Young Christians Calendar

July 2016

God’s Satisfaction

The following verses show us God’s satisfaction with the work of His Son at Calvary, and where He has placed Him now as proof of that satisfaction.

“He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:20-22).

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

“Thou crownedst Him with glory and honor, and didst set Him over the works of Thy hands” (Hebrews 2:7).

As we consider the results of the work of the cross and the exaltation and glorification of Christ, what worship it will produce in our hearts! We will fall at His feet and “worship Him that liveth for ever and ever” (Revelation 4:10).

Saturday, July 30, 2016

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Questions

“What shall I do then with Jesus which
is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22).

“What think ye of Christ?” (Matthew 22:42).

Questions make things very personal, and your honest answer to these two questions will determine whether you are really a true believer or not.

Often we have questions as well. In the book of Acts there was a man who asked a sincere question, received a simple answer, and believed it for the salvation and blessing of his soul and others of his family. We refer to him as the Philippian jailor. He asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They immediately responded, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:30-31). The result was that he “rejoiced, believing in God with all his house” (Acts 16:34).

God asks you questions, and maybe you have questions too. Your responses to God’s questions and your responses to His answers can have great and eternal consequences.

Friday, July 29, 2016

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Monthly Question Page

Q. What does the word “sanctification” mean?

A. To be “sanctified” is to be set apart. “Ye are sanctified” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Every believer is sanctified by the work of the cross of Calvary. “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).

However, to enjoy and walk in the good of this truth may be quite another matter. We are exhorted to live in separation from this world and with moral purity. “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor” (1 Thessalonians 4:4). This is practical sanctification.

In the measure in which we walk in separation from that which is contrary to the Word of God we will be “a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).

Peter exhorts us to, “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” (1 Peter 3:15). This is to have Him before us as the exclusive object of our affections, and to give Him the first place in our lives.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

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Influence

“For none of us liveth to himself, and
no man dieth to himself” (Romans 14:7).

People who follow Christ lead others in the right direction. People who do not follow Christ lead others in the wrong direction.

The bride in the Song of Solomon said, “Draw me.” That’s individual. The result was, “We will run after Thee” (Song of Solomon 1:4). In other words, others are influenced to go in the right direction by one who follows the Lord.

How much is this true in your life? Everyone of us influence others, either for good or bad, right or wrong. After the Lord rose from the dead, Peter said to the other disciples who were with him, “I go a fishing.” As a result, “They say unto him, We also go with thee” (John 21:3). Notice he did not ask the others to go; it was simply the result of his personal influence and a decision he made at that time.

Which is it? There is no neutrality. Others are following our lead — are we following Christ?

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

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Monthly Scripture Reading

Jude

17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

24 Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

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Everything

Let’s learn to accept everything in our lives from God our Father. “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

It is our Father who orders all our lives. As I get a little older and continue on in my Christian experience, I feel more and more that it is Him with whom we have to do — not so much with men or things, BUT WITH HIM. Herein lies our power to do His will and suffer patiently in the trials and circumstances of life. We can take rebuffs, sorrows and disappointment from His hand, though we sometimes resent them coming from one another.

Nothing else but seeing God in everything will make us loving and patient with those who annoy and trouble us. They will be to us then only the instruments for accomplishing His tender and wise purposes toward us.

See God your Father in everything and receive everything directly from His hands, with no intervention of “second causes, “ because there are no “second causes” for the child of God.

See God in all things, great and small,

And give Him praise whate’er befall.

Monday, July 25, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:

How much do you and I really value our Bibles, the living Word of God? It is said that when the famous missionary, Dr. David Livingstone, started his trek across Africa he had 73 books in 3 packs, weighing about 180 pounds. After the expedition party had gone some 300 miles, Livingstone was obliged to throw away some of the books because of the fatigue of those carrying his baggage. As he continued on his journey his library gradually grew less and less, until he had but one book left and that was his Bible.

I have thought a lot about this. What would be the last thing that I would keep if I was in a similar situation? Would I be like the writer of Psalm 119, who said, “O how love I thy law” (Psalm 119:97)?

It would be interesting to count the number of Bibles and New Testaments in your home this week, and then consider how much they are read and valued.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, July 24, 2016

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Excellent

“O Lord our Lord, how excellent is Thy name”
(Psalm 8:9).

