Young Christians Calendar

June 2023

“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23).

We probably get into more trouble with our mouth and our tongue than in any other way. What we say reveals what is inside, and we can easily say things that upset others. But we make words with our tongue, so why does it mention our mouth as well?

I would suggest that it is because our mouth and facial expression can send a message to others even if we do not say anything. We can smile nicely, we can grin as if we are laughing at someone, we can look angry, we can look proud, we can express disgust, and many other emotions without saying a word. We need to remember this, for our face and mouth tell others what we are thinking.

We can avoid this by asking the Lord to help us get rid of those wrong thoughts. Then our face and our tongue will not say things that we wish afterwards we had not said.

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Copy link Print

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will” (Proverbs 21:1).

Have you ever wanted someone in authority to do something for you, and found that he/she would not do it? Probably we have all had that experience, and we have to remember that perhaps the Lord allowed them to refuse to do it. But the Lord is able to change their minds.

Many years ago, I had this experience with a man in authority, and I prayed about it, for what I wanted was very important, and seemed to be what the Lord would want. Some weeks later, the Lord gave me the chance to talk to him about it again. I did not even ask for anything; we just talked about the situation. To my surprise he suddenly said, “I will do it.” The Lord had changed his mind!

Men can change the course of rivers of water by making a new channel, and the Lord can do that with men’s minds too, in order to have them do His will. Let us remember this when we pray.

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Copy link Print

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard [lazy person]; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8).

Ants are one of the commonest of God’s creatures in this world and are probably the most numerous. For every human being alive in the world today, there are more than 1 billion ants! They can live in almost any environment, whether in deserts or in rainforests, in cold climates or warm ones.

God uses them to teach us something, for I have never seen a lazy ant. They are always busy doing something useful. They are also very persistent. A Christian man once watched an ant carrying a burden bigger than itself, and trying to climb up a wooden fence. It tried 69 times and fell down, but made it to the top the 70th time.

If we have a tendency to be lazy, we can learn from watching the ants. They prepare for winter by putting food away, and while we might not have to do this in quite the same way, it is a good lesson for us to make good use of our time.

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Copy link Print

“The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee” (2 Timothy 4:13).

“Do thy diligence to come before winter” (2 Timothy 4:21).

Sometimes we might think of men like the Apostle Paul as being “super Christians,” who were able to go through life without any real problems. Yet we see from these verses that he was a real man, with human feelings and real needs, just as we have.

He was in prison in Rome, and no doubt it was hard for him. He was getting older, and winter was coming on. There was probably no heat in the prison, and he wanted a coat that he had left in Troas, in order to keep warm. He asks Timothy to bring it to him, and specially asks him to come before winter.

The Lord knows what we need, and He knows about our circumstances too. The Lord Jesus was a real man as well, although He is God. He too had all the same feelings of a man, and all the same needs. He understands our difficulties and wants to help us in them. He knows even if we need a warm coat or a warm blanket!

Monday, June 26, 2023

Copy link Print

“Alexander the smith did many evil things against me. The Lord will render to him according to his works” (2 Timothy 4:14 JND).

“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge” (2 Timothy 4:16).

Alexander was evidently a bad man, although it seems that he had said he was a Christian in the past. We do not know whether he was a true Christian or not, but he was a real enemy of Paul, and Timothy was told to beware of him too. Paul does not ask the Lord to pardon him, but simply predicts that He will reward him according to his works.

However, when some dear brethren, no doubt from fear, had left Paul all alone when he stood before Caesar, Paul realized that they were real, and asked the Lord not to lay it to their charge. This was showing the same grace that the Lord Jesus had shown when being nailed to the cross; He had said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). God is gracious towards weakness, but firm towards real opposition to the truth. We should act the same way.

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Copy link Print

“I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none” (Psalm 69:20).

When something bad happens to someone in this world, even if the person deserves it, there are usually some people who take pity on them and feel sorry for them. But when the Lord Jesus suffered for us on the cross, there was no one to take pity on Him, or to comfort Him. He went through all that suffering alone. He was even forsaken of God on the cross, during the three hours of darkness, when He was “made sin” for us.

For the Lord Jesus, He knew that it was worth it, and in a coming day, when we are in heaven with Him, “He shall see of the travail (painful work) of His soul, and shall be satisfied” (Isa. 53:11). But how we ought to thank Him for all that He suffered for us, and for God’s glory!

Saturday, June 24, 2023

Copy link Print

“Do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5).

