Young Christians Calendar

June 2026

“We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

I knew an elderly Christian woman who went to be with the Lord at an advanced age, and was totally clear in her mind right to the end. She had not always had a happy life, and had faced some difficult problems from time to time. Yet she was always at peace in her heart, and was always a happy person.

One day her daughter asked her how this could be, when she had faced a number of serious difficulties in her life. Her mother replied, “I have always remembered that, despite all the problems and difficulties in my life, the Lord was working.”

This was a good attitude, and something we all need to remember, whether we are young or old. Even if we have done wrong, the Lord still loves us, and even though He may allow some hard things in our life, they are all working for our good.

Monday, June 29, 2026

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“The God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

It is a wonderful thing to have someone comfort us when we are in trouble. Also, it makes a big difference if the person who comforts us has been through the same kind of trouble. They understand, and what they say means more to us. They know the right things to say.

The Lord Jesus went through many kinds of suffering, and not all of it was to put our sins away. He suffered many things so that He could sympathize with us in the problems and difficulties we face. We will speak more of this tomorrow.

Also, the Lord sometimes puts us through difficult times in our lives, not necessarily because we have been careless in our Christian life, but so that we can understand and comfort someone else who may be going through a hard time. It is important to realize that in order to comfort others, it helps if we have been through a similar difficulty. Think of that as a possibility, the next time you are going through a difficulty in your life.

Sunday, June 28, 2026

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“And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

The prophet Isaiah wrote this in the first person, referring to himself. He was a faithful prophet who was ready to go and give a message for the Lord, to the people of Israel. However, it is also a picture of the Lord Jesus who was willing to come down into this world on behalf of God the Father, to show the love of God to this world, and to die for us.

The Lord Jesus did not have to come, but when someone was needed to complete the work of redemption, He came forward. He was the only One who could complete that work, and He came willingly, knowing well what it would cost Him.

Sometimes you and I volunteer for something, perhaps not realizing what it will cost us to do it. But the Lord Jesus knew what it would cost, and He said, “Here am I; send me.” He heard the voice of the Lord, and responded in the right way.

Saturday, June 27, 2026

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“Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with the all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord” (Haggai 1:12).

Here we find that some of the Jews had come back to the land of Israel, after being taken into captivity to Babylon, but sadly, it seems that they had gotten careless, and neglected what was due to the Lord. Because of this, the Lord had sent the prophet Haggai to speak to them about it.

Thankfully the leaders and the people listened to the voice of the Lord through Haggai, and confessed that they had sinned. Evidently the people had spent all their time building their own houses, and neglected looking after the house of the Lord.

However, it is always good to repent, and to recognize when we have done wrong. Instead of making excuses and defending themselves, the people admitted their sin, and if we read in other parts of the Bible, such as the book of Ezra, we will find that the people began again to build the house of the Lord. As a result, the Lord blessed them, and the king of Persia at that time (Darius Hystaspes) gave them a great deal of help too. The Lord honors those who honor Him!

Friday, June 26, 2026

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“And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go” (Exodus 5:2).

In our verse today, we find another man who did not want to hear the voice of the Lord. He was Pharaoh, the powerful king of Egypt. The Israelites had been his slaves for quite a few years, and he did not want them to go away. When Moses and Aaron spoke to him about the Lord God of Israel, he proudly said, “I know not the Lord.” Probably this was true, but then the Lord began to show his power to Pharaoh.

Pharaoh had magicians who worked miracles on a small scale using Satan’s power, and probably Pharaoh was quite impressed with them. But God’s power was greater, and by doing miracles through Moses and Aaron, the Lord gradually showed Pharaoh that Jehovah was the only true God.

If you read on in the book of Exodus, you will find out that Pharaoh never did obey the voice of the Lord, and he eventually perished in the Red Sea. Again, it is important not to disregard the voice of the Lord.

Thursday, June 25, 2026

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“And they [Adam and Eve] heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8).

Especially in the Old Testament, there were a number of times when people actually heard the voice of the Lord. Sometimes they welcomed it, while at other times they did not want to hear it. However, whenever the Lord speaks to us, it is important to listen carefully, and not to disregard what the Lord is saying.

Here we find Adam and Eve hiding in the Garden of Eden, and not wanting to hear the voice of the Lord. Why was that? Quite possibly the Lord had come down to visit them before, and they had not hid themselves. But now they were hiding, because they had disobeyed the one commandment that the Lord God had given them.

