Young Christians Calendar

August 2016

Faith

“This is the victory that overcometh
the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

As a Christian there is only one way to overcome and that is through faith. We cannot live a life pleasing to God without it. God expects us to use faith, and He rewards us for using it. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

With faith we can remove tremendous obstacles and accomplish otherwise impossible things. The Lord said to His disciples, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20).

Are you finding that the world’s attraction is too strong? Are you struggling with difficult problems in your life? Try putting your faith into action and you will find that you can be an overcomer. The Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

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A Battle

“For to will is present with me; but how to perform
that which is good I find not” (Romans 7:18).

In case you hadn’t figured it out, there’s a battle going on inside you. It is an ongoing struggle that takes place in every believer in the Lord Jesus most of the time. Satan wants at least equal time with the Lord. So as a master salesman he presents you with his wares every day. Some of these wares are very attractive, and presented so subtly that if we are not on our constant guard, we don’t even realize it.

At the same time the Lord whispers, “No, don’t buy it … don’t take it … don’t do it … don’t try it!” As a result you turn away. But then the devil comes back with a stronger sales pitch, and, sad to say, you fall for it.

Yes, the flesh and the new nature fight all the time. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17). We constantly need to trust the Lord to help us by the Spirit to resist the enemy and follow our Saviour’s leading alone.

Monday, August 29, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:

King Solomon learned by experience, that “a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (Proverbs 15:13).

I knew an older Christian who used to remind us, “Self- occupation never made anyone happy.” Some of us have proved this by sad by experimentation. If we look within and get wrapped up in ourselves and the big I or Me, it is going to discourage us and keep us from enjoying the Lord and serving Him and His people and interests. I had a grandmother who lived to be almost 100, and for the most part took care of herself in her own home. As I look back, I really believe that part of her longevity can be traced back to her willingness to serve others and her happy, cheerful attitude and spirit. Solomon further wrote, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). What will you be occupied with this week? Or maybe better asked, who will you be occupied with … yourself or Christ?

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, August 28, 2016

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Divine Love

“We will be glad and rejoice in Thee, we will remember Thy love more than wine: the upright love Thee”
(Song of Solomon 1:4).

Divine love has provided a Saviour in God’s Son:

“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).

Divine love loves, even when there is nothing good in the object:

“God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Divine love never ceases to love:

“Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).

Divine love is consistent even when there is no response from the object:

“I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast Thou loved us?” (Malachi 1:2).

What will your response be to that great love today? If we really enter into His love, there cannot help but be an overflow of worship, praise and thanksgiving.

Saturday, August 27, 2016

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Life Is Short

Yes, Life is very short! It may be shorter than you think. That is why it is so important to be saved and ready for the life hereafter. Listen to what these Bible characters said about the brevity of life …

Jacob at 130 years of age said to Pharaoh:

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

Job declared:

“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle .… Also as a shadow” (Job 7:6; 14:2).

Ethan the Ezrahite affirmed:

“Remember how short my time is” (Psalm 89:47).

Isaiah said:

“All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: the grass withereth, the flower fadeth” (Isaiah 40:6-7).

James wrote:

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

Friday, August 26, 2016

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Monthly Question Page

Q. How is the word “usury” used in the Bible?

A. The word “usury” in Scripture has a slightly different meaning than the context in which we use it today. Webster’s Dictionary defines it as, “the practice of lending money at a rate of interest that is excessive or unlawfully high.” However, it seems in the Bible it is more just the thought of “interest” not the rate, be it low or high.

In the Old Testament, under the law, they were only allowed to extract usury from a stranger, not one of their own brethren. “Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury” (Deuteronomy 23:19-20).

In the New Testament we only have it mentioned in connection with the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:27, and Luke 19:23. The men who were entrusted with responsibility in the absence of the Master, were required to give an account on His return, as to whether they had used what was entrusted to them wisely or not.

We will continue with this question next month.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

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Soul Food

The Word of God is not just food for thought, it is food for the soul! It is a living book, and in fact the only book in the world that is living. Agur the son of Jakeh, said, “Feed me with food convenient for me” (Proverbs 30:8).

