JIMMETS; PRESSING ON – NEVER QUIT

Time with Jesus - 12 Dec 2013

Hi all,

Phyllida and I try our best not to make assumptions. This is because to Assume is to make an Ass of U and me. For example, Christians often make a mistake about the meaning of a Scripture because we don’t bother to check it out by careful exegesis. A classic example comes from Habakkuk. 

The prophet writes, ¹³ Your eyes are too pure to look at evil. You can't watch wickedness. Why do you keep watching treacherous people? Why are you silent when wicked people swallow those who are more righteous than they are? Habakkuk 1:13 GW 

The problem is, Habakkuk is expressing his opinion. God’s eyes see everything. He sees good and evil. If He didn’t see evil, He would not be able to see sin. In which case it wouldn’t matter what anyone did! The danger for you and I is to assume that just because it’s written in God’s Word, it must be true. In most cases it is. But in this case, Habakkuk is saying what he thinks about God and not what God has revealed.

Another example is to assume that because something is not stated, we are free to believe it. For example, we know that Jesus’ body contained flesh, bones and blood. We know that he shed His blood on the cross, although we have not been told that there was no blood remaining in His body after He “gave up the ghost”. It’s an academic question anyway. Jesus was dead when He was laid in the tomb.

We know He was raised from the dead on the third day. We also know He appeared to many people over the following 40 days. The question we need to answer is the “composition” of His resurrected body. We know it comprised flesh and bones. In Luke’s gospel, Jesus told His disciples, ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." Luke 24:39 NIV 

What about blood or that which would correspond with blood in a resurrection body? Scripture doesn’t tell us one way or the other. It may be logical to assume that there was no blood or its equivalent in His body, we cannot say for sure.

The fact is, we are not told. In the introduction, we read of a man who wanted to know if there were golf courses in heaven. We don’t know one way or the other. We are free to admit we don’t know. What we are not free to say is that there are or that there are not golf courses in heaven. In other words and assuming they get there, Tiger Woods and Gary Player will have to wait and see.

If we make assumptions about things which are not stated in the Bible, we could talk about Joshua’s “tanks” blowing up Jericho!

Shalom

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 12 December 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	JIMMETS; PRESSING ON  – NEVER QUIT
In 1953, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh made a movie called “Houdini”. It was the story of one of the world’s first Escapologists, Harry Houdini. He performed at the turn of the 20th century and was hugely successful. I recall seeing the film in the early 1950’s in one of the “bioscopes” in Port Elizabeth. I think it was the “Grand”. He started his career as a magician and was fairly successful. It was when he focussed on escaping from bizarre situations, that his popularity reached an all-time high. Of course, his stunts were all tricks. But he succeeded with his illusions until 31st October 1926. He died from peritonitis following a body blow in the area of his appendix. Houdini could never be the greatest escape artist of all time. That honour goes to our Lord Jesus Christ. He was raised from death and walked out of the tomb. But Jesus was not an escape artist. He didn’t resort to tricks to fool an audience. Jesus’ “escape” was genuine. The Holy Spirit resurrected Jesus. It was no stunt to draw crowds and make money. No one can say for sure that there was any noise in Joseph of Arimathaea’s tomb when Jesus was resurrected. What seems to have happened was that the resurrected body of Jesus passed through the cocoon-like wrappings of the grave clothes such that they were undisturbed, but empty! The contents mysteriously were gone. The resurrected Jesus apparently then folded the napkin – probably His tallit; and exited the tomb. Whether He or an angel rolled away the stone from the mouth of the tomb is irrelevant. Of course, in His resurrected body, Jesus could easily have walked through the stone anyway! This was a resurrected body. It was not his old “earth suit” resuscitated, as in all previous cases of those who had been raised from the grave. Jesus Christ’s resurrected body had extraordinary qualities and abilities. It had flesh and bone but seems to have been bloodless! In this body Jesus could eat and drink; appear and vanish at will and pass through walls. (Houdini is not in this class!) Incidentally, those who don’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus, have automatically excluded themselves from being Christians. Paul put it this way, 9 If you declare that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God brought him back to life, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 GW It follows that if you don’t believe He was raised from the dead, you aren’t a Christian. Sorry about that. I don’t make the rules, I only quote them! Nevertheless, in and through Jesus Christ we are all looking for resurrection bodies. So let’s obediently press on regardless and never quit believing in Him and His love. He’s all we need! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			26 "Please run now to meet her and say to her, 'Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?'" And she answered, "It is well." 2 Kings 4:26 NASB	PRESSING ON 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NLT We are pressed by trouble on all sides. Even so, not one of us is crushed. Baffled? We don’t run away and hide. Gloom will not compel us to be hushed. Hunted down? We are not on our own. Never will the Lord abandon us. When knocked over, we don’t stand alone. Threated with destruction? – We don’t fuss! What they did to Jesus, they’ll repeat. Trial and torture? None of this is new. Suffering won’t drive us to defeat. Let them do the worst that they can do. Crucified? Embrace those cruel nails. Let them see, Christ Jesus never fails. Jim Strickland Written 12th December 2012 NEVER QUIT 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT For us, it’s impossible to quit! Outwardly, our bodies wilt and die. But that’s only just the half of it. Inwardly our spirits multiply! Every day our spirits are renewed. Trouble for us won’t last very long! In the very briefest interlude, We shall find our inner man grow strong! We’re not interested in what we see. That is just a mirage for the eyes. What we can perceive spiritually, Will continue when creation dies. All that we can see will soon be gone. What we cannot see goes on and on! Jim Strickland Written 12th December 2012
			13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, 2 Corinthians 4:13 ESV
			9 We are known, but people treat us as if we were unknown. We are dying, but we continue to live. We are beaten, but we are not killed. 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 6:9-10 NIrV
			8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NLT
			16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT
			2 Dear friends, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 John 1:2 NLT