“How excellent is Thy lovingkindness” (Psalm 36:7).

“Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness” (Psalm 150:2).

What an excellent Saviour we have! We read of Abel, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain” (Hebrews 11:4). His sacrifice, which was the death of an innocent animal, was “more excellent” than that of his brother’s because it spoke to the heart of God of His Son and the perfect and supreme sacrifice He would make at Calvary many centuries later. Of that sacrifice we read, “Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Ephesians 5:2).

As we consider this most excellent sacrifice today, how thankful our hearts should be that God is completely satisfied with that offering, and that we are accepted on the basis of it.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

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My Friend

“This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend”
(Song of Solomon 5:16).

Even those who had no love or use for the Lord when He was here on earth said many things that were gloriously true of Him. One of those things was that they tagged Him as “a friend of publicans and sinners” (Matthew 11:19).

Although this was a title given to the Lord in derision and criticism, it reflected His grace. He was interested in the unpopular, the socially despised and the politically incorrect. He drew near to those whose careers were at a dead end, to those whom no one else bothered themselves for, those who had nowhere else to turn because of the weight of their sin upon their consciences. In other words, you and me. On another occasion we read, “And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” (Luke 15:2).

By His grace I have known the Lord Jesus as my Saviour and Friend for 50 years. Do you know Him too? He wants to be the best Friend you have ever had … “a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

Friday, July 22, 2016

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Fearful

Here are seven reasons why we don’t have to be fearful when we know the Lord as our Saviour, Friend, and Great Provider:

1. We don’t have to be fearful because God is faithful!

2. We don’t have to be fearful because God is for us!

3. We don’t have to be fearful, for God has forgiven us!

4. We don’t have to be fearful as God has freed us from sin!

5. We don’t have to be fearful because God foreknows!

6. We don’t have to be fearful since God furnishes our needs!

7. We don’t have to be fearful, for God feeds our souls.

“And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:40).

Thursday, July 21, 2016

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Jacob’s Twelve Sons — Joseph

The oldest of Rachel’s two sons, he is one of the most beautiful and complete types of the Lord Jesus in the Old Testament. We read, “Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: the archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: but his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)” (Genesis 49:22-24).

He was loved by his father, hated by his brethren, sold into slavery, falsely accused, sent to prison and eventually became ruler over all Egypt, given a Gentile bride and a name that means “Saviour of the World.” “And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:45). From this we can see the beautiful picture of Christ, and it is a good challenge to the heart and soul to go through the story and jot down the numerous details that correspond to the character, life, and work of the Lord. The story spans from Genesis 37 to Genesis 50.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

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Troubled Times

What troubled times we live in! Almost every day I think of the Scripture that reminds us, “And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet” (Mark 13:7). These are the Lord’s own words, and while I realize that they refer to a day that is yet future, still there is comfort in them for us, as we see events unfolding which point to what will fully develop after the Lord comes. Thankfully we will be gone before the tribulation. We are promised, “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Revelation 3:10).

So not only do we live in serious times, but exciting times too. To think that we are just about to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus calling us to Himself in the Father’s house! In the meantime it is good to be intelligent bystanders and to have a concern and prayerful interest in what is going on in the world around us. One thing we are exhorted to do in this regard is to pray “for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:2).

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

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God Speaks

This is a day of communication through technology. But have you ever considered how God has, and still does, communicate?

Psalm 19 is a wonderful psalm of communication. In this Psalm we learn that God speaks in three ways:

1. In the first verse God speaks from the heavens through the stars and sun. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.”

2. We learn from the seventh verse that He speaks through the Scriptures. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.”

3. He speaks through His people. No wonder David prayed at the end of the Psalm, as recorded in verse 14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord.” We certainly need to pray this prayer as well!

So God has spoken, and God continues to speak. The great question is, are we listening?

Monday, July 18, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:

I saw a definition recently that I thought was very good:

Wisdom: The skill for living.

I believe this is a very good and accurate definition, especially from a biblical point of view. It reminded me of several verses. Here are just a few:

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom”
(Proverbs 3:13).

“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not” (Proverbs 4:5).

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (Proverbs 4:7).

“Walk in wisdom” (Colossians 4:5).

There may be times this week when you feel like you lack wisdom, but don’t forget the promise, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally” (James 1:5). Just ask, and He will give!

