Young Christians Calendar

May 2015

Desire

“The desire of our soul is to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee” (Isaiah 26:8).

What a desire! Away from self and towards the One who died to save us. Is this your desire today? To be with Jesus for an hour, to think about Him, and to remember Calvary and the awful cost of our salvation? Let’s concentrate on Him while we worship today.

Remember too, He desires our company far more than any desire that we may have by the grace of God. He was the One who said to the disciples in the upper room, “With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer…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” (Luke 22:15,19-20).

He desires our company. The question is, do we truly desire His?

Saturday, May 30, 2015

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No Second Chance

“Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

Yesterday we had some verses that show very clearly that those who have heard and refused God’s offer of salvation through the Lord Jesus, and have not repented will never experience the striving of the Spirit again. Here is what their reaction will be when the judgments begins to fall: “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand” (Revelation 6:15-17)?

There will be the gospel of the kingdompreached after the coming of the Lord, but that is not for those who have already had a chance. God never judges without giving a warning and without making a way of escape, and if you have heard the warning but refused the way of escape, you will be left behind and eventually wind up in a lost eternity.

Friday, May 29, 2015

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Monthly Question Page

Q. Will there be a second chance for people to get saved after the Lord comes, if they have heard the gospel already?

A. For those who have heard the gospel, and have had opportunity to be saved, there is no Scripture to support the thought that they will ever have another opportunity. In fact there are a number of Scriptures that show that there will not be a second chance. Here are three of them:

“And the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not” (Matthew 25:10-12).

“When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are” (Luke 13:25).

“And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

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

Thursday, May 28, 2015

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Look

LOOK BACK…and praise the Lord!

“And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee” (Deuteronomy 8:2).

LOOK AHEAD…and trust the Lord!

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).

LOOK AROUND…and serve the Lord!

“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind” (Acts 20:19).

LOOK UP…and see the Lord!

“We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour” (Hebrews 2:9).

LOOK FORWARD…and expect the Lord!

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

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

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Monthly Scripture Reading

Exodus 15

And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there He made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He proved them,

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

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Road Map

Of what use is a road map in a strange country if we do not look at it and then follow it? And, of what use is the road map of life — THE BIBLE — if we do not read it and follow its instructions? How foolish to have a map in your vehicle and not refer to it when you are lost or trying to find your way through a strange city. And yet how many Bibles there are that sit on a shelf collecting dust while people stumble along the highway of life trying to find their own way. Jeremiah understood how important it was to have divine guidance and direction when he penned the words: “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

Do we think that we can go through life without direction from the One who made us? Let’s daily pray the prayer of David who said, “Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path” (Psalm 27:1). David’s son, King Solomon later wrote, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 2:5-6).

Monday, May 25, 2015

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Dear Young Christian:

Just this morning I was reading of an old custom in India. To celebrate the 25th birthday of a native ruler, or the 25th year of his reign they would weigh him against gold, and the weight in gold would then be distributed among the poor. The story is told of the Aga Khan who weighed 169 pounds, and people were anxious to know, not only how much he weighed, but how the gold would be distributed and who would benefit from it.

How much do you and I weigh in God’s balances? How much are we worth to other fellow Christians in our service for Christ to them? Daniel said to King Belshazzar, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting” (Daniel 5:27). Of course, we who are saved will never be “found wanting” as far as our sins are concerned, and we are certainly valuable and precious to the Lord Jesus. But what about the practical application of everyday life and service…is it weighty and beneficial to others?

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, May 24, 2015

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A New Song

“He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God” (Psalm 40:3).
“O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvellous things” (Psalm 98:1).
“I will sing a new song unto Thee, O God”
(Psalm 144:9).

Our new song is not man-made, but one that Christ has put in our hearts. It’s a happy song and one that we’ll never get tired of singing for all eternity. It’s the song of the redeemed, those who are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ.

