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Young Christians Calendar

A daily meditation for young Christians

September 2014

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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

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Keeping Going
“I press towards the mark” (Philippians 3:14).
The Christian life is not so much a sprint as it is an obstacle race, and one of the qualities called for is endurance. This is a more necessary thing than speed. Moses, we are told, “endured, as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27), and of a greater than Moses it is written “Jesus…endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2).
The Lord in His pathway was constantly confronted with obstacles, and finally the cross, but none of these things cause Him to deviate from the course. He continued until He could say, “I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 19:30). So did Paul, when he declared, “I have finished my course” (2 Timothy 4:7).
The exhortation comes to us, “Let us lay aside every weight…and let us run with patience (endurance) the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2). When the going is hard and dangerous, then, “Consider Him” (Hebrews 12:3). He who Himself endured can give grace for endurance.

Monday, September 29, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:
Being lonely is no fun!
I remember a time when my wife and girls were away for several weeks, and I was left at home alone to fend for myself. I didn’t particularly enjoy it, and it made me appreciate the need to consider and visit those who live alone and do not get about on a regular basis.
James gives us good instruction on this subject. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27). There are plenty of lonely, shut-in people, both young and old. Let’s practice “pure religion” by visiting and helping to encourage such individuals. It isn’t so much what we say, or doing some great deed, but just being there and being a good listener is often the best help we can give.
The Lord has said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me” (Matthew 25:45).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, September 28, 2014

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Praise
“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me” (Psalm 50:23).
“PRAISE,” not silence! It is true that true praise needs to come from the heart. The Lord said, of those who only gave outward lip-service in His day, “This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me” (Matthew 15:8).
Still, praise has to do with that which is audible. If the heart is full of Christ and His work and blessings, there will be praise and thanksgiving on our lips. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34).
Learn to open your mouth and “sing unto the Lord” (Psalm 30:4). He wants to hear your voice. I realize that sometimes as young people we feel it is not “cool” to sing, but if our hearts are really in tune with His, we will not be able to help ourselves.
Let’s be like David who said, “I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord” (Psalm 27:6).

Saturday, September 27, 2014

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The Next Life
“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Luke 16:22-23).
She lived most of her life in the poorest of circumstances, and at 74 years of age, passed from this life to the next. I visited her often over the years, and attended her funeral the other day. Irma was a bright believer, and in spite of a difficult life as a cripple and the appalling surroundings of the only home she really ever knew, always managed to give a bright smile and a word of encouragement to those around her.
At her graveside service, I couldn’t help but think of the rich man and the poor man, Lazarus, whose stories are recounted by the Lord in Luke 16. They lived in very different circumstances in this life, but only one was ready for the next life. As a result, their eternal circumstances are, and will be, not only different, but extreme.
How important to know the Lord as Saviour, and be ready for the next life.

Friday, September 26, 2014

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Question Page
Q. What would you say to a person who quoted Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” as saying that you need to be baptized to be saved from your sins?
A. Notice, it does not say, “He that is baptized and believeth,” but “He thatbelievethand isbaptized.” This order is important, and baptism naturally follows when someone receives Christ as Saviour. There is no saving virtue in the ordinance of baptism as far as the putting away of sin. It is the expression of subjection to Christ, by owning His Lordship and authority.
The rest of the verse says, “He that believeth not shall be damned.” The Lord didn’t say, “He thatis not baptized,” but “He thatbelieveth not.”
Being baptized is like a soldier putting on the uniform. It does not make him a soldier, rather it is the testimony that he is one already, by enlisting with the army. A man may put on a uniform and not be a soldier at all. Just so, a person may make a profession of being a believer by being baptized, and not be really saved.
Do you have a question? Email us at jhyland@primus.ca

