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Young Christians Calendar

A daily meditation for young Christians

August 2014

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Sunday, August 31, 2014

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The Lord’s Death
“Christ Jesus…humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”
(Philippians 2:5,8).
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13).
Many people in the history of man have been willing to give their lives for a noble cause, or for the protection of their country, or for their friends or family. But Christ gave His life voluntarily for His enemies. And not only that, but He willingly submitted to death by crucifixion — a long, slow, painful and extremely shamefully humiliating death.
The cross is despised and mocked by those who have no love for the Lord Jesus. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:18). However the rest of the verse says: “But unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” No wonder Paul said, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).

Saturday, August 30, 2014

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Healing Power
“I am the Lord that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26).
Among most people there is a liking for those things which are homemade. This is quite understandable in most things, for there is the personal skill and touch involved which imparts flavor and quality to them. There is a tremendous danger though, if we try to apply this to the soul’s salvation. Soul sickness will never respond to any human treatment. No home remedy will ever put away sin!
How sad it is that men still prefer homemade recipes to heaven-sent remedies. The bitten Israelites had but to look at the serpent of brass to live.
So today, there is no need for, nor accomplishment and value in, self treatment, for God says, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45:22). What more can the poor guilty sinner need than to know the experience of the Psalmist, who declared of the Lord, “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases” (Psalm 103:3).
It is wonderful to be a forgiven sinner!

Friday, August 29, 2014

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Question Page
Q. Why is it so hard to pray, and what can we do to be more consistent with our prayer-life?
A. The enemy, Satan, does not want us to express our dependence and confidence in God our Father and the Lord Jesus, which is what we do when we pray. He knows that a prayerless life is a powerless life.
Another thing that can rob us of time spent in prayer is the busy pace of life. We need to discipline our prayer life, like Daniel. “He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed” (Daniel 6:10). Daily, consistent prayer was the habit of his life.
Something else that will keep us from prayer is sin and a bad conscience. When we allow sin in our life it breaks communion and we don’t feel comfortable to come and speak to Him. Just like a difficulty coming between you and a friend, so it is with the “Friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
It takes constancy and “purpose of heart” to keep up our prayer life. The Lord said to His followers, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (Matthew 26:41).
Do you have a question? Email us at jhyland@primus.ca

Thursday, August 28, 2014

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Your Task
“She hath done what she could” (Mark 14:8).
“Who knoweth,” said Mordecai to Esther, “whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).
Perhaps today some daunting, difficult task is facing you, or will suddenly be presented to you. What will be your reaction? There is a very natural tendency to say, “I can’t do that.” If however, we are made aware that this is God’s purpose for us, then we ought to attempt it.
I remember once reading these words, “When God has told you what to do, He has already equipped you for what you can do.”
It is an honor, a privilege, and a solemn responsibility to be called to serve God in any way, whether great or small. We may always count upon power to do what we are commanded of God to do. “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea: and the Lord caused the sea to go back” (Exodus 14:21). God works through means, and maybe today He means to work through you.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

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Monthly Scripture Reading
1 Timothy 2
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus;
Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

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Correspondence
“And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord” (2 Kings 19:14).
This was the wisest thing Hezekiah could have done. He had received a threatening letter from a mighty king. In 2 Chronicles 32:17 we read that this king, Sennacherib, “wrote also letters to rail on the Lord God of Israel.”
Here we have a picture of Hezekiah asking God to read his correspondence and help him reply. How often have we been at a loss to know how to answer a letter, an email or any other form of correspondence? Surely here in this incident we are encouraged to bring everything to God in prayer.
If you read the whole story in 2 Kings 19 you will see how God took the whole matter into His own hands, and sent Isaiah the prophet with a most reassuring answer.
Perhaps today you are saying, “I don’t know the answer to this correspondence.” Show it to the Lord, and ask Him to help you.

