Month: August 2019

Knowing Instead of Hoping

 “I hope I am saved.”

I have heard people make this statement time and again. But we don’t have to hope we are saved, we can know that we are saved. Christianity is characterized by certainties — not wishful and vague hopes. Let’s quote some verses from three New Testament witnesses that confirm this wonderful truth:

The Apostle John:

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13).

The Apostle Paul:

“I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).

The Apostle Peter:

 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold … But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Can you say, “I know I am saved?”I sincerely hope so!

Monthly Question Page

Q. Is there anything in the Bible to support the practice of conversational prayer? This is where one person starts by praying for something, and then another prays for something else, and so on, around the circle.

A. There seems to be no principle in Scripture to support this kind of prayer. However, there are some things that can be considered, which indicate that it is not a good practice.

For instance, does it involve women? The Bible states, “I will therefore that men pray everywhere” (2 Timothy 2:8). The men is in contrast to the women in the next verse. There is no verse that would encourage women to pray publicly in the presence of men.

What God encourages more than anything else is private prayer. “Thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret” (Matthew 6:6). Also, the Bible mentions prayer in the family: “Husbands … giving honour unto the wife … that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7).

While we don’t want to discourage prayer in any way, we must be careful not to take up with methods for which we have no Scriptural basis.

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Fruit

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23).

We may not all be gifted to preach or teach, or to take a public part in any way. However, we can all bear the fruit of the Spirit. “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth” (Ephesians 5:9).

Fruit is not necessarily what we say, although it includes our words. Fruit is the reflection and reproduction of Christ in our lives, and the outshining of the attributes of that glorious person who is our Savior, Friend, and Lord.

Fruit grows quietly on the trees in the orchard without any fanfare or great oration. Slowly, silently, and with proper nutrition, it develops into beautiful usefulness. This is what the Lord desires for each of His own.

Fruit is always the result of nearness to the Lord. He Himself said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me” (John 15:4). Keep close to Him and you too will bear “much fruit” (John 15:4).

Monthly Scripture Reading

Matthew 18

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.

21 Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Joy

In the book of Psalms, there are various forms of words expressing “joy.” Words such as happy, joyful, delight, gladness, rejoicing etc. Put together, these words in some way appear over one hundred times in one hundred and fifty psalms. To me, it certainly indicates that God wants us to be a happy people. He doesn’t want us to be long faced and, as the old saying goes, “down in the mouth.” Solomon talks about a happy believer, in the book of Proverbs. “Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he” (Proverbs 16:20).

Many times in the New Testament we are encouraged to be happy. We are told in the book of Philippians to “Rejoice in the Lord alway,” and, in case we didn’t get it the first time, it is repeated, “and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

One important thing to remember regarding this subject is what an older brother in Christ once said, “The root of joy is surrender! Surrender is the consuming desire to please my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” In other words, submission to the Lord’s will is what brings real happiness and joy into our lives, no matter what the circumstance.

Are you a happy, joyful believer?

Dear Young Christian:

Here is an interesting and thought-provoking quote I saw in a book of short sayings the other day:

“Don’t just take time to pray,

but make time for prayer!”

I had to really think about it to get the message, but here is what I think it is saying:

We can rattle off a standard prayer and do certain works without much time or thought. We can say a short prayer in the morning before we are out the door, and maybe before we fall into bed at night, but that is not really what real prayer is. Prayer is getting into the presence of God our Father, and taking the time to talk to Him from our heart thanking Him for His goodness and love, making requests, telling Him all about our problems, worshipping, praising, etc. Schedule a regular prayer time. For me, it is on my early morning walk, for you it may be a very different time and circumstance, but it is vital to happy, powerful, fruitful Christian living.

 Your Christian Friend,

 Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

His Feelings — Part 4

This Psalm gives us more of the outpouring of the heart of the Lord Jesus as He “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:1)

Psalm 102

3 For My days are consumed like smoke, and My bones are burned as an hearth.

4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat My bread.

5 By reason of the voice of My groaning My bones cleave to my skin.

6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.

7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.

8 Mine enemies reproach Me all the day; and they that are mad against Me are sworn against me.

9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled My drink with weeping,

10 Because of Thine indignation and Thy wrath: for Thou hast lifted Me up, and cast Me down.

11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.

Where?

“And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:8-9).

The question has been raised, “You mean God didn’t know where Adam was?”

The answer is, “Of course He did!”

However, God wanted a verbal confession from Adam as to where he was. And God wants a verbal response from you as to where you stand. Do you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Then tell God. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

Where are you? Are you trying to hide from God? Impossible! Instead of trying to hide and cover your sin, confess that you are a sinner, and receive complete salvation and pardon. Then, and only then, will you be completely comfortable in His presence, now, and for all eternity.

Wonderful — Part 4

His words were wonderful.

Look in the 4th chapter of Luke, and you will see we read three times of how even those who did not love Him wondered at what He spoke. “And all bare Him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth” (Luke 4:22). “And they were astonished at His doctrine: for His word was with power” (Luke 4:32). “And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power He commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out” (Luke 4:36).

If we wonder at His gracious words to us now, how much more shall we wonder when we see Him on the throne of His glory, and hear His own voice.

Jesus, name o’er every name,

Name of grace and power;

Soothing, cheering name of love,

Strength for every hour.

Wonderful, Counsellor,

Mighty God, and Father;

Prince of Peace, Immanuel,

Jesus, precious Savior.

Wonderful — Part 3

“Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men” (Psalm 107:8).
“And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased” (Matthew 21:15).

Everything that He did was wonderful.

The prophet Isaiah said, “many were astonied at Thee” (Isaiah 52:14). To see how this was fulfilled, look in the Gospel of Mark, where it is recorded fourteen times that the people were astonished or amazed at the things that Jesus did. (Mark 1:22,27; 2:12; 5:42; 6:2,51; 7:37; 9:15; 10:24,26,32; 11:18; 14:33; 16:8). Their testimony was: “He hath done all things well.” Even the enemy had to admit how wonderful He was.

John concludes his gospel by recording: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen” (John 21:25).