Bible Truth Publishers
EmailRSS
Blogs

Daily blogs from Bible Truth Publishers

Young Christians Calendar

A daily meditation for young Christians

July 2018

All months

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Watch & Pray — Pray & Watch
In the Bible “watching” is often connected with prayer. In the following verse we are to first “watch” in order to keep out of our lives those things that would hinder an effective prayer life. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). David realized this when he penned the words, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). We need to always be on our guard that we do not allow sin, or worldliness to dull our affections, chill our souls, or lull us into spiritual complacency. These things will hinder “effectual fervent prayer” (James 5:16).
However in the following verses you will notice that the order is reversed. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18). “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).  This is the thought of persevering. Persevering in prayer would imply, not only turning to God in some special need, but the habitual attitude of dependence upon God. “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray” (Psalm 55:17). However prolonged the trial, though the answer may be delayed, we are to “persevere in prayer,” and then to give thanks for whatever the answers are.

Monday, July 30, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Dear Young Christian:
There is a strong tendency among Christians to allow human reasoning to replace Scriptural principles, thus making ourselves wiser than God. The secret of Daniel’s life was that he took his instruction from the Living God. He could say, “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are His … He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding” (Daniel 2:20-21). The real challenge is that our reliance on human wisdom is difficult to detect and we often don’t even realize we are doing it. But clear divine instructions set aside in favour of the reasoning of men will always leave us cold and disappointed. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain” (2 Corinthians 1:19-20). Take your wisdom from the Lord through His Word the Bible, and you will have good instruction in your path of faith for the Lord this coming week.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Calvary
“And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided Him” (Luke 23:35).
“And they that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads” (Matthew 27:39).
“And sitting down they watched Him there”
(Matthew 27:36).
There at Calvary there were many who passed hurriedly by, others who stood and lingered, and some who even sat down and watched the Lord suffer on the cross. While there were some observers who truly loved Him, such as Mary His mother, the Apostle John, Mary Magdalene, and others, yet for the most part the crowd was composed of scoffers, and those who hated Him “without a cause” (Psalm 69:4).
Today we look back to Calvary and remember the sufferings of Christ and the great sacrifice of Himself.
With adoration, worship, praise, we look to Calvary,
And see the One who gave Himself,
From sin to set us free.
We also look up, by faith, and “see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour” (Hebrews 2:9).

Saturday, July 28, 2018

Copy linkPrint
No Other Saviour
“Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
“I’ve got my own religion.”
“Whatever you believe is alright.”
“Everybody has their own beliefs.”
“Just so you believe something.”
These are sayings you will hear from many people today. They sound nice, and help to make people feel good, since their own beliefs are said to be as valid as those of anyone else. “After all,” some say, “can you really know anything for sure?” People who claim to have “the truth” are looked down upon as being arrogant and intolerant. For some reason, people can accept the idea that any religion is valid as long as it doesn’t claim to be the only true religion! Do you know why? It’s Satan’s way of getting people to believe anything but the one thing that will remove his grip on their souls. It is not true that all religious beliefs are of equal value. It is not true that “Whatever you believe is alright.” The very fact that “Everybody has their own beliefs” shows what God says is man’s biggest problem — we’ve exchanged His truth for our beliefs, and as a result, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).

Friday, July 27, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Monthly Question Page
Q. Could you explain the significance of the colors of the four horses in Revelation chapter six? (Part 2).
A. “A white horse” (verse 2). The white horse symbolizes a judgment involving conquering and victory for the rider. Later in Revelation when the Lord comes to reign, we read, “Behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war” (Revelation 19:11).
“Another horse that was red” (verse 4). With the coming of this horse, peace is take from the earth, there is killing, and there is war. The red horse, no doubt speaks of bloodshed, this being the result of the white horse and its rider.
“And lo a black horse” (verse 5). This horse figures mourning, consternation, and famine. As a result of conquest and bloodshed, there will be scarcity and want, and the masses will be deprived of the necessities of life.
“Behold a pale horse” (verse 8). The pale horse has the name of Death stamped upon the rider. It signifies that pestilence will follow famine. Hell (Hades) follows as it swallows up its victims. What awful judgments are coming on this world!
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Not Ashamed
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16).
After his remarkable conversion on the way to Damascus, Paul never lost sight of the gospel of Christ.
He always had a readiness to preach it.
He always had a desire to defend it.
He had a lifestyle to promote and commend it.
He had a joy in suffering because of it.
He had a willingness to die for it.
He felt he had an enormous responsibility to bring the gospel to all people. There is no question; he was not ashamed of the gospel. He knew its transforming power, and what it had done for him in turning his life around. As a result he wanted everyone to hear, to know, and to experience it for themselves. Near the end of his life he could encourage a young man named Timothy “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:8).
What an example for us to share the gospel with others!

