Young Christians Calendar

November 2014

Four Sacrifices

“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).

“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).

“But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased”
(Hebrews 13:16).

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

As we consider the supreme sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at Calvary, it will create the sacrifice of praise in our hearts and on our lips, and will motivate us to sacrifice our temporal means, and to give ourselves as a living sacrifice for the Lord’s glory and for the blessing of others.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

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Good or Bad News

“Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth”
(Luke 21:26).

I like to keep up on what’s going on in the world. I read the newspaper when I get a chance, and listen to a newscast from time to time. However, it must be very depressing for people who are constantly reading, listening to or watching the news, hour by hour, day in and day out.

There is so little good news in the world today. In fact it seems to me that there has never been a time in history when the above verse has been more true of the masses of humanity than the day in which we live. The Lord pointed it out as a characteristic of the end times, and certainly these are the end times.

What amazes me is that in a world of bad news, people are so slow to listen to or accept the good news of the gospel. Paul said, “We declare unto you glad tidings” (Acts 13:32). Thankfully there is still the good news that, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). Have you received and believed it?

Friday, November 28, 2014

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Monthly Question Page

Q. Are “sign gifts” applicable to the work of the Holy Spirit today?

A. As we noted in last month’s question “sign gifts” were given to confirm the Word spoken, not to believers, but unbelievers. “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not” (1 Corinthians 14:22).

There is no promise in the Bible that these gifts would continue. “Whether there be tongues, they shall cease” (1 Corinthians 13:8). The gifts that will continue are given in Ephesians, “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). We don’t have apostles and prophets alive today, but we have their inspired writings, and we certainly have evangelists and teachers. Ephesians 4:13 tells us that these gifts are given until the Lord comes, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”

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

Thursday, November 27, 2014

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Don’t Give Up

“Continue Thou” (2 Timothy 3:14).

There are times when we get disheartened and are tempted to give up. There may be a spiritual reason for this, or perhaps the reason is physical.

A bottle of medicine will do good sometimes, but there are undoubtedly occasions when it is more needful to shake the patient than shake the bottle.

When David spoke to Solomon concerning the building of the temple, he said, “Be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed” (1 Chronicles 22:13).

The task before Solomon was a great one so David said again, “Arise therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee” (1 Chronicles 22:16).

The Word of God is full of exhortation to continue, even when the task seems hopeless. As we approach the end of another month we need to realize that it was the Lord that brought us to the beginning of the month and the Lord who has enabled us to continue. Let the fact of His help given thus far stimulate us for the future. Hesitancy and weakness are only found in us, never in Him.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

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Monthly Scripture Reading

Luke 22

And they went, and found as He had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.

And He said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me.

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you.

But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth Me is with Me on the table.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

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Success

I had some medical tests done at the Centre for Successful Aging in southern New Jersey. It made me think of how the Lord defined the word “success,” when speaking to Joshua. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8).

Only as we read, meditate, and obey the Word of God, can we claim to be successful in life. God does not measure our success by the good grades we get, how much money we make, or how well we take care of our bodies. It is important to work hard, provide for our temporal needs, and not neglect our physical being of course, but more important is our obedience to the Word of God, and our spiritual life and walk of faith with the Lord Jesus. This is how success will be measured when we get to heaven, the final tally is in, and “everyone of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

Monday, November 24, 2014

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Dear young Christian:

I am writing this calendar page while staying as a guest in a home where there is a scripture text over the living room doorway, with the words:

“WE LOOK FOR THE SAVIOUR.”
Philippians 3:20

It has made we think of some other verses that tell us that we should not just be waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus, but that we should be watching or looking as well. Here are a couple of verses that came to mind:

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

“Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching” (Luke 12:37).

Will we be truly looking for the Lord Jesus this week? So often I lose sight of the fact that He may come at any moment. As a result I get weary and discouraged. Don’t let it happen to you. “Look for the Saviour” every day!

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, November 23, 2014

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Christ Rejected

“When the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours” (Luke 20:14).

