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Young Christians Calendar

A daily meditation for young Christians

July 2020

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Friday, July 31, 2020

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Monthly Question Page — Part 1
Q. How can a Christian walk through this life in a path of separation from the world and still be a testimony to those around them … friends at school, neighbors, etc.?
A. First of all, we need to realize that there is a vast difference between “isolation” and “separation.” While a Christians is to walk a path of separation from the various evils of the world, they are not to live a life of isolation from their fellow man. When the Lord Jesus was here in this world, He walked a path that was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26). And yet who was more accessible than the Lord Jesus Himself? He ate with publicans and sinners, took children up in His arms, and went into different homes to heal their loved ones, eat a meal, or present the truth.
For us, there are two verses that are helpful in this connection. First: “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). This is the life we live, not so much the words we speak. Light does not make any noise, it just shines! (Continued next month.)
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Thursday, July 30, 2020

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Tranquillizers
Recently, I saw the following quote in a book called, Facts of Life and Bits of Wisdom:
“There is no tranquillizer in the world more effective than a few kind words.”
It reminded me of the God-given wisdom of Solomon, when he wrote this statement of Scripture: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).
How many times have we caused problems, or added to a bad situation, by saying things that should not have been said? A few kind words uttered in the proper spirit and attitude can often calm someone who is upset or against us, and smooth out an otherwise bad circumstance. Often, we speak before we think. Solomon warns against that as well. “Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him” (Proverbs 29:20).
Let’s learn to not be so quick to answer, and to give a “soft answer” rather than “grievous words,” which only compound a problem instead of helping it.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

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Drab Days
Do you ever have those drab, dull, messy days when you feel depressed, melancholy, and just kind of sad or maybe even lonely? Days when, on the one hand, you wish you had a friend or loved one to talk to, and, on the other hand you just want to be alone? Maybe the weather is dull and rainy too, which doesn’t help your mood.
On those days, take special note of the Lord’s goodness, His love, and His presence with you. Our moods may change, the weather may change, people may change, everything around us may change, but, thankfully, we have the assurance, “I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). Three times, the writer of Psalm 42 and 43 raises the question, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance” (42:5, 11; 43:5). Although he was cast down and discouraged he realized there was no need to be. He had a God who was his hope and his help and he knew that someday he would understand why He allowed those drab, dull, messy days.
Life is not all sunshine and bright skies. However, we can “rejoice in the Lord alway” (Philippians 4:4), no matter what the weather or situation.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

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Fake News
Yes, there is a lot of fake news today.
Often the news reports are presented in a way that makes you believe something other than the reality of the situation. A slant or connotation is given that makes you think one thing, when in truth there is more to the story than you suspect. It may not be an out-and-out lie, but it is certainly not the whole story or the absolute truth.
But when we read the Bible we can be completely and unequivocally assured that it is the absolute truth from cover to cover. We can say without doubt or hesitation, “Thy Word is truth” (John 17:17). The news media may mislead us, but here is what the writer of Psalm 119 has to say on the matter: “Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Thy precepts” (verses 98-100). The believer who is prayerfully reading their Bible can be more intelligent as to what is happening in the world than all the government officials and powerful financiers in high places.

Monday, July 27, 2020

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Dear Young Christian:
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13).
I tend to think in rhyme, so today’s letter is in the form of a poem.
Our mistakes can teach us well,
Other’s errors also tell;
For the safest way to learn,
To the Bible’s pages turn.
Then your life will happy be,
As the course of faith you see;
And your pathway will be shown,
God’s most perfect will be known.
Your own joy will know no bounds,
For with Jesus you’ll be found.
Kept from danger and from sin,
Every victory you will win!
Vital lessons you will learn,
If you to the Bible turn.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Sunday, July 26, 2020

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Resurrection
“That ye may know … what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come” (Ephesians 1:18-21).
What glorious words were announced on that first day of the week after the crucifixion, when it was declared, “He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:6).
When the commentator J. Boyd Nicholson visited Europe and Israel, he noted the following experience:
“Standing at Napoleon’s tomb in Paris, gazing at its gold and marble opulence, I heard the guide proudly say, ‘Here is the glory of France!’ Ten days later, standing alone in the garden tomb outside Jerusalem’s old city walls, the very stones seemed to cry out to my heart, ‘He is not here: for He is risen.’ Here is the glory of Christ! No ancient bones, no handful of mortal dust! Hallelujah Christ arose!”

