Young Christians Calendar

January 2016

No Broken Bones

“But when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they brake not His legs” (John 19:33).

A few verses later we find out why they didn’t break the Lord’s legs. “For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken” (John 19:36). It was no coincidence that Jesus died before the soldiers came to break the legs of those on the crosses. The Jews, in their Passover celebration, were not allowed to break any of the bones of the sacrificial lamb. “This is the ordinance of the passover … neither shall ye break a bone thereof” (Exodus 12:43, 46). So Jesus, in fulfilling the type, did not suffer any broken bones — just a broken heart. He could say, “Reproach hath broken My heart” (Psalm 69:20). Jesus died voluntarily. He gave up His life. No one took it from Him.

The Israelites were never to forget their redemption and deliverance from Egypt, and we are never to forget the work of Calvary, which is the basis of our redemption and deliverance. He has asked us, “This do in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19).

Saturday, January 30, 2016

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It Stood The Test

“Charity [love] never faileth” (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Standing in a store window on Broadway in New York City, there used to be a battered old safe which bore the sign, “It stood the test — the contents were all saved.” It had been through one of the hottest fires New York City ever experienced. But the old safe had carried its treasures and contents safely through it all.

Perhaps there’s a reader who has just tasted in some little measure the Saviour’s love and fears that it will not last. You fear that it will not “stand the test.” Look back at Calvary’s cross! It stood the test. That love which stood the hottest fires of judgment, that love which many waters could not quench will NEVER fail. “Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (John 13:1). His love has been tested, tried and found true.

If you are not saved, now is the time. God loves you; Jesus loves you. Come and receive His gift of eternal salvation. The invitation is, “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him” (Psalm 34:8).

Friday, January 29, 2016

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Monthly Question Page

Q. Is it wrong to say to someone, “God bless you?”

A. Usually people say this with a sincere desire that the person would enjoy the favor of God, who, of course, is the source of all blessing. So, in that way, we can apply verses such as, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee” (Numbers 6:24), and, “The blessing of the Lord, if maketh rich” (Proverbs 10:22).

Thus it is not wrong to use the expression, but we do need to keep in mind that in Christianity we already have all the blessings that God can give us. “God … hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3). We do not need to be seeking to obtain blessing. Many believers feel that they need to attain to a certain spiritual level in order for God to bless them. WE HAVE ALL THE BLESSINGS, FROM GOD, THROUGH CHRIST JESUS. This was not so in the Old Testament. Blessing and favor largely depended on obedience and faithfulness.

The full, unhindered enjoyment of our blessings will not be until we are in heaven, “For we know in part … but then shall I know even as I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:9,12).

Thursday, January 28, 2016

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Tears

“Put thou my tears into thy bottle: are
they not in thy book” (Psalm 56:8)?

“God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17).

How many tears have you shed? Who can tell?… countless, no doubt. But there is one who knows every tear that you have ever cried. And every tear you have ever cried is stored up in His bottle and will be remembered and dried by the Lord Jesus in a coming day.

This act of drying our tears seems like such a simple thing, but what depths of relief are found here for the child of God. There are so many sorrows, even in youth. There is much pain, even while we are young. But it will all be wiped away with a tender stroke of His nail-pierced hand. And as the last tear is brushed into the past, what a glorious future lies ahead. No more diseases or excruciating pain. Finished is the grief of losing loved ones in death, the bitter disappointments, the tragic personal failures. No more haunting fears or weariness. It is all passed away! Forever finished! “There shall be no more … crying” (Revelation 21:4).

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

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Monthly Scripture Reading

Isaiah 7

9 If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

10 Moreover the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying,

11 Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.

12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.

13And He said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

14 Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

15 Butter and honey shall He eat, that He may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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Guidance

The Lord wants to be our guide all through this life. Here are some verses from the Psalms that show this very clearly:

“The meek will He guide in judgment: and the
meek will He teach His way” (Psalm 25:9).

“For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for
Thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me” (Psalm 31:3).

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye” (Psalm 32:8).

“For this God is our God for ever and ever: He
will be our guide even unto death” (Psalm 48:14).

“Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and
afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:24).

