Young Christians Calendar

August 2020

Dear Young Christian:

In a grade six classroom on the island of Saint Maarten, I saw the following saying:

AS YOU GO ALONG YOUR WAY
YOUR EXAMPLE IS REMEMBERED
MORE THAN ANYTHING YOU SAY!

What will your life say today and this week? What impact will your actions have on others?

Will your life be a blessing to someone you meet?
Or your actions frustrate, and what you say defeat?
Will you be a good example to others as you pass?
Or will you lead some soul to cry, “Alas! Alas!”
What will you say to others, by actions and by deed?
Will it be a help and asset, as others your life read?

Our actions have more of an impact on others than we realize. They may not remember what we say, but they’ll remember what we did. What example will you leave as you move along through the week? “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself” (Romans 14:7).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Sunday, August 30, 2020

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The Cross

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15).

These words were addressed to Satan after Adam and Eve had sinned in eating of the forbidden fruit. Although I am sure that our first parents did not understand the import of this, it was on this basis that God could provide a sacrifice and coats of skin. This was because He was looking forward to the time when His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, would go to the cross and bruise the head of the serpent. Through this event, access back into the presence of God and entrance into heaven would be provided. “For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight” (Colossians 1:19-22). What a precious theme “His cross” is for our hearts today.

Saturday, August 29, 2020

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True Riches

“What shall a man give in exchange for his soul” (Mark 8:37)?

• Not the world, for it passes away.

“The world passeth away, and the lust thereof” (1 John 2:17).

• Not his wealth, for it is of no profit.

“Riches profit not in the day of wrath” (Proverbs 11:4).

• Not his honor for it perishes.

“Nevertheless man being in honor abideth not” (Psalm 49:12).

No, it is only in Christ that we can have a part in a world to come that will never cease. True riches and honor are found only in Him, and founded on the work of Calvary. “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). “That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7).

These are the “true riches” (Luke 16:11). Are they yours?

Friday, August 28, 2020

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Monthly Question Page — Part 2

(Continued from last month.)

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. Last month we considered how Philippians 2:15, teaches us that God has left us here in this wicked world to shine as a light for Him. We cannot isolate ourselves.

However, in the next verse we are told, “Holding forth the Word of life” (verse 16).This has particularly to do with the words we speak. We need to be always ready to speak for the Lord, but we cannot speak for Him if we are isolationists. Speaking is direct communication. So, the life we live as well as what we say are both important.

We never want to compromise the truth of Scripture to reach out to souls. “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure” (1 Timothy 5:22). In taking advantage of opportunities to witness for Christ, we want to be sure it’s in a way that maintains personal holiness and purity. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Thursday, August 27, 2020

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Preparation

“So king Rehoboam … did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord” (2 Chronicles 12:13-14).

This is the key to king Rehoboam’s sin. Young Christians could save themselves a great deal of sorrow and failure in life by simply avoiding this mistake made by so many in the Old Testament, and down through the ages of time. Nothing will be of so much value as preparing one’s heart to seek the Lord, with a humble and sincere desire to be obedient to His Word and will.

Instead of being like Rehoboam, let’s take a lesson from God’s servant, Ezra. “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it” (Ezra 7:10). No wonder Ezra was used of God in such a wonderful way in blessing to the people of God during their great revival.

Those that God can use in His service and for the blessing of souls are not necessarily those of great intellect or ability, but those who have prepared hearts. Hearts in tune with Himself, and ready and willing to follow wherever He leads, and serve in whatever capacity He chooses — whether great or small. The time for preparation of the heart is now while we are young. Are you a Rehoboam or an Ezra?

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

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Monthly Scripture Reading

Titus 3

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;

Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

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God Is Love

A Christian farmer fixed a weather vane on the roof of his barn with the text, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). A neighbor asked if the text so placed indicated that the love of God was as changeable as the wind. “No,” said the farmer, “it means that God is love at all times, at all seasons, no matter how the wind blows.”

Yes, it is easy to say “God is love” when everything is going along smoothly and according to our own plans. But what about when the winds of circumstance blow contrary and boisterous? Do we hear Him say, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3)?

Human love can indeed be as changeable as the wind and the weather. But the love of God is divine, consistent, and constant.

