Young Christians Calendar

February 2021

Lord of Glory

“Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8).

It is the first day of the week, and I woke up this morning to notice this text propped up on the dresser by the mirror in the home in which my wife and I are staying.

As I was getting ready to attend the remembrance meeting, I thought a lot about these words. It is an awesome statement, really beyond human comprehension, but here is what the commentator Hamilton Smith says on the subject:

“ ‘ The Lord of glory’ speaks of a wider scene than this earth; it speaks of a universal dominion embracing every created thing and being, over which the crucified One is made Lord.”

This is how the hymn-writer, Richard Holden, expressed it:

Lord of glory, we adore Thee!
Christ of God, ascended high!
Heart and soul we bow before Thee,
Glorious now beyond the sky:
Thee we worship, Thee we praise —
Excellent in all Thy ways.

What a great and glorious Savior and Lord we have! May this thought fill us with worship today.

Saturday, February 27, 2021

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Starfish

During a Bible conference held at the Red Sea, on the Sinai Peninsula, the children would extract starfish from the water every afternoon. They would then leave the starfish lying around in the hot desert sun, and, after a while, the starfish would self-destruct. It was incredible to me to see the poor creatures looking like someone had taken a knife and sliced them into several pieces. It is one of the unexplained wonders of God’s creation.

These helpless starfish acting according to instincts given them by their Creator, are probably responding to their captor in self-defense. But what about intelligent human beings who are responsible and answerable to the living God who, “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7)? We have a living soul, and when it leaves our body, as we now know it, it will continue on in one of two places … HEAVEN or HELL! The soul of man will never self-destruct. It will exist forever and ever! The Lord said, “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Friday, February 26, 2021

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Monthly Question Page

Q. Is there any spiritual significance to the fact that Golgotha means “a skull”?

A. In three of the four gospels we have the expression “place of a skull.” Matthew and Mark both mention the fact, and we will now quote from John: “And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha” (John 19:17).

The place may have gotten its name from the peculiar configuration of the rock, but I believe there is a deeper significance than just the geographical formation of the spot.

A skull would denote two things. First, it indicates death, and secondly an empty head. It speaks of the height of man’s wisdom and the humiliating end of all man’s power and glory. A skull is an empty, brainless head. Someone has said, “In some living man it may once have held as brilliant and powerful a brain as ever existed; and it has come to this! The Son of God accepted the judgment of death as from man’s hand at a place which set forth symbolically the end of all man’s glory.” Golgotha was the apex of man’s intelligence. There they took the Son of God and nailed Him to a cross. Thankfully, this has been the means by which God has come out in blessing to mankind.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

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He Knows Best

When I was a child, I often asked for things from my parents that I never got. Often when I asked, the answer went something like this: “Mother knows best.” Or, “Father knows what is good for you.” Looking back, I realize that sometimes they said it to disguise their inability to grant the request, and sometimes it was with real wisdom, knowing that what I wanted was not good for me.

However, with our all-knowing Lord, a denial is not because of any inability, but because “the Lord knows best.” The writer of Psalm 84 reminds us, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly” (verse 11).

He sees what we need, He knows what is best,
So let Him decide, in His wisdom rest!
Our God is omniscient, this truth we can see,
We cannot presume to be wiser than He!

This is why it is good when we pray for something, to pray with the attitude of the Lord Jesus as the dependent man, “Nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

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Monthly Scripture Reading
James 3

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

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Not Bound

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

I recently read a biography of John Williams, who was a pioneer missionary to the South Sea Islands. When John arrived by ship on the island of Manu’a, the most easterly of the islands of Samoa, he found many believers. He was surprised because, as far as he knew, no foreign missionary had ever been there. He soon learned that some native Christians from Raivavae, located among the Astral Islands, about three hundred miles away, had been driven off course in their canoes several years before. After three months of drifting aimlessly, twenty of them died, and a few reached Manu’a, bringing the gospel with them.

