Young Christians Calendar

November 2015

Dear Young Christian:

“Walk worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:10).

I was recently invited to dinner and saw the following, hanging on the dining room wall:

Rules For Today

1. Do nothing that you would not like Jesus to be doing when He comes.

2. Go to no places where you would not like to be found when Jesus comes.

3. Say nothing that you would not like to be saying when Jesus comes.

I thought it was indeed a good motto to begin each week and each day with. The Lord Jesus may come before the day or the week is over. What will you be doing? Where will you be going? What will you be saying?

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, November 29, 2015

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“For Me”

A vessel on Lake Superior caught fire two miles from shore. The only means of escape was by the boats, but when filled almost to sinking there were still left on board a man, his wife, and little daughter. He looked at the distance to shore and said, “I think I can do it.” He got his wife to hold on to his shoulders with the child, and started to swim. After a while he was exhausted, and said, “I cannot save you both.” Without a word the wife loosened her hold and sank to her death. By tremendous effort he managed to keep the child afloat till they were rescued.

In after years a young woman used to sit and gaze at a large portrait which hung on the wall of her home, and with tears in her eyes she would say, “She gave her life for me.”

Today we have the privilege of remembering the one, “Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). How wonderful that in remembrance we can echo with the Apostle Paul, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Saturday, November 28, 2015

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For the Moment

I fly a lot, and as a result I am part of a frequent flyer program whose slogan is,

“Live For The Moment!”

While this slogan is simply a catchy phrase to encourage people to take advantage of the perks of travelling a certain network of airlines, yet it seems to sum up the spirit of the world and the age in which we find ourselves today. Sad to say, many people are only living for the moment…without Christ and without any thought of eternity and having to meet God. The famous entertainer, Bob Hope, was asked, shortly before his death, what he would do if he knew he only had a month to live. His reply was, “I would live every day to the full!”

What a sad, empty resolve! And how awful to end up in a lost eternity as a result. Don’t be like those who say, “Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32). We need to consider things in view of eternity, not just for the moment! “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

Friday, November 27, 2015

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Monthly Question Page

Q. What Scriptures tell us something about the state of those believers who have died before they get their glorified bodies?

A. There is perhaps very little told us about the believers who have died, but certainly enough to comfort us in the realization that they are in the conscious enjoyment of the Lord’s presence. Here are some verses in that regard:

To the thief on the cross, “Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Paul said, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain… having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better” (Philippians 1:21,23).

These verses show that “the dead in Christ” (1 Thessalonians 4:16), are waiting for the resurrection when they, like us, will have bodies “fashioned like unto His glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). In the meantime we can say, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord” (Revelation 14:13).

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

Thursday, November 26, 2015

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All Our Need

“My God shall supply ALL YOUR NEED according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Temporal:

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?…for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matthew 6:31-32).

Physical:

“For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16).

Spiritual:

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

“According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (1 Peter 1:3).

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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Monthly Scripture Reading

Psalm 149

Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints.

Let Israel rejoice in Him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Let them praise His name in the dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp.

For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation.

Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;

To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;

To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;

To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all His saints. Praise ye the Lord.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

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Consider Him

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Keep your eyes on the Lord of glory!

Sometimes we seem to just drift along not giving much thought to the Lord and what really pleases Him. However, He is faithful, and often gives us a “wake up” call, by allowing something in our life to stir us up so that we stop and “consider Him” (Hebrews 12:3). It is good to listen and to heed when He speaks in this way.

Life seems to fly by and things don’t seem to slow down or get any easier, but we have a wonderful Saviour and Friend who has been here in this world as a man, and who not only carries our burdens for us, but also carries us along, fully understanding and entering into what we go through and feel.

He is also now at the right hand of God in Heaven as our object and resource, and we can count on Him every step of the way, no matter how hectic daily life becomes.

Monday, November 23, 2015

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Dear Young Christian:

We hear a lot today about the pressures of life, and sometimes, perhaps we wonder how we are going to get along and face another week, or the near or distant future. But it is wonderful to know that we don’t have to carry the burdens alone, or face what seems to be looming on the horizon by ourselves. Our Lord Jesus Christ has promised to bear it all with us, and to never leave us until we are safe home and at rest in the Father’s house. He has told each of His own: “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22). He has also said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

As we start out this week, let’s go forth with a renewed sense of His everlasting love, His mighty power, and His divine presence with us. This will give us the confidence and strength to meet whatever comes our way, be it good or bad, hard of easy.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, November 22, 2015

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The Atoning Sufferings

“Thou hast laid Me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps” (Psalm 88:6).

The Lord suffered untold agonies at the hand of God. On the cross of Calvary the suffering of the Lord from man was nothing compared to what He felt when God forsook Him in those three hours of darkness, and He cried, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34).We will never know the extent of His atoning sufferings. We just get some heart-rending words in the Scripture that show how bad it was. Thankfully Jesus bore the punishment for our sins and we have the wonderful privilege of a full and free salvation through faith in Him.

