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Young Christians Calendar

A daily meditation for young Christians

March 2014

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Monday, March 31, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:
I saw this quote recently and thought it was worth passing on.
“Feed on the Word, not the World.”
It shows how one letter can change a lot of things. So, the question is “what are you feeding on?” Are you feeding on the world or the Word of God? One will feed your lust, the other will feed your soul. One will lead you to spoil your spiritual appetite, the other will encourage you in the Lord.
As this week begins, why not make a conscious effort to feed on the Word of God more, and the things of the world less? And when you come home at night and you have had to hear, read and see things that are defiling all around you all day, make sure you feed “the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10). At the end of the week you will be spiritually healthier as a result.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, March 30, 2014

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Glory
“And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as the color of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of His loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake” (Ezekiel 1:26-28).
Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord (or at least a likeness to it) and he fell on his face. When we come together today to remember the Lord in His death He will be there in person. Falling on our faces should be our response, too. We probably won’t literally fall down, but in our hearts we bow and worship the God of the universe who planned our salvation through the death of His own Son.
Incredible!

Saturday, March 29, 2014

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One Word
“He being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4).
I was walking through a graveyard one day when a word on one of the headstones caught my eye; it was simply the word — SAVED. It caught my eye because it was the only word on the stone.
In Louisiana, a woman lies beneath a grove of 150-year-old oak trees in a quiet, old cemetery. There is just one word carved on her tombstone — WAITING. The person in the tomb was evidently a believer, and although they have died, they are simply waiting in a better place for the same thing that believers who are alive are waiting for…the coming of the Lord Jesus, or what we often refer to as, the rapture.
In the Evergreen Cemetery near New York City stands a gravestone. On it is carved one solitary but charming word — FORGIVEN. No name, no date, nothing but one word is seen on each of these stones, and no doubt there are many more like them.
Suppose you had to truthfully chose one word as an epitaph to sum up your life, to be chiseled on the stone placed over your lifeless body, what would it, and what could it, be?

Friday, March 28, 2014

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Question Page
Q. How do we know who God has for us as a partner in life?
A. While there are unfailing guidelines in the Bible to direct us in every step and decision of our Christian pathway, yet there are some things that are only discernable as we walk in nearness to the Lord. The closer you are to someone the more you understand what pleases them. The Bible is not a self-help book. It leaves room for exercise of heart and conscience in matters such as marriage.
One thing is for sure, we are never to become involved with an unbeliever in this way. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness” (2 Corinthians 6:14)? NEVER date an unbeliever! Also, we read on this subject that we are to marry “in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39). This is more than just marrying a Christian, but one who has the same desires and interest in pleasing the Lord and acknowledging His authority.
Do you have a question? Email us at jhyland@primus.ca

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

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Monthly Scripture Reading
Jeremiah 31
At the same time, saith the Lord, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.
Thus saith the Lord, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.
For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God.
For thus saith the Lord; Sing with gladness.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

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Who Has Your Heart?
“My son, give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe My ways” (Proverbs 23:26).
In marketing there is an expression:
Catch the heart and the mind will follow.
In spiritual things, we often say:
Where the heart is the feet will follow.
To sell us products and services the business world tries to grab our heart and mind. To have us following close to the Lord in the path of faith He attracts our hearts to preserve our feet in the right course. Of course in spiritual things the mind must be properly instructed too. This is through the reading of the Bible, God’s Word.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Monday, March 24, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:
I was glancing through a book of quotes and sayings some time ago when one especially caught my eye:
Is prayer the pattern of your life,
Or a last resort in time of strife?
Something to think about isn’t it? For myself, I must confess that I often use prayer when all else fails, and yet what frustration I could save myself if I would only pray about it first. So often I forget the words of the following verse which reminds us, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6).
As another school or work week begins, don’t forget the wonderful resource that we have in prayer. At the beginning of each day ask for help and direction, and your day will go a lot smoother.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, March 23, 2014

