Time with Jesus - Saturday, 08
September 2012
Hi all,
Today’s meditation is in a lighter vein. But underneath
the ‘humour’ there is a message we all need to take to heart. I’m dealing with
the way you and I should react to praise and criticism. In a nutshell; – do
nothing. Be impervious to the comments of others. Check things out first with
Jesus. After He says OK, that’s it. You may be loved or hated or both. So what?
He is the only One from Whom you need approval.
Blessings
Jim
& Phyllida Strickland
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Saturday, 08 September 2012
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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©
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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
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©
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY
LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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PARABLE OF THE DOG
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How
do you eat an elephant? It can be done. But not in one sitting. Then, eat a
little piece at a time. Eventually, the whole thing will be gone. Of course
you could also invite your friends, family and neighbours. You’ll get through
it much quicker that way. You may even be able to finish it before the meat
goes “off”. During the meal, no doubt you’ll get all sorts of comments. Some
will love what you have done and tell the world what a wonderful elephant
chef you are. Your fame may spread and you may even get a knighthood or something
similar from your President. People from all five continents may fight to get
tickets for your next elephant braai. Public recognition; your name and face
on postage stamps; a slot on TV dubbed into 17 languages at the last count.
Fame and fortune because of your elephantine heating and eating skills.
Others
may hate what you have done. “Do you know he bastes
it with beer?” “Keep away from the tail. It’s noxious.” “The trunk is tremendous
but it leaves a terrible aftertaste.” “He only buys his elephants from
poachers”. “Too much elephant will seriously affect your cholesterol”!
People
are like that with everything. The apex; the zenith will be achieved if you
are a Christian. You will either be loved or hated. Some will call you a
prophet. Others will say you’re a profiteer. Get used to it now. It will
happen. Some will love you. Others will accuse you of being Satan’s brother.
The bottom line is whether you’re a criminal or a Christian. If you’re a
criminal, now is the time to repent and come to Jesus. If you’re a Christian,
what will you do with your supporters and your detractors? You will certainly
get both. So what do you do when you are in a meeting and someone stands up
and sings your praises? He/she may say you’re the greatest thing since sliced
bread. He/she may be the leader of your supporters club. Perhaps you’ll be
greeted as the next Pope! They may even refer to some miracle that took place
in one of your meetings. What do you say or do about this? Take a leaf out of
Jesus’ book. Say and do nothing. Remain impervious to all comments. Be like a
dead dog. Be unmoved by praises. This is tough. There is something in the
human psyche that “thrives” on compliments. We love them. Some well-known
actors and actresses have DVD’s of all their films. They play them over and
over again and bask in what they have done. My recommendation is to say and
do nothing. Leave that to the Lord. No explanations and no recriminations!
What
about the times you’re criticised and hurt; what about when people told lies
about you and accused you of monstrous evil deeds. Perhaps they hate you with
passionate fury for no reason whatever. David foresaw this and mentioned it
in Psalm 35. 19 Don't let those who
are my enemies without any reason laugh at me and make fun of me. Don't let those who hate me without any reason wink at me with an evil purpose. Psalms 35:19 NIrV Jesus was hated without
reason. You will be hated without reason. Jesus handled this by saying
nothing! Mind you, I suspect that from the time of His being taken prisoner
to the time of His death on the cross, Jesus prayed more or less continuously,
“Father, forgive them for them know not what they do”. So if you want to say
anything aloud or quietly, do what He did. Pray! Otherwise, say nothing. Pretend you’re a
dead dog. Learn from them and do what they do. Nothing!
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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23 But
here is the order of events. Christ is the first
of those who rise from the dead. When he comes back, those who belong
to him will be raised.
1 Corinthians 15:23 NIrV
24 I
can guarantee this truth: A single grain of wheat
doesn't produce anything unless it is planted in the ground and dies. If it
dies, it will produce a lot of grain.
John 12:24 GW
16 If the dough offered as first-fruits is holy, so is the
whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Romans 11:16 ESV
20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He
is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.
1 Corinthians 15:20 NLT
5 If we've become united with him in a death like his,
certainly we will also be united with him when we come back to life as he did.
Romans 6:5 GW
20 But
we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus
Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Saviour.
21 He will take our weak mortal bodies
and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with
which He will bring everything under His control.
Philippians 3:20-21 NLT
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
preeminent.
Colossians 1:18 ESV
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead
dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life
to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8:11 ESV
25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection
and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
John 11:25 ESV
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I have a little parable to share with all my friends.
I hope you’ll find it useful. I guess that it depends,
On whether you like stories that are not always true;
By nonetheless give insight to me as well as you.
Before I even start it, I really have to say,
No animal was ever harmed by what I now portray.
It’s all imagination. A figment of my mind.
I won’t hurt an animal; to them I’m always kind.
Tommy and his father went walking one fine day.
Both of them were Christians and walked the Jesus way.
“What about Men’s praises” asked Tommy
of his dad?
“Never let them come to you in any way my lad!”
Is what his father told him. “They’re
often only words.
Do not give them credence. That stuff is for the
birds”.
And what about my critics? What do I do with
them?”
“Do not even listen. They’re seeking to condemn.”
Then tell me, “What’s the attitude that other
folk should see?”
Asked Tommy of his father. “Please listen
close to me.
Suppose you have a favourite dog. How do you call
him home?
You whistle or you call his name and he will
cease to roam.
What happens if the dog is dead? You whistle and
you shout.
But if the dog is really dead an answer is in
doubt!
Next you find the carcass. You say to it, ‘nice
dog,
Let us play together with yonder piece of log’,
Will the doggie answer? It will not twitch a
hair.
The reason is, that down inside, the doggy isn’t
there,
Suppose you sing its praises. What will the doggy
do?
It won’t take any notice because it can’t hear
you.
Suppose you get so violent you kick it on the
head.
What is going to happen? Well? Nothing if it’s
dead.
Suppose you start to shout at it and curse it
high and low.
Do you think the animal will then get up and go?
What if you sing praises from morning until
night?
Even then it won’t get up. It will not snarl or
bite.
That is how a Christian should forevermore react.
Political correctness is not the way to act.
Keep on smiling at them, then shake or bow the
head.
Compliments or curses; to all of them you’re
dead.
Point them all to Jesus! That is the finest way.
It really doesn’t matter what people think or say.
Never be discourteous, but do not ever budge.
Leave it all to Jesus and let Him be the judge.
Ask for His opinion and let Him put you straight.
My son, if you do all of this, you’ll find that
life is great.”
Jim Strickland –
Written 8th September 2012
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