The believer possesses a new life. It is the very life of Christ; it is a perfect life. It is the same life that we will have in heaven and for eternity, and yet it is a dependent life. Just as our natural life must be sustained through good food and nourishment, so our spiritual life must be sustained through spiritual food and sustenance. Job said, “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). We must eat to keep healthy. Are you a healthy Christian or a spiritually starved one? Here is a good prayer to pray every day in this regard:

I will feed on God’s Word every day,

I will meditate on it and pray!

My new life, I will let it sustain,

That spiritual growth may attain,

Then fruitful and happy I’ll be,

Till in heaven, Lord Jesus, with Thee.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

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Monthly Scripture Reading

Proverbs 8

1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.

9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

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Selective Hearing

“When I called, ye did not answer; when
I spake, ye did not hear” (Isaiah 65:12).

When I was growing up my mother often told me that she was sure I had what she termed as selective hearing. In other words, I only heard what I wanted to hear. Yes, I am sure, to some degree at least, she was right. I only heard and responded to the things I wanted to, the rest I ignored. Not good! Often it was because of self-will and rebellion.

When God speaks, we don’t want to be like those to whom Isaiah was writing. We want to be more like Samuel who said, “Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:10). What God has to say to us is not just important, but extremely vital. Often we find ourselves in trouble and in compromising situations because we didn’t listen and heed some warning or entreaty. What is He saying to you today through His Word the Bible, some circumstance or someone you know? We need to remember His admonition earlier in Isaiah’s prophesy, “Listen … unto Me; and hearken” (Isaiah 49:1). Are you listening?

Monday, August 22, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:

I was recently somewhere and I saw a billboard with the following question:

“What do you do when no one is looking?”

That’s a good question for all of us, and especially with the realization that although there may be no other human looking, yet there is One from above who sees us even when we are alone. That One of course is the Lord Jesus. We are reminded in the Bible, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3).

So, what do you do when you are alone and no one is looking? What do you read, and what do you watch? What websites do you click on? You don’t have to answer to me, but you do have to answer to the Lord. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). Let’s be aware this week, that we are never really alone and that we are always under the watchful, loving eye of our Saviour. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, August 21, 2016

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Praise

“I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all Thy marvellous works.”
(Psalm 9:1).

“I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation” (Psalm 111:1).

“I will praise thee with my whole heart” (Psalm 138:1).

David praised the Lord a lot. He was a man who appreciated very much what the Lord had done for him. And yet King David really didn’t understand about forgiveness of sins, a home in heaven and all the things we know as a result of Christianity and through the teachings of the New Testament. He never knew the Lord Jesus Christ as a man, or God as his Father in the same way we do. How much more, then, we should be able to praise the Lord for everything He has done for us. He died to save us. He shed His blood to wash away our sins. He has prepared a wonderful home in heaven for us, called the Father’s house. He’s coming again to take us there. Surely we have every reason to praise the Lord with our whole heart.

Saturday, August 20, 2016

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A Friend Of God

There are many beautiful examples of friendship in the Bible. Here is just one of them:

Three times Abraham is referred to as the friend of God:

“Abraham Thy friend for ever” (2 Chronicles 20:7).

“Abraham My friend” (Isaiah 41:8).

“Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God” (James 2:23).

They had a relationship of respect and obedience. This does not mean that Abraham was sinless, but he trusted God to lead where he was supposed to go. When God spoke to Abraham he immediately obeyed. Even though he was obedient to God, the Bible makes it clear that his salvation was not earned by works, but through faith in the promise of God for a Saviour. “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith” (Romans 4:13).

Are you counted as one who is a friend of God? “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5).

Friday, August 19, 2016

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Wisdom

WISDOM: The skill for living.

In its Scriptural context, I thought this short definition was very relevant and helpful to consider. King Solomon was a man who was given special wisdom from God, and he tells us, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (Proverbs 4:7). He further tells us, “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it” (Proverbs 8:11).

