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Young Christians Calendar

A daily meditation for young Christians

April 2016

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Saturday, April 30, 2016

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Consequences
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”
(Romans 6:23).
Sin had consequences! Solomon declared, “The way of transgressors is hard” (Proverbs 13:15). Later on he also wrote, “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment” (Ecclesiastes 11:9).
These and many other verses from the Bible show the serious and sad outcome of living a life of sin and pleasure. It may seem glamorous and pleasant at the time, but remember it is what Scripture calls “the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25). In other words, just for a short time.
Remember too that the eternal consequences are a lost eternity in the lake of fire, referred to as “the second death” (Revelation 20:14).
Yes, the payment for sin is indeed death, but God is offering eternal life to all who own that they are sinners and receive His offer of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.

Friday, April 29, 2016

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Monthly Question Page
Q. What is meant by the expression “beware of the concision” (Philippians 3:2)?
A. The word “concision” literally means, “mutilation” or “mutilation of the body.” Paul uses the term here in contempt of those who taught, in the early days of Christianity, that the observance of circumcision was imperative to give one a full standing before God. In other words, they were trying to make Jews out of the Gentiles. God is not looking for mere outward forms and ceremonies, but what comes from the heart. “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart” (Romans 2:29).
Stephen said to the Jews,“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears” (Acts 7:51). There is a cutting off of the flesh in Christianity, but not in a literal way like with the Jews under the law. God wants obedience, not just outwardly, but inwardly. “They … desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh .… For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature” (Galatians 6:13,15). So, we learn that it is wrong to teach that one had to physically mutilate their body in order to be saved.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

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The Lord Is My Banner
“Jehovah-nissi” (Exodus 17:15).
During the Napoleonic wars there were multiple encounters between one British warship and one enemy warship. Usually the British ship was victorious and the enemy surrendered. When this happened the enemy ship changed masters and headed toward a new destination — a British port. It also had placed on board, a British officer, and as many men as were needed to keep in check the old captain and crew.
The illustration is very applicable in our lives. Each of us when we got saved were converted, or in other words, like the ship, we changed our flag, owning Christ now as our Lord.
“Jehovah-nissi” means “The Lord is my banner.” What banner or flag are you flying today? Will you hoist your flag for Christ to let others know that you belong to Him and desire to please Him? Will you let the world see that you want to give Him first place in your life? Or are you ashamed to raise your banner for Christ? What would you think of a ship’s captain who was ashamed to fly the flag of the country under whose auspices and protection he was sailing?

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

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Monthly Scripture Reading
Exodus 12
1 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

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Service
“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:13-15).
In the first 17 verses of John 13, Jesus set us a perfect example. Certainly we have to admit how many times we fall short! But He has not made the example impossible to follow because we have the Spirit in us that gives us the power to succeed. Try today to follow Jesus’ example. He cared for His own and washed their feet to refresh them and clean them after a day of walking the dusty streets of the city and getting ready to meet Him in the upper room. You too can refresh other believers by encouraging them with the Word of God. What you enjoy in letting the Lord refresh and encourage you from His Word, you can then share with others. In doing this we will be happy Christians in our interactions and relationships with one another. At the end of the example the Lord said, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17).

Monday, April 25, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:
Are you looking for equity and justice in the world? Are you expecting fairness in the court system and other levels of government and society? You won’t find it! Not until the Lord comes back to earth to reign during the time we refer to as the millennium. This evening my wife and I were reading Psalm 67 after our evening meal. We particularly noticed the fourth verse: “O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for Thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.” We looked up the verse in another translation and found the word, “righteously” translated “equitably.” This Psalm looks forward to the time when there will be equity executed on planet earth by the Lord when He reigns as “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16). Malachi explains it this way: “But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2). In the meantime we are to “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, April 24, 2016

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Desire
“And He said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15).
“The desire of our soul is to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee” (Isaiah 26:8).
In these two verses we have His desire and our desire.
The Lord’s desire for Jews was that they would keep the memorial of remembrance that was given to them the night they left Egypt and slavery. They were never to forget what had happened and how they were redeemed and delivered by the blood of the passover Lamb. Once a year they were to have a fresh reminder.
For us in Christianity, our memorial is the Lord’s Supper — that which the Lord Himself instituted and explained when He said, “This do in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). This is His present desire for each believer now. For us it is not just once a year or on a special occasion, but “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). Is your desire to fulfill His desire today?

