Young People’s Blog

Wonderful — Part 4

His words were wonderful.

Look in the 4th chapter of Luke, and you will see we read three times of how even those who did not love Him wondered at what He spoke. “And all bare Him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth” (Luke 4:22). “And they were astonished at His doctrine: for His word was with power” (Luke 4:32). “And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power He commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out” (Luke 4:36).

If we wonder at His gracious words to us now, how much more shall we wonder when we see Him on the throne of His glory, and hear His own voice.

Jesus, name o’er every name,

Name of grace and power;

Soothing, cheering name of love,

Strength for every hour.

Wonderful, Counsellor,

Mighty God, and Father;

Prince of Peace, Immanuel,

Jesus, precious Savior.

Wonderful — Part 3

“Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men” (Psalm 107:8).
“And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased” (Matthew 21:15).

Everything that He did was wonderful.

The prophet Isaiah said, “many were astonied at Thee” (Isaiah 52:14). To see how this was fulfilled, look in the Gospel of Mark, where it is recorded fourteen times that the people were astonished or amazed at the things that Jesus did. (Mark 1:22,27; 2:12; 5:42; 6:2,51; 7:37; 9:15; 10:24,26,32; 11:18; 14:33; 16:8). Their testimony was: “He hath done all things well.” Even the enemy had to admit how wonderful He was.

John concludes his gospel by recording: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen” (John 21:25).

Wonderful — Part 2

“But the men marvelled, saying,
What manner of man is this” (Matthew 8:27)?

Jesus is Wonderful in what He is.

Even the angels must have wondered to see the Son of God, the Creator and the one who sustains the universe, whom they all worship, lying in a manger as a little baby. Listen to what they conveyed to the shepherds, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). And they must have truly wondered why there weren’t more in Israel genuinely interested in this momentous event. They were seeing this God incarnate for the first time.

Yet, I think they must have wondered more still when they saw Him “taken, and by wicked hands … crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23). They must have marveled indeed then at the love of Christ which passeth knowledge. Yet, He was not dying for them but for mankind, so that we may say, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Wonderful — Part 1

This meditation is adapted from Frances Ridley Havergal

“His name shall be called Wonderful” (Isaiah 9:6).

“And the Angel of Jehovah said to him, How is it that thou askest after my name, seeing it is Wonderful” (Judges 13:18, JND?

Here is a name that is an adjective, so we may use it not only as a name by itself, but also as a description of all His other names. The more we know Him and love Him, the more we shall delight in this.

If we know Jesus as our Savior at all, we shall be quite sure that He is a Wonderful Savior. And, as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we shall find more and more, year by year, and even day by day, what a Wonderful Friend, and Wonderful Gift, and Wonderful High Priest, and Wonderful everything else He is.

When you see a wonderful sight, don’t you want others to see it, too? And if you cannot bring them to see it, don’t you want to tell them about it, to try to give them an idea of it? So, I think one proof that we have really found Jesus is that we will want others to come and see what a Wonderful Savior we have found.

Dear Young Christian:

It is a beautiful afternoon here in Michigan, and I am sitting overlooking Lincoln Lake. The sun is shining after some heavy rains, fluffy clouds are passing slowly by, and the water is shimmering in the late afternoon glow. How peaceful it all is, and I am thankful for these few moments of reprieve and relaxation. The world is in absolute turmoil, and every day we hear of more violence, corruption, terrorism, anarchy, and lawlessness.

Yes, in the midst of it all, the Lord graciously gives us moments of reflection and meditation, and we need to make much of them, as they are sometimes few and far between. The Lord said to His disciples, “Rest a while” (Mark 6:31). They had been busy and burdened in His service, and He provided a little break so they could enjoy His company and comfort. However, there was more work to do, and they were soon busy again — this time helping to feed the multitude with a few loaves and fishes. So, we have times of rest and times of service, and in it all we can enjoy His company.

 Your Christian Friend,

 Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

His Feelings — Part 3

Let the words of this Psalm speak to your heart, as you consider all that the Lord Jesus felt in His inmost being while suffering for us, and giving His life to bring us into eternal relationship with Himself and God the Father.

Psalm 88

3 For My soul is full of troubles: and My life draweth nigh unto the grave.

4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:

5 Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom Thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from Thy hand.

6 Thou hast laid Me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.

7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon Me, and Thou hast afflicted Me with all Thy waves. Selah.

8 Thou hast put away Mine acquaintance far from Me; Thou hast made Me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.

9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon Thee, I have stretched out My hands unto Thee.

Inside Out

I am in Michigan this week. Right in the heart of apple-growing country.

Here is a question for you: Did you ever wonder whether the worm hole in an apple was made from the inside or the outside of the apple? Apple growers tell us the worm bores the hole from the heart of the apple, and this is precisely the way the worm of sin begins in the human heart. Man is born a sinner by nature as a result of the first man, Adam’s, sin. When he commits sin, he becomes a sinner by practice–the condition of his heart is manifest.

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5).

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9).

“Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts” (Matthew 15:9).

Apple growers can eliminate the worm by applying the right insecticide at the right time, and the only way we can have our sins removed is by applying the blood of Jesus Christ to our hearts by faith in Him.

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Given to Change

“My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change; for their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both” (Proverbs 24:21-22).

We must respect those in authority, even if we don’t always agree with them. Scripture demands it! God first and above all; then also men in the place of God-given authority such as parents, school teachers, police, governors, presidents and magistrates. God’s Word exhorts us to be subject to the powers that be. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1).

But there are more and more people who rebel against authority. They are “given to change.” They are always seeking to overthrow order and authority. They demonstrate, sign petitions, and criticize school officials. They want “their rights.” Anarchists, political extremists, and revolutionists, are all “given to change.” Stay away from them. They and their followers will come to ruin suddenly.

“Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake” (Romans 13:5).

Numbers in Scripture: #8

The number eight symbolizes a new beginning.

• When God established a new order of worship and communion with Israel, a baby boy was to be circumcised on the eighth day. Paul was a prime example: “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel” (Philippians 3:5).

• Eight souls were saved in the ark to begin a new order of things on a cleansed earth. “The longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water” (1 Peter 3:20).

• The eighth day, or the “morrow after the Sabbath” is a figure of resurrection, typified in the Wave Offering. “And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it” (Leviticus 23:11). “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week” (Matthew 28:1).

• In the future millennial city, there are eight sets of twelve — Gates, angels, tribes of Israel, foundations, apostles, furlongs, pearls, fruits. See if you can pick them out in Revelation chapters 21 & 22.

Stand Fast

“For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord”
(1 Thessalonians 3:8).

Nothing thrills an older Christian more than seeing a younger one “standing fast in the Lord.” By that I mean that you live for the Lord — you remain faithful to Him and His Word even though others may not. The Apostle John, as an elderly believer said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4).

Here are some further exhortations to stand fast:

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” (Galatians 5:1).

“Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27).

“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord” (Philippians 4:1).

It’s a real encouragement to us to see you who are younger wanting to please the Lord. Don’t give up. Jesus is coming soon. Stand fast!