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Young Christians Calendar

A daily meditation for young Christians

June 2021

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Wednesday, June 30, 2021

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Prayer — Part 2
I am always noticing billboards along the highway, and the other day while driving through Eldora, Iowa, I saw this thought-provoking sign:
PRAYER IS THE BEST
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION!
Communication is so prevalent and accessible in this age of technology that it is a rare day, or even a rare moment that we can’t make a cell-phone call, text a friend, iMessage someone, and find out information or directions on the internet. We all seem to have access to data and, at the push of a button or touch of an icon, we are connected to the world. I have called friends and family from as far away as the jungle of South America or the Sinai Peninsula.
However, it doesn’t always work, does it? I am sure, like me, you have often been frustrated to find you are in an area where there is no cell service or Internet. But there is always an open line to Heaven, and to the ear of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. What a wonderful line of wireless communication we have anytime and anywhere! We are invited, “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).

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

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Prayer — Part 1
I was flying from Seattle, Washington to Denver, Colorado, when I noticed a billboard on the way to the airport, whose message caught my attention. Here is what it said:
WORK HARD! PRAY HARDER!
For me it was a very good reminder. Certainly, we are to work hard at whatever the Lord has given us to do. Whether it is our schoolwork, our employment, or our service for Christ, we are to do it to the best of our ability. The Old Testament exhorts us, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). The New Testament adds, “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
However, if we are going to have power and blessing in all that we do, we must pray even harder than we work. Remember, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). Our enemy Satan is always busy, and life is pressured. If we are going to have spiritual power in all we do, we must follow the instruction given to the believers at Ephesus: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18).

Monday, June 28, 2021

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Dear Young Christian:
One piece of information … a phone call … a doctor’s diagnosis … or notice of the death of a loved one, can change our lives forever. Thankfully we don’t know what the future holds. We remember the past, we operate in the present, but God has mercifully blocked the future, even the next moment, from view. If we knew the future it would be a burden we couldn’t carry around.
However, it is a wonderful thing to realize that there is one who knows the future, and who has planned it all according to His wisdom and love. In this truth we can rest, and follow the instructions given by David, when he wrote: “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).
Whatever news you receive this week, whatever changes the course of your life, or alters your plans, accept it from the good hand of the Lord who really does know what is best for us, even though we may not always think so.
He knows what’s best,
In this I rest!
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland

Sunday, June 27, 2021

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We Will Remember
“We will remember … the Lord” (Psalm 20:7).
On the war memorial in the town of Smiths Falls, Ontario where I live, is the following inscription to the brave men and women who gave their lives for the freedom of humanity:
They gave their today for our tomorrow,
We will remember them!
Once a year, on November 11th, we pause for a few moments to remember the great sacrifice of life that has been made at various times in our history. But how often do we stop and remember the One who made the greatest sacrifice of all time, the Lord Jesus and His death for us at Calvary?
He not only wants us to remember Him once a year, or from time to time, but He has instituted a way that we can remember Him in the breaking of break, and we are exhorted, “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).
Today is the “first day of the week” (Acts 20:7), otherwise called the “Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10). Will you be with those who honor the Lord’s request to remember Him? Remember, He says, “As often … . ”

Saturday, June 26, 2021

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Nothing to Hold
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).
It is related of an atheist who was dying that he appeared very uncomfortable, very unhappy and frightened. Another atheist who stood at his bedside said to him: “Don’t be afraid. Hold on, man, hold on to the last.”
The dying man said, “That is what I want to do, but tell me what to hold on to!”
What a sad commentary! To live without God is solemn and serious enough, but to die without God and Christ is eternally tragic. For the believer we have the Word of God and the promises contained therein to hold on to whether in life or death. We are told, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)” (Hebrews 10:23).
More than this, we have the assurances that we are held on to by God the Father and the Lord Jesus, who said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29). Do you have this assurance?

Friday, June 25, 2021

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Monthly Question Page
Q. Could you explain why the Lord is referred to as the “Word” in John 1:14? Part 1
A. Words give expression to thoughts and ideas. A writer puts words on paper, and as they are read, they take shape in our minds, forming mental pictures of what the writer is seeking to convey to us. The better the writer is with words the more accurate and vivid the picture formed in our brain. This may be true in an oral sense as well. A speaker who is skilled in language and presentation causes his hearers to have an understanding of his thoughts through word pictures. We often say of someone, “He has a way with words.” He is able to clearly communicate through the medium of speech, that is, by the use of words.
So it is with God! He has clearly communicated to us who He is through the incarnation (Christ come in human form) of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ … The WORD! Our verse states, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
• Continued next month

