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Young Christians Calendar

A daily meditation for young Christians

January 2018

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Wednesday, January 31, 2018

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Our Occupation
Self-occupation will only discourage and dishearten the believer. It will lead to self-pity and will cause you to become dissatisfied as well as weary and fainthearted. You will miss the path of faith and following the Lord, and you will have an empty ache in your soul.
On the other hand, occupation with Christ will satisfy your soul, refresh your spirit, and spur you on in the path of faith. The world will lose its appeal and mean nothing to you. Heaven will be your goal and Christ will be the prize. We see this exemplified in the life and experience of the Apostle Paul as we read what he wrote to the Christians at Philippi: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and 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 … Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:7-8, 13-14).

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

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Saints
“Fellowcitizens with the saints” (Ephesians 2:19).
“Called to be saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2).
For the believer we came into this world as sinners; but we shall leave it as saints! What a marvellous tribute to the super-abounding grace of God: “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20). We are saints by the sovereign and gracious calling of God, which came to us by the gospel: “Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14).
Saints by calling is an indisputable truth, regardless of what men may conceive or practice, for it cannot be merited, nor can it be conferred by human agency. Such practice robs God of His glory, and undermines the work of Christ, the ground on which God “might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:26). God’s calling, and our believing can never be separated, for the called must respond by faith in order to be made saints. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8).

Monday, January 29, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
Have you ever had times when you felt your heart bursting with joy, love, praise and thanksgiving? King David had those times in his life, as the following statements indicate:
“Thou hast put gladness in my heart” (Psalm 4:7).
“My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation” (Psalm 13:5).
“Therefore my heart is glad” (Psalm 16:9).
In spite of many trials and tests he was certain that God was leading him, even though his circumstances were not comfortable, or what he would have chosen. He couldn’t explain the problems and detours of life; but he was certain God was in control. Above all else he wanted to please the Lord and follow his guidance. This filled his heart with joy and gladness. What a good example this is for us.
Our hearts will only happy be,
Lord Jesus as we follow Thee;
And walking closely by Thy side,
We in Thy love and peace abide.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, January 28, 2018

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Breaking Bread
“Upon the first day of the week … the disciples came together to break bread” (Acts 20:7).
As did the early believers, so we still have the privilege of gathering together in the Lord’s name on the first day of the week to commemorate the Lord’s death, till He come. In obedience to His command we give thanks and partake of two simple tokens:
The bread, the symbol of His body given. “And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19).
The wine, reminding us of His precious blood shed for our redemption. “Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20).
What a privilege is ours to be there, for our Lord Himself promises to be there in the midst of those that meet in obedience to His Word. The promise is, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them”

Saturday, January 27, 2018

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Law and Grace
“And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:16-17).
The Law requires good from a sinner, and as a consequence does not find it. The conclusion of the whole matter is, “There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3:10-13). The Old Testament Law therefore works wrath, and condemns and curses the sinner.
On the other hand, graceworks to produce good in the sinner, by imparting something to him, not requiring good where it is not to be found. Consequently, instead of condemning and cursing the sinner, it puts away his sin. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).
What is your standing before God? Can you say with many others, it is “grace wherein we stand” (Romans 5:2)?

Friday, January 26, 2018

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Monthly Question Page
Q. Who was Heth and is there more references to him in the Bible, besides Genesis 23?
A. Heth was the second son of Canaan, and hence a descendant of Ham. “And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth” (Genesis 10:15). He was the ancestor of the Hittites, often referred to as “the children of Heth” (Genesis 23:5, 7, 10, 18; 49:32). We learn from the 23rd chapter of Genesis that they dwelt in the vicinity of Hebron, and it was from them that Abraham purchased land as a burial site. “The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife” (Genesis 25:10).
When Israel went in to posses the Land of Canaan the Hittites were some of the inhabitants that God promised to drive out before them. “And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite” (Exodus 33:2). We too have many enemies that seek to keep us from enjoying our heavenly blessings. However, in the strength of the Lord we can overcome, and enjoy all that we have in and through Christ.
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Thursday, January 25, 2018

