Tuesday, March 12, 2013

BELIEVING IS SEEING

Phyllida at the Dead Sea

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Jim &Phyllida in Paris

Hi all,
The scientific comment about religion in general and Christianity in particular is; “if you can demonstrate it in the laboratory, we will believe it”. In other words, “seeing is believing”. They tell us that religion is all the result of uneducated men seeking control over their followers by superstition. They will only believe it when they see it. As Christians, we trust that believing is seeing. In other words, believe in God and the evidence is all around.
For a change, I wish to challenge science to demonstrate in the laboratory the “proof” of Darwinian evolution. Please show me scientifically, evidence of Darwin’s theory. Science has spent the past 150 years seeking irrefutable evidence to support the evolution hypothesis. It still has not been demonstrated scientifically. They have found this problem difficult to prove. Furthermore, in their quest to discard God, they have convinced the world in general that their hypothesis has been proved. It has not! In fact, after 150 years, the world should be entitled to dismiss the hypothesis. It should be “thrown out”, much as the belief the world was flat, was “thrown out”. Science will not do so. The reason is simple. If evolution is “thrown out”, the only alternative is intelligent design. But for science to acknowledge the reality of intelligent design, would be to acknowledge the existence of God! Most scientists would rather die than admit to this. They prefer to believe fairy stories. They like mythology. One of them has gone so far as to publish a book called, “The God Myth”. The man is highly intelligent and well educated. He would rather write his own “fairy story”, than admit to the reality of God. What a shame. What a “mythtake”.
Today we meditate on “Believing is seeing”.
Shalom,
Jim & Phyllida Strickland 
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give
Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 13 March 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
Believing is Seeing
The “Theory of evolution” is so entrenched, that to disagree with it is one step short of treason against science. Highly qualified and well educated men are convinced that it is true. Our schools and tertiary educational establishments teach it and state that those who think otherwise, are religious fanatics, or idiots, or both.
I’m willing to admit that in the days in which this hypothesis was presented to the public, it sounded both logical and plausible. Initially it was not well received for a number of reasons. Perhaps the most likely one was that it was at variance with the Biblical account. Over a period of time, the hypothesis grew in popularity and general acceptance. Science was “flexing its muscles”. Rationalism had begun to be popular. If you couldn’t see it, it was unproven. Faith in God was taking a pounding. After all, God is invisible and is therefore, beyond proving. This being the case, much of the scientific community, reduced the creation account to the level of mythology.
There was another factor which made Darwinian evolution popular. People didn’t want to believe in God. He was an embarrassment. In particular, if you believed in God, it meant that you were accountable to Him. But if you rejected the concept that God was real, an alternative to the creation account was essential. Put simply, if evolution was true, the existence of God could be denied.
Generally speaking, this is true today. People do not want to believe in God. The evolution hypothesis has become convenient. Its veracity cannot be doubted, because science has “proved” it to be true! God is no longer “necessary”. So why bother believing in Him?
Scientific opinion in the 21st century has not changed. As a result, evolution has been universally accepted as truth. Public opinion and international education opinion slobbers over this hypothesis and accepts it as universal truth. But it is still only a hypothesis. It remains unproven, except to those minds who cannot tolerate the possibility that they may be wrong! To randomly go from nothing to the incredible complexity of human or other advanced forms of life on this planet, is mathematically impossible. It demands intelligent design.
The theory is a forgery and a hoax. Scientifically it remains unproven – popular, universally accepted, but still unproven. One day the people of this planet, will wake up and find they have been conned. Satan will have achieved a major victory. Tragically, many of those who have been “conned” will share his fate.
What about you? I’ve ditched evolution as an unproven scientific hypothesis. I’m sticking with Intelligent design. Jesus is the designer!
Jim & Phyllida
Strickland
6 My God. My spirit is very sad deep down inside me. So I will remember you here where the Jordan River begins. I will remember you here on the Hermon mountains and on Mount Mizar.
Psalm 42:6 NIrV
3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV
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
24 The LORD has not despised or been disgusted with the plight of the oppressed one. He has not hidden his face from that person. The LORD heard when that oppressed person cried out to him for help.
Psalm 22:24 GW
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
James 5:13 TNIV
27 I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left--feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.
John 14:27 MSG
25 "If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. 26 Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
Matthew 6:25-26 MSG
27 Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe." 28 Thomas said, "My Master! My God!"
John 20:27-28 MSG
20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:20 NLT
“Seeing is believing”, is the way most of us work.
We shouldn’t be surprised at this. Not even in the Kirk.
This is the way we operate, in every part of life.
You cannot ever marry an imaginary wife!
You cannot ever swim by an imaginary beach.
If nobody is listening, it’s difficult to preach.
So how can people worship a God they cannot see?
When I am a-praying, who’s listening to me?
There really is no answer. Not where God’s people live.
We cannot be repentant without someone who’ll forgive!
We cannot say we’re sorry, for the things which we have done.
If nobody is listening, we needn’t have begun!
But there are certain factors in which we have to trust.
If we believe in nobody our life has really bust!
There’s evidence around us. We see Him in the stars.
He’s evident in nature and bits of ancient jars.
This world is far to complex too have happened randomly.
The proof of a designer is everywhere to see.
There’s many who will doubt it. “God is a myth!” they say.
But if you don’t believe in Him! That won’t drive Him away.
Your doubts can never change Him. God’s never been impressed.
By rows of Man’s conclusions pinned like medals on the chest.
Perhaps you’re a philosopher and have a PhD?
Perhaps you’re a professor and teach Divinity?
If you believe there is no God, the Word says you’re a fool.
Intellectual giants: go back to Sunday School.
Take a tip from children. They know how to believe.
They’ll give you each the lessons you’re needing to receive.
Classify Charles Darwin, the same as brothers Grimm.
Things sound very logical and yet the truth is slim.
Keep your fairy stories for babies in the crib.
Look at all the beauty that came from Adam’s rib!
So if you think I’m raving and mentally deranged?
Note, I’m very normal and Jesus hasn’t changed.
He’ll welcome you this morning or any other day.
Darwin’s dumb hypothesis has led men far astray.
Science has deceived you and you have swallowed whole,
The biggest load of rubbish that destroys the human soul.
Jim Strickland
Written
13th March 2012