Here is another verse that describes for us something of what the Lord Jesus felt when He experienced the wrath of a holy God against sin. “Thy wrath lieth hard upon Me, and Thou hast afflicted Me with all Thy waves” (Psalm 88:7).

Jesus was forsaken by His God. God turned His back while He was punished for our sin. Awful sin — awful suffering — awesome Saviour.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

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After Death

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

Distressed that the subject of death and dying was becoming taboo in our western culture, Bill and Judith Moyers produced a television series showing that an honest discussion of the subject helps many die with calm acceptance. However, no mention was made of faith in Christ or His resurrection.Therefore, it gave no example of anyone dying triumphantly.

When Stephen was being stoned by his enemies, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59). Only those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are able to die with joy and triumph, and anticipation. Because Jesus died for our sins and rose from the grave, we who believe on Him can die with a living hope and that certainly goes far beyond just calm acceptance.This is because, for the believer, it is “to be with Christ; which is far better” (Philippians 1:23).

Friday, November 20, 2015

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Serving With Tears

Billy Bray was born in Twelveshead England on June 1st, 1794. He was a unique vessel used mightily of the Lord in the salvation of many souls. Here is his own testimony regarding his work amongst the miners of the Cornwall district:

“When the Lord converted my soul He gave me power to pray with the men before we went to our different places to work in the mines. I used to pray, ‘Lord, if any of us must be killed today, let it be me; let not one of these men die. If I die today I shall go to heaven.’ When I would rise from my knees I would see tears running down their faces.”

It isn’t much wonder that he saw many, many of those miners saved, and many converted from lives of sinful degradation to be brilliant lights for the Lord.

This account reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s words as he summed up his path of service for Christ: “Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears…I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:19, 31).

Thursday, November 19, 2015

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Minor Prophets — Zechariah

This prophet, prophesied at the same time as Haggai. “Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem” (Ezra 5:1). This was in the second year of the reign of King Darius.

Prophetically the visions of this man look on to a future day of blessing for the Jewish remnant as well as all Israel. God will judge the Gentile nations that have oppressed them, and there will be blessing unlike anything previously known.

The restoration of the Jewish remnant is in Chapter 12, where we read, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10). The awakening of Israel as a nation is recorded in the words: “And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends” (Zechariah 13:6).

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

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False Doctrine

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 9-10).

If someone comes to your house and brings not this doctrine, he is neither to be received nor given any common greeting. When the truth as to the Person of Christ is in question, it is not enough to express disagreement with the false view; nothing must be done that would put any sanction on the evil doctrine or on the one holding it.

There may be much faulty apprehension of many truths and defective interpretations of the Word of God, for we all have very much to learn, but when the truth as to the Person of the Christ is denied, there is to be no compromise with the evil or toleration of the one holding the evil. To bid such an one God speed by even saying good-bye would be to partake of his evil deeds.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

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Pray

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

This doesn’t mean that we are always forming words in request or supplication for something. What it does mean is that we are always in the attitude of dependence, so that we can turn to the Lord at any moment, and in any situation. It is really to keep an open line between us and the throne of grace.

We see this exhibited in the life of Nehemiah when one day, in the presence of the king, he is asked a question that he knew had to be answered very carefully and wisely.

“Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king” (Nehemiah 2:4-5). Between the time the question was asked and Nehemiah had to give an immediate answer, there was a short, swift prayer that went up to heaven. As a result the Lord gave him wisdom in his answer, and caused the king to grant his request, and even far more than he asked for.

Let’s keep that open line active today!

Monday, November 16, 2015

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Dear Young Christian:

Where will this week take you? For many of us it will be the usual daily routine of life. Home, school, work, up in the morning, to bed at night, and as Solomon put it, “The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down” (Ecclesiastes 1:5).

Whatever this week brings, remember, the Lord wants us to follow Him and rejoice in His love no matter what happens. We don’t know what is ahead, even five minutes from now, but we do know that, “there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). He knows all about this week, and He tells us, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Matthew 6:34). Very simply put, we are encouraged to live for Christ at this moment, and leave the future in His hands. There may be many unexpected things that happen this week, but you will be able to look back and see the wisdom and love of the Lord in every circumstance.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, November 15, 2015

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The Name

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9).

Because of what the Lord Jesus did at the cross, He now occupies the place of highest honor at the right Hand of God. His name is unique, supreme, beyond compare, excelling all other names. It is the name that God delights in, and the greatest and most precious name in the universe. It is the most blessed name we have ever known or ever will know.