What do we really want in life? Like us all, Solomon had choices. Here is what he chose when God asked him what he desired at the beginning of his reign: “In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God .… Give me now wisdom and knowledge” (2 Chronicles 1:7-8, 10). What a wonderful choice, and God certainly granted him his request. That same wisdom is available to us today simply for the asking. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).

Thursday, August 18, 2016

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Jacob’s Twelve Sons — Benjamin

He was the youngest son of Jacob by his most beloved wife Rachel who, as she was dying in child birth, named him Ben-oni, signifying “son of my sorrow.” However, his father named him Benjamin, which means “son of my right hand.” He is a picture of the Lord Jesus as the exalted one, as the name his father gave h im signifies.

When Moses prophesied concerning the 12 tribes of Israel, we read, “And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between His shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12).

Very little is recorded of his personal life. It was the smallest of the tribes except Manasseh in the numbering of Numbers 1:37. He was also the father of 10 sons: “The sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard” (Genesis 46:10).

The Apostle Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin. He says, “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin” (Philippians 3:5).

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

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Let Your Light Shine — Part 2

“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 1:15-16).

Letting our light shine for the Lord is not necessarily by speaking, although, as our verse indicates, we are to hold “forth the Word of life.” In other words, we are to speak for the Lord as He gives us opportunity.

But remember, light shines without making any noise. It just illuminates the darkness, and gives comfort, guidance and warmth. This is what we who know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour are to do in this morally and spiritually dark world. We are to let our light shine by what we do perhaps even more than by what we say.

When the Lord walked on earth He said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). However, the Lord is no longer here in this world the way He was back then. Now the word to us is, “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

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Let Your Light Shine — Part 1

A missionary many years ago told of a time when a simple act on his part unconsciously saved another’s life. He was on board a ship when one night in his berth, he heard that cry — so awful to hear at sea — “Man overboard!” He arose at once from his bunk, took the swinging lamp from its bracket and held it to the window of his cabin. He could see nothing, but the next morning, he was told that the flash of his lamp through the port revealed to those on deck the missing man clinging to a rope. He could hardly have held on another minute. The light of the lamp shone just in time to save the man’s life.

Have we let our light shine today? Here are the words of the Lord Jesus: “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). As Christians we have the privilege and responsibility to shine for Christ. Who can tell what a blessing this will be to others or how many floundering souls will be saved from perishing on the sea of life … just because you let your light shine!

Monday, August 15, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:

In a shop selling electronic gadgets in Trinidad, I saw the following advertising slogan:

EAR TRAFFIC CONTROL

While I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to what they were advertising, I am assuming it was head phones and equipment for blocking out sounds we don’t want, or need to hear. Anyway, it made me think of what the Lord said when he was here on earth: “Take heed what ye hear” (Mark 4:24). Are we careful to listen to those things that encourage and edify us in the Lord? There’s lots of noise in the world today and lots that the Devil wants to pour into our ears. Let’s be careful what we listen to this week. Let’s maintain Ear Traffic Control!

Above all, lets have ears tuned to the voice of the Lord. Let’s be like Samuel who said, “Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:10).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, August 14, 2016

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A New Song

Our God loves to hear us sing, and we have a song to sing that is only for those who are redeemed. Today, we can lift up our voices in song — individually, first of all …

“Sing unto Him a new song” (Psalm 33:3).

“He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God” (Psalm 40:3).

“I will sing a new song unto Thee, O God” (Psalm 144:9).

We can also lift up our voices and sing collectively with others who are redeemed as well …

“Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints” (Psalm 149:1).

Then we can anticipate that time when we will sing together with all the redeemed around the Lamb in the Father’s house …

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy … for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

Let’s learn to sing the new song here on earth, while waiting for the time when we will sing it perfectly in heaven.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

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Three R’s

Here are three things that begin with the letter R that are important elements of salvation:

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

“Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).

Rejoice:Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

Rest:“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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 11:28-29).

Repentance is simply a change of mind. It is to realize that I am indeed a sinner as God has stated in His Word, and to turn from those sins. This will then bring about rejoicing when I realize that those sins are gone forever as a result of the work of Calvary, and in the end there will be complete rest of soul and peace of heart and mind.

