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Young Christians Calendar

A daily meditation for young Christians

August 2018

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Friday, August 31, 2018

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Monthly Question Page
Q. What is the difference between 1 Chronicles 21:13, “Let me fall now into the hand of the Lord,” and Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”?
A. In First Chronicles, King David had sinned, and in pride had numbered the people. When he realizes what he has done he takes full responsibility for his actions, and seeks to spare the people from a consequence that he feels they do not deserve. In confessing his sin he understands that God is gracious and avails himself of that grace, instead of blaming others for his failure.
In Hebrews it is a question of a person who rejects God’s testimony and His offer of salvation. This we see from the context, beginning at verse 29. It is indeed a fearful thing to reject God’s grace and salvation, especially for those who have made a profession of being saved and pretend to be believers but are not real. There will be judgment for such!
So, for a child of God to fall into His hand is to count on His grace, mercy, and wisdom. But to fall into the hands of a holy God having rejected His grace and mercy is the most dreadful thing of all.
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Thursday, August 30, 2018

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Our Ministry
“Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, He departed into Galilee” (Matthew 4:12).
Sometimes I have asked myself, why didn’t the Lord go and visit John the Baptist, or try to plead his cause and get him out of prison? The answer is simple, because John’s work for the Lord on earth was done. He had spoken the truth and was condemned because of it. He had performed the most significant work of any Old Testament prophet in that he had introduced the Lord to the Jewish nation. But for the most part they rejected his testimony. John then steps aside and lets Jesus have His place as the Saviour of the world. John was faithful unto death too, just as Jesus was. He was willing to be hidden while the Lord came into public view.
We also have a work to do for the Lord. John’s ministry was to announce the coming of Christ. Our work is to announce to this world that He has come, died, risen, and that as an ascended man in heaven He is the Saviour of sinners, and the resource of the believers. Are we fulfilling that ministry? And are we like John who said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30)?

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

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Big & Small Choices
What is a big choice? What is a small choice? Does God care which route we take to a certain place or the time and place in which we do certain things? I’m reminded of the incident where the Lord Jesus was travelling from Judea to Galilee. “He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. And He must needs go through Samaria” (John 4:3-4). We are told that He had to go through Samaria. Was that the only route from the one place to the other? No — there was more than one way to make that trip, and the route He took on that day was not the preferred route for many.
So how did He decide which way to go? As the story unfolds, we find Him taking a rest from His journey at Jacob’s well in Sychar. This was not an accidental layover, however, for the woman with whom He had a conversation at that well was just one of many people from that town who came to know the Saviour as a result of His stopping for lunch that day. His “small” choice of routes, and His decision to rest at a certain place and at a certain time, put Him in the right place at the right time to be a big blessing to the people there. Let’s be sensitive to the Lord’s leading in our lives so that we too will be at the right place at the right time.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

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His Will
“In all thy ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6).
The Lord has different paths for each of us to follow, and we may well ask ourselves, how can we discern what His will for our life is? Paul’s prayer for the Colossians was that they “might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Colossians 1:9). The last part of the verse unlocks the first: How can we be wise apart from the Scriptures? How can we have spiritual understanding apart from the Spirit of God?
To know what His will is, we must be familiar with His Word. If we are thinking about a certain thing or considering doing something that is contrary to the mind of God revealed in Scripture, we need not go any further. His will does not contradict His Word. For other matters, our ability to know God’s will is absolutely dependant upon the closeness of our walk with Him.
May we each examine the path that we are on in the light of God’s will, and seek to be walking that path each day in such a way that He can use us in His service, for our blessing and the blessing of others.

Monday, August 27, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
As you start out this week in whatever endeavours you may have, remember this exhortation: “Use this world, as not abusing it” (1 Corinthians 7:31). The fact that you are reading this calendar page is an indication that the Lord has not yet come and that we are still here in this world. We have to get along and utilize that which is at our disposal … those things that God has given us in a temporal sense. It may be a job, our schooling, a car, a bicycle, some funds … and a whole host of other things. These things, if used in a proper way are helps to get us through life in this world, so that we can be a testimony and point others to the Saviour.
The problem is, we often place more value on the things of this world than we should, and we can sometimes use them in a way that is not pleasing or honoring to the Lord. The rest of our verse says, “for the fashion of this world passeth away.” We are also told, “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:17).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, August 26, 2018

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Worship
“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment” (John 12:3).
Mary, who before had been at the feet of Jesus as a learner (Luke 10:39), and but recently had wept at His feet as a mourner (John 11:32), is now found at His feet as a worshipper. She comes quietly and humbly, with a heart overflowing, and anoints His feet with the very costly ointment and wipes those blessed feet with her hair.
Her act proclaims that in her estimation nothing that she possesses is good enough for Christ. She expends upon Him every drop of the costly ointment, and puts at His disposal that which is the glory of a woman — her hair. He alone is worthy! She was not at that moment thinking of the poor or the blessing of others; she was wholly engrossed with Christ. This, indeed, is worship: but, even so, the one that is absorbed with Christ will bring blessing to others; so we read, “The house was filled with the odour of the ointment.”