An evangelist is someone who has a gift to preach the gospel, and to share the good news with other people. Normally the Lord gives this gift to those who like to speak to people, and who find it easy to socialize with others. They are not afraid to approach someone whom they do not know, and strike up a conversation.

Timothy was not like that; he was a timid man, but the Apostle Paul tells him to “do the work of an evangelist.” That means that even though he was a shy person, Timothy was to speak to those who were not saved and tell them how to get saved.

Maybe some of you find it hard to speak to others about the Lord, but if we realize that they are going to hell if they are not saved, then we will make the effort to speak to them. In these last days sometimes we have to “do the work of an evangelist,” even if we are not gifted for it!

Friday, June 23, 2023

Copy link Print

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Timothy 3:14).

If we have learned something from the Word of God, the Lord wants us to continue in it. That means that we “live it out” in our everyday lives. In spiritual things, we learn something when we hear it and have it in our heads, but when we “live it out” in our everyday lives, we are assured of it. If we learn something in school, say, something in history, we can remember it in our heads for a long time. But we cannot keep spiritual truth in our heads if we do not use it; we will tend to lose it. But if we walk in it, we are assured of it, for it becomes part of us.

Timothy had learned much from the Apostle Paul, for most of the New Testament was not available when Timothy was living. But since Paul wrote much of the New Testament, he was able to teach Timothy personally about many things. You and I cannot listen directly to Paul, or Peter, or John, but we can now read their writings in the New Testament. The Lord wants us to continue in what we have read and heard!

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Copy link Print

“Above all things have fervent charity [warm love] among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

We all appreciate being loved, and we know how easy it is to forgive those whom we really love, even if they have done something wrong. Our love covers a lot of sins that they might do! Does this mean that we dishonor the Lord by passing over something that is sinful? No, it does not mean that; rather, it means that we do not get upset and make a big fuss about some little thing that has been done to us. If someone does something that really dishonors the Lord, we need to try and help that person to confess the sin, and get right with the Lord. But if we are upset mostly because we were insulted or irritated, many times we can forget it. That is why it says that love covers “the multitude” of sins; it does not say “all sins.”

It is good to be the kind of Christian who readily forgives someone else, and thus covers sins instead of “making a big thing” of them.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Copy link Print

“Whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” (Hebrews 13:7).

Here are a few more verses from C. T. Studd’s poem:

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me, Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true whate’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes, only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done;”
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “ ’twas worth it all;”
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Copy link Print

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

In the introduction to this calendar, I said there would not be much poetry. Today we will make an exception. Here are some verses from C. T. Studd’s poem:

Two little lines I heard one day
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes, only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His judgment seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Monday, June 19, 2023

Copy link Print

“Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).

Back in the year 1885, there were seven Christian young men at Cambridge University in England. All were good students, and some of them were good athletes too. They came from wealthy homes, and had a wonderful future ahead of them in this world. But all seven decided to give up their wealth and the good lifestyle they might have had. They went out to China to become missionaries, to carry the good news of the gospel to those who had never heard it before.

One of these young men was named Charles T. Studd, who was probably the best known of the seven men, and who was also a champion cricket player. At some point in his life he wrote a very good poem, which many people still quote today. The last lines of each verse are:

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

This poem has been an encouragement and an inspiration to many Christians. What will you do with your life?

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Copy link Print

“I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God” (John 20:17).

These wonderful words were spoken to Mary Magdalene, when the Lord Jesus was risen from the dead. She wanted to go back to the same relationship with Him that she had before He went to the cross, but the Lord Jesus had something better to tell her. Not only was He risen, but He was going back to His Father. From that time on, believers would know Him only by faith, but they would be brought into the relationship with God as their Father — something they had never known before. They would also know the Lord Jesus in a closer and more intimate way than if He remained here on earth, for the Holy Spirit would come down and indwell each believer. The Holy Spirit would bring back to their memory the things the Lord Jesus had said to them, and He would also reveal to them things they had not yet heard. You and I live in a wonderful time in this world’s history, for we can enjoy all this!

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Copy link Print

“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity (love), peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).

When we are young and full of ambition and energy, it is easy to want many things. The Bible calls these things “youthful lusts,” which simply means the things of this world that we would like to have. Sometimes there is nothing bad about those things, such as a car, a boat, a piece of property, nice clothes, and perhaps other things. Youthful lusts might even include activities like playing sports or traveling. A Christian might do all of these things, but if they are “what we live for,” then we need to “flee” them. If the things of this world fill our hearts, Christ will be forced out, and we will become spiritually poor.

