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Young Christians Calendar

A daily meditation for young Christians

October 2018

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Wednesday, October 31, 2018

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Cold Snow
“As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters” (Proverbs 25:13).
In ancient times snow was used in Palestine, very much like we use ice today. In winter it was carefully put away and stored in insulated places so as to be available for cooling drinks in the heat of summer. When we realize this, the comparison is very easy to understand. As cold snow refreshed the reapers in the warm harvest days, so does a dependable messenger refresh the soul of those to whom they are sent. A few verses later in this same chapter we read, “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country” (Proverbs 25:25).
Every believer should have a message from God for the spiritually parched and thirsty. It may be the good news of the gospel to the lost, or it may be a word of refreshment to a fellow-believer. If we are storing up the Word of God in our own souls and for our own refreshment, then there will be something to share with others who need to be refreshed as well.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

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Talking
“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
Several years ago there was a political cartoon in a major US newspaper of one of the ex-presidents of the United States with his mouth wide open and footprints across his tongue! He had said things and made statements without thinking of the consequences, and it got him into a great deal of trouble. We sometimes say of a person like that, they put their foot in their mouth.
There is a lesson to be learned from this in the context of the above advice given to us in the Word of God by King Solomon. Consider before you speak. Think about what you will say before you say it. They say talk is cheap. However the after-effects can be very costly. Once our things have been said, they cannot be taken back. This is why we need to be “slow to speak” (James 1:19).
Another aspect of the verse teaches us not to make promises or commitments (vows, if you will) that you can’t keep or wish very much that you’d never made. This too can have devastating consequences we may regret for a long time.

Monday, October 29, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
Another week is before us, and another chance to go out into normal everyday life and serve the Lord. I was thinking this morning of how the Lord wants happy servants. We are told “Serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:2).
When the Queen of Sheba came and observed the glory of the kingdom of Israel under Solomon, she noted the very commendable attitude of his servants. She said: “Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom” (1 Kings 10:8). Not only does the Lord want faithful, willing servants, but He wants us to have a song in our heart and a smile on our face as we go about whatever little work He graciously gives us to do.
A smile can heal a broken heart,
And lift a weary soul,
And happy service to our Lord,
Should always be our goal.
Have a happy week! We have every reason to rejoice!
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, October 28, 2018

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Thy Voice
“Let Me hear thy voice” (Song of Solomon 2:14).
These words, spoken by the Bridegroom to his bride, have a very real significance, and meaning for us today. Our Heavenly Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus, desires to hear our voice in praise and song. He says, “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me” (Psalm 50:3). Let’s open our mouths and give Him the joy and privilege of hearing our voice. In our verse in the Song of Solomon the Bridegroom further adds, “For sweet is thy voice.” It doesn’t matter how well we can sing by the world’s standard; if it comes from the heart, it is sweet to Him.
It is true, He wants to hear our voice in prayer when there is a need or request. But more than that He wants to hear our voice in praise and thanksgiving. We are told, “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” (Hebrews 13:15). When you are together with other believers today, remember this verse: “Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints” (Psalm 149:1).

Saturday, October 27, 2018

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The Day of Judgment
“And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand”? (Revelation 6:15-17).
Riches, and what may have seemed like sound investments, will not profit in that awful day of judgment! Silver, gold, or precious stones will not obtain deliverance. Self-righteous rags will never do. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5).Social standing and class distinction will not hold up. The great and the mighty, the rich and the poor, shall fall.
Who then shall be able to stand in the day of judgment? Only those that have been washed from their guilt in the blood of the Lamb. Only those who can say, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5).

