Author: BTP

The Lord’s Protection

“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:6-7).

Francisco lived in Bolivia and was a true believer who loved the Lord. He, as well as many hundreds of other young men, was sent to the Chaco War (1932-1935) between Bolivia and Paraguay. One night he was on sentry duty alone. It was a very dark night, but he had learned to pray, committing everything to the Lord. Suddenly, he heard something moving behind him. He turned around quickly but could see nothing. Then he heard the noise behind him on the other side. Quickly, he turned again but saw nothing. He was afraid it might be one of the enemy soldiers, but he dared not shoot because if it weren’t, and all the army were aroused, he would be court-martialed. He might even be shot for causing a “false alarm”! Again, he heard the sound — this time even nearer. Just then, the moon came out brightly. There stood a big tiger in front of him! The tiger just looked at him, then ran into the jungle as fast as he could. Francisco thought, “Surely the Lord is with me!” He bowed his head and thanked the Lord for His goodness.

Our Best Friend

We all like to have someone we can refer to as our “best friend.” Someone we can turn to at any time with confidence, knowing that they care and are willing to listen and help. But even more than that, someone we can share the good times with as well. Someone we can talk things over with, plan things with, and share our deepest secrets with.

The Bible says, “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). The Lord said to His disciples, “Ye are My friends” (John 15:14). The Lord Jesus is the best friend we can ever have. Are you cultivating and enjoying that friendship? Peter P. Bilhorn (1865-1936), penned the following words which sum it up so well, and are still sung by many young and old today:

The best friend to have is Jesus,
The best friend to have is Jesus,
He will help you when you fall,
He will hear you when you call;
Oh, the best friend to have is Jesus

He is the One of whom we can say, “He is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend” (Song of Solomon 5:16).

Knowing Him

“And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

What does it mean to know someone? Does it simply mean to recognize their face or their voice or their handwriting? Does it mean to simply read about them from time to time in the newspaper or hear about them through the media? No, there’s something far deeper. It means to know how they think, how they act in certain situations, how they treat others. It is to know what they like and don’t like, and to understand what really pleases them.

How well do you really know the Lord? I’m not asking you how much you know about Him, but how well do you know Him? You can know a lot of facts about someone and not know the individual personally.

You will only get to know the Lord as you spend time in His company. The Apostle Paul’s desire was, “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10). Is that your desire too? I ask you again, “How well do you know the Lord?”

Impossible

“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

There are many things in life’s experiences that to us appear to be impossible to solve. And with men they are impossible! But don’t forget that the One who made the earth and everything that lives on it finds nothing impossible. Are you in an “impossible” situation today? You don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel? You are saying, “This will never work out.” Turn to the Lord Jesus and let Him take care of it for you. It may require dedication in prayer for a certain length of time before you will see any results, but be assured that God knows what to do and how to do it. And be encouraged by going to the Word of God and reading the stories of people like Abraham, Joseph, Ruth, Esther, Jonah, and so on. And don’t forget the assurance, “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). And also the words of the angel to Mary, “For with God nothing shall be impossible. (Luke 1:37).

Dear Young Christian:

Here are four things the Lord desires to open in our lives.

Our eyes: “Their eyes were opened, and they knewHim” (Luke 24:31).

The Scriptures: “He opened to us the Scriptures” (Luke 24:32).

Our understanding: “Then opened He theirunderstanding” (Luke 24:45).

Our heart: “Whose heart the Lord opened” (Acts 16:14).

There is then something the Lord wants us to open. It is the door of fellowship and communion with Himself. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). As you start out this week, make sure you allow Him the opportunity to open your spiritual eyes, the Scriptures, your understanding, and your heart. And don’t forget to open yourself to His companionship. That’s what He truly desires.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

One

One is God’s number of unity. Here is just a sample from the Bible that proves this.

As to His person:

“One Spirit” (Ephesians 4:4).

“One Lord” (Ephesians 4:5).

“One God and Father” (Ephesians 4:6).

As to His work:

“One sacrifice” (Hebrews 10:12).

“One offering” (Hebrews 10:14).

As to the results:

“One faith” (Ephesians 4:5).

“One baptism” Ephesians 4:5).

“One body” (Ephesians 4:4).

“One hope” (Ephesians 4:4).

How thankful we should be today as we consider these simple yet profound truths.

Soon we are going to be gathered in one with all the redeemed around the Lord Jesus in the Father’s house. Then there will be one song and one object — “a Lamb as it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6).

Heaven or Hell

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Yesterday, painted on the back of a taxi on the island of Saint Vincent, we saw the following:

If you miss Heaven … you sure can’t miss hell!

Wow! That’s quite a statement isn’t it?

Yes, it is one or the other. There are two destinations for every human being born on planet earth … Heaven or Hell! No other choice.

My dear reader, which way are you headed?

Heaven or hell, there is no other choice,
Today are you listening to God’s loving voice?
He calls you and tells you to turn from your way,
Repent and believe, start for Heaven today.
The road may be narrow but leads unto life,
And happy you’ll be through sunshine and strife.
If you miss out on Heaven with Jesus to dwell,
You surely won’t miss the sad horrors of hell!

His Way

“As for God, His way is perfect: the Word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler (shield) to all those that trust in Him” (Psalm 18:30).

A young brother recently made the following comment during a Bible meeting we were having on the island of Saint Vincent in the Caribbean:

“God’s way is perfect, and just because we don’t understand it doesn’t make it any less perfect.”

King David didn’t always understand the ways of the Lord in his life, but he learned to trust no matter what. He realized that what was allowed in his life was for his good and blessing, and that, in spite of circumstances, he could count on the Lord without question and find an all-sufficiency that never failed.

Maybe you are questioning the ways of God in your life. Don’t! It is a dangerous thing to do! We may ponder the ways of God, but we should never question them. Here is further advice from King David, through the inspired Scriptures, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).

Our Thoughts — Part 2

In the everyday routine of life, there are many things that we have to think about. School … work … practical living … and so on. But when we have opportunity to free ourselves from all that, what are we filling our minds with? Is it the Word of God and the person of Christ? Read carefully the following verses and follow their instruction, and you will prosper in your Christian experience.

“Have your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth” (Colossians 3:2 JND Translation).

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

“Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established” (Proverb 16:3).

Can you say, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them” (Psalm 139:17)?

Our Thoughts — Part 1

During a Bible study I recently attended, the question was asked, “What do you think about?” It is a good question for all of us to consider, and perhaps we should add, “What are we filling our minds with?” Satan has much to fill and corrupt the mind, and we need to be careful what we read and watch.

The Bible gives a great deal of instruction and exhortation on this subject. David wrote, “Thou anointest my head with oil” (Psalm 23:5). Oil in the Bible is always a figure of the Spirit of God. The head anointed with oil would bring before us the need to have our thoughts governed by the Word of God, by the power of the Spirit of God. It is “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). When I was growing up, I often heard an older brother say, “We should saturate our minds with the Word of God until we think in the language of Scripture.”

How much does the Word of God form your thought patterns and shape your opinions? Tomorrow we will list some Scriptures that are good to keep in mind on this subject.