On the other hand, if we follow Christ and look after His interests in this world, we can use all of the things listed above to serve the Lord and be a help to others. But they will not be “what we live for,” and if the Lord does not give them to us, we will not be upset. We must leave all of these things behind when we leave this world, but we can use the things we have down here to lay up treasure in heaven.

Friday, June 16, 2023

Copy link Print

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who…will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God” (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Many years ago, there was a boy in New York City, in the U.S.A., named Lou Gehrig, who grew up to be a famous baseball player, back in the 1920’s and 1930’s. As a boy, he loved to play baseball with bigger boys, and used to carry their equipment for them. One day one of the big boys remarked, “These bats are getting pretty dirty!” Without asking anyone, Lou Gehrig took the bats home and washed them thoroughly in a washtub of soapy water. When he brought them back and the boys tried to hit the ball, it just slid off the bat because the wood was soaking wet. All the big boys were angry. “Some dope has washed them,” one boy said.

But one of them comforted poor Lou Gehrig, and said, “You wanted to do the right thing!” The Lord also will reward us if we do something because we love Him, although we may not know enough to do it according to His Word. The Lord can reward us for having a right desire in our hearts, even if we do something in the wrong way. But it is better to know His Word, and to do it right.

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Copy link Print

“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully” (2 Timothy 2:5).

Ben Johnson, a Canadian athlete, was a fast runner, and he competed in the Olympic games several times. On September 24, 1988 he set a world record in the 100-meter dash at the Seoul, Korea summer Olympics, and won a gold medal. But only a few days later he was found to have taken drugs to help him run faster. As a result, he was disqualified and lost his gold medal.

When we work for the Lord, He expects us to do His work in the right way, according to His Word. In a coming day He will give out rewards for our work for Him, but He cannot reward us if we deliberately and willfully do something that is contrary to His Word. Just as in natural things in this world, we must follow the Lord’s guidance in His Word when we do anything for Him.

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Copy link Print

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3).

When I was younger and we used to go “wilderness camping,” we slept in tents, using sleeping bags. We used to endure hardness by placing our sleeping bags on the floor of the tent without any padding under them. The ground was hard, and sometimes a small root would poke into us in the night. But anyone who used padding was considered a “wimp.” I have to admit that we took a certain amount of pride in enduring hardness. But it lasted only a week, and then we were back in our normal beds.

If we wish to work for the Lord, it may mean enduring hardness sometimes. We may have to endure physical discomfort, such as a hard bed or different food. But it can mean more than that; it can mean coping with difficult people, a different culture, sometimes going without certain things that we really like. But it is all part of being a good soldier for Christ!

Even today, soldiers sometimes have to put up with harsh conditions, yet it is all necessary in order to serve their country. It may be necessary for us if we wish to serve the Lord!

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Copy link Print

“As unknown, and yet well known” (2 Corinthians 6:9).

The Apostle Paul was a well-educated man, and could have been very important in this world. Yet as an apostle for Christ, he was both “unknown and yet well known.” What does this mean? It means that as to this world, he was unknown. If you study the history of the Roman Empire, you will read of men like Sulla, Julius Caesar, Pompey, Caesar Augustus, and many others, but not the Apostle Paul. He was unknown among the important people in the world in that day.

And yet he was well known, for among Christians he is recognized as possibly the greatest servant the Lord ever had. Also, while leading men in the Roman Empire are often forgotten, the inspired writings of the Apostle Paul are still widely read today, as part of the Word of God.

Some years ago, while visiting in England, I went to a large cemetery, and there I saw a tombstone with the same words on it — “As unknown and well known.” The man who was buried there is not prominent in British history, but his name is well known among many Christians. Are you and I striving to be well known in this world, or well known by the Lord?

Monday, June 12, 2023

Copy link Print

“Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy” (2 Timothy 1:4).

At first this may seem like a strange verse. Paul remembers Timothy’s tears, and he wants to see him, to be filled with joy. Can we get joy from someone who sheds tears? Yes, for if the person who is crying is shedding those tears for the same reason we would cry, then it can actually be an encouragement to us. If we are upset about something, but others do not care, then it can make us cry all the more. But if someone else is sorry too, it helps us.

Paul and Timothy were both concerned about the state of the believers at that time, as we mentioned two days ago. They were concerned enough to cry about it, and this was an encouragement to Paul, even though Paul was in prison at this time.

Usually we cry about something that is going wrong in our own lives, but Paul and Timothy were not crying for themselves; they were concerned about others. Do we sometimes cry because of others, or because something dishonors the Lord?

