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Young Christians Calendar

A daily meditation for young Christians

November 2019

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Saturday, November 30, 2019

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Beginning & End
Everything in this life has a beginning and an end. So it is with the gospel.
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). Mark presents to us the good news of the Lord Jesus, the Son of God coming into this world to give Himself as that great sacrifice on the cross. “For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). This is the beginning of the gospel; “That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).
However, there is an end as well, a terrible end to those who refuse the gospel. Peter raises the question, “What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17). The Bible doesn’t leave us in any doubt as to what that end is. “The end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs14:12). “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15). That’s why there is an appeal, “O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” (Deuteronomy 32:29).

Friday, November 29, 2019

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Monthly Question Page — Part 2
Q. Will the earth remain forever and will there be people living on the earth forever?
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea … And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away … . Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:1, 4). These verses indicate there will be a new (cleansed) earth.
Who will live on this “new earth”?  Let the Bible answer the question.  “I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands … These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:3).  Those who inhabit the “new earth” will be the righteous millennial saints. They will dwell in a perfect, fixed state of things where sin will never affect them.
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Thursday, November 28, 2019

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Faith
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report” (Hebrews 11:1-2).
Here are seven short statements regarding faith:
1. Faith rests on the Word of God without question.
2. Faith does not reason, but faith is reasonable.
3. Faith acts on the Word of God without hesitation.
4. Faith does not look at itself, but at what Christ is and what He has done.
5. Faith has Christ in glory as its object.
6. Faith has complete confidence in the goodness of God, and His ability to see us through.
7. Faith is the opposite of unbelief.
“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed … nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20).
Remember, it is not the amount of faith we have but who our faith is in.
“Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22).

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

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Monthly Scripture Reading
Haggai 1
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.
Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying,
Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste?
Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.
Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

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The Race
“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
It has been well said that the Christian race is not a “spectator sport.” No, it is intensely personal and involved.Here is how the Apostle Paul spoke of it: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain … . I therefore so run” (1 Corinthians 9:24, 26).Paul had joined in the race, and he encouraged his fellow Christians to do the same, and to not give up.
Don’t be content to sit or stand on the sidelines and observe others who are running the Christian race. Be like Paul who could also say of himself, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). In running the Christian race, he had the goal and the prize in view. The goal is heaven, and the prize is Christ.

Monday, November 25, 2019

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Dear Young Christian:
Yesterday, I passed a wall in the village of Ashton, on Union Island. On the wall, neatly painted, was the following, thought-provoking question:
JESUS LOVES YOU, DO YOU LOVE JESUS?
It made me think of the verse, “We love Him, because He first loved us” (John 4:19). Really, the question for the believer is, “How much do we enjoy Jesus’ love for us?” In the measure in which we enjoy how much He loves us it will increase our love for Him. Instead of being discouraged because our response of love may seem small, let’s dive into the vast ocean of His love. Here are some verses to enjoy in this connection:
“Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).
“His great love wherewith He loved us” (Ephesians 2:4).
“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Sunday, November 24, 2019

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The Lamb of God
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
“And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:36)!
What a wonderful mission John the Baptist had been sent to accomplish. It was to announce the coming of Christ, the Lamb of God. John fulfilled that mission, and later was beheaded by the wicked king, Herod. His ministry was short, and it may have seemed ineffective, even to John himself. He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness” (John 1:23). However, the Lord placed the value on John’s ministry by declaring, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11).
Let’s be occupied with the one who John the Baptist saw walking here in this world. Later, the Apostle John said, “And I beheld … a Lamb as it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6). This is the one that we can behold by faith today, and soon we shall behold Him in the Father’s House, “face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Saturday, November 23, 2019

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Water from the Rock
“O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved” (Song of Solomon 5:1).
Near the village of Owia, on the windward coast of northern Saint Vincent, there is a mountain spring that provides refreshing water from a rock. I have often stopped there on my way north to refresh myself at the so-called Rock of Moses. It is always a fresh reminder of God’s provision for the Children of Israel as they traveled for forty years in the wilderness. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel” (Exodus 17:5-6).
Now the appeal is to every thirsty soul to come and drink of the living water that Christ, the true Rock offers. “Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38).

Friday, November 22, 2019

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The Love Vine
In many of the Caribbean islands that I visit, there is what is called “the Love Vine,” or, to be more scientific, Cassytha filiformis. This subtropical parasitic vine forms dense mats of slender twining stems, pale green to yellow-green to orange, covering its host plants. It feeds on the nutrients of the plant it embraces and eventually smothers and kills it. That doesn’t sound much like love, does it?
However, there is “the true Vine” (John 15:1). When He, the Lord Jesus, embraces us with His love, it is to nourish and feed us so that there will be healthy Christian growth in our spiritual lives. As believers, we are exhorted by the Lord Himself, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).
Enjoy His love daily, walk in His company, and you will find life and peace like you have never known before. Here is what the result will be:“Abide in Me … that ye bear much fruit” (John 15:7-8).