Friday, August 12, 2016

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Jesus In Prayer — Part 2

As we noted yesterday, Luke portrays the dependence of the Lord Jesus as a man in the path of faith and service. Here are three more times we have Him in prayer in Luke’s Gospel:

At His Transfiguration:

1. “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, He took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray” (9:28).

To encourage His disciples to learn to pray:

2. “And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (11:1).

As the hour of His greatest trial (the cross) approached:

3. “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed” (22:41).

If the Lord Jesus as the perfect man could feel the need of prayer, how much for you and me. I am reminded of the verse, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Thursday, August 11, 2016

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Jesus In Prayer — Part 1

In Luke’s Gospel we have the Lord Jesus presented as the perfect, dependent man. In keeping with the character of the gospel, we find Him in prayer seven times.

At His baptism:

1. “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened” (3:21).

During His busy service:

2. “And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed” (5:16).

Before He chose His disciples:

3. “And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God” (6:12).

In the presence of His disciples:

4. “And it came to pass, as He was alone praying, His disciples were with Him; and He asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?” (9:18).

What a wonderful example and encouragement for us to pray in every circumstance of life. We will notice three further instances tomorrow.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

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Bible Algebra

D+D-F=D

When our hearts are filled with Doubt and Disappointment there is going to be a lack of Faith, and if unchecked will quickly add up to Discouragement.

When Peter was walking on the water he got his eyes off the Lord. We read, “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me” (Matthew 14:30). When we look around and only see the work of the enemy and the circumstances of life we too are going to be filled with doubt and disappointment. However, in the next verse we read, “And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). What a gentle, kind yet firm rebuke this must have been to Peter.

Let’s not bring doubt and disappointment into the equations of life. Doubt and disappointment always bring into question the wisdom and goodness of God our Father, while shaking our faith in the one who truly loves us.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

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Today’s World

A look at the world we live in today is frightening! Politically there is unrest and tension, with wars and feuds on every hand. Religiously there is confusion, as false teachers seem to increase and abound. Economically there is uncertainty, and talk of prosperity is offset by the reality of unemployment and decreased spending. Physically there is much suffering in spite of improved medical skills and medication. Mentally there is a rapid decline. Crime and lawlessness are on the increase every day.

The combination of all these things is more than the human body, mind and heart can bear. However, there is a bright lining to this seemingly dark cloud. It is just this: “The coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (James 5:8). This is the happy hope — and should be the daily expectation — of every believer in Christ. It makes it possible for the child of God to live victoriously in these difficult times, and brings joy and comfort in the midst of sorrow and trial. We are told to be “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Are we?

Monday, August 8, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:

As I write this Monday letter, I am sitting at a desk at Bible Truth Publishers, with a large map of the world on the wall in front of me. It reminds me of the words of the Lord after He rose from the dead, and before He ascended back to heaven. He said to the disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). The world is a big place, and we can’t all travel far and wide and be missionaries in foreign countries and remote areas of the planet. But we can all be missionaries and evangelists in the part of the world where God has placed us. If you are a faithful missionary on your own street and neighborhood, who knows? The Lord might even send you farther afield with the message of the gospel. Remember, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10).

There are so many ways to get the gospel out! Be exercised and concerned for souls, and take heed to the Lord’s command … “Go.”

Your Christian friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Sunday, August 7, 2016

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Worship

“And Abraham said unto his young men … I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you” (Genesis 22:5).

Abraham and Isaac went to perform the highest act of worship that a father has ever been called upon to perform — to offer his own son in sacrifice to God. This was Abraham’s ultimate test of faith. Would he go through with it? We know from Scripture that he did. Abraham, who acted in faith all his life, seemed to know that somehow God would give Isaac back. And He did!

“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure” (Hebrews 11:17-19).

A substitute was found! But there was no substitute for God’s beloved Son. “He … spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all” (Romans 8:32).

Doesn’t that produce worship in our hearts today?

Saturday, August 6, 2016

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Ready

“Be … ready” (Matthew 24:44).

