Young People’s Blog

Dear Young Christian,

How much do you value being able to openly walk with a Bible or tell someone the gospel without being imprisoned, tortured, or even martyred? Many of our fellow-Christians do not enjoy the liberties that most of my readers do. They are like those mentioned in the book of Hebrews, who “had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment” (Hebrews 11:36).

 The Bible tells us that we need to pray for such people. “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Hebrews 13:3).

Let me then ask another question. Are you ashamed to carry your Bible in public or to give out gospel tracts, because of some reproach or scoffing? Or are you like the Apostle Paul, who, in spite of the consequences, firmly declared, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16)?

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

Rejoicing

“That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:26).

“Rejoicing in hope” (Romans 12:12).

Through Christ and that mighty work of Calvary, we have so much to rejoice in today. Stop and go over some of those precious truths and you will be filled with the joy of the Lord and a worshipful response.

• Ponder His glorious person.

• Reflect on the merits of His precious blood.

• Consider the import of the cross and the far-reaching blessing it has had and will have.

• Think of the Lord Jesus now risen and seated at God’s right hand in heaven.

• Bask in the sunshine of His love.

• Meditate on the time when we will be with Him for that great wedding day. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7).

• “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 3:1).

Individuals

It was only a small group of ladies that appeared one night to hear missionary Robert Moffat speak on the verse, “Unto you, O men, I call” (Proverbs 8:4). Disheartened, he gave his address, failing to notice a small lad who was operating the bellows of the organ. Before Moffat’s message was over, God called the boy to missionary service. His name was David Livingstone, and he faithfully served the Lord for many years in Africa.

Another similar account happened many years ago, not too far from where I live. James Buchanan Dunlop was to preach in the schoolhouse just outside of Perth, about twelve miles from my hometown of Smiths Falls. It was a stormy, snowy night and the walking was hard, but he felt the Lord telling him he must go. With him was one man by the name of Thomas Dodds, who went along to tend the fire. With the fire burning for warmth, Dunlop preached to the only person who showed up, and Thomas Dodds was brightly saved.

These accounts show how the Lord is interested, and goes out of His way, for individuals. I trust you have had this one-on-one experience. If not, the Lord is seeking you today!

“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found” (Isaiah 55:6).

Our Thoughts

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19).

Here is a quote given long ago, but still carrying divine wisdom: “Never take your thoughts to the Word of God. Take your thoughts from the Word of God.”

It has also been said, “Read the Word of God, the Bible, until your mind is so saturated with it that you think in the language of Scripture…Every time you say, ‘I think,’ you think wrongly on every moral or spiritual subject — unless your thoughts are formed by the Word of God.”

So the Apostle Paul in writing to the believers at Corinth said,

“My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God”
                           (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).

How much does God’s Word form your thoughts?

“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful…and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Forgotten — Part 2

“Beware lest thou forget the Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:12).

To forget earthly friends and family may lead to some embarrassment and difficulty, but in the end things are usually rectified and perhaps even soon forgiven and forgotten.

However, to forget the Lord and all He has done for you is very sad and serious. David reminded himself of this when he wrote:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2).

As you hurry along in the fast-paced rush of daily life, don’t forget to spend some quiet time with the Lord. Don’t forget your Bible and prayer, which is the avenue of communion with the One who never forgets any of us.

The Lord had to say of the children of Israel,

“My people hath forgotten Me” (Jeremiah 18:15).

I hope he doesn’t have to say that of either you or me!

Never, never forgotten,
Wonderful promise secure!
Never neglected by Jesus,
This promise will ever endure.

Forgotten — Part 1

“Thou shalt not be forgotten of Me” (Isaiah 44:21).

How often we forget, even those that we love, sometimes even close family and friends. We forget a birthday, a promised phone call, letter or email. Sad to say, we often remember the things we want to forget and forget the things we want to remember.

On the other hand, perhaps you are the one who feels forgotten. You were sure that person would come and see you when you were sick. You were certain they would remember that you needed help with that project.

But, thankfully, as our verse states, we are never forgotten by the One who has loved us enough to die for us and to provide for us in this life, and that wonderful home in heaven, called the Father’s house.

Just a few pages over in the book of Isaiah, the prophet once again confirms the Lord’s same assurance,

“Yet will I not forget thee” (Isaiah 49:15).

The Lord Himself said,

“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? … Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7).

Morning

There are many exhortations in the Bible that would encourage us to seek the Lord and spend time in His presence in the morning. In other words, start the day off right before the necessities of daily routine take our time and crowd our mind. Here are examples of three persons who practically carried this out in their day-to-day lives:

Solomon said: “In the morning sow thy seed” (Ecclesiastes 11:6). “The seed is the Word of God” (Luke 8:11), and we certainly need it at the beginning of each day.

David said: “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up” (Psalm 5:3). Prayer is our powerhouse to meet every situation we will face today.

David also declared: “I will sing of Thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning” (Psalm 59:16). It is good to begin each day with a note of praise and the joy of the Lord.

Of course, the perfect example is the Lord Jesus Himself: “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (Mark 1:35).

Dear Young Christian,

Writing this letter as a cancer patient, I feel like someone’s pet dog…on a short leash. Hooked up to a pain-pump with a three-foot tube conveying hydro-morphine directly into my abdomen, I certainly can’t go very far without feeling the tug of distance and circumstance.

It has reminded me of the closeness and intimacy we have with God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. “Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).Thankfully (positionally speaking), that leash of communion cannot be broken, although (practically speaking) sometimes the reality of it is not always enjoyed.

Go forth this week in the joy of communion and you will be a happy Christian. Keep close to the Lord, talk often with Him, and listen to Him speak to you, as He delights to do.

When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!

–John Henry Sammis

Your Christian Friend:

Jim Hyland

Singing

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving…Come before His presence with singing”
(Psalm 95:2; 100:2).

So often in these pages we stress the joy and privilege of singing hymns of worship, praise, and thanksgiving. Here is a well-known hymn that I believe fits that criteria:

Let saints on earth their anthems raise,
Who taste the Savior’s grace;
Sing, till in heaven they tune His praise,
And hail Him “Prince of Peace.”

Praise Him who laid His glory by
For man’s apostate race;
Praise Him who stooped to bleed and die,
And hail Him “Prince of Peace.”

We soon shall reach the blissful shore,
And view His glorious face;
His name forever to adore,
And hail Him “Prince of Peace.”

– Jonathan Evans, 1784

Redeemed

To be redeemed is to be bought back to be set free. Here are some Scriptures that set forth the characteristics and blessings of those who have been redeemed:

“In whom we have REDEMPTION through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not REDEEMED with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal REDEMPTION for us” (Hebrews 9:12).

“Being justified freely by His grace through the REDEMPTION that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).

“Fear not: for I have REDEEMED thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

Are these things true of you? If not, this wonderful redemption is available to you right now!