SOMEONE TO DIE FOR?

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 07 July 2012

Hi all,

Have you ever considered what it must be like to die for someone? Jesus statement in John adds perspective to this; Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 KJV I recall a story about a young man talking about their future together. “I’ll give my life and die for you” he told her passionately. I think it would be far better if you live for me was her brilliant answer. Dying for someone else is our meditation.
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 07 July 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	SOMEONE TO DIE FOR?
Would anyone freely give his life for someone else? Charles Dickens in his fictional “A Tale of Two Cities” describes the circumstances in which this took place. The book was more than a fictional story. In it, Dickens was commenting on the social life and conditions in England and France at the time, ± of the French Revolution. Many Dickens novels were commentaries of this nature. It has been said that his books did more for the “liberation” of the British people than any other individual in England. His main “rival” for this title was perhaps the Prime Minister, Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury KG; A follower of and devoted to Jesus Christ Toward the end of Dickens’ book we find the story of Sydney Carton changing places with Charles Darnay. Carton goes to the guillotine and is executed in Darnay’s place. It’s a typical Dickensian tale full of pathos and insight. This book captured the imagination of the British public and has become a classic of English literature. “A Tale of Two Cities” was made into a memorable movie in 1935. It was in black and white which somehow adds to the tension of the plot. The closing scene; Carton and a pretty young woman going to the guillotine, is something I’ll never forget. Carton changing places with Darnay has always fascinated me. He died for someone else. Of course, he knew Darnay, which made the story somewhat more plausible. But the fact is, he died for someone else. I must confess that I don’t think I have it in me to do that. I suppose that under the right circumstances I may be willing to do it for my wife or a close family member. To die for an enemy makes no sense to me at all. Would I give my life for Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, or Ivan the Terrible? The very idea is preposterous. My twisted sense of justice and self-preservation suggests that it would be more fitting if they died for me! That’s not what Jesus did. Imagine a world populated with wicked and evil men and women who would make Attila the Hun look like Father Christmas. You don’t know anyone like that? But you do! You see him or her every time you look into a mirror. You and I are “monsters of Iniquity” compared with a righteous and Holy God. As Paris Reidhead said on one occasion, “We deserve Hell. It would be just and right for us to be sentenced to be in Hell for a dozen eternities and then a bit more.” And that is how we looked to a Holy, righteous God. But in spite of all the filth and cursing we could spew upon Him, He came and died for us. The very thought makes me feel ashamed and weak. “I don’t deserve that” I said. “You’re right, but I love you”, He replied! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			28 "Be like the Son of Man. He did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others. He came to give his life as the price for setting many people free." Mat 20:28 NIrV 13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people's bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Hebrews 9:13-14 NLT 7 He was abused and punished, but he didn't open his mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. He was like a sheep that is silent when its wool is cut off. He didn't open his mouth. Isa 53:7 GW 15 just as My Father knows Me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to My voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. 17 "The Father loves Me because I sacrifice My life so I may take it back again. 18 No one can take My life from Me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what My Father has commanded." John 10:15-18 NLT 11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life. Lev 17:11 TNIV 22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 NLT 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! Rom 5:8-9 TNIV	To think that He decided to come to earth and die! Is almost unbelievable; I dare not ask Him “Why!” He’ll say He came to save me and all the human race. And then I’ll have to look away; not look Him in the face! He came here as a servant. He came to look for me! Which seems to make no sense at all; I’m sure it cannot be! If I had been a righteous man, then I could comprehend. But I was undeserving; a gross and sinful blend, Of everything conceivable in wicked fallen man; And He knew all about it; He said it was His plan! He came to save His enemies. It makes my legs go weak. That such a thing was possible! The thought still makes me freak. I still don’t understand it. It is as clear as mud. That Jesus Christ would come to Earth and shed His precious blood, For those who were His enemies! It makes me feel ashamed. I wouldn’t think of doing it for those whom I have blamed, For everything that’s happened. I wouldn’t care a fig. If they were not my family I’d treat them as a pig. O Master please forgive me. I know I’m in a jam. I’m just a human being and You are the “I AM”. I do not have the blood of Christ, coursing through my veins. My birth was in iniquity, awash with Adam’s stains. I need a blood transfusion; I never can be clean. Not when I consider the things I’ve done and been. It’s utterly impossible for me to pass Your test. I’ll never join the happy band, of those whom You have blessed. The only way to do it, is for me first to die. To take away the tainted blood on which I so rely. Pass it through the cleansing fount which You alone control. And then restore it back to me. That’s sure to make me whole! Your life blood in my body, can do what I can’t do. Live a life that’s totally dependent upon you. I’m sure when this has happened, I will not feel ashamed. Instead, a sense of thankfulness that sin has been contained! That is my reaction to that which You have done, In having me adopted to be a precious son. O Lord you are exalted, above the stars on high! You gave Your life so sinners could live and never die. Jim Strickland Written 7th July 2012