There never has been a song in the history of man that has been able to give God the praise that He deserves. He gave up His own Son and punished Him for our sins so that we could go free. And after we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, He puts the new redemption song in our mouth that gives praise to Him. Redemption is God’s work and the song is His. Let’s praise Him with it today. “Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints” (Psalm 149:1).

Saturday, May 23, 2015

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Feelings

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The question is not, Do you feel saved, but rather,are you saved? It is good to trust in, and feel the power and blessing of salvation, but that in itself is not sufficient.

A sea captain in the middle of the ocean may have his moments of anxiety, but he would never dream of relying on his feelings as to the course of the vessel. By the chart and compass he judges where he should be; and by the sun and stars he judges where he is. These tests may either confirm his feelings or reverse them, but it is not feelings that tell him where to go or where he’s at.

Just so, it is with salvation. Paul said to Timothy, “From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). It wasn’t a question of whether Timothy felt saved, but a question of faith in Christ Jesus, and resting on His Holy Word.

Friday, May 22, 2015

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Happiness

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance” (Proverbs 15:13).
“He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:3).
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine”
(Proverbs 17:22).

A person who is happy on the inside has a happy face too. And who could be happier than a Christian? Just think — your sins are gone, you have a home in heaven, and you have a Saviour who cares for you every hour of every day. You also have a Father in heaven who loves you more than anyone on earth, and is interested in every detail of your life. The realization and enjoyment of these things will produce a happy heart and a joyful countenance.

Does this mean no troubles? No, of course not! But with Jesus in your heart and a deep-rooted happiness inside you, you have what it takes to overcome in the trouble. As the old song says, “Don’t worry! Be happy!” Are you truly happy? If you are then let your face show it. Smile!

Thursday, May 21, 2015

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Minor Prophets — Jonah

Jonah had a message to present to the wicked city of Nineveh. “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before Me” (Jonah 1:2). However, Jonah was a disobedient servant who decided it would be easier to run from the Lord than to have his reputation as a prophet spoiled. This is indicated by what he said later on, when he complained to the Lord regarding the sparing of the city. “I knew that Thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest Thee of the evil” (Jonah 4:2). He knew if the people repented that the Lord might not carry out the judgment and that he would lose his credibility as a prophet.

The account of Jonah is prophetically the story of the unfaithfulness of Israel as a witness for God in the earth and His governmental dealings with them.

Jonah is also a type of the Lord Jesus in His rejection, death, and resurrection. This is confirmed by the Lord when He stated: “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40).

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

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Count Your Blessings

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

Some of our readers may be looking for full-time or part-time employment at this time of year. I thought the following statements were interesting, and while they won’t secure secular employment I think they are worth considering in regard to our spiritual life.

If you want a full-time job with benefits, COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.

If you want a part-time job with no guarantees, COUNT YOUR TROUBLES.

When I was a young person we used to sing a chorus that went like this:

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

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Sunshine or Shadow

Here are a couple of questions asked to a group of Christian young people who were gathered together for a young people’s weekend:

1. “Do you walk in the sunshine of the Father’s presence, or the shadow of a bad conscience?”

2. “Do you live in the warmth of the Father’s love, or the shade of self-will?”

What would your honest answer be?

When we allow sin and self-will in our lives we lose the communion and joy of the Father’s presence, and we do not enjoy the warmth of His love. Twice the Apostle Paul reminded Timothy of the importance of maintaining a good conscience. “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (1 Timothy 1:5). “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck” (1 Timothy 1:19).

If you have allowed something to come between you and your heavenly Father, judge it today — right now! Return from the cold shadows of sin and self-will to the sunshine and warmth of the Father’s presence and love.

Monday, May 18, 2015

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Dear Young Christian:

There is a lot of fear in the world this very day. And as another work week starts and the stock markets reopen, and trading and business begins around the world at various levels, there is a lot of speculation and trepidation as to what will happen between now and closing time on Friday.