Thursday, June 24, 2021

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Daily Bread
Yesterday while driving in Trinidad we passed the Daily Bread Bakery. Their advertising slogan on the outside of the building read as follows:
WELL FED
WITH DAILY BREAD!
It reminded me of how the Lord daily fed the children of Israel every day for forty years in the wilderness. We read, “So He fed them according to the integrity of His heart” (Psalm 78:72). It also reminded me of how the Lord desires to feed us day by day with Himself, the Bread of Heaven. He said, “I am that bread of life … he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me. This is that bread which came down from Heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever” (John 6:48, 57-58).
Have you been well fed with daily bread today? Have you read your Bible and fed on the person and work of Christ? If not, don’t let the sun go down without satisfying your spiritual appetite. How can you hope to be a spiritually healthy Christian if you don’t feed on the Living Bread?

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

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Monthly Scripture Reading
Romans 5
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come.
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one Man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

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Hold Fast
Recently some Sunday school children in Morvant, Trinidad were asked what it meant to hold fast. There were several simple but legitimate answers. Here are just two of them:
“Don’t let go!”
“Hang on tight!”
These definitions brought to mind several things from the Word of God that we are told to hang on tight to and not let go:
“Hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
“Hold fast the form of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13)
“Hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Hebrews 3:6).
“Hold fast our profession” (Hebrews 4:14).
“Hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering” (Hebrews 10:23).
It takes real energy of faith and dependence on the Lord to hold fast and be faithful to Him and His Word. But He gives us all the power and spiritual fortitude we need and encourages us to not let go until He comes. “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come” (Revelation 2:25).

Monday, June 21, 2021

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Dear Young Christian:
“Brethren, pray” (1 Thessalonians 5:25).
This week I had the privilege of visiting an elderly sister in Christ, who lives in Morvant, Trinidad. Sister Williams told me that she is now over ninety years of age, and although still in her own home and still helping with a Sunday school class, she cannot do many of the things she used to do for the Lord. “But,” she said, “I can still pray.”
I wonder if we who are younger really appreciate older ones who spend time in prayer, and who are praying specifically for us? Maybe they can’t get out to the meetings or be involved in work for the Lord like they used to, but they are home praying, and no doubt this is one reason why the Lord has spared their life … to pray for those of us who, sad to say, don’t take time to pray like we should.
When I get to Heaven, I am sure that I will find out that I was preserved from many things because I had elderly believers praying for me. We sometimes call them “prayer warriors,” and I am very thankful for them.
“Finally, brethren, pray” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland

Sunday, June 20, 2021

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Waste
“There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as He sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?” (Matthew 26:7-8).
The disciple considered this act of devotion a waste. But the Lord valued it very much and rebuked them by saying, “Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon Me” (verse 10).
Today is the “first day of the week” (Act 20:7). Many may think it is a waste of time, energy, and resources if you meet with other believers for worship, prayer, or Bible study. Others may think it is a waste to be involved in gospel outreach or visiting believers who are not well or in trying circumstances. But be assured that the Lord values any response and expense we may give to Him. If you have the liberty to use this day for the Lord, do it! He takes account of every sacrifice you make, and in the end will attach His commendation to it. Sometimes, like the women with the precious ointment, you may even be reproached and criticized by other true believers. Never mind, it is the Lord’s estimation and approval that really counts.

Saturday, June 19, 2021

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Obey the Gospel
“What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God” (1 Peter 4:17).
It was Sunday school in Morvant, Trinidad, and Mr. Seymour was giving the young people a simple gospel message on the subject of obedience. He asked the youths to give him a definition of the word OBEY. There were several suggestions, but the simplest, and — to me — the best answer was, “To do what you’re told.”
This may seem elementary, and yet it is profoundly true. We are told that “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8).
God gives us some simple commands. Here are just three examples:
“Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
“Flee from the wrath to come” (Matthew 3:7).
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31).
These are simple, easy-to-be-understood statements. The question is, have you obeyed … have you done what you are told?

Friday, June 18, 2021

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A Good Commendation
“The elder unto the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth … . For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth” (3 John verses 1, 3).
Wouldn’t we all like a commendation like that? When others give an account of your actions what do they say? Can they give a good report? Can they testify that we are walking according to the Word of God and living a godly life?
Here is what it says about Timothy: “Well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium” (Acts 16:2).
Of Apelles we read, “approved in Christ” (Romans 16:10).
Of course, our first motivation should be the Lord’s approval. Paul said, “Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9). However, we further read, “For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men” (Romans 14:18).

