Daily Devotionals in Verse and Rhyme

Sunday, October 28, 2012

WATERLOO AND ZIKLAG

Time with Jesus - Monday, 29 October 2012

Hi all,

Every instant in our lives is known by the Lord. In a way, none of us understand this. How can we have free will if He has planned the future? How can he arrange the circumstances for something like 9 billion people? How is it possible to say and believe Paul when he writes, ²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them Romans 8:28 NLT I don’t know! I do know that He does. How does this apply to the holocaust? I don’t know. Only God knows and He hasn’t told us. Our meditation looks at a small slice of this.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 29 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	WATERLOO AND ZIKLAG
There are times in our lives which are absolutely critical. Our first was being born. From the comfort of the womb to an unknown world. I don’t know anyone who remembers the incident. Mothers probably do, but somehow the experience is forgotten when the infant is in her arms. During childhood, we go through a series of “critical” incidents. The first day at school. Finding out that Dad is Father Christmas. The onset of puberty. Our first “date”. Our very first kiss. They may not be critical in the accepted sense of the world. But to us at the time, they were pivotal. Things would never be quite the same again. My first really “critical” incident was in early December 1959. Due to my own stupidity, the “wheels came off” on my final day at School. It threw me into a state of anxiety from which I’ve not fully recovered. My future changed forever. University was “out” and my prospects were grim. Looking back some 53 years later, I see to what extent this impacted my life. I would have remained in South Africa. Instead, I was off to England to work as an apprentice and a career in engineering. This was my “Waterloo”. A “deathless Golgotha”. Like Napoleon, I went into exile. Not Saint Helena - Newcastle on Tyne in England! We all have incidents of this sort in our lives. In Christian terms we would speak about a “crucifixion”. Times when the bottom falls out of our world and we are thrown into the hand of our Creator. On reflection, we could say that the incident was directly from the hands of the Lord to achieve a purpose only He knows. Embarrassment, rejection, accusing tongues, slander and in some instances, death threats. I often feel God lights the fire and gets the oven nice and hot. Then He puts us into the situation to test our metal. Silver, gold or wood, hay and stubble? He does this because He loves us. He loves us too much to leave us like an unbroken mare or stallion. For David the incident was Ziklag. It happened toward the end of his days of running from Saul. This incident, measuring 7.5 on the “JHWH scale” shook David to his very roots. He had been anointed by Samuel as king. But if he didn’t come up with something in double quick time, he would be lying dead in what was left of Ziklag after a visit by the Amalekites! What would David do? To me this situation has all the fingerprints of God. “David, do you trust Me?” is the unasked question. Read about it in 1 Sam 30. David turned to God for encouragement. He “encouraged himself” in the Lord is the way the KJV translates the passage. How do we deal with such calamities? Are we going to wilt and crumble? Will we turn to Him? Do we realise that this is a trial from His hand? It’s a case of sink or swim! Jim and Phyllida Strickland			⁶ David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 NLT ⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, John 6:68 ESV ¹² That's why I'm suffering the way I am. But I'm not ashamed. I know the One I have believed in. I am sure he is able to take care of what I have given him. I can trust him with it until the day he returns as judge. 2 Timothy 1:12 NIrV ⁶ I called on the LORD in my distress. I cried to my God for help. He heard my voice from his temple, and my cry for help reached his ears. Psalms 18:6 GW ¹⁸ They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. ¹⁹ He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalms 18:18-19 TNIV Of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. ¹ I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. ² My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. ³ Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! ⁴ I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalms 34:1-4 ESV ⁸ Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalms 34:8 ESV	We know about what happened at a place called “Waterloo”. The Frenchmen were defeated; Napoleon was through. It was his final battle; the one he had to win! And when he was defeated; the trouble he was in! Sent to Saint Helena, until the day he died. European “justice” to him was thus applied. So Waterloo was pivotal. He couldn't carry on. His opportunity was lost. Napoleon was gone. Each of us is similar. Upon a certain date, We have to go through something which somehow seals our fate. Dates are cast in concrete. But it’s how we react, That changes situations. That’s an established fact. For David it was Ziklag. This was his Waterloo. With “situation critical”, what would our hero do? He’d gone off with his army. To lead his men to war. And when the men came home again, the town was there no more. It seems that the Amalekites had marched into the town. They had flattened Ziklag and burned the whole place down. The women and the children were all carried away. His warriors were furious; now what could David say? The men were getting restless. Revolt was in the air. Then David was decisive. He turned to God in prayer. And in that situation he found encouragement. There was no outward evidence. But it was his intent, To chase that raiding army and bring his people back. And if he didn't do it soon, his warriors would crack. We know that he succeeded; that all things worked out well. The prisoners recovered, as Scripture clearly tells! Take notice of what happened. This was his “Waterloo”. He would not be defeated and found out what to do. He could bemoan what happened, fall on his knees and weep. He knew that would be fatal. So David took a leap, Of faith in God Almighty and found encouragement! This attitude in David was surely heaven sent! He asked the Lord to help him. To help him overcome. He didn’t wane or falter till victory was won. So if your life is crumbling; you’re at your “Waterloo” Find encouragement in God; He’ll show you what to do. Jim Strickland Written 29^th October 2012