Sunday, June 11, 2023

Copy link Print

“But now is Christ risen from the dead…But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Corinthians 15:20,23).

The Lord Jesus rose on this day — the Lord’s day. It is the day on which we come together to remember Him, for we could not remember Him in death if He were still dead. But now that He is alive, we can remember Him in death.

He is now up in heaven, seated at God’s right hand, and waiting for the Father to give Him the word to come back and take us up to be with Him. In that way He is the firstfruits — the first man to be in heaven with a glorified body. Others are there with Him, for every true believer that has died is surely “with Christ,” but they are there only in soul and spirit. Their bodies are still in the grave, waiting for the resurrection that will happen when the Lord comes back. When He comes to take us home, we will each instantly receive glorified bodies, “fashioned like unto His glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). What a day that will be!

Saturday, June 10, 2023

Copy link Print

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Paul was not married and had no natural children, but Timothy was his “own son in the faith.” Now that Paul was getting older, he wrote to encourage Timothy. Things were not going well. Many dear believers were beginning to give up some of the precious truth that Paul had taught them, and were living worldly lives. But Paul tells Timothy to carry on faithfully, and reminds him not to be afraid. He reminds him that God has given us the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.

The word used here for power in the Greek language is dunamis, a word often used for God’s power. (We get our English word dynamite from it.) The word used for love is agape, which is divine love. And the word used for “sound mind” means a mind under self-control, or disciplined. Timothy was a young man, and as young people we need all these things in the difficult world in which we live today. Let us not be afraid in trying times, for the Lord will give us what we need to follow Him.

Friday, June 9, 2023

Copy link Print

“Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence…And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father: and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually” (2 Samuel 9:6-7).

You may remember that when Mephibosheth was a little boy of five years old, his nurse heard that his father Jonathan and his grandfather Saul had been killed in battle (2 Sam. 4:4). She picked up Mephibosheth to run away to safety, but in her hurry he fell and was badly hurt. As a result he was lame for the rest of his life. But some years had gone by, and David was now king over all Israel. David wished to show kindness to Mephibosheth because of his friendship with Jonathan, his father who had died in battle.

Not only did David give Mephibosheth back all the land belonging to Saul, but he brought him into his house, so that he ate continually at David’s table. What a place of favor he enjoyed!

This is a little picture of what God has done for us. Saul was David’s enemy, and for this reason Mephibosheth was at first afraid of David. But David wanted only to bless Him. Today many unsaved people are afraid of God, but through the Lord Jesus, God wants to bless each one who will come to Him.

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Copy link Print

“But I would have you without carefulness” (1 Corinthians 7:32).

Those of you who live in the U.S.A. are probably familiar with the J. C. Penney stores. Back in 1929, when J. C. Penney was still alive, there was what is called a crash of the stock market, which simply means that the value of investments went way down very suddenly. Many people lost a lot of money. Mr. Penney was a true Christian and his business was sound, but he had made some unwise personal commitments which he found impossible to honor. He became very depressed, and as a result he was admitted to hospital and thought he was going to die.

But on Lord’s day morning, a group of Christian young people came into the hospital to sing, and they sang the hymn, “Be not dismayed whate’er betide; God will take care of you!” As he listened to the beautiful words and singing, Mr. Penney was encouraged, as he realized that the Lord was going to look after him. He got better, went on with his business, and the Lord helped him to work everything out.

Our problems may not be as large as J. C. Penney’s, but the Lord wants us to go to Him with our difficulties too. He will take care of us! (If you do not know this hymn, look it up on the internet!)

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Copy link Print

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Something that is temporal is something that does not last; it is here only for a while. All around us we see the things of this world, and they are all temporal. Yet many people focus on those things and spend all their time trying to get them. We have a next-door neighbor who is very diligent at keeping his property nice, building new things from time to time, fixing up his summer cottage on a lake, and looking after his pickup truck and car. Yet he has no interest in knowing where he is going when he must leave this world.

God reminds us in this verse that what we can see in this world is temporal, but that the eternal things are not seen. We know about these unseen things only by faith, yet they are real, even though we cannot see them. But our verse today tells us to look at those unseen things, and by faith we can see them and enjoy them even though they cannot be seen with our natural eyes.

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Copy link Print

“For all the promises of God in Him (the Lord Jesus) are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

People in this world often make promises that they cannot keep, or do not keep. Here where I live in Canada we have just had a federal election. During the campaign, the leaders of various political parties made many promises, in order to try and get people to vote for them. Historically, we know that many such promises have not been kept; they were conveniently forgotten after the election was over. It will probably happen this time too. At other times people may make promises, and really intend to keep them, but then something happens that prevents their keeping the promise.