These verses show that when there is the proper attitude and a real desire to know what is right and pleasing to the Lord, then He wants to show us, and counsel us with the wisdom that only He can give. To seek His counsel and to follow in His ways is the secret of a happy Christian life. Remember, one of His names is, “Counsellor” (Isaiah 9:6).

Monday, January 25, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:

WATCH OUT!

Yes, because you have a powerful and subtle enemy. This enemy, Satan, is constantly on the prowl. As another busy week of activity begins I would plead with you to WATCH OUT! “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

He wants you! He wants to make you fall. He wants to make you lose the joy of your salvation (although he cannot take that salvation from you). He wants to spoil your testimony. He wants you to get so discouraged that you give up following the Lord. He wants you to focus your attention on the world and lose interest in reading your Bible, in praying, in the Lord’s things. So be vigilant — always on the lookout for the enemy. Keep clear of danger zones and keep close to the Lord and be always “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, January 24, 2016

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Loved

“I have loved you saith the Lord” (Malachi 1:2).

A couple of weeks ago we had some Scriptures from John’s ministry concerning the love of God and Christ. Here is a further meditation on the theme of LOVE.

“The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the Lord loved you” (Deuteronomy 7:7-8).

This was spoken about Israel, but we certainly can take it and apply it for ourselves. When we see the vast majority of people in the world leading godless lives, we can find joy and comfort in the fact that God loved us so much that He chose us to belong to Him — not because we were better, or had more brains or money. No. Just simply because He loved us. Just because He chose to.

Let that love fill your soul today and every day to come. Let’s be like the bride in the Old Testament who said, “We will remember Thy love” (Song of Solomon 1:4). How much does that love mean to you? Does it overwhelm and warm your heart? It ought to!

Saturday, January 23, 2016

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18th Birthday

“He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised”
(Luke 4:18).

Alice really didn’t intend to be late for the gospel service but it was her 18th birthday. As she opened the door and tried to slip in quietly, the first words she heard from the preacher were, “Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” (Luke 13:16).

These words went straight to her heart. “Bound these 18 years … That’s me,” she repeated to herself. “If I don’t belong to the Lord, I must be serving Satan.” She heard little of the rest of the sermon. She saw that she had spent all her life — those 18 years — in pleasure and forgetfulness of God.

The meeting ended, and Alice returned home and knelt by her bed. As she prayed, the rays of God’s sunshine beamed into her soul and she was set free, delivered, loosed, saved on her 18th birthday.

Friday, January 22, 2016

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Grace

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

It is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that makes Him so precious to our hearts. No set of doctrines, however correct, can meet and satisfy our hearts. We each have a large heart, and there is but One who can fill it, the One who came down from heaven. What the gospel of God’s grace presents is a living person and the glorious work of the blessed Saviour, the Son of God.

The gospel of God concerns His Son. Human ears and hearts may be indifferent to that gospel, but there is an ear above that delights to hear the story told out time and time again, however feebly it may be presented. There is one theme of which the ear of God never tires and that theme is the gospel that exalts His only begotten Son as the Saviour of sinners. Share this good news of the grace of God with someone today. It will bring joy to His heart, your heart, and hopefully the heart of the hearer.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

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Jacob’s Twelve Sons — Reuben

“The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn”
(Genesis 35:23).

“And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me” (Genesis 29:32).

Reuben was the one who saved the life of Joseph when his brothers thought to kill him after Joseph was sent by his father to see how his brothers fared. “And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit” (Genesis 37:21-22).

Later on when they went to buy corn in Egypt, he offered to be responsible for Benjamin’s safety. Jacob, when blessing his sons, said, “Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch” (Genesis 49:3-4). This denotes the failure of the firstborn and implies the loss of his birthright.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

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Gentleness

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).

How beautifully a pure, peace-loving and gentle person stands out in a crowd! We aren’t talking about strength and muscle here. We’re talking about the pure and gentle of tongue, the peaceable and gentle in personality, one who is gentle in their reaction to others. One who does not pretend to be something they are not.

Ask the Lord to help you to show these attributes in your daily interaction with your fellow man and to have a spirit that will not give or take offense. The Lord Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Remember, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

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Light

“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).

There is something enjoyable and awe-inspiring about looking into the dark sky on a cloudless night and seeing the stars brightly shining. Have you ever thought how it must please God in a similar way to look down into this world and see His own shining for Him? We may tend to count on Christian leaders to do the shining, but the real beauty of the night sky is the multitude of the stars. God intends for each one of us to give off our little light.

