tempted to feel sorry for Satan. He was fighting God. He had no chance! Jim & Phyllida Strickland	19 Long ago You spoke in a vision to Your faithful people. You said, "I have raised up a warrior. I have selected him from the common people to be king. Psalms 89:19 NLT 16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; He came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for Him to be made in every respect like us, His brothers and sisters, so that He could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then He could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:16-17 NLT 26 And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. Ezekiel 1:26 ESV 13 No one has gone to heaven except the Son of Man, who came from heaven. John 3:13 GW 39 Look at My hands. Look at My feet. You can see that it's really Me. Touch Me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do." Luke 24:39 NLT 7 but (He) made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:7-11 ESV 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Revelation 3:2 ESV	One thing we know for certain. Christ Jesus was a man. To look at Him, you’d never know, ‘contracted to a span’, Within Him the Creator, of Heaven, sea and sky, Had been incorporated to come to us and die! We know that it sounds fanciful. Indeed we think it odd, That in a little baby there dwelt the Son of God! It seems to be ridiculous that nursing at her breast Was He Who made the Universe and was now manifest. This little tiny infant, a babe in swaddling clothes Was truly God Almighty, from head down to His toes. If you can understand this, then you can help us out. Explain just what was going on and what it’s all about. The greatest theologians this world has seen and known, Don’t have an explanation of what God’s Word has shown. We know His birth was prophesied soon after Adam fell. That He had been expected; but when, no one could tell. One thing we know for certain. That when the time was right The Lord would send us someone equipped to win the fight! He had to be of flesh and blood or couldn’t qualify. He had to look like everyone. Would even have to die. He had to walk life’s journey without committing sin. And if He lost the battle, then Lucifer would win; And God would be defeated! A possibility That’s truly inconceivable to folk like you and me. That’s why this little baby was more than meets the eye. God clothed with humanity. A man, yet God Most High! What was the baby thinking? What functioned in His brain! We contemplate this matter and all our thoughts are vain. But why should we explain it? If we know something’s true, We needn’t understand it, to make it work for you. We know that scientifically a virgin can conceive. She only needs a donor and she’s able to receive, All that’s necessary for her to bring to birth, A child who looks exactly like all other folk on earth. If science can achieve this, why should we be surprised, If God could do the very same and not be supervised? We also know the gender is determined by the male. So Jesus’ conception is not some fairy-tale. And so He grew to manhood; our God who was made man. This wasn’t just some accident, but part of God’s great plan, To change that which had happened to Adam at the fall; And bring to full fruition the Man Who’s Lord of all. Jim Strickland – Written 17th May 2012