As Christians, we sometimes do wrong things, and if we do not immediately confess that sin to the Lord, we also will not want to be in the Lord’s presence. Adam and Eve did obtain forgiveness, but they had brought sin into the world. As we well know, they were driven out of the Garden of Eden for their sin.

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

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“If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha” (1 Corinthians 16:22).

This is a very strongly worded verse, and we might wonder why it is included right at the end of an epistle written to a Christian assembly. The words “anathema maranatha” mean “accursed at His coming.” Were there some in the assembly at Corinth that did not love the Lord Jesus Christ?

Sadly, it seems that there may well have been those in Corinth who were putting on a good outward show, but who were not real believers. They discounted the Apostle Paul, and wanted to “take over” the assembly there. Sadly, some of the true believers in Corinth were being strongly influenced by these men, and thought that they were very spiritual.

Paul points out the seriousness of pretending in God’s presence, and uses some strong words to show us what will happen when the Lord executes judgment. How awful it is to think of some who pretended to be true believers, yet in a coming day will be proven never to have been truly saved! All this is a warning for us too, for if we have grown up in a Christian home, we can easily say the right words, and act in the right way, yet not be truly saved.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

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“Ye know the household of Stephanas…and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints” (1 Corinthians 16:15).

You all know that in a general way, it is not good to be addicted to anything. Many people are addicted to tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, and they cannot get free of them. But here in our verse today is an addiction that is good for us to have. Here was a household that was addicted to serving their fellow believers.

To be addicted to something means that we cannot stay away from it. The compulsion is so strong that we are continually going back to it. In natural things this is bad, but in this case, it was a good thing. To serve others is a wonderful way to honor the Lord, and here was a household that was continually serving fellow believers. They were evidently one of the early families to be saved in the region of Achaia, which was an area composed of nearly all of Greece. The Word of God takes special note of them. They are a good example for us.

Monday, June 22, 2026

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“Watch you, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

The Corinthians were generally an intelligent and gifted group of believers, yet the Apostle Paul spoke to them as if they were really babies in Christ. Earlier in this same book, Paul tells them that they were acting like spiritual babies. They were not using their gifts and their knowledge in the right way, for they were using their spiritual gifts to “show off.” They were proud of their knowledge, and instead of using their gifts for the Lord, they were using them to make themselves look good.

At the end of the epistle, Paul reminds them to “quit you like men.” That means, in simple terms, to “grow up,” and to act in a mature way. A mature Christian uses what he or she has for the Lord’s glory, and not simply to show off, so that other people can see it.

Even though we are young, we can act in a mature way. This does not mean that we try to act as if we were forty, when we are only twenty. It simply means that we act for the Lord’s glory, and for the blessing of others, rather than trying to get people to look at us, and be impressed with us.

Sunday, June 21, 2026

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“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

In the Old Testament, the Jews had to give a tenth of their income to the Lord, but we have no such rule in Christianity. It is left up to our hearts, to give what we wish. However, let us ask ourselves, “Would we give the Lord less under Christianity than they were compelled to give under the law?”

The real answer to the question, “How much shall we give?” is found in our second verse. What kind of gift did God give us? He gave His Son! We cannot put a value on what it meant to God to give His Son to die for us. When we consider how much God gave in order that we might be saved, then surely it will touch our hearts to give generously. It is our appreciation of Christ that will make us want to give as much as we are able, for the Lord’s work, and the benefit of others.

Saturday, June 20, 2026

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“Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him” (1 Corinthians 16:2).

“But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).

At other times in this calendar, we have emphasized the importance of remembering what the Lord Jesus did for us on Calvary’s cross. How important it is for us to give Him the honor, praise, and thanksgiving, of which He is so worthy!

However, as we see today, there is another sacrifice that is also important. The Lord values what we give in the way of money, and that is why a collection box is passed around after we remember the Lord. Today’s verse encourages us to put aside something from what we have gotten during the week, to give to the Lord. That money can be used to help those who are poor, and also to support the work of the Lord. Our second verse today says that God is “well pleased” with such sacrifices. Do you set aside something from what you have earned during the week, to give to the Lord?

Friday, June 19, 2026

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“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

As Christians, you and I can be thankful that we do not have the outlook of those in this world. Yes, we can enjoy good food when the Lord gives it to us, but we do not take on the attitude of this world—just enjoying all the pleasure we can, because we might die at any moment.