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Singing Praises
“And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped” (2 Chronicles 29:30).
Singing has always been a way for the people of God to express their appreciation of the person and work of Christ, and their joy in the Lord. It begins with Israel as a redeemed people on the banks of the Red Sea. “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord” (Exodus 15:1). It follows right through to the heavenly company of redeemed in a future day of glory. “And they sung a new song” (Revelation 5:9).
What better time to sing praises than at the meeting in which we remember the Lord’s death. The gladness we feel because He died in our place should show in our singing. As you remember the cross of Calvary, the cost to the Lord Jesus, what He suffered before and on the cross, the three hours of absolute loneliness as He paid the price for sin, it should cause you to bow your heart in genuine worship. Remember Him today with a thankful heart, and a song of praise on your lips.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

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Poisoned
Weary, a group of Christians arrived in an Indonesian village known for occult practices. They were given food, but wondered whether it might be poisoned. The atmosphere was tense. They decided that since the Lord had given them a commission to witness for Him and eat whatever was set before them, they should simply trust Him.
After the meal one of the villagers entered and announced: “Your food has been poisoned by our witch doctor, and you will all be dead by sunrise.” The Christians knelt to pray. They asked God to preserve them and to speak to the people there who were under the power of evil through their fear of magicians and demons, and Satan’s bondage.
At about 4am, a man appeared out of the darkness. In a state of agitation and fear he cast himself at the feet of the Christians, shouting: “Save me! I am the witch doctor, and I know you will not be dead by sunrise. I am the one who will die. The curse has turned on me. Tell me what I must do to be saved.” They gave him the answer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). Today there are thousands of Christians living in that district.

Friday, March 21, 2014

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What’s the Use
“What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance?” (Malachi 3:14).
There are some tasks which appear to be nothing other than labor in vain. Sweeping up the leaves in autumn, or the snow in winter while both are still falling, may appear futile. As soon as one lot of leaves has been cleared, more quickly fall. We must remember however that unless we clear the paths they will become blocked. So repetitive work is not necessarily needless. If a room is not dusted regularly, the dust accumulates.
Have you never felt that your work and worship is mere repetition? Does it not at times seem a wearisome performance? We need to pray that we may be kept from a lifeless monotonous round, that there may be life and joy in our worship of God and in our service in His name.
“Serve the Lord with gladness,” says the Psalmist in Psalm 100:2. “In all labor there is profit,” says Solomon in Proverbs 14:23. And Paul wrote, “Ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Thursday, March 20, 2014

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The Twelve Apostles – Part 3
Judas Iscariot
Judas will be forever remembered as a traitor, and the betrayer of the Lord Jesus. “Judas, which betrayed Him” (Matthew 26:25). He was also the treasurer for the disciples as indicated by the statement, “Judas had the bag” (John 13:25). He is called “the son of perdition” (John 17:13).
It is serious to think that Judas walked with the Lord and the other eleven apostles for over three years, and it never changed his heart. He heard the same words, saw the same miracles, was treated with the same love, but remained a hardened sinner to the end of his days, and left himself open as a candidate for Satan to enter into him and use him as the instrument to carry out the awful deed of betrayal. Afterwards he hung himself because of remorse but there was certainly no repentance. “Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place” (Acts 1:25). In other words, he went to a lost eternity! After his death he was replaced by Matthias as mentioned in Acts 1:26.
The life of Judas Iscariot is a warning to anyone who would pass as a follower of Christ and not be real, but simply a pretender or professor. The truth will come out in the end.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

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What’s in a Kiss?
“Orpah kissed…but Ruth clave” (Ruth 1:14).
How Naomi’s heart must have rejoiced as “Ruth clave unto her.” Orpah kissed and departed. Judas kissed and betrayed his master. We need to distinguish between kissing and cleaving. It is possible to give great outward demonstration of affection, yet there may be no depth in it.
The cleaving love of Ruth accompanied by her passionate words of love and loyalty meant so much more than the demonstrative kiss of Orpah who returned to her own people and gods.
Kissing may be lip service and no more, a token acknowledgement without heart affection. May it not be so between Christ and us.
May we rather pray:
“Keep us Lord, oh keep us cleaving
To Thyself and still believing.
In this way our love will be revealed and revived.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

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Amazing Love
“He loved them unto the end” (John 13:1).
What a staggering thought it is that He who knows us best loves us most. The more we know of some people the less we like them, and the less likely we are to love them, apart from the grace of God enabling us.
When we think of the love of Jesus we must think of a love which is never false, never changing, but stedfast and true.
“Ere He called me well He knew
What a heart like mine would do.”
That He should love us who are so unlovely must, and should, ever amaze us.
His wounded hands, feet and side provide unchallengeable proof of a love which surpasses our understanding but, thank God, does not pass our knowing.
Paul knew this, for he wrote, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Can you say this?

Monday, March 17, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:
By this time of year we in Eastern Canada are looking for any signs of spring and warmer weather that might be starting to appear. The melting of snow, warmer days with some sunshine…anything! There can still be plenty of winter left, but we are looking beyond that to the hope of better things.
I sometimes wonder if we are looking for the Lord’s coming in that same way? Spring is bound to come and we count on it just around the corner, but there is another event that is more certain than the coming of another season, and that is the rapture. “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast” (Hebrews 6:19).
Just as we look for signs of spring and warmer weather in many parts of the world this time of year, so we should be looking for the Lord to come all year round. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Will you be looking for the Lord to come as you go about this week?
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, March 16, 2014

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Our Sins
“The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
The work of the cross was God’s work. He chose to lay on Jesus our iniquity. And then He punished Him for it as if it were His own. That is really the meaning of the words of the Lord prophetically, when He says, “O God, thou knowest My foolishness; and My sins are not hid from Thee” (Psalm 69:5). The Lord had no sins of His own personally…FAR BE THE THOUGHT! He was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26). This was the punishment that we deserved but Jesus took it for us.
As we remember the Lord Jesus again today, let’s think about the tremendous cost of our salvation. It cost Jesus His life. It cost God the giving up of His Son.
“Christ also suffered for us…who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth…who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree…by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:21-22,24).

Saturday, March 15, 2014

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One Way
“Jesus saith…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).
Eighty men fighting a forest fire were trapped without knowing it. An unknown airplane pilot, seeing their plight, risked his life by flying low enough to drop weighted paper notes. Three times he did this, and the notes told the men that they were trapped, that the pilot could see the only way out, and that he would guide them to safety. The men believed his words and obeyed him instantly. They ran through a narrow, flame-lined corridor and all reached the highway safely.
The men did not stop to argue about the notes that came from above, to see whether they were genuine. Neither did they take any chances by trying to find some other way out. They believed the only one who could view the whole situation, and ran for their lives — and were saved.
God, who alone can view the whole situation of this troubled world, sent His Son to save us, and calls us to believe His Word, the Bible. How futile to try to find other ways out!

Friday, March 14, 2014

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Persecution
“All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
Many years ago the Evangelist George Whitefield made the following remarks:
“Persecution is necessary for the godly. If we have not all manner of evil spoken against us, how can we know whether we seek only that honor which comes from above? If we have no persecutors, how can many Christian precepts be put into practice? How can we love, pray for, and do good to those who despitefully use us? How can we overcome evil with good? In short, how can we know we love God better than life itself?”
George Whitefield lived and served the Lord in the 1700’s. He helped to bring the gospel to North America, and was used of the Lord to preach to thousands of souls. Read about his life and you will find that when he talks about suffering for Christ and persecution, he was talking from experience.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

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Promises
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4).
We don’t just have “great…promises,” we have “exceeding great…promises.”
Not only are they “exceeding great…” they are “exceeding great and precious…”
The Word of God is full of these wonderful promises. Furthermore, these promises will never fail. “There hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised” (1 Kings 8:56).
Don’t forget, “All the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
The result of appreciating these promises will have a practical effect on our life. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
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