The love of God, it changes not,
Not like the ebbing tide!
It is the same as when His Son,
For us on Calvary died;
And proved itself when blood flowed forth,
From Jesus wounded side.

Monday, August 24, 2020

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Dear Young Christian:

I notice bumper stickers, and one caught my eye the other day:

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO SHINE WHERE YOU CANNOT SPEAK!

It made me think of the many Christians in other countries who are not able by law to openly share the gospel with others. But they can shine for Christ by living for Him and reflecting Him in their day-to-day life.

Of course, this should be true of all of us no matter what part of the world we live in. We are here to shine for Him. “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). “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). We may not have many opportunities to speak for Christ this week, but we have every opportunity to shine for Him. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Sunday, August 23, 2020

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Worshippers

“The true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him” (John 4:23).

God wants worshippers! There were many who worshipped the Lord when He was here on earth. Here are some who are mentioned in Matthew’s Gospel.

The wise men:“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child. . . and fell down, and worshipped Him” (Matthew 2:11).

A leper:“And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped Him” (Matthew 8:2).

A man of authority whose daughter had died:“While He spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped Him” (Matthew 9:18).

The disciples:“Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33).

A woman of Canaan: “Then came she and worshipped Him” (Matthew 15:25).

Will you be included among those who worship the Lord today? “Worship thou Him” (Psalm 45:11).

Saturday, August 22, 2020

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The Widest Road

The widest road in the world is found in the province of Ontario Canada. Highway 401 stretches 508.2 miles from Windsor to the Quebec border. At its widest point, it has 18 lanes in the mainline and 4 lanes of connecting ramps, making a total of 22 lanes. The segment of highway through Toronto is not only the busiest highway in North America (500,000 vehicles on most days), but the widest in the world. I have personally driven this road countless times.

However, there is an even wider road, so wide that the majority of the world’s population (estimated at over 7.5 billion), travel on this road every day. Of this road the Lord said, “Broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” (Matthew 7:13). Thankfully, we can get off this road on to another road of which the Lord said, “Narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14).

Which road are you on? Are you on the road that leads to hell, or the road that leads to heaven? There are only 2 ways and you are travelling on one or the other. If you are still on the broad road, switch today by receiving Christ as your Savior. He has said, “I am the Way” (John 14:6).

Friday, August 21, 2020

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The Power of Love

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3).

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments”(John 14:15).

Someone has said, “If you could bring a bird to love you better than it loved the open sky you would not need a cage.”

Christians in love and communion with the Lord Jesus Christ do not need a cage to keep them from flying away into the world and its sinful attractions. They are happily separate from the world and they are the willing, joyful servants of the one “Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father” (Galatians 1:4). The desire to serve Him, devotedness in service, and, above all, perseverance and continuance in service, all spring from this source, “The love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). Are you truly in love with your Savior and Lord? If you are, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34).

Thursday, August 20, 2020

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Psalm 2 — Part 8

“Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me”(Psalm 23:4).

The rod is for correction.“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him … The rod and reproof give wisdom” (Proverbs 22:15; 29:15). “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live” (Hebrews 12:9).

The staff is for strength and support in our pathway of faith. “By faith Jacob … worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff” (Hebrews 11:21).

David valued both the Lord’s correction and His support, and we certainly need both from our Shepherd. We don’t always appreciate it at the time, but, when we have learned the lesson and lean fully on Himself, then we can say, “No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11). Then we have found true comfort.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

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Change

In a senior class of students in a high school in Saint Maarten, I saw this statement on the classroom wall:

None of us can change our yesterday,

But all of us can change our tomorrow!

Perhaps there are some of my readers who look back on the past with real regret. You have allowed some sin in your life perhaps, or you feel you’ve wasted time and youth on worldly pursuits. Maybe you feel you haven’t given enough time to reading and studying the Bible. However, there is nothing you can do to change the past. It is over and gone, and what was, is!

But what about tomorrow? The Apostle Peter says of such, “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). We have therest of our time. We don’t have to go on in that way any longer. Not only does the Lord delight to restore us, but also to lead us “in the paths of righteousness” (Psalm 23:3). That is, to keep us from going any further on that course, and to put us back on the right way. You can’t do anything about yesterday, but you can do something about tomorrow.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

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Heaven on Earth

“That your days may be multiplied … as the days of heaven upon the earth”(Deuteronomy 11:21).

