Young Christians Calendar

October 2014

Question Page

Q. Which gifts in the New Testament are considered “sign gifts”? Is it just the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 14:22)?

A. Certainly tongues were one of the “sign gifts” but in 1 Corinthians 12:28, we have others mentioned. “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

We can quickly see that the underlined gifts are “sign gifts.” They were special gifts given at the beginning of Christianity, with the descent of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. These signs were to confirm the word that the disciples were sent to preach, because the written Word of God was not complete, nor the full revelation of truth yet given the way it is now.

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:19-20).

Do you have a question? Email us at jhyland@primus.ca

Thursday, October 30, 2014

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Praying for Leaders

“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” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

When was the last time you prayed for the President, Prime Minister, or leader of your country by name? Are you praying daily for the salvation of those in power over you? Scripture is very clear that we need to be specific in prayer. We tend to be very general sometimes and with one sentence cover everyone from pole to pole. God wants us to pray for individuals, by name. Let’s pray this way in connection with world leaders, and see what power there is in specific prayer.

If Christians would spend more time and energy praying for those in power, it would have a greater effect than trying to lobby against them.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

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The Royal Color

“Only let your conversation (behavior) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27).

The story is told of one of the Dauphins (heir to the French throne) who had an English tutor. This teacher found his princely pupil very difficult to handle. Proud and haughty, and impatient of restraint, the young man submitted unwillingly to schoolroom restrictions, and his foreign instructor was at his wits’ end to know how to deal with him. One morning as his pupil came to him the tutor placed upon his jacket a purple rosette, saying, “This is the royal color, and as you wear it I want you to remember that you are the Crown Prince of France, and that it is your duty to always behave in a princely way. If you are willful or disobedient I shall, of course, not attempt to punish you, as that is not my business, but I shall simply point to the purple, and you will understand what I mean, that I do not feel your behavior is worthy of a princely lad.”

Let’s remember at all times that we are a “son…an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7).

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

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Temptation

“Then was Jesus…tempted of the devil” (Matthew 4:1).

“He is able to succour them that are tempted”
(Hebrews 2:18).

Never lose sight of the fact that your Lord has walked the same pathway as His people. He was not exempt from temptation — in fact we read that, “He Himself hath suffered being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). To know that the Lord Jesus Himself has passed this test is a great comfort to the sorely tried child of God.

The devil is a master at tempting the believer, but he himself has a master. What a source of strength it is to know that God’s Word declares that “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). As Christ overcame temptation, so He will give strength to His people to overcome, and He will do this because of His faithfulness. Temptation is common to all believers, but grace to resist the devil with all his subtle approaches is available from the “God of all grace” (1 Peter 5:10).

Monday, October 27, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:

“This is my beloved, and this is my friend”
(Song of Solomon 5:16).

“What a friend we have in Jesus.”

Are you ready to start the week in company with your best friend; the “Friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24)? Don’t leave your room or home today without the conscious sense of the presence of the Lord Jesus, so that you can enjoy sweet fellowship, and so that you can turn to Him at anytime and in any situation.

Life may not be easy this week, and you have no idea what unexpected twists and turns the road of life may have, but with the Lord by your side, and dependence on Him, you can make it through. One of the Old Testament prophets tells us: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, October 26, 2014

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The First Day

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight” (Acts 20:7).

Here is what characterized the believers at the beginning of the Christian era, and here is the example for us to follow even though we are at the end of that era now. You may have wondered why we remember the Lord every “first day of the week” rather than some other day or only a few times a year. We get our example from what is recorded here in God’s Word regarding the early Christians who came together with the purpose of remembering the Lord in the breaking of bread on Sunday, or as John refers to it later on, “the Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10).

Don’t ever let it become an empty ritual — one that means nothing to you. This time should be the highlight of a Christian’s week, the time when we spend a few moments thinking of Jesus our Saviour and what it cost Him to get us to heaven.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

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The Gospel

This is a day when, in general, people are turning away from the light of the gospel, and choosing rather to walk in darkness. The following account shows how God worked to first bring the gospel to England several hundred years ago.