No, God has assured us that He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ has won the victory over death for us, and we do not have to fear death. On the other hand, anything we suffer for Christ down here will be richly rewarded. It is well worthwhile to give up the “pleasures of sin,” since they are only “for a season” (Hebrews 11:25). But what is done for the Lord will abide forever.

Thursday, June 18, 2026

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“Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32).

This is the attitude of many unbelievers in this world today, as they see the world situation getting worse and worse, and with no hope that it will improve. As I write this in June, 2024, Russia is fighting in the Ukraine, and threatening Europe. China is threatening to invade Taiwan. Israel is fighting in Gaza, vowing to eliminate the Hamas organization. Many people are taking sides, some supporting Hamas, others supporting the Jews. Hunger, economic instability, weak governments, and other factors are making men’s hearts “fail them for fear”—see Luke 21:26. Many feel that a nuclear war could easily start.

As a result of all this, some are just enjoying the moment, and having as much fun as they can, for they realize that they could die at any time. But we, as believers, have a better hope, and one that is sure.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

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“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

Do you understand what the Apostle Paul is saying in this verse? He is pointing out that we, as Christians, are called to give up everything in this world in order to follow a rejected Christ. We do not, in that sense, enjoy the pleasures of this world, for we are not part of the world system that is under Satan’s control. But if there is nothing beyond this life—no resurrection from the dead, then we have given up everything in this world for nothing. If there is no resurrection, then there will be no reward for faithfulness to Christ.

But thank God, as Paul points out, Christ has risen from the dead, and many had witnessed to it. Many had seen Him after He rose from the dead. Because of His resurrection, any who have died in Christ will also rise when the Lord comes. What wonderful power will be displayed then; millions of believers from all ages suddenly rising from the dead, and being given glorified bodies! It will be an amazing display of God’s power, and it will all happen in “the twinkling of an eye!”

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

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“For now we see through a dim window obscurely, but then face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12 JND).

Have you ever tried to look at something through a very dirty window? Or perhaps tried to look through a window that had some glaze or frosting on it, so that you could not see clearly? We are used to looking through clear glass, but sometimes the glass is not as clear as we would like. If you wear glasses, have you ever tried to look at something when your glasses needed cleaning?

God uses this comparison to explain to us what we see now in spiritual things, compared to what we will be able to understand when we are taken home to be with the Lord. We are hindered now by the limitations of our bodies, by the presence of our old sinful nature, and by being surrounded by a sinful world. In that day we will have glorified bodies, and will have perfect understanding. What a day that will be!

Monday, June 15, 2026

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“Love…does not rejoice at iniquity but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:4,7 JND).

Here is a quality of true divine love that we sometimes forget. True love does not go along with wrongdoing, just to keep the peace and prevent any trouble. No, divine love rejoices with the truth. I have heard some people say, “Family sticks together,” as if family members should always defend one another, even if they are in the wrong. But the Bible never tells us to do that, for that is not true love.

We can be very thankful that the Lord loved us when we were sinners, and guilty before God. But now, when we are saved, He expects us to display that new life that He has given us in Christ. He loves us the way we are, but He loves us too much to let us stay that way. He wants us to become more like Christ.

Sunday, June 14, 2026

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“Love…bears all things…endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4,7 JND).

As we read through this 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians, perhaps we enjoy thinking of those who display some of these characteristics. We greatly appreciate seeing some of these things in others. But there was only One who displayed them all perfectly. The Lord Jesus was the only One who perfectly displayed divine love.

This was especially true when He went to the cross, for it was there that He bore all things and endured all things. Yes, He endured many bad things in His lifetime, but on the cross, during those three hours of darkness, He bore the judgment of God for sin. Truly He bore all things, and endured all things. How thankful we should be for that divine love—a love that kept Him on that cross until all the judgment was exhausted.

Love that no tongue can teach,
Love that no thought can reach,
No love like His.
God is its blessed source,
Death ne’er can stop its course,
Nothing can stay its force;
Matchless it is.

Saturday, June 13, 2026

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“And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2 JND).

We might think it would be wonderful to have all the gifts spoken of in the beginning of this verse. Think of being able to understand the secrets of God, and having a good knowledge of the truth of God. Think of being able to tell others about it, and being able to explain it well. But God says that even if we can do all that, and do not have love, we are nothing. Yes, nothing!