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, July 17, 2016

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Honor

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

Most nations of the world boast of favorite sons. Abraham Lincoln, the great emancipator of the slaves, is an honored son of the United Sates of America. Victor Hugo, the revered novelist and poet, is an esteemed son of France. William Shakespeare of Great Britain, Sir John A. Macdonald of Canada, and so on.

But the Son of Man was, and is, owned by no nation, not even Israel. The leaders of that nation adamantly affirmed, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). We also read, “But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14).

It was the whole world that He came to bless and save, but they would not have Him. Today He is not owned as King here on earth; He is the rejected one. However, He does want the place of honor in your heart and mine, as we look up by faith and see where He is now and how God has owned and honored Him.

Saturday, July 16, 2016

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The Cross

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that
perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved
it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

John Beck, a missionary in Greenland, was discouraged, because the people he was trying to reach were becoming increasingly hostile. He was working at translation, when a group of men burst in. Kayarnak, the worst of the lot, seized a sheet of the manuscript and asked the meaning of the black marks. Beck explained that they were words, just like the words they were speaking. Kayarnak demanded him to make the paper speak. The missionary then read bits from different places in the Gospels, and was in the middle of the story of the crucifixion when he became conscious of the dead silence in the room. Looking up, he saw tears pouring down Kayarnak’s face. “Go on,” he said, “I want to hear more about this Jesus.” Beck went on to explain, as simply as he could the meaning of the Cross and the way of salvation. Kayarnak accepted the Saviour then and there, and proved a most valuable friend, helping in the translation of the Scriptures.

Friday, July 15, 2016

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The Little Light

Near a huge lighthouse a visitor saw a small, black iron pillar. When he enquired as to what it was, he was informed by the lighthouse keeper, “It also is a light-bearer, and in that iron basket at the top a light is kept burning when the fishing boats are expected home.”

“But surely,” said the visitor, “it cannot be necessary to have a small, insignificant light like that when there is a powerful light in the lighthouse.”

“The little light,” replied the keeper, “helps to make the lighthouse even more useful. When the little light is in a line with the bright light from up above, the seamen know that they are steering straight for the harbor entrance.”

This account reminded me of what Paul said to the Philippians. “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; holding forth the word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16). You and I who know Christ as Saviour are left here in this dark, sinful world to shine for Him. How much has this been true in our lives over the past week? Have we been “little lights” for Jesus?

Thursday, July 14, 2016

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Idols

“I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:8).

When Mahmud, the conqueror of India, had taken the city of Gujarat, he proceeded, as was his custom, to destroy the idols. There was one, 15 feet high, which its priests begged him to spare. Deaf to their pleas and seizing a mallet he struck it one tremendous blow. To his amazement, from the shattered image there rained down a shower of priceless gems, mostly pearls and diamonds. It was a treasure of inestimable value, long hidden within the idol. Had he spared the idol he would have lost all that wealth.

Let’s not spare our idols — the things dear to our hearts apart from Christ. It is in our best interest to demolish them. If we shatter them, there will rain about our hearts the treasures of heaven. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven … for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:20-21). These treasures are the treasures that are lasting and eternal.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

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Bible Algebra

(L+J+P)+(L+G+G+F+M+T)=F/S

L ove, J oy, Peace, L ongsuffering, G entleness, G oodness, Faith, M eekness and Temperance, equals the Fruit of the S pirit produced in the believer’s life.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23).

These nine elements listed above are really the characteristics and qualities of Christ, and will be reflected in the life of the believer as we walk with the Lord each day.

Fruit is really the reproduction of Christ in the believer, and is perhaps all that this world is going to see and read of Him. Paul reminded the Corinthian believer, “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men” (2 Corinthians 3:2). How much fruit will you produce for Christ today? It will be only in the measure in which you are walking close enough to Him to have His likeness mirrored in your life.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

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The Word

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou
hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able
to make thee wise unto salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

In Genoa, Italy, there used to be a Christian store owner who put a copy of the Gospel of John or Matthew in the bag with each hat he sold. Once a Russian sailor who bought a straw hat also received a Russian Gospel. When he opened the bag on the street and discovered the Gospel, he returned immediately and asked for more hats. The poor Russian was not allowed to read the Bible in Russia, which was once a communist country, so he thought that he had to buy another hat in order to receive more of God’s Word.