Thursday, November 21, 2019

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Numbers in Scripture: #40
Forty denotes a complete time of testing. It is God’s full-length probation period to bring to light good or evil. Here are some examples:
• Regarding the flood in Noah’s time: “The rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights” (Genesis 7:12).
• Israel’s testing: “And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments, or no” (Deuteronomy 8:2).
• The spies: “returned from searching of the land after forty days” (Numbers 13:25).
• Goliath’s challenge to the army of Israel: “The Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days” (1 Samuel 17:16).
• Jonah’s message: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:3).
• The Lord Jesus: “He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan” (Mark 1:13).

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

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The Mission Field
Today, while traveling on the foreign mission field, I am reminded of the story of a very talented Christian artist who painted a picture of a forlorn woman and child out in a fierce storm. His portrayal moved his heart so deeply that he laid down his brush and palette, and declared, “I must go to the lost, instead of just painting them.”
That young British artist was Alfred Robert Tucker (1849-1914), and it wasn’t long until he began working to minister Christ among the city slums. Later, he served as a missionary in Uganda and eastern Africa for twenty years.
Yes, it is good to get out of the rut of just talking about missions and evangelical work, and to start doing something about it. The Lord has commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). I remember meeting a missionary lady in Nigeria several years ago, who told me that her mother was quite upset when she told her of her plans to serve the Lord in that country. Her mother said, “If the Lord wants someone to go to Nigeria he will raise them up and send them.”
The lady’s answer was, “Mother, He already has … and it’s me!”

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

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The Sea of Life
“He maketh the storm a calm,
so that the waves thereof are still” (Psalm 107:29).
It is a beautiful tropical day, and the Caribbean Sea is sparkling in the sunlight, as our boat, the Barracuda, plows through the waters, making its way down through the Grenadine islands south of Saint Vincent. The boat is noisy and crowded, but otherwise, all is well.
As we sail along, I am reminded of the disciples on the Sea of Galilee under very different circumstances. “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full” (Mark 4:37). It isn’t all smooth sailing on the Sea of Life. There are good days and bad days. But, whether rough or smooth, the Lord cares and is able to bring us through.
As the Lord remained asleep in the back of the ship, the disciples began to wonder if He really cared or was aware of what was happening. They awoke Him and asked, “Master, carest Thou not that we perish” (verse 38)? Did He care? Was He aware of what was going on? Was He able to control the situation? Of course! “And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (verse 39).

Monday, November 18, 2019

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Dear Young Christian:
Sometimes when my plans and schemes are frustrated and changed, I ask myself, Are my ways best, or His? When I put it that way, the answer, of course, is clear, His!
Today, I am on the Grenadine Island of Union. My missionary friend and I had great plans for what we would do and accomplish before nightfall. However, here I am in the middle of the afternoon, stuck indoors because of adverse weather conditions, including wind and rain. Obviously, the Lord had other plans for us today, and one thing is for sure and certain — the weather is completely out of our control. I am reminded of the words of Elihu, when exhorting Job. “For He maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly” (Job 36:27-28).
So, it is a chance to read the missionary story I brought along, and to work on the 2019 Young Christian Calendar, while continuing to learn the lesson of acceptance and submission to the Lord’s will and direction in my life.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Sunday, November 17, 2019

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In the Midst
“And let them make Me a sanctuary;
that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).
This verse is the request of Israel’s God looking down on a redeemed and delivered people, desiring a place where He might dwell in their midst all through the wilderness journey. He knew that the day would come when the temple would be built at Jerusalem, and He would dwell in the midst of His people at that time when they were finally established in the land of Canaan. But He didn’t want to have to wait for that time, He wanted to be in their midst every step of the way.
For us today, it is not a matter of a physical building or a geographical place, but the Lord has promised, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). There is a time coming when we will be gathered around the Lord Jesus in the Father’s house. “And so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). But again, He does not want to wait for that time. He wants the joy of having His redeemed people gathered around Him while here in this world. Let’s give Him that joy today!

Saturday, November 16, 2019

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Three Things
Here are three things that the natural man hungers for:
• Happiness
• Acceptance
• Purpose
When a person gets saved, they are given these three things from God in a way that the world cannot offer.
• Happiness:
“Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he” (Proverbs 16:20).
“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4).
• Acceptance:
“Wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).
• Purpose:
“But thou hast fully known my … purpose” (2 Timothy 3:10).
This is happiness that is lasting, acceptance in Christ that is genuine, and purpose that gives real meaning to life. If you do not know Christ as Savior, you may have some sense of momentary happiness or fun, the world’s temporary acceptance, and a purpose with no real basis or meaning.