Friday, October 26, 2018

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Monthly Question Page
Q. Could you explain what the “apples of gold” and the “pictures of silver” typify in Proverbs 25:11?
A. Let’s first of all notice the context, which is always so important. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).
Notice the verse has to do with what we say. Apples would typify fruit, and gold is often a picture of divine righteousness. A picture is something that tells a story or conveys a certain image or message. Silver is invariably a symbol of redemption.
So, at least one lesson we learn from this proverb of Solomon is that our words, spoken in the right time and in the right way will produce divine fruit, for the salvation and blessing of those to whom it is spoken.
Fruit for God in our Christian life is the result of the Holy Spirit within us, and when it is displayed on the beautiful picture of redemption, by our words and conversation, it is indeed a beautiful thing, by which others can view that which is true of every believer in Christ. “In whom we have redemption” (Ephesians 1:7). “Made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Thursday, October 25, 2018

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Live Simply
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” (Colossians 3:12).
An unsolicited email conveyed a simple yet thought provoking message. It just said “Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.”
When I thought on this, I realized that the only guide and ability to carry out such sentiments could be the Lord Jesus Himself. These characteristics were exhibited constantly and consistently by Him in His earthly pathway during His thirty-plus years of life on planet earth.
He says to each of us, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Paul in writing to the Corinthians, exhibited, “the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:1).
It is incumbent on every believer to seek to imitate and radiate the traits of our Saviour, so that others may be helped, blessed and encouraged.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

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Monthly Scripture Reading
Joshua 1
Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,
2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

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A Traveler’s Guide
A young traveling man, who was a Christian, was packing his suitcase in the presence of a friend. “I’ve still a little corner left,” he remarked. “I’m saving it for five more items…
A guidebook, ‘Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel’ (Psalm 73:24).
A lamp, ‘Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet’ (Psalm 119:105).
A mirror, ‘For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass’ (James 1:23).
Some letters, ‘And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.’ (Hebrews 13:22).
A sword, ‘The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God’ (Ephesians 6:17).”
“Ridiculous!” his friend exclaimed. “You can’t possibly get all those things in that small space.”
“Yes I can,” the traveler replied. Then he placed his Bible in the empty space.
What value do you place on the Word of God?

Monday, October 22, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
I read a quote this morning, and the practicality of it rather struck me. Here is what it said:
“LOVE IS THE DOOR THROUGH WHICH WE PASS FROM SELFISHNESS TO SERVICE.”
Paul when writing to the Early Christians put it this way: “By love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
By nature we love to be served, and that is why companies who are trying to solicit our business in one way or another will advertise that their service is superior to any other. They understand human nature, and that we appreciate good service.
However, Christianity has given us a life and a motive to serve others. What the Lord desires is self-sacrifice in serving Himself and others. Like the godly couple that Paul mentions and commends when he says, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks” (Romans 16:4).What sacrifice of selfless service will you make this week?
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, October 21, 2018

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The Cross
His Cross:
“And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha” (John 19:17).
His Death:
“And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).
His Blood:
“And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” (Colossians 1:20).
His Glory:
“God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).
I’ll glory only in the cross,
The cross of Calvary;
Where Jesus shed His precious blood,
And died for such as me.

Saturday, October 20, 2018

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Unknown
“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord … We are confident, I say,
and willing rather to be absent from the body,
and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6, 8).
The unbeliever clings to life, fearing the dark unknown, knowing deep down in their very being that they must face God in their sins. How different it is when you know the Lord and His love. Many sick and elderly believers pray daily for the Lord to come, or that He would take them home through death. Death for the Christian holds no fear. In fact he can say, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory” (1 Corinthians 15:55). There is no “unknown” for the one who “knows” Christ as their Saviour. It is a wonderful future with Him. The Word of God assures us, “and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Are you saved? Do you know your sins forgiven? Have you received Christ as your Lord and Saviour? If so, you too are ready for heaven … ready “to be present with the Lord.”

Friday, October 19, 2018

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Characteristics of Christ
“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity”
(Proverbs 1:1-3).
The ceremonial mace is a highly ornamented staff of metal or wood, carried before a sovereign or other high official in civic ceremonies by a mace-bearer, intended to represent the official’s authority. The mace, as used today, derives from the original mace used as a weapon.
When the Scottish Parliament was re-established in 1998 (after being dissolved in 1707), it commissioned the manufacture of a mace as a symbol of its powers. Inscribed into the mace are four words, “Wisdom, Justice, Compassion and Integrity”. These are intended to convey the aspirations of the Scottish Government as to its principles of governing. Whether the characteristics are evident all the time may be questioned by some, but they were all constantly evident characteristics in the life of Christ, and should be evident in the lives of every Christian at all times. How much is it true in our daily life?

Thursday, October 18, 2018

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Practical Applications
of God’s Word
Part 10 — Fit For Service
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Every believer who is seeking to please the Lord wants to be a useful instrument in the service of God. However, to be really serviceable to the Heavenly Master, we must be men and women of the Scriptures. It is the Word of God that equips us to be on the front lines, and to be ready for whatever comes our way. When we have learned the truth of God, and let it have its practical effect, whether for reproof, correction, or instruction in righteousness, and when we are walking in obedience to the truth, then, and only then will be “furnished unto ALL good works.”
There is another criteria for fitness for service as well, and that is to separate from evil and all that defiles. The Word of God tells us that one who does this “shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto EVERY good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

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No Turning Back — Part 2
“The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle” (Psalm 78:9).
The Christian is never to turn and flee from the enemy. We are to “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14). If you read carefully the description of the “Armour of God” in Ephesians 6:14-18, you will find there is no piece of armour for the back. The Christian life is one of going forward, and meeting the enemy in the power of the Lord and with the resources given to us by Him. The Indian Christian missionary, Sundar Singh, perhaps summed it up best in the hymn that is attributed to his authorship, and which we often sang as young people:
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

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No Turning Back — Part 1
“In their hearts turned back again into Egypt”
(Acts 7:39).
This is a sad, and exceedingly unhappy, state for a child of God to be in. In the Bible Egypt is often a picture or type of the world. A Christian who turns back again into the world, and sets their heart on things here, will suffer a great loss. No, you won’t lose your salvation, thankfully that is safe in the hand of God and the Lord Jesus. Once saved, always saved! The Lord said of His own, “I give unto them eternal life; and 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” (John 10:28-29).
However, you will lose a sense of peace in your heart, a good conscience, and a happy life. Don’t turn back again into “Egypt.” “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4). Therefore, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (1 John 2:15).

Monday, October 15, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
Here is a good motto from the Bible for us all to take heed to this week:
“Be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8).
Open the car door for her — it’s considerate.
Stand up on a crowded bus and offer the lady your seat.
Let the lady with the young child go ahead and board the plane first.
Say “Excuse me!” when you accidentally bump into that older brother after prayer meeting.
Say “Hello!” to that old, frail sister who doesn’t walk as fast as she used to.
Say “Thank you!” when someone shows you a little kindness.
Hold the swinging door so that it doesn’t slam in the face of the person behind you.
These seem to be little things, but they make the day go better for others. Be courteous. God expects you to.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, October 14, 2018

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Worship
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power” (Revelation 4:11).
Today we will quote the words of a worship hymn written by Miss F. T. Wigram, sometime before 1871.
Worthy of homage and of praise;
Worthy by all to be adored;
Exhaustless theme of heavenly lays!
Thou, Thou art worthy, Jesus, Lord.
Now seated on Jehovah’s throne,
The Lamb once slain in glory bright:
’Tis thence Thou watchest o’er Thine own,
Guarding us through the deadly fight.
To Thee, e’en now, our song we raise,
Though sure the tribute mean must prove;
No mortal tongue can tell Thy ways,
So full of life and light and love.
Yet, Saviour Thou shalt have full praise:
We soon shall meet Thee on the cloud,
We soon shall see Thee face to face,
In glory praising as we would.

Saturday, October 13, 2018

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Embedded in the World
Lord Kenneth Clark, internationally known for his television series Civilization, lived and died without faith in Jesus Christ. In His autobiography, he wrote about an overwhelming religious experience he had while visiting a beautiful church.
“My whole being was irradiated (enlightened) by a kind of heavenly joy far more intense than anything I had known before.” Unfortunately “the flood of grace,” as he described it, created a problem for him. If he allowed himself to be influenced by it, he knew he would have to change. His family might think he was crazy, or perhaps the intense joy would prove to be only an illusion. So he concluded, “I was too deeply embedded in the world to change course.”
How tragic! God can enable any of us to change no matter how deeply we may be embedded in the world. He can save us and turn us completely around for eternal blessing. Here’s what Paul said, as to his conversion: “The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:14-15).