Saturday, October 27, 2012

THE FIGHT

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 28 October 2012

Hi all,

The Christian life is not all harps and flowers. Much of it is a battle against the powers of darkness. Some refer to this fight as “spiritual warfare”. In that sense we are in the “Lord’s army”. Indeed, He has told us that we have His authority and that “nothing shall hurt you”. But that doesn’t mean we should become sloppy, idle and disinterested in this war. We need to be in a state of preparedness; alert and watching. The Lord has provided us with “armour” and “weapons” for the battle. Wear it! Use the weapons and win.

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 28 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 FIGHT
Authority can be a frightening thing. Lord Acton is quoted as having said, “Power Corrupts; Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely”. He was not the first person who brought an expression into English. But it is appropriate that it be quoted by an Englishman. Absolute power was considered the birth-right of most of the monarchs of history. One of the best known is the sad saga of King Henry 8 and the struggle for power after his death. This is not the place to give a history lesson. Sufficient to say that Henry broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and established the Church of England with himself as head. He became anti-Catholic. He had two daughters and a son. Princess Mary was a convinced and fanatical Roman Catholic. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Edward were in favour of the Church of England. Henry defined the line of succession after his death would be Edward, then Mary then Elizabeth. Edward continued his father’s Church of England reforms. When he died he was succeeded by Mary. Queen Mary, often called Bloody Mary, assumed absolute power and England experienced one of the most violent and bloodthirsty reigns of terror as she did everything in her power to restore Roman Catholicism to England. Among those who were burned at the stake were Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, Bishop Hugh Latimer and Bishop Nicholas Ridley often referred to as the Oxford Martyrs. Such was the authority of the monarch of the day. We also have a monarch. King Jesus. He also has absolute power and authority. But His power is endless. He has also delegated His power to His people. We have His authority over all the forces of the devil. So although His people come and go through death, the authority devolves on the next generation of those who make Him their Lord and King. Jesus told the 72 when they reported back to Him ¹⁹ Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. Luke 10:19 NLT After His resurrection and prior to His ascension he appeared to his disciples. It is recorded ¹⁸ Jesus came and told His disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matt. 28:18-19 NLT. In this regard, nothing has changed since He walked among us 2000 years ago. He has delegated His authority to you and me. Whether or not we use it is up to us. Satan and his cohorts continue to try and usurp this authority. They will if they can. Whether or not they succeed is up to us. The Blood of Jesus provides us with all we need to win. If we don’t, there is only ourselves to blame. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			¹⁹ Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Luke 10:19 ESV ⁸ Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NLT ⁷ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 ESV ¹¹ Put on all the armour that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil's strategies. ¹² This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. ¹³ For this reason, take up all the armour that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days. Once you have overcome all obstacles, you will be able to stand your ground. ¹⁴ So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on God's approval as your breastplate. ¹⁵ Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:11-16 GW ⁸ Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Micah 7:8 NLT	There’s never been a question about authority. The Lord has given lots of it to folk like you and me. The enemy can’t hurt us; no matter how he tries. We stand on snakes and scorpions, regardless of their size. There is nothing to it and we won’t come to harm. So don’t get excited or raise a false alarm. Of course we must be careful; he’s always on the prowl; He wants us to be frightened and to throw in the towel. A master of disguises, we hear a lion roar. We think he wants to eat us. But he can do no more. Than make a lot of noises. But he’s no more than that. When Jesus Christ is in you, he’s a toothless pussy-cat. Show him some resistance and he will turn and flee; When you’re in submission to the Christ of Calvary. If you are a soldier and have to go to war. To fight the devil’s forces and bust them on the jaw. There’s a list of armour that you will surely need. To stand against the devil and foil his evil creed. This is not a contest, against some human foe, You will need God’s armour, everywhere you go. Wrestle with the rulers and the powers of the air. They will not surprise you, if you constantly prepare. Have God’s truth around you like a belt about your waist. With His righteous breastplate, that army can be faced. Don’t forget the sandals to wear upon your feet. They will keep you moving and his forces can be beat. Sandals of the good news. The gospel that brings peace. Sharing it with others, will bring them their release. Don’t neglect the shield of faith, to carry in your hand; To quench the fiery arrows, preventing them to land, Upon you or your brothers. The enemy you’ll foil, And his plans for victory forever you will spoil. Salvation is the helmet you wear upon your head. If you are not wearing it you may as well be dead! Praying in the Spirit is a weapon you can wield. And there is another which makes the devil yield. The Word of God is mighty. So use it as your sword. You cannot be beaten while Jesus is your Lord. Jim Strickland Written 28^th October 2012