This promise to the children of Israel was conditional on their dedication to keeping God’s Word, having it in their heart, and teaching it to the next generation. Notice the preceding verses: “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates” (verses 18-20).

The principle still seems to hold true today. If our interest and time is in devotedness to the Lord and to His Word, we will have a very happy life. That’s not to say that there won’t be sorrow along the way, but we will be able to say, “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). This is indeed heaven on earth. And heaven in reality will certainly be beyond anything we experience here.

Monday, August 17, 2020

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Dear Young Christian:

This summer, I have been in several countries on several continents, including the USA, Trinidad, the Bahamas, Germany and Egypt. Everywhere I go is the same story: “Where is it going to end … how can we fight terrorism … what about the economy … why doesn’t the government act? This morning, while discussing world affairs with the brother in whose home I am staying, it was said, “The world is upside down!” It made me think of the accusation against Paul and Silas in Thessalonica. “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also” (Acts 17:6).

Yes, the world does seem upside down due to the fact that Christ and Christianity have been, for the most part, rejected. It is not the preaching of the gospel or the Christian that has turned the world upside down, but the fact that Satan, the god and prince of this world has had his sway. However, there is a day coming when the world will be turned right-side-up, and “the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Sunday, August 16, 2020

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The Blood

What a wonderful theme for meditation the blood of Jesus is for our hearts.

•It has brought us near to God: “In Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).

•It has removed our sins:“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

•It is through that blood that we have forgiveness:“Through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

• We are redeemed by that blood: “Redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

The blood of Jesus will be the theme of our song 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). Let’s consider that blood today, and let it be the theme of our praise and song now. It is the basis for every blessing that we have and our only title to the Lord’s presence and the Father’s house.

Saturday, August 15, 2020

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Preaching

“We preach Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:23).

The forgiveness of sins through Christ is preached to us in various ways in the New Testament:

• In the four Gospels, we have it illustrated in individuals.

Example:“And, behold, they brought to Him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matthew 9:2).

• In the book of Acts, we have it preached to sinners.

Example:“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-39).

• In the Epistles, we have it taught and expounded to believers.

Example:“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

Friday, August 14, 2020

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Israel — Part 2

“A land which the Lord thy God careth for: the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it” (Deuteronomy 11:12).

God has made the land of Israel a central place! It has already been the scene of events surpassing all others in their importance and results, and it shall yet be the scene of events to which Scripture points. Today it does not appear to be the center, for the Lord of that land is absent. According to the parable He Himself told while here on earth, He is gone into a far country: “And as they heard these things, He added and spake a parable, because He was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return” (Luke 19:11-12). Yes, He will return and take possession of the land of Israel again. It will then become the center of all nations, the glory of all lands, and His beloved Jerusalem shall be the metropolis of the whole earth. His royal banner shall then float over its bulwarks as the proof and token that the King of Israel and the King of the Nations is there!

Thursday, August 13, 2020

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Israel — Part 1

• The following is quoted from the writings of Andrew Miller.

“The land which I give them to possess it” (Deuteronomy 5:31).

The land of Israel, the promised land, is a spot of great natural beauty and fruitfulness chosen for Israel by God. It is important to note that the locality of the Jews is not the result of accident, but of divine arrangement. Hundreds of years before Israel had any national existence, God had reserved the place for His chosen people.

From the top of Mt. Pisgah, Moses was privileged to see this goodly land before he died. He was permitted to survey the future dwelling place of the Lord’s redeemed of Israel — to see the fertile valleys, the beautiful mountains, and its well-watered plains. Under the guidance of the Spirit, he describes it as “a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass” (Deuteronomy 8:7-9).

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

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Love Those You Serve

Steve Jobs was an American entrepreneur, businessman, inventor, and industrial designer. Jobs was the chairman, and the chief executive officer, and a co-founder of Apple Inc. On a calendar page hanging in our kitchen this month I notice a quote from Mr. Jobs — here is what it said: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

As I thought about this, I realized that to do great work for the Lord we must first be like the Hebrew servant in the Old Testament, who said, “I love my Master” (Exodus 21:5). Love for our Lord and Master is first and essential. Then it is love for those we serve. “By love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). We will have a love for what we are doing if we have love for those we are doing it for. Here is how Paul sums up the motive and method for our Christian service: “In singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Ephesians 6:5-7). If the motive is love, we can indeed do great work for the Lord, and love what we are doing at the same time.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

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Paying Taxes

“For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing” (Romans 13:6).