When the first missionary who came to England arrived in Kent, he presented himself before the king to solicit permission to preach the gospel in his dominions. After long deliberation a negative was about to be put upon his application when an aged counsellor, with his head silvered over with grey hairs, rose, and by the following speech obtained the permission which was requested. “Here we are, like the birds of passage; we know not whence we came, or whither we are going; if this man can tell us, let him speak.” That missionary’s visit was the morning star of the day of Gospel Light, which has so long shone through. Many today are turning their back on it.

“God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Friday, October 24, 2014

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Soaring and Serving

“Four living creatures…and they had the hands of a man under their wings” (Ezekiel 1:5,8).

The living creatures in Ezekiel’s vision had “hands…under their wings.” What an ideal for the Christian. Hymn-writers and singers have written and sung about both wings and hands. For example: “Give me the wings of faith.” And also: “Take my hands and let them move, at the impulse of Thy love.”

Here we see the necessity of combining heavenly aspirations with earthly duties. The wings of faith carry us into the place of holy contemplation and communion, when the things of earth grow dim and the glories of heaven shine brightly. But while we remain here on earth we have to serve, and hands are essential for this. There is no doubt that they who exercise their wings daily will know better how to use their hands in service for Christ and others.

If through constant use of our wings we have learned the secret of communion with God, we shall be the better equipped for communication to our fellow men through our hands.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

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Speak

“And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice”
(1 Kings 19:12).

The loudest speaker is not always the most effective. It is possible to rant and rave and make a tremendous din, yet make little or no impression on the hearers.

Leaves and flowers unfold silently, and the most profound thoughts may be expressed in quiet utterances. The whisper of God is more powerful that the shouting of men.

Elijah on Mount Horeb had an ear that was tuned to catch the whisper of God, while he had remained unmoved by the crashing and flashing of that which preceded it.

Lovers have secrets between themselves, and they whisper to one another of their love.

We can expect that He whom we know as the Lover of our souls will from time to time whisper in our ear.

Pray for such sensitivity to His voice that we shall hear His whisper, and distinguish His voice amid the reverberation of the world around us, and say, like Samuel, “Speak; for Thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:10).

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

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Monthly Scripture Reading

Psalm 119:1-11

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart.

They also do no iniquity: they walk in His ways.

Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts diligently.

O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes!

Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy commandments.

I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned Thy righteous judgments.

I will keep Thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word.

With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

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Ashamed

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16).

“I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed” (2 Timothy 1:12).

Today you may be called upon to make a stand, to show whose you are and to whom you belong. Are you prepared to do this? Are you prepared to say, and show by word and act, that your trust is in Jesus Christ, and that He is your Lord?

There is a cowardly streak in most of us which may cause us to be silent when we ought to speak, and hide when we should be on the front line.

When we talk about suffering and shame, let’s remember that Christ endured the one, and despised the other. Of the Apostles it is written: “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Act 5:41).

Peter wrote: “If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16).

Let’s ask for grace to never be ashamed of Jesus!

Monday, October 20, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:

“Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”
(Isaiah 40:30-31).

If you try to go on your own this week you are going to stumble and fall in the path of faith. Natural strength, even of youth, isn’t enough to meet the situations and temptations that you will face in a cold hostile world, that hates Christ, and of which Satan is the “god” and “prince.” No it takes more than natural fortitude and ability.

However, if you go forth this week in the strength of the Lord, whether soaring like an eagle, running like an athlete or just walking like the hiker, you will find a resource for every mile of the way, and you will not faint. Don’t count on yourself, count on the Lord.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, October 19, 2014

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Lord’s Day

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10).

“And upon the first day of the week…the disciples came together to break bread” (Acts 20:7).

Here it is, another Lord’s Day, another first day of the week! The Apostle John was “in the Spirit,” and as a result had a wonderful revelation of the person and work of Christ. He also breaks forth in praise and worship. “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).

The early believers in the Apostle Paul’s time gathered together to remember the Lord Jesus in the breaking of bread, in response to the Lord’s request, “This do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

What wonderful and instructive examples these are for us today. Let’s take them to heart and “worship…in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23).