Monday, August 25, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:
Yesterday we noticed how the Lord Jesus completely and fully glorified God here on planet earth. Now the believer is left here to do the same thing. The Lord prayed, “And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as we are” (John 17:10-11).
Just as the Lord glorified God on the earth, so we are to reflect the glories of Christ from day to day. We can only do this as we are occupied with the Lord and His glories. That is simply what the Apostle Paul was saying when he wrote: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). How much will this be true of you this week? Will others see Christ reflected in your life?
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, August 24, 2014

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Glorified
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God be glorified in Him, God shall also glorify Him in Himself, and shall straightway glorify Him” (John 13:31-32).
“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify…I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:1,4).
To be glorified is to have every quality, beauty, and attribute that makes up a person’s being brought into full display. The Lord Jesus, both in His perfect pathway and in the mighty work of Calvary, completely glorified God His Father. In other words, every quality, beauty and attribute of God shone out in unquestionable excellence, and in the end the Lord could say with confidence, “I have glorified Thee.”
As we think of this the response of our hearts will be like John who wrote, “To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:6)

Saturday, August 23, 2014

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The Blood of Jesus
An evangelist was speaking from the text, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Suddenly without warning he was interrupted by a young man who professed to be an atheist. The young person stood up and asked, “How can blood cleanse sin?”
At first the preacher was rather taken aback, and for a moment remained silent. Then picking up a glass of water on the lectern in front of him, he countered with a question of his own. “How can this water quench thirst?
Now it was the young man’s turn to be stymied. After hesitating awhile he finally answered, “I don’t know, but I know it does.”
“Neither do I know how the blood of Jesus cleanses sin,” answered the preacher, “but I know it does.”
Someone else once raised the question, “Is there anything that God cannot see?”
The answer was, “My sins when they are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ.” “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).

Friday, August 22, 2014

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Angelic Ministry
“There appeared an angel…strengthening Him”
(Luke 22:43).
When the Saviour agonized in Gethsemane, He received angelic help. Later He said, “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53).
In our times of weakness and loneliness we tend to forget the myriads of living creatures who at a word from our God and Father can appear for our relief and help.
Daniel, while pleading before God, testified, “the man Gabriel…being caused to fly swiftly, touched me” (Daniel 9:21).
Reflect upon the title, “Lord of Hosts,” and believe that these hosts are all under Divine control. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14).
The believer is not a lost, lone wanderer in a desolate world. He is surrounded by the mercy and the messengers of God. “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7).

Thursday, August 21, 2014

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The Twelve Apostles – Part 8
Philip
“The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow Me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:43-45).
These verses give us an insight into Philip’s call to discipleship and his desire for others to meet the Lord Jesus.
He seems to have taken a prominent place amongst the disciples. He is the one who spoke of how much it would cost to feed the multitude (John 6:5-7). Certain Greeks questioned him as to seeing Jesus (John 12:20-22). He asks the Lord concerning showing them the Father (John 14:8-9). He is listed with those that were in the upper room waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit (Act 1:13).
From these scriptures we learn that Philip had a warm, loving heart with a desire to help others, although not always sure how it could be done. In spite of what often seemed like a lack of faith the Lord used him in blessing to many.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

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I Can’t Help It
“I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29).
Temperament is often an excuse for inexcusable conduct. How often have we heard it said, “I can’t help it, I am made that way.” The dictionary defines temperament as “the physical and mental constitution peculiar to an individual.”
So we recognise the fact of differences in people. Every one of us is different, consequently our reactions greatly vary.
If, however, we are Christians we must never forget that while conversion does not change the temperament, it reveals the possibility that grace can control the temperament and the temper. While we may be quick to notice and resent the un-Christ-like outbursts of others, we must ask ourselves whether we always reveal a Christ-like spirit.
Let’s be as ready to make excuses for others as we are for ourselves, and take heart from the fact that Christ is able to provide grace to subdue what needs to be subdued. He has assured us, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

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Included
“He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).
There is an old story of a ship passenger who lived on crackers and cheese all the way across the Atlantic Ocean only to learn that his meals were included in his ticket.
Our salvation includes far more than pardon from sin, deliverance from hell, and a ticket to heaven. It also includes all that we need on our journey through this world. Sin has been dealt with at Calvary, but the Lord Jesus is not only our Saviour, He is our full resource and sustenance for our spiritual life. We are not to subsist on our own “crackers and cheese.” We have everything we need in Christ. “For all things are yours” (1 Corinthians 3:21).
What an all-inclusive ticket to heaven we have! The cost was God giving His Son for our sins. Now as a result of that great sacrifice we have “all things.” Throw away your “crackers and cheese!” You have a right to eat in the main dining room.