This account made me think of the verse, “The Word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9). The Apostle Paul was thankful that, even though he was in prison, the Word was still going out in various ways. Earlier, he had asked the believers in Thessalonica to pray for blessing on the gospel as it went out. We can do the same, knowing that God still works in what seem like strange and wonderful ways.

Monday, February 22, 2021

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Dear Young Christian:

Yesterday my wife and I were driving through the city of Brockville Ontario, when we noticed a sign that said:

If You Ate Today,

Thank A Farmer!

While this is certainly good advice, it got us thinking about where our food really comes from. Perhaps we should have a sign that says,

“If You Ate Today,

Thank The Lord!

How many people really stop and think about the fact that what we eat is the gracious provision of God the Father and the Lord Jesus? “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). So, while we are thankful for those who labor on farms to produce food for market, yet we want to be sure we don’t forget who makes the seeds grow and readies the crop for harvest, and the animals to become healthy and marketable.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

Sunday, February 21, 2021

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He Loves Us

“I have loved you, saith the Lord” (Malachi 1:2).

“Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).

Let’s never forget that God has made us His children, not simply that we might not perish, but that we might know the affections of His heart and enjoy them. Isn’t that a lovely truth to enjoy? “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). He loves us, not because of what we are, but for what He is. “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

It is good to be occupied with His great, unchanging love for us, not our feeble love for Him. To be occupied with our love for Him will only discourage us, but His love for us will warm our hearts and deepen our love for Him. The Spirit of God does not turn our eyes inward except when necessary to judge self. The main object of the Spirit of God is to occupy the believer with Christ and all that Christ is to God and to His own … you and me.

Let His love fill your heart today, and quote with the Apostle Paul, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Saturday, February 20, 2021

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Saved While Young

“Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment … . Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Ecclesiastes 11:9; 12:1).

Nineteenth-century Scottish preacher Horatius Bonar asked 253 Christian friends at what ages they were converted. Here’s what he discovered:

Under 20 years of age – 138

Between 20 and 30 – 85

Between 30 and 40 – 22

Between 40 and 50 – 4

Between 50 and 60 – 3

Between 60 and 70 – 1

Over 70 – 0

It certainly shows the importance of getting saved while we are young and our heart is still tender towards spiritual matters. Thankfully God can save anyone at any age, but if one of my readers is delaying, I plead with you…DON’T!

Friday, February 19, 2021

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“If Day”

The 19th of February, 1942, was an unusual and interesting day for Canada. It was “If Day.” On that day there was a simulated, fake, Nazi German invasion and occupation of the Canadian city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and surrounding areas during the Second World War. It was organized by the Greater Winnipeg Victory Loan organization, and was the largest military exercise in Winnipeg to that point. It included a staged firefight between Canadian troops and volunteers dressed as German soldiers, and was intended to show what it would be like “if” Canada fell under Nazi forces, so that Canadians would support the war effort more fully.

In real life, it is not a question of “if” trials and difficulties come, but “when.” These trials and difficulties come because we live in a world where Satan is the god and prince and where sin is prevalent on every hand. However, we are told, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3). If we learn from the things that happen to us and it draws us closer to our Captain, the Lord Jesus, then there will be true power and blessing in our lives.

Thursday, February 18, 2021

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Young People of Scripture
Joshua

“Moses … his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle” (Exodus 33:11).

When we think of Joshua, we usually think of him later in life as a great conqueror leading the children of Israel across the Jordan River and into the land Canaan. But before he became a great leader, he had many years of training and preparation in God’s school.

Our verse tells us that as a young man there were two things that characterized him. First, he was a servant of Moses, and as another Scripture tells us, “Moses’ minister” (Joshua 1:1). In other words, he spent a lot of time in the company of an older servant of the Lord, helping him and learning from him. He also valued the presence of the Lord, as noted in his not departing from the tabernacle.

These two things are essential if we are going to be used of the Lord throughout our lives. I would encourage you to seek the company of older believers, help them with the work of the Lord, listen to, and learn from their godly counsel, and above all, spend time in the presence of the Lord. Like Joshua, this done in your youth will be the foundation for service and usefulness all through your life.

