JACOB AND JESUS REFLECT

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 24 January 2013

Hi all,

Change is difficult. I’ve heard that the only person who enjoys change, is a baby with a dirty nappy! (diaper). But change is inevitable. Only God never changes. This means that we must. We do. Look at a photograph taken of you a year ago. Can you see the changes? What about one taken 10 years ago? There it’s much easier to see. We don’t have to like it. But we are stuck with it.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 24 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	Jacob and Jesus Reflect
Today’s Scriptures speak about fruit; mainly the fruit of the vine. It’s also something of a panoramic view of Israel and Judah. It runs from the time of Jacob’s prophetic words over his sons, to the time of Jesus Christ and beyond. I don’t recall anyone speaking about the words of Jacob to His sons shortly before he died. It’s a shame this is so. In some magnificent way, it was as though Jacob was looking forward down the years. He spoke of the reign of King David and ultimately of King Jesus. Jacob’s words were both inspirational and prophetic. Christians today should be far better acquainted with them. The Daily Light Evening Scripture only quotes a short portion of Jacob’s blessing on Judah. He was his fourth son by Leah. The previous three, Reuben, Simeon and Levi had disgraced themselves in the eyes of their father (Jacob) The blessing of the first-born son, was therefore bestowed on Judah. These words constitute one of the most awesome prophetic words we can find anywhere in the Old Testament. Not surprisingly, Jacob speaks of the future kings King David and King Jesus. So, for today’s meditation, I’ve tried to blend Jacob’s words with Jesus’ words into a double reflection. Part of the reflection is by Jacob looking forward and backward over his life. The other part is a reflection by Jesus on the vineyard of Israel. Distinguishing the one from the other is not difficult. Apart from a short introduction, it “picks up” from the point where Jesus corrects the Jewish nation’s idea that they were God’s vine. The Lord Jesus states, He is the True Vine! He then adds that it is His desire and His Father’s desire, that His people bear much fruit. The Scripture concludes with comments on the fruit of the Spirit, rather than the fruit of the vine. Jacob’s prophetic words were given about 800 years before King David. i.e. about 1800 years before the first advent of King Jesus. Jacob started life as a noted deceiver and cheat. He met The Lord at Pniel. The change in him was extraordinary. The Lord touched his hip and from that time on, Jacob walked with a limp. Jacob was touched and changed. From the time of being touched, his words were no longer intended to deceive. They were intended to bring truth; truth for which Christians, some 3800 years later, are indebted. There is something remarkable about this story that is true in the 21st century. The fact is, when God touches something or someone, a remarkable change takes place. The finest example of this is the cross of Jesus. In some respects, the cross is nothing more than a symbol of agonising pain and death. It could be classified with the hangman’s noose or the guillotine. They aren’t really something to wear as jewellery. I can’t imagine anyone walking round with mini-guillotine round the neck. But the cross bore the dying body of the Lord Jesus. It was covered with His blood. In a unique way, Jesus sanctified this disgusting symbol of pain and death. He changed it into a symbol of hope. Hope for you and me. Many years ago I recall a comment made that lives with me to this very day. It was, “everything Jesus touches, He changes; even crosses”. He touched me in 1960. He touched Phyllida in 1951. We were changed forever. If He has touched you, you will know it and have been changed. Have you been changed? If not, were you ever touched? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			11 He ties his foal to a grapevine, the colt of his donkey to a choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. 12 His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk. Genesis 49:11-12 NLT 1 I will sing a song for the LORD. He is the one I love. It's a song about his vineyard Israel. The one I love had a vineyard. It was on a hillside that had rich soil. 2 He dug up the soil and removed its stones. He planted the very best vines in it. He built a lookout tower there. He also cut out a winepress for it. Then he kept looking for a crop of good grapes. But the vineyard produced only bad fruit. Isaiah 5:1-2 NIrV 21 I planted you like a choice grapevine from the very best seed. Now you have turned against me and have become a wild vine. Jeremiah 2:21 GW 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:19-23 NLT 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:1-8 ESV		Of all the children from my loins, two of them stand out. Ephraim and Judah. It’s true without a doubt. Judah came from Leah, Ephraim’s Joseph’s son. They will lead my people till life on earth is done. Rachel was my favourite wife and Joseph came from her. They’ll be at each other’s throat and conflict will occur. Both of them are special; each in a different way. Judah will bring forth the King whom Ephraim will obey! There’ll be separation. The grandson of the King, Will so offend the Ephraimites, they will do their thing. So, instead of one of them, the kingdom will be two. Both will look in envy at what they both can do. But the first intention was they should be a vine. Planted in a vineyard the Lord would say, “It’s mine.” There upon a hillside, in the finest richest soil, They’d produce the finest wine that couldn’t ever spoil. You’d think they’d make a go of it. You’d think the wine would be, The very finest vintage in all of history. But that is not what happened. The grapes they picked were sour. The wine was more like vinegar and worsened every hour. They were not even suitable to dye the royal robes red. And so the Lord would deal with them a different way instead. That’s when the Lord decided to chop the whole thing down. No longer would they prosper in that rather special town. They’d be in captivity for seventy long years. This would be their punishment, in spite of all their tears. Of course, they all pretended, the nation was God’s vine. The Son of God corrected them. He said, “The title’s Mine. Indeed I am the true vine. My Father makes it grow. He cultivates and prunes it in ways you’ll never know. And He is looking out for a special kind of fruit. That no one in their right mind could possibly refute. The fruit is of the Spirit and character is seen, Not the normal way of man. That way is unclean. It’s full of wicked vices and is utterly corrupt. But those who have the Spirit, will find that they have supped, The bread of life eternal and on the choicest wine. In fellowship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God Divine. And walking in the Spirit, in harmony with Me, Will bring a revelation of what they ought to be. A people who will follow right to the very end. And in that certain knowledge, they’ll see Me as their friend.” Jim Strickland  Written 24th January 2012