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A Hold
A young Christian was often bothered by people telling him that he might be lost after all. “If you don’t hold on you will be lost,” they would say.
“You are mistaken,” he would answer. “I have learned that when I was saved, two got hold of each other. I got hold of Christ, and Christ got hold of me. I’m sure of one thing; if I let Him go, He’ll never let me go! He loves me so much that He died for me. I cost too much for Him to give me up.”
The sinner who believes on Christ becomes one of the sheep of Christ, who is the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11), and in John 10:27-29, he says seven things about them.
“My sheep hear My voice.”
“I know them.”
“They follow Me.”
“I give unto them eternal life.”
“They shall never perish.”
“Neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”
“My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.”

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

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Monthly Scripture Reading
Hebrews 13
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.
Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

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Twelve Baskets
“And He commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, He blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full” (Matthew 14:19-20).
Not only did the twelve baskets indicate the super-abundance of the Lord’s provision, but each disciple would have a basket for himself. Remember, the Lord is always mindful of those who serve Him, and although the rewards are not always obvious at the times of service, He will always honor those that faithfully perform any task for Him whether great or small. He has said: “Them that honour me I will honour” (1 Samuel 2:30).
The Bible also talks about a “full reward” (2 John 8).Notice that there were not only twelve baskets, but that they were “full.” The Lord is certainly no man’s debtor, and if you have done anything for Him, it will be amply and fully recompensed.

Monday, January 22, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
Here are three challenging questions we can ask ourselves at the beginning of a new week:
If today were my last day on earth, is there any act of kindness that would be missed tomorrow?
Is there anything which others have that would remind them of my selflessness?
Would others that remain know and remember that my life was a life lived for Christ?
Dorcas was a sister in Christ in the early church. She was such a blessing to others that when she died we read, “And all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them” (Acts 9:32).
Let’s see what good you can do for others as you head out for another round of work, school, and the daily routine of life this week. Of the Lord Jesus, during His life on earth, we read: “Who went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). There is no shortage of opportunities to do good!
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, January 21, 2018

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Worthy
“Thou art WORTHY, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created … And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is WORTHY to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? … And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art WORTHY to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation … Saying with a loud voice, WORTHY is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (Revelation 4:11; 5:2, 9, 12).
Yes, He is indeed the WORTHY one, and in a coming day of glory He will have His full place and praise.
However, He does want that response from our hearts now, and as we consider His person and work, on this another “first day of the week” (Acts 20:7), it will produce the worship and praise that He is WORTHY of. We will be like King David, who declared, “I will call upon the Lord, who is WORTHY to be praised” (Psalm 18:3).

Saturday, January 20, 2018

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A Divine Necessity
The Lord of glory in speaking with Nicodemus one night, stated emphatically, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God … Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:3,7).
This truth can be explained in this way: you can take a vessel of any metal, and reform it, by changing its shape and design. You can melt and mould it into quite a variety of forms. But you cannot change its essential nature. If it is of iron, or brass, or silver, it will remain the same metal no matter how much you change its outward appearance, how long you work at it, or how hard you try.
Not until you can change the iron into brass, the brass into silver, the silver into gold, can you change by your own effort your sinful nature and be a partaker of the divine nature. The outward life may be reformed, but the soul remains the same in essential quality, in the sight of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6).
Are you truly born again?

Friday, January 19, 2018

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Wonder-Working Books
“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
The following story illustrates the saving power of the living Word of God, relevant to yesterday’s meditation:
In Burma (officially called the Republic of the Union of Myanmar), as two men were looking over a Bible seller’s stock of Gospels and Christian books, one warned the other not to buy them.
“What harm can there be?” asked the first man.
“There is certainly great harm,” replied his friend. “I know a large number of Burmans and Karens who have bought these books, and they nearly always end by becoming Christians.”
“Well, that is true,” answered the first, “but I have some friends who were once notoriously bad men, and since they became Christians they are honest and good. This is why I want to read these books.” Then he chose and paid for one of the Gospels in Burmese.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