But for the person who knows the Lord there is an inward peace that nothing outward can touch. As we see things in the world getting worse and worse, and the financial and political infrastructure hanging by a thread and ready to break, we don’t have to be overwhelmed. We can be aware without being overwhelmed. David said, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). We are in relationship with One who is greater than all the circumstances of life, and in full control of everything that happens on planet earth. Our God and Father sees the big picture on the world stage, and is also interested in every detail of our life. He says, “Fear not” (Luke 12:32).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, May 17, 2015

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Altogether Lovely

“He is altogether lovely” (Song of Solomon 5:16).

This is the bride summing up her description and assessment of her bridegroom. In careful detail she has describe dhim in the preceding verses, and as a result comes to this joyous conclusion.

What is your assessment of your heavenly bridegroom, the Lord Jesus? As you think about Him today, what conclusion will you come to? Of no earthly bridegroom could it be said, “He is altogether lovely.” There will always be some character flaws or some little idiosyncracies that are not so pleasing. How many have married what they thought was the perfect man, only to find out that it was not so. But as you assess the qualities, attributes, and glories of your heavenly bridegroom, you will never find any imperfections there. You too will say, like the bride of the Old Testament, “He is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend.” The Bible is full of wonderful descriptions of various aspects of the person of Christ. Take time to enjoy some of them today.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

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Life Is Short

Jacob said:

“Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been” (Genesis 47:9).

David said:

“There is but a step between me and death” (1 Samuel 20:3).

Moses said:

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

(Notice the title of the Psalm.)

Job said:

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not” (Job 14:1-2).

James said:

“For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14).

The question is not how long we will live, but where will we be when we leave planet earth?

Friday, May 15, 2015

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Unchristian — Part 2

In 1 John 3, which begins with the words, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (v. 1), John introduces a sharp contrast: Believers love righteousness, keep themselves from sin, and love one another; nonbelievers practice sin, hate others, and abide in death. These are strong words! We are either followers of Jesus Christ or of the devil. John says that love for others is what proves we are genuine children of God.

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him” (1 John 3:18-19). And also, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). We can’t continue to practice sin and claim to be followers of Christ. Let’s always make sure our words and deeds back up our beliefs.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

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Unchristian — Part 1

“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (John 3:10).

In a book titled Unchristian, reasons are listed why some non-Christians don’t like people who profess faith in Jesus Christ. Their major complaints have to do with the way some Christians act toward unbelievers. The unbelievers in the study tended to view Christians as being hypocritical, judgmental, harsh and unloving toward people not like themselves.

I’m sure you dislike hearing their view of Christians as much as I do. Sometimes there’s more truth in their perceptions than we wish there was. Paul exhorted the believers at Philippi when he said, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

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Amazing Love

“I have loved you, saith the Lord” (Malachi 1:2).
“Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).
“Continue ye in My love” (John 15:9).

The following is a quote from an elderly brother in Christ written many years ago:

“The Lord that I have know as laying down His life for me is the same Lord I have to do with every day of my life, and all His dealings with me are on the same principle of grace. How precious, how strengthening it is to know that Jesus is at this moment feeling and exercising the same love towards me as when He died on the cross for me.”

Yes, young or old, the Lord loves us perfectly and consistently every day. He loved us from a past eternity, and that same love will continue into a future eternity. No wonder the Apostle John wrote: “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 for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5-6). The Lord’s love is truly amazing!

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

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Hypocrisy

The ancient Greeks liked their plays and dramas, but rather than have the actor memorize their lines they had a person behind the curtain who spoke the lines while the performer on stage acted out the role. We might refer to the person behind the scenes as one who didn’t “practice what they preached.”

This is like the problem some Christian experience, and the Bible calls it hypocrisy. When there is a discrepancy between what we say and what we do we create confusion in the minds of those that are watching us.

The Lord rebuked the Pharisees because they were saying many things and taking a place of religious leadership, but their life was anything but what it should be. He said “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess” (Matthew 23:25).