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Monthly Scripture Reading
Luke 5
And He entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net.
And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Sighing or Singing
“The children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage” (Exodus 2:23).
“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord” (Exodus 15:1).
There is really no song to sing until the burden of sin is removed. The Israelites never sang in Egypt while they were slaves to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, a picture of Satan and this world. All they could do in Egypt was sigh! Only after they experienced redemption and deliverance and were safely on the Sinai side of the Red Sea could they sing the praises of the Lord.
The unsaved world tries to make music but often it has a rather despondent tone, and the words are usually hollow and empty. Not so with the believer. For the one who knows Christ as Saviour, he can truly say, “He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God” (Psalm 40:3). A Christian may not be the greatest singer, but they have the privilege of opening their mouth to “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (Psalm 100:1).
Are you a sigh-er or a singer?

Monday, July 23, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Dear Young Christian:
Are you a worrier like me? Here are some interesting definitions of worry that I came upon while browsing through an old book from my library shelf:
Worry is the advance interest you pay on troubles that seldom come.
Worry, like a rocking chair, will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.
The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith. The beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.
My problem is, I tend to worry about things that I think are going to come about in the near or distant future, and then when the time comes, they never even happen. The Lord had to say to Mary’s sister, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41). To us He says: “Be careful for nothing” (Philippians 4:6). In other words, “Don’t be full of care. Don’t worry about a thing.” We can leave everything in the hand of the Lord this coming week. No matter what may happens, He is in full control.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Forsake
“He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me”?
(Matthew 27:46).
To forsake is to leave without help or protection, to abandon. The Lord promises to never do that to His own. We are safe and secure with Him. Men may fail, and indeed do, in spite of promises and vows, but the Lord, who knows us better than anyone else does, is still a true, faithful Friend, Master, Helper and Guide.
This is reason enough to rejoice every morning! And yet, how we are touched when we remember that He, God’s perfect, holy, sinless Son, was forsaken while He “bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). Yes, He was forsaken of God during those hours of darkness while He “made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The Lord Jesus was forsaken that we might never be forsaken. What love!

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Copy linkPrint
There Is a God
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).
“Nobody talks so constantly about God as those who insist there is no God.” — Haywood Brown
Have you ever noticed how much time atheists and unbelievers spend trying to convince themselves and everyone else that there is no God, no life after death, and no such place as heaven or hell? Often they go to great lengths, talking on and on, and presenting argument after argument.
But the Bible, creation, and many other infallible proofs, establish beyond a shadow of a doubt the existence of God, and our responsibility to Him as our Creator.
Though we have sinned, and though there is the reality of judgment as a result, yet our God is a loving God and Saviour. “God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:3-6).
Is He your God and Saviour? If not, trust Him today! He is living and real, and able to save!

