Young People’s Blog

Young People of Scripture
Joseph

“Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren” (Genesis 37:2).

Joseph is one of the most beautiful types of the Lord Jesus in the Old Testament. However, there are many practical lessons to learn from his life as well. Introduced to us as at seventeen, we find him going in obedience to his father to see how his brothers were faring. We see him patiently enduring reproach and suffering. With moral integrity and by the grace of God he resisted sin and temptation. In spite of this, Potiphar’s wife unjustly accused him of something he did not do, and he ended up in prison. There he trusts God for His time and way of deliverance, and eventually he rises to be next to Pharaoh on the throne of Egypt. No matter where he was and no matter how difficult the circumstances, he sought to be faithful and not compromise for any reason. In the end we learn of his spirit of forgiveness in dealing with his brothers who had so wronged him, and we observe his love and care for his elderly father. Read prayerfully and carefully the story in Genesis chapter 37 through chapter 50. I know it will be a blessing.

Gaius

“Gaius mine host, and of the whole church” (Romans 16:23).

There are five mentions of Gaius in the New Testament. He was a Christian from Corinth who had been baptized by the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 1:14). He travelled with Paul in his service for the Lord (Acts 20:4). In so doing, he suffered persecution at Ephesus (Acts 19:29). The Apostle John later writes him a short letter of encouragement and exhortation, referring to him as “the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth” (3 John, verse 1)

In the above verse, he is mentioned as Paul’s host and the host of the whole church. Paul often named individuals with a commendation of some kind. One of the characteristics that God views with pleasure is that of a believer being hospitable. When we open our homes to other Christians, we can be assured that we are doing God’s service. Many of my readers live with their parents. The next time they open their home and have company over, be there to help and to encourage. You will find it will not only be a blessing to those who are invited, but it will be a blessing to you as well.

Wisdom

“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth … . Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding … . The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom … . He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul … . O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God … . Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world … . For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God … . If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him … . The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy … . Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence … . That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Proverbs 4:5; 4:7; 15:33; 19:8; Romans 11:33; 1 Corinthians 1:20; 3:19; James 1:5; 3:17; Ephesians 1:8; 1:17).

Dear Young Christian:

We all need encouragement, and remember our greatest encouragement comes from the Lord Himself through His Word, the Bible. When David was in trouble he knew where to turn. On one occasion we read, “And David was greatly distressed … But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6).

Are you starting out this week with fear and trepidation? Have you had a discouraging weekend? Get your Bible out and read a few verses. Spend a few moments in prayer. You will find it will do wonders in lifting your spirit and giving you the courage to face the day, no matter what happens.

Life is tough! I don’t discredit that for a moment! But I do know that we have One who is greater than any problem, and greater than our enemy, the Devil. Don’t forget, “greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Don’t be discouraged, find your strength and encouragement in the Lord.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

He Took Our Place

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Pedro and Francisco were brothers in Bolivia. Francisco was brought to know the Lord Jesus as his Savior at a missionary school he attended. Pedro and Francisco looked very much alike; but unlike Francisco, Pedro did not know the Lord as Savior. He would not listen to the Gospel. When the Chaco War (1932-1935) between Bolivia and Paraguay broke out, Pedro, who was older than Francisco, was called up for duty. Francisco, knowing his brother was not ready to die, was concerned he might be killed. One day, he dressed in his best Indian clothes and went to visit Pedro in the barracks. Finding him alone, Francisco said, “Pedro, you are going to war. You may be killed and you are not saved; you are not ready to die! Quickly! take off your clothes, change with me, and go out. When the guard asks your name, don’t forget to say ‘Francisco Gira.’” They changed clothes. Pedro thanked him and embraced him.

This story is a faint illustration of the Lord’s love in taking our place and laying down His life for us. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16). Don’t forget to thank Him today!

Three Questions

Here are three good questions to ask ourselves, all of which are answered in the Word of God.

Question: Where did I come from?         
Answer: “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and insin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5).

Question: Why am I here?         
Answer: “That ye may be blameless and harmless,the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst ofcrooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shineas lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).

Question: Where am I going?     
Answer: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wideis the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth todestruction, and many there be which go in thereat:Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

I trust all my readers are saved and on their way to Heaven, and that, in the meantime, you are shining as a light for Jesus.

The Lord’s Protection

“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:6-7).

Francisco lived in Bolivia and was a true believer who loved the Lord. He, as well as many hundreds of other young men, was sent to the Chaco War (1932-1935) between Bolivia and Paraguay. One night he was on sentry duty alone. It was a very dark night, but he had learned to pray, committing everything to the Lord. Suddenly, he heard something moving behind him. He turned around quickly but could see nothing. Then he heard the noise behind him on the other side. Quickly, he turned again but saw nothing. He was afraid it might be one of the enemy soldiers, but he dared not shoot because if it weren’t, and all the army were aroused, he would be court-martialed. He might even be shot for causing a “false alarm”! Again, he heard the sound — this time even nearer. Just then, the moon came out brightly. There stood a big tiger in front of him! The tiger just looked at him, then ran into the jungle as fast as he could. Francisco thought, “Surely the Lord is with me!” He bowed his head and thanked the Lord for His goodness.

Our Best Friend

We all like to have someone we can refer to as our “best friend.” Someone we can turn to at any time with confidence, knowing that they care and are willing to listen and help. But even more than that, someone we can share the good times with as well. Someone we can talk things over with, plan things with, and share our deepest secrets with.

The Bible says, “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). The Lord said to His disciples, “Ye are My friends” (John 15:14). The Lord Jesus is the best friend we can ever have. Are you cultivating and enjoying that friendship? Peter P. Bilhorn (1865-1936), penned the following words which sum it up so well, and are still sung by many young and old today:

The best friend to have is Jesus,
The best friend to have is Jesus,
He will help you when you fall,
He will hear you when you call;
Oh, the best friend to have is Jesus

He is the One of whom we can say, “He is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend” (Song of Solomon 5:16).

Knowing Him

“And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

What does it mean to know someone? Does it simply mean to recognize their face or their voice or their handwriting? Does it mean to simply read about them from time to time in the newspaper or hear about them through the media? No, there’s something far deeper. It means to know how they think, how they act in certain situations, how they treat others. It is to know what they like and don’t like, and to understand what really pleases them.

How well do you really know the Lord? I’m not asking you how much you know about Him, but how well do you know Him? You can know a lot of facts about someone and not know the individual personally.

You will only get to know the Lord as you spend time in His company. The Apostle Paul’s desire was, “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10). Is that your desire too? I ask you again, “How well do you know the Lord?”

Impossible

“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

There are many things in life’s experiences that to us appear to be impossible to solve. And with men they are impossible! But don’t forget that the One who made the earth and everything that lives on it finds nothing impossible. Are you in an “impossible” situation today? You don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel? You are saying, “This will never work out.” Turn to the Lord Jesus and let Him take care of it for you. It may require dedication in prayer for a certain length of time before you will see any results, but be assured that God knows what to do and how to do it. And be encouraged by going to the Word of God and reading the stories of people like Abraham, Joseph, Ruth, Esther, Jonah, and so on. And don’t forget the assurance, “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). And also the words of the angel to Mary, “For with God nothing shall be impossible. (Luke 1:37).