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Young Christians Calendar

A daily meditation for young Christians

June 2017

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Friday, June 30, 2017

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Monthly Question Page
Q. What’s the difference between the soul and the spirit?
A. Humans are tripartite beings, or made of three parts. This is different than the animal and lower creation. “And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness … .  And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 1:26, 2:7).
The body is the physical part of our being, and the soul is the seat of emotions, affections, and appetites, which the animal and lower creation have in that sense as well. It is the spirit of man that sets him apart from the animals. That which God breathed into him is the highest part of our being and sets us in relationship with God. It is the intelligent, God-conscious part of man. This makes us responsible to our Creator. “For we are also His offspring” (Acts 17:28). When animals die they cease to exist, but when man dies he must meet God. That is why it is important to be ready for the next life, by knowing Him as our Savior.
 “I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Do you have a question? Email us at jhyland@primus.ca

Thursday, June 29, 2017

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Another Way
“And they come unto Him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto Him for the press, they uncovered the roof where He was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay” (Matthew 9:2-3).
When I stand by a grave and see men lower the coffin into its resting place, the scene is not unlike that where four men from the roof of a house in Capernaum let their friend down out of their sight, but into the immediate presence of Jesus. They cover up the roof, assured that their friend is all right, and will walk out another way, healed, liberated, and with new life. Gone will be the poor, palsied life.
So we cover up the grave. Our dear one is “absent from the body, and … present with the Lord” (2 Corinthian 5:8), and by the word of His mighty power they will come out another way, with changed and glorified bodies. “We shall all be changed … For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality … Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

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Monthly Scripture Reading
Numbers 10
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.
When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.
When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.
But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.
And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

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A Son of God
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God” (1 John 3:2).
It is recounted that when the great Roman Emperor Julius Caesar was sad because of some disaster or trouble in the empire, he was in the habit of saying, “Think that thou art Caesar!” This would cheer him up and put him in a more joyous mood.
Are you sad or discouraged because of something that has happened in your life? Stop and say to yourself, “Think that thou art a son of God!” Remember too, as such, we are “then heirs; heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).
This should make us the happiest people on earth, in spite of our circumstances, to think that we are a child of God, and that we are on our way to the Father’s house, which we will share with the Lord Jesus for all eternity! The rest of the above verse, in 1 John, tells us, “and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” Let this truth lift your spirit today, and put a happy spring in your step, and a song in your heart.

Monday, June 26, 2017

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Dear Young Christian:
Here is one of my favorite verses of Scripture: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee” (Isaiah 43:2).
What trials or difficulties are you facing today? Often we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or even discouraged. Remember that as one of the Lord’s own, you are not alone. The Lord Jesus said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). The last recorded words of the Lord to the disciples in Matthew’s gospel are, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20).
Reflect upon the truth of this promise and note that Isaiah points out that we are merely passing through. Maybe this week the waters will become a little shallower for you and the shore will draw nearer, but should they deepen further, He’ll still be with you and will never leave you. Eventually you will pass through!
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, June 25, 2017

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Alone
“He is despised and rejected of men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised and we esteemed Him not” (Isaiah 53:3).
Humanly speaking we all seek the comfort of companionship. This support was absent as the Lord Jesus Christ went on trial and then to the cross.
Peter “denied Him” (Luke 22:57). Judas betrayed Him, as it had been prophesied, “Yea, Mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of My bread, hath lifted up his heel against Me” (Psalm 41:9). The gospel writers record that “all the disciples forsook Him, and fled” (Matthew 26:56). Others who followed Him stood “afar off” (Matt. 27:55). Looking ahead to this scene, the psalmist prophesied, “I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none” (Psalm 69:20). Our Savior, the Man of Sorrows went to the cross alone. This is described in the most touching language by the Psalmist who also wrote, “I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top” (Psalm 102:7).

Saturday, June 24, 2017

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Lost And Found
Are you lost or found? It’s one or the other!
The Lord Jesus told a story, called a parable, of a lost sheep and a shepherd that went out and searched for it until he had found it. Here is the story as recorded by the Spirit of God in the Bible:
“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:4-7).
The story illustrates in a very beautiful way the Lord Jesus as the Good Shepherd, seeking the lost sheep and bringing it safely home to the Father’s house. Are you one of the found sheep? If you have received the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you are indeed one of the sheep that was found. If not you are still lost, and the Shepherd is seeking you today.