So often I find myself complaining about paying taxes. Maybe you hear your parents gripe about it too, or maybe those of my readers who have full-time or part-time jobs chafe at what comes off in tribute to the government before you get your pay check. But remember, “they are God’s ministers”

For myself, I am glad that I live in a country where there is a measure of stability, and while I may not like many of the policies of those in power, and I may think they extract too much money in taxes, yet I am reminded of the Lord’s own words: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). We are to pay all that is due in the way of rates, and custom, as well as income tax. What the authorities may do with our money when they get it is their matter, not ours. In the mercy of God, we are relieved of that heavy responsibility.

Monday, August 10, 2020

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Dear Young Christian:

Over my desk in my office is a large framed pen and ink print by the artist, Daniel Maclise, of the Duke of Wellington and Commander Gebhard Leberecht von Blucher shaking hands after the Battle of Waterloo. The whole panoramic scene of the battle field behind them is one of sorrow, suffering, death, and carnage. It reminds me of what David said in Psalm 23:4. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” Yes, every day we are passing through the “Valley of the Shadow of Death.” It is this world, with the stamp of death upon it. We see it on every hand. Perhaps not in the graphic way many have seen on the fields of battle, but, nevertheless, we are well aware of the fact no matter where we are.

How good that we can walk through this “valley” in the company of the Lord, and without fear. Go forth this week with a real sense of His comfort and care.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Sunday, August 9, 2020

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Love

“Greater love hath no man than this” (John 15:13).

Outside the walls of Jerusalem, on Calvary’s hill, was the greatest display of love that the world has ever known and ever will know. There the Lord Jesus in love “laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16). This is a love that cannot be calculated or measured. It is a love beyond human comprehension. It is wonderful, sweet, precious, divine love. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (John 13:1).

Dear young people, my prayer for you today is this:

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19).

This is the greatest, and most marvelous of loves. Think much upon it today, and it will produce praise and thanksgiving in your heart and on your lips.

Saturday, August 8, 2020

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Mortality

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

There is an old saying:

All men think all men mortal but themselves!

Human nature is such that we tend to think we are going to live forever, and while we attend funerals of others, perhaps think little of the fact that our turn may well come sooner than we think or expect. That is why the Bible encourages and warns us to be ready for eternity. The following parable, related by the Lord Jesus shows the importance of being ready for what comes after death.

“The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided” (Luke 12:16-20).

Friday, August 7, 2020

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Complete Dependence

It is good for us to learn to act in complete dependence on the Lord in every aspect of life. The Lord Jesus Himself said to His disciples, “Without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Self-sufficiency can be subtle and creep into our thoughts and actions without us even realizing it.

The Lord’s desire is that we would learn to depend on Him while we are young, and if we do this it will save us a lot of frustration and heartache when we are older.

We may feel weak and unable for the situations we face, but we can always count on the Lord. The Apostle Paul said, “When I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). He further affirmed, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). It is not wrong to feel our own lack of strength and ability if it casts us in complete dependence on the Lord.

David often felt his weakness and inability, but so often in the Psalms he expresses his complete dependence on his Lord. Here is one example: “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice … I will trust in Thee” (Psalm 55:17, 23).

Thursday, August 6, 2020

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My Lord

“Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:11).

Here are three individuals who called Jesus “Lord” in the New Testament:

• Elizabeth, when visited by her cousin Mary.

“And whence is this to me, that the mother of MY LORD should come to me” (Luke 1:43)?

• Thomas when he saw the Lord for the first time in resurrection.

“And Thomas answered and said unto him, MY LORD and my God” (John 20:28).

• The Apostle Paul when recounting the things that he had once counted dear before he was saved.

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus MY LORD” (Philippians 3:8).

How important it is for us to own Jesus, not just as our Savior, but as Lord of our life. To recognize His authority in every aspect of what we do will bring joy, power, peace, happiness, and fruit in our Christian pathway. He wants to have first place in our lives; are we giving Him that place?

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

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Reigning with Christ

Today, I visited the Egyptian museum in Cairo which houses an extensive collection of Egyptian artefacts covering 5,000 years — including King Tutankhamun’s treasures. This was my third visit to the museum and, as I viewed the treasures which included gold covered chariots, fine jewelry, and the statues and mummies of the Pharaohs and nobility of past illustrious kingdoms, I was suddenly struck by the fact that there was no mention of a Joseph or a Moses. Then I realized that they will be part of a far greater and enduring kingdom, when we reign with Christ during the millennium.

When Satan showed the Lord, “all the kingdoms of the world,” it was only “in a moment of time” (Luke 4:5). However, there is a time when it says of those who reign with Christ, “and they shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5). Moses gave up the glory of Egypt to serve the Lord and lead His people out of Egypt and through the Sinai Peninsula. Centuries later, he talked with the Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration, (Matthew 17:1-3). In a future day, he will reign with Christ. Are we living in view of the coming kingdom? The promise to the believer is, “we shall also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12).

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

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Through Life’s Storms

“I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest” (Psalm 55:8).

“The Lord hath His way … in the storm” (Nahum 1:3).

Though life’s storms may rage around us,
God gives peace and joy within,
When we trust and count our blessings,
Through His grace the victory win.

We can conquer — more than conquer,
Through resources He supplies,
And soon we will understand it all,
When we see Him in the skies.

There no storm will ever faze us,
There no trouble—all is rest.
There we’ll praise and worship ever,
Seeing that His way is best.

We may never know the reason,
Till that day when all is plain;
Faith and confidence give comfort,
Until we the answers gain.

Monday, August 3, 2020

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Dear Young Christian:

I have lots of names and numbers in my contact list on my iPhone. These are the names or numbers of people I want to be able to get ahold of in a hurry without looking up their information elsewhere. In the airport, in my vehicle, at a hotel, someone’s home, in another country, etc.

But, there is one contact I never have to look up or press a button for. That contact is the Lord Jesus, at the throne of grace. The invitation is, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). That is all the contact information that we need to reach heaven at a moment’s notice. No doubt about it, there will be times of need this week. But there is always an open line to heaven. We don’t need an appointment, and there is no call-forwarding, call-waiting, or dropped calls. We can come any time of the day or night and find a listening ear, a sympathetic hearer, and One who is willing and able to help us no matter how great or small the circumstance.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Sunday, August 2, 2020

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Songs

Have you ever walked through the forest or down a country lane and listened to the different songs of the birds? Each one has been given a different note by the Creator. The sparrow, the bluebird, the meadowlark, the cardinal, and so on. Their songs are unique and special and combine in the Creator’s choir for His pleasure and ours.

Just as there are all kinds of birds with all kinds of songs, so there are all kinds of people, and to each believer God has given a song to sing. We can each say, “He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God” (Psalm 40:3). While it is true that some of us can carry a tune and sing better than others, yet the Lord wants to hear our voice. David declared, “I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord” (Psalm 27:6).

Let’s open our mouths in songs of worship, praise, and thanksgiving today. Nineteen times in the book of Psalms, we have the expression “I will sing.” Here is another example: “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise” (Psalm 57:7). As we meditate on the person and work of Christ today, it will certainly cause us to “sing unto the Lord” (Exodus 15:1).

Saturday, August 1, 2020

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A Heartbeat

“There is only a heartbeat between you and eternity!”

So said the preacher last night at the gospel meeting as he sought to impress upon the audience how brief and fragile life on earth really is, and how close we may be to leaving it for the next life. Yes, many who thought they had time have found out too late the truth of the preacher’s statement.

Some years ago, I took the funeral of a friend who, to all outward appearances, was fit and healthy and who worked out at the gym a couple of times a week. One morning, he felt good, got up early, said goodbye to his wife, and went for a morning workout. A short time later he was found dead on the gym floor. A heart attack gave him no warning, and he was in eternity. Thankfully, we had every assurance from his life and testimony that he was a believer, and “absent from the body, and … present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

What about you? None of us knows how many more heartbeats we have left. David said, “There is but a step between me and death” (1 Samuel 20:3). Are you like my friend, who was ready to meet the Lord, or are you going to delay being saved until it is too late?