Saturday, July 25, 2020

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Of God
The expression “The gospel of God,” appears seven times in the New Testament: Romans 1:1; 15:16; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 8, 9; 1 Peter 4:17. This is the good news that God has provided salvation to all who will receive His gift through the work of His Son on the cross.
The expression “The wrath of God,” appears nine times in the New Testament: John 3:36; Romans 1:18; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6; Revelation 14:10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1. This is a serious warning to any who refuse God’s offer of salvation.
The expression “The grace of God,” appears twenty-three times in the New Testament. (Look up some of the references, beginning with Luke 2:40 and ending with 1 Peter 5:12). This is God’s wonderful provision, not only for our initial salvation, but for our preservation and restoration all through our Christian life.
The question is, have you believed the “gospel of God?” If not, and you continue to refuse it, you will come under the “wrath of God.” For those of us who are saved, we can avail ourselves of the “grace of God” every day.

Friday, July 24, 2020

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Our God
“I am your God” (Ezekiel 34:31).
“God … for us” (Romans 8:31).
“For this God is our God for ever and ever” (Psalm 48:14).
Do you really believe that our God is for us? Do you believe that He has your best interest at heart? It is easy to become like the Children of Israel who grumbled and complained and blamed God for their difficulties in the wilderness.
Life is not easy, and just because we are saved doesn’t mean that everything is going to be smooth and comfortable. But it does mean that we have One who cares for us, and who is working everything out according to what He sees is the very best plan for our life. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). How good it is when we can accept all our circumstances from the hand of our wise and loving God, and rejoice in all that He is doing for us, with us, and in us. He is indeed OUR God, and He is indeed FOR us!

Thursday, July 23, 2020

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Tempted
“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward ahungered” (Matthew 4:1-2).
“For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor (help) them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).
Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights. At the end, when He was naturally very weak and hungry, Satan laid three heavy temptations on Him. So Jesus knows what it is to be tempted, and He knows just how to help us when we’re tempted. He knows that Satan attacks when we’re down, alone, hungry, and tired.
Now the Lord Jesus, the same Man that was tempted here on earth, is living for us in heaven. He understands what it is to be tempted of the devil, and, as such, “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
When the devil comes to tempt you today, look to Jesus for help. “He is able.”

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

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Monthly Scripture Reading
Titus 3
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;
That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

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Tues July 21 Honesty
The saying, “Honesty is the best policy” is a proverb of Benjamin Franklin; however, the quote “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom” is attributed to Thomas Jefferson, as used in a letter to Nathaniel Macon.
The Bible talks a great deal about honesty.
“Provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17).
“Let us walk honestly” (Romans 13:13).
“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12).
“That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty”(1 Timothy 2:2).
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest … think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
Let’s be like the writer of Hebrews, who said,“We trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly” (Hebrews 13:18).

Monday, July 20, 2020

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Dear Young Christian:
I was thinking today about the fact that we live in an evil world and that we cannot help but touch it in so many ways. With this in mind, we may well ask, how then can we follow the exhortation of the verse that tells us “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this … to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27)?
There is a certain insect which, though you immerse it in water, it never actually touches the water. This insect carries its own atmosphere with it at all times, and because it is enveloped in this atmosphere, though it is submerged in water, it is untouched by the water. In this way, we too can walk through a sinful, defiling world in the presence of the Lord and the enjoyment of heaven. Just as a boat can be in the water, but the water not in the boat, so we can be in the world, but the world need not be in us. The Lord prayed for His own, and said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth” (John 17:16-17).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Sunday, July 19, 2020

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Three Crosses
“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left” (Luke 23:33).
There were three crosses on Calvary’s hill that day.
The cross of REJECTION:
“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If thou be Christ, save Thyself and us” (Luke 23:39).
The cross of REDEMPTION:
“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
“In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins … Having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:14, 20).
The cross of RECEPTION:
“But the other … said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom” (Luke 23:40, 42).
“God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).