Saturday, August 25, 2018

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Freedom
A motorcyclist gave the following account:
“Many people can’t understand why I enjoy driving a motorbike. In sunny weather you drive through the countryside, enjoying the clear air, and feeling like a carefree youth. You forget your duties, problems, and the monotony of everyday routine. You are free like a bird in the sky.
“However, sometimes I wonder if I am really as free as I feel. Is it merely a sensation of short duration? Sometimes instead of solving my problems I am putting them off.
“So I am thankful that I have come to know another kind of freedom: true freedom. Not a passing feeling, but reality. I have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as my Saviour. He has taken away my sins, my fear of death, my indifference to life, and really given me true freedom. The Bible says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free … If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:32, 36).
“When I got saved it was as if heavy chains fell off my heart. Have you experienced that happy day? This is true and lasting freedom!”

Friday, August 24, 2018

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At Peace
“When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7).
This is a far-reaching statement, which is much less thought over than it should be. It allows for no exceptions. If your ways are pleasing to the Lord, your enemies will be unable to say one word against your character. They may hate you, but they are compelled to own that God is with you.
If your enemies are not at peace with you, it is time to ask, “Do my ways really please the Lord?” Doubtless you will soon be reminded of something in your life needing to be judged in His presence.
One thing that is very conducive to closing the mouths of enemies is just going on quietly through evil report and good report. Seeking to please the Lord and not wasting time in self-vindication. Like the Lord Himself, “Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:23).
Remember, a holy, humble walk in the presence of the Lord must silence even your worst enemies.

Thursday, August 23, 2018

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Changes
Life tends to be full of changes, and I don’t suppose this year is turning out to be any different in that respect. Some folks may be optimistic, even excited about events ahead, while others may be anxious and uncertain. But none of us can see very far ahead. We think we know the way and know where we’re going in our lives, and we hope we’ll get there. But we don’t really know. We may ask ourselves, will today’s decisions translate into what we want tomorrow to be?
When we are young we are thankful for those who can advise and guide us. I am thankful that I have Someone that I can turn to at any time. He knows the way I take, and He knows every outcome. Because He knows the way so perfectly I can trust Him at all times in all circumstances. Jeremiah stated, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Solomon questioned, “For who knoweth what is good for man in this life?” (Ecclesiastes 6:12). I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future. I don’t know what changes are ahead, but I know the One who never changes.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

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Monthly Scripture Reading
Psalm 24
A Psalm of David. The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
For He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek Thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

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Resignation or Acceptance?
“And Samuel told him (Eli) every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good” (1 Samuel 3:18).
Eli was resigned to the will of God. Resignation is better than rebellion or a stiff upper lip, but it is not the highest attitude. We acquiesce and resign to the inevitable because we have to! After all, there isn’t much we can do about it.
Resignation may bring a martyr complex and a selfish pride at putting up with whatever comes. Better than all this is acceptance: accept the will of God when adversity comes, learn whatever lessons are in it and believe that it works for our good. That is a wholesome and healthy spirit. Rebellion or a mere endurance of affliction may wreck us. Resignation may make us “proud that we are humble.” Acceptance falls in with God’s plan and purpose and enables us to safely trust, even though we may not fully understand.
Some things, of course, are never meant to be accepted. They are the will of the devil and must be resisted and defeated. But that which cannot be changed may be turned to God’s glory and our good if accepted and transformed from a burden into a blessing.

