Author: BTP

The Final Word

“Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak
unto thee bad or good” (Genesis 24:50).

In the Old Testament, Solomon tells us there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). In the above verse the Lord had spoken to Laban and Bethuel, and they recognized that His word was final. Further dialogue or discourse of the matter would be inappropriate … the thing proceeded from the Lord, and that was that! No need for any discussion or reasoning of the matter.

It is very important that we too recognize this principle in our own lives, and that once God has spoken, we refrain from further argument and bow in submission, acknowledging His good, and perfect, and sovereign will. What changes could be brought about in our lives if His Word and His will were the final court of appeal, and if we would be “doers of the Word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22)! Obedience and submission are really the source of true happiness in the Christian life.

Caught Up

“Caught up” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

How many times have you been asked, or even wondered yourself, “will you ever get caught up?” It just seems like there is always one more deadline, one more task, one more important something that needs to be taken care of.

But yes, there is a day when we will be “caught up.” Not just as far as deadlines, tasks, appointments, and commitments of this life are concerned, but “caught up” out of this world away from it all, to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him in the Father’s house forever. Then there will be no more pressing business, and no pressure to get caught up. The above verse goes on to tell us that we will be “caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

As far as the tasks and duties of this life are concerned,

“We won’t be caught up until we are caught up!”

Caught up, and in a moment, forever with the Lord;

Caught up, and then with Jesus, the laborer’s bright reward.

Caught up, no pressing business, no occupation there,

Save, singing Jesus’ praises, will be our only care.

Dear Young Christian:

“Go work today in My vineyard” (Matthew 21:28).

As you prepare for school or work, or for whatever sphere of duty may be ahead of you during the day, do you, above all the hustle and bustle, hear the Lord Jesus say, “Go work today in My vineyard?” It’s true we have our duties and obligations, and many necessary things to accomplish before night, but let’s remember amidst it all there is some work to do for Him in His service. He is the “Lord of the harvest” (Luke 10:2), and the work is His. Because it is His work and His vineyard, He calls, He sends, and He directs. In the end He gives each of His own the joy and privilege of being “labourers together” (1 Corinthians 3:9). It may be witnessing in some way; it may be helping and encouraging a fellow Christian; or simply living for His glory in the corner of the vineyard where He has been pleased to place us. There is a wonderful satisfaction at the end of the day, when we can look back knowing that we have worked in His vineyard. He appreciates it, and we receive the blessing.

  Your Christian Friend,

         Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca

Remembrance

“Jesus was risen early the first day of the week”
(Mark 16:9).
“And upon the first day of the week … the disciples came together to break bread” (Acts 20:7).
“This do in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24).

Since the end of World War I, in many countries November 11th is set aside as a special day of remembrance, to remind us of those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

However, the first day of the week should be a day of remembrance for every believer. It is the day when the Lord rose from the dead, and the day when the early Christians met to remember the Lord Jesus in the breaking of bread.

Once a year there are special ceremonies, speeches, and moments set aside for quiet reflection and remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of humanity. But as believers we need more than just a yearly reminder of what our Saviour did for us. “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Seeking

“Whom seek ye?” (John 18:4).
“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6).
“For thus saith the Lord … Seek ye Me,
and ye shall live” (Amos 5:4).

Have you ever heard someone say, “Well, I have finally found myself”?

What a disappointment that must be!

However, when we find the Lord — that is a different matter. When a sinner finds Him, they find eternal life, the forgiveness of sins, the true source of joy and happiness, a reason for living, and a wonderful future. They find a “Friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24), and the promise, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

To find oneself (if we ever really do), is a huge let down. But to find Christ is tremendous blessing. It is to find a Person beyond compare, and One who is “Altogether lovely” (Song of Solomon 5:16).

The Saviour is seeking lost souls. Are you seeking for Him? A seeking sinner and a seeking Saviour will soon meet.

He Is Coming

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus”
(Revelation 22:20).

As the storm clouds of judgment gather over this poor sinful world, and as the day of vengeance of our God approaches, what a comfort for the believer who knows the Lord as their Saviour to recall again and again this precious promise. The Lord is coming back again to receive us to Himself, and nothing can alter or hinder that promise. He has said, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). This is indeed a wonderful hope amid all the hopelessness of the world today. To know that before the storm of judgment bursts on this deserving world, we will be transported to the skies. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

We echo the longing of the Apostle John when he wrote, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Jacob’s Great Victory — Part 2

“Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed … And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh” (Genesis 32:28-31).

From this moment, Jacob was never the same. Everyone who met him from that day on saw that his walk was different. So we too must learn, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). It must have seemed like a lost battle for Jacob. His thigh was out of joint, and he had to limp the rest of his life. But the Lord gave him the blessing he asked for. His name was changed to Israel, which means, “As a prince he prevailed with God.” As he passed over Penuel, the sun rose, and he knew that the Lord would never give up in seeking to bring him nearer to Himself. We too must learn that the life of a believer can only be lived in complete dependence on the Lord, and not in our strength. It was indeed a great victory for Jacob!

Jacob’s Great Victory — Part 1

“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me” (Genesis 32:24-26).

There are times in our life, when like Jacob, we are left alone with the Lord. These are often times when the Lord wants to tell us something in secret or teach us some special lesson. In this incident in the life of Jacob we find him alone and wrestling with “a man.” Note that it was not only for a few minutes, but it took until the break of day. Jacob had put his whole strength into this fight with all his natural capabilities and human knowledge of wrestling. And make no mistake, he showed the man that he was a strong fighter. When the man said, “Let Me go,” Jacob recognized him as the Lord and asked for a blessing. However, the blessing could not come without touching the hollow of his thigh. So it is in our life. The Lord must allow something to show us our own weakness, before we will rely wholly on His power.

Yes, Lord

Yes, though hard or easy;

Yes, Lord, all the day;

Yes, by grace I’ll follow;

Yes, Lord, trust … obey!

Yes, Lord, through the sunshine;

Yes, through darkest night;

Yes, when all goes smoothly;

Yes, through faith’s good fight.

Yes, when young, Lord Jesus;

Yes, as I grow old;

Yes, until in heaven,

I, Thy face behold.

“And she answered and said unto Him, Yes, Lord” (Mark 7:28).

Dear Young Christian:

Today my wife and I are staying in a Christian home in Duffel, Belgium. As we exited the front door to take a walk this afternoon we saw a motto on the inside of the door. This is what it said:

Lord, help us keep our eyes on you,
Wherever we go, whatever we do.

What a good prayer for us to pray each time we leave our homes. Out in the world, there is so much to distract us and turn our attention from the Lord Jesus. Every time we step outside we need to be reminded, that no matter what else we are doing it is essential that we keep focused on Himself. “Looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2), is a good precept to keep before us at all times. Can you say, like David, “I have set the Lord always before me” (Psalm 16:8)? Let’s be like the Prophet Micah, who said, “Therefore I will look unto the Lord” (Micah 7:7).

Your Christian Friend,

 Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.
Send your comments or questions to jhyland@primus.ca