AMEN AND AMEN

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 18 October 2012

Hi all,

Amen. There is a way the word is used which implies that nothing further can be added. It’s the way Christians should view the word. It’s a bit like say, God said it – that settles it. When God has spoken, that’s it. Nothing can be added or taken away. It’s guaranteed. It cannot be changed. Of course that’s because He is God. In English the word “FINIS” is sometimes appended to the end of a statement. It’s over and done. Amen is the word we can write under what God has said. It’s a guaranteed certainty!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 18 October 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	AMEN AND AMEN
Words seem to come and go. They appear to change meaning from time to time and from place to place. One of the big surprises I found as reading school reports. In my days, if I got a 5 on my report card, my parents would have been very unimpressed. 1’s were wonderful, not that I ever got any. I seemed to be able to hover at ±3. No more and no less with the accompanying statement, “Jim could do better! The last time I looked at my grandchildren’s school reports, they were dotted with 4’s and 5’s. Then I was told that to understand them, I should stand on my head. They were upside down to what I knew. One amusing little riddle about “Amen”. Question: - Why do we say “Amen” and Not “A-Women”? The answer is because we sing Hymns and not Hers! Words also have a habit of changing meaning. Perhaps the best known is the word “gay”. It used to mean carefree, happy and enjoying things. Now it means homosexual. I’m not sure I approve. But my opinion is not important. The word “Amen or So be it” doesn’t mean what it meant when the Bible was translated into English. According to Nelson’s New Bible Dictionary it means: a solemn word by which a person confirms a statement, an oath, or a covenant (Num. 5:22; Neh. 5:13). It is also used in worship to affirm an address, psalm, or prayer. It used to mean the truth. The Lord identified Himself with this word when He said, I am Amen. I am the truth. No longer. The word has been considerably downgraded. Today it is used to answer a question. The preacher will say something, followed by the word, “amen?” He expects the congregation to reply “amen”. So the word has been downgraded from being one of the Names of our great and glorious God. Now, all it seems to mean is, “I agree!” So, how do we change this? Do we need to change it? This is perhaps a better question. I think we should do what we can to make people aware of the words they use. In USA the people speak of an automobile. We understand that they mean a motor car. We speak of a bonnet. They call it the hood. They say trunk when we say boot. But we do understand each other. In South Africa we know what is meant by the word “condom”. In USA it’s called a “rubber”. So if you go for a brief visit, be careful you don’t ask your hostess if she’s got a rubber. She will not be amused. Not even to rub out pencil. That’s an eraser. Listening to dialects on the TV or movies, it doesn’t take long to realise that the way people speak English in USA, UK, RSA and Australia is different. Not so different that we can’t understand each other. There may come a day when this changes. In the UK, dialects are significantly different. A couple of years ago I picked up a book called, “Laarn yersel Geordie!” Which being translated means teach {learn (laarn)} yourself (Yersel) [to speak] Geordie! Geordie being the dialect spoken in and around Newcastle on Tyne! I’ve also come across a book on “Strine” - Australian. Here in RSA we have a small sample of it in the Afrikaans speaking community. Listen to the dialect in Malmsbury. It’s different. Dear old Professor Higgins of My Fair Lady fame asked the question, “Why can’t the English teach their children how to speak?” For me it would be enough if we started understanding the language we use! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			13 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.' Matthew 6:13 NASB 36 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, "Amen! Thus may the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say. 1 Kings 1:36 NASB 16 All who invoke a blessing or take an oath will do so by the God of truth. (The Amen – Hebrew aw-mane Amen, so be it, truth). For I will put aside My anger and forget the evil of earlier days. Isaiah 65:16 NLT 13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, (The Amen – The truth) Hebrews 6:13 ESV 16 Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. 17 God also bound Himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that He would never change His mind. 18 So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. Hebrews 6:16-18 NLT 14 "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. Revelation 3:14 ESV 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20 TNIV 18 Praise the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things. 19 Praise His glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen! Psalms 72:18-19 NLT	Amen; It is all over; it’s finished; it is done. It seems to be a kind of verb that’s seldom used for fun. It means finalisation. That’s how it’s going to be. A thousand million years from now and for eternity, This truth is now established; the earth may pass away. But this will be unvarying as what it is today. A little illustration. One plus one is two. It will always be this way, no matter what we do. The Lord above won’t change it. There’s really is no need. It is the confirmation in thought and word and deed. In local courtroom jargon, it’s an established fact. It tells us the right way to go, when we’re compelled to act. It verifies a statement; it establishes the truth. Regardless of the circumstance, maturity or youth. At times you’ll find it’s also used, as some sort of a noun. Rather like the title of some rather special town. So we speak about it and say it is a trust. It’s firm and confidential; a certainty; a must! It also is an adjective, a specific piece of law. Although we find it’s seldom used in this way anymore. On the odd occasion a prayer begins “Amen” Confirming that what follows is reliable again. But the common usage is at the very end. “Yes, this is reliable. On this you may depend. A congregation uses it when they are all agreed. When they’ve heard a statement they believe is truth indeed. Written in Psalm eighty nine and in verse fifty two, We find Amen repeated; so everyone may view; The glory and the majesty of Him Who reigns on High. Who deals with every mocker and informs them, “Do not try”. God used the expression, when by Himself He swore. None can overrule Him. He is the highest law! We’re told that all God’s promises in Jesus are AMEN. They won’t be rescinded or issued once again! The book of Revelation, behold in chapter three, Recorded in the fourteenth verse quite categorically, He says He is the Amen. He’s faithful and He’s true. “Those in Laodicea, be careful what you do; If you are not careful, I’m going to spit you out. Turn from being lukewarm. Your future is in doubt. Only overcomers shall sit at my right hand. All the rest will go to Hell when I give the command. Indeed I am the Holy One, “I AM!” That is My Name. Amen! All this is certain. Amen! Always the same. Jim Strickland – Written 18th October 2012