Saturday, July 18, 2020

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The Unsaved Have No …
Here are seven things that the unsaved lack. They have:
1. No peace.
“There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Isaiah 57:21).
2. No hope.
“Having no hope” (Ephesians 2:12).
3. No faith.
“Ye believe not.” (John 8:24).
4. No God.
“Without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12).
5. No life.
“Dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).
6. No Savior.
“Without Christ” (Ephesians 2:12).
7. No salvation.
“We are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).
However, all these can be had in Christ by accepting Him as Savior. The believer has, “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

Friday, July 17, 2020

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Thankfulness
“This know also, that in the last days … men shall be … unthankful” (2 Timothy 3:1-2).
Yes, this is certainly a day of thanklessness! It is one of the great proofs that we are living in days just before the Lord comes back. But that is not how it is to be with the believer. Over and over again in the Bible we are challenged to cultivate the spirit and habit of thanksgiving. Here are some encouragements in that regard:
“Be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4).
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Most of all, we should be thankful that God sent His Son to be our Savior. Every day we should look up and say, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Thursday, July 16, 2020

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Psalm 23 — Part 7
“I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4).
It is the conscious sense of the Lord’s presence with us that drives away all fear. We are passing through a dark world (morally and spiritually), and we have a powerful enemy, called Satan or the Devil. But we need not fear. Our Lord says, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God” (Isaiah 43:1-3).
When the disciples first saw the Lord walking on the water towards them they did not realize who He was. As a result, “they were troubled … and they cried out for fear” (Matthew 14:26). However, He immediately identified Himself by saying, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (verse 27).
Like David, the disciples, and many others, we can have an inner peace and calm as we walk in company with our Great Shepherd, and follow closely by His side.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

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Roots
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7).
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17).
Roots are what give stability and life to the trees of the forest and the plants in the garden. In the same way, roots are what give stability and vitality to the Christian life. Some folks are really concerned about their ancestry and where they came from. This is sometimes referred to as “our roots,” and often folks will spend a great deal of time, money, and even travel, to trace their heritage.
But the roots of our Christian life are to be in Him, that is, in Christ. He is the source of all life, strength, nourishment, and stability in our lives. Many a believer has been knocked down by the storms of life, and the opposition of our enemy Satan, because they were not well “rooted and grounded.” Let’s be rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ, “Like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season” (Psalm 1:3).

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

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Disposable Culture
“I am the Lord, I change not”(Malachi 3:6).
More than ever, we live in a disposable culture. Consider some of the items we throw away on a regular basis without even thinking about it. Water bottles, paper plates, plastic cutlery, razors, and on and on the list goes. Not only do we dispose of products like this every day, but it seems that nothing in this world is lasting or long-term anymore. True commitment to relationships is almost non-existent, long-term employment seems a thing of the past, and marriage is looked at very lightly.
Thankfully, we have an unchanging Lord, who has an unchanging love. He tells us very clearly, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).
He also is living for us as our High Priest, and this never changes or ceases. “This Man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood” (Hebrews 7:24). He is faithful and merciful, and this never fails or changes. “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 107:1).

Monday, July 13, 2020

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Dear Young Christian:
Yesterday, I heard someone make this wise comment:
“Stop worrying about what you don’t have,
and thank the Lord for what you do have.”
Very good advice indeed! So often we are like the Israelites when they were in the wilderness. Instead of thanking the Lord for their deliverance from Egypt and all the things He provided from day to day, such as water from the rock and manna from heaven, they grumbled and complained, and said, “Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic” (Numbers 11:4-5).
This week, instead of complaining and worrying about what we wish we had or think we need, let’s count our blessings and mercies, and remember the promise, “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). He has promised to “supply all your need” (Philippians 4:19), but not necessarily all your “wants.”
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Sunday, July 12, 2020

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Sacrifice
History is filled with many people young and old who have made sacrifices of one sort or another — some great, some small. Many have even made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives in the service and freedom of humanity. The Lord Himself said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
But the greatest and most consequential sacrifice ever made in this world was the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus when He went to Calvary’s cross. Here is what the Bible says about that supreme sacrifice:
“Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor” (Ephesians 5:2).
“Once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:26).
“This man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12).
It is so good for us to look back today and remember that wonderful event, and to never forget the sacrifice of Calvary.