Saturday, April 23, 2016

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Confession
On March 18, 2013 a most remarkable story appeared in the newspaper. In brief this is what it said:
“In Hastings, Michigan a burglar, expressing guilt about stealing $800 from a store 30 years ago has repaid the money, plus some interest.” Remaining anonymous, he sent $2,000 in $100 bills to the county sheriff’s department, confessing that he had robbed a certain store, giving the date, which the former owner confirmed as being correct.
The robber sent a note asking that the money be returned to the rightful owner. Part of the note read, “I did a very bad thing that I am ashamed of and have lived with this guilt too long. I can’t begin to say how sorry I am … If you find him please tell him how foolish I was.”
The letter was unsigned and had no return address.
This news item reminded me of the verse that says, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). The Lord Jesus as the Saviour of sinners, desires that we would come, admitting that we have sinned, and receive His forgiveness and salvation.

Friday, April 22, 2016

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Christian Service
“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness” (Romans 6:22).
Christian service is toward God. We were once the slaves of death and hell. We were once doing Satan’s bidding, Satan’s work. But now, in Christ Jesus, we are servants to God. “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you … For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness” (Romans 6:17,20).
Our fruit is fruit unto holiness. A Christian enjoying fellowship with God will bear fruit — more fruit and much fruit, because that’s what God expects and has equipped us to do. The Lord Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing .… Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples” (John 15:5,8).

Thursday, April 21, 2016

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Jacob’s Twelve Sons — Judah
“Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise” (Genesis 49:8).
He was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah and his name means “praise.” Judah advised the selling of Joseph rather than killing him (Genesis 37:26-27), and his descendants, the Jews, delivered the Lord into the hands of the Gentiles.
He sinned in the matter of Tamar his daughter-in-law, and was ready to have her punished till it was shown that he also was guilty. Thus is traced the terribly corrupt history of the family of whom came King David and a long line of subsequent kings. The Lord was born of this tribe, and is referred to as “the Lion of the Tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5).
Though not the eldest son, he took a chief place amongst his brothers, and was even able to persuade his father to let Benjamin be taken to Egypt. When appeals were made to Joseph, Judah was the one who made them. When Jacob blessed his sons it was clearly shown that the tribe of Judah was to be of the royal line of Israel. Jacob declared, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Genesis 49:10).

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

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Diligence
The following verses from the book of Proverbs, penned by Solomon so long ago, show how God encourages diligence in every aspect of our life.
“The hand of the diligent maketh rich” (Proverbs 10:4).
“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule”
(Proverbs 12:24).
“The substance of a diligent man is precious”
(Proverbs 12:27).
“The soul of the diligent shall be made fat”
(Proverbs 13:4).
“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness” (Proverbs 21:5).
“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings” (Proverbs 22:29).
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds” (Proverbs 27:23).
Whether it is our personal life, our family life, our school or business life, in practical matters or certainly our spiritual life, God never encourages laziness. No, the way of blessing is always DILIGENCE.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

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A New Family
Maybe there is a reader today whose parents aren’t happy that you are a Christian. They themselves have no love for the Lord Jesus, and are disappointed that you want to follow Him. If you are suffering some reproach from your family, here is a good verse to remember: “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up” (Psalm 27:10).
Remember too, that you have been brought into a new family. When Peter got to thinking about what he left behind, the Lord reminded him, “There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30).
We have a wonderful Heavenly Father, and brothers and sisters in Christ. “Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ … if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another” (1 John 1:3,7).

Monday, April 18, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:
Light does not change things, rather it exposes things. The believer in Christ is referred to as “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Another Scripture reminds us, “Ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).
We are not here to change the world; we are here to shine for Christ and point others to Him. The world is under judgment, and the Bible shows us that things on planet earth are going to get worse and worse, not better and better. We are further told, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
As we start another week, let’s step out into the world again with our “lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord” (Luke 12:35-36). Who knows what a testimony it will be, and the blessing that will result in the lives of others. Light does not make any noise, but it does show the way, and gives comfort and guidance.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, April 17, 2016

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Two Words
“He died” (2 Corinthians 5:15).
Two words, and yet how profound! Why did He die? One reasons is, “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3). Another is, “He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).
What was the motive? The first and greatest motive was love and obedience to God His Father: “Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again .… This commandment have I received of My Father” (John 10:17-18). The second motive was love to us. Paul said, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Stop today and meditate on these two words. “He died.” Such a meditation will produce feelings and expressions of worship, praise and thanksgiving in your heart. It will deepen your appreciation of what took place at Calvary so that you could be saved from your sins, have eternal life, and look forward to heaven. “He died!” What a death! What a result!