Friday, June 23, 2017

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A Christian
“And the disciples were called Christians
first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).
“As a Christian, let him not be ashamed;
but let him glorify God” (1 Peter 4:16).
A prayerless Christian is a … powerless Christian.
A Bibleless Christian is a … spiritually hungry Christian.
A self-confident Christian is a … vulnerable Christian.
A disobedient Christian is a … miserable Christian.
A worldly Christian is a … spiritually thirsty Christian.
A careless Christian is a … fearful Christian.
A self-centred Christian is a … discouraged Christian.
A CHRIST-CENTRED Christian is a…
powerful,
satisfied,
trusting,
happy,
refreshed,
watchful,
encouraged…
CHRISTIAN!

Thursday, June 22, 2017

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“If”
“Yea, He is altogether lovely” (Song of Solomon 5:16).
“If I loved Him more I should paint Him better.” So said a great artist to a visitor in his studio.
She was looking upon one of his paintings in which he had attempted to portray the face of our Savior. Earnestly he looked at his visitor’s face to see what effect the canvas produced upon her. She admired it, and then it was that the artist repeated the words, “If I loved Him more I should paint Him better.”
No human artist can rightly picture Christ’s fair face and form. The Bible declares: “Thou art fairer than the children of men” (Psalm 45:2). No, not on canvas, by pencil nor by brush, can Christ be depicted. But upon the hearts and in the lives of His people, the Spirit of God is presenting something of the grace and beauty of the Lord Jesus.
And may we not each say that “If I loved Him more, I should express Him better”? Would it not be so that if we were more constantly in His presence, more devoted in heart to Him, more faithful to His interests here, we should paint His features more truly in our lives?

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

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Two Men — Part 2
In that same year (1899), evangelist Dwight L. Moody died, and his death was triumphant. Moody had been in poor health for some time and his family had taken turns being with him. On the morning of his death his son, who was standing by the bedside, heard him exclaim, “Earth is receding: heaven is opening: God is calling.”
“You are dreaming, father,” his son said.
“No, Will, this is not a dream. I have been within the gates … ”
After awhile, as he began to slip away for the last time, he said, “Is this death? This is bliss. This is glorious.” His daughter entered the room and began to pray for his recovery, but he stopped her. “No, no, Emma, God is calling. This is my coronation day. I have been looking forward to it.”
At the funeral the family and friends joined in a service of triumph and victory. They spoke. They sang hymns. And they heard the words of Scripture read: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

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Two Men — Part 1
“Two men … one a Pharisee, and the other a publican … the publican … went down to his house justified rather than the other” (Luke 18:10,13-14)
In 1899, two famous men died in the United States of America. The one was an unbeliever who had made a career out of attacking the Bible and the Christian faith. The other was a Christian who had spent his life preaching the gospel and ministering to believers.
Robert Ingersoll, after whom the famous Ingersoll lectures on immortality at Harvard University are named, was the unbeliever. The atheist/infidel died suddenly on July 21, 1899 of congestive heart failure, and his death devastated his family. His body was kept at home for several days because his wife could not bare to part with it, and it was only removed because the corpse was decaying and endangering the health of the family. Finally his body was cremated and the scene at the crematorium was so dismal that the national newspapers carried feature stories about it.
When death came for Robert Ingersoll, there was no hope … only utter despair! To live without Christ is sorrowful, but to die without Christ is eternally tragic.

Monday, June 19, 2017

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Dear Young Christian:
“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding” (Proverbs 4:1).
In Canada and the United States, yesterday was “Father’s Day.” Many of us have had godly fathers for which we ought to be very thankful. The story is told of how John Paton, missionary to the New Hebrides, used to crouch outside his father’s bedroom door to hear him pray. He later wrote: “If everything else in religion were by some accident blotted out, my soul would go back to those days of reality. For sixty years my father kept up the practice of family prayer. No day passed without it, no hurry for business, no arrival of friends, no trouble or sorrow, no joy or excitement ever prevented us from kneeling around the family altar.”
Some don’t always value fathers who take the time, with spiritual conviction, to read and pray with their family. If you have such a father, thank God for it, and learn to appreciate those times set aside for family devotions.
Your Christian Friend
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, June 18, 2017

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Done/Do
In Psalm 69 we have the suffering of Christ brought before us prophetically, beginning with that which denotes the atoning sufferings during the three hours of darkness, when He cried, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? why art Thou so far from helping Me, and from the words of My roaring?” (Verse 1).
Throughout the Psalm we have the feelings and expression of the Lord Jesus as He passed through various aspects of His suffering, both from man, and from God, when “He bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).At the end of the Psalm, lest there be any doubt in our minds as to who the inspired writer is referring to, he concludes by stating, “He hath done this” (Verse 31).
Yes, the work is DONE! Never to be repeated! But now there is something that He has asked us to DO in response — something that is ongoing. He says to us this morning, “This do in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). This request to “DO” is repeated by the Apostle Paul when writing to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). Will you respond to that request?