Thursday, September 25, 2014

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Personal Hearing
“We have heard Him ourselves” (John 4:42).
At times second-hand information may be true, good, and even very helpful. Still, to have first-hand information is even better. First-hand acquaintance with Christ is essential not only to salvation, but also to growth and development in our spiritual life as believers.
To get to know a person well, we must be often in their company. As a young man, the Apostle Paul, on the road to Damascus, had a personal encounter with Christ and had heard Him, yet he later wrote, longingly, “that I may know Him” (Philippians 3:10). This was the constant desire of his heart all along the path of faith and service. To know the Lord is a deeper, better and more intimate relationship.
We are happy to be with those we love and to hear their voices. How much more ought we to listen to and long for the voice of Jesus. Can you say with the Samaritans, “I have heard Him myself”? He still speaks through His Word, the Bible, and God says, “Hear Him” (Mark 9:7).

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

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Monthly Scripture Reading
Revelation 22
I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

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Humility
“God…giveth grace to the Humble” (James 4:6).
Humility is one of the loveliest flowers that springs in the garden of the believer’s heart. We are all inclined to pride and vanity by nature. When the Spirit of Christ possesses us, we will display that lowliness and meekness which always characterized our blessed Lord. He said: “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29).
Where this lowly spirit prevails, it is easy to extend forgiveness to those who have offended us. To many this seems like the bondage of slavery, but it is the very opposite. Greatness is evidenced by one’s readiness to deny self and to serve others for the sake of the one of whom we read, “The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). We cannot share in His atoning or redemptive work, but we can and should follow Him in His life of patient service for the blessing of a needy world.

Monday, September 22, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:
“I hope to get a lot accomplished this week!” How often have we said these words, and sincerely meant it? Yet at the end of the week we’re frustrated because we didn’t get done what we had hoped to do. Maybe it was laziness, or neglect; maybe interference from others; or maybe circumstances beyond our control. But whatever the reason, we were unable to accomplish all that we had hoped and planned.
Hope and plans connected with this life are uncertain at best. That’s why it is important and vital to have hope in God, and in Christ. The Psalmist said, “That the generation to come…might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God” (Psalm 78:6-7). So as you take up the tasks of life this week and set your hopes and goals for whatever needs to be done, remember, as believers, whatever happens, and however much we may fail in reaching our weekly expectations, our God is the same and our hope in Him will never fail.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, September 21, 2014

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Sacrifice
“Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God” (Hebrews 10:7).
“Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Ephesians 5:2).
A sacrifice for the sins of the world was needed. Man was hopeless and helpless, lost and away from God. Who could come to do the will of God? Who could bear the great burden of sin that had to be dealt with? Christ was the only one, and in our verse we see He responded to the will of God, and we read, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). No one else was capable. No one else loved that much. Let’s remember today as we gather around the Lord Jesus that His love was so strong that death could not quench it. He willingly offered Himself without spot to God in order that we might go free. He was the only perfect sacrifice, and as a result we have free access to heaven through faith in Him.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

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Perfect
The Gospel presents to us…
A perfect work!
“I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:4).
By a perfect person!
“Jesus said, Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him” (John 13:31).
To give us a perfect standing!
“If God be glorified in Him, God shall also glorify Him in Himself, and shall straightway glorify Him” (John 13:32).
As loved with a perfect love!
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18).
To bring us to a perfect day!
“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:10).

Friday, September 19, 2014

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Communion
The news report read something like this:
On the 22nd of June 1983 a little after 8 o’clock, a train entered Tokyo station, but for some unexplained reason the doors remained closed, imprisoning 2,500 travellers. A detailed inspection revealed the fact that the guilty party was an insect 3 millimetres long in the electric circuit of the train.
Young people, let us learn a lesson from the incident! Our communion with the Lord can be interrupted by little things which seem to us quite insignificant. A sharp word, a little twisting of the truth, a little dishonesty, a little lack of purity…these may be the insects which prevent us from having sweet communion with our Saviour and Friend. The doors cannot be opened without self-judgment in the light of the Word of God. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Have you judged the little sins in your life today?

