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Young Christians Calendar

A daily meditation for young Christians

November 2018

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Friday, November 30, 2018

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Monthly Question Page
Q. How can a loving God send people to hell?
A. The truth of the matter is, God never intended humans to go to hell. We are clearly told, that it is, “everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). When Satan was cast out of heaven because of his pride and rebellion he took a vast host of angels with him, and he and those demons will eventually be cast into that terrible place. So we learn that hell was not prepared for man, but for fallen angels!
However, a holy God cannot have sin in His presence, and consequently sinful man cannot enter heaven in his present condition. In love, God has provided a means of salvation and cleansing from sin through the work of the Lord Jesus at Calvary. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). If God’s way of salvation is rejected God has no choice but to banish souls to a lost eternity. He is indeed a God of love and never judges without giving a warning and making a way of escape. Therefore those who end up in the lake of fire will have no one to blame but themselves. He has said, that ifyou “die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come” (John 8:21).
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Thursday, November 29, 2018

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Blameless
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you,
who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Every part of us, from the inner depths of our being to the outside shell, needs to be preserved. It is so easy to get occupied with the world and its wickedness, especially when you are in school or at work. The peer pressure from other young people is very strong. All the moral standards that our fathers and grandfathers tried to stand for in the fear of God are being given up.
However, we do have One who is faithful, and One who is able to preserve us in the three parts of our being, spirit, soul, and body. “God is faithful” (1 Corinthians 1:9).
Like Paul for the Thessalonians, we do well to pray this prayer for each other every day: “I pray God that your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved BLAMELESS unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

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Monthly Scripture Reading
Acts 17
For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent:
Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
So Paul departed from among them.
Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

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One Another
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).
As by friction, one iron instrument is sharpened and polished by contact with another, so we may be a help to each other by interesting and profitable conversation and exchange of thought. A recluse who shuts himself up from his fellow man, and does not seek the counsel and companionship of others is always very one-sided and imbalanced in his thinking and actions.
If you wish to be a blessing to others you must mingle with them so that you will learn and understand their needs and their sorrows, as well as their joys. Among believers in Christ, fellowship one with another is very necessary and extremely valuable, especially in these days of increasing moral and spiritual darkness.
Here is some good instruction in this regard: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). “Exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). “Teaching and admonishing one another” (Colossians 3:16).

Monday, November 26, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
Here are two verses from the Bible to memorize and really think about this week: “See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Time is a very precious commodity. Surely the goal of every believer is to do God’s will in God’s way and in God’s time. If that is so, then in obedience to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and leading we will have the time needed to carry it out. No more and no less! The problems arise when all of our time is consumed with things that are not truly valuable. Of course we need to take time to live and function in the everyday world in which we find ourselves. But too often in this fast paced, high pressure society, God’s people are exhausted and have little time left for the Lord. Don’t let the daily routine of school or work sap all your time and energy, so that you have nothing left for His service. Learn to say every day, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, November 25, 2018

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The Cross
“Lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect” (1 Corinthians 1:17).
Some years ago in Scotland, someone bought a beautiful and spacious house. The previous owner had been a devout Christian and had laid out the front garden in the form of a large cross. As the weeks passed, the new owner noticed that the outline of the cross began to fade, and soon was quite difficult to trace. Nothing had happened save that the weeds and tufts of grass were springing up and obliterating the cross.
Let’s be careful that we do not let the weeds of sin and indifference obliterate or obscure the cross of Christ from our thoughts and hearts today. If there have been such things in our life over the past week we need to confess it so that there is nothing on our conscience that would cloud or spoil our meditation of Christ and His atoning work at Calvary.
The Apostle Paul’s prayer was, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14).

