Author: BTP

Happiness

“Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord”
(Psalm 144:15).

God wants us to be happy!

In the United States’ Deceleration of Independence it speaks of the “pursuit of happiness.” In reality, mankind has been searching for happiness and joy since the beginning of time through every avenue imaginable. Some have successfully found it while others have not.

When Satan came to tempt Eve in the Garden of Eden he gave her the impression that God was withholding something that was for the good and pleasure of her and her husband Adam. But in reality they found out that it was not so. To this day, as the result of sin, the world is filled with grief and sorrow, and heartaches and tears abound on every hand. Indeed, there is no one that escapes very long without some sadness in their life.

But there is a source of real and lasting happiness. It is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. Proverbs 16:20 affirms, “Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.” True happiness is the result of confidence in Christ.

 

Use Opportunities – Part 2

“Preach good tidings” (Isaiah 61:1).

Yesterday we related an incident that illustrates the way God often works in the spread of the gospel. A similar instance is recorded of another well-known preacher, who also preached the gospel to an audience consisting of a single individual, who ventured out through a storm to hear him speak. The sermon was as faithfully delivered as though the room was full. It led to the conversion of the hearer, and he then became a preacher, and was greatly used in the salvation of a number of others.

This has the complete sanction of the Saviour’s most holy example as seen in His long conversation with the woman of Samaria, resulting in her conversion, and the carrying of the good news to her people. We read of her testimony: “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ” (John 4:28-29).

These instances show that anywhere and everywhere Christ may be preached and good accomplished.

 

Use Opportunities – Part 1

“And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
(Romans 10:14).

Even the slightest opportunities for conveying the gospel message should not be neglected. An appropriately spoken word, even under the most insignificant circumstances, may, with the Lord’s blessing upon it, result in untold good.

A number of years ago, a preacher related an interesting instance of his having preached the gospel to an Indian woman, who came fifteen miles one day to hear him. Seeing her disappointment and knowing her purpose, he did not hesitate to approach her as she sat on the stump of a tree, and with the required help of two interpreters, gave her the message of salvation, and told her “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). It resulted in her conversion, and through her, in the conversion of many of her tribe.

Paul reminded Timothy, a young man, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). This is a good reminder for all of us.

Continued…

 

Sudden Stops

An injured skydiver was asked, “Did you break your leg jumping from a plane?”

“No, landing on the ground,” was the reply.

In life, it is the sudden stops that often hurt more than the pace and grind of daily life. Often the Lord brings us to an abrupt halt. This may be for any number of reasons. It may be just to get us to pause and consider His glory and goodness. It may be to keep us from going in a wrong course, or to preserve us from some harm that is lurking just ahead in the pathway. Maybe it is so we can stop and help someone else who needs a hand in their Christian pathway, and we would have missed the opportunity otherwise. There may be some testimony we are to render to the world that would have otherwise been missed.

Whatever it is, there is a purpose in it, and although it may seem to hurt and be inconvenient at the time, remember there is a plan of blessing behind it. “For who knoweth what is good for man in this life?” (Ecclesiastes 6:12). Don’t let the bumps in life discourage you! See them as opportunities for blessing, both for yourself and for
others around you.

 

Circumspect

“And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect” (Exodus 23:13).

A careful, prayerful Christian

Is a Christian who is wise,

Considering each step He takes,

The truth of God applies.

He knows there is a consequence

To each decision made,

And seeks his Father’s mind and will,

And trusts Him for His aid.

He circumspectly walks through life;

Each step he takes with care;

His steps are daily governed by

The Word of God and prayer.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

 

Dear Young Christian:

Are you scared? Maybe something or someone at work or school has you wishing you didn’t have to step out into a cold, heartless world again this week. But remember, whatever or whoever it is that has you frightened or upset, there is one who is greater. David said, “When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2).

David had lots of enemies, lots of scary situations, and some big, big problems — in his family, in his kingdom, and from those who seemed trustworthy, but were not. As a result there were times when he got discouraged and disheartened, but then he would always remember what he had in the Lord. This would give him courage and stamina to go on in spite of all the difficulties, knowing that the Lord, his Rock, was greater than any opposition or circumstance of life.

So, for us, we can face the week ahead, not in our own power, but, “in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to [email protected]

Feasts of Jehovah

These feasts were seven in number (Leviticus 23), and are termed in John’s Gospel “feasts of the Jews,” because the moral rejection of the Lord is assumed from the beginning of the gospel. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not” (John 1:11).

The Sabbath — God’s eternal rest for man and creation (Hebrews 3-4).

The Passover — Redemption by blood, the foundation of all blessing and glory (1 Corinthians 5:7).

The Feast of Unleavened Bread — Holiness of walk and life (1 Corinthians 5:5).

The Feast of Weeks — Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down and formed the Church (Acts 2).

The Feast of Trumpets — Israel again summoned and gathered to her land and God (Psalm 81).

The Day of Atonement — Israel coming into the blessing of redemption (Zechariah 12).

The Feast of Tabernacles — Millennial glory of Israel (Zechariah 14:16).

 

The Cross

At a Bible convention in the state of Illinois many years ago, an old man stood up and gave the following testimony.

He said that his father had died when he was very young, and that he remembered only one thing about his father, and that one thing had followed him all through life. He could not remember his father’s death, he had no recollection of his funeral, but he recalled him one winter night carving from a small chip of wood a little cross. Then with tears in his eyes he held it up, telling how God in His love had sent His Son into the world to die and shed His blood to redeem us at Calvary. As young as he was at the time, the story of the cross had followed him all through life…he never forgot the most important event and story in all of the earth’s history.

Does the cross mean something to you? Paul wrote, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). He also said, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14).

 

Question Page

Q. Which gifts in the New Testament are considered “sign gifts”? Is it just the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 14:22)?

A. Certainly tongues were one of the “sign gifts” but in 1 Corinthians 12:28, we have others mentioned. “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

We can quickly see that the underlined gifts are “sign gifts.” They were special gifts given at the beginning of Christianity, with the descent of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. These signs were to confirm the word that the disciples were sent to preach, because the written Word of God was not complete, nor the full revelation of truth yet given the way it is now.

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:19-20).

Do you have a question? Email us at [email protected]

Praying for Leaders

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

When was the last time you prayed for the President, Prime Minister, or leader of your country by name? Are you praying daily for the salvation of those in power over you? Scripture is very clear that we need to be specific in prayer. We tend to be very general sometimes and with one sentence cover everyone from pole to pole. God wants us to pray for individuals, by name. Let’s pray this way in connection with world leaders, and see what power there is in specific prayer.

If Christians would spend more time and energy praying for those in power, it would have a greater effect than trying to lobby against them.