The husbandmen in this parable, told by the Lord, referred to the Jewish nation, and perhaps more particularly its religious leaders. The one they saw coming was the Lord Jesus, their Messiah, and their response was to kill Him. Yes, Jesus, the Son of God, was not wanted when He came to earth and was rejected by His own people, the Jews.

Thanks be to God though, that by His rejection the way to heaven has been opened, and you and I can go in. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:11-12).

The truth of this should fill our hearts with worship, praise and thanksgiving. Because He was rejected, we are now accepted. “Accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). Accepted in Christ because of Calvary!

Saturday, November 22, 2014

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Where?

I remember Aunt Bernice very well. She was a quiet lady who lived simply, and for the Lord. She was saved as a teenager, and exhibited godly piety all the years of her life.

I will never forget standing by her bedside as she gently drew her last breath, a smile crossed her lips, and I knew she was safe home. “Absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

As I stood there, I thought of another soul who had passed into eternity earlier that week in the same hospital ward. He was a man who had been a fine, upstanding citizen in the town I live in. His reputation as a husband, father, business man and philanthropist was impeccable. But he was not saved. The wails that filled that hospital ward I will never forget. He was in agony, not so much physically, but emotionally, as he realized he was facing eternity.

What a contrast! I don’t believe the man was ever saved, and as far as we know went into a lost eternity. What about you? Remember Job’s question: “But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?” (Job 14:10). Where will you be?

Friday, November 21, 2014

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Plots and Prayers

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

Daniel prayed while his enemies plotted against him. Great and many were the powers assembled to bring about his downfall.

He was well aware of the hatred of his foes, yet he did not seek to raise a petition to the king. He did what believers are exhorted to do — he took it to the Lord in prayer.

No threat of danger could move him from the course which he knew was right. The Lord said to Jeremiah when he, too, was confronted with opposition, “Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee” (Jeremiah 1:8).

Are you aware of hostile forces, human or satanic, which are plotting your downfall? Then do as Daniel did. He made the whole affair a matter of constant prayer. “He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10).

His faith was wholly vindicated, for God’s handling of the matter brought destruction to his enemies and deliverance to him. Don’t forget, you have the same God that Daniel had!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

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The Twelve Apostles – Part 11

James the Less

We have this Apostle, with his description, mentioned in connection with his mother, as she, with other women, observed the Lord on the cross. “Mary the mother of James the less” (Mark 15:40). He is also referred to simply as James in Matthew 27:56, Mark 16:1 and Luke 24:10. Each time he is mentioned in these four scriptures, it is in connection with his being the son of Mary.

His mother must have been a woman of real faith and piety, and must have had a great deal of godly influence on her son, who it is commonly thought wrote the Epistle of James. Those of us who have had godly, Christian mothers should be very thankful for such a heritage and
upbringing.

James was a common name and is found also among the brethren of the Lord. But James the Less may have been the same person as “James the son of Alphaeus” (Luke 6:15).

According to tradition he later preached in Palestine and Egypt. Little is known about him, but he seems to have been a man of strong character and conviction, and eternity will declare the fruit of his faithful labors for his Master.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

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Do Not Disturb

“Let us alone” (Luke 4:34).

Doubtless we have all seen a notice with the words, “Do Not Disturb!” Often this sign is pinned on the door of someone that is so busy that he wants to be left alone, or so tired that he wishes to rest or sleep in quietness and without interruption.

It is a fact that in reality none of us likes to be disturbed. We like to go about our various duties unmolested and uninterrupted.

It was a demon possessed man who cried out, “Let us alone.” Controlled by an evil spirit he said, “Don’t disturb.” Yet we see how necessary it was that he should be disturbed. Christ disturbed and drove away the demon out of the man, who then knew a freedom he had never known before.

In reality, nothing is worse than for God to leave us alone. How sad is the Old Testament passage, “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone” (Hosea 4:17).

It is a great mercy, not always recognized immediately, that God sometimes jolts us out of our complacency.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

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I Belong to Him

“Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory”
(1 Peter 1:7-8).

Off the coast of Greece the fishing boats were setting out to sea. On the shore a crowd was watching, and saying goodbye to the sailors. A few young girls were waving, each one with a white scarf around their head. As soon as the boats were out of sight the girls took off their white scarves and put on black ones. “Why?” asked a visitor of Kristina, one of the girls.

