Young People’s Blog

His Joy

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

What joy did the Lord have as the hour of Calvary approached and He was bowed in sorrow in the garden of Gethsemane? What joy was set before Him as He was nailed to the cross, and as He became the sin bearer in those three hours of darkness? It was the joy of returning to Heaven to sit down at the right hand of God His Father, knowing that all had been accomplished on earth to the glory and satisfaction of the One who had sent Him. With confidence the Lord Jesus had said, “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:4).

Think of the mutual feeling of joy and satisfaction that must have passed between the Father and the Son when the Father, “raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:20).

Now we worship a risen, glorified Savior, remembering that great work that will never have to be repeated.

Going to Heaven

Some people think that as long as they do not hurt anyone or commit gross sins they will go to Heaven. But let’s examine this subject more carefully in the Bible.

The first sin to enter the world was the sin of disobedience. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners” (Romans 5:19).

The first recorded sin after the formation of the church is a lie, in connection with Ananias, and Sapphira. “Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:4). The Bible says, “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 12:22).

Then what about covetousness? The Lord warned, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness” (Luke 12:15).

We need to also consider the fact that we are born sinners. “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5).

The bottom line is just this: It is rejection of God’s offer of salvation through Christ and the work of Calvary that keeps a person out of Heaven. The promise is, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). The great question is, Have you come?

A Thankful Attitude

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts … and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

Someone has well said: “A thankful attitude opens the windows of Heaven.”

Yes indeed, this kind of attitude will set us free from self-pity and a grumbling and complaining demeanor. It will free our hearts to be thankful and grateful for what our God and Father has done for us and all the many blessings and mercies that we have from His good hand of love. It will give an inward peace to the soul, even though circumstances may be very difficult. It will also help us to be more patient and tolerant with those we interact with throughout the day. In fact, it will give us a whole different outlook of life.

Here is a good daily exercise from the Psalmist of the Old Testament: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4). If we started each morning like that and continued to be thankful throughout the day, wouldn’t it make a difference in how we felt at the end of it? Having a thankful heart at rest and peace when going to bed at night is certainly a commodity of great value.

Young People of Scripture
Ruth

Ruth was a young woman characterized by faith and conviction. As a young widow she embraced the God of her mother-in-law Naomi, and even though there had been much failure in the family, she was convinced that this was the true and living God. Nothing would dissuade her, even when her own sister-in-law Orpah turned back.

She also understood the principle of grace. When allowed to glean in the field of Boaz “she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” (Ruth 2:10).

Through all the ups and downs of life, the Lord blessed her, and she was eventually married to Boaz, a godly man who truly loved her. A son was born by the name of Obed, and Ruth is mentioned in the genealogy of the Lord in Matthew 1:5.

One great lesson we learn from the story of Ruth is that in spite of failure and difficulties we can always, by God’s grace, overcome and, in the end, be used in blessing to others. Take time to prayerfully read the story for yourself.

Communication

“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another” (Malachi 3:16).

The need to communicate is illustrated in this amusing but true story:

A couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by sitting quietly in their parlor with a cup of tea and a loaf of fresh bread. The husband opened the new loaf and gave his wife the heel, or the end crust. She immediately exploded: “This is the last straw! For fifty years you’ve dumped the heel of the bread on me! You always think of yourself first! You take the best and leave the rest to me! You never think of what I like … well I won’t take it anymore!”

Just as she was about to get up and leave, her husband said, “But honey … it’s my favorite piece! I always give it up for you.”

Yes, if we are going to serve and encourage one another in an acceptable way there needs to be communication, and perhaps more particularly a listening ear. Often, we are more apt to speak than to listen and really don’t know what a person is feeling or going through. True service is not always doing something or giving orders but listening first before we speak and do.

Service

“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind” (Acts 20:19).

Today, as I walked the streets of Bridgetown, Barbados, I noticed an advertising slogan for one of the downtown retailers. Here is what it proclaimed:

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

It brought to mind what the Apostle Paul said when writing to the Christians in Galatia. He exhorted them, “By love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

So often we do something for someone thinking that it will bring some reward to us. Maybe it is simply recognition or a pat on the back, or maybe even some monetary gain. However, the Lord wants selfless, self-sacrificing service done out of love to Himself and to one another. When Paul wrote to the Ephesians on the subject, he said, “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Ephesians 6:6-7). There are many opportunities to serve one another. Ask the Lord to give you the right motive, and above all, “do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Dear Young Christian:

One of our favorite greetings in North America is, “What’s new?” We are somewhat like those of ancient times, of whom we read, “For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing” (Acts 17:21). Yet, amazingly enough, the best news never changes. The truth of God’s message, the Bible, weathers all time, endures every social and economic change, supersedes governments and regimes, invasions and defeats, and outlasts everything that is “built to last.” It is wiser than the world’s wisdom, potent and compelling beyond all power, simple and straightforward enough for even me to embrace, and strong enough to never let me go. The Apostle John wrote, “Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning” (1 John 2:7).

What value do we place on this unchanging, inalterable, living book we call the Bible?

Your Christian Friend,

 Jim Hyland

The Lamb of God

“And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering” (Genesis 4:4).

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it” (Revelation 22:3).

One of the most precious themes in the Bible is the subject of THE LAMB OF GOD. It brings before us, in so many aspects, the death, shedding of blood, and the full glorification of the Lord Jesus. It is pictured, in type, beginning with Abel’s sacrifice, all through the Old Testament. It takes us from John the Baptist’s declaration, “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:29), to that future day when He will be the center focus of Heaven and earth, and all will recognize Him as worthy, because of who He is and what He has done in offering Himself as that great sacrifice.

It is the Lamb that we will be occupied with in Heaven and for all eternity. Today, He is the blessed theme for our hearts and occupation with Him will produce true praise and worship. He is indeed worthy, “to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing” (Revelation 5:12).

Jesus the Savior

Just

Everlasting

Sinless

Unfailing

Savior

Here are some verses that confirm this acronym of the One who desires the blessing and salvation of every person.

“That He might be JUST and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).

“Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given … And His name shall be called … The EVERLASTING Father” (Isaiah 9:6).

“In Him is NO SIN” (1 John 3:5).

“He will NOT FAIL thee” (1 Chronicles 28:20).

“The Father sent the Son to be the SAVIOR of the world” (1 John 4:14).

I hope every reader of this page can truly say that Jesus is their just, everlasting, sinless, unfailing, Savior.

Provision Provided

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1).

During the Spanish-American War, Clara Barton was overseeing the work of the Red Cross in Cuba. One day Colonel Theodore Roosevelt came to her, wanting to buy food for his sick and wounded men. But she refused to sell him any. Roosevelt was perplexed. His men needed the help and he was prepared to pay out of his own funds. When he asked someone why he could not buy the supplies, he was told, “Colonel, just ask for it!” A smile broke over Roosevelt’s face. Now he understood — the provisions were not for sale. All he had to do was simply ask and they would be given freely.

Just so it is with the wonderful resources that we have from God through Christ. Every provision is provided and paid for through the work of Christ both past and present.

As a result of the work of the cross, we have salvation and a future home in Heaven. As a result of the Lord’s present life for us now, we have all the power and resources we need to live the Christian life.