LOVING GOD & OTHERS

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Friday, 06 July 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	LOVING GOD & OTHERS

About 30 years ago Phyllida and I went to a meeting in Nicky van der Westhuizen’s tent in the Krugersdorp area. We went to see a visitor from South America. His name was Juan Carlos Ortiz. Some of you may remember him. He had written a couple of books on discipleship. Books we had found particularly challenging. So we went along to the tent to hear what this physically small man had to say.

Juan Carlos spoke reasonable English so there was no need for an interpreter. He started talking about love and told us a remarkable story. He was the pastor of a fairly large church. Every week he had to preach to the people much the same as is done in South Africa, On this particular Sunday morning before the service, he had a talk with the Lord. “What are you speaking about today?” the Lord asked him. “Love” replied Juan Carlos. “Will they do it?” asked the Lord. “No!” replied Juan Carlos. “So why are you speaking about love if they don’t love each other?” stated the Lord. “I don’t know!” said Juan Carlos. “Don‘t you think you should do so before you continue with something else?” “Tell them to love one another!” the Lord added for”. That was the end of the conversation. But Juan Carlos didn’t know what to do.

Juan Carlos did what he could to prolong the preliminaries leading up to the “sermon”. When the time came, he went up into the pulpit. He then looked at the people and said, “The Lord says to tell you to love one another”, he said rather nervously. Then he sat down. The silence was deafening. After a couple of embarrassing minutes, he got to his feet and said, “The Lord says to tell you to love one another. Then he sat down again. After a few moments, one of the elders stood up and asked, “Aren’t we doing it?” “It seems not!” said another. This started a time of discussion in the church. They had to go back to basics and develop a system such that they didn’t move on to the next step until the Lord said they were ready. It took about six months. Then they could move on.

Even today Phyllida and I get excited about people being involved in the weekly meetings. For most people this becomes threatening. They are not used to participation in the services. All they have ever known is the lecture mode we see all around us. We don’t know how the Lord is going to do this.

Today’s meditation goes back to 1984. We had started to look for a new and better system. Two of the poems came out of that era. The final one, “Neighbours”, goes back to 1981. At that time a number of friends were instructed by their pastor to have nothing further to do with us. The issue was divorce. At that time the attitude toward many couples who had been divorced was, “God will forgive you but we won’t!” We were sad to lose the friendship of this couple. That’s when I wrote that poem. The sentiments are still the same. We subsequently overcame the problem and the four of us became friends again. Thank You Lord.

Thank God those days are over. We have all learned much from what happened; things we have been able to use when coming into contact with people who have been through the pain of divorce. Love is the only solution to such problems. Love that is genuine and willing to reach out to others.