The word used for love in this chapter is the Greek word agape, which is the word used in the New Testament for divine love. It is the kind of love that does not demand a response from its object, but just keeps on loving, even if the person who is loved does not give any love in return.

As children of God, we are capable of that kind of love, and the Lord wants us to show that love to others. It gives a meaning to what we say, and without that love, we are nothing.

Friday, June 12, 2026

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“But [we] have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty…but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2).

When we are wronged, and supposing that we ourselves have done nothing wrong, we should seek to reach the conscience of the one who has wronged us. The Lord Jesus did this many times during His earthly ministry, and the Apostle Paul did it when he stood before Festus, King Agrippa, and other dignitaries, in Acts 26.

The Lord Jesus reached Pilate’s conscience when He reminded Pilate that he had no authority except from above; that is, from God. Our Lord reminded Pilate of his responsibility to God, as a ruler to whom God had given authority. The Apostle Paul did not complain of being kept in prison for no reason, but he did remind all those in authority that they needed to be saved.

When we are wronged, instead of fighting back, let us remember that it is a good opportunity to speak about the Lord. There is moral power in someone who is right, but who chooses not to fight back. To do so is being like Christ.

Thursday, June 11, 2026

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“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

Here is the Lord’s answer to yesterday’s question, in the New Testament. Part of this verse is quoted from the Old Testament, however; see if you can find the place. It is mentioned once in Leviticus, and once in Deuteronomy.

We are not to avenge ourselves; we are to “give place unto wrath.” This means that we let others get angry with us, without fighting back. The Lord reminds us that it is His job to repay people for the wrong they have done to us: it is not our job. But in a coming day, the Lord will remember the wrong done to us, and will repay those who have done it. For now, you and I can let it go. However, there is one more thing we can do when we are wronged, and should do, if it is possible. We will see that tomorrow.

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

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“Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work” (Proverbs 24:29).

When someone does something bad to you, the world around us has a saying, “Don’t get mad: get even!” A doctor with whom I worked for many years ago once boasted that his daughter did both of these things, when someone treated her badly. He said, “She gets mad and gets even!” This kind of reaction has been going on for thousands of years, even escalating to feuds between families that sometimes last for generations. No one ever wins with this behavior, for everybody gets hurt in one way or another. It is the sinful heart of man wanting revenge.

Even back in the Old Testament, before they had the full light of Christianity, Solomon recognized the wrong and the futility of taking revenge like this. But you and I might say, “Am I just to let everyone else do whatever they want to me? Can I not stick up for myself?”

Tomorrow we will see what the Lord’s answer is to this question, for it is a good question.

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

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“Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

As we saw yesterday, there is no reason for us to be lonely as Christians, even if we are alone, but sadly, many people, even including Christians, are lonely today. Perhaps they are older and feel their health slipping, or perhaps close relatives are too busy to come and visit them. The days seem long, and they often do not have much to do.

Here is a poem that I have enjoyed, that speaks to each of our hearts. Do we remember those who perhaps would enjoy a visit, and some encouragement?

It is in loving, not in being loved,
The heart is blessed;
It is in giving, not in seeking gifts,
We find our quest.

If you are hungry, lacking heavenly food,
Give hope and cheer.
If you are sad, and would be comforted,
Stay sorrow’s tears.

Whatever be your longing and your need,
Of that do give;
So shall your soul be fed, and you indeed
Shall truly live.

Monday, June 8, 2026

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“Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me” (John 16:32).

For those who do not live in Canada, we have a widespread chain of outlets called Tim Hortons, where you can buy coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and donuts. I do not visit them very often, but one morning a few days ago I had occasion to buy some donuts. I could not help but notice a number of older people sitting there, eating their breakfast all by themselves. I imagine most of them were lonely, and wanted to eat breakfast where there were at least some people around, even if they did not interact with them.

I felt sorry for them, but being alone and being lonely are not the same. The Lord Jesus was often left alone, as we see in our verse today, but it is safe to say that He was never lonely. Although He felt it when His disciples left Him alone, He was not lonely, for His Father was with Him.

We do not need to be lonely either. Even if others leave us alone, we can enjoy the company of the Lord in our hearts. He is always with us!

Sunday, June 7, 2026

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“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found to give glory to God, save this stranger” (Luke 17:17-18).

In the story that is told in this chapter, verses 11-19, the Lord Jesus had told ten lepers to go and show themselves to the priests. All of them were lepers, and while they were going, they were cleansed of their leprosy. But only one came back to thank the Lord Jesus!

