DEATH SENTENCE

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 12 August 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is about heroes; heroes of all types. The greatest superhero this world has ever seen is Jesus Christ. Furthermore, He is real. Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Spiderman and Hulk etc. are figments of imagination. But Jesus outshines them all and He is the only one!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 12 August 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	DEATH SENTENCE
Heroes and super-heroes. We live in a world which admires heroics and shuns cowards. It’s not really surprising in a world that has gone through two world wars in the past 100 years. If we try and add to these the other “international conflicts” we notice that our world thrives on conflicts and death. Anglo-Boer, Korea, Viet Nam, Arab-Israeli, Kosovo and the rest we begin to ask if there has ever been a time when war has not been in vogue. It’s strange that we shout and sing about peace. But the one thing this world does not experience is peace. The world established the League of Nations and later the United Nations with the intention of attaining peace. But peace is still a pipe-dream. Satan thrives on man’s inhumanity to man, greed and torture. So while he runs the world, the only place we will find peace is in the hearts of believers and in the dictionary. As a youngster, my hero was Superman. Clark Kent, Lois Lane and Gotham City were more familiar to me than most world leaders. Mom even made me a Superman outfit for the local fancy dress contest. I didn’t win. There were probably other boys wearing the same outfit. Then we had the Saturday morning “bioscope”. The youngsters from all over Port Elizabeth would meet at the “Grand” to swap comics and watch the latest edition of our hero. Mostly it was Tarzan, Batman and Robin, Superman and the inevitable Western. Who remembers “High Noon” starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly? It came out in 1952. I’m not sure how many times I sat through it. Later it became standard viewing at least once per year on British TV during the Christmas season. For many years I wondered why we had such a fascination for superheroes. After Becoming a Christian in 1960, the “penny dropped”! Everyone is looking for a superhero. But there is one! His name is Jesus Christ. As God, He is the superhero of all superheroes! Suddenly the deeds of many of the Biblical heroes began to make sense. Every one of them in their day stood against evil and oppression of some sort. In today’s Scriptures, four are mentioned by name. Ehud, Shamgar, Gideon and Zerubbabel. What the first three did is recorded for us in the book of Judges. No doubt most are familiar with the deeds of Gideon and Samson. These are firmly etched into our memory. But what about the deeds of the other Judges? How many can you remember? I have to refresh my memory by going back to the Bible! To find the name Zerubbabel among the list of superheroes is a bit unusual. What was so special about him? His name is one of the very few men in the list of Jesus’ ancestors after the Babylonian captivity. Two lines are quoted in Luke and Matthew. The one line lists Mary precedents. The other Joseph’s precedents. What is so important about this? It illustrates the difference between what is important to man and what is important to God. Zerubbabel is important to God. We think in terms of Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and other little men who litter the pages of history. Men who we think have achieved great things. To God, the most important people are those through whom Jesus descended. Thus Zerubbabel is the most important person to Him from the Babylonian captivity to the birth of Jesus! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			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. 1 Corinthians 1:27 NIrV 15 Again the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. Then he gave them a man to save them. His name was Ehud, the son of Gera. Ehud was left-handed. He was from the tribe of Benjamin. The people of Israel sent Ehud to Eglon, the king of Moab. They sent him to give the king what he required them to bring him. Judges 3:15 NIrV 31 After Ehud came Shamgar, son of Anath. He killed 600 Philistines with a sharp stick used for herding oxen. So he, too, rescued Israel. Judges 3:31 GW 14 Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!" 15 "But Lord," Gideon replied, "how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!" Judges 6:14-15 NLT 2 The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to Me that they saved themselves by their own strength. Judges 7:2 NLT 6 Then he said to me, "This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. Zechariah 4:6 NLT 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Ephesians 6:10 ESV	Ehud; Shamgar; Gideon; were Judges in their day. Ehud was left handed and killed Eglon in this way. Shamgar killed the Philistines, six hundred with a stick, That’s used for herding oxen. It wasn’t just a trick, Gideon was hiding in a winepress threshing wheat; There wasn’t any other way his family could eat. But they were all assisted, when God was on their side. The enemy discovered that it was their time to hide. Throughout the book of Judges, the story’s much the same. God came to deliver when people called His Name. The problem was their lifestyle. They’d slip and would backslide. The enemy would then return.  They couldn’t be denied! Right through the Old Testament the story changes not. And when they’d been delivered, they very soon forgot, That God came to their rescue. Just like a round-about, The story was repeated. The cure was, “Be Devout”! The kings they chose to rule them were very much the same. Some of them were very good. The bad ones got the blame. The problem was idolatry; they broke the Lord’s commands; So they were invaded and went to foreign lands. The Father brought them back again, so that they could restore, A sample of the glory they’d known so long before. Kings were not permitted. A governor would do. They built the temple once again, the walls rebuilt as new. Zerubbabel was leader; he would have been their king. But they were not permitted to have that very thing. They’d learned a great big lesson while in captivity. Don’t pursue the things that will annoy our Deity! Idols were forbidden, and images were out. The priests had all concluded, it was far beyond a doubt, That it had been idolatry that had led them all astray. They vowed it wouldn’t happen to them again that way. Instead they started worshipping God’s pure and Holy Law. They added several fences in ways not done before. These became traditions, which they would never break. Then Jesus came and told them that they should all forsake, These little bitty extras than none of them could do; Unless they had the money to help them see it through! Of course, they were offended. “Get rid of Him they cried!” And this became the reason why God was crucified! How sad to be a people who worshipped God Most High And through their misplaced zealousness, to sentence Him to die! Jim Strickland Written 12th August 2012

