Young Christians Calendar

January 2015

Rock of Ages

“The Lord is my Rock” (Psalm 18:2).
“For Thou hast been…a refuge from the storm”
(Isaiah 25:4).

I have been to Burrington Combe in England, and I have a photograph of myself standing in the cleft of the rock to prove it.

According to a famous but largely unsubstantiated story, Augustus Toplady sheltered in this cleft in the rock during a heavy storm there in Burrington Combe, at the southern end of the Mendip Hills. Toplady, a preacher in the nearby village of Blagdon, thought of “Rock of Ages” as the title of a hymn and scribbled down the initial lyrics on a playing card.

Whether the story is altogether authentic or not, the truth of the hymn he wrote still stands, and will stand forever:

Rock of Ages! cleft for sin,
Grace hath hid us safe within!
Where the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Are of sin the double cure;
Cleansing from its guilt and power.

Friday, January 30, 2015

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Monthly Question Page

Q. Sometimes when depression sets in it is hard to find comfort, even from the Lord. Is there some Scripture that can help those with this problem?

A. “Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

“The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:7-8)

In these verses we see the importance of guarding the mind, and being careful as to what enters the mind, and what we think about. We are to have our thoughts directed by the Spirit of God. “Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

There are, however, chemical imbalances that need to be treated medically, and the Lord has raised up doctors and experts in this field.

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

Thursday, January 29, 2015

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Not Forsaking

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

If you are in the habit of absenting yourself from the assembly of Christians and the weekly meetings, I ask you to ponder and rethink the matter before the Lord before you absent yourself again. Think of the damaging effect of your absence in every way. You are failing in your testimony for Christ; you are injuring the souls of your fellow-Christian, and you are hindering the progress in your own soul in grace and knowledge. Do not suppose that you can act in such a way are without having an influence on the whole body of Christ. You are this moment either helping or hindering every member of the body on earth.

An older brother once said to me, “Every time you miss a meeting for ministry of the Word of God, you miss hearing something you may never hear again.” More than that, you rob the Lord of the joy of your presence. As things get worse and worse in this world, we need to assemble more and more.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

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Monthly Scripture Reading

Malachi 4

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.

Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

And He shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

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God’s Arm

“Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:3).

The first two chapters of the book of Jonah teach us two all-important truths. In the first we learn that there is no place, however likely for escape, where God’s arm cannot reach us. The second chapter shows us that there is no prison, however unlikely for escape, from which God’s hand cannot deliver us. What place more suitable for escape than the wide endless sea? If the criminal wants to escape from the hands of justice, he embarks for some distant country. God knows how to overtake the fugitive, who, Jonah-like, desires to go his own way, and to “flee from the presence of the Lord.”

And where in this world could a prison be found from whence escape appears to be more impossible than the fish’s belly at the bottom of the sea? Do not despair. To God it is but a small thing to deliver from the strongest prison, as soon as it seems good to Him, and He has accomplished His purpose in placing you there.

Monday, January 26, 2015

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Dear Young Christian:

Do you ever feel like quitting? Sometimes we get the feeling that it’s not worth the hassle; we might as well give up. Perhaps you might have thought that you didn’t have the Lord’s mind in a certain thing because things didn’t go right. The Apostle Paul was stoned and thought to be dead. But he got up, walked into the city, and the next day continued on his journey as if nothing had happened. He would not give up! God had work for him to do and do it he would. “And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe” (Acts 14:19-20).

Don’t quit serving the Lord, young person. Keep going. It’s worth it, and the Lord values it very much even if nobody else seems to.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, January 25, 2015

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True Worship

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him” (John 4:23).

True worship! I wonder how many times our worship is only superficial — our heart is not really in it. Let’s examine our heart today, before we worship Him who is worthy of our worship, and make sure it’s right before God. Our worship should be in and of the Spirit and with the right heart, that is one that’s full of thanks for who God’s Son is, and what He has done for us in that great sacrifice of Calvary.

Worshippers! That is what God really wants. Those whose hearts overflow. How much will it be true of us today? Here are a couple of Scriptures to keep in mind as another Lord’s Day has rolled around.

“Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2).

“So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him” (Psalm 45:11).

Saturday, January 24, 2015

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The Life Boat

“Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven” (Psalm 107:30).