The Lord Jesus really felt it that only one came back. All ten were cleansed, but they could not be bothered to come back and say thank you. But the one who did come back did more than merely saying thank you; he glorified God. He recognized who the Lord Jesus was, and gave glory to God. Do you and I do that, by remembering the Lord Jesus as He has asked us to?

Saturday, June 6, 2026

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“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me” (John 14:6).

Here in our verse today the Lord Jesus shows us that not only does He give us the truth, but that He Himself is the truth. Everything that is true, and everything we need to know in this world to live for God’s glory, is found in the Lord Jesus. We cannot come to God the Father without going through Him, and we cannot learn the truth without knowing the Lord Jesus.

Thomas was the disciple who asked the Lord Jesus about where He (the Lord Jesus) was going when He left this world, and Thomas also wondered how he could know the way. The Lord Jesus gave him a full answer, and told him that He was not only the way, but also the truth, and the life. It is worth everything to know the Lord Jesus, not only as our Savior, but also as the One who is the truth.

Friday, June 5, 2026

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“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23).

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

Instead of working hard to get rich, Solomon (through the Spirit of God) told his hearers to “buy the truth,” and to get wisdom, instruction, and understanding. He was referring to God’s wisdom, which also takes effort to get. It is well worth the time and effort to get it!

In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus told His listeners that if they came to know the truth, the truth would set them free. What did He mean? He meant that everyone who is not saved and following the Lord Jesus, is a slave to Satan. We either belong to the Lord, or we are under Satan’s power. However, in knowing the Lord, we can be free from Satan’s influence, and free to enjoy all that God wants to give us.

But what about the truth? Where is the truth to be found? We will see that tomorrow.

Thursday, June 4, 2026

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“Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom” (Proverbs 23:4).

“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts” (1 Timothy 6:9).

I have heard more than one young person in my lifetime, even Christian young people, say, “I would like to have a lot of money!” Some of them have managed to get it, but it has not made them happy. Most people that have riches have spent quite a bit of time and effort to get that money, and then they have to spend even more time keeping it, managing it, and making sure that nothing happens to it. Also, when we begin to have more money, we seem to need more and more to continue to be satisfied. Our human hearts are never satisfied! Solomon (who wrote the book of Proverbs) was a very rich man, perhaps the richest man who ever lived. Yet he tells us not to work to get rich. Tomorrow we will see what he told his hearers to do instead.

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

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“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted [or tested] above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

It is a real comfort to our hearts to know that God does not test us in ways that are not common to other people as well. God tests each one of His children, and uses those difficulties in our lives to teach us things we could not learn any other way. He does not allow problems in our lives just to see us suffer!

Also, this verse tells us that God will never push any one of us beyond our limits. He knows what we can bear, and He never goes beyond that. The test never goes on too long, and is never so severe that it breaks us. He is in full control, and has carefully measured it all before He allows it in our lives. What a comfort that is to us! Let us never forget it when the Lord allows a difficulty in our life!

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

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“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

This is a good verse for all of us to remember. In the verses previous to this one, the Apostle Paul mentions a number of sins into which the Israelites fell as they were passing through the desert. They are sins into which we too can fall, if we are not on guard. That is why God says that they are recorded as examples for us. But sometimes we may think, “I do not have to be concerned; that will never happen to me! I would never do that!”

Then the Lord may have to show us that we are not as strong as we thought. We are safe only when we realize our human weakness, and trust the Lord to help us. The Lord may allow us to have a fall, in order to teach us to rely more on Him. He will help us to avoid these sins, if we ask Him.

Monday, June 1, 2026

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“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we can incorruptible” (1 Corinthians 9:25).

In this verse Paul is speaking about competing in the Olympic games, which were popular back then. Did you know that the first Olympic games were held almost 800 years before the birth of Christ? It was the same then as it is today. Those who wish to compete in the games exercise restraint in every aspect of their lives, in order to keep their bodies in very good shape. They are careful about their diet, careful about their exercise program, and careful not to injure themselves. Their goal is to win that event for which they are training.

But suppose they do win? Yes, they may get a medal, and it is nice to have. In the days of Paul, they were given a laurel wreath to wear on their head. However, it is corruptible crown; it will not last beyond this life. (A laurel wreath might last only a few days!) But you and I have the privilege of serving the Lord, and in that sense we can run a race for the Lord. His reward will be incorruptible; it will last for all eternity.