Monday, August 20, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
The Lord said, “Thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are” (Matthew 6:5). What is a hypocrite? Someone who pretends to be something that they are not. Jesus condemned hypocrisy very strongly simply because the hypocrite put on a show for others to think that he was righteous when, in fact, his heart was not right with God. Perhaps it is best summed up in the Lord’s own words, “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:28).
Are you the same every day of the week? This is a very searching question that also needs to be answered by those of us who are not young any more. Often we tend to be one thing on Sunday and another on Monday; one thing in front of our family or other believers, and another thing when we are at school or work. The Lord does not want our lives to be a cover-up. He wants genuine reality and righteousness. “The wisdom that is from above is … without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, August 19, 2018

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His Name
“Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in His fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is His name, and what is His son’s name, if thou canst tell?” (Proverbs 30:4).
These questions were raised by “Agur the son of Jakeh” (Proverbs 30:4). As far as we know he never got the answer, and many times he must have wondered about what he had written. Later on Isaiah gives us some further light on the matter, by telling us, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel … and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6). Then we have the further revelation given to Joseph in the New Testament: “Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).
What a Saviour, and what glorious names have been revealed to us in light of His becoming a man in incarnation!

Saturday, August 18, 2018

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What Shall I Do?
Have you tried everything and yet failed to find the peace you long for? Do you sometimes say in your heart: “No one could ever feel as I feel”? Maybe you say, “Oh! I wish that I had never been born! There is happiness for others, but not for me. I am afraid to live, and I am afraid to die.”
The cause of this long and continuous distress of mind is found in the very question, “What shall I do?” If we realized our need as a sinner, and our complete helplessness to satisfy God, we would cease from our own efforts to obtain peace with God.
The question, “What shall I do?” was asked of the Lord when He was here on earth. “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent” (John 6:28-29).
Thankfully there is nothing to do, for the work of salvation is all done. I can have peace by simply believing and accepting what Christ has done for me. “For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14).

Friday, August 17, 2018

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You are…
“By the grace of God I am what I am”
(1 Corinthians 15:10).
You are what you eat … Feed on Christ.
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world … .This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever” (John 6:51, 58).
You are what you read … Read God’s Word.
“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13).
You are what you watch … Be careful what you see.
“Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity” (Psalm 119:37).
You are the company you keep … Choose your friends wisely.
“I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts” (Psalm 119:63).

Thursday, August 16, 2018

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Practical Applications
of God’s Word
Part 8 — Refreshment
“O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly”
(Song of Solomon 5:1).
Have you had a drink from the Word of God today? If not, you are a thirsty Christian, your soul is parched and you are spiritually dehydrated. What a sad condition to be in when there is so much refreshment available on a daily basis! Stop now and take a drink of “cold waters to a thirsty soul” (Proverbs 25:25). When the Lord was talking to the woman at Sychar’swell, He said: “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst” (John 4:13-14).
A thirsty person seeks to have his thirst quenched. The “living water” satisfies our thirst completely, not just for a moment but for eternity. And more than that, it is free. The Lord Jesus says: “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely” (Revelation 21:6).
Learn to drink from the Word of God every single day … yes, more than just once a day. You don’t take a glass of water in the morning and expect it to last all day. Discipline yourself to drink again and again … and again!

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

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Contentment
“Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiastes 4:6).
In the past weeks and months we have mentioned the need for contentment several times. Here is another word on this relevant and important subject:
Frustration is the opposite of contentment. Solomon’s wisdom tells us that to be content with a little is so much better than to be rich but frustrated and with troubles. The Apostle Paul said, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11). We are further exhorted, “Be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:15). One of the more difficult things to resist today is the desire for more. You may have to find out on your own that to be full of this world’s goods does not fill your heart. Only Christ can do that. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). Be content with what the Lord has given you and be filled with Him.

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

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“I Will … ”
Here are some things that the Lord has promised that He will do for each one of us:
“I WILL remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34).
“I WILL bless thee” (Genesis 22:17).
“I WILL strengthen thee” (Isaiah 41:10).
“I WILL help thee” (Isaiah 41:10).
“I WILL uphold thee” (Isaiah 41:10).
“I WILL instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go” (Psalm 32:8).
“I WILL guide thee with Mine eye” (Psalm 32:8).
“I WILL give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
“I WILL never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).
“If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I WILL do it” (John 11:14).
“I WILL come again, and receive you unto Myself” (John 14:3).
What a wonderful God and Saviour we have! Claim His promises, and remember, “There hath not failed one word of all His good promise” (1 Kings 8:56).