Monday, August 18, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:
Are you starting the week as a happy Christian? It is a healthy thing all the way around. The Bible states, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).
It’s really surprising how a happy person’s happiness rubs off on others. Life is hard. For many, life is cruel with no laughter or joy. Paul said of his experiences, “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). He wasn’t thick-skinned or callous when it came to the things he went through, but he had a happiness and joy in the Lord through it all; a happiness that we can all have, and that overcomes any circumstance no matter how tough.
What a witness it is for the Lord when we are happy, and when our happiness overflows to those around. This is one medication that doesn’t cost anything to make or to get. Let the enjoyment of the Lord in your life show on the outside, by being happy. Give out some doses of happy medicine this week.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, August 17, 2014

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Our Sins
“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
We cannot really understand the Lord’s hatred of sin. He was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26). “And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin” (1 John 3:5).
Yet God heaped all our sins on His Son in those three hours of darkness and punished Him for them just as if He had committed them all Himself. He had no sins of His own personally — far be the thought, but He took our sins and confessed them as if they were His own — what a Saviour!
He who was, and is, perfect was made sin for us. Why? So that we might, through faith, be made righteous. This should make us bow our hearts in worship and adoration today as we remember the Lord’s sufferings and death.
He bore my sins as if they were His own,
He took my punishment from God,
No greater work is known.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

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Snakes and Sins
“If ye believe not…ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).
“He that believeth in Me, thought he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).
Some years ago there lived in France a celebrated snake-charmer by the name of Pamela. It is almost unimaginable, but she was in the habit of taking her venomous pets to bed and letting them sleep with her during the night.
One morning she never woke up. Her lifeless body, swollen into a shapeless blue mass, almost beyond recognition, was found by her friends several hours after her untimely demise. The snakes, so long tolerated and toyed with, had bitten her to death. Constant usage and familiarity had caused her to regard them as harmless. But she had trifled with, and trusted them, once too often.
Our sins are not unlike Pamela’s snakes, if we are not saved. While our eyes are closed in spiritual sleep they surround us. One of these days, unless they are gotten rid of through the work of Calvary and the blood of Christ, they will be our ruin.

Friday, August 15, 2014

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“Ups” And “Downs”
Recently I had the privilege of being at the wedding of a young couple, and it was a very happy occasion as it was a marriage “in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39). However, in less that a week I attended the funeral of a young lady, just 23 years of age, who had been killed in a car accident. Although she knew the Lord as her Saviour, and we know that she is “absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8), yet it was quite a shock to her family and all that knew her.
These circumstances are a stark reminder of the “ups” and “downs” and uncertainties of life. How good it is to have God as our Father, and the Lord as our guide, comfort, and friend, through all these things. What would we do without this constant resource? David valued what he had in his God. He said, “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God” (Psalm 62:5-7).
He is with us, and He is able for whatever happens!

Thursday, August 14, 2014

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Preaching – Part 2
“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
It has been estimated that if all the unsaved people of the world were to line up single file at your front door, the line would reach around the world 30 times, and this line would grow by twenty miles each day.
Now, if you were to drive a car at 50 miles an hour for ten hours a day, it would take you 4 years and 40 days to get to the end of the line of souls. And by then it would have grown by 30,000 miles.
Even if these statistics are only somewhat accurate, they should make us aware of the great need there is in the world today. We don’t have to look very far to see the need or make known the gospel. The Lord says to each of us, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee” (Mark 5:19). Look out your front door and see lost souls. Then in one way or another, “Preach the Word” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

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Preaching – Part 1
We are not sent to preach sociology but salvation; not economics but evangelism; not reform but redemption; not culture but conversion; not progress but pardon; not the new social order but the new birth; not revolution but regeneration; not renovation but revival; not resuscitation (restoration of life) but resurrection; not a new organization but a new creation; not democracy but the GOSPEL; not civilization but CHRIST.
The Bible tells us that we are ambassadors not diplomats. “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).
Don’t get caught up in the politics and other issues for the betterment of society and the world that we are so bombarded with today. The Apostle Paul made it clear what the theme of his preaching was. He said: “We preach Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23). “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5).
Continued…