Saturday, April 16, 2016

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Mark Twain
“The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13).
As a boy, I laughed and cried as I read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and Huckleberry Finn. I gave little if any thought to the author of these books, until later I studied the life of Mark Twain.
Twain, whose real name was Samuel Clemens, had his share of tragedy. He blamed himself for his younger brother’s death in a steamboat accident at age 20, and for the death of his only son, who died from diphtheria at 19 months. He grieved bitterly over the deaths of two of his daughters — one from meningitis at age 23 and the other from a heart attack at 29.
But instead of turning to God and the Saviour, he became bitter and pessimistic. When he died at age 74, he was desperately lonely, unhappy and hopeless.
Mark Twain had an emptiness that could not be satisfied with money and fame. His success as a writer only increased his misery and sense of loss. His life illustrates the folly of living without God. If only he had trusted Christ for salvation he could have looked to Him for comfort and fulfilment.

Friday, April 15, 2016

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Influence — Part 2
“For she loved much” (Luke 7:47).
The day following the accident Catherine Lawes body was resting in a casket in her home three-quarters of a mile from Sing Sing Prison. As the acting warden took his early morning walk he was shocked to see a large crowd of the toughest, hardest-looking criminals gathered like a herd of animals at the main gate. He came closer and noted tears of real grief and sadness streaming down their faces. He knew how much they loved Catherine. He turned and faced the men. He hesitated, then said, “All right men, you can go. Just be sure and check in tonight!” Then, against his better judgment, he opened the gate and a parade of criminals walked, without a guard, the three-quarters of a mile to stand in line to pay their final respects to Catherine Lawes, the woman who truly loved them. And every one of them checked back in. Every one!
What impact will your life have on others? We read of Abel, “He being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4). Make sure your life has a positive not a negative effect on others. Be a blessing, and you will be blessed.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

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Influence — Part 1
Our lives influence others more than we realize. “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself” (Romans 14:7).
In 1921 Lewis Lawes became warden at Sing Sing Prison, one of the toughest prisons that ever existed in the United States. When he retired 20 years later it had become a humanitarian institution. On retirement Lewis gave the reason for the transformation, He said, “I owe it all to my wife Catherine, who is buried outside the prison walls.”
Catherine Lawes, against all advice from friends and relatives, said, “My husband and I are going to take care of these men and I believe they will take care of me! I don’t have to worry.” She introduced Braille for the blind and sign language for the deaf. She went to basketball games and sat in the stands with the inmates. She visited their cells, and showed love to those who had never known what love and kindness is. Then in 1937 she was killed in a car accident. The next morning Lewis Lawes didn’t come to work so the acting warden took his place. Almost instantly the prison knew that something was wrong.
Would you be missed if that had been you?

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

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Bible Algebra
C+O-S=J
Putting C hrist first in our lives and then serving O thers, while forgetting S elf, will bring the Christian great J oy.
This is really the formula for a blessed, fruitful life as a believer. Anyone who has lived for self, if honest, will attest to the fact that in the end it leaves the heart empty with an aching sense of non-fulfillment.
Here is what Solomon said, after years spent living for himself and absorbed with his own self-interest and self-importance. “So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:9-11). Let’s make sure we don’t conclude our lives this way!

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

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The Bible
“Thy Word is very pure” (Psalm 119:140).
“Thy Word is true” (Psalm 119:160).
The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword and the Christian’s charter. Here Paradise is restored, heaven opened and the gates of Hell closed. Christ is its grand subject, our good is its design and the glory of God is its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. Pray it in. Read it through. Live it out. Pass it on.

Monday, April 11, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:
I rarely have trouble sleeping! However, once in awhile if I am sick or very upset I do lie awake at night. The other night as I lay awake worrying about something, I thought of a word of advice I had once been given for just such a situation. Here is what it was:
“When sleep does not come, instead of
continuing to count sheep, talk to the Shepherd.”
David, who was a shepherd as a young boy, learned this truth, and could say to the greatest Shepherd of all, “I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches” (Psalm 63:6). He was thankful to be able to write, “The Lord is my Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1).
We, too, have a wonderful Shepherd who is awake and ready to listen and help no matter what hour of the day or night. Don’t forget to talk to Him; He is always available!
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, April 10, 2016

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The Son
“And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of” (Genesis 22:2).
What a wonderful picture Abraham and Isaac are of God the Father sending His only Son into this world to go to the cross and offer Himself as that supreme sacrifice. It is summed up in the statement made by the Apostle John in the New Testament, when he states,“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1 John 4:14). Yes, it was more than just God sending Jesus; it was the Father sending the Son.
As we think of this wonderful relationship it makes us realize something of the cost, what it must have meant for the Father to send the Lord Jesus knowing what the cost would be.
We have everything of eternal value through the Son as a result of that great sacrifice. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things” (Romans 8:32).