THE KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Hi all,

As an ordinary Christian believer the words “textual criticism” appear to have almost no validity to the way life is lived. A brief excursion into the topic has convinced me that it’s a good subject to avoid. Sadly, it is not something we can all avoid indefinitely. The mere mention of men like Erasmus, Luther, Tyndale, Burgeon, Westcott and Hort is sufficient to arouse some scholars to the point of decidedly unchristian behaviour. Today’s meditation looks at the doxology in Matt 6:13 and describes one of the differences in translation that I would prefer to avoid. In this instance it’s not possible. So I submit today’s contribution to you for your consideration!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 17 October 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 KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY
I’ve mentioned before that I attended Marist Brothers College in Walmer, Port Elizabeth in the 1950’s. It was run by the Marist Brothers, a Roman Catholic Order that focused primarily on the education of boys. The fact that I was a protestant attending a Roman Catholic school didn’t seem to be terribly important. Since the head boy in my year was Jewish, it’s reasonable to conclude that teaching was more important than proselytising. Of course, the Roman Catholic influence was very strong. The hourly prayer times included the “Hail Mary” and the Roman Catholic version of the Lord’s (model) Prayer. If you say that you didn’t know there was a special Roman Catholic version, I must hasten to add that the words were identical to the protestant version. With one exception. The doxology was not included. Theirs ended with the words, “deliver us from evil”. For several years this puzzled me. When I opened my KJV Bible and looked at Matthew 6:9-13, I read the prayer with the doxology. As a schoolboy I wasn’t terribly bothered about the difference. It seemed somewhat trivial and I had no idea how “controversial” these words were. As a child, who cares about such trifles anyway? After I committed my life to Jesus Christ, I was aware of the difference but it was nothing to get aroused about. My days of Scriptural “tub-thumping” had not arrived. So I accepted it as one of the “quirks” of Catholicism. Back in the early 1960’s, the only Bible generally available in the UK was the KJV – the “Authorised version” to be pedantic. I did get hold of a JB Philips translation, but it was more of a paraphrase, so any textual variations didn’t matter. The next version I had available was the New English Bible. When I looked at Matt 6:13, the doxology was not included. There was however a marginal note quoting the doxology. My next version was the NIV affectionately called the “Nearly Infallible Version”. The doxology and marginal reference were not there! Since then I’ve learned a little bit about the origin of the various versions. Not enough to really understand the subject. Just enough to keep my nose out of textual criticism and sufficient to realise that the Roman Catholic version and all the English translations since ±1940 appear to come from a common root. I’m sure Roman Catholics would probably object to this comment. The other pre 1940 English translations come from a different root known as the “Received Text”. The principal difference between them seems to be the centrality and deity of Jesus Christ. So which do we use? I love the NIV for clarity and understanding the English. But when I want to know the truth of the Scripture I turn to the KJV. To me it’s still the best! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			13 And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:13 NLT 1 The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. 2 Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. Psalms 93:1-2 ESV 3 The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. Nahum 1:3 TNIV 31 What can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 GW 17 We might be thrown into the blazing furnace. But the God we serve is able to bring us out of it alive. He will save us from your powerful hand. Daniel 3:17 NIrV 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. John 10:29 TNIV 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 ESV 1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Psalms 115:1 ESV 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O LORD, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the One who is over all things. 13 "O our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name! 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to You? Everything we have is from You, and we give You only what You first gave us! 1 Chronicles 29:11, 13-14 NLT	This beautiful doxology is not in many texts. The reason why this is the case, makes many scholars vexed. Some think these words were added, by a very ancient scribe, Who thought that these concluding words all people should imbibe. I’ve known them since my boyhood; and for me to exclude, These words from Jesus’ model prayer, would be unjustly rude. They focus on the Father and magnify the King. They speak of God’s ability, to do most anything, They amplify His glory, which will not ever end. So I express approval of what the Scribe has penned! If Jesus didn’t say them, they were surely in His heart. A tribute to our Holy God, Who has no end or start. It is the Father’s Kingdom, where Jesus reigns as King. An everlasting sovereignty, that He will surely bring, To pass upon this planet, the moment He returns. A prospect so exciting, my heart inside me burns. A place where Satan’s presence is banished, so that he, Can’t deceive the members of all humanity. A time of glorious power, with Jesus on His throne, Ruling all the nations, just by His word alone! An everlasting Kingdom, of righteousness and peace. Where death has been excluded and love will never cease. The little word “forever” is appropriately apt. And where the King’s authority, by no man can be capped. The Father will be with us in this recreated realm, With Jesus and His followers securely at the helm. There’ll be no need for sunshine or moon to light the day. For He Himself will be our light, in each and every way. But what is most important, is Jesus will be there. The saints from all the ages will see their answered prayer! We will recognise Him and fall down at His feet; Lost in rapturous, wonder and savouring as sweet, The knowledge that it’s over. The crown of life is won. And we will spend eternity with Jesus Christ, God’s Son. What could be more important? What more could we desire? Father, Son and Spirit to set our hearts on fire. Eternity to worship, to glorify and praise The Faithful God Whom we can love, through endless, ageless days. Jim Strickland – Written 17th October 2012