Saturday, October 18, 2014

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Destiny

People talk a lot about destiny and fate, but whether they want to recognize it or not, there are two destinies when we leave this world. For those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour the destiny is HEAVEN. There they will live eternally with the one who loved them enough to die for them on the cross of Calvary. The Lord said of His own, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).

For those who reject or neglect God’s offer of pardon through His Son and the blood that He shed to cleanse us from sin, the destiny is HELL. What an awful place of eternal separation from God that will be! The Lord stated plainly that for those who are not saved when they leave this world, “Whither I go, ye cannot come” (John 8:21).

Salvation is being offered now. But there is no guarantee that it will be offered at a later time. When we leave this world it is too late to make a decision for Christ. At that point our final destiny is fixed forever. Which destination are you headed for?

Friday, October 17, 2014

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Quietness

In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15).

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever” (Isaiah 32:17).

“Pray much and speak little! ‘Study to be quiet’ (1 Thessalonians 4:11).” So advised an older brother to some young people years ago.

He went on to say, “We can edify one another more by a holy walk than by a great multitude of words. Walk not talk is what is often most important. God dwells in peaceful souls, and the tongue must be at peace also. Behold the fruit of sacred silence! It gives time for, strength collectiveness, prayer, liberty, wisdom, the company of God and a happy state of mind.”

“It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord” (Lamentations 3:26).

There is an old expression that says, Silence is golden. No wonder some of us are so poor.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

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The Twelve Apostles – Part 10

James – The Son of Zebedee

Sometimes referred to as James the Elder, he was the brother of John and according to Matthew 2:21, was mending his nets when the Lord called him to follow Him. As we noticed with the call of Matthew, busy collecting taxes, so this reminds us again of the scripture, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). The Lord often calls busy people, who are diligent in secular life.

James was privileged along with Peter and John to witness events that the other disciples did not, such as being with the Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration.

His name never appears apart from that of his brother John. They seem inseparable, which is a wonderful testimony and example for natural brothers today.

James was killed by Herod Agrippa I, about A.D. 43. “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:1-2). He was the first of the Apostles to be martyred, and though little is told us about him in the Bible, we see him as a man of real faith. “Whose faith follow” (Hebrew 13:7).

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

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Unexplained

“Jesus…said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter” (John 13:7).

We have been noticing the past couple of days, that often the Lord allows the unexpected in our lives. But sometimes there is the unexplained as well.

We like answers! We want to know why this and that has happened. We want the reason for the unexpected, and an explanation from the Lord. But we don’t always get everything explained or see the reason why right away, or even in this life. However, the time is coming, when in heaven, He will make it all plain. That’s why we are told, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God” (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Someday we will understand fully all His ways and purposes with us during our lifetime. It takes faith to just leave it all to His wisdom and love, even though we don’t understand it ourselves. Do we really believe that He knows best?

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

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The Unexpected

As I mentioned yesterday, things don’t always work out the way we planned. The world has a saying, “expect the unexpected.” For the believer the unexpected is so often a confirmation of the Lord’s will, and often He uses circumstances beyond our control to lead us in the way of His choosing. Often it is to preserve and keep us from some danger or folly that would have otherwise been to our hurt, either spiritually or physically.

Here is a good scripture to keep in mind as life unfolds with all its many twists and turns: “Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (James 4:13-14).

The Lord has a plan for each of us. It may not always be what we had wanted or hoped, but if we give Him His way it will be the very best for us, and we will be truly happy.

Monday, October 13, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:

Life is full of the unexpected! A few hours ago all my plans for the next two weeks have been changed.

I am writing this page on a flight from Guyana South America to Barbados, and on to Saint Vincent this evening. In a couple of days I was to fly to Grenada to spend six days visiting and doing gospel work. However that is where plans have changed.

I got a call today telling me that a very dear friend and brother in the Lord has passed away, with a request to take his funeral, which I have agreed to do. So I am in the process of changing flights and making plans to return to North America. How good it is to know the Lord and to be able to accept all these things from Him. Otherwise, how frustrated and angry we would be. I love the verse that says: “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5). You, too, will experience many unexpected and unwanted changes in life. Learn to trust and accept them from the Lord.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, October 12, 2014

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The Son of God

“Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54).