Friday, July 20, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Thankfulness
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
It is sometimes difficult to witness for Christ in the daily routine of life and show ourselves to be different from the world. A very simple, but evident action, is to give thanks for everything. Do you start every meal with thanks to God, even in a crowded restaurant or school cafeteria with your friends present? Do you thank God for daily strength, for clothing, home, money and transport? Let us make sure that we give God our Father the thanks He deserves for giving us the daily mercies that we so often take for granted.
One of the characteristics of the times we live in, is unthankfulness. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be … unthankful” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2). Let’s be careful that the spirit of the age does not affect us as believers. Our testimony to the world is often the fact that we have a thankful spirit no matter what the circumstances. “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Practical Applications
of God’s Word
Part 7 — Cleansing
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word”
(Psalm 119:9).
There is a practical purifying effect that comes from daily reading of the Bible. It is “the washing of water by the Word” (Ephesians 5:26). This was the great spiritual lesson that the Lord was illustrating in a practical way, to the disciples in the upper room, when He washed their feet. The water of the Word removes those things that defile us and dull our affections. That is why He said to Peter, when he objected to the Lord washing his feet, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me” (John 13:8). We cannot enjoy fellowship with the Lord, without the cleansing of the Word.
When I was growing up there was an older brother who used to tell us, that in his working days when he came home from the office, he needed a good wash. He wasn’t talking about soap and water, he was talking about the water of the Word. He used to also tell us that a basket cannot hold water but running water through it will keep it clean. Let the Word of God have its cleansing affect on your life everyday!

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Learning or Doing
There was a man in New York City who died at the age of 63 without ever having had a job. He spent his entire adult life in college. He had acquired so many academic degrees that they looked like the alphabet behind his name.
Why did this man spend his entire life in college? When he was a child, a wealthy relative died who had named him as a beneficiary in his will. It stated that he was to be given enough money to support him every year as long as he stayed in school. And it was to be discontinued when he had completed his education.
The man met the terms of the will, but by staying in school indefinitely he turned a technicality into a steady income for life — something his benefactor never intended. Unfortunately, he spent thousands of hours listening to professors and reading books but never “doing.” He acquired more and more knowledge but didn’t put it into practice.
The Bible says: “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). If we read the Bible or listen as it is taught but fail to put to work what we have learned, we are as bad as that man with his string of degrees. His education was of no practical benefit to anyone.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Copy linkPrint
The Lord’s Mind
Discerning the Lord’s mind is largely a question of the state of soul. “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him” (Psalm 25:14). Never forget that important principle. The question is, is the eye single? Do I desire only His will? Am I not blinded through self-interest or self-will in some way? Do I refer all to the Lord, and wait on Him to know His will? If so, He will guide.
We do not expect any revelation or anything extraordinary, but by laying on the mind what is pleasing to Him, or by some providential way, He will indicate His will. This may be so distinct that it virtually amounts to a certainty in the mind, though we may not be able to prove it to another. The great thing is nearness to the Lord, and a subject mind with the desire, “Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path,” (Psalm 27:11). He sets before us an open door, with something to indicate that we may enter. We see His hand in it, recognize it and act accordingly. This is something we have to learn experimentally. It is not easy to teach it to another, because it is not a mere mental or intellectual operation.

Monday, July 16, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Dear Young Christian:
Some time ago, due to heavy fog in Chicago, an airliner was kept in a prolonged holding pattern. As it finally touched down, the flight attendant’s voice was heard to announce, “I’d like to welcome you to O’Hare International Airport. That’s what I would like to do! Unfortunately, due to inclement weather we have just landed in Indianapolis.”
For the one who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ, there will be no such announcements at the gate of heaven. When the Christian arrives at that final destination there will be no mistake or change in route for any reason. Here is how it will happen: “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Perhaps today!
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, July 15, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Glorified
“Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God be glorified in Him, God shall also glorify Him in Himself, and shall straightway glorify Him”
(John 13:31-32).
“Now is the Son of Man glorified.” This statement brings before us the infinite perfection of the Saviour. The reference is to the suffering of the Son of Man at the Cross. We see that in those awful sufferings the Son of Man is glorified. To be glorified is to have all the qualities that exalt a person brought into full display. At the Cross all the infinite perfections of the Son of Man were displayed in the highest degree.
In the first statement, “Now is the Son of Man glorified,” we learn the perfection of the Son of Man. In the second statement, “God is glorified in Him,” we learn the perfection of His work. In the third statement, “God shall glorify Him in Himself,” we learn God’s perfect satisfaction with that work. In summary, then, we have a perfect Saviour who has done a perfect work to God’s perfect satisfaction. Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Saturday, July 14, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Religions
“Dost thou believe on the Son of God” (John 9:35).
Man’s confused religions stand in opposition to God’s simple way to life. Man’s ways are the wide, tolerant, sin-ignoring way that ends in destruction.We are told, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
There is one sense in which it is true that what you believe doesn’t matter. What you believe, or what religious men have taught, does not change the truth of God’s Word! Just believing something doesn’t make it so. Jumping off the top of a skyscraper onto the street below will kill you, no matter how strongly you believe otherwise. Entering into eternity with the firm belief that there is no God, or that your beliefs or your works are good enough to merit His approval will not change the outcome: “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