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

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Memorizing
“I will meditate in Thy precepts…I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy Word”
(Psalm 119:15-16).
In a world of cell phones and speed dialling, our ability to remember may be short-circuited by reliance on technological gadgets. A Los Angeles Times article says that in years past, as we dialed phone numbers, the “repetition…slowly etched them in our long-term memory.” Daily use provided constant review. I used to know all the numbers for family and friends, but today all I need to do is press a button.
Letting a phone number slip our minds may be trivial, but keeping a mental grip on God’s Word is of the utmost importance. Someone has said that the three principles of scripture memory are: Review, Review, Review!
It is also good to memorize the reference with the text. That way we will be able to find it when the need arises. The goal of etching scripture in our minds is to have it fill our hearts and motivate our actions. Memorizing opens the mental door to God’s Word. Review helps it find a permanent home in our hearts.

Monday, August 11, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:
As you head out for the week, let me share a story I remember hearing some time ago:
A young man, Dave, was reading his Bible while riding the rapid transit to work on Monday morning. Someone must have noticed. When the train reached Dave’s stop, a group gathered to exit. Just as the door opened, a stranger leaned over and asked, “Did He speak to you this morning?” Receiving an affirmative reply, the stranger disappeared into the crowd.
It reminded me of what Eli the priest said to Samuel when he realized that the Lord was calling to him one night at the temple. He instructed the young boy to answer, “Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:9).
Take time to hear the Lord speak to you each morning this week; before you leave your room, while eating breakfast, on the way to work or school. I used to have the Bible narrated on cassette tape so I could listen on the way to work or at the office.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, August 10, 2014

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The Tree
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”
(Romans 5:8).
One of Canada’s major newspapers, National Post, carried the following headline on November 20, 2007:
“Man ties children to a palm tree, as worst cyclone in a decade hits Bangladesh.”
The article went on to say that it was a horrific storm like few others, and killed an estimated 3,000 people. However, it was deprived of the lives of two children ages five and thirteen. They had been tied to a tree when the winds of 240 km per hour struck the coast.
In His Father’s will, the Lord Jesus was nailed to Calvary’s cross. “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). It was not to save Himself from the storm of God’s judgment against sin, but to save us from it, and to pay the price for our sins. The rest of the verse in 1 Peter confirms, “that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Saturday, August 9, 2014

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You Have Heard
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”
(Romans 5:8).
On the cross where man slew the Lord Jesus, God by Him brought about redemption. His love rose above the enmity and hatred of His enemies. Such is the virtue and value of Christ’s sacrifice, that it can bring to God the worst sinner without spot or stain. Yet so much more ruinous will it be for those that believe not. It is far better to be a heathen that never heard the gospel than a person who has heard and rejected or neglected God’s great salvation.
Over and over in the New Testament there are numerous references to the love of God…so many times when God has declared His love for man…so many assurances that salvation can be had through the blood of Christ.
“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood…to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5-6).

Friday, August 8, 2014

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Submit to God
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
Simply put, this verse means, Say, “Yes” to God and, “No” to the devil. It is useless to try to resist the devil without first submitting to God. The devil is too strong and his wiles too subtle for any of us. Victory begins with surrender to God. But on the other hand, we are to follow submission to God with resisting the devil. “The battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47), but we are not robots or machines; we must be on God’s side and say “No” to the enemy. We fight with spiritual weapons, but we still fight, and there is not only passive submission but active submission.
Some make the mistake of mere submission without a positive stand against the tempter. Others resist without submission, and the devil does not flee. It is a double-barreled admonition. It is a clear call to “Yes” and “No.”
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay” (Matthew 5:37).

Thursday, August 7, 2014

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Reading The Bible – Part 2
“His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).
Here are some further responses to yesterday’s question, Why is it we can read a three hundred page novel with ease, but we find it hard sometimes to schedule time each day to read a chapter from the Bible?
A believer who is cold in their soul will find the Bible dry. I know because I’ve been there before.
A novel will appeal to the flesh.
If you are not walking with God you will find even a Christian novel more exciting than the Bible.
What we feed on affects us greatly. If we feed on what is not good then that is what we will grow to like. We won’t have an appetite for spiritual food.
It takes spiritual energy and discipline to read the Living Word.
These observations came from a variety of young people of various ages. Lots of good points to ponder aren’t there?