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Practical Applications
 of God’s Word
Part 1 — Living
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23).
The Bible is the only book in the world that is actually “living.” That is why we can never exhaust it, and why it is always fresh. Any book written by man we can eventually exhaust, but not God’s book.
It is the Word of God in the power of the Spirit that God uses to impart divine life to us. That’s why when we present the gospel to the lost, we always want to use the Word in communion with the Spirit. “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
This living book is also what God uses to exercise our souls and speak to our hearts as believers. “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

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Another Hymn Story
“And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord” (Psalm 27:6).
Christianity was facing a dark future in England when Queen Anne (1675-1714) forced through British Parliament the Schism Act. This was an extreme measure designed to stamp out dissidence by preventing nonconformists and Catholics from educating their children in their own schools, and severely limiting religious freedom.
Against this black backdrop, Isaac Watts wrote the well-known and reassuring hymn:
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
How the words must have brought courage and comfort to the Christians in those days of fear and instability.
On the day the Act was due to take effect Queen Anne died, and her successor, George I, took no steps to enforce it. It was eventually repealed in 1719. God was in full control!

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

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A Hymn Story
“He hath put a new song in my mouth” (Psalm 40:3).
Many hymns have been written under very special and often trying circumstances. So it was with the hymn “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go” written by George Matheson. The story behind its writing is told in his own words:
“My hymn was composed in the manse of Innellan [Argyllshire, Scotland] on the evening of the 6th of June, 1882, when I was 40 years of age. I was alone in the manse at that time. It was the night of my sister’s marriage, and the rest of the family were staying overnight in Glasgow. Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the impression of having it dictated to me by some inward voice rather than of working it out myself. I am quite sure that the whole work was completed in five minutes, and equally sure that it never received at my hands any retouching or correction. I have no natural gift of rhythm. All the other verses I have ever written are manufactured articles; this came like a dayspring from on high.”

Monday, January 15, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
As young people we like to feel accepted. We like to feel that we fit in, and that we are part of the crowd. We want our friends to think well of us, or to use a modern day expression, we want to be cool. It is certainly not wrong to want acceptance as believers, but the question is, Whose acceptance do we really want? Are we seeking the Lord’s acceptance and approval, or the world’s? As another week of school or work begins, let’s ask the Lord for help in seeking to live for Him.
When Paul wrote to the Corinthians he expressed his desire for acceptance by saying, “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of HIM” (2 Corinthians 5:9).Is this the sincere desire of your heart as well? Are you willing to suffer a little reproach to have the Lord Jesus say, “Well done” (Matthew 25:21)?This is what brings true happiness, as Peter reminds us, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye” (1 Peter 4:14).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, January 14, 2018

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The Hours Of Darkness
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour” (Matthew 27:45).
Three hours of darkness — in the middle of the day. From noon until 3 p.m. God shut out the view of the cross. No one could see the suffering that Jesus went through on account of sin. No eye penetrated the darkness that shrouded Golgotha while Jesus atoned for sin. There was no more mocking, no jeering, no scornful looks. Absolutely alone, forsaken by man and God, Jesus was punished for our sins.
Here is how the hymn writer Isaac Watts (1674-1748), expressed it:
Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut his glories in,
When the Incarnate Maker died
For man His creature’s sin.
We will never know the depth of all His intense suffering. We will never need to know, because Jesus suffered in our place. Let’s praise and thank Him very specially today as we remember His death on the cross.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

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Prepare
“Prepare to meet thy God” (Amos 4:12).
Many in this world are not ready to meet their Creator. They are trusting only in themselves. Are you ready?
PREPARE — “Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).
TO MEET — “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10).
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelation 20:12).
THY GOD — “For there is one God” (1 Timothy 2:5).
“One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:6).