Friday, July 13, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Superstition
“Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are
too superstitious” (Acts 17:22).
There are still some people like those long ago in Athens, who, rather than trusting the Lord, are very superstitious. Many have a real fear or paranoia when it comes to Friday the 13th. Although the origin of how this started is clouded, here is some interesting information on the subject:
The fear of the number 13 has been given a scientific name: “triskaidekaphobia,” and on analogy to this the fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia, from the Greek words Paraskeví, meaning “Friday”, and dekatreís, meaning “thirteen”).
In contrast we read: “On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness” (Esther 9:17). For the Jews it was a day of deliverance and rejoicing. For us, any day can be the same. Even on Friday the 13th we should remember: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Sleeping
The only record we have of the Lord sleeping is in the back of a fishing boat while seasoned fishermen toiled and feared for their lives due to a storm on the Sea of Galilee. “And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but He was asleep” (Matthew 8:24).
He slept while they worried and fretted; later the disciples slept while he agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane. “And He cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep” (Matthew 26:40).
He slept because there was no reason for Him to be awake. He knew that all was in control, and that they would safely reach the other side according to His word. The disciples slept when they had every reason to be alert, and He could rebuke them by asking, “What, could ye not watch with me one hour” (Matthew 26:40)?
While we appreciate His concern for us let us attend to the privileges and responsibilities that have been committed to us. We are exhorted, “Watch and pray … And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep” (Romans 13:11; Matthew 26:41).

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Copy linkPrint
The Purposes of God
Seven Aspects of God’s Eternal Purpose — Part 2
5. That all things should be gathered together in Christ.
“Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him” (Ephesians 1:9-10).
6. That we should be to the praise of His glory.
“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ” (Ephesians 1:11-12).
7. That all things should be subdued unto Christ.
“He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself” (Philippians 3:21).
“And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28).

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Copy linkPrint
The Purposes of God
Seven Aspects of God’s Eternal Purpose — Part 1
1. That the Father of glory should have children.
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16).
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26).
2. That Christ should have a bride.
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband … And there came unto me one of the seven angels … and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife” (Revelation 21:2,9).
3. That God’s light and love should be manifested.
“God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
“God is love” (1 John 4:8).
4. That God should be glorified in Christ.
“These words spake Jesus … I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:1, 4).

Monday, July 9, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Dear Young Christian:
“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me”
(Matthew 25:40).
Any service, no matter how small, or toward whom the service is performed, or no matter how unknown or insignificant the recipient may be (in the eyes of the world), the Lord makes a note of the service and will reward it in a coming day. It is wonderful to realize that the Lord forgets nothing, and everything done for Him is being recorded and will be rewarded. He has promised: “And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).
With this in mind keep up the good work, and remember the further promise: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Copy linkPrint
The Rod
“I am the man that hath seen affliction
by the rod of His wrath” (Lamentations 3:1).
This statement is prophetic of the Lord Jesus, when at the cross God punished His Son for our sins in those three hours of darkness. It is also figured in Moses striking the Rock, the Rock being a picture of Christ. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel” (Exodus 17:5-6).
The rod of God’s judgment fell on the Lord Jesus and, as a result there is blessing and refreshment for us.
Jehovah lifted up His rod—
O Christ, it fell on Thee!
Thou wast forsaken of Thy God;
No distance now for me.
Thy blood beneath that rod has flowed:
Thy bruising healeth me.
–Anne Cousins