One man at the crucifixion was convinced of who Jesus was. That was the centurion. He had witnessed the mocking, the beating, the nailing, the three hours of darkness, the last loud cry and the earthquake, and he witnesses here that he considered that Jesus was the Son of God. Whether or not he actually believed in the Lord Jesus as his own Saviour we won’t know until we get to heaven. But there is no doubt that Jesus was who He said He was. He is indeed the only Son of God. John confirmed, “We know that the Son of God is come” (1 John 5:20).

How wonderful that today we know Him as such, and that we can echo with the Apostle Paul, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Saturday, October 11, 2014

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Three Facts

The careful, attentive reader of the New Testament will find in its pages three solemn and weighty facts presented to his view.

First: The Son of God has come into this world and gone away. “Christ Jesus came into the world” (1 Timothy 1:15).

Second: The Holy Spirit has come down to this earth, and is still here. “He may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17).

Third: The Lord Jesus is coming again. “I will come again” (John 14:3).

These are the three great subjects unfolded in the New Testament. It is impossible for anyone to avoid the bearing of these three grand facts upon their own personal condition and future destiny. The facts speak for themselves; they are recorded and left to produce their own powerful effect upon the soul. Acknowledgement and acceptance of these truths will be for the blessing of the soul now and forever.

Friday, October 10, 2014

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Security – Part 3

“Yes, I see,” she said, “and I can rest now quietly and safely in Him.”

“Thank God,” I said, “and now let us bow down on our knees, and praise Him for His grace in giving Himself for us, and for His infinite power and might in carrying us safely along through all the dangers and circumstances of life.”

We did so, and she arose and went on her way, happy and rejoicing in the Lord.

May God use this brief and simple story to establish many of His sheep and lambs in the infinite love and power of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only Saviour and Great Shepherd of His flock.

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 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 15:4-6).

Thursday, October 9, 2014

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Security – Part 2

Seeing that the young lady’s difficulty was that, though she had faith in Him as the one who had died for her, and rose again, she had not faith in Him as a living all-powerful Saviour and Shepherd of the sheep in the bright glory of God above. I said, “Suppose you could see a shepherd coming across the field with a strayed lamb in his arms, tell me would the shepherd be carrying the lamb, or the lamb the shepherd?”

“Why of course, the Shepherd would be carrying the lamb,” was her reply.

“Yes,” I said, “Now tell me, which are you, the lamb or the shepherd?”

“The lamb,” she replied.

“Yes, to be sure; and do you not see the lamb does not hold the shepherd, but the ‘Good’ and ‘Great’ Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, holds in His almighty arms the little lamb, and carries it safely home to heaven? Isaiah 40:11 says, ‘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.’”

Continued…

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

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Security – Part 1

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

One evening after a gospel meeting, a young woman returned to the room desiring to speak with me. After a few minutes conversation I found that, though she did believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as the one who had died to save her, and put away her sins by His precious atoning blood, yet she was not at rest about her eternal salvation and security, saying that she was afraid she would lose, or let Him go.

I then asked Her, “Can you rest upon Him as the one who “once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18)?”

She immediately replied, “Yes, I can! I know that John 10:11 Says, ‘the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.’”

Continued…

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

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Overwhelmed

“The Lord is my Rock” (2 Samuel 22:2).

(Continued from September 2)

There is a place where I can hide,

When troubles press on every side;

But oh, how quickly I forget,

And in distress, struggle and fret.

When overwhelmed my heart – I cry,

Lead to the Rock, higher than I.

And when I take my eyes from Thee,

And sink beneath the raging sea;

Recall my heart — and let me fly

Back to the Rock, higher than I.

When overwhelmed…etc.

Soon all the trials will be past,

And I shall reach the goal at last;

Beyond the tears, and fears, and grief,

Glorious departing, sweet relief.

When overwhelmed…etc.