LIGHT BE!

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 11 August 2012

Hi all,

When the word, “creation” is spoken, what do you think of? Your own opinion is probably be as good as mine or any of dozens out there by various “experts”. It may be influenced of any one of a dozen or more theological views. Now you have another! Whether or not you like it is up to you.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 11 August 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	LIGHT BE!
This morning’s meditation is a bit like biting the tail of a full grown tiger. It comes in response to the question asked in the first Scripture, 19 "Do you know where Light comes from and where Darkness lives? Job 38:19 MSG My comments are a bit unusual. They stem from the fact that God created “light” before He created a “source” of “light”. Under such circumstances, what happened when Jesus Christ gave the command, “Light Be”? My suggestion is that He created the entire time/space continuum with that one command. We must first recognise that most of the descriptions in the Bible concerning what God is and what He says, must be somehow filtered through human minds and understanding. In other words, what is meant by what He says? In view of this, what is to be understood by the expression, “Let there be light”? More simply, ‘”Light Be”! My suggestion is that “light” was the one “component” required to set the entire creative sequence “in motion”. Bear in mind that light, as we know it, does not exist unless time and space exist. But where in the Word of God does time and space begin? God can’t dwell in time and space. Not if He created them. In other words, time and space are “in Him”! This makes sense when one realises that He is the One who is able to “re-create” So when He makes all things new, this could include a completely different time/space continuum. Let’s never attempt to “limit” His ability. John tells us that God is light and that in Him there is no darkness at all! Jesus says while He is in the world, He is the light of the world! He also tells us that we are the light of the world and that we are to let this light shine before men. What does this mean? The most likely possibility is that light indicates sinless perfection. Certainly there is no sin in God or His Son Jesus. Furthermore, we live in a world of sin and darkness. We are told to live a life that is “proper” for God’s Holy Children! Writing to the Ephesians Paul states, 1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Ephesians 5:1-3 NIV It occurs to me that the words “love” and “light” are used interchangeably. When I love, I am living in the light. When I stop loving, the darkness of sin comes in and dims His light within me. The way to look at this is to think of the emptiness in our hearts and lives. At the point of salvation He step forward and says, “Light Be”! His life is then infused within a dead spirit man. Until then we are not alive to God! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			19 "Do you know where Light comes from and where Darkness lives Job 38:19 MSG   5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. 1 John 1:5 NLT   5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:5 NIrV   6 Suppose we say that we share life with God but still walk in the darkness. Then we are lying. We are not living by the truth. 7 But suppose we walk in the light, just as he is in the light. Then we share life with one another. And the blood of Jesus, his Son, makes us pure from all sin. 1 John 1:6-7 NIrV   12 always thanking The Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light. 13 For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom [with His blood] and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:12-14 NLT 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 ESV 14 "You are light for the world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house. 16 In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 GW	When God began creation, there was nothing here at all, No land, no sea, no atmosphere, No pieces large nor small; No universe, no matter, not even a black hole. Not even microscopic. No life, no minds no souls. It’s very hard to visualize outside our paradigm; For still to be created was the “thing” that we call time. No minutes and no seconds; no trillions of years. Not even micro-seconds existed it appears. All there was, was spirit. The never ending “Now” Eternity was normal. Just please don’t ask me how! Before He even started, God had to think things through. But how God does His thinking is unknown to me and you! He must have had a purpose. It wasn’t just for fun! He delegated all of it to Jesus Christ, His Son. There are so many theories. The one I like the best; Suggests that God the Father, by Jesus was so blessed, He thought it would be wonderful if there were more than three. He’d have some extra children and a bigger family! I’m sorry I can’t prove it. It’s just my speculation. But think it’s the best reason why He started the creation. But how to get it going? What “rules” must be in place? From where it would be started, to the edge of outer space? It all would be connected, yet all of it be free! So he could offer choices, to all humanity, There could be no compulsion. Love couldn’t be imposed. But every disobedience would have to be opposed. God didn’t need computers, for He could calculate, The optimum scenario they wanted to create. The thinking of the Father, the speaking of the Son; The power of the Spirit was how they’d get it done. They checked the mathematics, although there was no need. All was calculated and so they could proceed. No one could forbid them, because they are Divine! The principle they started with was found by Einstein. “E” is equal “M” “C” squared is what they put in place,      (E=MC2) To trigger the creation of all of time and space! The Energy was easy, since Theirs is infinite. Mass could be created, the instant they made light. But how fast should it travel in this new continuum? Three hundred thousand kilo’s in a second said the sum. Then, right into this “nothingness”, The Son declared, “Light be!” That’s was all They needed! The rest is history. All we see around us was created when this “light” Came into existence! It proved God got it right! Jim Strickland Written 11th August 2012