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

³ For I am always aware of Your unfailing love, and I have lived according to Your truth. - Psalm 26:3 NLT

⁸ The LORD is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and rich in love. - Psalm 145:8 TNIV

⁴⁴ But I say, love your enemies! [Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you.] Pray for those who persecute you! ⁴⁵ In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. Mat 5:44-45 NLT

¹ You are the children that God dearly loves. So be just like him. ² Lead a life of love, just as Christ did. He loved us. He gave himself up for us. He was a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 NIrV

³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 TNIV

²² Now that you have obeyed the truth and have purified your souls to love your brothers sincerely, you must love one another intensely and with a pure heart. 1 Peter 1:22 ISV

¹⁴ Christ's love controls us. We are sure that one person died for everyone. And so everyone died.

2 Corinth 5:14 NIrV ³⁵ "But love your enemies. Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will receive a lot in return. And you will be sons of the Most High God. He is kind to people who are evil and are not thankful. ³⁶ So have mercy, just as your Father has mercy.

Luke 6:35-36 NIrV

JESU'S LOVE

On into eternity;

Beyond all of infinity

Is where the love of Jesus goes.

As precious as a fragrant rose

Which blooms and spreads its scent abroad;

That's how the Love of God is poured

Upon a person who is seen

As someone who's a king or queen!

It never ceases; never ends;

It never wavers; never bends;

t is as solid as the ground

On which the universe is found.

It is the cure for loneliness

And is the way the Lord can bless

A person throughout all his years;

The way to calm his deepest fears.

And, ultimately, you will see

That, though He is Divinity,

His care for you brings nothing less

Than everlasting blessedness!

Love One Another

How do we love each other?

How can I lay my life

Aside for every brother,

Sister child and wife?

Am I a good example

Of Christian love and care?

A little tiny sample

Of how we all should share?

We are so self-sufficient;

We don't identify.

But Lord, You are omniscient;

So, open every eye

And show us what is needed

To break our frozen masks.

For Lord, we all have pleaded

To find that simple task

By which, all of the emptiness

Our faces do conceal,

Can be replaced with blessedness

That's genuinely real.

Lord, help us smash the barriers

That keeps each other out.

May we all be carriers

Of what Your love's about.

Cut out our tongues and silence us

If loving is just words;

If all we do is make a fuss,

Ignoring what we've heard.

So, help us love, we beg You,

In practice and in fact.

For then, like You, the things we do

Will not be just an act.

Then, everyone who knows us

Will praise The Lord above

And say they know God chose us

For, "See how much they love!"

Neighbours?

Although we live along the street

It seems as though we never meet.

Which really is an awful shame;

Perhaps we're equally to blame!

For it must surely grieve God's heart

When Christian people have to part.

For I am sure He longs to see

The FACT of Christian unity!

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

GENUINE OR NOT?