Thursday, September 18, 2014

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The Twelve Apostles – Part 9
Bartholomew
“And when it was day, He called unto Him His disciples: and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named apostles…Bartholomew” (Luke 6:13-14).
His name appears in each list of the disciples (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). Other than this we know little about him from Scripture. Some scholars have equated him with Nathaniel, but there is no scriptural basis to back this except by the inference given in John 1:45-46 when he is called by Philip, and in John 21:2, when he joined Peter and others in their fishing expedition, and the Lord appeared to them in resurrection the next morning.
It is interesting and instructive to see the different roles that each of the twelve disciples played. They must have been so different from one another in personality, temperament, and certainly in upbringing and background. But the Lord had a special and unique place for each one in His work and service, both while he was here on earth with them, and after He ascended back to heaven, and left them to carry on the work of making known the gospel.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

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Finger Work
“This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19).
Egypt’s magicians had to admit, “This is the finger of God.” The whole teaching of Scripture leads us to see that God’s finger is more powerful than man’s fist.
The language of the Bible is often figurative but even more forceful because of the figures used. Listen to this from the pen of David, who wrote, “When I consider Thy heavens, the work of  Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; what is man?” (Psalm 8:3-4).
When the threatening fist of man is raised, then look up to the heavens and remember the finger of God. When the finger of God is raised, all hostile fists must fall, and when the finger of God writes, it makes an indelible and unalterable impression.
The Lord said: “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you” (Luke 11:20). If the finger of God is thus described, how safe are they who are in His hands.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

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Bumper Stickers
I find bumper stickers intriguing. Here are a couple of interesting ones I noticed recently:
The God who holds the universe…
is the God who holds our hand.
Here is how the inspired writer in the Old Testament expressed it: “Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23).
The New Testament writer, the Apostle Paul said, “The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing” (Philippians 4:5-6). In other words, the Lord is right there! Do we feel His presence? The conscious warmth and strength of His hand is what will give us courage to move forward in the struggles of life and the heat of spiritual battle.
I saw another bumper sticker that had a similar message. It said:
Fear will leave us
when we remember that
Jesus is with us.

Monday, September 15, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:
I just received word today that a sister in Christ, whom I have known for many years, died last week, and is now, in the language of Scripture, “Absent from the body, and present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).
The thing that is so striking about it is, that she went from the poorest of circumstances to the glory and wonder of heaven. As a young girl, because she was crippled, she was abandoned by her parents and for the rest of her life lived in a facility in one of the Caribbean islands. This facility defies description, along with the heat, the bugs, and the smell. It was hard for me to visit there, although I often did it for her sake.
Imagine going from one extreme to the other. Imagine the joy and ecstasy of the presence of the Lord Jesus, and never to leave it again. Soon we will all be there. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump” (1 Corinthians 15:52). I, for one, can’t wait!
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, September 14, 2014

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Priests
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).
All believers in the Lord Jesus, whether male or female, young or old, are priests. In other words, we have been given the privilege of being able to come into the Lord’s presence to offer sacrifices of praise to Him.
“By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15). We can all do this. It requires no gift. Only certain ones of the Jewish religion were allowed to offer sacrifices. But in Christianity we can ALL do it — because of the work of Christ. Let’s praise Him today. “Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5-6).

Saturday, September 13, 2014

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Sides With God
“For true and righteous are His judgments”
(Revelation 19:2).
Susannah Wesley, the mother of 20 children, spoke seriously to her son John, about his need of salvation, and he responded glibly and indifferently, “Why mother, you could not be happy in heaven if you knew I was in hell.”
She was equal to the occasion however, replying, “Son, if you go on rejecting Christ as you do and end up in hell, I will fully take sides with God against you for eternity.” This struck him hard enough that he had no rest and peace of soul until he finally submitted to the Lord Jesus. After that he was used greatly by the Lord in declaring the precious gospel of God for many years, in many places, with the result that great numbers were saved.
What a serious thing it will be to have family and loved ones standing with the Lord Jesus at the Great White Throne, as the lost are judged and cast into the Lake of Fire. Those who have prayed for you on earth and begged you to turn to the Saviour will fully take sides with God in your eternal banishment to hell.

