COME AND SEE

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 24 June 2012

Hi all,

2000 years ago Jesus spoke effectively five words to two of John’s disciples who came and asked Him where He lived. Condensed these words were “Follow Me” and “Come and see”! Today, His words are unaltered but can be put into a single sentence. “Follow Me and Come and See”! It’s more or less the only things He ever says to newcomers. It’s still true. Follow Me and Come and See! Today this is our meditation.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 24 June 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	COME AND SEE
From the day we docked in Cape Town on the Carnarvon Castle, we lived in hotels. That’s not something to boast about. It was like that, because during WW2, very few houses were built and even rental property was hard to find. In addition, most hotels were “Residential” and cheap. My Dad told me that when we moved into Hornby House in Humewood, Port Elizabeth, the hotel costs were £7 per person per month. In other words He paid £18 per month for all three of us. This included three meals per day. The last time I was in Port Elizabeth, Hornby House was still there. But now it had been converted into apartments, catering primarily for holiday makers. No meals provided. Since it’s slap bang on the Humewood beach front, there is no shortage of holiday makers at ±R750 per day. When we lived there in 1950 the idea of such staggering rents didn’t even appear on our radar screen! At the beginning of 1952, through a friend of a friend, we rented a flat in Pearson Street. And shortly thereafter rented a house in Park Lane almost next to St Georges Park. We had gone from a flat to a house. Such a possibility was unimaginable when we were in Hornby House. By 1959/60, developers were building more and more houses so it was easier to buy your own home than to pay the rent. It wasn’t until 1960 that Dad could buy a house. Having lived in hotels and rented property since 1947, it was like going to heaven. If I had been asked in 1947 to describe my “dream home” I think my mind would have gone “tilt”. But now we were living in it. I was 5 in 1947. I was 18 in 1960. The imagination of a 5 year old does not measure up to the reality of what things are to an 18 year old. In many respects, what is described above is reminiscent of what Paul wrote to the Corinthians: 9 But as Scripture says: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him."1 Corinthians 2:9 GW We can never even try and guess the things God has prepared for us. It will be infinitely greater than the difference between the imagination of a 5 year old and an 18 year old. One thing we do know is that Jesus Christ has gone to prepare a place for us. Scripturally each one of us will receive a mansion. I’m reluctant to try and guess what this might be. This I do know. 8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.2 Peter 3:8 NLT Jesus ascended on a Thursday. Two “days” later takes us to the middle of Saturday. So He’s only been preparing for us for two days! Furthermore, if today for Him is Saturday afternoon then it’s His Sabbath. I’m not sure how much preparing He is doing today? Not that it matters. He will come when all is ready. I can wait! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. "What do you want?" He asked them. They replied, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are You staying?" 39 "Come and see," He said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with Him to the place where He was staying, and they remained with Him the rest of the day. John 1:38-39 NLT 2 There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? 3 And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live. John 14:2-3 MSG 20 Look, I'm standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I'll come in and we'll eat together. 21 I will allow everyone who wins the victory to sit with me on my throne, as I have won the victory and have sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 3:20-22 GW 15 For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15 NIV 20 Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end." Matthew 28:20 NIrV 7 How precious is Your loving-kindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. Psalms 36:7 NASB	John’s disciples followed Him. “What do you want: said He? “Where are you living Rabbi?” He answered, “Come and see”? Two thousand odd years later, the same thing is still true. We ask Him where’s He’s living? He says to me and you, “Follow Me and I will surely take you on a road, That ultimately takes you to My heavenly abode.” He doesn’t show before-hand what it’s like in His home. To give a full description would fill a giant tome. You can’t describe what’s infinite with any English words. Just the thought of doing it is utterly absurd. How do you pour the oceans into a little jug? If you think you can do it, my friend, don’t be so smug! And yet the Lord has hinted at what it is we’ll see. He says it is a mansion He’s making just for me! And I am not the only one. He’s making one for you. And every other Christian will find they have one too! So Jesus has been busy since he went up above Building us a mansion which speaks about His love. Each mansion will be different. Each one is tailor made To fit the personalities of those who have obeyed. If you like fitted carpets, they’ll be upon the floor. All your aspirations you’ll find they’re there and more. For if you can imagine it, your thinking’s far too small. It’s infinitely better than what you can recall. I don’t know how He’ll do this; each mansion’s right next door, To where the King is “living”. You couldn’t ask for more. To live next door to Holiness, means you’ll be holy too. O Master I can hardly wait to be a bit like You! O Lord Your loving-kindness. It blows my puny mind. There isn’t any other God that anyone can find. O Lord, You are exclusive and totally unique. All You ever want to do, You only have to speak; And it starts its existence. It stands before your throne; Only You can do this. Just You and You alone! How can a man describe these things? Your Spirit indicates, The things we cannot guess at, or even estimate. For what you have prepared for those who seek to follow You. And follow in obedience, Your Holy will to do. Jim Strickland  Written 24th June 2012

RUTH’S REST

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 23 June 2012

Hi all,

When you and I talk about “rest” we think about sitting or lying down after a trying time of some sort. That’s partly true. We do stop doing whatever it is because we are sick or tired. God is never tired. We know that God “rested” on the seventh Day. It means He ceased creating. In that sense we also rest when we have achieved our intentions. In Bible days, looking for a husband or a wife was completed after marriage. The couple could then rest from their task. Today we look at “Ruth’s rest.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 23 June 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	RUTH’S REST
It’s always been a source of some amusement that Elimelech, his wife Naomi and their two sons Mahlon and Kilion left Bethlehem in Judah because of famine in the land. They went to Moab. Moab means “of my father”. Moab was the incestuous son of Lot and his eldest daughter. Bethlehem means House of Bread. It makes no sense to leave the house of bread because they have no bread! The story of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz, the man Ruth subsequently married, is popular beyond the confines of Judaism or Christianity. We read how Ruth followed behind the reapers and picked up what they dropped. We smile when we read of Boaz instructing his harvesters to be deliberately clumsy! Surely there was more to this than meets the eye? Who knows? Was this love at first sight? This story of a poor girl becoming a princess has universal appeal. Furthermore, we applaud when we learn that subsequently as Boaz’s wife, she became the great grandmother of King David. What most of us fail to recognise is the open handed generosity of Boaz. How many of us would ask our workers to be clumsy for the benefit of a pretty, out of town stranger? How many would willingly take on the responsibility of a spouse with an impoverished and family related mother-in-law? Yet, that's what Boaz did. Why? Is this generosity the root of David being a man after God's heart? Perhaps? This man, who could have had his pick of any of the marriageable young women in the Bethlehem area, was moved by the plight of a destitute widow who had no other means of support for herself or her mother-in-law.. His generous heart opened to her. Why? He did it because it was required of him in terms of his commitment to God. In consequence of his generosity, Boaz "gleaned" something from God. Something or rather someone of greater value than he could possibly have guessed. Tucked away in a corner of God's field he found a wife; yet someone much more than a mere wife. He found a legend; someone who has become one of history’s favourite women. This story of how Ruth, Naomi and Boaz entered their “rest” is extraordinary. Ruth had to work hard. At harvest time, the fields are very hot from the scorching sun. Gleaning was not a task for the lazy. It took commitment by Boaz to Ruth and the customs of that day. In a way, Naomi became the tool in God’s hand whereby a Moabite woman became the forerunner of David and Jesus. Four women are referred to by name in Matthew’s genealogy. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba. All are of questionable ancestry. God’s call enabled them to rest in the pages of Biblical history. Later another woman would feature. Her name is Mary, the mother of Jesus. Together they are now at rest in the arms of God. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			1 One day Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi spoke to her. She said, "My daughter, shouldn't I try to find a secure place for you? Shouldn't you have peace and rest? Shouldn't I find a home where things will go well with you? Ruth 3:1 NIrV 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, Hebrews 4:9 ESV 18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Isaiah 32:18 TNIV 16 Why wasn't I buried like a stillborn child, like a baby who never lives to see the light? 17 For in death the wicked cause no trouble, and the weary are at rest. Job 3:16-17 NLT 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them." Revelation 14:13 NIV 20 That is where Jesus has gone. He went there to open the way ahead of us. He has become a high priest forever, just like Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:20 NIrV 28 Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30 NLT 15 GOD, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: "Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me-- The very thing you've been unwilling to do. Isaiah 30:15 MSG A psalm by David. 1 The LORD is my shepherd. I am never in need. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside peaceful waters. Psalms 23:1-2 GW	Naomi was the mother. Two sons she had brought forth. She was from a village a little to the North, Of Bethlehem in Judah. Her husband moved their home, Into the land of Moab. But now she was alone. Her husband and her sons had died. So now all she had left - The wives her sons had married! Now all three were bereft. Naomi then decided to go to the “House of Bread” To Bethlehem in Judah. If not, she’d soon be dead. Ruth went with her “mother”, Orpah stayed behind. They both needed a husband and thought that they might find, Someone who would marry them. So Orpah made her choice, To stay behind in Moab. Perhaps she would rejoice? If she could find a husband, where she was quite well known. But Ruth went with Naomi; she’d not leave her alone. The Ruth and Boaz story. He took her as his wife. Ruth then had a husband who’d take care of her for life. The story is a classic, of true love and romance. And how the God of Israel gives folk a “second chance”. She became a mother and so found peace and rest. King David was her great grandson. So she was truly blessed. Now resting isn’t idleness. She had a lot to do. To be a wife and mother and “rest” is never true. Her rest was from her searching to be taken as a bride. Now her quest was over, she put that search aside. We’re told that our God rested, upon the seventh day. But He was never tired. Not in the smallest way. He rested from creating. All He had planned to do, Was finally completed. He’d done it “right on queue’! And what about the Christian. He doesn’t lie in bed! He always does precisely, that which the Lord has said. And one day in his working week, he seeks to put aside, To being with his children, his family and bride. We call it “recreation”. And this word says it all. A time of his refreshing from duty’s busy call. Of being with his Maker. The Shepherd of his soul. To walking in green pastures and where still waters roll. Of getting inspiration right from its proper source, And how is it we do this? In Jesus Christ of course! Jim Strickland  Written 23 June 2012

TRUE LOVE

Time with Jesus - Friday, 22 June 2012

Hi all,

We are living at a time when “love” means whatever you want it to mean. Most of these meanings have nothing at all to do with what God intended it to mean. ¹⁶ "For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT Real love gives itself away!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Friday, 22 June 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	TRUE LOVE
Love. Most people think that love is just another four letter word! What it really means is just about the opposite of what it really is. “I love, my granny”. “I love ice cream”. “I love lying in bed in the mornings”. “I love dancing”. “I love my wife”. “I love ‘sexy dames’”. The only thing these statements have in common is the word “love”. What is meant in each case is different. Very different! The main difficulty here is the limitations of the English language. Four different Greek words are all translated “love” in most of our Bibles. The KJV uses the word “charity” in a number of instances. The following two translations from 1st Corinthians show this very well 1 Corinthians 13:13 - KJV 1 Corinthians 13:13 - God’s Word And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. The word “charity” and “love” are the same words in Greek (I’m told) I found this confusing. We have the expressions, “as cold as charity” and “charity begins at home” along with “donations to charity”. I’ve been tempted to change my name to Mr Charity and collect other people’s money on this basis. But I managed to resist the temptation. Back in the 1980’s one of the very popular Gospel singers was Don Francisco. As well as being an accomplished composer, he was also a talented guitarist. He had a remarkable repertoire one of which was called, “Love is not a feeling, it’s an act of the will”. We Christians need to have that statement “etched” into our minds. A little earlier, in the 1960’s Julie Andrews sang a song in “My Fair Lady” called “Show Me!” Both songs make the point that merely saying, “I love you!” is inadequate. As the earlier statements in today’s introduction illustrated, love is not something we talk about, it’s something we do. Love demands action. In the past, men have crossed oceans to get near the woman they loved. As a teenager, I walked miles to be with my girlfriend. In Christianity, we have the most outstanding example of love that could possibly be expressed. Jesus Christ came to this world and gave His life for His friends. More than that, He gave His life for His enemies. He was not compelled to do so. He chose to do it. Part of the Gethsemane account shows us that He didn’t want to do it. He could have stood up and walked away. He didn‘t. He went to the cross for you and me. Could I do that? Could you? But His example is the one we must follow. As a husband, I am expected to lay down my life for my wife. Actually, it’s not a suggestion; it’s one of His commands. We are told “greater love has no man than this. To lay down his life for his friend. Will I? Will you? Jim and Phyllida Strickland			36 The Jews said, "Look how deeply he loved him." John 11:36 MSG 14 Either way, Christ's love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NLT 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13 NLT 25 Therefore He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. Hebrews 7:25 NLT 2 My Father's house has many rooms. If that were not true, would I have told you that I'm going to prepare a place for you? 3 If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again. Then I will bring you into my presence so that you will be where I am. John 14:2-3 GW 24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am. I want them to see my glory, the glory you have given me. You gave it to me because you loved me before the world was created. John 17:24 NIrV 1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to His Father. He had loved His disciples during His ministry on earth, and now He loved them to the very end. John 13:1 NLT 19 We love each other because He loved us first. 1 John 4:19 NLT 10 If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done--kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love. John 15:10 MSG	“I think you do not love me” the lovely maiden cried. If you did I’m sure you’d put that stupid game aside. It’s “Rugby, rugby, rugby, that’s all I ever hear. Have you no sweet nothings to whisper in my ear? I’m thinking of our future. You talk about “The Bulls” You say you want to marry me and yet your mind is full, Of things which do not matter! You talk of Ellis Park. The Lions and the Cheaters or the next match with the Sharks. If you really loved me, you’d put all that aside. I’m a rugby widow before I am a bride!” Have you heard this story? I’m sure it isn’t new. For many wives and husbands, I’m sad to say it’s true. We have our expectations, of how love ought to be. It’s mostly an impression of some childish fantasy. Love became an exercise in how much we could get. Of wedding bells and honeymoons and going into debt! It’s living with a partner who refuses to commit, In case there’s an occasion to say, “Good bye, I quit!” It’s physical relationships; it’s free love and the pill. It’s anything erotic which gives some kind of thrill. It’s watching television where strangers fornicate. “Your feelings do not matter as long as I feel great!” We see this all around us and none of it is true. We need to know the meaning when we say “I love you”! You get a rapid overview by standing on your head. True love keeps on giving ‘til the moment you are dead! It focuses upon the need of those you plan to love; And does the same as Jesus did when He came from above. He loved all His disciples and did so till the end; He died upon a wooden cross so you and I may spend, Eternity in fellowship with all the Trinity. He did it to express His love for sinners just like me. He didn’t have to do it. He could have walked away. It was the love of Jesus that functioned on that day. He gave His life for people. His love was manifest, So that the folk who hated Him could have the very best! So when I say “I love you” I really want to say; I’ll freely give my life for you as Jesus did that day. Jim Strickland  Written 22nd June 2012