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

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Can a Young Person … ?

“In the days of thy youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Here is a Sunday school song that I grew up singing, with some slight changes and a new verse added.

Can a young person like me
Thank the Savior fittingly?
Yes, O yes, He loves to hear
Praises from the youths so dear.
I can thank Him o’er and o’er,
For my load of sins He bore.

Can a young person like me
Pray to Jesus fittingly?
Yes, O yes, He loves to hear
Prayers from lips of youths so dear.
I will need His help today
In the things I do and say.

Can a young person like me
Hear my Lord speak fittingly?
Yes, O yes, His voice is clear
Youths His truth can surely hear.
I will read His Book today,
Listen, and His words obey.

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

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Good Works

A boy stood watching a caterpillar spinning a very beautiful cocoon. Before long, a man who was a believer stood beside him watching the operation as well. After awhile, the man spoke: “God sets that little creature a task to do, and by instinct he diligently and skillfully does it. Just so, when we are saved, God gives us good works to perform in His name and for His sake. But were the insect to remain satisfied forever in the silken ball which he is weaving, it would become, not his home, but his tomb. No, only by forcing a way through it and not resting in it, will the winged creature reach sunshine and air.”

And so it is with the Christian. On the one hand, we must realize that whatever we do for the Lord that has merit, and whatever energy of faith there may be, was all from Himself. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). But there must be spiritual energy and exercise as well. We must “be careful to maintain good works … . In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works … a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 3:8; 2:7; 2:14).

Monday, February 15, 2021

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Dear Young Christian:

I wonder if one of my readers is having a special day this week. Maybe a birthday, or the anniversary of some momentous occasion in your life. How often we say to someone, Happy Birthday! Happy Anniversary! Happy New Year … and so on! Sad to say, many people, including believers, are not happy on those days. And if they were the only days to be happy, what about the hundreds of other days? As a child of God, we can and should be happy every day of the year. Here are some verses that tell us how:

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13).

“Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he” (Proverbs 16:20).

“If ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye” (1 Peter 3:14).

“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye” (1 Peter 4:14).

So, read your Bible, spend time in prayer, walk with the Lord no matter what the cost, and have a happy week.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

Sunday, February 14, 2021

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You Are Loved

Yes indeed, you are loved by God the Father and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Here are seven confirmations of that love from the New Testament. They are just a few of the many times we have that great love stated and confirmed.

1. “God is Love” (1 John 4:8).

2. “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).

3. “Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25).

4. “I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

5. “Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (John 13:1).

6. “I have loved you” (John 13:34).

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

Many may tell us today that they love us, but there is one unchanging, abiding love that outshines them all. It is that divine love that we will enjoy for all eternity.

Let us be like the bride in Song of Solomon who said, “We will remember Thy love” (Song of Solomon 1:4).

Saturday, February 13, 2021

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A Fateful Attitude

I recently heard of a young believer who had a tract booth he would set up at fairs and during parades and public events so that he could give out gospel tracts and other Christian literature. On one occasion, a passer-by not only refused the tract offered to him but also tried to convince the young man with philosophical arguments that God exists in the trees and flowers, and in every creature, even in each one of us. He concluded with this deduction: “Once you have realized that you too are God, you will have become very wise.”

What a fateful attitude! There is a day coming when this person, along with many others, will be awakened to the reality of judgment and have to stand before the Lord to answer for his sins, and his rejection of the gospel. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelation 20:12).

Thankfully, there is still opportunity to be saved. “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7).

Friday, February 12, 2021

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More or Less

“That I may know Him” (Philippians 3:10).

• The more we read the Bible,

the more we learn of Christ.

• The more we learn of Christ,

the more we love Him.

• The more we love Him,

the less we are occupied with self.

• The less we are occupied with self,

the happier we are.

• The happier we are,

the more testimony there will be.

• The more testimony we are,

the more fruit there is.