Friday, November 15, 2019

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The Gospel
“The gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”
(Mark 1:1).
There may be some young men reading this calendar, who the Lord is calling or will call to preach the gospel as evangelists in a public setting. The following is an outline of eight essential elements of the message:
1. The eternality of His person (His deity):
(Proverbs 8:23, 30; John 1:1-2).
2. The incarnation of Christ (His manhood): (John 1:14).
3. His sufferings: (1 Peter 2:21).
4. His death: (Romans 6:23).
5. His blood: (1 John 1:7).
6. His resurrection: (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
7. His ascension: (Luke 24:50-51).
8. His return: (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).
• Take time to look up and read these suggested Scriptures.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

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Rumors — Part 3
The past couple of days, we have been considering the seriousness of repeating matters that only cause contention, and the consequences of taking part in idle gossip and rumors that, in the end, bring strife and sorrow.
When I was growing up, I often heard people say, when questioned as to where they heard some story or rumor, “A little bird told me!” It really meant that they didn’t know or didn’t want to say where the story came from. Here is the way Solomon put it, when writing by inspiration: “Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter” (Ecclesiastes 10:20).
In other words, be careful what we think, and what we say, because we never know who is listening. Even those we confide in may let us down and repeat the matter to those for whose ears it was never intended.
In conclusion to the meditations of the past three days, I would suggest we pray, on a daily basis, the prayer of David, who said, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

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Rumors — Part 2
Here is a follow-up to yesterday’s meditation:
On the dining room wall of the summer camp I used to attend as a young person, there was a timely motto. Here is what it said:
A GOSSIP IS A PERSON
WITH A SENSE OF RUMOR
Here is the dictionary definition of the word Gossip:
“Gossip: Casual conversation or unsubstantiated reports about other people, chiefly derogatory.
 A Gossip: A person who likes talking about other people’s private lives.”
Now, hear what the Bible says on the matter:
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth” (James 3:5).
“These … things doth the Lord hate … a lying tongue … A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-17, 19).
“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile” (1 Peter 3:10).

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

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Rumors — Part 1
When was the last time you repeated something to someone that you knew you shouldn’t have? Perhaps you knew it would stir up some strife or contention, maybe even create animosity, but you did it anyway. Here are two good Scriptures to keep in mind the next time you go to tell something you shouldn’t or something that you were told in confidence:
“A whisperer separateth chief friends” (Proverbs 16:28).
“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends” (Proverbs 17:9).
Yes, repeating a matter, and spreading rumors and stories can be very damaging. It can break up friendships, families, and even marriages. Once things are said, they can’t be taken back, much as we would often like to. We can say we are sorry, but the hurt and damage may be permanent.
When we learn to control our tongue, we save not only others a lot of grief but ourselves as well. “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23).

Monday, November 11, 2019

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Dear Young Christian:
Today is called Remembrance Day here in Canada where I live. It is a day of national commemoration for the more than 100,000 Canadians who have died in military service. Inscribed on the War Memorial in my hometown of Smiths Falls are these searching words:
THEY GAVE THEIR TODAY
FOR OUR TOMORROW
In other words, these men and women gave up their lives … their today, so that we could enjoy the freedom and peace of another tomorrow … the present. They made the ultimate sacrifice.
There was another even greater sacrifice and victory won for the freedom of humanity. It was the sacrifice and victory of the Lord Jesus at Calvary. He gave His life so that we could enjoy a bright and eternal tomorrow with Him in the Father’s house.As we noted yesterday, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Let’s never forget that!
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Sunday, November 10, 2019

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No Greater Love
“Greater love hath no man than this” (John 15:13).
There has never been a more striking example of self-sacrifice motivated by love in the whole history of the world than the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross. To be sure, mutual affection between two individuals has led to attempts to rescue people in danger that border on the heroic. Many have made great sacrifices in the field of medicine and science that have saved many lives, and many have even given their lives in the service of, and for, the freedom of humanity.
How thankful we should be for the death of Christ. It is the ground and basis of all our blessing. Apart from that, we would be doomed, and on our way to hell. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8).
What a truth to meditate on today! How wonderful to be able to say, “He died for me!”

Saturday, November 9, 2019

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The Impossible
“Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
I wonder if my readers remember the context in which the Savior spoke these words. It was in answer to the question raised by the disciples, “Who then can be saved?” (verse 25).
The answer makes it certain that salvation is not a work of man himself, but is a work of God alone. It cannot be brought about by anything within the sphere of human effort. No person can in any way save himself. Nor can they save their fellow man. Good works and charity are powerless; clean living cannot cause it to occur; it is not by baptism, joining a religious organization, or any other ordinance or ceremony. By nature, we are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).
Nothing but the work of God in the power of the Spirit can break the power of sin, give life, and set the sinner free. Remember, what is impossible humanly-speaking is indeed possible with God, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:14).