Monday, August 13, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
Do you ever feel that your unsaved fellow-students, coworkers, neighbours, and acquaintances, look at you with pity and say, “You don’t know what you are missing or losing out on”? There may have been those in the court of Pharaoh who thought that about Moses. Yet we read, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” (Hebrews 11:24-26). Moses saw something better in the future than the wealth and fame of Egypt. He saw that which was of eternal value. So while the unsaved of this world pity us, they are really the ones that need to be pitied, and we can say of them, “You don’t know what you are missing or losing out on.” We can face this week with eternity in view, knowing that we have the best of both worlds.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, August 12, 2018

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Together for Worship
“And we … came unto them to Troas … And upon the first day of the week … the disciples came together to break bread” (Acts 20:6-7).
This morning I am writing this page from my room in Cairo, Egypt. It is 11:00 am, and I look forward to remembering the Lord in the breaking of bread this evening at 8:00 pm. Here in Egypt, as in most Moslem countries the Lord’s Day is not a day off for most. So, the believers come together in the evening for meetings and fellowship. This was probably the case when Paul and his fellow travellers were in Troas, which was a dark, heathen city, where most were worshippers of the false god, Jupiter.
Today, I will not be able to sing the hymns as they will be sung in Arabic, and the prayers will be translated for me. I will be able to follow along in my English Bible as the Scriptures are read, but any ministry and visiting will again have to be translated.
It should make us thankful that most of us can meet with those who sing, pray, read the Scriptures, and share with us in our own language. Will you avail yourself of such an opportunity and privilege today?

Saturday, August 11, 2018

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The Creator
“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth”
(Psalm 33:6).
“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 2:7).
The universe, the stars, the planets with their moons, and this world we call earth, were all made by the word of the Lord. He spoke and trees grew. He spoke and mountains appeared. He spoke and animals, birds, and fish were seen. But when it came to man, the Lord formed him from dust. God formed man with His hands. Woman was formed from one of Adam’s ribs. Yes, God has a special care for man, and man as a God-conscious being is responsible to His Creator.
God loves all mankind, wants them all to accept His Son, Jesus, as Saviour. “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). When it came to creation He could simply speak and it was done. However, when it came to redemption for fallen man He had to die. Is the Creator your Saviour as well?

Friday, August 10, 2018

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The Way We Say It
Someone has well said, Ninety percent of all the friction of daily life is caused by mere tone of voice. When a person speaks, their words convey their thoughts and their tone conveys their mood and attitude.
It is not always what a persons says, but how they say it that makes the difference in how it is received and reacted to. When the Lord Jesus was here on earth He spoke faithfully, firmly, and truthfully. Yet we read of those who heard, “And all bare Him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth” (Luke 4:22). On another occasion the officers who were sent by the authorities to arrest the Lord, came and reported, “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). It was not only a question of what He said, but the very tone and intonation of His voice was perfect. Yes, He was the perfect, sinless, Son of God!
What about our words? We are told, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6). And again, “Speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
Remember, it is not necessarily what we say, but how we say it.

Thursday, August 9, 2018

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In Control
Some years ago on a flight to London, I was in the front row of the aircraft. In those days, the door to the cockpit was often left open and I had a good view of a young pilot at the controls. As the lights of Heathrow came into view I watched the pilot edge the throttles forward to balance the engine power against the resistance of the wing flaps. But just a few moments before touch down, another hand reached across and took the hand of the young pilot, and eased the throttle just a fraction further forward. Sitting on the other side of the cockpit was the senior pilot who considered that just a little more power was needed to achieve a safe and smooth landing.
There are times in our lives when we need someone to take control. Times of sorrow and difficult decisions, times when we come to crossroads and don’t know where to turn, or things seem out of control. It is wonderful to know that the Lord is close by waiting to put His hand on ours and take full control. Just like Peter, “When he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:30-31).

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

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Satan’s Devices
“For to this end also did I write … Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of
his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:9, 11).
It doesn’t take much thought to figure out that Satan uses more than one trick to try and catch us in his trap. Each of us has different weaknesses which the devil well knows and will take advantage of. Some have a real weakness in music; for others it may be sports; for some it may be laziness; still others are too driven; and on and on the list goes. Satan has used the same things more than once to get me to walk a path that is not according to Scripture. He usually attacks without warning, often when things are “going well” (or at least seem to be). And he doesn’t quit after his first success or failure, but rather he tries again and again to make us stumble. That’s why we are warned, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). WATCH OUT!! We are not ignorant of his devices.
Thankfully we have a great power at our disposal! “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