Saturday, June 17, 2017

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Two Men (Luke 18:10-14)
“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican” (Luke 18:10).
The Pharisee prayed:
From a position of self-promotion: “stood and prayed thus with himself” (Verse 11).
With a self-centered motive: “God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are … ” (Verse 11).
In a self-righteous manner: “ … or even as this publican” (Verse 11).
Being totally self-absorbed: “I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess” (Verse 12).
The publican prayed:
From a position of self-denial: “Standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven” (Verse 13).
In the spirit of self-contrition: “ … but smote upon his breast” (Verse 13).
With true repentance: “Saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (Verse 13).
The Lord said of the publican: “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other” (Verse 14). Which one are you?

Friday, June 16, 2017

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Vacation Time
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
Vacation time is upon us, and here is an account with a good lesson for us all:
The story is told of a young man who was packing his suitcase for his first holiday away from home. As a friend stood by, the young man packed one article after another — pants, shirts, shoes, socks, his tennis racket and balls, etc. There remained a space just about six inches by four inches; all the rest of the case was full. “What are you going to pack there?” asked the friend.
“I have reserved that corner,” replied the young man, “to pack a guidebook, a lamp, a mirror, a microscope, a telescope, a volume of poems, several fine biographies, a package of love letters, a book of songs, some histories, a hammer and a sword. I am going to put in that space my Bible, the Word of God.”
Don’t neglect your Bible this summer! Take it with you wherever you go. Learn to carry a pocket edition or New Testament, and above all read it often and prayerfully.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

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Gates of Nehemiah — The Fountain Gate
“The gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh” (Nehemiah 3:15).
In Scripture, running water, such as a spring, a river, or a fountain, is often a type of the Holy Spirit. The Fountain Gate would remind us of the work of the Spirit of God in usand through us, and the power that we have in worship, service, and for our walk of faith. Here are some examples:
“Worship God in the Spirit” (Philippians 3:3).
“Praying in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18).
“Led by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:18).
“Sing with the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 14:15).
“Walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).
We want to be careful to keep this gate in constant repair. That keeps out of our lives those things that would hinder the work of the Spirit of God mentioned in the verses above. We are told: “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19); and, “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30).
The Lord said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Don’t let the enemy, Satan, hinder that work of God.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

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Walk In Love
 “And walk in love, as 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 God’s children, we are exhorted to walk in love, and, in the above verse, we have Christ set before us as the great and perfect example of this divine love. In Him we see the devotedness and intensity of love that gave Himself for others, and this devotedness goes up to God as a sweet-smelling sacrifice. Such love goes far beyond the demands of the Old Testament law which required that a man love his neighbor as himself. Christ did far more, for He gave Himself to God for us.
It is this same love that we are asked to imitate, a love that would lead us to sacrifice ourselves for our brethren. Such love will in its little measure, even as with the infinite love of Christ, go up as a sweet savor to God. The love that led the Philippian assembly to meet the necessities of the Apostle Paul had this very effect. That love was to God “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

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Be Careful for Nothing
 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6).
Let’s break this verse down and make it as simple as possible.
“Be careful” — Don’t be full of care.
“For nothing” — At any time or in any situation.
“But in everything” — Not just some things.
“By prayer” — Bring it to God, talk to Him about it.
“And supplication — Be earnest and fervent.
“Let your requests” — Be specific.
“Be made known unto God” — Tell Him all about it.
What a wonderful resource we have in being able to bring everything to God our Father in prayer. He knows all about it even before we tell Him, but we are invited to, “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). If you want to have a worry-free day, you must learn the simple truth of Philippians 4:6.

