Young People’s Blog

Dear Young Christian:

This past weekend, my wife and I were at a Bible conference in Roeselare, Belgium. There were believers there from all over Western Europe, Romania, North America, South America, Egypt and Africa. It was just a little inkling of what it will be like when we get to Heaven and all the redeemed are around the Lord Jesus and sing together in perfect harmony, “a new song, saying, Thou art worthy … for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9). Christian fellowship is unique and wonderful. The Bible tells us, “Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ … . But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:3, 7).

This week, enjoy that fellowship with God the Father, the Lord Jesus, and, as much you can, with other believers.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

His Greatness

I have just returned from the Breaking of Bread meeting where we sang the following hymn:

O Lord, we adore Thee, For Thou art the slain One
That livest for ever, Enthroned in Heaven;
O Lord! we adore Thee, For Thou hast redeem’d us;
Our title to glory We read in Thy blood.

O God, we acknowledge Thy greatness, Thy glory!
For of Thee are all things On earth and in Heaven;
How rich is Thy mercy! How great Thy salvation!
We bless Thee, we praise Thee: Amen, and Amen.

The singing of this hymn brought to mind these verses:

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3).

“So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty: for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him” (Psalm 45:11).

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power” (Revelation 4:11).

Where To

Sitting at a major airport recently, I said to my wife, “Where is everyone going to?” Her response was, “They’re all wondering the same thing.”

Yes, everyone seems to be going somewhere. It is characteristic of these days we live in, just before the coming of the Lord. The Bible states, “The time of the end: many shall run to and fro” (Daniel 12:4). We live in a restless world, and Satan uses this on-the-go attitude to keep people from considering where they are ultimately going when they leave this world.

The Bible tells of two destinations after this life, HEAVEN and HELL. All of us will end up in one or the other. For those who have believed the gospel and received Christ as Savior, Heaven is their final destination. Those who refuse God’s salvation through the work of Calvary will spend eternity in Hell, referred to as “Lake of Fire” (Revelation 20:14). That’s why the Lord said: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Monthly Question Page

Q. What is the difference between supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, as it appears in 1 Timothy 2:1? “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.”

Q. Prayer is a general term. In 1 Timothy 4:5, the word “prayer” is literally translated, “freely addressing God.” (JND Translation). In other words, prayer is simply speaking to God or to the Lord.

Supplication is deeper and more specific. It has to do with matters and situations about which we are really exercised. It may be a special difficulty or trial, or a decision that needs to be made that is going to have a real impact on our life. The word beseech could be used with similar meaning. Intercession is to pray or intercede on behalf of someone else.

Whatever aspect of prayer we are utilizing, it should always be with thanksgiving. “Giving thanks always FOR all things” (Ephesians 5:20). “IN everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). “In every thing by prayer and supplication WITH thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6).

The Marathon

In the 1980 Boston Marathon, the first female to cross the finish line was a woman by the name of Rosie Ruiz. Amidst much cheering, she received the winner’s medal. But then it was noted that her legs and general appearance looked far too fresh to have run a 26-mile race. An investigation discovered that she had entered the race at the last mile. As a result, she was duly disqualified.

Now contrast Rosie Ruiz with those who begin a marathon and finish last. Often, they are cheered just as much as those who come in first. This is because everyone appreciates the quality of perseverance.

The Bible likens the believer’s life to a marathon race. We are told, “let us run with patience [endurance] the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).The Lord wants consistency in our Christian life and testimony. At the end of Paul’s life he could say, “I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).Will you be able to say that with confidence at the end of your Christian race?

Monthly Scripture Reading
Genesis 37

1 And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.

2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors.

4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

Enlarged

“Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress” (Psalm 4:1).

Having been through some real trials and tests in my life recently, I have realized something of what it means to be enlarged in my soul spiritually. In my experience, to be enlarged in this way is to have a deeper appreciation of the following…

• The Lord’s presence.

• The person of Christ.

• The hope of His return.

• His ways with us.

• The grace, mercy and faithfulness of God.

• The love of Christ.

• The power of prayer.

• The power of God’s Word.

• The love and care of our fellow believers.

When our appreciation of these things is deepened, so is the heart’s affection for Christ. Then we can truly say, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted” (Psalm 119:71).

Dear Young Christian:

Are you a truly happy Christian? I’m not asking you if you are a trouble-free Christian … I am asking you if you are a happy Christian. The Apostle Paul was a happy believer in spite of all the problems and persecutions he encountered from day to day. He said, “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). Happiness and real joy are what should characterize those of us who are saved. Not that we don’t shed tears from time to time or feel pain and hurt. But, if we are walking with the Lord and enjoying His love, we have an inward joy which we cannot lose. The Lord told His disciples, “Your joy no man taketh from you” (John 16:22).

Remember too, our joy in the Lord, especially during trials and afflictions, is often a testimony to the unsaved. As they see the joy of the Lord radiate in our lives, they wonder how such a thing can be. So, as you start out this week, remember this exhortation: “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

The Blood

“But when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they brake not His legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on Him whom they pierced” (John 19:33-35)

It seems that man could not satisfy his hatred of Christ, but, as James G. Deck wrote:

The very spear that pierced Thy side

Drew forth the blood to save.

What an amazing plan of salvation! The blood of Jesus, shed there at Calvary, cleanses from every stain of sin. The question of sin has now been settled. God’s righteous requirements have been satisfied. Now today we can “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22).

A Warning

“When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just Man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him” (Matthew 27:19).

Pilate’s wife sent a very clear message to her husband to leave Jesus alone — to not condemn Him. However, Pilate did not listen to his wife’s warning. We soon read, “And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged Him, to be crucified” (Mark 15:15). Secular history records that he soon lost his place of power and honor as well as his life — possibly by suicide. After death is the judgment. Pilate now awaits righteous judgment by the very One he judged unrighteously.

A few days before His trial, the Lord had asked the question, “What think ye of Christ?” (Matthew 22:42). Pilate’s answer determined his destiny. Your eternal destiny also hangs on your answer to that question. Can you say, like Peter, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16)?