Friday, January 12, 2018

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Preach Christ
The Apostle Paul, as to the subject of preaching the gospel said: “We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord” (Corinthians 4:5). Maybe there is a young brother in Christ just starting out to preach the gospel and with a real gift from the Lord. Make Jesus Christ your theme! I have seen preachers espouse causes and champion movements, and when the cause died and the movement collapsed, the preacher vanished too. But the man who glories in Christ never grows stale. Jesus Christ is perennial and he who makes his boast in Him stays forever fresh. The Bible says of that person, “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3).
How long it often takes us to learn that the issue is simply Jesus! We read books and feel that the magic word is sure to appear on the next page, but it doesn’t. We read biographies, but we cannot live on second-hand experiences. We try to work up visions and experiences of our own, but even if we succeed, the glory fades. At last we arrive where we should have started, to learn that it is all JESUS CHRIST!

Thursday, January 11, 2018

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Ishmael & Isaac
“Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise” (Galatians 4:22-23).
Ishmael was the result of a resort to the flesh, proposed by Sarai when God had already promised a son by her. To this day Ishmael’s and Isaac’s descendants, the Arabs and Jews, are at war with each other. From this, we learn that any scheme of ours that takes matters into our own hands when God has spoken otherwise leads to plenty of trouble and much sorrow.
How many today live with war in their hearts because that which is of the flesh contends with that which is of faith! Call it complexes, nerves, or dress it up in psychiatric wording, it is but Ishmael and Isaac warring in the soul.
Abraham gave up Ishmael and he never returned. He gave up Isaac but God returned him to him. Give God your Ishmael — all that is of the flesh — that it may not return. Give Him Isaac too — that which is of faith — that He may return it and that you may be a “vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

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Absolute
The Word of God is absolute, and He has placed it even above His name. “Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name” (Psalm 138:2). What God has done, what God is doing and what God will do are made known to us in the Scriptures. Although we have had no further communication for over nineteen hundred years, there is no need, for the Word of God is complete.
The Bible, therefore, leaves no room for speculation, or for the opinions of men, or the development of the mind and thoughts of men as time rolls on. It is as true and relevant today as it was in the days when the prophet Isaiah wrote, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8).
That’s why it is a serious thing to add or take away from the Word of God. “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19).

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

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Meeting Together
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
There are some who neglect the meetings for reading of the Word of God and Bible study at their local assembly because they feel that they can learn more by reading and studying at home. Now it is true that there may be much weakness in those that minister the Word, or in the ministry, and there may be much that is discouraging. The Bible teaches us that we can expect things to get weaker as we draw nearer to the end and the coming of the Lord. But as we realise that we are in days of weakness we need to be more concerned than ever that we would, “strengthen the things which remain” (Revelation 3:2).
While you may be able to learn more at home, you won’t be able to minister it to others. While you are feeding yourself, your empty chair at the meetings will probably add to the discouragement of others who are struggling too. You DO make a difference. Be an encourager. Be there!

Monday, January 8, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
At the beginning of this week I want to pass on a story I hope will speak to anyone reading this who is only pretending to be a Christian.
Many years ago on a busy street in New York City, a boy was selling mince pies, and was crying out: “Hot mince pies — get your hot mince pies while they last!” A man stopped and bought one but found to his chagrin that it was not hot at all, but rather ice cold.
He went back to the boy and said: “Why do you call these ‘hot’ mince pies?”
“Because that is the name they go by, sir.”
Hearing this story made me think of so many who call themselves Christians, and yet it is in name only. People may think that they are on fire for the Lord, when in fact they are really very cold. Here is a very sobering verse from the Bible to consider in this regard: “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, January 7, 2018

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The King
 “Worship the King” (Zechariah 14:16).
The royal One died in order that we might become the King’s sons!
Prior to His birth, the Lord’s royal claims were acknowledged: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).
In His infancy, the wise men said, “Where is He who is born King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2)?
In His kingly entrance into Jerusalem the crowds cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David” (Matthew. 21:9). Yet this King was rejected! “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
May we worship and adore the one of whom it says, “He shall reign for ever and ever … And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16; 11:15).