With God, His promises will never fail, for the Lord always keeps His promises. He is always willing to keep them, and He is always able to keep them. When God keeps His promises to us, it is not only for our blessing, but for the glory of God. If God has said something, we can believe it and rest on it.

Monday, June 5, 2023

Copy link Print

“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour” (Proverbs 21:21).

Back in the 1800’s a Christian young man worked in an office for a man who owned a small company. When his boss wanted the young man to work on Lord’s day, he said no, he would prefer not to do so. (There was no real need for working on Lord’s day; the boss just wanted to make more money.) As a result, the boss fired the young man.

Some time later, a bank manager was having lunch with the young man’s former boss, and mentioned that he was looking for an honest man to handle money in his bank. The boss mentioned this young man to him and recommended him for the job. The bank manager was surprised, and said, “I thought you fired him some time ago!” “Yes,” said the boss, “and the man who will lose his job rather than work on Lord’s day is the man you can trust with your money!” The young man got a good job at the bank, and the Lord honored him for his faithfulness.

We know that some people, such as doctors, nurses, firefighters, etc. sometimes have to work on Lord’s day, but it is nice if we do not have to do this. If we honor the Lord in our life, He will look after us.

Sunday, June 4, 2023

Copy link Print

“For dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet” (Psalm 22:16).

The expression “dogs” used here refers to the Romans — the Gentiles, who were the actual ones who crucified the Lord Jesus. They drove the nails into His hands and feet, and hung Him on a cross to die. It was a cruel death, and a shameful death too.

But in this verse it does not say that they pierced His side, although a Roman soldier did that too, to make sure that He was really dead. Why does it not mention His side? It is because piercing His side was part of the work of redemption, and this was necessary so that you and I could be saved. God allowed this, for it was the blood from our Lord’s side that put away our sins. This is clear from John 19:34, where it says that from His side “came there out blood and water.”

Man must take responsibility for crucifying the Lord Jesus, but God was there too, and saw to it that the blood was shed which puts away our sins.

Saturday, June 3, 2023

Copy link Print

“They did not like to retain God in their knowledge…who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:28,32).

There is a large country in this world today where Christians are persecuted. The government does not actually do it, but they encourage others to do it, and “look the other way” when it happens. In still other countries terrorist organizations use certain countries as bases for training and terrorist attacks, yet the government itself does not commit those attacks. However, they often encourage these bad people, and sometimes even give them money secretly.

In today’s verses we see that God takes it very seriously when we take pleasure in something wrong, even if we did not do it ourselves. If we think it is a good thing, then we are just as guilty as those that do it. Let us be careful not to take pleasure in something sinful. God Himself says, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked” (Ezekiel 33:11). We should not take pleasure in something wrong, or even in God’s judgment on people, although they may deserve it.

Friday, June 2, 2023

Copy link Print

“Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH…He shall be a priest upon His throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both” (Zechariah 6:12-13).

This is a wonderful little expression, tucked away here in the book of Zechariah. The man “whose name is The BRANCH” is clearly the Lord Jesus, and these verses are speaking about the time when He will come back to this world to set up His kingdom and reign. But how beautiful it is that the counsel of peace shall be between them both — between God the Father and God the Son.

The word “counsel” means consultation for the exchange of ideas, and how wonderful it is to know that in a past eternity, God the Father and God the Son actually consulted as to peace in this world! This world has seen many wars and many times of trouble, but God has now made a way for true peace to be brought about. It will not happen on this earth until the Lord Jesus has His rightful place, but He has already “made peace by the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:20). You and I can enjoy that peace now!

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Copy link Print

“There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death” (Ecclesiastes 8:8).

This is a very solemn verse, for when we come to die, we have no power to hold onto our spirit, and to keep on living. Back in the year 1603, Queen Elizabeth I of England was dying, and as she grew weaker, she cried out, “All my possessions for a moment of time!” Another man named Colonel Charteris said on his deathbed, “I would gladly give 30,000 pounds (British money) to have it proved to my satisfaction that there is no such place as hell!” (30,000 pounds would be worth more than three million dollars today.)

Neither of these people could hold onto life, when it came time for them to die. But both would have given anything to have more time, or to be sure that there was no hell. How much different it is for those who know the Lord Jesus as Savior! To die means to be “with Christ; which is far better” (Philippians 1:23).