JIMMETS - SAFETY AND COMPARE

Time with Jesus - Friday, 10 August 2012

Hi all,

Two “Jimmets” today: The inspiration for the first one comes from the First Scripture. In turn, this gave rise to the second one. About our incomparable God!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Friday, 10 August 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	JIMMETS - SAFETY AND COMPARE
Memories from childhood seem to come and go. Surely this is a “carry-over” from before Adam fell? Some of the things which happened to me years ago are as vivid as the events of yesterday. Two things spring to mind during this Olympic year and Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth. In 1952, the Games were held in Helsinki and I vaguely remember crowding round a radio listening to what was happening. During the previous year I remember crowding round the radio listening to the Vic Toweel boxing with Jimmy Carruthers for the world bantamweight title. (Carruthers won easily!) For most “Brits” 1952 was memorable because that was the year Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne. Even in South Africa, this was considered a major event. The following year, the schoolchildren in Port Elizabeth were asked to go to St Georges Park stadium to celebrate the coronation. We walked from our school to the stadium. These events will soon be outside living memory. But what did they mean to a schoolboy back then? On reflection it seems to me that they were just flashes from the passing parade. They were important to the men and women of those days, but now are little more than footnotes in history. These comments may be unfair. I admit they have been “tinged” with my passion for Jesus Christ and His Word. The crowning of the Queen is almost nothing compared with crowning of Jesus Christ. She wore a crown of exquisite beauty; priceless in financial terms. Jesus was crowned with a simple crown of thorns. Queen Elizabeth was crowned with the crown of the UK, her Dominions and Commonwealth. Jesus was crowned with the crown of creation. Queen Elizabeth will continue to grow old and will die. Her crown will then be passed to her successor. Jesus lives forever. No other man or woman will succeed Him. He is unique. He does not grow old. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Someday, Queen Elizabeth, from the comfort of her own bed, will utter her final words. The world will say, “The Queen is dead. Long live the King!” Like all her predecessors, she will be committed to the grave and crowned with the dirt of the earth. Jesus’ final speech, from the cross on Calvary, was very simple. “It is finished!” Things are now completely different. Jesus Christ is crowned “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”. His crown is all of creation. He has no successor because He is eternal. It will never be possible to say of Him, “The King is dead - Long live the King”. Instead we can say, “Jesus Christ is alive forevermore”! Jim and Phyllida Strickland			25 If you are afraid of people, it will trap you. But if you trust in the LORD, he will keep you safe. Proverbs 29:25 NIrV 5 Though the LORD is very great and lives in heaven, He will make Jerusalem His home of justice and righteousness. Isaiah 33:5 NLT 4 For the LORD is high above the nations; His glory is higher than the heavens. 5 Who can be compared with the LORD our God, who is enthroned on high? 6 He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth. 7 He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. 8 He sets them among princes, even the princes of His own people! Psalms 113:4-8 NLT 4 But God loves us deeply. He is full of mercy. 5 So he gave us new life because of what Christ has done. He gave us life even when we were dead in sin. God's grace has saved you. 6 God raised us up with Christ. He has seated us with him in his heavenly kingdom because we belong to Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-6 NIrV 32 Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won't He also give us everything else? Romans 8:32 NLT 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 NLT	SAFE IN GOD Safety comes from trusting in the Lord. But you’re sure to fail if you trust man. Jesus Christ wields an almighty sword; With an overwhelming battle plan. Nothing can resist the word He says. Everything He states is a command. Going on and on for endless days, Irresistible in every land! Man does not have this ability. Everything he says, is merely bluff. Who can match Divine authority? Instantly all men will cry, “Enough!” But He is as gentle as a dove, With the ones who turn to Him in Love. Jim Strickland – Written 10th August 2012 WHO COMPARES WITH GOD? Who can be compared with God Most High? He looks down from heaven on this earth. No one can demand that He will die. Womankind can never give Him birth. How can we contract into a span, Him Whom we are sure is infinite? How can the Creator be made man? How can darkness ever clothe the light? Looking at this from man’s point of view, We all say, “Impossibility”! This is something none of us can do. It’s beyond mankind’s ability. That which is impossible to man Is “a piece of cake” in Jesus’ plan! Jim Strickland Written 10th August 2012