THE CROSS OF CHRIST

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 23 January 2013

Hi all,

The Cross of Jesus Christ. What does it mean to you? Is it just a rather nice piece of jewellery or a symbol of a cruel, agonising death demonstrated by a very demanding lifestyle? When I look at it I tremble. He did that for me? Why? He didn’t get much of a bargain; a worn out old man who has devoted a lifetime trying to live the way He did. I know I can’t, but I can’t leave Him. The prospects of the cross scare me spit-less. The prospects of living without Him are infinitely worse. Furthermore His love draws me to him like a pin is drawn to a magnet. Even so, Come Lord Jesus.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 23 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 Cross of Christ
From a Christian perspective, the cross is the most important symbol we will ever know. The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ is the central point in all of time and space. It is as though creation itself hinges around this event. Nothing is more important anywhere or at any time in history. God knew all about it before the foundation of this world was laid. This method of execution coincided with the time Jesus came to dwell among us. It’s almost as though all history leads up to and away from the crucifixion. Thank God it does! I can think of no other method of execution more fitting for sinful men like you and me. The pain and degradation of hanging stark naked somewhere between heaven and earth nailed to a cross seems about right for a monster of iniquity! It’s appropriate for those of us who have been openly and deliberately defiant of God’s love. Symbolically, the cross can be seen to represent the cancellation of the letter “I”. It can be seen as stretching from heaven to earth and inclusive of all who have lived, are living and will live on this planet. It is a symbol of death. We have so distorted the crucifixion, that men and women wear the symbol on a chain around their necks as jewellery! Of course the cross has been under attack by Satan and his gang since Jesus was crucified. They know it is a powerful symbol. So they deliberately seek to devalue it by trying to turn it into a toy. In the main, they have succeeded. But not only has the cross been “devalued”. Satan’s attack has focused on the crucifixion as a whole. They have done their best to “demystify” it. They have persuaded millions of men and women that the cross is not important. Christ’s injunction to “take up your cross and follow me” has been spiritualised to the point where it has become meaningless. Instead of making unconditional demands on the lives of Christians, it has been changed into a sort of optional extra. Repentance is no longer necessary. All we have to do is receive Jesus. His grace will cover anything and everything we do/did from the moment we are saved! It will carry us all the way into the portals of heaven itself. Sadly, Christians have swallowed this hook, line and sinker. The result is that many live a more debauched lifestyle than the one they lived before coming to Jesus. “God knows and understands!” is the cry from deluded millions. His grace will cover it all! Sadly, it won’t! That’s “Cheap Grace”. There is no such thing! To take up your cross in Jesus’ day was to pick up your means of execution. You were on a one way path to an agonising and public death. You could not reason with the cross. It would do its work on you as it had done on countless thousands. When it was finished, you would be dead. Taking up your cross today still means the same as it did in Jesus’ day. We cannot cover it with velvet padding. We cannot protect ourselves from public shame and nakedness. We can only submit to all its associated terrors and wait for the instance when we too, like our Lord and Saviour can say, “It is finished. Into Your hands I commit my spirit!” This is the purpose of the cross. God help me! I’m scared of how I will react when the inevitable happens and my time has come to be nailed on mine. But if they could do it to my Saviour and Lord, can I expect any less? What do you think? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			11 Dear brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised--as some say I do--why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended. Gal 5:11 NLT 24 Then Jesus spoke to his disciples. He said, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must say no to himself. He must pick up his cross and follow me. Mat 16:24 NIrV 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4 ESV 22 Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22 ESV 33 God warned them of this in the Scriptures when He said, "I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced." Rom 9:33 NLT 7 So the honour is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," (Psalm 118:22) 8 and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence 1 Peter 2:7-8 ESV 14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died. Galatians 6:14 NLT 20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NLT  24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Gal 5:24 NLT 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 2 Tim 2:12 ESV	A tragic thing has happened in the past one hundred years. The cross of Christ’s been modified to satisfy our peers. It’s now been velvet covered, so people don’t get hurt. They tell me it’s been sanitised, to take away the dirt. The blood has been excluded; it has been washed away. We mustn’t bother people who feel squeamish every day! It’s not a thing to carry. So put it on a truck. Put one on a necklace, so it can bring you luck! Never talk about it; it just might give offence, To the religious people who are sitting on the fence. It’s only fundamentalists who really care at all. So do not let it bother you. Their thinking’s far too small. You see, we know much better. The Lord is now our friend! And we have got a ticket on which we can depend. We got it many years ago, by visiting a tent. The preacher said please take it. There’s no need to repent. And while you have this ticket, you can enter heaven’s doors. The cross you’ll have to carry is from lollipops and straws. Now as I look around me, I see this everywhere. The church is entertainment! It now is free from care. Jesus came to sanctify, what used to be obscene. Just believe He’s saved you, and He will wash you clean. But there’s a major problem, when we think along these lines. It’s really not the gospel which Jesus Christ defines. In His day, taking up the cross, meant certain crucifixion. You would know for certain and without contradiction; That you were on a journey to an agonising end. There wasn’t an alternative; on that you could depend. You knew your life was over and you would soon be dead. No matter what the people all around you thought or said. There was no opportunity to bid your friends goodbye. Unless they wished to walk with you and watch you as you died. The cross made no allowances. There wasn’t an appeal, That you could make with anyone and shortly it would deal, With you in your entirety. It wouldn’t shrink or bend. But hold you there in agony till life came to an end. This is the cross Christ spoke of. So let us all obey. Take up your cross and follow Him. There is no other way. Jim Strickland  Written 23rd January 2012 This poem and introduction were inspired by the writings of  Dr A W Tozer

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