Young People’s Blog

Dependence

“I can do all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

Living in constant dependence on the Lord is a wonderful experience. Many believers scurry and hurry about busily trying to accomplish things through their own strength and ability. By the world’s standards, some may succeed enormously and others may fail miserably. But both groups fail to enjoy the power and presence of the one who promises, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest” (Exodus 33:14).

The Apostle Paul understood very clearly that his real strength was in the Lord, and that to accomplish anything properly and for His glory he needed to rely wholly on Him. The Lord had said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness” Thus, Paul could respond “When I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Constant dependence on the Lord gives constant joy, and the ability to accept all things from His loving hand. Begin each day by asking the Lord to keep you conscious of His presence and power, and with a sense of real dependence on Himself.

Plans

As you make plans for today, remember that it is the Lord who orchestrates and plans the events of your life.

“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (James 4:13-15).

Some days, things go smoothly, and everything seems to work out according to what we had planned. On other days, your plans may be thwarted and squelched — but remember, His plan is the best. If he changes the course of your day, accept it, and realize that there was an important reason behind it. Don’t try to fight it or figure it out, just accept it, thank Him for it, and, in His own time and way (if necessary), He will make it plain. Trust His goodness, rely on His love, and follow Him! “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).

He knows which way is best, in this I fully rest,

And trust Him for each test, assured that I am Blest.

Creation Versus Evolution

Charles Darwin (1809-1882) realized that the fossil record did not support his theories of evolution, but he had faith that subsequent finds would fill in the gaps. However, almost a century and a half has passed and the hoped-for evidence has not turned up.

In the book “Darwin’s Biological Work,” first published in 1959, again in 1970, and then in 2011, geologist and evolutionist John Challinor, admits that the fossil record only “partially supports evolution” and significantly adds, that it also supports “separate and independent creation.”

Thankfully, we do not have to rely on the theories and opinions of men when it comes to creation. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3).

God has told us all that we need to know, and given abundant evidence in the creation itself, so that we can rest with certainty in the knowledge that He is the creator as well as the one who sustains the universe.Not only did He bring it all into existence, but He is also, “upholding all things by the word of His power” (Hebrew 1:3).

Jesus’ Feet

“Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

Mary sat at Jesus’ feet,

Heard His words, so true and sweet;

Martha hurried here and there,

Filled with trouble, work, and care.

Jesus spoke with gentle voice,

“Martha, Martha, make the choice;

Choose the better part today,

Sit and hear each word I say.”

There is much that could be done,

As the path of faith we run;

But we need to take the time,

Sitting at Christ’s feet sublime.

Dear Young Christian:

I had to get a new iPhone today. My old phone was old and out of date, and you might even use the word, archaic. In fact, it was so old that they had trouble transferring the data from my old phone to the new one. The real problem is that I have to learn a lot of new stuff. I am not technically inclined to begin with, and I find learning to use new gadgets rather frustrating, if not time consuming as well.

Thankfully the Word of God remains the same. As we learn our way around in the Bible it is good to know that it has stood the test of time, and as the Psalm writer declared, “For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). This is something stable and unchanging that we can really cling to. Learn to find your way around your Bible while you are young. Memorize it; utilize it; meditate on it; and then follow its instructions and commands. I don’t like to admit it, but another reason I find the new technology difficult is because I’m getting older. That’s why it is so important to learn your Bible while you are young.

 Your Christian Friend,

 Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Remembrance

This morning I sat down with eleven other believers in Dickson Village, Saint Vincent, to remember the Lord in the breaking of bread. With fans blowing, the windows and doors open, and a loaf and a cup on the table, we had a precious time of reflection and remembrance as we sang of the person and work of Christ. Some Scriptures were read, and several brothers gave a word of worship and praise. Best of all we were able to answer to the Lord’s request, “This do in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19).

I realize that by the time this calendar page is read, many, many weeks will have passed. But I trust, by the grace of God, that I will still be enjoying the privilege of breaking bread with believers around the world.

Of course, the truth of the matter is, we may be long in the Father’s house by that time, and there we will no longer need a loaf and a cup as a reminder. In that day, we will be occupied with what the Apostle John saw when he stated: “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6).

Lifted Up

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14).
“When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am He” (John 8:28).
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me” (John 12:32).

These three statements of the Lord all refer to His crucifixion, and are three facts worthy of consideration:

1. Through our Savior’s death, He has brought us life, just as when Moses lifted up the serpent on a pole. “If a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived” (Numbers 21:9).

 2. His death proved that He was the Son of Man. “But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the Son of Man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest Him a little lower than the angels … for the suffering of death” (Hebrews 2:6-7,9).

3. His death has allowed Him to open His arms wide to draw all peoples to Himself. “Our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

Monthly Question Page

Q. What is the Church, and can the term be used for a physical building?

A. The Church is the body of Christ. “The church, Which is his body” (Ephesians 1:22-23). This was formed by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1). “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13). It includes only those who are saved. The Church as a profession or light bearer on earth is also called “The House of God” (1 Timothy 3:15).

If we take away the word “Church” and substitute the word “assembly” in every place where it is used in Scripture, we will get the right thought.

There is one exception, “For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess” (Acts 19:37). In this verse the original word for “churches” is really “idol temples.” It is never used otherwise of a building on earth.

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Compromise

“Hold fast the form of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13).

“Compromise is letting the barrier down slowly.”

How easy it is to compromise in many aspects of life. But when it comes to the Word of God and the truth it contains, we should never compromise.

We rarely give up the truth of Scripture or turn from following the Lord all at once. Rarely do we make a sudden U-turn in the path of faith. It is usually a little at a time, like removing bricks from a wall. If you remove all the bricks at once everyone immediately notices. But if you take it down slowly, one brick at a time, no one may detect it until the barrier is completely removed. This is the great work of Satan in the lives of believers. It is the “dead flies” (Ecclesiastes 10:1); or the “little foxes” (Song of Solomon 2:15). It is not the great things, but the little things … brick by brick, brick by brick, brick by brick.

How watchful we need to be! Every day, reading God’s Word, heeding it, practising it, and judging ourselves in the presence of the Lord. We need to be like the early Christians in Thessalonica who were told, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Monthly Scripture Reading

2 John

6 And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.