Saturday, November 24, 2018

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The Web
Slowly, carefully, and with great precision, the spider spins its web. Across the path, from branch to branch, in the corner of the windowpane or ceiling, over the furniture, etc. Strand by strand, the strong, beautiful, yet deadly snare is strategically constructed. Soon the unsuspecting fly or insect is trapped and becomes hopelessly and helplessly entangled. The victim is destroyed, and the spider has a nice meal.
Just so it is with our enemy Satan. He lays his traps so carefully. Right in our path where we will be sure to be tempted and yield to his devices. He makes them so attractive, so enticing, so alluring. Yet the end is always the same … DEATH AND DESTRUCTION! He wants to drag the unbeliever down to hell, and he wants to spoil the believer’s joy and testimony. Satan is not our friend! “Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
On the other hand, Jesus wants to save us and then preserve us from the vices of our enemy for His glory. He said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Friday, November 23, 2018

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Short Meditations — Part 2
In a world of constant noise it is necessary to have a quiet time with the Lord at least once a day. “The words of wise men are heard in quiet” (Ecclesiastes 9:17).
Where God guides, He also provides. “Can He provide … for His people” (Psalm 78:20).
It is the God-governed life and not the self-governed life which counts for most, and which is the best and the most worthwhile. “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2).
When we can’t do anything, God can do everything! “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
We can chose to be problem-conscious or power-conscious. Which are you? “Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5).

Thursday, November 22, 2018

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Short Meditations — Part 1
God sends no one away empty, except those who are full of themselves. “A contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
It is better to be faithful than famous. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
Slander (defamation or false charges) seeks to destroy, but rebuke seeks to restore. “He that uttereth a slander is a fool” (Proverbs 10:18).
After all is said and done, more is usually said than done. “Be ye does of the Word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).
Sin is anything inconsistent with God’s thoughts and character. “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (Habakkuk 1:13).

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

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Ministry
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God … If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth”
(1 Peter 4:10-11).
God has given you an ability in something. Each of us has been given a different gift or area of service. It doesn’t matter what that ability is. Use it! Don’t go beyond the ability that God has given you, just use it in the sphere where the Lord makes you feel comfortable and where He enables you to serve effectively. Some are good at visiting the sick and other shut-ins. Some can preach the gospel. Some can explain the Scriptures well. Some can relate to children and other young people. Some can witness one-on-one with total strangers. Others are adept at practical things. Just remember to use what God has given you and don’t step beyond your gift until God makes it clear that He has other things for you to do.
Twice we read of Samuel in his youth, “But Samuel ministered before the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:18). We don’t have to wait until we are old to be “the ministers of Christ” (1 Corinthians 4:1).

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

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Christ Is All
“Christ is all (everything), and in all” (Colossians 3:11).
Do you feel overloaded? The Lord says, “My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).
Do you feel unappreciated? He encourages, by reminding us, “My reward is with Me” (Revelation 22:12).
Do you feel useless? We are told, “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it” (Revelation 3:8).
Do you feel weak? The Lord encourages, “My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Are you unsure? He says, “I am the way” (John 14:6).
Are you feeling overwhelmed? We are exhorted, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Do you feel unloved? He assures us, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).
Never forget, that we have a wonderful Provider, and that no matter what happens He is able for every situation that arises in our day-to-day life.

Monday, November 19, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
Most of us are out to succeed and to achieve our own ends. We spend our energy striving to accomplish our own goals and aims in this life. But God operates a Lost and Found Department. “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:39). This is where a person loses himself in Jesus Christ, where they exchange self-realization for Christ-realization. It takes out all the fever and strain, the mad drive to reach some goal this crazy world has set, or some mark of achievement we have put up for ourselves. Today millions crack up in the insane jumble and whirl of worldly society. But those who live for Christ find eternal gain. “He shall receive an hundredfold now in this time … and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10:30). That’s why Paul exhorted the Christians in Rome, “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 12:1).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, November 18, 2018

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Worship
“While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped” (Job 1:18-20).
Job worshipped! A remarkable statement considering that all his ten children had just been killed when the house they were in collapsed on them. And Job worshipped! Why? He recognized the power of God and the fact that His hand was in every detail of his life. I think it would be difficult for me to worship after such a major catastrophe. But how about when things are going well? Would that we would spend time in God’s presence today appreciating Him and His great love for us. Joseph said to the chief butler, “But think on me when it shall be well with thee” (Genesis 40:14). In spite of trial and traumas, our Lord is good, and worthy to be worshiped and praised.