The life-boat so simply illustrates God’s glorious gospel. Its object is to save people. It is a boat which can be trusted, even in a stormy sea; and thousands have been saved from a watery grave by it. It therefore brings to mind Jesus, God’s beloved Son, the Saviour, who died to save us. He is the One who is worthy to be trusted by all, and who has saved millions from the storm of judgment and brought them to “their desired haven.”

Great and heroic rescues, involving suffering and self-sacrifice have been made by brave life-boatmen; many giving their lives for others. However, the supreme sacrifice of Jesus is the only means by which we can be rescued from eternal death and brought to the harbor of peace. Every one who discovers that humanity is a total wreck and all human efforts are in vain, and trusts himself to Christ in confidence of faith will be saved. “Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him” (Hebrew 7:25).

Friday, January 23, 2015

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Strengthened

Yesterday we had a meditation in connection with Colossians 1:10. Today we will notice the verse that follows.

“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:11).

God will strengthen us, poor weak, feeble people that we are, to all patience, and that is what we all need. We are often weary, the road seems long, and we need patience.

You are never to be impatient. You may say, I have a bad temper, and can’t help it. The Lord is the great One, the only One, to cure bad tempers. Christ never had one, and Christians are to live for Christ. Sometimes instead of being strengthened to longsuffering with joyfulness, we are apt to be short-suffering with grumbling.

If we are strengthened unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness, we will rise above the trials of the way. Christ’s power keeps the soul strong throughout the trouble. We have to live where the Lord puts us. May we live more and more like Him here, till we are fully like Him, there — in heaven.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

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The Real Thing

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

If you are a Christian, be the real thing! “Walk worthy of the Lord.” Perhaps you often want to know whether you can go here or there. A friend asks you to go with him somewhere. You are not sure whether it would be right. Whatever you do, don’t go and ask a good person if they would go, but go and ask the Lord. Wouldn’t you like to please the one that you love best? And whom do you love best now? JESUS. Then the answer is very simple: Will it please Him? Our thought should be, if it won’t please Him, it won’t please me. And if it doesn’t please Him, I don’t want to displease Him.

The rest of the verse says, “Being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” If people look at their own experiences and feelings it will do them no good; but if they look at Christ, they will bring forth fruit to Him, for His glory, and for eternal blessing.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

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Joy

“For Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm” (Isaiah 25:4).

I do not understand a Christian who is not full of joy, but instead going about with his head bowed down. In all the trials of earth, Christians should be like the robin in a storm. Many Christians are like the hen in a storm, and we all know what a hen in a storm is like. She is overwhelmed by it. We are not to be like a duck, indifferent to the storm; or like the hen alarmed and upset by it; but like the robin, who feels it keenly, but sings his sweet song anyway.

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Not just in sunshine, but in shadows and storms as well. Not just when things are going well, but no matter what our lot in life. We cannot always rejoice in the circumstance, but we can always rejoice in the Lord.

Let’s be like the prophet who, surrounded with failure and difficulty, said, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:18).

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

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Further and Longer

“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered” (Proverbs 28:26).

“Sin always takes us further than we want to go,
and keeps us longer than we want to stay.”

That’s why we are told, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Proverbs 4:14-15).

We think we know how far we can go, but time and time again we have examples of people in Scripture who started down a path that they no doubt thought they could get off or stop before they went too far: Jacob, Solomon, Peter, and others. But we are no match for sin and Satan. Solomon, himself wrote, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered” (Proverbs 28:26). Don’t go down the paths of sin, you will find yourself in more trouble and grief than you bargained for, and there will be sad consequences and bitter reaping.

Monday, January 19, 2015

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Dear Young Christian:

I listened to the news this morning. I like to keep up on what is going on in the world. Was there any good news? Well, not really. Another suicide bombing somewhere in the Middle East; a serious accident on the highway with no survivors; fraud charges in high places; government corruption; and on and on it went.

If I weren’t a believer, and if I didn’t have the good news of the Bible to read and to encourage me every day, I would certainly be distraught and discouraged.

Solomon talked about the refreshment of good news. He said, “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country” (Proverbs 25:25). Thankfully there is still good newsfrom a far country. God has sent us a letter, the Bible, full of good news and encouragement. Even in these difficult times in which we find ourselves, there is still good news. Make sure you read some of this good news every day this week. It may be the only good news you hear.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, January 18, 2015

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Worship

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him” (Matthews 28:16-17).

Have you seen Jesus? Have you been occupied with Him over the past week? What’s your response? If you have entered into a deeper appreciation of who He is because of occupation with Himself, it will be worship. As we meet around Him today at the breaking of bread, our hearts should bow in humble adoration and worship to think that God’s Son would die so that we wouldn’t have to.

Let’s worship Him today in spirit and in truth. The Lord said to the woman at the well, “The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4: 23-24).

When we get to heaven, one of our main occupations will be worship. “The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him” (Revelation 4:10). However, He wants that worship from us now!

Saturday, January 17, 2015

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Obedience

Disobedience is what ushered in man’s history of sin. Adam, placed in the Garden of Eden reached out and took what was forbidden by God. So Paul records, “By one man’s disobedience many were made sinners” (Romans 5:19).

However the verse doesn’t end there, it goes on to say, “So by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” The Lord Jesus came into this world in obedience to His Father, and accomplished the work of Calvary to His eternal satisfaction and glory. In the words of the Lord Himself, He said, “For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me” (John 6:38).

Now the way of blessing is open to all sinners, who are willing to admit that they are such, and come in obedience to the gospel of the grace of God. For those who do not obey the gospel, the Bible tells us that the Lord will come, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:8). Have you obeyed?

Friday, January 16, 2015

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No Sin

We want to make sure that we hold on very tightly to the truth of the sinless humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is a threefold, divine testimony to the fact that the Lord, not only never sinned, but could not sin:

Paul: “Who knew no sin” (1 Corinthians 5:21).

Peter: “Whodid no sin” (1 Peter 2:22).

John: “In Him was no sin” (1 John 3:5).

Don’t let anyone try to tell you that the Lord could have sinned. It is blasphemy, and a direct attack of Satan to undermine the precious truth of His deity and sinless humanity. The Lord Himself said, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me” (John 14:30).

Sometimes we hear it said that the Lord could have sinned, although He did not sin. This is also blasphemy and to be discarded as fundamental error. Again we read that He is, “Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26). We have a sinless Saviour, and if not, we have no Saviour at all.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

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Minor Prophets — Hosea

“Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days”
(Hosea 3:5).

The name Hosea means, “liberation” or “deliverance.” He has a message for both Israel and Judah. The message is concerning the abandonment and restoration of both Judah and Israel because of their unfaithfulness to Jehovah. Israel at this present time is without a king, a sacrifice, or a priest. However, when they return in true repentance the Lord will graciously take them up again, give them these three things, and though they are accused of adultery because of turning their heart’s affection to idols and worshiping false gods, yet He will own them as His own once again. “Then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now” (Hosea 2:7).

In the meantime Hosea appeals to the conscience of the people as to the corruption and sin that had been allowed. He ends with the reminder, “The ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them” (Hosea 14:9). This is a good word for us as well. Are we walking in the ways of the Lord?

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

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Rejoice Today

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Today? Rejoice TODAY? But things aren’t going well! It’s the middle of the week, things aren’t working out the way I planned. School is rough, work is pressured…on and on it goes. And I am supposed to rejoice?

Yes, we can and certainly should rejoice today. If you know the Lord as your Saviour you have everything to be thankful for! Don’t forget what He has done for you in the past, and remember what He is doing for you now, as well as all that is ahead and waiting for you in heaven.

Remember too, this day may end with us all being called safe home to the Father’s house of joy and uninterrupted happiness. Then it will be the best and happiest day of our lives. The Lord Jesus has promised, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). That promise may be fulfilled before we go to bed tonight. Learn to say, PERHAPS TODAY! This will help us to “rejoice and be glad in it.”

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

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Carefulness

“He that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” (1 John 5:18).

Be careful, young believer! You can’t live your life carelessly and do what you want, and assume that the Lord will protect you from “getting caught.” No! You need to keep yourself. Watch what you do, where you go, who you hang around with. When you prayerfully keep yourself, then the Lord will protect you from Satan’s attacks.

Here are three ways we can keep ourselves:

1. Paul told a young man named Timothy, “Keep thyself pure” (1 Timothy 5:22).

2. John tells warns us, “Little children keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). (An idol being anything that comes between us and the Lord.)

3. The writer Jude exhorts us, “Keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21).

Of course in the end it is only the Lord that can keep us, as Peter says, “Who are kept by the power of God” (1 Peter 1:5). However, we do have a responsibility as well.

Monday, January 12, 2015

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Dear Young Christian:

I remember some years ago moving my mother from a large, four bedroom house, with a full basement, to a two bedroom apartment. Many possessions and things had to be sold or discarded, and I realized the truth of 1 Timothy 6:7, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can take nothing out.” Thankfully, we have a home called the Father’s House, where we will never have to worry about moving again, and where all is provided for our eternal happiness. To leave it all behind and make an instantaneous move to heaven will be joy indeed.

In the meantime our Lord has said, “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13). We are to use our time wisely and for those things that really count for eternal blessing. Many of us have often seen the motto:

Only one life, ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

What will you be occupied with this week?

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, January 11, 2015

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Very Costly

“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment” (John 12:3).

What price was paid for this ointment of spikenard? It is described as very precious in Mark. 14:3, and here in John 12, as very costly. For Mary no price was too high. This was her great sacrifice she was laying at Jesus’ feet. It might have cost three hundred days’ or about a year’s working wages (a penny a day was the average wage for a worker in Bible times), as Judas was so quick to point out. To him it was a waste to cast such ointment at Jesus’ feet. But it did not matter. Mary loved her Lord and He was going away soon. He was more important than anything or anyone else. But poor Judas, he was prepared to sell his Lord for just thirty pieces of silver. How distorted his perspective of life’s values! How much is Jesus Christ worth to you?

How much does the Lord mean to you? Will there be “the sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15), from your heart today?

Saturday, January 10, 2015

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Innumerable Sins

“How many are mine iniquities and sins?” (Job 13:23).

Did you ever try to count your sins for a single day?

Suppose you average ten sins a day, that makes 3,650 sins a year. 36,500 in a decade, and 182,500 in fifty years. Suppose you commit more than ten sins a day, how terrific the sum will be!

Remember, there are sins of omission — the things that you should have done and failed to do. There are also sins of the mind — evil thoughts and desires. Then there are sins of ignorance as well as presumption. Then too, there are secret sins.

Did you ever lift a stone and see innumerable insects scurry away in every direction? What picture of the hidden sins which the light of God’s presence will someday reveal.

Only Christ can save us from our sins, and He can save regardless of the number!The Lord Jesus said, about a certain woman who came to His feet with tears of repentance, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven” (Luke 7:47). He says of all who come to Him in repentance, “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17).

Friday, January 9, 2015

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Counting Sheep — Part 2

I saw another excellent variation to the saying, If you can’t sleep count sheep. It was as follows:

If at night you can’t sleep,

talk to the Shepherd, rather than count sheep.

This is also a good idea. We have a Shepherd of whom it says, “Behold, He…shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). He is available at any hour of any day, and not only can we meditate on Him in the night, but actually talk to Him. There are very few people that would appreciate us waking them up or calling them in the middle of the night, just to have a talk, or even to unburden our hearts. But since our Great Shepherd does not sleep, we can come any hour of any day. We will never get put on hold, or call waiting, and we will never get a busy signal. The line is always open!

Not only is He available, and willing to listen, but He is able to take perfect care of us, day or night. The prophet Isaiah tells us, “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).

Thursday, January 8, 2015

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Counting Sheep — Part 1

There is an old expression, If you can’t sleep, count sheep. This is supposed to lull you to sleep, I suppose by sheer boredom and repetitive thinking. However, I was visiting in a home recently and saw the following motto on the wall:

If at night you can’t sleep,

Count your blessings instead of sheep.

What a good idea! Of course this will not put you to sleep by sheer boredom, but you will never be able to get to the end of your blessings, and will certainly fall asleep before you can recount them all. Remember, our God and Father has “blessed us with ALL spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

David put it another way when he wrote, “I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches” (Psalm 63:6). The next time you can’t sleep at night, don’t get exasperated. Instead turn your thoughts over to the Lord, and think about Him and all that He has done for you. This will bring calm and peace to your soul and body, and you will soon fall into a restful sleep, and before you know it, it will be time to get up.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

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The Devil

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Here is a quote from Corrie ten Boom (Amsterdam, April 15, 1892 – Orange, California, April 15, 1983), the Christian, who with her father helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust during World War II:

“When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles…

When a Christian stops reading and studying the Bible, the devil laughs…

When a Christian stops praying, the devil shouts with joy.”