Friday, November 8, 2019

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The Beauties of Christ
A Christian many years ago used to pray the following prayer every morning: “I pray that this day the beauty of Christ may be seen in me.”
This would be a good start to the day for all of us. The Apostle Paul expressed it in a similar way: “So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death” (Philippians 1:20). No matter what his circumstances, or where he was, his desire was that others would see something of Christ reflected in His life.
How much of Christ will be seen in your life today? Will there be some reflection of Him in your actions, your spirit and attitude, and in what you say? Paul further said to the believers at Philippi, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).Our friends, our neighbours, our fellow-students, our co-workers, all watch to see if we are living Christ. Our greatest testimony is not always in what we say but in what we do. There is an old expression, “Actions speak louder than words!” How true that is! May Christ be seen in each one of us today!

Thursday, November 7, 2019

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Four Things
When it comes to the Word of God, here are four important elements for happy, fruitful, Christian living:
Go to the Bible regularly.
Here is what the Berean believers did: “They received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).
Open it prayerfully.
Here is a good prayer for every time we read the Bible: “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law” (Psalm 119:18).
Read it expectantly.
If we do, His promise is, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye” (Psalm 32:8).
Live it joyfully.
“I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil” (Psalm 119:162).

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

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Devoted Service
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34).
The Lord’s whole life was one of devoted service to God His Father. Later in John’s gospel He stated, “For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me” (John 6:38). At the end of His pathway, He could confirm, “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:4).
The end of that service was a work that no other could do. He bore the punishment for our sin, died, and shed His blood. His was the ultimate sacrifice. “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). That’s how well He served. Are we willing to do the same? Our hearts’ desire should be to do His will — whatever that may be. “He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

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Another World
“Now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly” (Hebrews 11:16).
I can no longer find my rest,
Here in this world of sin,
Where Jesus Christ was so despised,
And died, my heart to win.
This sin-sick world is not my home,
They hated Jesus here;
And where my Savior was cast out,
I cannot find it dear.
I have another world in view,
A glorious home and rest,
A world of joy and peace with Him,
Whom I have loved the best.
This world is not where lasting joy,
Or happiness is found,
I’m traveling to another sphere,
Today, I’m heaven bound.

Monday, November 4, 2019

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Dear Young Christian:
In our lifetime, we will have many surprises, and who knows what surprises you will have this week. Things you didn’t expect or want. Frustrated plans and circumstances you never thought possible may be your lot before the week is over. So, here is a good verse to tuck away in your memory and remember when such surprises come your way. “Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world” (Acts 15:18).
Nothing in our life happens by chance, and all is ordered from the good hand of the Lord. Nehemiah said, concerning a certain circumstance in his life, that it was, “according to the good hand of my God upon me” (Nehemiah 2:8). Never forget that!
Whatever happens this week, remember, we may have many surprises, but nothing surprises the one who has had it all ordered for our good and blessing long ago, and “who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will” (Ephesians 1:11).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Sunday, November 3, 2019

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Occupied With the Glories
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth”
(John 1:14).
What a wonderful thing it must have been for the Apostle John and others, to company with the Lord Jesus while He was here on earth. Later on, John wrote: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life” (1 John 1:1).
Today, the Lord is not on earth the way He was when John and others were with Him, and, although we cannot see Him with the natural eye, yet He is no less real to the eye of faith. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9).
Let’s look up and be occupied with the glories and attributes of the Lord Jesus Christ where He is now — seated as a glorified man at the right hand of God.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

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Repentance
• God’s desire for the lost:
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
• God’s commandment to the lost:
“God … now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30).
• The way of blessing for the Lost:
“Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).
• The Responsibility of the lost:
“Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
• The results of repentance:
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19).
• The results of being unrepentant:
“I tell you … except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5).
Have you come to God as a repentant sinner and received His salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ?

Friday, November 1, 2019

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Truth
“What is truth?” (John 18:38).
“Thy Word is truth” (John 12:17).
After an evening service on the subject of “Truth,” a man stopped the speaker and said, “I’ve waited till the end of your meeting, to talk to you because I’ve got a question that may take you a long time to answer. I want to know from you, what really is the ‘Truth?’ I’ve just heard you talk and I’ve heard you preach on the subject before. But what do you mean when you refer to the ‘Truth?’  ”
The enquirer was standing with his arms folded, hugging a Bible to his chest. The speaker tapped the cover of the Bible and said, “Everything within the covers of that Book, and nothing else.”
Afterwards the preacher commented, “I don’t think I had ever answered that question like that before. He expected a long answer, but, to his surprise, and a little to mine, it wasn’t very long at all. Scriptural truth is what we need.”
Yes indeed, “Every word of God is pure” (Proverbs 30:5). Don’t ever question the Word of God. It is absolutely “impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18).
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