The bride in the Old Testament said, “Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth” (Song of Solomon 1:3). We read of Mary in the New Testament: “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 does that name mean to you today? In the measure in which that name is real and precious to our hearts there will be an overflow and outpouring of true worship.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

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Inattention

“Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear,
and your soul shall live” (Isaiah 55:3).

It was a cold winter morning and Scott decided to walk to work. Young and healthy, the thought of a brisk walk was appealing. With earphones so he could listen to music he started out, stopping at a newsstand to pick up a paper. With music to entertain and the newspaper to inform he was all set. He negotiated several intersections successfully, but as he approached the railway crossing, something either in the paper or in the music so engrossed his attention that he failed to see and hear the flashing lights and clanging bells warning of an oncoming train. As the result of a few moments of inattention he was killed instantly!

Are you doing something just as foolish as Scott did? All around you are the warnings of judgment to come: gospel tracts, the man next to you on the bus who speaks to you about your soul, the girl in the next desk at school who quotes Bible verses to you. Are you listening? Or are the pressures of school or business and the desire for entertainment, blinding and deafening you to the danger which is so rapidly approaching?

Friday, November 13, 2015

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Mercy

Mercy has saved us from hell, which we all deserve. It also preserves us in a physical and practical way as we walk through this world in the Christian pathway. Here are some examples:

“God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-5).

“For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all” (Romans 11:32).

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5).

“To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses” (Daniel 9:9).

“Great are Thy tender mercies, O Lord” (Psalm 119:156).

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies” (2 Corinthians 1:3).

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not” (Lamentations 3:22).

Thursday, November 12, 2015

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Grace

Grace is the undeserved favor of God. What a wonderful resource and power there is in that precious commodity, available to and for each of us.

Here are some examples of the way grace meets our needs, not only for salvation but all through life as well:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

“And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:14).

“And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16).

“My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

“He giveth more grace” (James 4:6).

“For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace” (Hebrews 13:9).

“Grace be with you” (2 John 1:3).

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

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Love Life

“He that will love life, and see good days” (1 Peter 3:10).

We all want to have a good life. We want happy days with a feeling of fulfilment at the end. However, there is something very practical that we must follow if we are going to experience “good days” as a believer. Notice the rest of the verse:

“Let him…”

1. “Refrain his tongue from evil…”

2. “Turn from evil and do good…”

3. “Seek peace and pursue it.”

These are three good, practical principles to follow. Do them and you’ll have a full and happy life, with fruit and blessing, not just for yourself but in your relationships with others. You’ll notice that each one of these affects other people. All three are for the benefit of others. There’s nothing so cold and lonely as doing everything for yourself. Show your Christianity by following these three characteristics. It’ll make you happy, and those around you happy as well.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

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Affliction

Affliction makes us pray in a very real and sincere way; Jonah was asleep in the ship when unaware of the raging storm outside, but he was in earnest prayer in the whale’s belly after being cast into the sea and swallowed by that great fish.

Perhaps in a time of health and prosperity we tend to pray in a cold and formal manner. If we are careless and indifferent about our prayers, how could we expect God to answer them?

This is why God often sends some trial or circumstance, to make us take hold of Himself and deepen our sense of dependence. In the Old Testament we read of certain ones, “They poured out a prayer when Thy chastening was upon them” (Isaiah 26:16). In times of trouble we pray feelingly, and we never pray so fervently as when we pray feelingly. When God puts His children in the school of affliction, He deals with them tenderly, because He does not leave them without a promise. “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able” (1 Corinthians 10:13). “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

Monday, November 9, 2015

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Dear Young Christian:

One of the questions that the Lord asked Job was, “Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?” (Job 38:22). Here in eastern Ontario, Canada, where I live, most people do not always appreciate the snow that usually begins to fall anytime now. Sure there is skiing and sledding, and other winter activities, but generally there is much complaining regarding shoveling, and accidents related to winter driving, etc.

However, one thing is sure, we cannot change the weather. “For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth” (Job 37:6). If you have ever seen the beauty of a snowflake under a microscope or a picture of one enlarged, you can well understand “the treasures of the snow.” In fact, they say there are no two flakes alike. What a wonderful world God has not only created, but is sustaining. Let’s enjoy each season, remembering the verse that says, “Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, November 8, 2015

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Willingly

“Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord” (Exodus 35:5).
“Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord” (1 Chronicles 29:9).

The Lord wants willingness in our offerings. Forced worship is not acceptable. The worship of the golden image in Daniel’s time was forced. Under the threat of death the people had to fall down and worship. So today in heathendom multitudes still worship because of fear, either of man or of their god or gods.

In our verse the Lord wants worship from those who love Him, those who really do want to present an offering — in our case a heart full of Christ with an overflow of thanksgiving, praise and worship. As we think about the Lord Jesus Christ today, His suffering and death for us, His resurrection and exaltation, our hearts will willingly offer a sacrifice of praise that is acceptable to God.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

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God Knows

“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Hebrew 4:13).