Friday, October 26, 2012

OUR BE-ATTITUDE

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 27 October 2012

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is on the beatitudes. Matt 5:3-12. I’d love to have seen the expression on the faces of the apostles and the crowd as Jesus launched into what we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount. If people thought the Law of Moses was “tough” these went to the next level! In brief we could say the Law of Moses focused on things people did. Now Jesus implies that to think about these things is to do them. “Take a fancy for the neighbour’s wife and you’re an adulterer”. It’s a brand new level of impossibility! Don’t believe me? Try it and see!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 27 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	OUR BE-ATTITUDE
It was inevitable that Jesus Christ would draw the crowds. He had received a revelation from His Father that He is the Son of God. He was either crazy, a liar, or it was true. Take your pick. I made my decision sometime in the early 1950’s. For me, it is, was, and always will be the truth. In the early days of His ministry, He was followed by the crowds to the point where He often had to hide away. How do you hide when you have the reputation as the greatest walking miracle worker ever seen? If you can do so, please tell me! Matthew 5 advises us that on one occasion, He was on a mountain-side talking with His disciples. As He did so, a great crowd gathered round Him. Then He began to speak. What the crowd was about to hear, is the greatest and most remarkable “sermon” ever given. 2000 years later, it remains unsurpassed as the simplest and most beautiful lesson on the Kingdom of God that any person before or since has ever delivered. No man or woman other than Jesus Christ Himself has ever lived up to the impossible requirements of this sermon. Indeed, it is only “Him-possible” in and through His life in us. He set the ball rolling with the beatitudes. If you boil them all down you find that there are eight of them. They might possibly be considered as the eight gold medals of our “Olympic Games” of life. Individually, it may be possible for us to achieve one or two of them. Even a dedicated and committed Christian might succeed and put four or five of them into practice in daily life. Most Christians look at them, shake their head and say, “Don’t bother; they are beyond the likes of you and me.” I’ve heard it suggested that there are 8 because if we only succeed with one per day, a week will not be long enough for any of us. What we have to remember is that Jesus was not speaking about what you and I can achieve. Forget that. It’s a pipedream. But when we live in Him, as we are meant to, we find that they produce the most wonderful lifestyle possible. One day, Christians will realise that none of us can live the Christian life. We aren’t supposed to do it anyway. The beatitudes should force us onto our knees to cry out to God for help. We can’t do it. If we could, we would have no need for Him. We could say that these beatitudes are God saying, “This is how I live. Match it if you can!” It’s a bit like the Old Testament Law. It was impossible for the Jews to keep. The beatitudes are a type of Christian equivalent. “Here is My lifestyle” says Jesus. Come to Me. Make Me your Lord and we will do it together.” This makes me tremble. Please Lord; empower me to live like that! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			⁶ Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed." Numbers 22:6 TNIV ³ "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ⁵ "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. ⁷ "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. ⁸ "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ⁹ "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. ¹⁰ "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:3-12 ESV ²⁷ As He was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, "God bless Your mother--the womb from which You came, and the breasts that nursed You!" ²⁸ Jesus replied, "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice." Luke 11:27-28 NLT ¹⁴ Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Revelation 22:14 NLT	We call them the beatitudes; the attitude to be, When thinking of the Scripture; what it means for you and me! We wish that we could find them, but they are very rare, Very few are manifest of which we are aware. Tell me where they’re hiding; they’re difficult to spot. Life is very stressful, so most we haven’t got! Matt 5 We aren’t poor in spirit if we are filled with pride. 3 Which means that from God’s Kingdom we run away and hide Mourners will be comforted; that’s wonderful to know. 4 But mourning doesn’t happen, when we’re always on the go. Meekness is a quality we seldom understand. 5 If we lose our temper, we’ll also lose the land. Hungering and thirsting, in a quest for righteousness! 6 If we’d only do it, we won’t get in a mess. But if we’re committed, to putting Jesus first, We will never hunger and we will never thirst. When we’re being merciful, we will not bear a grudge. 7 Or take a position, from which we will not budge Jesus brought forgiveness and set the sinner free. Having a pure heart is an impossibility, 8 For normal sinful people; the likes of me and you. And though this sounds so logical it really isn’t true! By the blood of Jesus, our hearts have been made pure! We shall see the Master; that’s absolutely sure. Are you a peacemaker? Is Christ your source of peace? 9 Take Him to your neighbours; and help them find release, From their dreadful bondages, when He becomes their Lord. We will all be sons of God when Jesus is adored! Are you persecuted? Called a “righteous freak”? 10 Do you hear the comment, “Don’t listen to him speak. He is just a hypocrite! So do not you waste your time. He has no authority from Jesus Christ Divine! Righteousness and heaven; what can he know of that? 11 Tell him that it sounds as if he’s talking through his hat.” When they make such comments is when you should rejoice. 12 Shout out “Hallelujah” in your very loudest voice. Jesus Christ has promised a reward for you on high. Everlasting glory with His prophets in the sky. Jim Strickland Written 27 October 2012