• The more fruit there is,

the more glory we bring to Christ…

And isn’t that what really counts?

“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).

Thursday, February 11, 2021

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Self

“This know also, that in the last days … men shall be lovers of their own selves” (2 Timothy 3:1-2).

• Self-esteem

• Self-help

• Self-love

• Self-occupation

• Self-expression

• Self-will

• Selfishness

• Self-indulgence

• Self-pity

These are words that are all too prominent in our vocabulary today. As the above verse indicates, “self” is one of the characteristics of the “last days” just before the Lord comes. But that does not mean that it has to characterize the believer. On one occasion, the Lord was asked, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” His answer was, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:36-37). Let’s be careful that “self” does not replace our love for Christ, our concern for the lost, and our care for our fellow believers.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

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Our Example

Feelings of hatred and maliciousness toward another person don’t have any place in a Christian’s life. We should all hate sin, as God does, but we should always care about other people and try to find ways to show the kindness of God to them. We are told, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

When the Lord was on earth, He showed kindness to everyone. He never held a grudge. He never had bitter feelings towards those who had wronged Him. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, he threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:21-23).

The Lord has left us the perfect example, which is “the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:1). We should seek grace to be just like Him. How much does the kindness and love of God radiate from your words and deeds?

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

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Marked

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16).

We have an expression, “That individual is a marked person.” It means that there is something about them or something they have done that sets them apart from the rest of the crowd. It may be good, or it may be bad.

What marks you as a Christian? Is it the Word of God? Do others who observe your life say, “There is a person who is marked by the truth of Scripture”? I saw a quote in the flyleaf of a friend’s Bible that I thought was very appropriate in this connection. Here is what it said:

It is a small thing to mark your Bible;
It is a great thing when your Bible marks you!

It reminded me of what was said about Peter and John as they were observed by those who heard them preach in the early days of Christianity: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John … they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

We may make notes and underline certain favorite verses in our Bibles, but do those verses really affect our life and underline our daily routine?

Monday, February 8, 2021

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Dear Young Christian:

Do you ever feel like nobody loves you and nobody cares? If so, here are some verses from the Bible to keep in mind.

• “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).

• “I have loved you, saith the Lord” (Malachi 1:2).

• “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you” (John 15:9).

• “For the Father Himself loveth you” (John 16:27).

The next time you feel you haven’t a friend or loved one left in the world, look up to Heaven and remember that God the Father and the Lord Jesus love you with an unchanging, unalterable love. It is divine love and is consistent and pure in its intensity and outflow. It is the same love that took the Lord Jesus to Calvary to die for you, and it is a love that will never let you go. Soon we will enjoy that love fully and unhinderedly in the Father’s house.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

Sunday, February 7, 2021

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The Son

“Honor the SON” (John 5:23).

His Incarnation: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a SON is given” (Isaiah 9:6).

His Life: “For He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved SON, in whom I am well pleased” (2 Peter 1:17).

His Death: “He that spared not His own SON, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

His Resurrection: “And declared to be the SON of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4).

His Ascension: “We have a Great High Priest, that is passed into the Heavens, Jesus the SON of God” (Hebrews 4:14).

What a glorious subject! “The SON of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Saturday, February 6, 2021

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Example or Savior

Nicodemus, came to the Lord one night and said, “We know that Thou art a teacher come from God” (John 3:2). He was looking to the Lord as a great teacher and example. But the Lord answered him to show that what he needed was not merely good teaching, but a new life. Twice He plainly stated. “Ye must be born again” (John 3:3, 7). The following account illustrates this need in a simple but powerful way:

After a service in Germantown, Pennsylvania, a stranger accosted the preacher and said, “I don’t like your preaching. I do not care for the cross. I think that instead of preaching the death of Christ, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the teacher and example.”

“Would you then be willing to follow Him if I preach Christ, the Example?” replied Dr. Stearns.

“I would. I will follow in His steps,” the stranger replied.

“Then,” said the preacher, “let us take the first step. ‘Who did no sin.’ Can you take this step?”