Saturday, April 9, 2016

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Greatest Question & Answer
Someone once asked, “What is the world’s greatest question and answer?”
Life is full of many curious questions, and today there will no doubt be many questions put to us at school, work or even at home. Some of those questions will be important and some of them less so. How we answer may or may not affect us in the long term or even the short term. Here, however, is the most important question anyone can ever ask:
“What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).
This question was asked by a jailor at Philippi, and the answer he received from the Apostle Paul and Silas is the world’s greatest answer:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).
The jailor trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation that very day and was saved from sin and its penalty. If you haven’t sincerely asked this question and responded positively to its answer, DO IT TODAY … DO IT NOW!

Friday, April 8, 2016

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Confessing Christ
We should confess Christ at all times, and under all circumstances. Here are three ways that Christ is confessed in our day-to-day life:
1. By word:
“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).
2. By behavior:
“Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
3. By silence:
“But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Peter 3:4).
How will you confess Christ today? By one of the above ways would be good; by two of the above ways would be better; by all three of the above ways would be best.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

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Things — Part 2
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2).
Peter reminds us that we have, “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven” (1 Peter 1:4).
What a sad commentary we have concerning Lot. “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where .… Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan” (Genesis 13:10-11). Poor Lot saw the day when all he chose and all he worked for came under the judgement of God, as He rained fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah. All that we build in this world is going to be left behind. This planet is “reserved unto fire” (2 Peter 3:7).
“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). All we have of eternal value is in Him, through Him and by Him!

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

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Things — Part 1
“We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (1 Corinthians 4:18).
This is a day of ever-increasing materialism. The natural man places utmost importance on the present and on the tangible … on things. What a disappointment it is when the things of this world, and the things he has trusted in, pass away and leave him empty — not filling the longing of his weary, hungry soul.
As Christians we are given several exhortations in the Bible to lift our eyes above the horizons of this earth and its hopes, goals, allurements and aspirations. Here is just one of them:
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

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Life’s Journey
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).
As you travel on life’s pathway,
As you journey through the years,
You will have some joys and sorrows;
There will be some smiles and tears:
So make sure you walk with Jesus —
He will help you through it all;
He will guide you and preserve you,
And He’ll hear your every call.
In your youth He will sustain you,
And through middle age as well,
You’ll be happy, strong and fruitful;
Of God’s love and grace you’ll tell:
In the sunset years of old age,
You will always have a Friend,
Who will still be there beside you,
Till your days on earth will end.

Monday, April 4, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:
Two days ago my wife and I were in London England, today we are in Paris France. How fast and far we go in this modern age of travel and technology makes me think of a verse from the Bible that describes the “last days.” “To the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4). Everybody seems on the go, and the restlessness of society seems to increase the closer we get to the coming of the Lord.
Amidst all this restlessness and discontentment, how good to have “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). You may have much turmoil around you this week, and some of you may feel like you are running “to and fro,” but “let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). This is an inward peace and calm that only comes from walking in the confidence of obedience to the Word of God and in fellowship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Have a good week, and keep close to the Lord!
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, April 3, 2016

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Devotion
“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus” (John 12:3).
Mary’s love and devotion to her Lord led her to give freely of her precious ointment. Perhaps this may seem a small thing, but did you realize that the value of the spikenard was approximately one year’s wages? “For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence” (Mark 14:5). A day’s wages in Bible times was about a penny a day, and there are, I suppose, about 300 working days in a year. Would you or I be willing to make any sacrifice that would come close to matching this?
Today the Lord Jesus wants another kind of sacrifice — the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.
“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).
“I will offer to Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:17).
Will you offer this sacrifice to the one who sacrificed Himself for you?

Saturday, April 2, 2016

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Where To?
My wife and I sat in the Heathrow airport in London, England and waited for our flight to Frankfurt, Germany. Hundreds and hundreds of people hurried past on their way to and from various gates and terminals. “Where are they all going?” we asked ourselves. “All over the world,” was our conclusion. Some had short flights and short journeys, some had longer flights and long journeys, but they, like us, were all going somewhere.
Yes, we are all on a journey, the journey of life. Unlike the people at Heathrow airport who were on their way to many destinations, we are all on our way to one of two places. HEAVEN or HELL! When the Lord was on earth He said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Which destination we are headed to depends on what we have done with God’s offer of salvation through the work of His Son on Calvary. If you are on the “broad” road you can change to the “narrow” one now by accepting Christ as your Saviour.

Friday, April 1, 2016

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Good Works
As another month starts let’s be exercised as to how we can serve the Lord in the days to come. The epistle to Titus has been called the “epistle of good works.” Not “good works” to save us, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5), but “good works” because we are saved.
Here are the references:
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity” (Titus 2:7).
“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).
“Ready to every good work” (Titus 3:1).
“These things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works” (Titus 3:8).
“And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful” (Titus 3:14).
There are lots of “good works” you can do for Him today!
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