DON'T LET US YIELD TO TEMPTATION

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Hi all,

Trials and temptations are the topic for today’s meditation. Trials are inevitable. The temptation arises from whether or not you are willing to pass through the trial. Satan usually tempts us to avoid the trial.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 16 October 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	DON'T LET US YIELD TO TEMPTATION
We are approaching the end of Jesus’ model prayer. Here He refers to temptation. He knew very well what He was facing. He knew He was destined for the cross. He knew He would be tempted to avoid that which He would have to endure to the very end. We know that He did. We need to distinguish immediately between a trial and a temptation. Trials in life are inevitable. They are as certain as the fact that until Jesus returns, death will eventually call for us. A trial is almost anything we must endure. For example a music examination. Perhaps a dentist appointment? Perhaps an operation in the hospital? For Christians, it could be being thrown to the lions or being burned at the stake. This was the trial many had to endure. There may have been an associated temptation. To deny their faith in Jesus Christ. In many cases if they chose to deny Jesus, they would be set free. That would be an enormous temptation. The book of Hebrews focuses on this. If a Christian was a Jewish convert, by denying Christ publically in the synagogue, he/she would be received back into Judaism and would no longer be persecuted. Some did this. Others did not and suffered accordingly. Certainly the temptation to apostatise was huge. It could mean avoiding persecution for the whole family. Many chose to go through the trial of being persecuted rather than fall into the temptation of remaining faithful to Jesus. When people ask me what I would have done in those circumstances, I confess that I really don’t know. Part of me wants to pretend to be willing to endure to the end. The other part reminds me that under these circumstances, I’m still a coward. God alone knows what I would do! Paul in his first letter to Corinth speaks about temptation. He wrote, 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Cor. 10:13 NLT It’s comforting to know that even under such terrible circumstances; the Lord will be faithful to us. I won’t be expected to endure the unendurable. He will show a way out. That way may well be martyrdom. Others have passed through being martyred for they faith. I’m not more special than they were. The same is true for my wife and children. My way out of may be martyrdom. What if it’s martyrdom, not only for me, but for my family? Am I ready for that? It’s a very brave man who can say in advance that he would choose martyrdom. The answer may be easy for me alone. But for wife and children as well? That’s a horse of a different colour. Can I face the prospect of my wife and children being thrown to the lions or burned at the stake? What will I do? What would you do? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			13 And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.] Matthew 6:13 NLT 26 Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. Proverbs 28:26 TNIV 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:13-15 NLT 17 The Lord says, "Get away from unbelievers. Separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with anything unclean. Then I will welcome you." 2 Corinthians 6:17 GW 10 Then Lot looked in the direction of Zoar as far as he could see. He saw that the whole Jordan Plain was well-watered like the LORD'S garden or like Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot chose the whole Jordan Plain for himself. He moved toward the east. They each went their own way, 13 (The people who lived in Sodom were very wicked. They committed terrible sins against the LORD.) Genesis 13:10-11 & 13 GW 7 But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. 9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 2 Peter 2:7 & 9 NLT 4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4 NIV	Temptations come, temptations go; our God is not the cause. Most of them originate within our human flaws. They’re accentuated by the devil and his wiles. If he can deceive you, he’ll wipe away your smile. A prayer about temptation was common among Jews. “Do not lead me into sin”, is what they’d sometime use. “Not into transgression; nor in iniquity. Do not let sin’s power, overshadow me. Such a mighty onslaught perhaps would make me sink; So keep me safe, Almighty God, from what I do or think.” But there are some temptations, we simply can’t avoid. Even though they irritate and make us feel annoyed. Sometimes they are useful and we must overcome. They must not destroy us; or to their power, succumb. There are some temptations which we must all endure. Hard and disagreeable, designed to make us pure. Perhaps in an affliction, the type Job underwent. Where Satan was permitted to test his real intent. God loosed the reins of Satan, to test and try His man; To show that Job was “righteous” was actually God’s plan! He may “withdraw His presence”, to demonstrate His grace, And show that you can overcome the problems which you face. He also lets false prophets arise among His folk, To see if we will tolerate their rough and heavy yolk. But even in these trials, we know that He is near. That we can still depend on Him and there is naught to fear. Such trials are essential. Through all of them we grow, In grace and perseverance, so all of us will know, That we’ll continue faithful and watchful unto prayer. Following the Master, regardless when or where. Then there are temptations Satan often brings; Testing our ability to stay beneath God’s wings. Tempting us with evil and prompting us to lie. Filling us with doubts and fears; to quit and go awry. Putting thoughts of blasphemy and evil in our head. He’ll continue trying this until we are all dead. But if we resist him, we know that he will flee! And through Jesus Christ the Lord we will have victory! Jim Strickland – Written 16th October 2012