A CONVERSATION WITH THE LORD

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Hi all,

One of the teachings Phyllida and I have enjoyed taking to various places is “Hearing from God”. We have always maintained that Christians hear far more from than they realise. If nothing else this teaching has heightened their awareness. Today’s meditation is about hearing from God.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 16 May 2012
INTRODUCTION	DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	A CONVERSATION WITH THE LORD
In 1999, Phyllida and I were in Syria. Living in the city of Homs; the same city which has featured on the news recently. We loved the people and were sorry when we had to leave. We didn’t learn Arabic. So everywhere we went, we would hear the locals speaking but had no idea what they were saying. There were not many English speaking people in Homs although the bulk of the locals knew a few English words. We shopped where English was reasonably understood. On the few occasions we heard someone speaking English, we would turn round to see who it was. This experience reminds me of one of today’s Scriptures. 21 Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21 NLT This quotation comes from the time when Judah was seeking an alliance with Egypt for protection against the marauding Assyrians. Via Isaiah, the Lord told them not to do this. Egypt would not assist them. Then, speaking of a time in the future, Isaiah stated that the day would come when the people of Jerusalem would be safe and secure. At that time they would hear God speaking to them clearly. The illustration used is similar to our experience. They would hear someone speaking behind them. They would look behind them and realise it was God Himself speaking. He would tell them where to go and what to do. For Phyllida and me, the time spent in Syria was invaluable. We had nowhere to go for Christian fellowship and worship. The nearest Christian Church was in Damascus. In any case, Sunday was a normal working day. Friday was the religious holiday. Christian people were tolerated and were allowed to attend a church service on Sundays. They were required to be back at work at 12h00. Phyllida and I could have driven to Damascus to attend the Baptist Church there. But we couldn’t get back in time. So we were “forced” to rely on Him entirely. At first it was strange. But we soon found that these times of fellowship with the Lord were better than attending any church. There was no alternative. We had to listen for His voice. It was exciting. He gave us direction and guidance in a way we had heard about but never experienced. Twelve years later, we look back on those days with sadness, particularly as we see the Syrians killing each other. We also look back with fond memories of the leading of the Lord. Which way to go and what to do. Today’s meditation dates back some 23 years. We desperately needed to hear from Him. We needed guidance. I was not well and Eskom was considering allowing me to retire, on the grounds of ill-health. The question was whether we could afford this. In the end, Eskom granted me early retirement. It was in September 1990. Exactly 30 years since I had started working in UK. We were sure that the Lord made this possible so that we could both concentrate on being ministers of the gospel without charge to the body of Christ. We had waited patiently for this to happen. We knew it would happen someday. We were not disappointed. Jim & Phyllida Strickland	7 I will praise the LORD. He gives me good advice. Even at night my heart teaches me. Psalms 16:7 NIrV 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 ESV 14 I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. Proverbs 8:14 ESV NUN 105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:105 NLT 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT 23 I know, GOD, which mere mortals can't run their own lives, Which men and women don't have what it takes to take charge of life. Jeremiah 10:23 MSG 21 Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21 NLT 3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3 ESV 10 But he knows every step I take. When he has put me to the test, I'll come out as pure as gold. Job 23:10 NIrV 24 The very steps we take come from GOD; otherwise how would we know where we're going? Proverbs 20:24 MSG 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Psalms 73:24 ESV 14 For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and He will guide us until we die. Psalms 48:14 NLT	MY PRAYER;- Father God, please listen as I come to You and pray. Lord, I long to really mean each syllable I say. Grant me understanding, to follow after You, And always be obedient Your sovereign will to do. Father it's appalling ---------- my insincerity: In truth, I long to do the things which You require of me, But laziness and slackness and other forms of ease Seem to overwhelm me and keep me from my knees. Father, I implore You. Hear my contrite prayer. Please control and guide me. Direct me anywhere That You, Lord, in Your wisdom, desire to have me go. But Lord, my supplication, is more of You to know. Jesus, be my Master. I long to crown You king; To worship and adore You and all my praises bring. I long to serve and bless You with all my earthly frame; To bow down low before You and magnify Your name. Jesus, You are precious; More valuable than gold; More beautiful than diamonds; Your worth cannot be told. For, if the entire universe were placed upon a scale The value of what You are worth would make it all look pale. THE LORD'S REPLY:- "My son, don't be ambitious and chase after those things That, only by My Spirit, a real achievement brings. No! Just relax and concentrate on doing what I say; Settle down to listening and waiting to obey. My child, please always realise that those things which I plan Will only be accomplished by a simple, honest man. So, if it's complicated and bound up very tight, It's probable that I've not been your partner in the fight! Often I would intervene and tell My people, 'Pause'. Don't gallop into battle, except it's for My cause; And don't be so determined, that what you think is true, That everything that I have said, no longer is in view! It's only the dogmatic that can never ever change; Who stands like a fanatic and other men estrange, From wanting to be truthful and following My way, And living out a Christian life on each and every day. So exercise intelligence in all the things you do, By using as your standard, The Word I've given You. It's so very simple neither adult nor a child Ever need to 'miss it' and by Satan, be beguiled. So, never act in ignorance and never act in haste, Or all the consequences by you must then be faced. Concentrate on listening and, with My Spirit, flow, And you will never 'miss' My way, no matter where You go." Jim Strickland – Written 1989

