Young People’s Blog

Happiness — Part 3

In light of our meditation the past couple of days, I want to ask you a question: “Are you a happy Christian?” I am not asking if you are saved, I am asking if you are truly happy. If not, you need to assess your life and ask yourself why you are not happy. I am afraid that there are many very unhappy Christians, both young and old.

Remember, as believers, our happiness does not depend on our circumstances, as the Scriptures that we have had the past couple of days indicate. However, it does depend on our relationship with the Lord. In prison for preaching the gospel, Paul and Silas “sang praises” (Acts 16:25). This was because their hearts were full of the “joy of the Lord” (Nehemiah 8:10). As we have already noted in a previous quotation, Paul could experience an inward happiness as a prisoner in front of King Agrippa (Acts 26:2).

Growing up, we often sang this chorus by Ira Stanphill:

Happiness is to know the Savior,
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord.

-Ira F. Stanphill

So, I ask you again, “Are you a happy Christian?”

Happiness — Part 2

Someone has well said that true happiness in the life of a believer really depends on how closely they are walking with the Lord in obedience to His word.

Looking back on my childhood, I realize now that obedience to my parents would have saved me a lot of unhappiness and frustration. It is no different in the family of God. To make the point, we will repeat the verses we had yesterday for your further consideration and meditation.

• Here is what David says on the matter: “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 144:15).

• His son Solomon further adds: “Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he” (Proverbs 16:20).

• John tells us, regarding obedience: “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17).

• The Apostle Paul said to King Agrippa: “I think myself happy” (Acts 26:2).

• James declares: “Behold, we count them happy which endure” (James 5:11).

• Peter records: “If ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye…If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye” (1 Peter 3:14; 4:14).

Happiness — Part 1

On March 3rd, we had a meditation on the subject of happiness. We will finish the month with the same subject.

For those who do not know the Lord, “happiness” can be described as “Happen-ness.” In other words, their happiness depends on happenings. If things go well, they are happy; if things are not going so well, then their happiness vanishes.

But, it is very different for someone who knows the Lord and seeks to follow Him, owning Him as Lord of their life.

• Here is what David says on the matter: “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 144:15).

• His son Solomon further adds: “Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he” (Proverbs 16:20).

• John tells us, regarding obedience: “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17).

• The Apostle Paul said to King Agrippa: “I think myself happy” (Acts 26:2).

• James declares: “Behold, we count them happy which endure” (James 5:11).

• Peter records: “If ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye…If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye” (1 Peter 3:14; 4:14).

Dear Young Christian,

In my reading this morning, this commendation of Timothy by the Apostle Paul really stood out: “Timotheus, who is…faithful in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:17).

If some older Christian were mentioning you in a letter, would he be able to say something similar? On another occasion he said, “Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ” (1 Thessalonians 3:2). And again, to the Christians at Philippi, “I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you…For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state” (Philippians 2:19-20).

What wonderful recommendations for a young man! Paul had seen the evidence of practical Christianity in his life and had confidence in sending him to visit his brethren, knowing that it would be for their blessing and edification.

As I get older, I am thankful there are young brothers, and sisters too, who really have a desire to serve the Lord and further the gospel work. Keep on, and don’t be discouraged.

Your Christian Friend,

 Jim Hyland

Looking Back

“In remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19).

On the first day of the week, it is important to pause and look back to the work of Calvary and remember the Lord Jesus, what He suffered for us and what He accomplished to the glory of God and for our eternal blessing. Here are the words of a hymn that express it better than I can:

“On Calvary we’ve adoring stood,
And gazed on that wondrous cross,
Where the holy, spotless Lamb of God
Was slain in His love for us;
How our hearts have stirred at that solemn cry,
While the sun was enrapt in night,
‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’
Most blessed, most awful sight.”

– 213 Little Flock Hymnbook

Yes, nothing will stir our souls to worship, praise, and thanksgiving like a fresh glimpse, by faith, of

“the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).

Security

“Thou shalt be secure” (Job 11:18).

Prince Prajadhipok was born on November 8th, 1893. On the 26th of November, 1925, he was crowned King of Siam — present-day Thailand. Commonly known as King Rama VII, he was the last absolute monarch and was forced to abdicate and leave the country on March 2nd, 1935.

He is the only monarch in history to insure himself against the loss of his throne, having taken out unemployment insurance policies with French and British underwriters early on in his reign. As a result, he was able to live comfortably in England until his death on May 30th, 1941.

The king of Siam was a wise man in many respects, but what about eternity? Was he ready? Only God knows! It is good to be prepared by planning well for this life, but better still to make the necessary arrangements for the next life.

Is your soul insured for heaven? Have you prepared by trusting Jesus and the work done by Him on the cross? This is a most important consideration, and one that has eternal consequences. “O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” (Deuteronomy 32:29).

Have you?

Monthly Question Page

Q. Can you please explain the term “Justified”?

A. Justified means that the believer has been cleared from every charge of sin by being brought into a new position before God. He is no longer viewed by God as a sinner. It is an act of God whereby the ungodly is reckoned righteous in God’s mind. There are two sides to justification: a negative side and a positive side.

The negative side has to do with being cleared of all charges of sin against us. “And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:39).

The positive side has to do with the believer being in an entirely new position before God in Christ, where no further charge can ever be brought against him. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16). Justification in Christianity always brings the believer into a new position before God. Justifying sinners is something only God can do!

Worldly

I opened the in-flight magazine and there is was: an advertisement with the heading,

BECOME WORLDLY

I realize that this was simply an appeal by an international travel company encouraging people to globe-trot and spend their money seeing the sights and experiencing what the world has to offer. However, it made me think of the exhortation given to Titus by the Apostle Paul:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12).

When we have a real appreciation of the grace of God, it will keep us from becoming worldly Christians. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t enjoy God’s creation, or that we should despise and abuse what He has entrusted to us in a natural way. But we are told to keep ourselves “unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). And we need to remember,

“The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:17).

Monthly Scripture Reading

Proverb 22

1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

“O And O” Or “H and H”

“With my whole heart have I sought Thee”
(Psalm 119:10).

A few years ago, a young Christian who traveled extensively on business had to go to an area of the world where he had never been before. He was an earnest and devoted believer and served the Lord wherever he went in his own quiet way. Knowing another young Christian who was well acquainted with the district into which he was going, he asked him if he would give him some names and addresses of the Lord’s people in those parts. This his friend gladly did. However, when the list came, the traveler was puzzled at seeing either “O and O” or “H and H” opposite each name. When he enquired as to what it meant, he was told, “Some are only ‘Half and Half’ Christians, and some are ‘Out and Out’ ones. I put those marks by their names to distinguish them.”

If our names were on that list, what kind of Christian would we be listed as? Would we be listed as “O and O,” or would it have to be “H and H”? Could it be said that we “wholly followed the Lord” (Numbers 32:12)?