The stranger looked confused. “No,” he said. “I do sin, and I acknowledge it.”

“Well, then, your first need of Christ is not as an Example, but as a Savior. And this is every man’s need.”

Friday, February 5, 2021

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Moment by Moment

“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).

I am in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island this week. As always, I am staying with a brother in Christ who has had multiple sclerosis for 35 years. He is now 70 years of age, and to me he is a real example of an overcomer. During our evening conversation, he mentioned that old hymn written by Annie S. Hawks, I Need Thee Every Hour. His comment was, “I need the Lord every moment, not just every hour.” It is amazing how cheerful and happy he is in the Lord, and although he is longing for the Lord’s coming, or to be with the Lord through death, yet he takes everything moment by moment, realizing that all comes from the good hand of his God and Father. What a lesson! What an example! It caused me to pen the following lines:

Moment by moment, Lord I plead,
For mercy, grace, and help in need;
There is no moment I can be,
Without Your strength assisting me.
Strength for the day, strength for the hour,
Strength for the moment to empower.

Thursday, February 4, 2021

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The World — Part 2

“They are not of the WORLD, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth … . Love not the WORLD, neither the things that are in the WORLD … . The WORLD passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever … . Be not conformed to this WORLD … . God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the WORLD is crucified unto me, and I unto the WORLD … . In the WORLD ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the WORLD … . Having loved His own which were in the WORLD, He loved them unto the end … . According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the WORLD … . My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you: not as the WORLD giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid … . Go ye into all the WORLD, and preach the gospel to every creature … . Ye are the light of the WORLD … . Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the WORLD. Amen.” (John 17:16-17; 1 John 2:15,17; Romans 12:2; Galatians 6:14; John 16:33; 13:1; Ephesians 1:4; John 14:27; Mark 16:15; Matthew 5:14; 28:20).

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

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The World — Part 1

“The God of this WORLD hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them … . God that made the WORLD and all things therein … . He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the WORLD in righteousness … . Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the WORLD … . Christ Jesus came into the WORLD to save sinners … . I am come a light into the WORLD, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness … . For God sent not His Son into the WORLD to condemn the WORLD; but that the WORLD through Him might be saved … . He was in the WORLD, and the WORLD was made by Him, and the WORLD knew Him not … . For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole WORLD, and lose his own soul … . I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the WORLD … . I pray not for the WORLD, but for them which Thou hast given Me … . I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the WORLD, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” (2 Corinthians 4:4; Acts 17:24, 31; John 1:29; 1 Timothy 1:15; John 12:46; 3:17; 1:10; Matthew 16:26; John 17:6, 9, 15).

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

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Youth

“O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth … . Thou hast taught me from my youth” (Psalm 71:5, 17).

Life here on earth is short,
Youth soon will fade and fold;
Your Lord desires you live for Him,
Not wait till you grow old.
Don’t waste your youthful years,
Your best and brightest days:
Your Lord desires to use you now,
In many fruitful ways.

Youth lived for Christ is joy,
Many have proved this truth;
To wholly follow in His ways,
Brings much reward in youth.
We do not know how long,
Our life on earth will be,
We only know we have today –
“Lord let us live for Thee!”

Monday, February 1, 2021

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Dear Young Christian:

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Timothy was a young man who had been saved and had a real desire to live for the Lord and serve Him. Paul tells him to be an example of the believers by showing Christ in every aspect of his day-to-day life. He was to be careful what he said and what he did, as well as what he didn’t do, indicated by the word, “purity.” If Timothy’s service and ministry was to be effective, he would have to live his life as a model Christian. Sad to say, many believers, both young and old, mar their testimony through failing to exhibit these beautiful qualities of Christ that are listed in this verse. If what we say does not affect and shape our own lives, how can we expect it to affect and shape the lives of others?

Live for Christ this week, “keep thyself pure” (1 Timothy 5:22), and you will be a blessing to others, as well as having the joy and peace of the Lord in your own heart.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland