FOR THE JOY

Sorry. No Pictures Today Power Problems

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 30 November 2013

Hi all, 

Attached herewith, please find a copy of my latest Daily Light Meditation in rhyme and metre.

Happiness is one of the qualities of life we are all supposed to be able to pursue. According to the United States Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson adopted by the Committee of the Whole of the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 we are told, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

It would be a very foolish man who would have the temerity to quibble with an august body of men such as those who drafted the Declaration of Independence. I for one have no argument or criticism toward this excellent example of English. However, I do have a question? What exactly is happiness? If you are able to provide me with a good definition, I would be most grateful. The reason I make this observation is that in my somewhat limited experience, I’ve never met anyone who successfully found it, in spite of pursuing it all their lives. Perhaps I’ve looked in all the wrong places? There is none available in ShopRite/Checkers. Pick ‘n Pay can’t really help. Perhaps OK Bazaars closed as a result of an unsuccessful quest to discover this elixir of contentment!

Only once in all my years have I come across any who can suggest where to look. It dates back to 1955 and took place in Vereeniging. I can’t tell you the name of the street. What I recall is that it was next door to a small shop which sold the most delicious mini steak and kidney pies I’ve ever tasted. In those days, Dad was working at Taaibosch Power Station. We travelled through to Vereeniging most Saturday mornings, primarily for the weekly shopping. It was also an opportunity to have a break away from the Power Station property. We had a habit of calling in and buying these mini steak and kidney pies for lunch.

On the occasion I’ve got in mind, we stopped at the pie shop. The shop was very busy and there was a queue waiting to be served. Next door to the pie shop there was what I seem to recall, a Pharmacy. Outside the Pharmacy there was a weighing machine. You may remember them. You stood on the scale, put a penny in the slot and the needle would go round to reveal your weight. Some machines were more sophisticated. They would “speak” and give you a mini printout similar to today’s ATM printout. On it would be your weight.

This particular weighing machine had an additional feature. There were a number of questions round the dial of the machine. When a question was selected and you stood on the scale, for one penny the machine “spat out” your weight along with the answer to your question, printed neatly on the paper.

On this occasion, Mom stepped onto the scale. She then selected the question, “Where will I find happiness?” Then she put her penny in the slot. The machine made the “whirring” noises typical of any mechanical contrivance. Then it spat out the printed paper with her weight printed thereon. The answer to her question was, “Under “H” in the dictionary”. Our “ghast” was utterly “flabbered” and we roared with laughter. From then on, in the family we had a new “question and answer”. “Where will I find happiness? Under “H” in the dictionary”.

The point of this is you will never find happiness. The reason is simple. Happiness is not a commodity you can hunt for. In a sense, it’s a state of mind. You can look for it all you want. You will never “find” it. In a sense it’s a by-product of how you are or, better still, how you can be. It’s more likely to be something you “experience” while you are in pursuit of a goal. By way of illustration, I have a friend who is an ardent fisherman. He doesn’t always catch anything. However, while he is sitting on the banks of a river, watching his float bob up and down, he feels “happy”. He is pursuing something he loves doing. He is “happy” because he is fishing. Fishing doesn’t make him happy. His happiness originates from the fact that he is doing what he enjoys. He hasn’t pursued it. He has pursued something he thoroughly enjoys. That’s where his happiness is located – doing what he likes doing.

In some respects, joy is the same. The big difference is that joy is experienced regardless of the circumstances. One of the very best illustrations of this comes from the life of Jesus.

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honour beside God's throne. Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

Jesus was not a masochist. He didn’t relish the prospect of what lay in front of Him. Gethsemane tells us that He would have liked to find an easier way. There wasn’t any other way. So He embraced what He had to do. He did it because of the “joy” He would know when all had been accomplished. He knew that when “it is finished” He would experience the greatest joy imaginable. He would have been completely submissive to His Father’s will and, as a result, all of mankind could be free from Satan’s bondage to sin and death. It would be this inner quality of joy that enabled Him to break the power of Satan, sin and death. Indeed, His joy is boundless.