Aren’t you glad you are able to read the Bible, God’s living Word, for yourself with no government authority telling you not to? How many Bibles do you have in your home? I counted quite a few in our house! Let’s make sure we take time to read a portion of the Holy Scriptures every day. God will bless you abundantly for it.

Monday, July 11, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:

Have you ever started a week feeling very weary? Maybe you didn’t get a chance to rest up over the weekend, or you had an unusually hectic schedule, an evening with friends over, a social event or other happening that drained you and left you feeling like you just couldn’t make it.

Well, while often it is our own fault when we get overtired, yet the Lord does sympathize with us, and we read, “He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14). He also tells us, “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31). So, weary and tired as you may be this Monday, go forth in the strength of the Lord, and count on Him to take charge of your life and whatever you have to deal with this week.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, July 10, 2016

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Never Forget

“Behold, I have graven thee upon the
palms of My hands” (Isaiah 49:16).

The Lord said right before the words in our verse that He would never forget us. “Yet will I not forget thee” (Isaiah 49:15). No, there is no way that He could forget. He shows us a constant reminder of the cost of our redemption engraved in His hands. Each time He holds out His hands He reminds us of Calvary’s cross and what He paid to save us.

Does this speak to your heart? Can you respond by remembering the Lord in His death and worshipping Him today? Can you join with others who say, “O Lord … the desire of our soul is to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee” (Isaiah 26:8)? Will you be found meeting with others who “shew the Lord’s death till He come” (1 Corinthians 11:26)?

He is so worthy of our worship. In love, He gave Himself for us. Let’s worship Him today once again as we eat of the loaf and drink of the cup and so show His death, until He comes. He will never forget us, may we never forget Him!

Saturday, July 9, 2016

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A Ticket

“And the word of the Lord was published
throughout all the region” (Acts 13:49).

Garvin Seymour was a teacher at a school on the West Indian island of St. Vincent. Much to the chagrin of the principal, who was not a believer, he was always giving out gospel tracts and telling the students and fellow-teachers about the Lord Jesus and the way of salvation through His death on the cross and the value of His shed blood. In fact, the principal asked him to stop asking people “Are you saved?” Knowing Mr. Seymour as I do, he was not about to stop telling others about the Saviour he knew and loved. And he was not about to stop giving out the gospel tracts which he always carried with him.

Then one day a six-year-old named Melville came to him and said, “Mr. Seymour, I want a ticket.” At first Mr. Seymour was baffled by his request, but soon realized that he wanted a gospel tract and gave him one. I am happy to say that later in life Melville became a true believer, and loves and serves the Lord.

What a wonderful testimony! But what about you? Have you secured your ticket to heaven through the Lord Jesus?

Friday, July 8, 2016

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How Much? — Part 3

“Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23).

“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).

WHAT WILL IT COST YOU TO FOLLOW CHRIST?

Yes, whatever the price of faithfulness and obedience may be, it is certainly worth it! When we think of the great cost of our salvation and what the Lord Jesus Christ paid to have us for Himself, what is some little reproach or thing we give up or sacrifice to be faithful to Him? It is nothing, really! It’s just part of a temporal and transient world that is “reserved unto fire” (2 Peter 3:7). Any little thing we cling to here or harbor in our hearts — what will it add up to in comparison to His “Well done” (Matthew 25:21)?

When we see the lovely face of the Lord Jesus Christ in that day of glory we will only wonder that we were not willing to give up more, yes, all to follow Him. Once again, the Apostle Paul stated, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

Thursday, July 7, 2016

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How Much? — Part 2

The Apostle Paul said, “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things” (Philippians 3:8). What if it cost you this much to follow the Lord?

Paul was one who had everything the world could offer at that time. He was born a free citizen of Rome, was highly educated, and was in line for a high position in his own nation, but he counted it all “loss”! Going as a prisoner to Rome, he could say, “Bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:23-24).

Did he ever regret his decision to follow the Lord as a young man? Not for one moment! He said at the end of his life, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

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How Much? — Part 1

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it” (Luke 14:28).

One of the things we ask about almost anything we buy is, “How much is it?” or, “What did it cost?”

Well, what does it cost you to be a Christian? If a high-caste Hindu decides to follow Christ, he can no longer live in his Hindu home. It has cost him his home! What would it cost you to decide for Christ?

