Young People’s Blog

His Face

“And they shall see His face” (Revelation 22:4).

“Then face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

We often think about heaven and what it will be like to be there. We picture in our minds all the beautiful things that will comprise the Father’s house and the grand chorus of praise and worship that will arise from the heart and tongue of every redeemed person gathered around the Lamb.

However, as wonderful as all that will be, yet I believe that one look into the face of the Lord Jesus Christ will eclipse everything else, and whatever else we are occupied with will be in relation to that glorious person.

The Lord Jesus, when introducing this subject for the comfort of the disciples just before going to the cross, did not dwell on all the fine things that no doubt will make up the Father’s house, and no doubt we will be aware of. No, instead he said, “That where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). We often say “Four walls and fine furniture don’t make a home, but the presence of those who live there.” This is certainly true in regard to the Father’s house. What will make heaven is the presence of the Lord Himself.

Bits of Wisdom

A young sister in Christ who is taking care of an elderly couple who are both past their hundredth birthdays, sent me some bits of wisdom that the lady passed on to her. I feel they are well worth sharing with our young readers.

• When we trust God, we are not supposed to have a plan B.

• Today we don’t know all the arrangements that the Lord has for us, but we can trust Him.

• If we have no trials, we can’t bring full praise and honor to the Lord Jesus.

• Now, in this life, is the time to bring glory to the Lord.

• We use our reason sometimes and our reason leads us astray.

This good, sound wisdom, shared from one who has walked the path of faith with her Lord for so many years reminded me of the verse, “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age” (Psalm 92:14).

How thankful we should be for those who have had years of experience in walking with the Lord and who are happy to share and pass on what they have learned!

Dear Young Christian,

In a recent email I was reminded of a comment made by a brother in Christ many years ago, whose preaching I grew up under as a teenager. It was a Bible conference in Walla Walla, Washington, and the speaker was John Brereton. This is the quote: “If we had our choice of circumstances we would choose only easy ones and be the losers for it.”

How true this is, and I suppose, easy to say, but harder to accept. Our Father in His infinite wisdom has mixed the good with the bad, the hard with the easy, and the happy with the sad. It is through these different circumstances that we learn to trust Him and rely on His strength. In short, we learn 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). We would never know the loving and gracious heart of our Father if we only had the good and the sweet and not the hard and the bitter. Learn to accept, trust, and rejoice through it all, and you will be a happy believer no matter what.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

Inditing

The word inditing is not a word we use much today, but it simply means to “write or compose…to give literary or formal expression to.”

The inspired writer of Psalm 45 did this when he said, “My heart is inditing a good matter” (verse 1). Going on, he gives a wonderful account describing the Lord in His glory and majesty. Here we will quote just part of the narrative and I encourage you to open your Bible and read the rest. I am confident that a prayerful, meditative read of this psalm will swell your heart with praise and worship.

“I speak of the things which I have made touching the King: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into Thy lips: therefore God hath blessed Thee for ever. Gird Thy sword upon Thy thigh, O most mighty, with Thy glory and Thy majesty. And in Thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and Thy right hand shall teach Thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under Thee. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre” (Psalm 45:1-6).

Your Escape

Yesterday, while driving with my wife, we noticed a roadside sign advertising for a local insurance company. It had a rather pointed and direct slogan. This is what it said:

PLAN YOUR ESCAPE!

My wife’s comment was, “That would make a good gospel message.” I certainly agreed with her, and the first verse that came to mind was, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3).

Of course, the answer is contained in many gospel verses, and we are not left in any doubt as to how to plan our escape from hell and the awful consequences of being shut out from God in that dreadful place for all eternity. Here are just three of those directive Scriptures:

“Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

So the question remains, Have you not only planned your escape, but have you made your escape?

Choices

“In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee”
(1 Kings 3:5).

David’s son Solomon is taking over the kingdom of Israel from his father, and in so doing is asked by the Lord what he desires in regard to this solemn and monumental responsibility. I have often wondered, What would I have said?

Perhaps I would have asked for great riches, a peaceful reign both from enemies around and countrymen from within. In the end Solomon got all those things, but not because he asked for them. He was given them because of his unselfish request benefitting the people of God who had been entrusted to his care for the forty years of his reign. Solomon asked,

“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?” (1 Kings 3:9).

What would you ask for if God gave you a choice? Solomon made a wise decision and the Lord certainly blessed him for it. Something to think about isn’t it!

Speaking to Others

When we speak to souls concerning the gospel we never have to worry about results. Rather, as someone else has said, we only have to be concerned with these three things:

1. Being in communion with the Lord Himself.

2. Being in communion with the mind of God as to those to whom we are speaking.

3. Purity in delivering the message.

In the end there will be blessing as a result of the Word of God, called in Scripture the “Good Seed,” being sown in the heart and conscience of the hearer. Thankfully, blessing does not depend on our ability to present the gospel, but on the Spirit of God taking the Word and applying it in all its living power. The lost are, “Born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23). That is why it is important to use the Word when we speak to others. Remember, it is the “Sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), and it is when it is used in communion with the Spirit that it is effectual. Knowing this gives us confidence and joy to speak to others of the need for salvation and point them to the Savior of Sinners.

Wonderful

We use the word “wonderful” in regard to many things concerning day-to-day life. But here are seven things that the Bible speaks of as truly WONDERFUL or full of Wonder!

• The Son of God: “His name shall be called Wonderful” (Isaiah 9:6).

• The human body: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

• His greatness and ability: “His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath done” (Psalm 78:4).

• All that He has shown us and is showing us: “Thy testimonies are wonderful” (Psalm 119:129).

• His instructions: “The Lord of Hosts, which is wonderful in counsel” (Isaiah 28:29).

• His goodness: “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness” (Psalm 107:31).

• His knowledge: “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me” (Psalm 139:6).

To meditate on these seven things and the context in which they are found will truly fill the soul with wonder and awe. I would encourage you to take the challenge!

Are You Listening?

“I will hear what God the Lord will speak” (Psalm 85:8).

Are you listening?

The writer of the 85th Psalm was listening, and he was listening to the right voice…the voice of God!

There are many voices all around us, some good and some bad. Often, we get into trouble because we listen to and heed the wrong counsel, other times we get into trouble because we don’t listen and take heed to the right voices.

The voice we always want to make sure we listen for and listen to, is the voice of God. He speaks to us in many ways. Sometimes through circumstance and trials, but more particularly through His book we refer to as the Bible, the Word of God, or the “Holy Scriptures” (2 Timothy 3:15).

So, I ask you the question, “What are you listening to and more importantly, who are you listening to?” Eight times in the book of Revelation we are exhorted to listen to the voice of God through His Spirit, with our ears: (Revelation 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:29; 3:6; 3:13; 3:22), and concluding with, “If any man have an ear, let him hear” (Revelation 13:9).

So, I ask again,

“Are you listening?”

Dear Young Christian,

Because I have been going through a long-term sickness, someone brought me a 5” x 7” frame with the following text inserted:

“The Lord stood with me, and strengthened me” (2 Timothy 4:17).

It is a wonderful comfort to know that we are never alone. Paul at the end of his life often found himself alone, and no doubt felt real loneliness. In prison and cut off from his fellow-believers and the joy of visiting and ministering Christ and preaching the gospel, he was thankful for the company and comfort of the Lord Himself.

Perhaps none of us will ever be that isolated, but sometimes we do feel very alone. Remember, “The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). In other words, He is right there…always near. Claim this promise today, and you will not feel alone, no matter who else is with you or not.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland