TODAY’S SCRIPTURES IN VERSE

Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is all twelve Scriptures expressed in verse. It was easier than trying to find a thread to write about. My “favourite” today comes from Psalm 63:5-6. You satisfy my longing, with the richest, finest fare. / When lying on my bed at night, I’m sure that You are there! The idea of “day-dreaming” all night about the Lord appeals to me.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 22 January 2013			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	Today’s Scriptures in Verse
There are a couple of things from childhood that really stand out. One was picture books which “stood up” when the book was opened. Then there was “connect the dots”. It was great fun. At first, the page looked like a serious case of chickenpox with spots all over. The main difference was that by connecting the dots with a pencil, a picture emerged. It wasn’t much of a picture. Picasso can sleep comfortably in his grave! I’m not seeking to depose the artist in any way. Apart from some of his “modern art” stuff. One thing in its favour. It looks a mess regardless which way you hold it. There’s a lesson somewhere in that! The connection with today’s meditation, is that there are 12 Scriptures to connect up in poetry (doggerel for those who prefer). Trying to find a thread is as difficult as it was last year. It’s easier to try and put each verse into poetry. So that’s what I’ve done. There are twelve Scripture references. I’ve tied them all up in glorious Microsoft colour. I’ve put a number in green in the verses column. The verses are identified with the same number in green in the rhyme and metre column. It’s a challenge to express each verse of Scripture this way. The Scripture contains far more than I can put into verse and rhyme. This means that in some instances, the verses don’t do justice to the Scripture content. Note that the metre for the verses is not the same. There is a change as from No 6. This may be a bit confusing. Also, in order to make sense of Matt 9:22 I’ve added information, not mentioned in the Scripture quoted, but can be found in the Scriptures themselves. I’m always thrilled when I read about this miracle that Jesus performed, when the woman touched His clothes. Exactly where the point of contact was, is not clear. But I have a sort of suspicion that it was His tallit. For Christians who are unfamiliar with this “garment”, it’s a bit like a large square shawl, with tassels round the periphery. It’s worn round the neck and, on occasions, in prayer over the head. John Hagee calls it a “portable one man tabernacle”. It’s actually a Jewish prayer shawl and it’s beautiful. Phyllida and I both have one. Sadly there are not many occasions for us to wear them. We suspect that the woman came and touched one of these tassels. We don’t know which one. We also don’t know the significance of each tassel. We know that two of them represented God. So in a way, touching one of the tassels on Jesus’ tallit, would be to contact Jesus and His Father directly. Charismatics have done a great job of getting rid of ritualism in dress and worship. Sadly, on occasions, it seems we have thrown out the baby with the bath water. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			19 I was very worried. But your comfort brought joy to my heart. Psalm 94:19 NIrV (1)	I said my foot was slipping.  (1)   I thought that I would fall. I was also worried but,   He answered when I called. No matter where I go to; (2)   When my heart is full of fear. The Lord God is my Master;   Like a rock Who’s ever near! I chirped like a swallow. (3)   And cooed, like a dove. I looked to the heaven,   In search of Your Love. I suffered severely,   My hope was all gone. But you gave the power,   To keep going on. Give Jesus you burdens. (4)   He’ll carry your load. You won’t come to ruin.   With Him on your road. It’s hard to believe it, (5)    You’ve made me the king. And unlike my father,    I don’t know a thing. Lord, how can I do it?   I’m only a child. My duties are many,   On me, they are piled. King David could do it.   He trusted in You. But I’ll never manage;   Please! What must I do? If you’re needing wisdom, (6)   Then speak to Jesus first. He always gives it freely,   And slakes the deepest thirst.		To everyone who’s perishing, (7)   The Gospel stinks of death. For those who’ve found salvation,   There’s life in every breath. There’s nothing good within me. (8)   My flesh is like a grave. I want to do the right thing.   But I cannot behave. My grace is quite sufficient; (9)   My power is for the weak. And so I boast in weaknesses,   And for the Lord I seek. For that’s when I’m made perfect,   And Christ is at His best; And on His humble servant,   His Spirit comes to rest. Your sins have been forgiven; (10)   That’s what the man was told. Your faith has been rewarded;   So stand up and be bold. The woman came to Jesus; (11)   And touched His tasselled clothes. He felt the virtue leave Him.   Correctly, He supposed, That someone received healing;   But which one in the mob? And so He asked the question,   Who touched me? Then a sob, Came from the ailing woman.   My Master it was me. Take heart He said, My daughter,   Your faith has set you free. You satisfy my longing, (12)   With The richest, finest fare. When lying on my bed at night,   I’m sure that You are there!
			2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to You for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety Psalm 61:2 NLT  (2)
			14 I chirped like swallows and cranes. I cooed like doves. My eyes were tired from looking up to heaven. I've suffered miserably, O Lord! Please help me! Isaiah 38:14 GW  (3)
			22 Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders-- he'll carry your load, he'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin. Psalm  55:22 MSG  (4)
			7 "LORD my God, you have now made me king. You have put me in the place of my father David. But I'm only a little child. I don't know how to carry out my duties. 1 Kings 3:7 NIrV  (5)
			5 If any of you need wisdom, ask God for it. He will give it to you. God gives freely to everyone. He doesn't find fault. James 1:5 NIrV  (6)
			16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? 2 Cor 2:16 NLT  (7)
			18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. Rom 7:18 ESV  (8)
			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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor 12:9 ESV  (9)
			2 Some men brought to him a paralysed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven. Mat 9:2 TNIV  (10)
			22 Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment. Mat 9:22 TNIV  (11)
			5 You satisfy my soul with the richest foods. My mouth will sing your praise with joyful lips. 6 As I lie on my bed, I remember you. Through the long hours of the night, I think about you. Psalm 63:5-6 GW  (12)
				Jim Strickland – Written 22nd January 2012

THE SEVEN SINS OF PROVERBS 6

Time with Jesus - Monday, 21 January 2013

Hi all,

Today’s style goes back over 60 years to a couple of the poems I wrote as a child. It works, but does not flow easily. The verses turn out somewhat disjointed. Anyway, I’ve used that style today for a bit of fun although the topic is vital. The seven sins of Proverbs 6 make for interesting reading. We wonder why it is that God hates them? A little thought points us to the conclusion that these seven are at the root of sin. That’s our meditation today.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 21 January 2013			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 Seven Sins  of Proverbs 6
One of our great difficulties in life is our understanding what sin is and what it is not. The Bible teaches whatsoever does not spring from faith is sin. This general rule is true of everything, natural, civil, or moral. Anything that doesn’t conform to God’s Word is sinful, for as we are told in Hebrews; 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Heb. 11:6 NLT If God’s Word states it’s a sin, call it a sin. Don’t paint over it with an exterior gloss suggesting that it is acceptable. That’s silly. It reminds me of the story of a Restaurant built at the end of a pier into to sea. Next to the restaurant there was a big notice saying, “No Parking Beyond this Point”. The fact is there wasn’t! It may or may not be sinful to try and park beyond that point. But it would surely dampen the enthusiasm! We also like to draw up lists of sins. Then we categorise them in ascending or descending order. You know what I mean. 1) murder; 2) rape; 3) adultery; 4) theft etc. When I was little I used to think that adultery only applied to some undefined sin only committed by adults. Strangely enough, our list of the most “serious” sins doesn’t include the commandments of God to Himself. We forget, “no other God but Me!” “no images” “No taking His name in Vain”; “keeping the Sabbath holy!” They may be the top of His list. Where are they on ours? God’s command to honour parents seems to have been put on the back burner. Our focus seems to be on commandment 6 to 9. The final one, “do not covet” has become our way of life! How else can you keep up with the Jones? Actually, the Lord Has another list of sins He hates. They are listed in Proverbs 16 There are six things the LORD hates - no, seven things He detests: Proverbs 6:16 NLT Incidentally, the six/seven “things” are used in Hebrew writing style. Essentially it means that God abhors all of them. Furthermore, if you give a little thought to God’s commandments, you will find that all of them originate with a thought or action in this list of seven. If we murder someone, the commandment, “Though shalt do no murder” is broken. But if we dig into the history of the event, we will find that it came about as a result of violating one or more of the sins listed in Proverbs 6. People murder each other for financial gain or to “clear” the way to legitimise an adulterous relationship. Perhaps it’s as simple as wanting to sow discord in the family? The reasons are as many as they are various. But what is at the bottom of it? See Prov. 6:16-19 Jim & Phyllida Strickland			15 From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.'" Mal 3:15 NLT 15 The One who is highly honoured lives forever. His name is holy. He says, "I live in a high & holy place. But I also live with anyone who turns away from his sins. I live with anyone who’s not proud. I give new life to him. I give it to anyone who turns away from sins. Isaiah 57:15 NIrV 19 Suppose you are lowly in spirit and are with those who are beaten down. That's better than sharing stolen goods with those who are proud. Proverbs 16:19 NIrV 3 "Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Mat 5:3 GW 16 There are six things the LORD hates--no, seven things He detests: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, Proverbs 6:16-17 NLT 5 Everyone with a conceited heart is disgusting to the LORD. Certainly, such a person will not go unpunished Proverbs 16:5 GW 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offend You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24 NLT 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Philip 1:2-3 NLT 4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. Mat 5:4-5 NLT	There's never been a better time; There's never been a bigger crime, Than all the sin around today. There is no bigger price to pay, For there will always be a crop, Of death unless the people stop, From doing what they love to do, And come unto the One who's true. And, with a full repentant heart, Turn from the sins that set apart, The sinner from the God of Grace. Unless you turn around your face And end the things you've done before, You will not enter heaven's door! Don't be misguided or misled, The Word of God has clearly said, There is a price which man must pay, For following a sinful way. But, what is sin? Am I involved? Through Jesus Christ, was that not solved? It was indeed but this applies, To those who've quit the devil's lies, And changed the things they do each day; It's only those who will obey, The Lord and turn from evil deeds; It's only those who stop and heed, The warning from the Word of God, Who will not suffer from His rod. Turn to His Word and you will see, The list He sees detestably. The very first is haughty eyes. The next is people telling lies. Then there are those who, with intent, Would kill those who are innocent. The next is those whose hearts dream dreams, Of wicked and divisive schemes. And then there is the pair of feet Who run in evil and deceit.		A False witness who pours out lies, Is also whom The Lord decries. The last one stated on the list, Is him who just will not desist, From stirring brothers in dissension. That's the list that's worth God's mention. These are what God's Spirit sees, As what should bring us to our knees. These seven are at the root of sin. This is where it does begin. Murder and adultery, Stealing and debauchery, Commence from what is written here. That's why The Lord says, "Don't go near. Keep away or you may fall. Here's where Satan comes to call. And here's where you avoid his tricks. Just make sure you never mix, With all the world's disgusting ways, Throughout all of your earthly days! That is the way of purity; That is the way to get to Me! For it is with the little things, That Satan clips your growing wings. So watch the things that would erode, The crop from harvesting what's sowed. And you will reap abundantly, A Righteousness that comes from Me THE BIBLICAL LIST OF 7 SINS IN PROV. 6:16-19 (NLT) 1.        haughty eyes 2.        a lying tongue 3.        hands that kill the innocent 4.        a heart that plots       evil 5.        feet that race to do wrong 6.        a false witness who pours out lies 7.        a person who sows discord in a family
				Jim Strickland – Written 21st January 2013