Thursday, June 17, 2021

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Young People of Scripture
Jonathan
Prince Jonathan was the son of King Saul and was a valiant warrior and a man of faith. He won some great victories for Israel, sometimes single-handedly, but in reliance on the Lord, as seen in the first few verses of 1 Samuel 13.
It seems that Jonathan was David’s best friend and even sheltered David from the malice and hatred of Saul. He proved his love and loyalty in that, though he was heir to the throne, he agreed that David should be king, and he would be next to him (1 Samuel 19:1-7; 1 Samuel 20:1-42; 1 Samuel 23:16-18).
Nevertheless, Jonathan was not willing to suffer reproach with David and remained with his father, rather than with the one who was anointed by God to be His king, and with his father he perished. David wept for his friend, and said, “Very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful” (2 Samuel 1:26). Jonathan never got to sit next to David when he became king. Are we willing to suffer reproach for Christ now during the time of His rejection, knowing that we will share in His glorious reign in a future day? Remember, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12). “If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17).

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

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Missionaries — Part 2
How often do we say, “I’m bored,” or “I have nothing exciting to do”? And yet there is so much that we can do or could be doing for the Lord and for the advancement of the gospel and the truth of God.
Young people, there is no shortage of needs and opportunities to serve the Lord and help His people. As we have already indicated, it does not mean that we all pack up and leave for the foreign mission field. But it does mean looking around us for needs and open doors every day, at school, office, shop, factory, neighborhood, or wherever you operate from day to day. There is much that can be done to help those who are distributing and preaching the Word of God on a full-time basis. It may not always be exciting, but if done for the Lord it will be rewarding. The next time you find yourself wondering what to do, or how to fill your time, say to the Lord, “What wilt Thou have me to do” (Acts 9:6). If you truly mean it, you will find He has plenty for you to do.
There’s lots to do for Jesus, go work for Him today!
You’ll find a real blessing, a joyous, rich repay.
Go work today for Jesus, so loving, good, and kind;
Of things to do for Jesus, no shortage you will find.

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

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Missionaries — Part 1
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15).
This is a word to every one of us who belong to the Lord, but, as we said yesterday, not necessarily telling every one of us that we need to head out to the foreign mission field or some remote corner of the planet. But we can all be missionaries. When I was a boy in Sunday school, we used to sing that familiar children’s song:
Jesus bids us shine
With a pure, clear light,
Like a little candle
Burning in the night;
In this world of darkness,
So we must shine,
You in your small corner,
And I in mine.
Let’s preach by our actions and by our words, in whatever corner of the world the Lord has put us in today. And if He chooses to send us to another corner of the world tomorrow, let’s be ready to go where He leads, as His messenger, like the prophet who said, “Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

Monday, June 14, 2021

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Dear Young Christian:
For me life is a continual coming and going. Not that I am complaining, as I am very thankful for the opportunities to serve the Lord, and the many open doors that still exist —  even in these last days. This is not a time for sitting back and watching life go by. We are told, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). So I pack my bag, and tomorrow I am off to Trinidad.
While most of us are not called to the foreign mission field yet we can all serve the Lord where we are. What will your mission field be this week? Your neighborhood, summer school, your workplace … vacation spot … ? In the Bible we find those of all ages in all kinds of situations speaking and giving testimony for the Lord. For example, Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh, the maid to Naaman’s wife, Anna in the temple, Cornelius in his own house, Paul and Silas in prison … and on and on the list goes.
Have a good week, and don’t forget your mission for Christ.
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland

Sunday, June 13, 2021

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The Poor Wise Man
“This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.” (Ecclesiastes 9:13-16).
The poor, wise man is the Lord Jesus. “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9). The city is a picture of this world, and the enemy is Satan. The Lord by the work of Calvary has delivered us from our sins and from the judgment that is coming on this world. Will you remember Him today, or will you be like those in the story who forgot their deliverer?
The Lord Jesus has asked us, “This do in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24). He has even told us how to remember Him. “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 remember Him today?

Saturday, June 12, 2021

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His Part
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5).
It is difficult to hear that man is an utterly lost sinner who can never find his own way back to God. We like to think there is something we can do to help save ourselves, but according to God’s Word we are not only lost, but without any ability to save ourselves, as the following story illustrates:
Ironside tells the story of a convert who rose in a meeting to give testimony to the saving grace of God. He told how the Lord had won his heart and given deliverance from the guilt and power of sin. He spoke of Christ and His work but said nothing of any efforts of his own. When the man’s testimony was ended the leader of the meeting said, “Our brother has only told us of the Lord’s part in his salvation. When I was converted there was a whole lot I had to do myself before I could expect the Lord to do anything for me. Brother, didn’t you do your part first before God did His?”
The other was on his feet in an instant and replied: “Yes, I clear forgot. I didn’t tell you about my part, did I? Well, I did my part for over thirty years, running away from God as fast as my sins could carry me. That was my part. An’ God took after me till He run me down. That was His part.”