Saturday, November 17, 2018

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Nothing To Pay
Though “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), yet no one has to pay the penalty of sin unless they want to. This is an important point! At enormous cost, God sent His Son to die as a Substitute for sinners. As a result, salvation from sin and its wages is offered as a free gift through the Lord Jesus Christ. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Man is lost because he has a sinful, fallen nature as a result of Adam’s disobedience. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Man is condemned because he is a sinner by practice. In other words he sins, or does wrong things … things contrary to the holiness of God.
But the crowning guilt is his rejection of the provision which God has made for his salvation. The Lord Himself said, “If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).The way of blessing is open for all, the debt of sin has been paid, and the sinner who comes to God in faith, through Christ, has NOTHING TO PAY!

Friday, November 16, 2018

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Faithfulness
“Be thou faithful” (Revelation 2:10).
Israel in the wilderness praised Abraham and persecuted Moses.
In the days of the kings they praised Moses and persecuted the prophets.
In the days of Christ, they praised the prophets and persecuted the Saviour.
In the days of the popes, they praised the Saviour and persecuted His devoted followers.
Multitudes now applaud the courage and fortitude of the…
Patriarchs,
Prophets,
Apostles,
and martyrs…
but condemn as stubbornness and foolishness anything like faithfulness to the truth today. But what God desires is faithfulness to Him and His Word in spite of what others think or say about us, or what they may do to us.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

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Practical Applications
of God’s Word
Part 11 — Correction
“All Scripture … is profitable … for correction” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Another practical application of the Word of God in our lives, is for correction. Just as a child needs the training and correction of their parents, so we too, as God’s children, need the correction of our Heavenly Father, as to our thinking, our actions, our speech, sound doctrine, and every aspect of life. As you read the Scriptures, take heed to its warnings and let it speak to your conscience. Don’t despise or ignore what it says, or be like those of whom Solomon wrote, “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way” (Proverbs 15:10).
This is a day when we don’t like to be corrected or admonished. The spirit of the age is, “No one has a right to tell me what to do.” Don’t let that spirit of things invade our thinking. Correction is for our good and blessing. Solomon further states, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His correction” (Proverbs 3:11). Read your Bible every day, and let it correct and direct you according to God’s way of blessing and happiness.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

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The Final Word
“Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak
unto thee bad or good” (Genesis 24:50).
In the Old Testament, Solomon tells us there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). In the above verse the Lord had spoken to Laban and Bethuel, and they recognized that His word was final. Further dialogue or discourse of the matter would be inappropriate … the thing proceeded from the Lord, and that was that! No need for any discussion or reasoning of the matter.
It is very important that we too recognize this principle in our own lives, and that once God has spoken, we refrain from further argument and bow in submission, acknowledging His good, and perfect, and sovereign will. What changes could be brought about in our lives if His Word and His will were the final court of appeal, and if we would be “doers of the Word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22)! Obedience and submission are really the source of true happiness in the Christian life.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

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Caught Up
“Caught up” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
How many times have you been asked, or even wondered yourself, “will you ever get caught up?” It just seems like there is always one more deadline, one more task, one more important something that needs to be taken care of.
But yes, there is a day when we will be “caught up.” Not just as far as deadlines, tasks, appointments, and commitments of this life are concerned, but “caught up” out of this world away from it all, to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him in the Father’s house forever. Then there will be no more pressing business, and no pressure to get caught up. The above verse goes on to tell us that we will 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.”
As far as the tasks and duties of this life are concerned,
“We won’t be caught up until we are caught up!”
Caught up, and in a moment, forever with the Lord;
Caught up, and then with Jesus, the laborer’s bright reward.
Caught up, no pressing business, no occupation there,
Save, singing Jesus’ praises, will be our only care.