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He Paid the Debt
He came to pay a debt He did not owe,
Because we owed a debt we could not pay;
Mercy to sinners now can freely flow,
His blood removes each stain of guilt away.
He came to pay a debt He did not owe,
Sold all He had, laid down His life in death;
God’s holy claims forever met, we know,
When on the cross He yielded up His breath.
He came to pay a debt He did not owe,
And now ascended, lives in heaven above;
Blessings divine He richly doth bestow,
The Son of God who gave Himself in love.
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Monday, August 6, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
Last week a few of us went out for a couple hour boat ride on the Nile River. As we relaxed and enjoyed the cool breeze I couldn’t help but think of the awful edict of Pharaoh back in the days when the Children of Israel were slaves under his command. “And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river” (Exodus 1:22).
What if you had been born to Israelite parents back in those days? Are you truly thankful for the home and parents you have? Are you thankful that you have heard the Word of God and the way of salvation? So often we complain about our parents, our circumstances, and the hard times we think we are experiencing. But there have been, and still are, many who are worse off than we are. At the beginning of another week let’s, “Give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 136:1).
I also found comfort in the fact that every baby boy thrown into the Nile, I will see in heaven some day.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, August 5, 2018

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The Curse
“And unto Adam he said … cursed is the ground
for thy sake” (Genesis 3:17).
“For as many as are of the works of the law
are under the curse” (Galatians 3:10).
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13).
The Old Testament law could only condemn and show how far short the human race came in measuring up to God’s standard of holiness. The last word of the Old Testament is “curse” (Malachi 4:6).
Notwithstanding, Christ, on the cross bore the curse of sin so that we would never have to bear it. “Who His own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24). Now, instead of a curse, we have the blessings. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Thus the New Testament ends with “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Revelation 22:21).

Saturday, August 4, 2018

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Death Bed
Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau (March 9th 1749 — April 2nd 1791) was a leader of the early stages of the French revolution. He was probably the greatest political mind and orator of the time.
Here is how an eyewitness described his deathbed scene:
“He urged ‘Crown me with flowers, intoxicate me with perfume, let me die with the sound of delicious music.’ When death came nearer he said, ‘My sufferings are intolerable: I have in me a hundred years of life, but not a moment’s courage.’ He then demanded and received a draught of opium under which influence he died.”
We may have wealth, fame, and great natural abilities in this life, but when it comes to facing eternity all those things mean nothing if we do not know Christ as our Saviour, and enjoy the assurance of sins forgiven. The Apostle Paul, as a young man, had everything going for him in this world, but when he got saved he said, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ” (Philippians 3:7). Whatever we have in this life apart from Christ, will do us no good when we leave this world for the next life. To know Christ as Saviour is everything!

Friday, August 3, 2018

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Purpose
It is Christ that gives purpose and meaning to life. Here are some examples and exhortation from the Bible on this subject:
“Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8).
“Barnabas … Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:22-23).
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Does your life have real meaning and purpose. If you are seeking to live for the Lord, reading your Bible, spending time in prayer, serving others, and spreading the gospel, then your life will have purpose, substance, and eternal value. You will be like Paul, who could say to Timothy at the end of his life, “Thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience” (2 Timothy 3:10).

Thursday, August 2, 2018

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Jesus Speaks
“I Jesus” (Revelation 22:16).
At this point in the book of Revelation the angel has delivered his message, and now the Lord Jesus, the theme and center of all prophecy, Himself speaks. The solemn scenes of judgment, the coming glories of the heavenly city, the blessedness of the millennial reign, the perfect bliss of the new heaven and the new earth, have all passed before us, but at last we are left alone with the One upon whom it all depends — we are alone with JESUS. The One who can say, “I Jesus” has the last word. Angels have spoken, elders have spoken, trumpets have sounded, the voice of great multitudes have been heard and the sound of mighty thunderings, but at length all give place to the One who is above all — the voice of Jesus is heard.
We can hear His voice speaking to us today as well. Through all the din and activity of everyday life — He speaks; through the noise and confusion of the world around us — He speaks; amidst the distractions that our enemy Satan seeks to put in our path — He speaks. He speaks, and we need, like the boy Samuel, to respond, “Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:10).

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

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Discontent!
Some time ago there appeared in a newspaper a cartoon showing two fields divided by a fence. Both fields were about the same size and each had plenty of the same kind of lush green grass.
In each field there was a mule, and each mule had his head through the fence eating grass from the other mule’s pasture. All around each mule, in his own field was plenty of grass, yet the grass on the other side of the fence seemed greener or fresher, although it was harder to get. Furthermore, in the process the mules were caught in the fence wires and were unable to disentangle themselves. The cartoonist put just one word at the bottom of the picture — “DISCONTENT!”
Does this describe you? The Bible tells us, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).
The key to contentment is really to be enjoying the company of the Lord Jesus each day. So we read, “Be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Is He enough to satisfy no matter what our circumstances? Indeed He is!
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