Friday, June 11, 2021

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So Shine
“Ye are the light of the world … . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16).
Four of us were having breakfast in a restaurant in Georgetown, Guyana yesterday morning. Before we ate, we paused for a moment while one of us gave a short word of thanks to the Lord for the meal. A man at the next table noticed this, and motioning to us declared that he was a believer. This led to some conversation, and we found out that he was involved in evangelical work and was wondering where he could get some gospel tracts and other Christian literature. We were happy to tell him that we had a literature and Bible depot in the country and that we would be happy to supply him with all the literature he could use. We were able to give him some material on the spot, and he assured us that he would soon be in contact for more. We were able to speak a few words of encouragement to one another, and then he was gone. I thought, Who knows the far-reaching blessing and fruit of such a contact?
Let your light shine today, and you will be surprised at the blessing it will be to others.

Thursday, June 10, 2021

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The Lord
“I will extol Thee, my God, O king; and I will bless Thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless Thee; and I will praise Thy name for ever and ever” (Psalm 145:1-2).
In conjunction with today’s meditation I would encourage you to read the whole of Psalm 145. The theme of this Psalm is “The Lord.”
• “Great is the Lord” (verse 3).
• “The Lord is gracious” (verse 8).
• “The Lord is good” (verse 9).
• “The Lord upholdeth” (verse 14).
• “The Lord is righteous” (verse 17).
• “The Lord is nigh” (verse 18).
• “The Lord preserveth” (verse 20).
No wonder David could say at the end of it, “My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord” (verse 21). As he considered all that the Lord is, and all the blessings that were his as a result, it really overwhelmed him and filled him with praise.
As you meditate on who the Lord is and all He has done for you and all that He is doing for you, you too will be filled with praise and thanksgiving.

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

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Together
“For we are laborers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9).
This phrase is certainly remarkable. Does God really need us? He could speak and the whole world would shatter into a million pieces. If He recalled His breath all flesh would perish in a moment. And yet Christians, God’s people today, walking in tune with Him and serving Him in His great harvest field, are laborers together with God. We are working with God and He with us. We are working together for His glory and the blessing of souls. Do you get the importance of this statement, young Christian friend? WE ARE WORKERS TOGETHER WITH GOD. He is our God, He gave His Son to save us, and now we can be laborers together with Him. He says to each of us, “Son, go work today in My vineyard” (Matthew 21:28).
This is indeed a great privilege and one that is only given to us for this life. When we arrive in the Father’s house, God’s Son is going to come forth and serve us. “He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them” (Luke 12:37). Are you asking God what He wants you to do today? If you are, you will find that He has plenty for you to do.

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

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Keep
“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost.” (John 17:12).
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
These two statements of Scripture go very necessarily together. First of all, the Lord Jesus Christ has kept and will continue to keep each of His own until we leave this world and are safe home with Him in the Father’s house. Remember, His keeping power is as real and powerful as His saving power. We are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5).
Now our responsibility is to keep our hearts and our affections for Him so that our lives can be lived for His honor and glory. We are encouraged by Jude, the brother of James, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 21). To keep ourselves in the warmth and sunshine of His love we must walk in daily fellowship with Himself. This will stir up our affections and keep us from the evils of the world as well as making us happy, fruitful followers of Christ.

Monday, June 7, 2021

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Dear Young Christian:
We are going to be like Christ in Heaven. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).
However, we can be like Him now. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). In other words, in the measure in which we are occupied with Christ Jesus as the glorified man in Heaven, there will be a reflection of Himself in our life.
Of course, we may fail, but that should not discourage us. Remember that the place you are in is that of an epistle of Christ and the life of Christ should be manifested in us. Christ has settled the question of our sins. Now He appears in the presence of God for us, and we are in the presence of the world for Him.
How much of Christ will the world see in you this week?
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland

Sunday, June 6, 2021

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Risen
“The Lord is risen indeed” (Luke 24:34).
This glorious truth was triumphantly conveyed to the disciples in the upper room by the two who had gone to Emmaus and returned to Jerusalem after having been in the company of the risen Christ.
What a wonderful comfort this was as the truth of it slowly sank into the hearts of those who heard it, and as the Lord then came and stood in their midst to confirm to them that He had indeed risen from the dead. “Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord” (John 20:20).
So for us today, we look back to the work of Calvary to remember all that took place there when the Lord Jesus gave Himself for us. But we also look up and rejoice in a risen Savior, and as such we worship Him.
That resurrection morning,When through the early gloom,
The confirmation given, come see the empty tomb.
The grave, it could not hold Him, victorious He rose,
Oh, what a glorious morning, triumphant o’er His foes.
“He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:6).