Monday, November 12, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
“Go work today in My vineyard” (Matthew 21:28).
As you prepare for school or work, or for whatever sphere of duty may be ahead of you during the day, do you, above all the hustle and bustle, hear the Lord Jesus say, “Go work today in My vineyard?” It’s true we have our duties and obligations, and many necessary things to accomplish before night, but let’s remember amidst it all there is some work to do for Him in His service. He is the “Lord of the harvest” (Luke 10:2), and the work is His. Because it is His work and His vineyard, He calls, He sends, and He directs. In the end He gives each of His own the joy and privilege of being “labourers together” (1 Corinthians 3:9). It may be witnessing in some way; it may be helping and encouraging a fellow Christian; or simply living for His glory in the corner of the vineyard where He has been pleased to place us. There is a wonderful satisfaction at the end of the day, when we can look back knowing that we have worked in His vineyard. He appreciates it, and we receive the blessing.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, November 11, 2018

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Remembrance
“Jesus was risen early the first day of the week”
(Mark 16:9).
“And upon the first day of the week … the disciples came together to break bread” (Acts 20:7).
“This do in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24).
Since the end of World War I, in many countries November 11th is set aside as a special day of remembrance, to remind us of those who gave their lives in the line of duty.
However, the first day of the week should be a day of remembrance for every believer. It is the day when the Lord rose from the dead, and the day when the early Christians met to remember the Lord Jesus in the breaking of bread.
Once a year there are special ceremonies, speeches, and moments set aside for quiet reflection and remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of humanity. But as believers we need more than just a yearly reminder of what our Saviour did for us. “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Saturday, November 10, 2018

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Seeking
“Whom seek ye?” (John 18:4).
“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6).
“For thus saith the Lord … Seek ye Me,
and ye shall live” (Amos 5:4).
Have you ever heard someone say, “Well, I have finally found myself”?
What a disappointment that must be!
However, when we find the Lord — that is a different matter. When a sinner finds Him, they find eternal life, the forgiveness of sins, the true source of joy and happiness, a reason for living, and a wonderful future. They find a “Friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24), and the promise, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).
To find oneself (if we ever really do), is a huge let down. But to find Christ is tremendous blessing. It is to find a Person beyond compare, and One who is “Altogether lovely” (Song of Solomon 5:16).
The Saviour is seeking lost souls. Are you seeking for Him? A seeking sinner and a seeking Saviour will soon meet.

Friday, November 9, 2018

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He Is Coming
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus”
(Revelation 22:20).
As the storm clouds of judgment gather over this poor sinful world, and as the day of vengeance of our God approaches, what a comfort for the believer who knows the Lord as their Saviour to recall again and again this precious promise. The Lord is coming back again to receive us to Himself, and nothing can alter or hinder that promise. He has said, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). This is indeed a wonderful hope amid all the hopelessness of the world today. To know that before the storm of judgment bursts on this deserving world, we will be transported to the skies. “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 4:17).
We echo the longing of the Apostle John when he wrote, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Thursday, November 8, 2018

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Jacob’s Great Victory — Part 2
“Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed … And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh” (Genesis 32:28-31).
From this moment, Jacob was never the same. Everyone who met him from that day on saw that his walk was different. So we too must learn, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). It must have seemed like a lost battle for Jacob. His thigh was out of joint, and he had to limp the rest of his life. But the Lord gave him the blessing he asked for. His name was changed to Israel, which means, “As a prince he prevailed with God.” As he passed over Penuel, the sun rose, and he knew that the Lord would never give up in seeking to bring him nearer to Himself. We too must learn that the life of a believer can only be lived in complete dependence on the Lord, and not in our strength. It was indeed a great victory for Jacob!

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

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Jacob’s Great Victory — Part 1
“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me” (Genesis 32:24-26).
There are times in our life, when like Jacob, we are left alone with the Lord. These are often times when the Lord wants to tell us something in secret or teach us some special lesson. In this incident in the life of Jacob we find him alone and wrestling with “a man.” Note that it was not only for a few minutes, but it took until the break of day. Jacob had put his whole strength into this fight with all his natural capabilities and human knowledge of wrestling. And make no mistake, he showed the man that he was a strong fighter. When the man said, “Let Me go,” Jacob recognized him as the Lord and asked for a blessing. However, the blessing could not come without touching the hollow of his thigh. So it is in our life. The Lord must allow something to show us our own weakness, before we will rely wholly on His power.