The Lord Jesus told His own, “Ye are the light of the world … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). When the Lord was here on earth He said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). However, He is no longer here in this world, and the responsibility has been passed on to us.

Monday, January 18, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:

This morning I am thinking about a statement of Scripture in connection with the awesomeness of our God. “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?” (Psalm 77:13). You’ll never know how great and good God is unless you spend time in His presence. A quiet time with God, worshipping Him, thanking Him and listening to Him is the way to appreciate His greatness. How much do you go into the sanctuary — that place of quietness, away from everything, where you can commune with the Lord? He wants your fellowship and you need His. The Christian life is a two-way communion.

If you haven’t been walking in fellowship with the Lord like you should, why not start this new week by getting into His presence, confessing whatever it is that has hindered your communion and start enjoying His company as you go about your daily routine. “Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, January 17, 2016

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Nothing To You

“Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto My sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me
in the day of His fierce anger” (Lamentations 1:12).

What does the work of Calvary really mean to you? There were those who passed by the cross to whom it meant nothing. Of them we read, “And they that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads” (Matthew 27:39). Of others we read, “And sitting down they watched Him there” (Matthew 27:36).

For those of us who know Christ as our Saviour the cross should mean everything. As we pass by the cross again today in our thoughts and hearts, considering what took place there, may it mean more to us than ever before. May we have a deepened sense of the depth of suffering, that we might have a deeper appreciation of the glorious results of that mighty work. Jeremiah asks a very serious question in the verse at the top of today’s page. How sad if we had to answer that it was nothing to us. Paul said, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).

Saturday, January 16, 2016

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The Biggest Fool

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God … So death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 3:23; 5:12).

A prize was once offered in a certain village for the biggest fool that could be found in it. A diligent and thorough search was made, and a sick man who refused to tell his doctor the truth as to the symptoms of his disease was discovered. The judges were unanimous in awarding him the prize. I’m sure that, had we been there on that occasion, we would have agreed wholeheartedly with their verdict.

Such a fool as this I have never met. As a rule people are ready enough to tell the whole truth to their doctor, if by so doing he can diagnose their sickness correctly and prescribe an effective remedy.

However, I have met people who have been guilty of foolishness of a far worse character. There are thousands of soul-sick sinners who refuse altogether to acknowledge the truth about themselves. I hope that nobody reading this calendar is like that! There is a cure … “It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11).

Friday, January 15, 2016

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Stress

The other day I asked another believer how she was. Her reply was, “I’m too blessed to be stressed!”

We live in a world filled with stress, a world that is unstable in so many ways … socially, politically, economically, and so on. But the world is not where we are to look. As believers we need to refocus the eyes of our hearts on the only One that gives true and lasting stability.

David had a lot of stress in his life, both before and after he became king. Here are some of the statements he made regarding his dealings with daily stress:

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” (Psalm 18:2).

“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5).

“Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock” (Psalm 28:1).

David had a trust and confidence in His God that carried him through those stressful times of life.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

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Godly Counsel

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:16).

“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him” (2 Timothy 2:4).

A young Christian man had been nominated for a public office. Before accepting the nomination he wrote to a respected brother in the Lord seeking some godly counsel as to whether he should accept the nomination or not. The reply was simple and straightforward:

“A dead man does not vote, nor does he receive votes.”

Believers are pronounced dead:

To self…………………………. Galatians 5:24

To sin…………………………. Romans 6:2,11

To the Law………………………. Romans 7:4

To the world…………………. Galatians 6:14

To religion……………… Colossians 2:20-23

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

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Bible Algebra

A/C+W/S=F

A biding in C hrist and W alking in the S pirit bearsF ruit in the life of a believer.

How much is this true in your life and mine? How close is our walk with the Lord? The Lord Himself said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me” (John 15:4).

Every believer down deep in their heart desires to produce fruit for God. But there is only one way to accomplish this. “Walk in the Spirit … the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:16, 22-23).

Fruit is really the reproduction and expression of Christ in our lives. This can only be produced by nearness to Himself and by allowing the Spirit to have full control over us.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

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Complaining

“And when the people complained, it
displeased the Lord” (Numbers 11:1).