Saturday, June 5, 2021

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And Then …
“Your life … appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14).
A young man came to the dean of a famed university. He told the old man that a long-cherished desire was at last fulfilled: He had entered law school and meant to spare no effort in pursuing his studies. The old man kindly replied, “When you have finished studying, what will you do?”
“Take my doctor’s degree,” answered the youth.
“And then?”
“Then,” continued the youth, “I shall have a number of difficult cases, and win a great reputation.”
“And then?” repeated the professor.
“And then,” replied the youth, “I shall be elected to some high office in the state, and become rich.”
“And then?”
“And then,” continued the would-be lawyer, “I’ll live comfortably and look forward to a quiet and happy old age.”
“And then,” repeated the old man again.
“And then,” said the youth, “and then I shall die.”
Here his listener raised his voice, and again asked with solemnity and emphasis: “AND THEN?”
The young man made no answer. He had not considered the most important thing of all — ETERNITY! Have you?

Friday, June 4, 2021

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Arise, Go!
“Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before Me” (Jonah 1:1-2).
The story is told of a poor Chinese country woman; just a cook. She had been sick and was not strong enough to go on with her work, and it was suggested that, as she knew the Lord and His love, she might visit about amongst her neighbors and tell some of them the good news. One old brother rather intimated that she was not capable of such work as this, and she quite fell in with his view of the matter: and absolutely refused to seek to go about with the gospel at all.
That night while she was asleep, she suddenly heard a voice say to her, “Jonah!” Only one word. The call woke her up, and she instantly thought of the story of Jonah, and how he was called to go and give a message; and the way he refused to go. Then she thought of what happened to him, and her thoughts were not very happy as she realized how much alike she and Jonah were.
The next morning, she cheerfully set out to visit a poor old woman up the street, to tell her about the Lord. Do you think the Lord might ever say to you or me, “Jonah?”

Thursday, June 3, 2021

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The Perfect Example
Have you ever, in a single day, compared your watch with various clocks you come across in your travels? I have, and sometimes it is quite astounding to notice the difference. Some clocks may vary a minute or two, others several minutes, and I have seen some that are stopped altogether. Then there is the atomic clock reputed to be the most accurate type of timepiece in the world, designed to measure time according to vibrations within atoms. However, even this type of clock is dependent on certain conditions for its accuracy.
This reminds me of believers who take their model for life from other Christians. While we are thankful for the godly example of others in our life, yet we need to have Christ, the perfect example, as our model. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
Today we may wonder which clock or watch is really telling the correct time. But we don’t have to wonder who to follow as the perfect example for life. Many times, the Lord told individuals, “Follow Me.”

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

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His Brother
“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother … . brought him to Jesus” (John 1:40, 42).
What a happy day that was for Peter. He would never forget the time when his brother came to him with the news, “We have found the Messias” (verse 41).
It wasn’t necessary for Andrew to introduce his brother to the Lord. No, the Lord knew who he was and all about him. “And when Jesus beheld him, He said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona” (verse 42).
Peter went on to establish a personal relationship with the Lord and to be a prominent and faithful disciple. After the Lord went back to Heaven, he was used in a mighty way to present the gospel on the day of Pentecost and on a number of subsequent occasions. Literally thousands were saved because of his preaching and testimony, and we have two wonderfully instructive epistles that the Spirit of God used him to write.
When was the last time you introduced someone to the Lord? You may not have the gift of preaching or public speaking, but we can all acquaint souls with the Lord. We never read of Andrew taking a prominent or public part, but what a wonderful service he did in bringing his own brother to the Lord.

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

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The Cross
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).
I love the cross of Jesus,
For there my Savior died;
For there His blood, so precious,
Flowed from His spear-pierced side.
The cross is all my glory,
In nothing else I boast;
It made me fit for Heaven,
With all the ransomed host.
I’ll tell the cross of Jesus,
To those who do not know,
It’s power to free from evil,
From sin, and Satan’s woe:
Of Jesus who has given
His life to save each one,
The risen, living Savior,
Who bids each sinner “Come!”
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