Monday, October 6, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:

I am writing this page from Guyana, South America, where I have had the privilege of distributing gospel literature and preaching the good news of salvation with a fellow missionary for the past few days. We have also been visiting many dear believers who truly love the Lord and want to please Him.

It is overwhelming to be in a country where there is such spiritual need, and yet such darkness. Witchcraft, voodoo, and Hinduism surround us. And yet the light of the Word of God and the testimony of so many Christians shine so brightly. It puts me to shame really!

Many Christians in Guyana have never been able to afford their own Bible, and when they do get one, they value and read it. Many of us live in areas of the world where affordable Bibles abound. Most of us have more than one in our home. What are we doing with the Word of God? Are we reading it and walking in its light?

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, October 5, 2014

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Redeemed

“Thou hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood” (Revelation 5:9).

“Redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18).

There is nothing as precious as the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The biblical principle is that “without the shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). In other words, sin cannot be put away or cancelled without the blood and death of an innocent victim. The shedding of animal blood in Old Testament times satisfied God temporarily, but it didn’t permanently cleanse from sin. The only permanent, eternal solution for man’s sin problem was the shed blood of the Lord Jesus.

When Scripture refers to the blood of Christ as “precious” it is God’s value and estimation of the blood of His Lamb, not so much our appreciation of it. Thankfully our redemption does not depend on our estimation of the blood, but on God’s. The value of that blood is as precious and valuable to His heart as it was when it was shed by His Son so long ago at Calvary.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

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Compassion

Compassion (awareness of another’s suffering coupled with a desire to alleviate it) is a wonderful character trait. It was seen in perfect fullness in the life of our Lord Jesus. “And Jesus went forth and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14). The evening had come and they had not eaten so the disciples wanted to send them on their way. But again, the compassion of Christ was seen. “But Jesus said unto them, they need not depart; give them to eat” (Matthew 14:16). There were only five loaves of bread and two fishes, yet He fed the five thousand plus people and so ample was the provision that there were leftovers.

It was a miracle. But a greater miracle of compassion involves you and me. The Lord Jesus has compassion for us because we are sinners, and He has proved this by laying down His life at Calvary for all mankind. What He accomplished is a completed work. In John 19:30 Jesus said, “It is finished!” It is all done! His compassion and His all-sufficiency are evident. He is “able” and “mighty” to save.

Friday, October 3, 2014

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Hands Together

Here is an interesting bumper sticker I saw the other day while driving on the highway with my family:

When you find time on your hands
put them together in prayer.

It made us think of several verses of scripture, including the following:

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).

There are plenty of things to pray about! Needs concerning ourselves, our family members, other believers that we know, as well as the gospel and the salvation of the lost. If we run out of things to pray about we have become insensitive to our circumstances, and need to pray that the Lord will touch our hearts and awaken us to realities of life once again.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

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Purpose of Heart

Put your whole heart into whatever you do for the best of Masters, the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice what the Bible says concerning the life and work of King Hezekiah. “And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:20-21).

May it be true of young people who love the Lord. Half-hearted Christians make poor servants, and we certainly do not want to be poor servants for the Master.

We read of another young man: “Daniel purposed in his heart” (Daniel 1:7). Someone has aptly said: “Purpose of heart is a desire where the affections are motivated by an object.”

When Barnabas visited Antioch, we read: “Who when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23).

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

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Jesus Knows

“And Peter…” (Mark 16:7).

Are you today worrying and stewing over the failures of yesterday? Did you deny your Lord or were you ashamed to confess Him? Do not despair. Jesus understands, for He who remembered poor Peter, who had failed so badly when the test came, will not cast you off.

David affirmed, “The Lord is my Shepherd…He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:1,3).

So it was that a special message was sent to the one who, though so bold in protesting his unfailing loyalty to Christ, had denied Him three times over, with oaths and curses, when the most difficult of tests came. The heavenly messenger said, “Tell His disciples and Peter.”

Here we have a revelation of the loving concern of Jesus for the one whose courage had failed him in the hour of trial, but who was to be restored to service and a place of privilege and blessing. Take heart, young person, and don’t let past failures discourage you from enjoying His love today.