Author: BTP

Dear Young Christian:

It’s Monday morning again! Time to get going, and to keep going in whatever sphere of life and work the Lord has called us to.

One thing we are called to do is to keep close to the Lord. Why is it that in the hurry and flurry of life we so often drift away from nearness to Him? One reason is that we allow the fast pace of society to come between us and Himself. Another is that we allow things in our lives that give us a bad conscience. Joseph, who is a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus in the Old Testament, said to his brothers, “Come near to me, I pray you.” Now that there had been a work of repentance with them he wanted their company in spite of what had happened in the past. The rest of the verse tells us, “And they came near” (Genesis 45:4).

This week, walk closely with the Lord. And if something has come between you and Him, confess it and have the matter cleared. And don’t let the pressures and busyness of daily life spoil your enjoyment of the Lord’s company.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Look Up

“He rose again” (1 Corinthians 15:4).

“He is risen” (Mark 16:6).

Today, we look back to Calvary and remember the Lord Jesus and the mighty work He accomplished there to the glory of God and for our eternal blessing. However, it is also good for us to look up to heaven and realize that He is no longer in the grave, but that He is risen from the dead. And not only is He risen from the dead, but He is ascended back to heaven. “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things” (Ephesians 4:10). Even more than this, He is seated at the right hand of God as a glorified man. “The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory … set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:17, 20).

Yes indeed, we remember His sacrificial death on the cross, but we worship, praise, and thank Him as a risen, ascended, and glorified Savior. He Himself has declared, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen” (Revelation 1:18).

The Prodigal Son

“A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living” (Luke 15:11-13).

This well-known Bible story has a sad beginning and a happy ending. Recounted by the Lord Himself, it tells of a young man who chose his own way and a life of sin and self-will. It led to a terrible condition of degradation, loneliness, and ruin far away from his father who loved him and was waiting for his return. Eventually, he realized that he had sinned and one day rose up from his deplorable condition in the pigpen, and returned to his father. With the confession, “I have sinned” (Luke 15:21), he found forgiveness full and free, and a place of fellowship with the father at his table.

Do you see yourself as that prodigal? Perhaps you say, “But I have never done those wicked and rebellious things that he did. No, but remember, we are all sinners, and we all have to repent. If we do, we will find God the Father ready and willing to forgive us and receive us in Christ.

Rough Flight

“We fly away” (Psalm 90:10).

I was on a Bahama’s Air flight from Freeport to Nassau. In the seat beside me sat a young boy who looked to be about nine or ten years of age. He was evidently an unaccompanied minor, and had a pouch around his neck with his necessary documents.

We took off in a thunder storm, and, in all the years I have been flying, I have never been so sure that we weren’t going to make it. We were tossed about like a cork on the sea. People were screaming and crying. However, the youth beside me never said a word. He just reached over and put his hand on my arm for comfort, gritted his teeth, and hung on. When we finally landed in Nassau, he drew a great sigh of relief, turned to me, and said, “We reach.”

The journey of life is like that too. It’s not all sunshine, blue skies and smooth flying. There is plenty of turbulence and rough times. God hasn’t promised a smooth flight, but He has promised a safe landing. Someday soon we will, “fly away, and be at rest” (Psalm 55:6). In the meantime, we have One who is in full control, and will bring us safely through the ups and downs, and the storms of life.

Psalm 23 — Part 6

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4).

Often, we apply “the valley of the shadow of death” in connection with a believer passing from this world to the presence of the Lord. This is certainly a good application and has been a great comfort to many. However, in its context, I suggest it has a more relevant application to the believer on a daily basis. Every one of us is walking through this valley every day. It is the world stamped with death and under the curse of sin. It is the world where Satan is the god and prince and we see the sad results around us every day. Someone has said, “The valley of the shadow of death is this world with the shadow of the cross hanging over it.”

Of course, David, who was used to pen these words, did not understand the full import of what he wrote. He did understand that this world is a world of sin, sorrow, and death. He saw thousand slain on the battlefields, he knew what it was to lose family members and his own children in death, and he sometimes feared for his own life.

 Until we reach the Father’s house of light and love we won’t be done with the “valley of the shadow of death.”

Be Careful

“Be careful to maintain good works” (Titus 3:8).

We are always being warned to “be careful.” From the time we can remember, our parents have warned us to be careful about this or that … where we go … what we say … how we act … what we do … and on and on the list of “be careful” goes. The Bible tells us to be careful as well. As our verse today encourages, we are to be careful to keep doing good works. Not good works to obtain our salvation, or even to maintain our salvation, but good works because we are saved. Here is some further instruction in this regard: “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity” (Titus 2:7). We are also told to be “zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14).

What good works will you perform for the Lord and for the blessing of others today? Good works are to characterize us as we go about our daily routine of life. Be careful to maintain this deportment and behavior at all times. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Asking

The following verses show the importance of prayer, in its aspect of making requests.

“Ask, and it shall be given you”(Matthew 7:7).

“Ye have not, because ye ask not” (James 4:2).

“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us” (1 John 5:14).

King Solomon was told to ask of the Lord what he desired in connection with ruling God’s people. “The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee” (1 Kings 3:5). Here is what he asked for: “Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this Thy so great a people?” (verse 9).

God granted him his request:“And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said … Behold, I have done according to thy words” (verses 10-12).

Often, we limit the Lord by not asking. Do you have a request today? Ask!

Dear Young Christian:

The following statement from Scripture is still the world’s attitude toward Christ: “We will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14). Doing His will and owning His authority is the farthest thing from their mind. They would rather be under the authority of the Devil who is “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), and also “the prince of this world” (John 12:31).

Someday, this world will have Christ to reign over them, and what a wonderful day that will be. “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness” (Isaiah 32:1). It will be the fulfilment of the angels’ announcement at His birth, “On earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

In the meantime, those of us who know Him as our Savior should gladly own Him as Lord. He has said, “Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am” (John 13:13). How true is it in your life? Go forth this week owning Jesus as your Lord and Master, like Thomas who said, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

One Offering

“And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:11-12).

In the Old Testament, there was never a seat for the priest, either in the tabernacle in the wilderness or the temple at Jerusalem. This was to indicate that their work was never done. It was an endless round of daily and yearly sacrifices. The Israelites understood that when they brought a sacrifice it only atoned for that one sin, and then they had to bring another, and another, and another.

But thankfully the work of atonement is finished and complete in the death of Christ on Calvary. “For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). God will never require another sacrifice for sin. The fact that “He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:20), is a proof that God is satisfied with the work of His Son, who has “put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:26).

Heaven’s Wedding

“Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9).

We all like to be invited to a wedding, and we enjoy seeing a happy couple united in marriage. What a wonderful day it’s going to be when the Lord Jesus Christ is united with His bride for all eternity. That is going to be a marriage supper that surpasses all others.

Lately, I’ve noticed that the dress code for weddings has become very casual — even to the point of wearing clothes that, a few years ago, would have been unacceptable at a wedding. But those at heaven’s wedding will be required to wear wedding clothes. You can’t get in without them. They can only be obtained by accepting the Lord as your Savior, as illustrated in the parable of the king who made a wedding feast for his son. “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 22:11-13). Are you ready?