A missionary in China read Romans chapter 1 To a large audience. When he had finished his reading, giving emphasis to the last twelve verses (21-32), a native Chinese man came to him quite upset, and stated that it was quite unfair for this foreign devil (as they usually referred to missionaries) to come to their land and find out all their secret sins, and then write them down in a book, and read them out in public that way!

Interesting account isn’t it? It shows that, like a mirror exposing the dirt on our face, the Bible exposes the sin and corruption of our hearts. Like a mirror, it tells us exactly what the true condition is, but unlike a mirror, it provides the remedy as well. Don’t argue with the Word of God. Accept its truth, and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. Don’t be like the “man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was” (James 1:23-24).

Friday, November 6, 2015

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Prayer

“Daniel…kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10).

This verse brings before us five things that characterized Daniel’s life:

1. Reverence:…………………… “He kneeled.”

2. Perseverance:………… “Three times a day.”

3. Dependence:………………….. “He prayed.”

4. A thankful heart:……… “He gave thanks.”

5. Consistency:………. “As he did aforetime.”

Daniel is a great example for us to follow. Even though he lived in very difficult circumstances he never wavered from the convictions that he had as a young man when first brought to the court of King Nebuchadnezzar. In that regard we read, “Daniel purposed in his heart” (Daniel 1:8). This is what stood him in good stead all through his long and fruitful life. Remember, what we develop in youth will either be a help or hindrance as life goes on and we grow older.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

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Jesus’ Love

Every true believer loves the Lord. Peter, speaking of the Lord to believers, could say, “Whom having not seen, ye love” (1 Peter 1:8). In the presence of the proud Pharisee, the Lord said of the woman who kissed His feet, “She loved much” (Luke 7:47).

Yet, the Bible recognizes that love to the Lord may be found in very varied measures in different individuals on different occasions. Five times in John’s Gospel the writer refers to himself as “The disciple whom Jesus loved”

John 13:23

John 19:26

John 20:2

John 21:7

John 21:20

John enjoyed the Lord’s love for him, which inevitably deepened His love for the Lord. If we would desire to love the Lord with more singleness of heart, let us not turn in upon our own hearts and think of our love to Him, but rather, delight in His love for us.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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A Torn Page

“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it” (Psalm 68:11).

A preacher in England asked a dying Christian woman where she found the Saviour. In reply she gave him a piece of paper torn from an American journal containing part of one of C. H. Spurgeon’s sermons. The scrap had been wrapped around a package that came to her from Australia. The words of Spurgeon were read by her and were the means of leading her to Christ.

Commenting on this incident, a writer says, “Think of it; a sermon preached in England, printed in America, in some way coming to Australia, a part of it used as wrapping paper there, coming back to England, was the means of converting a soul.”

What an encouragement there is in such an incident for those who preach the gospel by means of the printed page! Tracts and Christian leaflets have been wonderfully and mightily used of God in the salvation of the lost.

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

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Every Page

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39).

On every page of Scripture,
Christ is the blessed theme;
By many illustrations,
His work and person gleam
Throughout the sacred pages,
Throughout the Holy Book,
So many precious aspects,
No matter where we look.

So read your Bible daily,
And ponder what you read;
You’ll find Christ is sufficient,
To meet your daily need.
Yes, read your Bible daily,
And every word obey,
You’ll find the Scriptures faithful,
To guide you on life’s way.

Monday, November 2, 2015

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Dear Young Christian:

There is no time limit to meditation! Sleepless nights and early awakenings are excellent opportunities to have fellowship with the Lord. Such meditation is more to be desired than a sedative or a sleeping pill.

The Psalms talk a lot about meditation and when David was in the wilderness of Judah, (notice the title of Psalm 63), he wrote, “I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches” (Psalm 63:6).In fact, part of the formula for happiness is given to us in the very first Psalm: “Blessed 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” (Psalm 1:1-2).

Where and when will you meditate on the Word of God this week? Instead of being frustrated by wakeful nights and waiting times, use them to advantage by taking time to meditate.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, November 1, 2015

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An Offering

“Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name: bring an offering, and come into His courts”
(Psalm 96:8).

What a tremendous privilege it is to come into the presence of the Lord and bring an offering. To bring the best offering you can to Him today, bring your heart, a heart that is full of love and praise for what Jesus did for you at Calvary’s cross and all the eternal blessings that you have received as a result. “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving” (Psalm 95:2). “Come before His presence with singing” (Psalm 100:2).

The Lord told Moses, “And none shall appear before Me empty” (Exodus 34:20). Are we going to appear in the presence of the Lord empty today…with nothing to offer…no praise…no worship…no thanksgiving…no response of gratefulness in our hearts? To come into His presence with nothing to offer is a very sad state of soul indeed. “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).