Monday, March 11, 2013

THE SCIENTIFIC TEST


Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Jim & Phyllida - Switzerland

 Schindler Memorial - Jerusalem 
Hi all,
Jesus did nothing to prove or disprove that His Father is God, nor that His Father existed. Not in a direct way. Of course, everything He did, was on the instructions of His Father. The people of the day had a choice to either believe Him, or not. Some did, many didn’t. In the following verses, the meaning of the words, “the Christ” means, “the Anointed One”, a name they used for the Messiah.24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. John 10:24-26 ESV. Essentially He was saying that His miracles attested to Who He was. They could believe, or not. Those who believed were His flock. Those who didn’t believe were not part of His flock. Belief was the essential component.
One of my favourite teachers of yesterday was Dr Ken Stewart. He said he shared a room in seminary with an unbeliever. They challenged each other to prove their point. He stated that neither of them succeeded in proving or disproving God. Dr Stewart added, “when I began to believe, then signs from God started to follow!”
Today, I want to challenge you to put God to a scientific test. I’m not talking about walking on water or being able to fly. This is the test. Approach this scientifically. Believe that God exists and is true. Believe in Him first. Then the evidence of His reality will emerge. To quote from the epistle to the Hebrews, 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Heb. 11:6 TNIV In this instance “having faith” implies believing in Him. Without belief, forget it. Now look at the second part of the verse. If you believe that He exists, He will reward your seeking Him.
Note that in this instance it begins with you. Believe, and see what happens. God will respond to you when you believe. If you don’t – well, that’s your problem.
Shalom,
Jim & Phyllida Strickland 
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give
Time with Jesus – Tuesday, 12 March 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 scientific Test
Scripture makes it very clear, that we are not to put God to the test. It’s no good my saying, “I can walk off a roof and not fall because I’m a Christian”. I will fall on my nose; rightly so! The test has more to do with my big mouth than a call on God. Even Jesus would not put His Father to a foolish test. The message is very clear. But there is one area in which God invites us to put Him to the test. We find it in Mal 3:10.
10 "Bring the entire tenth to the storerooms in my temple. Then there will be plenty of food. Put me to the test," says the LORD. "Then you will see that I will throw open the windows of heaven. I will pour out so many blessings that you will not have enough room for them. Mal 3:10 NIrV
16 "You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah. Deut. 6:16 ESV
7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Mat 4:7 ESV
Now you and I are aware that today’s Scriptures have nothing to do with money. But there is an important principle here. In Malachi, God invites the people to test Him. I have heard it stated that He refers to a “scientific test”. Consequently, on occasions, we are permitted to, “put God to the test”.
Now science states categorically, that proof is required in order to establish that something is true. For example, the entire world believed it was flat, until science came along and proved otherwise. The scientific principle is that you start with an “unproved hypothesis”. Then, by repeated test and experiment, prove your theory!.(Hypothesis) The theory is then usually checked by others. Finally, it is proved correct and is universally accepted. The procedure is 1) hypothesis 2) test and verification 3) proven theory.
Today I would like to invite the world to test the hypothesis that God exists and is real. All I’m asking them to do is what every scientist does. Accept the hypothesis that God is real. Then go about establishing whether or not it is true?
All that’s needed, is to pursue the Lord as though He is true. Don’t begin by believing! Begin with the assumption that you expect your experiments to prove successful. Hebrews states, 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
My point is this. Conduct your own scientific experiment with the Lord. Believe He exists. Then, test the truth of this statement. In Malachi, God stated that if they test Him with their money, He would “open the windows of heaven” and pour out such a blessing that they could not contain.