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

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Yes, Lord
Yes, though hard or easy;
Yes, Lord, all the day;
Yes, by grace I’ll follow;
Yes, Lord, trust … obey!
Yes, Lord, through the sunshine;
Yes, through darkest night;
Yes, when all goes smoothly;
Yes, through faith’s good fight.
Yes, when young, Lord Jesus;
Yes, as I grow old;
Yes, until in heaven,
I, Thy face behold.
“And she answered and said unto Him, Yes, Lord” (Mark 7:28).

Monday, November 5, 2018

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Dear Young Christian:
Today my wife and I are staying in a Christian home in Duffel, Belgium. As we exited the front door to take a walk this afternoon we saw a motto on the inside of the door. This is what it said:
Lord, help us keep our eyes on you,
Wherever we go, whatever we do.
What a good prayer for us to pray each time we leave our homes. Out in the world, there is so much to distract us and turn our attention from the Lord Jesus. Every time we step outside we need to be reminded, that no matter what else we are doing it is essential that we keep focused on Himself. “Looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2), is a good precept to keep before us at all times. Can you say, like David, “I have set the Lord always before me” (Psalm 16:8)? Let’s be like the Prophet Micah, who said, “Therefore I will look unto the Lord” (Micah 7:7).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Sunday, November 4, 2018

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Singing
“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously … The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation” (Exodus 15:1-2).
Singing is mentioned for the first time in the Bible in connection with redemption. A full and complete deliverance had been won for the Israelites by the Lord. As they saw their enemies dead on the sea shore they could sing a song of praise and thanksgiving to the One who, as their God and Deliverer, rescued them from certain bondage. As you gather around the Lord this morning to remember Calvary and what Jesus suffered there at the hand of a sin-hating God, it should cause you to break out in singing songs of deliverance and thanksgiving. Praise Him with your whole heart today. It cost Jesus His life to save yours.
Soon we will sing the song of redemption for all eternity. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy … for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

Saturday, November 3, 2018

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Can’t Save Ourselves
The evangelist Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899), recounts the following incident:
“I remember a lady in the south of England who became quite angry when I made the statement: ‘None of this congregation will be saved until they stop trying to save themselves.’
As soon as the service was over down the aisle from the gallery she came, and said to me, ‘You have made me perfectly miserable.’
‘Indeed,’ I said, ‘how’s that.’
‘Why, I always thought that if I kept on trying, God would save me some time, and now you tell me to stop trying. What then am I to do?’
‘Let the Lord save you,’ I replied.”
No, we cannot save ourselves! However the Bible clearly states, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save” (Isaiah 59:1). When we realize there is nothing we can do, then and only then will we turn to the Lord and let Him do the work. It is not a question of what we can do but, “Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).

Friday, November 2, 2018

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Wisdom
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).
Modern man is well described as those who are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). The simple reason for this is that he is looking for wisdom and understanding in the wrong places. Searching through his own intellect without the knowledge of the true God, refusing to own His claims, and rejecting His living Word. As a result man is left with human reasoning and a false sense of wisdom and understanding. Someone has well said, “We have education without truth.” “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19).
Job wanted the true source of both wisdom and understanding, and raised the question, “Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding” (Job 28:20)? A moment later he answers the question by saying, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding” (verse 28). Do you, like Job, have that same desire?

Thursday, November 1, 2018

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Quaking Aspen
When I was growing up in Canada, my parents had a summer cottage on Bass Lake, about an hour south of Ottawa. Around the property there were what are called quaking aspen trees. They are so named because their leaves will flutter with just the slightest breeze, while the leaves on the other trees around them are not moving at all.
Sometimes I feel like a quaking aspen. People around me seem to be moving through life without issues or concerns, apparently secure and steady, while I seem to tremble at the slightest problem. I marvel that others can be so calm and tranquil while I struggle, fret, and worry. Thankfully, I can go to the Bible and find the calm assurance I need in times like that. Three times in Psalm 37 David says, “Fret not.”
“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity” (verse 1).
“Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass” (verse 7).
“Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil” (verse 8).
With our trust in the Lord, we don’t have to be a quaking aspen, but more like the solid oak or maple.
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