JIMERICKS DARKNESS OR LIGHT

Time with Jesus - 11 Dec 2013

Hi all,

Today’s meditation is an attempt, on my behalf, to present seven of the daily Scriptures in Limerick form. Basically they are two eight “beat” couplets. There is a slight difference. The first and second line rhyme, along with the fourth and fifth lines; In addition, the third line rhymes with the sixth. 

It’s an interesting method of composing poems. Since they do not follow the exact pattern of a Limerick, I’ve called them Jimericks. When experts in the English language tell me there is no such thing, the only comment I can make is, “Well there is now”.

Writing the sort of poems I write is fun. I’m not trying to be a Shakespeare, a Milton or a Wordsworth. I never will be. Their language and style of writing is different from mine. Their works are “classics”. Good English with masterly style and grace. That’s not me. I’d like to be in their league. I’m not. If Jesus tarries, 100 years from now, their writing will still be known.

That’s the beauty of writing poetry. It may easily be forgotten. However, the author has had the satisfaction of stringing the words together in a simple way trying to convey a very simple message.

In this regard, Phyllida and I have given considerable thought as to how long to continue with what we are presently doing. We’ve concluded that from 1^st January 2014, we will be taking time off to establish the next step.

What is happening at the moment? I’m compiling an anthology of what I’ve written. It’s being published and will come out next year as an e-book, probably toward the middle of the year. There may be one or two books in paper-back which could be made available for sale to those who are interested. 

I’m not sure what the cost will be. However the book will have ±500 X A5 pages. (250 X A5 sheets printed on both sides.) The book is a daily devotional. It will have a Scripture reference, followed by a poem, similar in style to those published by a number of well-known writers. The difference is mine will be mostly verse and rhyme.

January will be our Sabbatical and we are both looking forward to it. Not that we plan on going anywhere. As an old “comic” said, “We are going to Romania and do the garden route”. i.e. We will remain here; go out the front door, round the garden and back in again. No external costs. No hotel bills. No petrol to buy. It should be great fun. 

We will also spend time with the Lord establishing what He wants us to do next. Christians seldom retire; they usually re-tyre!

 We would love to pay another trip to Israel next year. Loving Jesus Christ has given us a love for the Jewish people and their land and we feel we must return to drink in the places where Jesus walked ±2000 years ago.