Now I am not God. However, He has said I am one of His many authorised representatives. So, on His behalf, I’d like to invite you to take part in this small scientific exercise. God has already said, 8 Open your mouth and taste; open your eyes and see - how good GOD is. Blessed are you who run to him. Psalm 34:8 MSG Here is His personal invitation for you to carry out this little scientific test. Go for it. He will answer you in ways you never thought possible!
Today’s meditation is an imagined dialog between an unbeliever (In red) and a believer. (In blue) Go ahead. Taste and see! You won’t be disappointed.
Jim & Phyllida
Strickland
21 And friends, once that's taken care of and we're no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we're bold and free before God! 22 We're able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we're doing what he said, doing what pleases him.
1 John 3:21-22 MSG
6 It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.
Heb. 11:6 MSG
8 That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all.)
Rom 8:8-9 NLT
3 Let them praise his name with dancing. Let them make music to him with harps and tambourines. 4 The LORD takes delight in his people. He saves those who aren't proud. He makes them feel like kings.
Psalm 149:3-4 NIrV
19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
1 Peter 2:19-20 ESV
4 Rather, beauty is something internal that can't be destroyed. Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious.
1 Peter 3:4 GW
22 Consider this, you people who forget God. Otherwise, I will tear you to pieces, and there will be no one left to rescue you. 23 Whoever offers thanks as a sacrifice honors me. I will let everyone who continues in my way see the salvation that comes from God."
Psalm 50:22-23 GW
30 I will praise God's name by singing to him. I will bring him glory by giving him thanks. 31 That will please the LORD more than offering him an ox. It will please him more than offering him a bull with its horns and hoofs.
Psalm 69:30-31 NIrV
1 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him
Rom 12:1 MSG
(Question)
Do you believe in Jesus? I’m here to ask you why?                 
What is it that convinces You? Perhaps it is a lie?
Please tell me where you saw Him? I’d like to go there too.
An optical illusion, I’m sorry, will not do!
You tell me He has saved you. From what have you been saved?
Was it a true conversion or a nice way to behave?
Don’t beat about the bushes. Relate the truth to me.
How is it you’re a follower of someone you can’t see?
Don’t give me your opinions. Religious platitudes,
Are not what I’m in need of. Be honest and be rude.
I find it fascinating. You say, “In God I trust”
But science says conclusively your dreams are only dust.
So what is it you’re trusting in? How can you say for sure,
That Jesus Christ is still alive and that His life is pure?
 (Answer)
Thank you for the questions. So now please hear me out.   
The One Whom I believe in is here without a doubt.
Of course I cannot see Him. It doesn’t work that way.
But He is just as much alive as He was yesterday.
You challenge me with science. But science tells us how.
It cannot tell us where or why. It’s just a holy cow,
The people need to slaughter. You cannot reason God.
Perhaps you find that difficult, remote, or even odd.
You have to first believe in Him. Believe that he exists.
Perhaps you think it’s rubbish, but friend I must insist.
For if you can’t accept it, I’m sorry friend to say,
You really cannot know Him in an ordinary way.
We say that faith is needed to prove that He is there.
That’s when He starts to visit you and talks to you in prayer.
This truth is the first hurdle that you must overcome.
And if you don’t believe it, It’s rather sad, old son.
For He is a rewarder of those who seek to find.
And if you are not looking, I’m sorry, you’ll stay blind.
It’s really sad to tell you, no other way will do.
And if you do it truthfully, you’ll find He’ll come to you.
The Lord rewards a person, who diligently seeks.
To come in any other way, brings tears to both your cheeks.
I’m sorry to inform you, that if you do not try,
You’ll end up on the road to hell the moment that you die.
So let’s be scientific and put it to the test.
Say that you believe Him. He’ll see to it you’re blessed!
And you’ll be on a journey into the Master’s heart,
And have your questions answered, in every little part!
Jim Strickland
Written
12th March 2012