Interesting way to put it, isn’t it? The devil knows that these three things, fellowship, reading of the Word, and prayer, are essential to a Christian living for the Lord, being a testimony to the world, and having a healthy, strong Christian faith. Don’t let your guard down when it comes to these three things. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

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Vision

“Where there is no vision, the people perish”
(Proverbs 29:18).

In youth we often do not think
Of what tomorrow holds,
We live for momentary joy,
While “self” our future molds.
But for a Christian, this should not
Be how we live our lives,
Or how we plan our days and months,
As if with blinded eyes.

With circumspectness we should walk,
And live for Christ always,
Careful to ever do His will,
And give Him all the praise;
We need to have a vision of
Our Master and our Lord,
And live each day with this in mind…
Eternity’s reward.

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

Monday, January 5, 2015

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Dear Young Christian:

Here we are getting into the start of another year! For some of us who are a little older, it seems like just yesterday that we turned the calendar to the year 2000. Back then there was a lot of talk about what would happen in the electronic world and how it would affect our computers, our cars, our electricity, and so on. The buzzwords were “Y2K” and the “new millennium.” But here we are fifteen years later, and life goes on, the world becomes more openly corrupt, and we are closer to the coming of the Lord than we have ever been.

When Paul wrote to Titus he gave some good and timely advice, “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13). Simply put, no matter where we are in the history of mankind, we can still live for the Lord, by His grace, until He comes.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, January 4, 2015

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A Sweet Savor

“And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savor” (Genesis 8:20-21).

The burnt offering here speaks of Christ in His sacrificial death on Calvary. As we remember Him in His death today we are bringing to remembrance the burnt offering and what the work of Calvary and the person of Christ means to the heart of God. What did God think of Noah’s sacrifice? He smelled a sweet savor. Why was it sweet? Because it spoke of His well-beloved Son. When we remember the Lord in His death, God again smells a sweet savor. He is perfectly satisfied with the work of the cross. Keep this in mind today. As you take the loaf and the cup in remembrance of the Lord’s death, God smells a sweet savor. Don’t forget the wonderful truth that “Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor” (Ephesians 5:2). The work was for God and for our blessing, the motive was His love.

Saturday, January 3, 2015

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Only Two Roads

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 16:25).

We are all on a journey! The Journey of Life!

Not only are we on a journey, but we are all traveling on one of two roads. Either we are on the BROAD road, or we are on the NARROW road. There is no middle or neutral ground. The BROAD road ends in HELL, and the NARROW road ends in HEAVEN!

The Bible entreats us to be on the NARROW road. The Lord Jesus Himself said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Which road are you traveling on at this moment? You may be nearer the end of the journey than you think! Faith in Christ and the work He finished at the cross will transfer you from the BROAD way to the NARROW way.

Friday, January 2, 2015

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Resolutions

Here it is the second day of the year, and I have no doubt that many people who made New Year’s Resolutions yesterday have already broken them.

David had a resolve which he expresses in one of his Psalms. “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple” (Psalm 27:4).

This was a resolve that followed him all his life. Simply put, this verse tells us that David wanted to enjoy the company of the Lord every day of his life, so that He could be occupied with the qualities and beauties of this wonderful person, and be able to turn to Him in prayer for help and guidance at anytime.

It would be good for all of us to make a resolution like that, and then seek the Lord’s grace and help to stick to it. Many times we desire to do something but we don’t follow through. Let’s not only desire but seek after with real purpose of heart. This will make our resolve a reality, and there will be blessing in our Christian pathway as a result.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

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Happiness

Today, being the first day of another year, we will often hear people say, “Happy New Year.” In fact, we may find ourselves saying it to family and friends. But the key to having a happy, fruitful 2015 is found in the opening verses of the first Psalm. “Blessed (happy) is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:1-3).

Perhaps 2014 wasn’t as happy and fruitful as it could have been. Make a fresh start today, and live for the Lord in the little time that is left before His coming.

Here is another key to happiness, recorded by King Solomon: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13). If you put the Lord first, 2015 can be the happiest year of your life!