Friday, October 12, 2018

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Enablement
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
Whatever the Lord bids you do by His Word, the Bible, be assured that He will enable you to do it by His power. He works in us to will and to work His good pleasure. That is, He never directs us in any path of obedience or service without furnishing a sufficient supply of grace and strength. Does He ask you to give up some bad or evil habit? The power to overcome it awaits you. Just claim it! Does He bid you to walk on water? The power by which to walk only waits for you to avail yourself of it. Does He want you to perform some dull duty? There is such transforming power issuing from Him as to make duty a delight, if only you will put His power to work in your daily life.
Whenever you are called upon to stand up and speak a word for your Lord, be sure to seek and obtain the power He gives. That will prove to be your best credential. Take the power of the Lord with you; it is His signet-ring, by which men will be convinced that you have been entrusted with His Word.

Thursday, October 11, 2018

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Looking to Jesus
At a Bible conference recently I heard someone say, “Every look to Jesus saves the soul. Every other look is the power of Christian living.” It made me think of at least two verses from the Bible, one in connection with each statement.
First: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:22). This is a universal command. Like the Israelites when bitten by the serpents: “It came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived” (Numbers 21:9). So, we learn that one look of faith to Jesus saves the sinner.
Second: “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2). It is only as we look to Christ each day that we are going to gain the needed strength and grace for the Christian pathway. The Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). There is only one way to have power in our Christian life, and that is by looking to Christ, and having a fresh glimpse of Him every day.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

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Our Attitude
God wants us to have a good spirit and a cheerful attitude as we go through life. Three times Solomon speaks of having a merry heart.
“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance” (Proverbs 15:13).
“He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15).
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).
Someone has taken each letter of the word “attitude,” taken the number representing its order in our alphabet, and added it all up to 100%.
A … …1
T … …20
T … …20
I … ….9
T … …20
U … ..21
D … ..4
E … …5
Is your attitude 100% what it should be?

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

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Listen and Speak
God speaks … just listen!
God listens … just speak!
So stated the bumper sticker on a car as I drove through the state of New York. How often do we just stop and listen to God speaking to us? He speaks in many different ways. Mainly it is through the Bible, His living Word. But there are other ways too. It may be through circumstances, such as sickness, and other kinds of trials or road blocks in our Christian pathway; it may even be through a dream or vision. He can use other people, as well as many other modes of conveying messages to us. The great question is, are we listening? Let’s be like Samuel, who said, “Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:10).
God also wants to hear us speak to Him. Prayer is a wonderful resource given to us for the path of faith. David, in one of his prayers said, “I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt hear me” (Psalm 17:6). The prophet Micah said “My God will hear me” (Micah 7:7). What great confidence this give us.
God speaks … we listen … we speak … God listens!

Monday, October 8, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
In Canada where I live, today is Thanksgiving, but in the United States of America it is Columbus Day. Columbus Day is observed in commemoration of the day when Christopher Columbus first arrived in America on October 12, 1492. That is the date when he landed on what is now the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas.
While it is good to remember those who have done great things, and made wonderful discoveries, let’s not forget “the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). He is the one who, as the Creator, came into this world, not to discover it, but to redeem it due to the fact that sin had come in and spoiled it. When John the Baptist saw the Lord Jesus, he announced, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). There is a day coming when this world will no longer feel the effects of sin the way it does now. In the meantime we can rejoice that we are redeemed, and that our sins are forever gone. For us, that is the most wonderful discovery of all!
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, October 7, 2018

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The Name of Jesus
“And she shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name JESUS:
for He shall save His people
from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
What a wonderful birth announcement this was to Joseph (the earthly father of the Lord Jesus), and to the whole world. For 2000 years, the religious exercises of the Passover had rolled by. Rivers of blood had flowed from Israel’s altars, as countless sacrifices had been slain and offered day after day and year after year.
Now with Israel far away from their God and the sacrifices polluted and neglected, and the nation enslaved by a Gentile empire (the Romans), the glorious news is declared concerning the birth of a child who would, “save His people from their sins.”
What Israel could never achieve, what all the sacrifices could not accomplish, Jesus would carry out to perfection “by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:26).
What a Saviour we have! What blessings and future have been secured for us, and all because of that mighty work of the cross! What a name … the name of JESUS!

