Young People’s Blog

The Cross

Here are seven aspects of the Cross for our heart’s meditation today:

1. “He bearing His CROSS went forth” (John 19:17).

2. “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the CROSS. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS” (John 19:19).

3. “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the CROSS” (Hebrews 12:2).

4. “He … became obedient unto death, even the death of the CROSS” (Philippians 2:8).

5. “Having made peace through the blood of His CROSS” (Colossians 1:20).

6. “The preaching of the CROSS … is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

7. “God forbid that I should glory, save in the CROSS of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).

The cross! the cross, oh that’s our gain,
Because on that the Lamb was slain;
‘Twas there the Lord was crucified,
‘Twas there for us the Savior died.

                               Miss C. Taylor, 1742

Donkeys and Sheep

There are two animals that the Bible likens the natural man to. The first is a donkey: “For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s [donkey’s] colt” (Job 11:12). The donkey is stubborn, and stubbornness is sin. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:23). The Lord Himself said to some during His time on earth, “Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40).

The other animal that the natural man is likened to is a sheep: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Sheep are wayward. If there is one thing we like most it is to have our own way. However, “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).

The good news is that the Lord came to save stubborn and wayward sinners. He, Himself said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). What about you? Have you yielded to the Savior of sinners?

Our Helper

“The Lord is my helper” (Hebrews 13:6).

There is an old saying, “The Lord helps those that help themselves.” However, I heard a good addition to that saying, “The Lord also helps those who cannot help themselves.”

The hymn writer, Henry Francis Lyte, expressed it in his hymn, Abide With Me:

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Maybe you are feeling helpless today as you face some crises or crossroads in your Christian life. Remember, while you may be beyond human help, you are never beyond divine help. There is one who sees and knows everything and already has it all worked out according to His purpose and for your good and blessing.

David was often in dire and dangerous situations, but he learned to call on the Lord for help in those difficult times. I have often enjoyed his prayer at the beginning of Psalm 12, when he simply said, “Help Lord” (Psalm 12:1). If you need help today, pray this prayer and you will find the Lord, “a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Young People of Scripture
Timothy

Timothy was a young man who had been brought up by a godly mother Eunice and grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5). We know nothing of his father except the fact that he “was a Greek” (Acts 16:1). Timothy had been saved and had the privilege of traveling with the Apostle Paul, who refers to him as “Timothy, my own son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2).

It seems that Timothy was somewhat timid, even though gifted. In writing to him, Paul encourages him, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Timothy was a help and comfort to Paul as they traveled and labored together. He said of him, “I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state” (Philippians 2:20). When Paul’s race of faith was nearly run, he found in Timothy one to whom he could commit the truth, knowing that he would commit it to faithful men, “who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). His life shows the value and importance of service for Christ while we are young.

The Potter

“But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand … . Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels” (Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 18:3).

Recently, while in Germany, my wife and I visited a pottery factory and bought a few small items to bring home as gifts. It brought to mind the hymn writer, Charles Wesley (December 18, 1707 – March 29, 1788), who wrote this line in one of his hymns:

“Mold as Thou wilt Thy passive clay.”

Someone has said, “There is a passive and an active side to obedience.” Passive obedience involves a willingness to be molded by the hands of the divine Potter in whatever way He sees as fitting and best. Often, He has to pass us through hard things more than once to make us what He wants us to be. “And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it” (Jeremiah 18:4). Then we can put into motion active obedience regarding the instructions given to us in His Word, the Bible.

There Is a God

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).

Stephen Hawking (January 8, 1942 to March 14, 2018) was a British scientist, professor and author who performed groundbreaking work in physics and cosmology. Sad to say he was also an ardent atheist, and, in his last book, Brief Answers to the Big Questions he says that, beyond a shadow of a doubt, there is no God.

The solemn fact of the matter is that he will spend eternity realizing that in Hell there is no God. To be cast into the Lake of Fire is to be eternally separated from God. So awful is this that it is referred to as “the second death” (Revelation 20:14).

Is there a God? Yes indeed, and the Bible as well as creation give abundant and inarguable confirmation and testimony to the true and living God. There is also the testimony of the conscience that every human being has, in spite of arguments and rationalization to the contrary.

This God has graciously provided a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. “He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Is He your Savior and Lord?

Dear Young Christian:

Psalm 73 is one of my favorite Psalms, and I especially enjoy this verse: “Thou hast holden me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23). In Scripture, the right hand is the hand of strength. And mine is held by the Lord Himself. This is a real comfort in times of trouble. The One who holds me by my right hand is stronger than all. My Lord, who is “upholding all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3), not only holds my hand, but I am held secure in His mighty hand, and He assures me, “Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28).

This gives us real confidence to go forward every day this week, knowing that we can never lose our salvation, and that we have all the strength we need for whatever we face. Go forth in the conscious sense of your hand in His and you will have happy, fruitful days and be a true overcomer, even in tough situations and rough places in the path of faith and service. “The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). In other words, He is always available.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

Sitting in His Presence

“I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love” (Song of Solomon 2:3-4).

This is the bride speaking of the joy and delight of sitting in the presence of her bridegroom, enjoying what He had for her, and basking in the sunshine of His great love.

This of course typifies the Lord Jesus as the bridegroom and we as His bride. It is a wonderful thing to sit down in His presence and to be occupied with His person and work. Earlier, the bride had declared, “While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof” (1:12). In other words, as she was at His table, occupied with Himself, there was worship.

The invitation to sit down in His presence is still given to every true believer. He says, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Before He went to the cross we read, “And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him” (Luke 22:14). He still delights to sit down in the midst of His own. Will you be at His table to remember and worship Him today?

The Marriage

“Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9).

“And they that were ready went in with him to the marriage” (Matthew 25:10).

I missed two weddings recently due to circumstances beyond my control. It was very disappointing, but in the end, I had to say, “So be it,” and accept it as from the Lord.

However, there is a marriage that I am not going to miss. It is a marriage made in Heaven, and it will be the wedding of Christ and His bride, made up of those who have been saved by responding to God’s invitation to come to Him. Thankfully, I will not miss that wedding. No circumstance, no illness, nothing will hinder me from being there.

By the grace of God, I have been called, responded to that call, and I am ready on the grounds of the work of Calvary and the blood of Christ. My place is reserved, and, wonder of wonders, I am going to be part of that special company called “the bride, the Lamb’s wife” (Revelation 21:9).

The great question is, will you be present? You are being called today, but, remember, only those who respond and are ready will be there. Will I see you there?

Growing and Learning

“Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

The following dialogue took place between two Christian men:

“How are things going in your life?”

After a pause, the other answered, “Do you want the usual Christian clichés, or do you want an honest reply?”

“I want an honest reply,” the first man responded.

“Well, I am growing and learning, and I am realizing that this is the Christian life in a nutshell. Sometimes there are more growing and learning days than great and fantastic days.”

Yes, the Christian life takes constant, daily perseverance. We should never stop growing, and we certainly never stop learning. There are days filled with spiritual growing pains and hard lessons. It takes real exercise of heart and soul, but in the end, through these circumstances we are stronger spiritually, and develop a greater knowledge and appreciation of our Savior and Lord. Timothy was told, “exercise thyself … unto godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). Let’s each of us ask ourselves today, “Are we growing and learning?”