Saturday, July 7, 2018

Copy linkPrint
True or False
Truth is not a matter of opinion. Either something is true or it is false. Jesus Christ is the truth. He did not say “I am a way,” but rather, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). When it comes to faith, it is not, “Just so you believe something,” but “Just so you believe Christ.” Faith in Jesus Christ, who laid down His life on the cross of Calvary and rose victoriously from the dead, is the only way to everlasting life and forgiveness of sins.
Just as everyone has turned to his own way, each of us must individually turn from our rebellion. No one can save himself, since salvation is “not of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Because God is the One who saves, salvation is as certain as His promise: “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).
Jesus Christ is the only way. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Friday, July 6, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Beseech
The dictionary gives the definition of the word “beseech” as “to ask fervently.” Here are some things that the Lord fervently asks us to do as Christians:
“I … beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ephesians 4:1).
“I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11).
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:2).
“I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
“I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).
Are we ready to respond in fervent obedience?

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Peace Like a River
“O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river” (Isaiah 48:18).
The peace of God is a higher thing than comfort, a deeper thing than joy, and a more solid thing than rest. While my comforts may be diminished, my joy be disturbed, and my rest be broken, my peace still flows as a river.
Interrupt the flow of a river, and it is no longer a river. You may dam up its waters, but you only make them stagnant, for their freshness and their fruitfulness depend upon the continuity of their changeless flow. A flowing river is the perfect scriptural illustration of the peace God provides: “Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river” (Isaiah 66:12).
In contrast the troubled sea fittingly illustrates the state of those who have no relationship with God, and therefore have no peace. “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Isaiah 57:20-21).

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Self
“Let us not be desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:26).
Those who live for their own glory or self-esteem are stuck in an unhappy sandwich. On one side is envying one another: always thinking there are others who are better than we are or who have more than we have. On the other side is provoking one another: in other words, those we associate with are provoked to envy or covetousness.
On the other hand those who live for Christ and His approval have a far better object than living for the eye of man. Instead, they live for the eye of God. They can help the unfortunate and rejoice with the successful. We are to live for the Lord, and to serve Him, “not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God … Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:22, 24).
To live for self is miserable at best. To live for Christ is joy and peace. The Apostle Paul said, “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9).

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Copy linkPrint
The Word of God
The Bible is the Word of God,
It’s truth, and life, and light:
It stands unchangeable through time,
And guides the soul aright.
The Bible speaks, and we must heed,
If we would happy be,
The path is marked, the way is plain,
Each step we clearly see.
So read your Bible every day,
Wherever you may be,
The Bible is the Word of God,
It’s truth will set you free.
“I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the Word of God abideth in you” (1 John 2:14).
“Every Word of God is pure” (Proverbs 30:5).

Monday, July 2, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Dear Young Christian:
Here is a verse that has been a great encouragement to me many times is my day-to-day life. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).I particularly appreciate the word “present.” In other words, He is always available. We can come to Him at anytime of the day or night and find that He is ready to listen and help. You will never get a busy signal when you call on the Lord, nor will you ever get put on hold, or have your call rushed through.
Here is a little prayer that I have learned to pray a lot as I have gotten older: “Help Lord” (Psalm 12:1). From the title of the Psalm we know that this was a prayer of David. David was a man who had a great many problems and difficult decisions during his life. Although he sometimes made mistakes and got into trouble, He knew where to turn when things got rough. As you face the world this week, learn to pray from the heart this short prayer, and you will find a wonderful and sure resource in times of trouble.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Copy linkPrint
Worship
“And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:19).
Did you have a hard time getting going this morning? Not a morning person? Up too late last night? Let’s remember today, as we spend time in worship, that the Lord deserves and wants first place in our hearts. We have boundless energy with sports and other activities and pleasures, but we don’t often show the same enthusiasm when it is a question of going to meet with the Lord and His people.
What a lovely example we have in Elkanah and his wife Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter 1. Before returning from the temple to their home in Ramah they made a point to rise early for the express purpose of worshipping the Lord.
Here is what we read about Abraham when He was told to take Isaac and go and worship. “And Abraham rose up early in the morning … And Abraham said … I and the lad will go yonder and worship” (Genesis 22:3, 5).
Maybe if we really appreciated who Christ is and what it cost Him to put away our sins, we might be more willing to rise early in the morning ready to worship.
← August 2018June 2018 →