JESUS - FOR CERTAIN

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 15 May 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation looks at the practical applications of our robe of righteousness and the comment that anyone who looks at the face of God will die. I don’t think my idea is new, but it did feel like a new way to see it.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Time with Jesus –Tuesday, 15 May 2012
INTRODUCTION	DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	JESUS - FOR CERTAIN
Why do things work the way they do? Mostly we overlook the obvious due to familiarity. We walk out onto the balcony of a high-rise apartment block. We keep away from the edge because we don’t want to fall. That’s normal behaviour. Others are compelled to go to the edge. It’s as though the adrenalin is pumping and they must look in spite of their fears. I understand that when someone takes his first parachute jump, his mind is filled with questions. Is this safe? Will the parachute open? What sort of man or woman does this? Some say they are very brave. Others say they are out of their minds. Why not just sit back and relax? Some folk are more observant than others. It’s said that when Archimedes climbed into the bath, he saw the level of the water rise. I’m told he jumped out of the bath and ran naked down the street shouting “Eureka”.  He had discovered what we now know as Archimedes Principle. The body displaces its own volume in water. ±2000 years later we say, “But that’s obvious!” That’s because we have grown accustomed to this principle. Other things are equally obvious. We shiver when we get cold. We perspire when we get hot. We know it’s harder walking up-hill than down-hill. If we walk outside in the rain we will get wet. None of these are unreasonable expectations. We also know that we don’t allow our children to play hop-scotch on the highway. Some things are the automatic outcome of an action. If we drink poison we will die. If we cut ourselves we will bleed. We don’t get angry about this. If you step off the roof you will fall to the ground. There is nothing vindictive about this. It’s the law of gravity. Being a Christian does not make you immune to it. Perhaps what we can say is that if we had been listening carefully to the voice of the Lord, we may not have stepped off in the first place! There is another law; a spiritual law; which says if you look at the face of God you will die! Some of us say, “What a terrible law”. But this is not a question of God being spiteful. The truth of this is that if someone approaches the Father, His purity and holiness will destroy a sinner. It’s a bit like saying if you get too close to the fire you will get burned. The two are mutually exclusive. Sin cannot approach God. It will be destroyed. So if you are a sinner, don’t come too close to God or you will be destroyed. But God wants His children to come near. So He has to provide us with something that will cover our sinfulness. That’s why He provides the robe of righteousness. We get this through the blood of Jesus. He takes away our sin and gives us His righteousness. Wearing this robe, we may come and go as He directs. In reality, the robe is not ours. It belongs to Jesus. But if we are wearing this robe, God’s purity will not destroy us. What we are like under the robe is something for theologians to argue about. God’s purity is satisfied and we are welcomed into His presence. God has not been cheated. Jesus has paid the price for our sin. So we are welcome in the throne-room. It doesn’t sound “fair”. It isn‘t. It’s delightfully and gloriously unfair. But why should I complain?  It was His idea in the first place! Thank You Lord Jesus! Jim & Phyllida Strickland.	4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:4-6 ESV 17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if I were dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the living One. I died, but look--I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. Revelation 1:17-18 NLT 24 "Father, I want those you have given to me to be with me, to be where I am. I want them to see my glory, which you gave me because you loved me before the world was made. John 17:24 GW 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. Ephesians 5:30 KJV 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. Colossians 1:18 ESV 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2:10 NLT 14 Because God's children are human beings--made of flesh and blood--the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT 53 This body that decays must be changed into a body that cannot decay. This mortal body must be changed into a body that will live forever. 54 When this body that decays is changed into a body that cannot decay, and this mortal body is changed into a body that will live forever, then the teaching of Scripture will come true: "Death is turned into victory! 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 GW	God’s completely different from anyone we’ve known. You can’t describe a God Who’s in a class all of His own. We cannot see His features; Not if we want to live. I wouldn’t take a chance on it. I know that He would give, Such overwhelming glory with His purity Divine, To crush all that is sinful like pressing grapes to wine! He sheds a light more blinding than the sun which shines by day. A little tiny glimpse will surely blow us all away. We know Lot’s wife saw something when she turned her face around. A great big salty pillar is all of her they found. We know the atom bomb can boil your eyes within your head; So getting just a glimpse of God - the outcome’s best unsaid! We wonder why our loving God could cause such awful things. But this is what perfection inevitably brings. It isn’t done on purpose. To keep us far away. In fact, there is a warning, which tells us not to stay. Now if you put your fingers in a 500 volt plug; Then you’ve done something silly; you’ve acted like a mug. The outcome could be serious and you could lose a hand. Don’t blame the electricity it works as it was planned. Our God is like High voltage. You’ve got to stand well clear. Get some insulation and some good high voltage gear. Then if you touch the “hot wire”, you’re sheltered from it’s power, And you can even go and climb up that strange high voltage tower. It’s the insulation that keeps you well protected. Even when High Voltage is successfully detected. That is like what’s needed to visit God Most High. And it is made available for folk like you and I. It’s called His Robe of Righteousness. It screens us from the Lord! So nothing will destroy us with a high and lofty sword. There’s just one way to get it. It’s purchased at a price. The blood of Christ our Saviour has perfectly sufficed. So when we have been cleansed from sin from head down to the toe, His righteousness will cover us in ways we do not know. The only way to get it is a total blood transfusion. I get His; and He gets mine; that settles the confusion. Then I am protected and I will not be slain; And Jesus Christ’s great sacrifice will not have been in vain! This is the way to do it. There is no substitute. Every other method, the Master will refute. So do not even think about a better kind of way. Let Him be your Saviour and serve Him from today. Love Him with a passion that is intimate and strong. And you will know for certain, that nothing can go wrong Jim Strickland – Written 15th May 2012