Shalom

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Saturday, 30 November 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	FOR THE JOY
Back in the early 1960’s, all I really knew much about was the Methodist Church. Which means I “cut my teeth” on the hymns of Charles Wesley and many of the wonderful hymns in the 1936 version of the Methodist Hymn Book. I loved those old hymns and still do. My favourite back then was “And can it be that I should gain an interest in My Saviour’s blood? Died He for me who caused such pain? For me who Him to death pursued? Amazing Love, How can it be, that Thou My God should die for me?” On reflection I must admit that most of my theology came from singing these great hymns of faith. There were a few choruses doing the rounds. They were fun to sing, but their spiritual depth was almost negligible. There were one or two “classics” but not all that many. It may have been different in some of the other churches. There must have been. I remember singing choruses at the Billy Graham Crusade in Manchester in 1961. (I think) For me, choruses “took off” with those written by Dave and Dale Garrett and their “Scripture in Song” series. I loved the fact that we sang Scripture. It helped me get it into my spirit! Incidentally, this couple are still ministering in song but have focused on indigenous music. Since they are New Zealanders, the music has a distinct “Maori” flavour. Their latest production is a DVD called, “Let My People Go”. One of the best known choruses of all time must be “The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength”. Originally from the book of Nehemiah it is a wonderful call to follow the Lord joyfully. 10 And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!" Neh. 8:10 NLT Hebrews tells us; 2 Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb. 12:2 ESV For our meditation today, I’ve expressed the entire life of Jesus Christ “For the joy that was set before Him”. We know that He endured the cross, despising its shame, for the joy that was before Him. Since He was slain before the foundation of the world, it makes sense that His entire life comprised “For the joy that was before Him”. This was the example He set for us. The question for us, is whether or not we are equally prepared to do whatever it takes for the joy that is before us? What does that demand from you and me? Historically, it’s meant martyrdom. The pages of history are littered with the blood of the saints. What about ours? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			3 And that's not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer. We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on. Romans 5:3 NIrV	For the joy that was before Him, He left His Father’s throne. For the joy that was before Him, the earth became his home. For the joy that was before Him, He nursed at Mary’s breast. For the joy that was before Him, His life was filled with zest. For the joy that was before Him, to Jerusalem He went. For the joy that was before Him, some time with priests was spent. For the joy that was before Him, He grew to be a man. For the joy that was before Him, He followed Father’s plan. For the joy that was before Him, He went and was baptised. For the joy that was before Him, He defeated Satan’s lies. For the joy that was before Him, He taught His favoured flock. For the joy that was before Him, He said Peter was a rock. For the joy that was before Him, He was physically transformed. For the joy that was before Him, The apostles were informed. For the joy that was before Him, He told them He would die. For the joy that was before Him, He watched Judas say good bye. For the joy that was before Him, He walked to Gethsemane. For the joy that was before Him, He prayed for you and me. For the joy that was before Him, He was taken for a trial. For the joy that was before Him, He answered without guile. For the joy that was before Him, He said “I’m the Son of God!” For the joy that was before Him, He was beaten with a rod. For the joy that was before Him, He endured the Jewish jeers, For the joy that was before Him, He refused to shed His tears. For the joy that was before Him, He endured the Roman lash. For the joy that was before Him, they treated Him like trash. For the joy that was before Him, He carried His own cross. For the joy that was before Him, He let Satan think he’s boss. For the joy that was before Him, He was nailed upon the tree. For the joy that was before Him, He died for you and me. For the joy that was before Him, He is risen from the grave. For the joy that was before Him, He is powerful to save. For the joy that is before you, will you let them do to you; For the joy that is before you, anything they want to do? For the joy that is before you, endure your suffering? For the joy that is before you, shine His light on everything? For the joy that is before you, will you give your life away? For the joy that is before you, will you serve the Lord today? Jim Strickland Written 30th November 2012
			19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 1 Corinthians 15:19 NLT
			12 Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad--for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT
			10 We are sad, but we are always full of joy. We are poor, but we make many people rich. We have nothing, but we own everything. 2 Corinthians 6:10 NIrV
			4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 ESV
			41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name. Acts 5:41 ESV
			13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT
			17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.) Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLT

YOU BELIEVE

 Time with Jesus - 29 Nov 2013

Hi all,

It’s difficult for me to appreciate just how much the singing of Frankie Laine influenced my childhood years.

 It was very significant. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve always loved singing. Sadly my talent didn’t match my enthusiasm, so the best I could do was “croon” along with those who were successful.