Monday, June 12, 2017

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Dear Young Christian:
Today, most of us will return to work, school, and whatever other responsibilities the Lord has given us in this world, while we wait for His coming to take us to heaven. Here is a good verse to take with us this week as we live in a world that crucified our Savior and still hates Him to this very day. “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6:14).
Paul had no desire for the favour of a world that had crucified the Lord, who in love had died to save him: and the world did not want a man that gloried in the Lord that it had crucified. What a wonderful example Paul is for us.
The Lord Jesus said of His own, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:16). It is true we are still in the world, but we are not of the world. We belong to another world, that is heaven, and we are on our way there. In the meantime we are to walk in separation from the evil and to be a testimony wherever we are.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, June 11, 2017

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A Lamb
“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6).
What a wonderful day it will be when we too are there in the Father’s House, and behold the One, who as the Lamb of God, went to Calvary and was slain in His love for us. There we will have a constant reminder of that great work, as we are occupied with “a Lamb as it had been slain.”
This is the One of whom John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:36)! And the One of whom we later read, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7).
As the Lamb, He is worthy! Worthy of our worship and praise. In heaven we will give Him that worship and praise, and sing, “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).
Today He wants our worship and praise as well. He is so worthy! Let’s give Him that which He desires most — the response of our hearts!

Saturday, June 10, 2017

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God’s Love
“Does God really love me?”
So questioned a young man at the inner-city mission. A young lady, who had been beaten and abused, raised the same question at a gospel meeting one Sunday night.
Yes, many have made the same inquiry! Thankfully the answer to this question is a resounding and definite, YES!
The Bible, over and over again confirms that God loves the sinner and desires their eternal blessing. The following are just two of many Scriptures that confirm this wonderful truth:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
“God is love. 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 4:8-9).
There was a young man who came to the Lord when He was here on earth, and we read, “Jesus beholding him loved him” (Mark 10:21). As far as we read he never received the blessing the Lord had for him. Don’t be like that young man!

Friday, June 9, 2017

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As Soon As Possible
ASAP! Most of us have heard and used this expression many times. Perhaps even today we have had someone tell us that they need something done ASAP.
“That assignment needs to be completed and turned in, ASAP … I need a reply, ASAP … Call back, ASAP,” and so on.
Yes, life is hurried, and seems to be getting faster and faster. But while we usually think of this abbreviation in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives, maybe if we think of it a different way, we will find strength and help in dealing with the difficulties of life and the fast pace of society.
Always
Say
A
Prayer
What a lot of frustration we could save ourselves if we took time to pray about everything. Let’s remember the exhortation, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18).

Thursday, June 8, 2017

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How?
From the desk in the room I am staying in this weekend I can read a text on the wall, with a rather interesting and perhaps unusual quotation from the Bible. It is only part of a verse and perhaps applied slightly out of context, yet it has really spoken to me. Here is what it says:
“THE LORD KNOWETH HOW … ” (2 Peter 2:9).
Sometimes I wonder “how” things are going to work out, and “how” this or that can really be the best and for blessing and good in the end. But thankfully I don’t need to know, because My Lord knows. He knows “how!”
Even Solomon with all his God-given wisdom had to acknowledge, “Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way” (Proverbs 20:24).So often we question God’s ways with us, but how good it is to simply submit, even when we don’t fully understand it. I am reminded of the chorus of a hymn we often sing:
“Farther along we’ll know all about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why.”

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

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Reading You
“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men … written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).
The following story is related of a striking experience of a missionary to the islands of the Inland Sea near Japan. One evening a sailor came to ask him to call on a man on another island who was under a deep sense of spiritual need. The missionary, very tired, turned to a recent convert and said, “I am so tired! Won’t you take the man a Bible?”
“No,” the friend replied , “It is not time to take the man a Bible. That book is yours and mine by God’s grace. But it is not the Bible that man is reading. That man is reading you.”
The missionary could not sleep that night. He kept hearing those words over and over again: “That man is reading you.” Before daybreak he set out to see the man.
The Christian is the only Bible the great majority of people ever look at. It was said of another missionary: “There is no difference between him and the Book.”
What does the world read in you? Do they see something of Christ, and does it cause them to want to read more?

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

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The Mission Field
“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good” (Ecclesiastes 11:6).
Open your door, there is a mission field,
The Master calls you, to His call then yield:
There is a work for each of us to share,
A service and a burden each can bear.
Some travel far, and some from home just walk!
Around the world, or just around the block;
Where He has placed us, work for Him today,
There will be open doors that come your way.
And when at setting sun you finally rest,
There will be fruit, and souls will have been blest.
Your heart will with His own “Well done” rejoice,
Because you yielded to the Master’s voice.