Saturday, January 6, 2018

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Feelings
“Have faith in God” (Mark 11:32).
“For by grace are ye saved through faith”
(Ephesians 2:8).
“Faith” comes before “feelings” in the dictionary, and so it does in the matter of our spiritual blessing. Many would like to reverse it. They would like to feel happy before in simple faith they have taken God at His word, but God would not have our assurance of salvation to rest on such a flimsy foundation as our feelings. He would have us rest on Christ and His atoning sacrifice.
Feelings ebb and flow and come and go like the tides that wash the shore. Christ’s work is abiding. God’s way is unchanging. It has been put something like this: The Lord Jesus did it, the holy God says it, I, the sinner, believe it.
The Lord Jesus suffered for sins upon Calvary’s cross.
The holy God says, “Whosoever believeth in Him (the Lord Jesus) shall receive remission of sins.”
I, the sinner, believe what God says about His Son and what He has done. I know that forgiveness of sins is mine.
Happy feelings depend upon our faith in Christ’s sacrifice and in God’s Word about it.

Friday, January 5, 2018

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Three Appearings of Christ — Part 3
The Future
“Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).
The heavens, which now hide the Lord Jesus from our natural eyes, will presently open, and Jesus will come forth to bring His people into the full blessing of His accomplished work. It will be the fulfilment of the Lord’s own promise. What a day that will be! “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).
Are we looking for that day? Are we truly watching and waiting? Are we like those of whom it says, “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that He shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them” (Luke 12:37)?
In summary we learn from these three appearings:
Christ has put away our sins by the sacrifice of Himself.
Christ lives in God’s presence for us, and bears us up through life’s journey.
Christ will come and take us home to be with Him forever.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

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Three Appearings of Christ — Part 2
The Present
“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence
of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24).
Having risen from the dead, having put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, Jesus, the High Priest, has entered into the holiest by His own blood, and now appears in the heavens, the Man Christ Jesus, in the presence of God for His people, for whose sins He died. He lives to die no more, and He Himself, once the Sacrifice on earth, is now the Priest on high for His people. He appeared on earth to die for us; having died, He appears in God’s presence to live for us. He abides there our Priest. “Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

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Three Appearings of Christ — Part 1
The Past
“But now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:26).
The Lord Jesus has appeared here in this world — on planet earth — and has done a mighty work to the glory and eternal satisfaction of God His Father. He could say of that work, “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:4).
He will never thus appear again. The cross is eternal in its issues. What He has done can never be added to nor taken from. “For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrew 10:14). God would be unrighteous if He required another sacrifice for sin now. Never will the Lord appear again to offer Himself. It is done! What a glorious fact!
By the sacrifice of Himself He has accomplished this most mighty work, and as a result, for His people, sin is put away. It will also be put away from the earth by virtue of that sacrifice, and then the Father’s will shall be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

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My Walk of Faith
“We walk by faith” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Sometimes I walk in the sunshine,
Sometimes I walk in the rain;
Sometimes the storms, they surround me,
My Jesus is there just the same.
Sometimes I feel His presence,
Sometimes I feel so alone;
But I know He’ll never forsake me,
He always makes Himself known.
By faith I press on through the darkness,
I see but one step at a time;
Though mists and thick clouds overshadow,
Though steep be the way that I climb.
And soon in that mansion in heaven,
All there will be glory and bright;
No more will I wander a pilgrim,
With Jesus, all there will be light.

Monday, January 1, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
“What’s ahead for the new year?”
I suppose we all wonder, and ask ourselves this question. Thankfully, God has not given us the ability to see into the future, as far as life here on earth is concerned. If we could see ahead, even for a day or two, it would be a burden we could not carry, and we would be constantly trying to change things that we have no control over. The Christian life consists in living for Christ today and leaving tomorrow to His wise discretion. That’s really the meaning of the verse that says, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Matthew 6:34).
As we look ahead, one thing is certain: there is a bright and sure future for the believer. It is to be with Christ in the Father’s house, and to sing the songs of heaven for eternity. The Lord’s promise, made so long ago, still stands: “I will come again” (John 14:3). That hope and future is indeed “sure and stedfast” (Hebrews 6:19).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca
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