THE GREAT EXCHANGE

Time with Jesus - Monday, 10 September 2012

Hi all,

Mount up with wings as eagles. Have you ever watched an eagle in flight? There is a pair of eagles which have a nest in the rocky heights above the Jo’burg Botanical Gardens. I’ve watched them in flight briefly. They use the thermals to go higher and higher. Their wings seem motionless. But they rise higher and higher. Isaiah says that this describes those of God’s people who are willing to wait patiently for Him! This is our meditation.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 10 September 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	THE GREAT EXCHANGE
When I committed my life to Jesus Christ, I started to get excited about the things of the Lord. In 1961 I heard about an event in Derbyshire called the “Cliff Convention”. Cliff College was a school for evangelists, teachers and ministers in the Methodist Church. Since I was in the Methodist Church, I decided I’d like to attend. Their convention took place over the “Easter” long weekend. I was an apprentice at the time and couldn’t afford the conference fees. So I volunteered to be one of the workers for the duration of the conference. The college agreed. I managed to get away early and arrived there at about lunchtime on the Thursday. Like many of the other volunteers, I spent the rest of the day preparing for the conference. One task was scrubbing the floor of the dining hall. It wasn’t exactly what I would have liked to do, but since I was there for “free” it seemed reasonable. The next morning, the people arrived by the hundreds. At that time the “Cliff Convention” was one of the most popular events in the Methodist Church in UK. It had been in existence for over a hundred years. They would train the young men (men only back then) to go round the towns pulling a hand-cart and preaching wherever they could. A bit like what happened back in John Wesley’s days. I can’t recall how successful this was. But I do know that many young men had passed through Cliff college and had gone on to taking on a variety of ministries. I met one in 1995 who had been a student in the 1930’s At the turn of the nineteenth century, Cliff College’s Head’s was the renowned Samuel Chadwick. It’s said he had a “silver tongue”. He could preach or lead a prayer meeting in such a way men and women would sit for hours just listening to him. Three hours was not unusual! On my first visit to Cliff, I came across most of the students and could listen to what was happening. They mostly talked about the things of the Lord and the way God had spoken to them. I hadn’t come across this sort of thing before. I knew God had led men in the past but didn’t know an example in the 20th century. One young man whose name I’ve forgotten told me about his call from God to attend “Cliff College as a student. He told me that the Lord had spoken to him through the following verse. 31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 ESV In particular, “they shall mount up with wings like eagles”. He said that he had tried to establish what this meant for him but had been unsuccessful. In the end he wrote to “Cliff”, asked for an application form, completed it and sent it in. Then he waited to see what would happen. A few weeks later he received a letter from Cliff saying he had been accepted for the following year’s student intake. Then he was amazed with what he saw. There was a picture on the letter. It showed Cliff college high up on a hill. Suddenly he spotted the similarity between the word “Cliff” and a mountain. “Perhaps Cliff College is where the Lord wants me to mount up and study?” He said to himself. He continued to read the acceptance letter, At the bottom of the letter there was the signature of the Dean of students. His name? Professor Eagles! Suddenly he knew! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			31 But those who trust in the LORD will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak. Isaiah 40:31 NIrV 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV 5 "And now," GOD says, this God who took me in hand from the moment of birth to be his servant, To bring Jacob back home to him, to set a reunion for Israel-- What an honour for me in GOD's eyes! That God should be my strength! Isaiah 49:5 MSG 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 TNIV 5 Or let them take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me. Isaiah 27:5 MKJV 22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalms 55:22 NLT 24 But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel Genesis 49:24 TNIV, 26 Then the Man said, "Let Me go, for the dawn is breaking!" But Jacob said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me." Genesis 32:26 NLT 45 David answered, "You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel's troops, whom you curse and mock. 1 Samuel 17:45 MSG A psalm of David.1 O LORD, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. 2 Put on Your armour, and take up Your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid. Psalms 35:1-2 NLT	Have you never heard of it? Do you not understand? The Lord God everlasting, created our great land! He never does grow weary. He doesn’t need to rest. He spoke the word – It happened – All this was manifest. We cannot comprehend Him; His depth we cannot plumb. Everything which we can see. He is its total sum. He is the Great Exchanger who made all things from naught. He spoke into the nothingness and in His speaking brought, Everything to being. In this He specialises. He’s the Great Exchanger Who sees through all disguises. A man may look unbeatable, with muscles made of steel. But when it comes right down to it, his power isn’t real. If power doesn’t come from God; he’s like a little flea, And God will take the weakest man and give him victory. For God has all that’s needed. He has all kilojoules; And those who wish to take Him on don’t realise, “God rules!” That’s why a new-born infant, can beat the strongest man. When God exchanges power with him. The little infant can Destroy that mighty warrior. God cannot be denied. And He will do what He will do. He will not be defied! When we are at our weakest, that’s when He makes us strong. But if we trust in our right arm, we get the whole thing wrong! He gives strength to the powerless exactly when it’s needed. Just enough to win the fight. That will not be exceeded. Have a look around you at young men in a race. They quickly get exhausted and fall down on their face. They cannot keep on going, eventually they flop. But God will keep you going when all men have to stop! How can a man achieve this? How can he know for sure, That God will undertake for him so that he may endure? It only comes by trusting God, each and every day. Then we’ll know His awesome strength in each and every way. We think that we are eagles which soar on high with wings. Those of us who trust the Lord. will know what trusting brings. New strength He’ll surely give us. The power to carry on, When all the strength which we possess, has crumbled and has gone. That’s when He gives a second wind or even nine or ten! The weariness will vanish and we’ll have strength again. The distance will not matter. A thousand miles or more. We’ll walk and won’t be weary. What do we need that for? To glorify the Master and praise His Holy Name. To walk without our fainting! And give Him all the fame! Jim Strickland – Written 10th September 2012

VICTORY IN JESUS!