“I wear the black scarf to show that my lover is at sea,” she said. “I want everyone to know that I belong to Paulos.”

So, Kristina, like the other Greek girls, wore her black scarf to show that her heart was with her loved one.

Our beloved is the Lord Jesus, whom we cannot see as yet. Are we as true to Him as those Greek girls were to their loved ones? We have a Saviour whom the world has refused. Let’s be faithful to Him during the little while that we have left us down here.

Monday, November 17, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:

Do you really love the Lord? The writer of Psalm 116 begins with the statement, “I love the Lord.” He then goes on to give a reason why: “Because He hath heard my voice and my supplications.”

What a multitude of reasons we could give for loving the Lord Jesus. We love Him for what He is, the eternal Son of God. We love Him for what He became, a perfect, sinless man. We love Him for what He has done for us, by dying on the cross, and we love Him for what He is doing as our living Saviour now.

Like the Psalmist, we love Him for hearing our supplications; we love Him for His grace and for His mercy. We can say with John “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19), and we can say with Peter, “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee” (John 21:15-17). How much do you love the Lord? Really think about it this week.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, November 16, 2014

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Bethel

“And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God…Then Jacob said unto his household…Let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God” (Genesis 35:1-3).

Bethel means “the house of God.” Jacob had a desire to respond to God’s request in the first verse of the chapter to go to Bethel to worship. The Lord Jesus has asked us to go to the house of the Lord today to worship Him. What a privilege it is to respond to His request and remember Him in His death. There’s something really simple about salvation…the word is, BELIEVE. There’s something really simple about what to do as a Christian…the request is, REMEMBER. Are you going up to Bethel today?

David said: “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1). Are we glad for the opportunity and privilege of going into the presence of the Lord with other believers at the beginning of another week?

Saturday, November 15, 2014

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Daily – Part 5

“They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required” (Ezra 3:4).

The burnt offering always brings before us what the person and work of Christ means to the heart of God the Father. It speaks of His delight in what His beloved and only begotten Son has accomplished to His glory and satisfaction when He “offered Himself without spot to God” (Hebrews 9:14). It is the ground of all our blessing and acceptance before God, and by faith we need to lay hold of this wonderful and vital truth.

Do you know the value of the work of Christ? Does it mean something to your heart, and are you basing your hope and eternity on what was accomplished there at the cross?

The person and work of Christ is precious to the heart of God every day, and it will never lose that value and preciousness.

May it be precious to us as well, from the moment we are saved, and more and more every day of our life.

Friday, November 14, 2014

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Daily – Part 4

“Exhort one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13).

Here is instruction to speak of Christ and His Word to our fellow Christians, and to seek to be a help and encouragement to them on a daily basis. Another translation puts it this way: “Encourage yourselves each day.”

We need one another. There is so much to discourage us every day as we live in a world that hates Christ, and we face an enemy, Satan, who is opposed to everything that is of God. The Apostle John exhorted the Christians at Sardis to “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain” (Revelation 3:2). This is a good word for us in these days when so many real Christians are feeling the pressures of life and giving up. Try every day to be an encourager. Remember, many of your fellow young people are discouraged and distressed. The prophet said, “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall” (Isaiah 40:30).

Don’t forget your daily responsibility to exhort and encourage. Not only will others be blessed, but you will too.

Continued…

Thursday, November 13, 2014

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Daily – Part 3

“Lord, I have called daily upon thee” (Psalm 88:9).

Do you know what it is to call upon the Lord daily…to pray and make request? Do you commit your way to Him every day, and cast your cares and burdens on the one who delights to hear from us and have us express daily dependence? Whether we know it or not we can’t make it through a single day without Him.

Do you have some struggle or difficulty today? Our divine Friend says: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15). He is always available and always able for the situation. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

He wants us to call. He is waiting to hear our voice. Don’t let a day go by without prayer, without speaking to the Lord. David said: “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:17). Let’s be like Daniel who prayed three times a day — every day!

Continued…

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

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Daily – Part 2

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Act 17:11).