Shalom

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 11 December 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	JIMERICKS DARKNESS OR LIGHT
As this introduction is being written, I’m vividly reminded of the story of the genie in the bottle. Not the “Open Sesame” variety. It must have been his little brother. The story goes that one of our great golf lovers had a question he would like to ask someone who could answer. He wanted to know if there were golf courses in heaven. With this thought in mind he found a magic bottle. He opened it and a huge genie appeared. “I’m a different sort of genie” it said. “I only answer questions and always tell the good news and the bad news.” “You are just the genie I need to talk to”, said the man. “I have a question to ask you.” “Fire away” replied the genie. “Remember I will tell you the good news and the bad news.” “Fine. Tell me are there golf courses in heaven” the man asked. “Do you really want to know?” asked the genie somewhat perplexed. “Yes!” replied the man. “The good news is that there are definitely golf courses in heaven! The bad news is you tee-off at 01h23 tomorrow morning! I’ve mentioned this story because of the similarity it has with Christian life. We don’t have a genie living in a bottle. We have the Son of The Living God in our heart! He is always available, so we don’t have to coax Him out. In one respect, Jesus and the genie are similar. Jesus will always only tell you the truth. It could be good news or bad news. He will tell it, as it is! This is very important for all of us. If you are feeling smug and comfortable in your Christian walk, here’s a question to ask Him. Ask only if you really want to know. The question is, “Lord is there anything in my life You want me to change?” I must confess that I’ve never had the courage to ask this question. I’m not sure I’d be able to cope with His answer. Incidentally for the perfectionists among us, I must confess that today I’ve missed out one Scripture and the associated poetry. There was no way I could include them in the space available. There’s a beautiful theme running behind today’s Scriptures. Jesus’ love for His bride and His bride’s love for Him. This is a love that is more than anything we have experienced or can experience in this dimension. It is a supernatural love. On our behalf it stems from our realisation of the lengths God went to, in order to re-establish a relationship with us. When I think of the way I was when He went looking for me, I get carried away with the wonder of it all. What I mean is I have no problem loving and being loved by people I like. Also, those who have the same attitude toward me. That’s easy. But to think that infinite love and perfection would even consider bothering with me. That, I do not and probably never will understand! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 NLT	Darkness or Light”? You were made right, By the glory that comes from the Lord. You called out His Name, And Jesus Christ came. Now He is loved and adored!		His blood washed you clean, From all you have been. His righteousness shines in your eyes! Satan’s retreated, Because he’s defeated, And you have expunged all his lies.
			7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NLT	Follow His ways, For the rest of your days, In fellowship with one another. If you do this, You never will miss, The wonder of knowing your brother.		His blood is the glue, In all that you do. Keeping brother and sister in place. His blood disinfects, Our dreadful defects; And lets us look into His face!
			5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 ESV	He was wounded for me. When He died on the tree. My sins and transgressions are gone. He felt Himself crushed, As his flowing blood gushed. From Him who had done nothing wrong!		His body was stripped, And brutally whipped. A flogging that brought us all peace. And it is revealed, By these stripes we are healed, And all of our sicknesses ceased!
			25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27 ESV	Men; lay down your lives. Love your wonderful wives. By His word wash her thoroughly clean. Without any spot; Wrinkled are not; She is your glorious queen! With a soft velvet glove, Place all of your love, On the woman you chose to make yours.		Give her your all. Make her feel ten feet tall! And you’ll be the man she adores. She’ll always be “cute”, If the holiness route, Is the way she is constantly led. Do this every day. She’ll submit and obey, And continually make you her head!
			8 She has been given the privilege of wearing dazzling, pure linen." This fine linen represents the things that God's holy people do that have his approval. Revelation 19:8 GW	It’s a glorious sight. His Bride is in white. As pure and as white as the snow. No spot or defect, Can onlookers detect. She’ll follow wherever He goes.		The linen she wears, Are the hopes and the prayers, And deeds that God’s people have done. They’ve been prepared, For a life that is shared, As the Bride of God’s wonderful Son!
			22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 ESV	With a heart sprinkled clean, From all we have been, And a conscience that’s been purified. There’s nothing to fear, As we seek to draw near. No reason for wanting to hide!		With faith in our heart, We need not stay apart. Come; let us draw near to our God! His Son’s made the way, So let’s enter today. The Master has given His “nod”!
			A Maskil of David. 1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psalms 32:1-2 ESV	Blessed is the one, Whose transgressions are gone. Since Jesus Christ suffered and died. They feel they’re in clover, Their Sin’s covered over. From God, they no longer need hide.		Iniquity’s ended, Christ Jesus has mended, The bridge between heaven and man! Deceit doesn’t stay, In our spirit’s today. There’s no other way that it can!
				Jim Strickland Written 11th December 2012