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 09 September 2012

Hi all,

Victory in Jesus! It’s a forgone conclusion. Having said that be aware that we all have a part to play. It won’t work if we surrender. Success may come ultimately, but we will not see it! In the meantime you and I are required to follow Him obediently. He will win without anyone’s assistance. But He wants us to be a part of it anyway. That’s victory!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 09 September 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	VICTORY IN JESUS!
The Battle of Britain during the WW2 is one of the most remembered events of those long and difficult days. A handful of British and Commonwealth pilots took on the mighty German Luftwaffe. Statistically, they should have lost. The hand of God must have been with them because they won the battle. They shouldn’t have won. It appeared to be impossible and Europe, in its entirety, should have been one huge Nazi “state”. I firmly believe that it was the goodness of God that prevented this from happening. For some reason Hitler decided to forget about Britain and attack Russia. It was at this time Winston Churchill made one of the greatest speeches he ever made. “Never in the field of human conflict have so many owed so much to so few”. As we know, in the end the Allies defeated the German war machine. It was a miracle. There have been a number of battles that have shaped human history. At present there is an on-going battle which has still to be settled. The final outcome is a foregone conclusion. In the battle between good and evil, the forces of God will defeat the forces of evil. The ultimate conclusion is inevitable. Jesus Christ and His people will defeat Satan and his forces. No other alternative is possible. Good will triumph over evil. The problem you and I have is being unaware when the final battle will take place. We have been given eternal life. Death is meaningless to a committed Christian. But that does not mean that the latest battle of this war has been fought and decided. Complete victory will only be achieved when Jesus returns. In the meantime, wars and battles continue to take place! 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 TNIV During the interim the wages are the same for all. You and I are sinners. Yes, Jesus has redeemed us. But until He comes back, death is guaranteed for everyone born on this planet. Malcolm Smith pointed out that each of us has worked for and will receive payment in full. Our death sentence was decreed the instance we first sinned. We’ve worked hard for our wages during our lifetime and we will get payment in full! Not exactly good news. But it’s a fact and there is nothing we can do to change it. Jesus came to this planet. He lived a perfect, sin-free life. So death for Him was not appropriate. If a man is perfect before God, death cannot hold him. Jesus did not work for the death sentence. Instead, He gave His life in exchange for us. In a way we will never understand, we swapped. He took all our sin and gave us His righteousness. Grossly unfair! No human court would approve. But God not only approved, He made it possible! Until He returns, we will continue to grow old and die. When He comes, Christians who are still alive will not die. He has already paid that penalty. So we will all be with Him. Those who have died will be resurrected. Paul expresses it as follows: 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 TNIV I’m not in a position to say whether or not the total will be few or many. What I can say; and in this I share Churchill’s view. “Never in the field of human (spiritual) conflict have so many owed so much to one Man”. Jesus Christ! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. Psalms 73:2 NLT 18 I cried out, "I am slipping!" but Your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me. Psalms 94:18 NLT 31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to Me again, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32 NLT 16 A righteous person may fall seven times, but he gets up again. However, in a disaster wicked people fall. Proverbs 24:16 GW 24 Even if the man trips, he won't fall. The LORD'S hand takes good care of him. Psalms 37:24 NIrV 8 The people of Jerusalem say, "Don't laugh when we suffer, you enemies of ours! We have fallen. But we'll get up. Even though we sit in the dark, the LORD will give us light. Micah 7:8 NIrV 19 From six disasters He will rescue you; even in the seventh, He will keep you from evil. Job 5:19 NLT 1 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the One who is truly righteous. 1 John 2:1 NLT 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25 TNIV	Look where you are going. Be careful not to fall. Never give the devil the smallest chance at all. Watch out for the surfaces, and don’t step in the mire. Making you fall over, is Satan’s one desire. Watch what you are wearing. Take care of your shoes. Only foolish people, will ever take their cues, From what the foe is wanting. He’d like to see you dead. And he’d like nothing better than for you to bust your head! Of course the Lord protects you. This always will be true. But don’t provide the devil a chance to murder you! He wants to lift you with a fork and throw you in the air. He does his best to sift you and lead you to despair. But Jesus said He’s praying that you won’t slip or fail. His prayers are always answered in the very best detail. The Lord wants you to testify and strengthen all your friends. So do the things He telling you, for surely life depends, On making Him your Saviour, your Master and your King. This prevents the devil from doing anything That damages God’s Kingdom; on this you can rely. And He’ll continue praying for you until you die! It’s true you are not perfect. At times you won’t succeed. But if you keep on focusing upon your Christian Creed; Even if you’re brutalised and they tear limb from limb, That is an opportunity for you to worship Him! Satan wants to hurt you, but cannot touch your soul. Give a shout of triumph; scream, “Christ is in control!” He’ll declare you righteous and in a state of grace. No matter what the devil does. You’ll soon see Jesus’ face. The foe may all laugh at you; perhaps they’ll even sneer! But know that Christ the Saviour is standing very near. Perhaps they’ll have you locked up in a room as dark as night. In this situation, The Lord will be your light. Nothing you experience will ever be unique. Jesus has been through it and gives the strength you seek. Pain won’t last forever. On that you can rely. And you’ll be in the Master’s arms the instant that you die. So stand firm in disaster. Look Satan in the eyes. He cannot defeat you no matter how he tries. It’s a foregone conclusion. You’re guaranteed to win; To break the chains of Satan and the crushing power of sin. Not because you’ve done it. That never will be true. But Jesus is the victory in everything you do. Jim Strickland – Written 9th September 2012

PARABLE OF THE DOG

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

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 08 September 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	PARABLE OF THE DOG
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			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	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