The Christians at Berea received a special commendation above their brethren in Thessalonica, because they not only listened to the ministry of the Apostle Paul, but they searched through whatever parts of the Word of God they would have had available to them at that time, to confirm what he had told them.

Let’s learn to search the scriptures on a daily basis. This is not just casual reading of the Bible, but diligent study and comparing scripture with scripture. It is following subjects through from beginning to end. It involves doing word studies, as well as making sure what you hear ministered by God’s servants orally is really based on the Bible…and so on.

We need the Holy Scriptures, and we need them every day! Don’t neglect your Bible. Job said: “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12).

Continued…

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

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Daily – Part 1

“And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

To see a man carrying a cross in Bible times was to recognize that the person was under the sentence of death. To truly and wholeheartedly follow the Lord Jesus we must set aside our own will…in other words, die to self and live for Christ. The Lord said, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35). We may never be called on to lay down our lives as martyrs in a physical sense, but each of us are called upon to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31).

Are we willing to give up the world and self and take up our cross? In the measure in which we do this, we will be despised by the world, just as it hated the Lord. It takes constant, daily spiritual exercise to practically deny ourselves and take up our cross, and follow our blessed Master.

Continued…

Monday, November 10, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:

This week I want to take up some scriptures that bring before us the subject of things that should occupy a Christian on a daily basis. Christianity isn’t just a once-a-week or a once-in-awhile thing. It is something that we should live out in a practical way every day of our life.

In connection with this subject I have enjoyed what it says of the Lord Jesus regarding His relationship with God His Father. We read, “I was daily His delight” (Proverbs 8:30). From a past eternity He was the daily delight and joy of His Father, and the heavens could open up while He was here on earth, and the voice of the Father confirm, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

We too should find our daily delight in the one who delights the Father. David expressed it when he said, “Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4). Make sure you enjoy something of the person of Christ everyday this week.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, November 9, 2014

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His Poverty

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

When was He rich? Certainly not in this world. In fact we never read of the Lord handling a piece of money during His pathway in this world. On one occasion He had to say, “Show me a penny” (Luke 20:24).

He was not rich in this world but rather poor. In a past eternity dwelling with the Father, He was indeed rich, and yet, “He became poor.” The Son of God, “took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7, 8).

Now, as a result of His becoming poor and going to the cross, we are rich; rich in spiritual blessings, “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Don’t forget to thank Him today!

Saturday, November 8, 2014

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Happiness

“Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord”
(Psalm 144:15).

God wants us to be happy!

In the United States’ Deceleration of Independence it speaks of the “pursuit of happiness.” In reality, mankind has been searching for happiness and joy since the beginning of time through every avenue imaginable. Some have successfully found it while others have not.

When Satan came to tempt Eve in the Garden of Eden he gave her the impression that God was withholding something that was for the good and pleasure of her and her husband Adam. But in reality they found out that it was not so. To this day, as the result of sin, the world is filled with grief and sorrow, and heartaches and tears abound on every hand. Indeed, there is no one that escapes very long without some sadness in their life.

But there is a source of real and lasting happiness. It is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. Proverbs 16:20 affirms, “Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.” True happiness is the result of confidence in Christ.

Friday, November 7, 2014

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Use Opportunities – Part 2

“Preach good tidings” (Isaiah 61:1).

Yesterday we related an incident that illustrates the way God often works in the spread of the gospel. A similar instance is recorded of another well-known preacher, who also preached the gospel to an audience consisting of a single individual, who ventured out through a storm to hear him speak. The sermon was as faithfully delivered as though the room was full. It led to the conversion of the hearer, and he then became a preacher, and was greatly used in the salvation of a number of others.

This has the complete sanction of the Saviour’s most holy example as seen in His long conversation with the woman of Samaria, resulting in her conversion, and the carrying of the good news to her people. We read of her testimony: “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ” (John 4:28-29).

These instances show that anywhere and everywhere Christ may be preached and good accomplished.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

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Use Opportunities – Part 1

“And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
(Romans 10:14).

Even the slightest opportunities for conveying the gospel message should not be neglected. An appropriately spoken word, even under the most insignificant circumstances, may, with the Lord’s blessing upon it, result in untold good.