Saturday, October 6, 2018

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It Is Mine
Sitting in her room, busily writing, was an elderly lady of about eighty years. Before her lay an open Bible, and she was busy copying several underlined verses into a small book. God had been dealing with her soul, awakening a sense of need and a desire to know Christ as her Saviour, but she had but little, if any, assurance of her security.
Her task ended, she rose up, and, as she thought, closed the Bible, and laid it and her notebook aside. On returning to the table, she found to her surprise the Bible still open, and an underlined verse on the open page seemed to look at her reproachfully. The verse was, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47).
Powerfully did those words go home to her heart. “Blessed Lord,” she said, “I do believe in Thee. Then I have eternal life; it is mine; Thou sayest it.” Brightly shone the light into her heart as she received, in simplicity, those precious words. Thenceforward she knew she had everlasting life; not because she felt it, but because He had said it.
Is it yours? Do you have ETERNAL LIFE?

Friday, October 5, 2018

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Daniel — Part 3
With God-given wisdom, Daniel could discern the fact that the Babylonian culture was in conflict with the Word of God, and he had the maturity and moral courage to say a firm “no” to cultural pressures. Involved in this is the clear implication that Daniel was a keen student of the Scriptures and that he had the ability to apply what he knew to the problems of his daily life. Later on we read, “In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet” (Daniel 9:2).
In the early days of Christianity, we find another God-fearing man by the name of 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 11:23).
Like Daniel in his time, it takes real purpose and spiritual energy to be faithful to the Lord in a wicked world. However, God vindicated Daniel and honored him greatly because he stood by his convictions. God always does!
Do you have that real desire and purpose to stand firm in spite of pressure to compromise truth and principles?

Thursday, October 4, 2018

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Daniel — Part 2
For three years Daniel and his friends were taught in the college of Babylon. They were exposed to Babylonian education at its very best, or rather at its pagan worst. The goal was clear — change their way of thinking!
We need to be aware of the enemy’s brainwashing program. Satan would, if at all possible, change our patterns of living and thinking until we are conformed to this present age and culture. Not only do Christian young people face this problem in school, but so do Christians of all age-groups because of the pervasive and powerful influence of the media.
Let’s learn from Daniel how the enemy can be defeated. “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank” (Daniel 1:8). The food set before him was from animals that were slaughtered ceremonially and offered to the Babylonian gods, and no doubt often included meat the Mosaic Law declared unclean according to Leviticus 11. The New Testament warns us, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

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Daniel — Part 1
Daniel was about sixteen when Babylon’s armies stormed through Judah and besieged Jerusalem. It was then that Daniel’s world crumbled about him, for he was captured and deported to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was looking for choice young men who could occupy important positions in Babylon, particularly in the administration of Jewish affairs.
The requirements for selection were high: “Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans” (Daniel 1:4), but Daniel, along with his three friends, met them. We learn that Daniel had no physical blemish, was intelligent, and poised. Daniel was an unusual teenager, and stands as a striking model for today’s young people!
If Daniel and his friends were to be of any value to Nebuchadnezzar, they had to be re-educated so that they would no longer think or act like Judeans, but like Babylonians. This is still what the world wants to do with young Christians, and we need to be on our guard.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

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His Time
“My times are in Thy hand” (Psalm 31:15).
So many times, impatiently
I’ve paced the floor and fussed;
When all I need is to commit,
And in my Saviour trust.
How often I’ve complained and fumed,
While there was not a thing
For me to do, but wait HIS TIME,
And to His goodness cling.
Teach me, my Lord, to count on Thee,
To trust Thee and be still;
To learn Thy perfect timing well,
While resting in Thy will.
Thy time is best, Thy ways are right,
All comes from Thy good hand;
All works for blessing in my life,
By Thee so wisely planned.

Monday, October 1, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
This morning I would like to give you a hint as to effective study of the Word of God:
The Old Testament should be read and understood in light of the New Testament. The Old Testament prophets did not themselves understand, but searched the Scriptures to see what they meant. “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow” (1 Peter 10-11).
That is why it is helpful every day, to read a portion of the New Testament along with a portion of the Old Testament. We can then, “Bring forth the old because of (or in light of) the new” (Leviticus 26:10). The Old Testament contains the illustrations and pictures that help us to see clearly the teachings and doctrines of the New Testament.
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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