Saturday, July 11, 2020

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Reality
The other day I saw a T-shirt with the slogan “Let’s Be Real” on one side, and “Let’s Get Real” on the other. It reminded me of the danger of pretending we are real believers, when in fact we are not. The Bible calls this hypocrisy, and, when on earth, the Lord on more than one occasion exposed those who were mere professors or pretenders. He said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27-28). Yes, we can fool a lot of people into thinking we are real, but we cannot fool the One who looks deep into our heart and soul.
However, thankfully, there is a way to “get real.” It is by being saved and having our sins put away by the blood of Christ. The call is, “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). The promise is, “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17).

Friday, July 10, 2020

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Slothfulness — Part 2
“Much food is in the tillage of the poor” (Proverbs 13:23).
“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good” (Ecclesiastes 11:6).
The other day, my missionary friend and I were visiting on the Caribbean island of Anguilla. As we were driven across the island, we noticed a billboard which stated:
FARM TODAY OR STARVE TOMORROW!
Yesterday’s verse taught us the sad results of a neglected field and vineyard; no fruit, just weeds and decay. Today’s verse encourages the farmer to work hard, till the ground, plant his seed, and reap the fruit of his labor.
There is a spiritual lesson in all this as well. The Lord never encourages laziness in any aspect of our life. If in natural things we need to be diligent and organized, just so it is in our spiritual life. We cannot expect to have spiritual growth and fruit if we aren’t reading the Bible, and spending time in meditation and study of what we read.

Thursday, July 9, 2020

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Slothfulness — Part 1
“He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster” (Proverbs 18:9).
The other day, my wife and I drove by a farmer’s fields that had been sadly neglected for some time. It brought to mind the words recorded by Solomon, who also passed such a farm. Of his experience he said, “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction” (Proverbs 24:30-32).
Is this true of our lives? Are we “great wasters”? The habits and routines we develop in our day-to-day practical living usually spill over into our spiritual life. A person who is sloppy and disorganized in natural things is often haphazard when it comes to reading their Bible, spending time in prayer, and in their service for the Lord. While it is true we all have different bends to our nature and personality, yet we can all take heed to the exhortation, “Be not slothful” (Judges 18:9; Hebrews 6:12).

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

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Availability
“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).
Someone has well stated that this verse is not a question of ability, but of availability.
There is an old saying, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” But let’s put a little different spin on it: “When it’s God’s will, He makes a way.”
Sometimes we may question whether we have the ability or the strength to do this or that. But it is not so much a matter of “Can I do this?” but a matter of “Is it God’s will for me to do it?” If we are available and sensitive to His leading, then He will provide everything that is needed for the task at hand. His promise is, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10). Don’t be afraid to go wherever the will of God leads you or to do whatever task the will of God gives you to do.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

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Neglect
If you neglect your Bible,
The precious, living Word,
If you neglect your prayer time —
(Your voice has not been heard),
Then you have lost your power,
The Christian’s source of joy,
And you are letting Satan
Your happiness destroy.
So don’t neglect your Bible,
Spend time in prayer each day.
Take time alone with Jesus,
Amid life’s busy fray.
Take time, it is so vital —
If you don’t read and pray,
The wiles of the Devil,
Will carry you away.
(So don’t neglect your Bible,
And don’t forget to pray!)
“I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste”(Song of Solomon 2:3).