The Lord wants us to be real, inside and outside. Paul summed it up, when he wrote: “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).

Monday, May 11, 2015

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Dear Young Christian:

Spoiled — another word for, I’ve come to expect it.

This is about as good a definition of being spoiled as I have ever heard. Often we hear it said about someone that he or she is a “spoiled brat.” We know what it means. It means they are selfish, self-centered, and think the world revolves around them.

In our society we have come to expect it. Whatever we want, when we want it, and how we want it. But as believers we need to be careful that we don’t fall unconsciously into that way of thinking. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). The unbeliever puts himself as the center of his world, but for us, Christ and His interests are to be our center. Let’s check ourselves as another week starts, and instead of expecting something from others, let’s do something for others.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, May 10, 2015

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The Name

“We will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).
“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3).

The name of Jesus is still despised, hated, and sneered at in this Christ-rejecting world. But for us who have come to know the preciousness of that name it is the most wonderful name that we have ever known and ever will know. We can say, like the bride in the Old Testament, “Because of the savour of Thy good ointments Thy name is as ointment poured forth” (Song of Solomon 1:3).

Then as we have that name before us in remembrance, praise, worship, and thanksgiving, we can go to the lost and tell them of the saving power of that name.We can gladly declare, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The more that name means to us the more we will want others to know the wonders of that name as well.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

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The Gospel

“Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word” (Acts 8:4).

The gospel is going out around the world in many places where it has never been heard before. This is due to modern technology and the zeal and energy of many sincere believers, both young and old.

While we rejoice to hear of the work of God, by His Spirit, in so many dark corners of the world, yet what about places like Canada, the United States, and Europe, where the gospel has been preached for many centuries? And let’s make it even more personal, what about YOU? Sometimes when people hear that they need to get saved, they say, “But what about the heathen, or those that have never heard, what will happen to them?” Don’t worry about the heathen, God is just and righteous, and He will take care of them. We need to realize that we are responsible to act on the light that God has given us, and if we don’t accept His offer of salvation through His Son and the work of Calvary, He has no choice but to send us to Hell. What about you? Are you saved? “Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

Friday, May 8, 2015

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Faith

“Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).

The subject of the book of James can be summed up in two words, PRACTICAL FAITH, or in three words, FAITH IN OPERATION. It is not the faith that saves, but the faith that gives proof that we are saved.

The above verse is a real challenge for those who say they are Christians. Does their life show it? “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). A profession that you are saved, without showing it from day to day in your life just doesn’t add up. Sure we don’t expect to see you suddenly drop everything and rush off as a missionary to some foreign land, and we aren’t looking for perfection either. But we do expect to see something of Christ shine out in your life. You have the new nature now, and along with the new nature comes godly living and service for the Lord. Don’t say you are a believer and then not act like one. Others can’t read your heart, but they can read your life, and the only way they know you are really a child of God is by your actions. What will your life say to others today?

Thursday, May 7, 2015

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Another Hive of Bees

“Be of the same mind one toward another” (Romans 12:16).

“Be strong in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10).

“Be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

“Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).

“Be ye steadfast, unmovable” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

“Be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness” (Philippians 3:9).

“Be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools” (Ecclesiastes 5:1).

“Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers” (Hebrews 13:2).

“Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines” (Hebrews 13:9).

“Be ye also ready” (Matthew 24:44).

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

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A Hive of Bees

“Be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thessalonians 5:13).

“Be content with such things as ye have” (Hebrews 13:5).

“Be careful for nothing” (Philippians 4:6).

“Be ye all of one mind” (1 Peter 3:8).

“Be pitiful” (1 Peter 3:8).

“Be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8).

“Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

“Be ye kind one to another” (Ephesians. 4:32).

“Be kindly affectioned one to another” (Romans 12:10).

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

“Be ye separate, saith the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

“Be not conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2).

“Be sober” (1 Peter 5:8).