Yesterday we mentioned how we so often complain about the weather although we can do nothing about it. Another thing we often complain about is the government. This too comes directly from the hand of God, and like the weather, we can do nothing about it. “The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Daniel 4:17). “The powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1).

Isn’t it wonderful to realize that this same God is our Father, that He’s in full control of everything in our lives as well? Are we willing to let Him have His way with us and direct as He sees best? Can we think that we know better than He? May we, like the Lord Jesus at a difficult time in His pathway, say, “Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight” (Luke 10:21). This is true happiness and Christian living! The next time you start to complain remember this verse: “That there be no complaining in our streets” (Psalm 144:14).

Monday, January 11, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:

Did you ever notice how often we complain about the weather? It is either too hot or too cold; too wet or too dry; too humid, windy, stormy, or whatever … Thankfully, the weather, like many other things in life, is not in any way under our control. Our God is in full control, ordering everything according to His wisdom and knowing what is best. I like the verse that says, “The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet” (Nahum 1:3).

Some of us come from areas of the world where there is lots of snow this time of year. The next time you complain about having to shovel think of this verse: “He saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth” (Job 37:6).

When you grumble about the weather, remember it’s all ordered and perfectly administered from the throne of heaven. And remember too, that no matter how dull and gloomy the weather may be, we can always walk in the sunshine of our Father’s love.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, January 10, 2016

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Love

Here are some of the things the Apostle John records about the love of God the Father and the Lord Jesus:

“God so loved” (John 3:16).

“He loved them unto the end” (John 13:1).

“I [have] loved you” (John 15:9).

“Greater love hath no man than this” (John 15:13).

“Behold, what manner of love” (1 John 3:1).

“God is love” (1 John 4:8).

“Herein is love” (1 John 4:10).

“He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

These short statements ought to stir our hearts’ affections as we consider the greatest love that mankind has ever known or ever will. If love like this doesn’t awaken your affections and cause a response from your heart today, then you need to examine your state of soul and occupy yourself with His divine, unchangeable love. Remember and meditate on the full display of that love at Calvary’s cross. “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).

Saturday, January 9, 2016

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Michael Faraday — Part 3

Speculations

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

As we have noted this week, Michael Faraday was one of the most brilliant scientists of modern times. He was a pioneer in electrical discoveries, although he received practically no formal education.

Above all, he loved his Saviour and Lord. We are not surprised at the words he uttered with his dying breath: “I bow before Him who is Lord of all.”

He died on August 25, 1867. Just before his decease some journalists came to his bedside and questioned him as to his speculations for a life after death. “Speculations!” exclaimed Michael. “I know nothing of speculations. I’m resting on certainties. ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth,’ and because He lives, I shall live also.”

How wonderful it is for the believer to be able to rest on certainties. Like Paul, who said, “We know that … we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1). Do you have this certainty?

Friday, January 8, 2016

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Michael Faraday — Part 2

The Prayer Meeting

“We went … where prayer was wont to be made”
(Acts 16:13).

A crowded gathering of distinguished scientists had been listening spellbound to the masterful expositions of Michael Faraday. For an hour he held his brilliant audience enthralled as he demonstrated the nature and properties of the magnet. He brought his lecture to a close with an experiment so novel, so bewildering and so triumphant that for some time after he resumed his seat, the house thundered with enthusiastic applause. The Prince of Wales — later known as King Edward VII — rose to propose a motion of congratulation. The resolution was seconded and carried with renewed applause. All grew quiet as the audience waited for Faraday’s reply.

However, he did not appear. Only his most intimate friends knew what had become of him. The hour at which he concluded his lecture was the hour of the weeknight prayer meeting at the place where he met with other believers. Even amidst the world’s accolades, Faraday recognized the importance of the prayer meeting.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

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Michael Faraday — Part 1

Our Occupation in Heaven

“Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am” (John 17:24).

Michael Faraday was a chemist, physicist and philosopher. One day a distinguished scientist asked him this question: “Have you ever thought about what will be your occupation in the next world?”

Hesitating a while, Faraday quoted the verse, “It is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). He then added his own words: “I shall be with Christ, and that is enough.”