Friday, September 12, 2014

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Service
“By love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
Someone has said: “True greatness is not attained by giving orders, but by serving.”
We all love to give orders and to feel like we are in charge. In fact I have been accused of being a drill sergeant.
However, Scripture teaches that love delights to take the humble place and to serve. We have the perfect example of the Lord Jesus, who could say, “I am among you as He that serveth” (Luke 22:27).
If we love, we will serve. And this is the way of true greatness. The Lord said to His disciples: “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26-27).
Those who are greatest in the Kingdom of God are those that serve. Let’s learn to serve as the Lord Jesus did…in love, unselfishly, without seeking personal gain, and for the blessing and well-being of others. “For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister” (Mark 10:42).

Thursday, September 11, 2014

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Getting What You Want – Part 2
Life doesn’t consist in the amount of material things we have! “For a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). So we further read…“Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye doubtful of mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things” (Luke 12:29,39).
The Lord Jesus also warned: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness” (Luke 12:15). One day we are going to leave it all behind. That’s when we’ll have more than we ever dreamed of. In the meantime, God promises to take care of all, yes, all our needs — no matter what the circumstances may be.
Remember, God has promised to supply all our needs, not all our wants. “Seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you…A treasure in the heavens that faileth not…For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:31,33-34).

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

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Getting What You Want – Part 1
“My God shall supply all your need” (Philippians 4:19).
“I want it!”
In this day of easy accessibility to material things this seems to be our attitude, more than just the fact that,
“I need it.”
The prodigal son summed it up when he said: “Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me” (Luke 15:12). In this regard the following article recently caught my eye; in short this is what it said:
There is a popular idea floating around about how to get whatever you want. It’s called “the law of attraction.” Just think and feel what you want to attract, and “the law” will use people, circumstances and events, to magnetize you to it. This positive-thinking philosophy teaches that the “energy” of your dominant thoughts “attracts” your circumstances.
You won’t find that idea anywhere in the Bible! As believers, we have good reason to be positive in our thinking, but it’s because God our Father understands and meets our needs. Because He cares for us, we don’t have to be anxious.
Continued…

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

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Fire Triangle
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity” (James 3:5-6).
When I was in the fire protection business, I used to give seminars and demos on fire prevention and safety. One thing we always taught was the fire triangle, or the three things that it takes to constitute a fire, namely, oxygen, heat, and fuel. In fighting a fire you eliminate one of the three elements and the triangle is broken, and as a result the fire is extinguished. This usually means eliminating the oxygen by smothering, or the heat by cooling.
However, when it comes to the gossip spreading fires that the tongue ignites, it is the fuel that needs to be removed. “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth” (Proverbs 26:20). Let’s eliminate the fires of rumor and gossip that do such great damage by learning to hold our tongue…by removing the fuel.

Monday, September 8, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:
I have been reading a book entitled Under A Thatched Roof. It is an account by Rosemary Cunningham her work with her husband as pioneer missionaries amongst the Cayapo, a savage tribe of Indians in the interior of Brazil. In reading of the darkness of heathendom, the awful power of evil spirts, and the witchcraft connected with Satan’s domain, it has once again made me thankful for the light of Christianity, the fact that I was born in a country where that light still flickers, and that I was raised in a home where it burned brightly.
I, too, have had opportunities to visit parts of the world, where spiritual darkness is unhindered by the light of God’s Word and Christianity. It is a darkness not unlike the physical darkness in Egypt in Moses’ time: “Darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt” (Exodus 10:21).
Often, in our youth, we don’t appreciate and value such an upbringing, but it is a privilege. Don’t waste it!
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, September 7, 2014