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

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Reading the Bible – Part 1
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me” (John 5:36).
Some years ago in a young people’s periodical, entitled Truth for Young Christians, the following question was raised: Why is it we can read a three hundred page novel with ease, but we find it hard sometimes to schedule time each day to read a chapter from the Bible?
The young people were asked to send their thoughts on the subject, and here are some of the responses…
To enjoy the Word of God we must “search” the scriptures with our heart, and that is sometimes hard to do.
I believe it has a lot to do with a person’s state of soul. If you are away from the Lord, a novel is more interesting than the Word of God.
Satan will do all he can to prevent us from reading the Bible.
We like to avoid having our conscience stirred up.
We will list some further responses tomorrow.
Continued…

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

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Oh…Hour
“A time…for every purpose” (Ecclesiastes 3:17).
Oh happy hour, when first we came
To know our sins forgiven:
To know our Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Who died, who lives, in heaven;
We recollect His first embrace,
Never forget His saving grace.
Oh precious hours, with Him to walk,
Along faith’s path each day:
And prove Christ’s changeless faithfulness,
Which drives all fear away:
His grace sustains, His hand upholds,
His love, Himself, to us unfolds.
Oh joyful hour, when at the throne,
We spend with Jesus there;
And fellowship in sweet accord,
And find our source in prayer;
We would retire and there abide,
In Him we safely can confide.

Monday, August 4, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:
The other day I left my calendar book and agenda at the Bahamas Air ticket counter. I didn’t realize it was gone until the next morning when I got an email informing me of the situation. I went back to the airport, but nobody seemed to know where it was. After some frustration I finally left a local contact number and committed it to the Lord. Later, after several calls, I got in touch with the lady who had found it. I then returned to the airport that afternoon to pick it up.
It wouldn’t have been a big deal except that there was a blank check in the inside pocket, and several other things that made the situation vulnerable. There was also a good bit of information I didn’t want to lose.
What a world we live in! But it is wonderful to have one who knows everything…past, present, and future. So often I find help in the verse, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5). If I could just learn to do it more, and without worry.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, August 3, 2014

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Son of the Father
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth…No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him” (John 1:14,18).
As man, Jesus is the Son of David and the Son of Abraham, but He is eternally the Son of God, the Son of the Father. As Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, God the Father announced that Jesus was His beloved Son. “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
Jesus was ever the Son of the Father’s love (John 17:24). He had come from God the Father (John 13:3; 16:27-28). He did not become the Son at some point in a past eternity, nor at Jordan, nor at His incarnation; He is eternally the Son which is in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18). As the Father eternally delighted in His Son, so He would have us to delight in Him as well, and contemplate Him in every way in which He is presented to us in Scripture.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

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An Obituary
He brushed his teeth twice a day.
He had a doctor’s check up twice a year.
He wore his boots when it rained.
He slept with the windows open.
He got at least eight hours sleep a night.
He stuck to a diet with lots of fruit and vegetables.
He never smoked, drank, or lost his temper.
He had his tonsils out when he was young.
He had a regular exercise program.
He was set to live to be a hundred.
The funeral will be held Wednesday. He is survived by 18 specialists, four health institutions, six gyms, and numerous manufacturers of health foods and antiseptics.
* * * *
His One Mistake
He forgot God, and lived as if time and this world was all that there was. He is like the man of whom the Lord sadly said, “One thing thou lackest” (Mark 10:21). He lacked the thing he needed the most. He lacked salvation.

Friday, August 1, 2014

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Yielded
“Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:13).
Being yielded to God is the normal condition of a healthy, holy and happy Christian life.
Not being yielded to God is the reason for much of the fearfulness and faltering and the failure of many who profess to be the followers of Jesus Christ.
Not being yielded to God accounts for indifference to the claims of God, the lack of love towards others and the loss of joy and peace and power that often is evident in our own individual lives.
What does it mean to be yielded to God? Someone has said that it is to “Let go, and to let God.” In other words, it is to let go of self and self-will, and to let God have full control of our life. To be under the full control of the Spirit of God, is to be completely yielded to God. It also means that we will be completely happy! “Walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:4).
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