Monday, July 6, 2020

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Dear Young Christian:
Some of the best lessons I have learned in my Christian life, and some of the best examples and role models I have had in my experience as a believer have been older sisters in Christ.
The other day at a Bible conference, one of these sisters leaned over to me just before the meetings were to start, and reminded me, “Remember, without the Lord we can do absolutely nothing.”
For this simple but timely reminder, I was very thankful, and I want to pass it along to each of my readers at the beginning of another busy week. If you go forth with a very real sense of dependence on the Lord, you will have a happy, fruitful week. Not necessarily an easy or stress-free week, but one in which you can count on the Lord for every situation, and overcome, even in the face of opposition and adversity. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Sunday, July 5, 2020

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Two Suppers
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God” (Revelation 19:7-9).
What a wonderful thing it is to realize that we who know Christ as our Savior are not only invited to the marriage, but we are going to be the bride of Christ. There in the Father’s house, we will be married to the Lord to be His bride and wife for all eternity.
However, in the meantime, we have been invited to partake in another supper. It is called “the Lord’s supper,” (1 Corinthians 11:20), and we are encouraged, “For 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).
Will you partake of His supper today? If you are truly saved, it is His desire that you do.

Saturday, July 4, 2020

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Sins Removed
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).
I am thankful that it does not say, as far as the north is from the south. If it did, there would be a limited distance denoted, as we can measure the mileage between the north and the south poles. But you will never be able to measure the distance between east and west. As long as you travel west, you will be going west, and as long as you travel east you will be going east.
Just so, our sins are gone when washed in the blood of Christ, and they are removed to such an extent that they will never be brought up again. Here are some further expressions that confirm the fact that, when we are saved, we have no fear of one charge of sin ever being brought against us again:
“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins” (Isaiah 44:22).
“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17).
“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
Are your sins removed? They can be!

Friday, July 3, 2020

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Like Him
The famous preacher, Charles Spurgeon, received a copy of Andrew Bonar’s commentary on the book of Leviticus. He was so impressed and moved by it that he returned it to Bonar asking for an autograph and a photograph to accompany the treasured book. When the book returned to Spurgeon, it had Andrew Bonar’s picture and signature along with a letter than read:
“Dear Spurgeon, here is the book with my autograph. If you had been willing to wait a short season, you could have had a better likeness, “when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).”
The “Him” of course was none other than Jesus Christ. Bonar reminded Spurgeon that one day we shall be wonderfully and eternally changed. The believer is waiting for that day of glorification. We have been saved from our sins, but one glorious day, we will be ultimately and completely saved. Then we will not desire the autographs and pictures of others. All praise and glory will be given to the One who forever changed these mortal, corruptible bodies. We shall indeed be like Him! “Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11).

Thursday, July 2, 2020

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Confidence — Part 2
Another dictionary definition of the word “confidence” is as follows:
“Full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing.”
As our verses indicated yesterday, there is one person, and one alone, that we can and should have confidence in. “For THE LORD shall be thy confidence” (Proverbs 3:26). Solomon goes on to tell us, “In the fear of THE LORD is strong confidence” (Proverbs 14:26).
This is the One who will never let you down. He may not always arrange things in the way that you thought they should be, or make things happen as quickly as you would like. It may even seem sometimes that your prayers are not answered, but don’t lose confidence in the Lord. King David had many problems and enemies, but he had the Lord, and could say, “Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident” (Psalm 27:3).
So much does the Lord value our trust that He encourages and promises, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward” (Hebrews 10:35).

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

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Confidence — Part 1
One dictionary defines the word “confidence” in the following way:
“The feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.”
Here are three things we should not put our confidence in:
1.“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence IN MAN” (Psalm 118:8).
Has someone let you down recently? Maybe someone has betrayed your trust. While we are thankful for family and friends that we can confide in, yet this verse warns us of the dangers of putting too much trust in our fellow-man.
2.“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence IN PRINCES” (Psalm 118:9).
Even those in high places cannot always be trusted. While we are thankful for government, yet we are warned to be careful, even of those that God has put in such positions.
3.“Have no confidence IN THE FLESH” (Philippians 3:3).
The Lord said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh” (John 3:6). It never improves! Don’t trust it! It will let you down every time!
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