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Deep Waters
“Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul…I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow Me” (Psalm 69:1-2).
What an agonizing cry of desperation! David, who penned these words, was feeling this pressure from God and so cried out for help. Little did he realize that in type, he was speaking and feeling what our Lord Jesus experienced in connection with Calvary. The awfulness of God’s wrath against sin was so terrible that Jesus felt as if He were drowning in a turbulent ocean.
Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the great fish included these sentiments: “The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head” (Jonah 2:5). He, too, is a type of the Lord going under the waters of God’s judgment in those three hour of darkness when He bore, “our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).
We will never know the full extent of what Jesus suffered, but we can always thank Him for bearing it for us.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

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Evil Speaking
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren” (James 4:11).
“Let all…evil speaking, be put away from you…and be ye kind one to another” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
When was the last time you said something mean, bad, or nasty about another believer? I heard an interesting quote the other day concerning talking about a brother or sister in Christ. The quote was this…
“Ask yourself three things before speaking:
1. Is it true?
2. Is it kind?
3. Is it necessary?”
There is a fine line between gossip and godly concern. Sometimes things need to be discussed and warning given, but make sure it’s godly concern and not gossip. Make sure that no more is said than is absolutely necessary. Solomon gave God’s instructions when he wrote: “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

Friday, September 5, 2014

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The Shout
“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Usually when we think of a shout or shouting it is in the context of something surprising or frightening, or having some argumentative connotation.
However, I want to tell you something very interesting about that word “shout” in the context of today’s opening scripture. Greek scholars tell us that this is the only place in the New Testament where the Greek word here translated “shout” occurs, and it does not mean a shout of terror, or a startling shout. No, it is a word that denotes encouragement. It is the word that was used in olden times to encourage the rowers manning the oars on the galleys. It is the shout of encouragement for the people of God, the word that calls them, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. The One who loves us, who has done so much for us, will be there on the threshold of the Father’s house, and will take us in. What a scene that will be! Perhaps we will hear that wonderful shout today…are you listening for it?

Thursday, September 4, 2014

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Unmeasured Love
Someone once stated: “The measure of love is to love without measure!”
Here are some verses that show the love of God and Christ…without measure!
“God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
“Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).
“Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (John 13:1).
“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19).
“The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
“Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor” (Ephesians 5:2).
Enjoy that love today, and remember, “Greater love hath no man than this” (John 15:13).

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

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Carried
“And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost” (Luke 15:5-6).
A shepherd writes: Walking through my field on a wintery morning, I met with a lamb I thought was dead, but taking it up, I found it barely alive; the cruel mother had almost starved it to death. I put it into my arms and brought it into my house. There I rubbed its starved limbs, warmed it by the fireside, and fed it with warm milk. Soon it revived. First it feared me, but afterwards it thoroughly loved me. I fed it with my own hand, so it followed me wherever I went, bleating after me whenever it saw me, and was always happy when it could frisk around me, but never so pleased as when I would carry it in my arms. Jesus is a shepherd, the Shepherd of souls, and of Him it is said, “He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11).

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

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Overwhelmed
“From when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2).
When everything seems out of hand,
I, on the firm foundation, stand:
On Christ the Rock, whose strength prevails,
Whose love and power never fails.
When overwhelmed my heart — I cry,
Lead to the Rock, higher than I.
I know His saving grace and power,
And I can trust Him every hour.
I’m sheltered safe within His hand,
His promises forever stand.
When overwhelmed…etc.
His blood has washed my sins away,
His grace preserves me every day:
He lives, for me to supplicate —
My Great High Priest, and Advocate.
When overwhelmed…etc…
Continued next month…

Monday, September 1, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:
For many of us, when we flip the calendar to the month of September it seems like summer is over, vacation behind us, and it’s time to get serious about life again. Time to settle down and get ready to go back to school, maybe a new job, perhaps even a move to a new location. Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming and frightening.
Whatever changes September brings, remember, the Lord is with you. David had lots of changes and scary experiences in his life, too. On one occasion he prayed: “When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). He also prayed, “Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust” (Psalm 16:1). In fact, David uses the expression “preserve me” six times in the Psalms, and the word “preserve” in other contexts many times. He felt the need of the preservation of His God, and often prayed that he would be “preserved.”
This is a good prayer to start a new month with!
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca
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