Monday, June 5, 2017

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Dear Young Christian:
Some years ago at the end of a school term my youngest daughter came home with a brochure and a bookmark that was intended to promote reading during the summer vacation. I was struck by a question on the back of the bookmark;
The best book I read this summer was
________________________________
At the end of the season they were to fill in the blank space provided, naming their favorite read. I wonder what you would write? Can you say, “O how love I thy law” (Psalm 119:97)!
It made me think of a song I have often sung:
The best book to read is the Bible!
The best book to read is the Bible!
If you read it every day,
It will help you on your way,
The best book to read is the Bible!
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, June 4, 2017

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First Day of the Week
This is the day the New Testament refers to eight times as “the first day of the week” (Matthew 8:21; Mark 16:2; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1; John 20:19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). It is also called “the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10).
The references listed from the gospels show that it was on this day the Lord rose from the dead. In other words it was a day of victory and triumph over sin, death, and Satan.
Read Acts 10:7-12, and you will see that this day was very special to the early believers. It was a day when they met to remember the Lord Jesus in the breaking of bread, and a day when they enjoyed the ministry of the Apostle Paul, as well as happy fellowship with their fellow-believers.
It is also to be a day when money is set aside and a collection taken for various needs among the Lord’s people as indicated by the verse in 1 Corinthians 16.
From Revelation chapter 1 we learn that the Apostle John was “In the Spirit on the Lord’s day,” and as a result heard the voice of the Lord and was given a wonderful revelation.
What does this day mean to you, and what will you do today?

Saturday, June 3, 2017

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Not to Condemn
“For God sent not His Son into the world
to condemn the world; but that the world
through Him might be saved” (John 3:17).
“For the Son of Man is not come to destroy
men’s lives, but to save them” (Luke 9:56).
Jesus Christ came not to condemn you but to save you, knowing your name, knowing all about you, knowing your weight right now, knowing your age, knowing what you do, knowing where you live, knowing what you ate for supper and what you will eat for breakfast, where you will sleep tonight, how much your clothing cost, who your parents were. He knows you individually as though there were not another person in the entire world. He died for you as certainly as if you had been the only lost one. He knows the worst about you and is the One who loves you the most.
Most people, if they knew all about you, probably wouldn’t want to be around you very long. But the Lord Jesus loves the sinner, desires to remove all their guilt and erase all their sin through the work of Calvary, and invites the vilest of humanity, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).

Friday, June 2, 2017

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Priorities
“Seek those things which are above” (Colossians 3:1).
Everyone is in a hurry; time is so short, and there is so much to do. Our day is so full that Christians often run the risk of neglecting reading the Bible and praying. In the morning we mustn’t be late, and in the evening we are so tired! In this way weeks can pass without our having regular contact with the Lord.
If the start of the day is devoted to Him, the hours that follow will probably be as well. But if we allow these privileged moments to pass by, the whole day might be lost for the Lord. Let’s stop making excuses and rather put our priorities right: then we can face the day peacefully while experiencing fellowship with the Lord.
By neglecting reading the Word of God we lose out. Perhaps we try to make up for it with what the world has to offer in the way of pleasure, but that doesn’t meet the need.
Prayer is more an attitude than an activity. It expresses our relationship with God — a relationship of faith and love. A Christian once said: “A moment spent with God in prayer eclipses by far the pleasures that this earth offers.”
Is that your experience?

Thursday, June 1, 2017

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Stand Alone — Part 3
Here is what the New Testament has to say about Enoch’s life and walk of faith. “Enoch … had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5). Better than all the world has to offer, is the knowledge of pleasing God. Enoch had to bear witness against a wicked world. In a day when men lived to between eight and nine hundred years old, his life was a relatively short one. “And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). However, short his life was, his record stands, “that he pleased God.”
If the Christian tries to make the best of both worlds … in other words, to stand for truth and yet to cultivate the approval of the ungodly … he will find that his testimony has lost its power and the world itself does not respect him.
A wall poster I once saw, expressed it this way:
WANTED TODAY:
Men and women who will obey their convictions
of truth and duty at the cost of fortunes and friends
and life itself!
“The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:17).
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