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 05 July 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation looks at the topic of whether something or someone is genuine. The English expression is, “Is it the real McCoy?” We need to ask ourselves how we can tell. Is it genuine Christianity or is this a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 05 July 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	GENUINE OR NOT?
In English we have a delightful expression, “It’s the Real McCoy”. The picture on the right is thought to be the origin of the expression. McCoy is derived from Mackay, referring to Messrs’ Mackay, Edinburgh, who made a brand of fine whisky from 1856 onwards and which they promoted as 'the real MacKay' from 1870 The question must be asked, is, why a brand of whiskey is referred to in a daily devotional. Apart from the fact that it’s an attention grabber, there is an excellent reason for this. As Christians, we need to be looking for the genuine article and not be fobbed off with a substitute. Over the past 50 years, I’ve come across many men and women who say they are Christian but are no more Christian than a gold fish. To some extent, this is because we tend to trust those who say they are Christians. I don’t know why we are so naïve? In some ways it’s a good way to be. History is littered with charlatans and flakes. Christians are “fair game” for the enemy. In addition, one of the easiest ways to get money is to start a religion. So we need to be able to identify the real McCoy. A major difficulty we have with this is, because we are reluctant to being thought of as judgemental. In Luke’s Gospel Jesus warns us: 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Luke 6:37 KJVR. But the same Jesus tells un in Matthew’s Gospel: 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Mat 7:15-16 KJVR These comments are not contradictory. They make it clear that we are to be careful of those we listen to! Never just allow anyone to address you. Not until you have had a good opportunity to establish whether the person in question is a charlatan or a false prophet. You do not establish this immediately. It takes time to see what sort of fruit they produce. So don’t give them access to your platform or pulpit until this has happened. A full year is a good rule of thumb. Note that a fruit inspector is not a judge. He is exercising a defined rule established by our Lord. You are not judging the person. Never do that. You are examining what he or she is saying and doing. You are required to do this in order to protect the flock from wolves in sheep’s clothing. When this has been done always remember that you are not “judging” the person but his or her actions. You do not need to apologise for being reluctant to allow someone to minister to you or your flock. The Lord requires you to do so. Sadly this is not done often enough. Phyllida and I have seen many celebrities come and go in Christianity. Being who they are, they are invited to address the flock. Then, a couple of months later, we find that the speaker was a liar and a cheat. Jesus knew this would happen and warned us in advance about this danger. So, have a good look at the person’s label. Establish if he is the genuine thing. Make sure he is “the real McCoy”. Never settle for a substitute! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			16 Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! Rom 12:16 NLT 1 My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favour some people over others? Jas 2:1 NLT 5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom He promised to those who love Him? Jas 2:5 NLT 24 We should not look out for our own interests. Instead, we should look out for the interests of others. 1 Co 10:24 NIrV 8 If we have food and clothing, we will be happy with that. 9 People who want to get rich are tempted. They fall into a trap. They are tripped up by wanting many foolish and harmful things. Those who live like that are dragged down by what they do. They are destroyed and die. 1Ti 6:8-9 NIrV 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. He chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the things of this world that are common and looked down on. He chose what is not considered to be important to do away with what is considered to be important. 29 So no one can brag to God. 1 Co 1:27-29 NIrV A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David. 1 LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don't concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. 2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother's milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD--now and always. Psalm 131:1-3 NLT	They called him a delinquent for all the things he’d done. His father was a rich man; he was his only son. In and out of trouble throughout his days at school, But he was rather clever; in fact was no man’s fool. At rugby he was excellent. He played for the first team. To represent his country, had been a childhood dream. And then at last it happened. He heard his country’s call; And joined the other players in the players training hall. He played just like a champion. He even scored a try. And he was a celebrity, now reaching for the sky. His lifestyle was unaltered. He’d yell and scream and swear. No matter who was listening. It didn’t matter where. He got a reputation. They called him ‘Mac the Knife’. And that is what he wanted to see him through this life. And then he met the Saviour. As best as we can tell. The reason that he did it was keeping out of hell. But he was a celebrity and churches everywhere, Came to him and asked him if he would like to share. He wanted to impress the folk and picked up “Christian-ese”. He only told the people the things he thought would please. But he was still a reprobate. He did it all for show. For he was still unaltered and people didn’t know. He tramped around the circuit. The people were all tricked. For he was very plausible and he had even picked, The proper words to tell them; and no one seemed to know. It was all on the surface. He did it all for show. And then one day it happened. He made a big mistake. The people quickly realised that he was just a flake. He’d tell the people anything if they would give him cash. And many folk looked at him and saw his life go crash! How often has this happened? A hundred times or more? We’re taken in by someone who doesn’t live Christ’s law. They know the proper standard, but that is far too hard. Their words sound very pretty; but in their own back-yard, The truth of what they really are, comes up and overflows. But it’s their “reputation” that only Jesus knows. What should we all be doing and how should we react? Don’t invite a stranger, until we know for fact, That what he says is genuine. Wait about a year, Before you ask celebrities if they’d like to appear. Do not share the platform with anyone until, You know about their lifestyle; the person may just kill, What you have been teaching. Don’t ever take the chance, That just because they’re famous, the tune to which they dance, Is absolutely Christian. If Jesus is their Lord, They won’t object to waiting till their lives have been explored. Jim Strickland  Written 5th July 2012