Please regard this as a personal appeal! Rest assured you must meet God. Are you ready? In comparison to this question all others sink into utter insignificance and before it all others problems and dilemmas pale.

You may be a brilliant student, a good worker, healthy in body and mind; you may be religious and respected by your friends and family. But there is a solemn unanswered question raised by the Lord when He was here on earth. It is just this: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

To be ready to meet God requires more than material success, more than good health, and more than religion and respectability. It requires God’s salvation through the Lord Jesus based on the work of Calvary and the blood of Christ.

Are you ready? Can you say, “Yes I am!” with a glad confidence? Have you experienced “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21)?

Friday, August 5, 2016

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The Armor

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil … Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:11,13).

If we were to hear the shouts of war, the groans of death and destruction, and the clanging of swords all around us we wouldn’t casually ignore the action. We would be on high alert and ready and watchful for whatever came our way.

Our enemy in spiritual things, the Devil, uses cleverness and subtlety to disguise the conflict of spiritual warfare and to lull us to complacency and sleep. God instructs us to have our armor on at all times until we can finally relax in the Father’s house with Himself, and the battles of this life are forever over.

As long as we are in this world there will be conflict. However, all has been provided so that each believer can win every battle, and live for the glory of God and the honor of the Lord Jesus, who is referred to as “the Captain of their salvation” (Hebrews 2:10).

Thursday, August 4, 2016

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The Best — Part 2

“And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in
that day when I make up My jewels” (Malachi 3:17).

When the diamond cutter struck that blow, he did the one thing which would bring out that gem to its perfect shapeliness, radiance and splendor. That blow which seemed to ruin that superb precious stone was, in fact, its perfect redemption. From those two halves were wrought two magnificent gems that the skilled eye saw hidden in the rough, uncut stone as it came from the mine.

Sometimes, God lets a stinging blow fall upon your life, and the soul cries out in agony. The blow seems to you an appalling mistake. But it is not, for you are the most priceless jewel in the world to God, and He is the most skilled gem cutter in the universe.

Someday you will blaze in the diadem of the King. As you lie in his hand now, He knows just how to deal with you. Not a blow will be permitted to fall upon your shrinking soul but that the love of God permits it, and works out from its depths blessing and spiritual enrichment, unseen and unthought of by you.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

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The Best — Part 1

The following story illustrates how our God knows best what is needed in each of our lives.

Many years ago there was found in a South African mine a most magnificent diamond. It was presented to Edward VII, King of England, to blaze in his crown of state. The King sent it to Amsterdam to be cut by an expert. What do you suppose the expert did with it?

He took the gem of priceless value and cut a notch in it. Then he struck it a hard blow with his instrument, and the superb jewel lay in his hand, cleft in two. For days and weeks that blow had been studied and planned. Drawings and models had been made of the gem. Its quality, its defects, it lines of cleavage had all been studied with minutest care. The man to whom it was committed was one of the most skillful diamond cutters in the world.

Was that blow a mistake? No! It was the climax of that man’s career! We have one who created us, and knows us through and through. Job said, “Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:9-10).

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

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The Eagle

The eagle soars above it all,

He has a heavenly view;

And we with wings of spiritual power,

Can rise above it too.

The runner may have many things,

To block his goal from view;

But we, with Jesus as our source,

Our strength He will renew.

Although we may not soar or run,

Though walking be our lot;

Still, we can forward move each day,

To faint, our hearts need not.

“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).

Monday, August 1, 2016

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Dear Young Christian:

For many of you with summer holidays, often the beginning of August marks the halfway point or even later. As we turn the page of the calendar to another month we shake our heads and wonder where the time has gone.

Halfway points are also a good time to stop and assess how wisely we have used our time, energy and other resources. There is a time coming when we will have to give an account of how well we managed those resources. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). What will your account of the first half of the summer of 2016 be like when you stand before the Lord? Will He be able to say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful” (Matthew 25:21)?

No matter what has happened in the past few weeks, we can make the rest of the summer count. Not that we shouldn’t relax and enjoy a little summer recreation, but let’s make sure that whatever we are doing, we are seeking to “do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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