A number of years ago, a preacher related an interesting instance of his having preached the gospel to an Indian woman, who came fifteen miles one day to hear him. Seeing her disappointment and knowing her purpose, he did not hesitate to approach her as she sat on the stump of a tree, and with the required help of two interpreters, gave her the message of salvation, and told her “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). It resulted in her conversion, and through her, in the conversion of many of her tribe.

Paul reminded Timothy, a young man, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). This is a good reminder for all of us.

Continued…

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

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Sudden Stops

An injured skydiver was asked, “Did you break your leg jumping from a plane?”

“No, landing on the ground,” was the reply.

In life, it is the sudden stops that often hurt more than the pace and grind of daily life. Often the Lord brings us to an abrupt halt. This may be for any number of reasons. It may be just to get us to pause and consider His glory and goodness. It may be to keep us from going in a wrong course, or to preserve us from some harm that is lurking just ahead in the pathway. Maybe it is so we can stop and help someone else who needs a hand in their Christian pathway, and we would have missed the opportunity otherwise. There may be some testimony we are to render to the world that would have otherwise been missed.

Whatever it is, there is a purpose in it, and although it may seem to hurt and be inconvenient at the time, remember there is a plan of blessing behind it. “For who knoweth what is good for man in this life?” (Ecclesiastes 6:12). Don’t let the bumps in life discourage you! See them as opportunities for blessing, both for yourself and for
others around you.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

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Circumspect

“And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect” (Exodus 23:13).

A careful, prayerful Christian

Is a Christian who is wise,

Considering each step He takes,

The truth of God applies.

He knows there is a consequence

To each decision made,

And seeks his Father’s mind and will,

And trusts Him for His aid.

He circumspectly walks through life;

Each step he takes with care;

His steps are daily governed by

The Word of God and prayer.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Monday, November 3, 2014

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Dear Young Christian:

Are you scared? Maybe something or someone at work or school has you wishing you didn’t have to step out into a cold, heartless world again this week. But remember, whatever or whoever it is that has you frightened or upset, there is one who is greater. David said, “When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2).

David had lots of enemies, lots of scary situations, and some big, big problems — in his family, in his kingdom, and from those who seemed trustworthy, but were not. As a result there were times when he got discouraged and disheartened, but then he would always remember what he had in the Lord. This would give him courage and stamina to go on in spite of all the difficulties, knowing that the Lord, his Rock, was greater than any opposition or circumstance of life.

So, for us, we can face the week ahead, not in our own power, but, “in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, November 2, 2014

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Feasts of Jehovah

These feasts were seven in number (Leviticus 23), and are termed in John’s Gospel “feasts of the Jews,” because the moral rejection of the Lord is assumed from the beginning of the gospel. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not” (John 1:11).

1. The Sabbath — God’s eternal rest for man and creation (Hebrews 3-4).

2. The Passover — Redemption by blood, the foundation of all blessing and glory (1 Corinthians 5:7).

3. The Feast of Unleavened Bread — Holiness of walk and life (1 Corinthians 5:5).

4. The Feast of Weeks — Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down and formed the Church (Acts 2).

5. The Feast of Trumpets — Israel again summoned and gathered to her land and God (Psalm 81).

6. The Day of Atonement — Israel coming into the blessing of redemption (Zechariah 12).

7. The Feast of Tabernacles — Millennial glory of Israel (Zechariah 14:16).

Saturday, November 1, 2014

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The Cross

At a Bible convention in the state of Illinois many years ago, an old man stood up and gave the following testimony.

He said that his father had died when he was very young, and that he remembered only one thing about his father, and that one thing had followed him all through life. He could not remember his father’s death, he had no recollection of his funeral, but he recalled him one winter night carving from a small chip of wood a little cross. Then with tears in his eyes he held it up, telling how God in His love had sent His Son into the world to die and shed His blood to redeem us at Calvary. As young as he was at the time, the story of the cross had followed him all through life…he never forgot the most important event and story in all of the earth’s history.

Does the cross mean something to you? Paul wrote, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). He also said, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14).