“Be vigilant” (1 Peter 5:8).

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

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Content

“Be content…for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

Content to be with Jesus,
Each hour of every day;
Content to have His presence,
Each step along life’s way;
Content to know He’s with me,
And never will forsake,
No, never, never leave me,
Nor any promise break.

Content to know He loves me,
With everlasting love,
Content to know He’s watching,
From His bright home above,
Content, and fully resting,
Faith every doubt doth quell
Yes, He’s my Friend, my Saviour,
He doeth all things well.

Monday, May 4, 2015

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Dear Young Christian:

Every phase of life and every area of the world has its unique problems and difficulties. When I was a young person, I thought if I could only be further along in life things would be so much easier. But I have found out that life doesn’t get easier as we get older. In fact in some respects it only gets more difficult and complicated.

I also used to think, if I only lived somewhere else I wouldn’t have all these circumstances to deal with. But having traveled and visited Christians in different parts of the world I realize there are problems and trials no matter where we live. That’s why it is important to be satisfied and content with whatever our lot is. No matter where we are in life, or where the Lord has placed us, He has a purpose and plan, and if we submit to His will, He will preserve us and use us in blessing to others. The Apostle Paul said, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11), and also, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, May 3, 2015

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Think on Me

“But think on me when it shall be well with thee” (Genesis 40:14).

Often we turn to the Lord when the going gets tough and we have requests and needs. However, it is quite another thing to think about Him when everything is going well.

In the above verse, Joseph, who was in prison, asked the chief butler to remember him when he was back in his old job and doing well. But the butler forgot. This is just a little lesson to us that we too would forget all about the Lord unless we had something to remember Him by. That is why the Lord Jesus took a loaf and a cup, and said to His disciples, “This do in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19).

The loaf and the cup remind us of Him in His death. “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come” (1 Corinthians 11:26). The Lord knew that we would need a reminder and that we would need it often. Remember Him today by eating of the bread and drinking of the cup, and remember Him in your heart all this coming week.

Saturday, May 2, 2015

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Rescue from the Sea

“He is able also to save them to the uttermost” (Hebrews 7:25).

The flight from Nassau to Miami usually took Walter Wyatt 65 minutes. But on December 5, 1986, he attempted it with only a compass and a hand-held radio. When his compass began to gyrate, he flew below the clouds hoping to spot something, but knew he was lost. He radioed a Mayday call, which brought a Coast Guard search plane. But then his right engine died, and the plane crashed in the water. Wyatt survived, but his plane sank, leaving him with a leaky life vest. With blood on his forehead, he floated on his back. Suddenly he felt a hard bump. A shark had found him. Wyatt kicked the intruder, and stayed afloat for ten hours. In the morning, he saw a dorsal fin was headed for him. In a moment, two more sharks sliced through the water. He kicked the sharks, and they veered away, but he was nearing exhaustion. Then he heard the sound of an aircraft and waved his orange vest. The pilot radioed a nearby boat. As the boat pulled alongside him Wyatt climbed wearily onto the ship. Nothing less than outside intervention could have rescued him from sure death. How much we are like Walter Wyatt!

Friday, May 1, 2015

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The Lord’s Care Through Angels

When I was a young person, my friend John and I used to like to body surf on the roof of his car on a roller coaster road on a dark night near our hometown of Smiths Falls. It is a very dangerous sport, and I do not recommend it, nor will I give any details as to how it is done. When I think of it now it makes me shudder to consider what the consequences could have been.

Now that I am older, I am thankful for the Lord’s care, and for the Scripture that tells us of one of the functions of angels. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:14)? Yes, I am sure that the Lord was using more than one angel to keep me from harm as a teenager. David said, “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7). David had many dangers in his life, but he was thankful for the Lord’s care through those angelic beings.

As you start another month, go forth with a sense of the Lord’s preserving care…and please, don’t do anything foolish, like body surf on car roofs!!!!