FRANKIE LAINE (Mar 30, 1913 – Feb 6, 2007 - ±94 Years)
I BELIEVE I believe for every drop of rain that falls a flower grows, I believe that somewhere in the darkest night a candle glows. I believe for everyone who goes astray Someone will come to show the way. I believe, Oh, I believe. I believe above the storm, the smallest prayer, will still be heard. I believe that someone in that great somewhere hears every word. Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, Or touch a leaf or see the sky, Then I know why I believe Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, Or touch a leaf or see the sky, Then I know why I believe	Born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio, Fankie Laine was a successful American singer, songwriter and actor whose career spanned 75 years. From his first concerts in 1930 with a marathon dance company, to his final performance of "That's My Desire" in 2005. Often billed as America's Number One Song Stylist, his other nicknames include Mr. Rhythm, Old Leather Lungs, and Mr. Steel Tonsils. His hits included "That's My Desire", "That Lucky Old Sun", "Mule Train", "Cry of the Wild Goose" "Jezebel", "High Noon", "I Believe", "Hey Joe!", "The Kid's Last Fight", "Cool Water", "Moonlight Gambler," "Love Is a Golden Ring," "Rawhide", and "Lord, You Gave Me a Mountain." He sang well-known theme songs for many movie Western soundtracks, including 3:10 To Yuma, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and Blazing Saddles, although he was not a country & western singer. Laine sang an eclectic variety of song styles and genres, stretching from big band crooning to pop, western-themed songs, gospel, rock, folk, jazz, and blues. He did not sing the soundtrack song for High Noon, which was sung by Tex Ritter, but his own version (with somewhat altered lyrics, omitting the name of the antagonist, Frank Miller) was the one that became a bigger hit, nor did he sing the theme to another show he is commonly associated with—Champion the Wonder Horse (sung by Mike Stewart)—but released his own, subsequently more popular version. Laine's enduring popularity was illustrated in June 2011. A TV-advertised compilation called Hits reached No. 16 on the British chart. The accomplishment was nearly 60 years after his debut on the UK chart, 64 years after his first major U.S. hit and four years after his death.
Courtesy Google	Courtesy Wikipedia

My very first “hero” was Roy Rogers along with his wife Dale Evans and horse Trigger. It was his song “Don’t fence me in” from the film of the same name that appealed to me. The movie was issued in 1945. No doubt it arrived in South Africa a year or two later, which probably accounts for why I still remember it.

Around about the same time no less than 5 singers recorded “Ghost Riders in the Sky”. i.e. Burl Ives, Vaughn Monroe, Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee and Spike Jones.

I can’t remember which one appealed to me most. Perhaps some versions didn’t come to South Africa? What I can remember is walking round OK Bazaars in PE with my mom and singing it quietly to myself. That was back in 1949 so I was about 7 at the time. The lyrics included the words, “If you want to save your soul from hell a riding on this range; then cowboy change your ways today or with us you must ride, trying to catch the devil’s herd across these endless skies”. Sometimes I’ve wondered if these words were an early evidence of the Lord speaking to me.

A few years later I have another memory of walking round Garlicks and quietly singing "That Lucky Old Sun". This time I was on my own having gone there to borrow a Hardy Boy’s book from their library. "Cool Water" for me came from the same era. Then, what I’ve always regarded as my favourite “Western” came out. It was called "High Noon". The stars were Gary Cooper and (to me) the ever beautiful Grace Kelly. 

Tex Ritter sang the movie song and Frankie Laine sang the record. For some reason this movie touched the hearts of the British public. So much so that in the 1960’s it was a favourite for special occasions such as Christmas day, in spite of the fact that it was in black and white. Incidentally, when Grace Kelly married the Prince of Monaco, many schoolboys’ hearts were broken. She was very much a “pin up girl” of the mid to late 1950’s.

Frankie Laine’s rendition of the song “I Believe” remains one of my all-time favourites; such simple words encompassing so much. Strictly speaking they may not all be exactly Scriptural. That’s not what touches, me even today. They are a very simple expression of a profound faith in God.

We have been taught, quite rightly, the importance of faith in God. The necessity of “Standing on the Word” is very important. Dr Ken Stewart told us that the words “I Believe” are two of the most powerful and perhaps dogmatic words in our Christian vocabulary. There is very little that the heathen can do about them. 

“Don’t tell me you believe in miracles!” The answer is simple. “I believe!” “But nobody believes in hell today!” “I believe!” “You’re a pig headed and obstinate nutter, who thinks God created the world!” “I believe!” “You say evolution is rubbish. I think creation is rubbish!” “I believe!” We’re going to burn you at the stake!” “I believe!” There is a sense in which the book of Hebrews was written so that the recipients, in the face of overwhelming pressure, would be able to say, “I believe!” That’s the bottom line. Do you believe Jesus Christ? For me, there is only one reply. “I Believe!”