Yes, whatever else we may do in heaven, Christ will be the center and theme, our eternal and glorious occupation. When we get even one glimpse of His lovely face we will fix our gaze on Him, and He will captivate our hearts forever. As the Apostle John recorded, “I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb” (Revelation 5:6). It was the LAMB that caught His immediate attention and so it will be with us as well.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

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The Yoke

“It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth” (Lamentations 3:27).

“Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me … For
My yoke is easy, and My burden is light”
(Matthew 11:29-30).

To be yoked together means that you will be walking with another person in very close company. The direction one person takes is the direction the other must take. The job one person is doing is the job the other must do. Where one person goes the other must go. It cannot be otherwise.

We are to learn to walk with the Lord in our youth, yoked together in fellowship with Him, doing His will and going in the paths where He would have us to go. There will be burdens to bear, and life will not always be easy. But as we learn of Him and His ways, the yoke will indeed be easier, and the burden will be lighter. This is because we are in fellowship with One who does not give us more than we can carry or bear and even carries and bears it with us.

The yoke of this world is heavy. “The way of transgressors is hard” (Proverbs 13:15). However, “the way of the Lord is strength” (Proverbs 10:29).

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

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God’s Blessings

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new
every morning: great is Thy faithfulness”
(Lamentations 3:22-23).

If you recount God’s blessings,

And His mercies every day,

You won’t have time to murmur,

Or complain along life’s way.

You’ll be thinking of His goodness,

And His love divine and sweet,

And you’ll talk of it to others,

Yes, to everyone you meet.

On your face there’ll be a smile,

In your heart there’ll be a song,

Whether life is bright and cheerful,

Or if everything goes wrong.

You will rise above your problems,

Whether great or whether small,

And you’ll not be always grumbling,

As God’s mercies you recall.

Monday, January 4, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:

To someone like myself, it seems that just yesterday the world was anticipating the year 2000, or what was referred to as Y2K, the “new millennium.” Now here we are at the start of 2016, and any of you who were born in 2000 will turn 16 years old this year. Maybe you are looking forward to getting your driver’s license or some other landmark event in your life.

I am reminded of the verses, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (James 4:14-15). You may not think so now, but life is short. As believers we need to make every day count. We only have a little time to serve the Lord and shine for Him in this dark, sinful world, which is heading quickly for judgment. Before you know it, we’ll be looking back on the year 2016, if the Lord doesn’t come. Will we look back with the satisfaction that we lived our lives for the Lord?

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, January 3, 2016

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He Gave Himself

“Our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world,
according to the will of God and our Father”
(Galatians 1:3-4).

“The Son of God, who loved me, and gave
Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

“Christ also loved the church, and gave
Himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25).

“The Man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself
a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

“Our Saviour Jesus Christ; 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 2:13-14).

Yes, “He gave Himself!” Indeed, He was the “merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46). He could not give more; He would not give less.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

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Remember Now

“O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth”
(Psalm 71:5).

You will not always be in the days of your youth! As seasons come and go — winter, spring, summer, autumn — as earth pursues its long journey around the sun, as birthdays are brought to somebody every morning, those bright and hopeful days of youth are left further and further behind. The days when your youth and vibrancy have faded are slowly but surely coming nearer and nearer.

The time when you will be known as an old person is, of course, a long way off — perhaps you do not think about it at all. But the Preacher (Solomon) thought about it, and we should think about it as well. So Solomon wrote, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

If you want to be happy in old age and be able to sing the songs of heaven, rejoicing in the Lord Jesus Christ, “remember NOW thy Creator!”

Friday, January 1, 2016

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Another Year

At the beginning of this year many newspapers and magazines will publish a list of notable people and celebrities who died during the previous 12 months. The name of a person we admired may stir up memories that touch us in a special way.

From the past year a list will also be written deep within our hearts as we mourn the loss of loved ones. In all of life, perhaps no greater pain is felt than when someone we love dies. When the loss and hurt seem too much to bear, where can we turn? Here is what the Bible says: “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). With a physical injury the wound is treated immediately but the healing takes time. God heals our grief in a similar way.

Psalm 147 can help us during that process. The psalm begins and ends with “praise ye the Lord.” In between, it celebrates the attributes and works of God. Read this psalm today and write down one thing for which you can praise God. With each new day this year add another one to the list. As you focus on the Lord He will heal your heart, and you will be able to praise Him every day.