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C-O-M-E

C – is for the children,
       In their youthful days;
O – is for the older folks,
       In life’s sunset rays;
M – is for the middle-aged,
       Although they’ve come that far;
E – is then for everyone,
       No matter who they are.

The invitation is as follows:

“Come thou” (Genesis 7:1).

“Come unto Me” (Matthew 11:28).

“Come now” (Isaiah 1:18).

“All things are ready: come”(Matthew 22:4).

“Let him that is athirst come”(Revelation 22:17).

Have you responded to the Lord’s invitation to come to Him for salvation? Don’t be like those, of whom He had to say, “Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40).

Monthly Question Page

Q. Who will have opportunity to receive the gospel of the kingdom that is preached after the Lord comes for the Christians?

A. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14).

The following is a quote from Outline of Prophetic Events, by B. Anstey, page 29:

“This gospel announces the coming of the King and Messiah of Israel to establish the kingdom promised in the Old Testament Scriptures. It will be mainly Jews that preach this gospel at first, but later converted Gentiles will also preach it. By the time the tribulation is over, it will have been preached in all the world. Those who have not willfully and intelligently rejected the gospel of the grace of God … will have an opportunity to believe this gospel. A great multitude of Jews and Gentiles will believe it and will be blessed on earth when Christ establishes His Kingdom.”

Read Revelation 7, and you will see that not only do a great number of Jews receive this gospel but some from the nations as well—notice particularly verses 9 and 14.

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

The Right Direction

Centuries ago, the Apostle Paul penned these words by divine inspiration: “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me … Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1). None of us would dare to make such statements, and yet there is an important lesson we can learn from them. It is simply this:

ONLY AS WE FOLLOW CHRIST CAN

WE LEAD OTHERS IN THE

RIGHT DIRECTION.

With this in mind, let’s each stop and ask ourselves the question, “Are we leading others in the right direction or are we leading in ways and places that we ought not to?” You would be surprised how many of those you know are looking to you and following your example. You may not be aware of it, but you influence others more than you realize. Can you say, like Paul, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience” (2 Timothy 3:10). It is a wonderful thing when we walk in obedience to the Word of God, and follow the Lord in the path of faith, so that others are encouraged in the right direction as well.

Monthly Scripture Reading

2 Corinthians 12

1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Accepted

“Accepted in the beloved”(Ephesians 1:6).

“Accepted of Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9).

The grace of God and the work of Christ have made us accepted in Him — God’s beloved Son. What a wonderful standing we have! God sees us in all the perfection of Christ, because, “He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Nothing can ever change that! It is all secure in Him.

However, to be “accepted ofHim” is a very practical matter and deserves our day-to-day attention and consideration. Do you, like the Apostle Paul, have a genuine exercise each day of your Christian life to live in a way that has the Lord’s approval and acceptance? If you really love the Lord and appreciate what He has done for you, it will make you want to please Him more. Paul was misunderstood, even by fellow-believers at Corinth. They questioned his apostleship, his ministry, and even his ability to present his ministry. However, he had the assurance in his own conscience that he had the Lord’s acceptance, and isn’t that what we really want?

Dear Young Christian:

Someone has well said, “The world, like the internet, has much that we need to avoid.” The Bible gives us excellent advice in this matter. “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Proverbs 4:14-15). Sometimes we think we are strong enough to go so far and no further. But once again we are warned from Scripture,“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

As you step out the door for another week of school you are going to see and hear things that defile. We can’t always help it, and the Bible makes provision for it. For instance, “the washing of water by the Word” (Ephesians 5:26). And, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word” (Psalm 119:9). But remember to avoid going to places or participating in things that you do not have to be involved in. It will be a great preserving factor in your life and testimony.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Valued

How much does the person of the Lord Jesus Christ mean to you? Do you value Him above all others and esteem Him above all else?

Here is a quote from Augustine (354 AD – 430 AD):

“Christ is not valued at all unless He is valued above all.”

The Apostle Peter reminds us:

“Unto you therefore which believe He is precious” (1 Peter 2:7).

The Apostle Paul declared,

“That in all things He might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18).

Take time today to read some Scriptures concerning the person of Christ, and meditate on the following subjects:

• Who He is.

• What He has done.

• Where He is now.

• What He is doing for us.

• What He will do in a future day.

A meditation on these subjects cannot help but increase your value and estimation of the person of Christ.

Clean

“Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean” (Job 14:4)?

I recently heard of a Christian college professor who had a note sent to him by one of his students. It was a heart-rending letter, telling of a life of sin and shame by one brought up in a Christian home, and among Christian friends. At the end, the question was asked, “Sir, can your God save such a person as I?”

In front of the class the next day, the professor used the following illustration: “As I came along Princess Street this morning, I looked up and saw a beautiful fleecy white cloud in the sky. I asked it how it got there, and it seemed to say, ‘From the slime and muddy pools of your great city I came. The sun with all its power came down and lifted me and purified me, and made me what you see me now to be.’”

The professor then added, “If the young person who sent this letter is here today, I want to tell them that there is One who is mighty to save, and who stooped down and with His pierced hands laid hold of the lives of men and women broken and bruised by sin. Remember, “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Keeping His Word

“Now have I kept Thy word” (Psalm 119:67).

What a statement for the inspired writer to make! Could you honestly make this statement to the Lord? Could you repeat with the Psalmist, “Now have I kept Thy word”?

The Lord very graciously said of His disciples at the end of their time with Him during His public ministry, “They have kept Thy word” (John 17:6). There had been much failure amongst them, and there was more to follow, but the Lord could commend that which had been of faith, and that which had been according to His Father’s word and will. This He delights to do in our lives too. And the day is coming when He will reward for all faithfulness in keeping His word.

Of the Christians in the ancient city of Philadelphia, the commendation was similar: “Thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word” (Revelation 3:8). They had the Lord’s approval, and isn’t that what every believer, deep down in their heart, truly desires?Our Lord values this very much, and the Scripture tells us, “Blessed are they that keep His testimonies” (Psalm 119:2).

Psalm 23 — Part 4

“He leadeth me beside the still waters”(Psalm 23:2).

Still waters would remind us of those quiet times of refreshment, when we have our spiritual, inner thirst satisfied by the Shepherd, through the living water of the Word. He invites us, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters … If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink” (Isaiah 55:1; John 7:37).

It is vital that we learn to follow our Shepherd to those calm, tranquil waters; otherwise, we are going to try and satisfy our souls with the things that this world seeks to offer us throughout the day. We have within us a thirst that only the One who made us can truly and fully satisfy. On another occasion, David said, “O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is” (Psalm 63:1). Have you had a drink from the Living Word today? If not, you are a thirsty Christian, and you are spiritually dehydrated. What a sad condition to be in when there is so much refreshment available on a daily basis. Stop now and take a drink of “cold waters to a thirsty soul” (Proverbs 25:25).