Shalom

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 29 Nov 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	YOU BELIEVE
Pastor Yongi Cho has the world’s largest church situated in South Korea. He wrote the book, “The Fourth Dimension” back in the late 1970’s. I remember that it was very popular in 1981 when I returned to the Lord, from my own wilderness experience. What fascinated me was the title. “The Fourth Dimension”. At school they taught me that there are only three dimensions. So what was the “fourth one”? Many folk told me it’s the “spiritual” dimension. Yongi Cho’s book didn’t contradict this, but it helped me realise that the dimension in which God dwells, is very different from ours. I scratched my head until I came across the marvellous description by Paul in Romans 8. And I ask18 you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Eph. 3:18 MSG I love the way Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase describes Paul’s special words. There we “see” four dimensions. We could quibble and say that depths and height are the same. But this version puts a magnificent interpretation on Paul’s words. Enjoy them. They are superb! Personally, I love this sort of thing. I like to understand what I’m reading. Very often, I find things hidden in Scripture that for me are revelatory. By this I’m not speaking about a new “revelation from God”. That would be highly unlikely. But I love asking questions as I read. Questions such as what Jesus meant when He said to the 11 apostles, “Now you believe” or “You believe at last?” To understand everything Jesus said, it’s vital we get to grips with context. We need an exegetical understanding or we will miss the point!  A good example is found in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Phil. 4:13 KJV People think this means anything. Then I point out that you can’t fry ice. You can’t make a square into a circle. And for the men I remind them that no matter how much faith they have, they will never fall pregnant! With this approach, I’ve tried to get my head round what Jesus meant at that time and in that place. I’ve tried to “get into His shoes” (sandals if you prefer) and try and explain it. I sense it revealed He was getting to the point of exasperation and frustration with the apostles. But this demeans Him and I’m not happy doing so. For me, Jesus is perfect and to suggest that He may have had weaknesses of this nature borders on blasphemy! But I would be untrue to Him if I don’t state what I read in His Word. So I submit this meditation to The Holy Spirit as well as my brothers and sisters in Him. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			29 His disciples said, "Now you're talking in plain words and not using examples. 30 Now we know that you know everything. You don't need to wait for questions to be asked. Because of this, we believe that you have come from God." 31 Jesus replied to them, "Now you believe”. John 16:29-31 GW	Have you ever thought of standing in the Master’s shoes? Yes I know He is the Lord and King of all the Jews. I’ve known this from my childhood. They taught me this in school. I know He’s the Creator. For evermore He’ll rule. Now God is always perfect. In each and every way. He knows what’s going to happen. So why did Jesus say, To all of His disciples, "You believe at last!" The context is important. They’d just been walking past, The gates of Herod’s temple. They’d paused to have a talk. Jesus Christ knew perfectly, this was His final walk. In just a few brief hours, He knew that He would be, Dying on a Roman cross upon Mt Calvary. Could Jesus feel frustrated? We cannot tell for sure? Some think that His Holiness never could endure, A feeling of frustration. That would be sin indeed! A thought that’s contradictory to every Christian creed. And yet these words are written, "You believe at last!"                John 16:31 NIV The words He had been waiting for, for just about the past, Three and a half years ministry. They knew He came from God. If that is not frustration, it’s surely very odd, That Jesus Christ would say to them. They’d got there just in time. Now they knew for certain that Jesus is Divine. Of course it could be argued, He knew what they would state. He knew that it would happen in spite of the long wait. But there is an expression, the English language uses. It is used so often. It’s made when one accuses, Somebody arriving by “the skin upon their teeth”! At the final instant, they got in underneath, The final, full time whistle or adjudicator’s gun. A millisecond later, it’s over and it’s done! Was this the Master’s meaning? I really cannot say. I know from my perspective it seems to be that way. But I can’t “second guess” Him! I’m surely not that bright. So many things were happening to all of them that night! So Master, please forgive me for what is written here. I’ve shared my understanding; but Master please draw near. And bring Divine correction to anything I’ve said. And blot out any error, from every reader’s head. Jim Strickland Written 29th November 2012
			14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. James 2:14&17 NLT
			17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God's promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. 19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead. Hebrews 11:17&19 NLT
			21 Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. James 2:21&24 NLT
			25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:25 NLT
			19 Every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. 21 "Not everyone who calls out to Me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter. Matthew 7:19-21 NLT
			16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the One who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. John 13:16-17 NLT