When an Orthodox Jew “converts” to Christianity, he becomes dead to his family. Would it cost you yourfamily to be a Christian?

In China today, you cannot hold a good job and also be a follower of Christ. Would it cost you your job to follow the Lord?

In Russia for many years, an open confession of Christ was likely to be followed by a one-way ticket to a labor camp. Would it cost you your freedom to confess Him?

There are places in the world, even today, where it can cost a person their life to be known as a Christian. Would it cost you your life?

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

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Following

“Jesus said unto him, Follow Me” (Matthew 8:22).

By grace I’ll follow Jesus,

Though great may be the cost!

He saved my soul — redeemed me –

When I was doomed and lost;

And though the world despise Him,

And though reproach I feel,

I’ll follow Him, my Shepherd,

Although the cost be real.

Yes, though hard or easy;

Yes, Lord, all the day;

Yes, by grace I‘ll follow;

Yes, Lord, trust, obey!

Yes, Lord, through the sunshine;

Yes, through darkest night;

Yes, when all goes smoothly;

Yes, through faith’s good fight.

Yes, when young, Lord Jesus;

Yes, as I grow old;

Yes, until in heaven,

I, Thy face behold.

Monday, July 4, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:

“Giving thanks always” (Ephesians 5:20).

The story is told of a soldier in the American Third Army during World War II, who was sent to a rest camp after a long period of active service. When he returned to his outfit, he wrote a letter to General George Smith Patton and thanked him for the splendid care he had received. General Patton wrote back, and told him that for 35 years he had tried to give all the comfort and convenience he could to his men under those kinds of circumstances, and added that this was the first letter of thanks he had ever received in all his years in the army.

Have you, young Christian, stopped today and thanked the Lord for His many blessings, mercies, and benefits — not the least of which is salvation? Are you cultivating the habit of thanksgiving in your daily life? Start the week in this way, continue throughout the days ahead and finish up the week “abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, July 3, 2016

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Worship

“And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:19).

In this Old Testament account both husband and wife were present and worshipping the Lord in the proper way and in the proper place … at the house of the Lord. Hannah had spent the previous day praying in great distress to the Lord. She found peace after her prayer and the next day was found worshipping.

Our worship on another first day of the week will be greatly affected by what we did yesterday and last week. We will be either occupied with the things that we did yesterday and last week, so that our worship will be hindered, or our occupation with the Lord yesterday and last week will heighten and enhance our worship of Him today.

This is what He wants — for us to be totally occupied with Himself. There is nothing He desires more than worship as was expressed by the Lord Jesus Himself at Sychar’s well, when He said, “The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him” (John 4:23).

Saturday, July 2, 2016

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The Blood

During a bloody war, a cruel commander decided to murder everyone in a certain small village. Shortly after the massacre began, a fugitive observed that after the soldiers killed each one in the house, they smeared blood on the door to indicate death inside. Quickly, the fugitive sneaked to the house where his friends were awaiting certain death. At once the idea came to them — kill their goat and smear its blood on their door!

The task was barely completed when the soldiers approached that street. After slaughtering the residents of the neighboring houses, they came to the door smeared with goat’s blood. But they made no attempt to enter thinking that the deadly work had been already done. Although everyone else around them was murdered those behind the blood-marked door were saved!

If you had lived in that war zone would you have hesitated to hide behind that door with the blood on it? Death and judgment are coming for all of us, yet many refuse to escape through the blood of Jesus. God says, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13). Have you had the blood applied to your heart?

Friday, July 1, 2016

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Fear

“Men’s hearts failing them for fear” (Luke 21:26).

Even as believers fear can grip our lives in such a paralyzing fashion that we find ourselves unable to perform the most basic tasks. It can hold us captive like a cowering prisoner, forcing out all the joy and excitement from life.

This is why we need the example of David’s life in the Old Testament. It is true that David was sometimes afraid and discouraged, but, at those times he always, eventually, returned to what he had in the Lord, and found that which calmed and removed his fear. He could write, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

How can we be afraid when our strength comes from the Almighty God? He will never abandon us in our time of need! What fear has taken over your life today? Turn it over to the Lord and see how powerful He really is. Remember, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Let’s learn, like David, to trust Him in everything.