Month: June 2014

Guidelines

Most things we buy for our home come with instruction and manuals. If some people need, what are often simple, obvious, and sometimes ridiculous guidelines on household items, think about how much more we need God’s direction.

David declared:

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23).

Here is what Solomon said:

“For who knoweth what is good for man in this life” (Ecclesiastes 6:12).

Jeremiah stated:

“O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

Solomon further exhorted:

“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6).

 

The Twelve Apostles – Part 6

Matthew

“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow Me. And he arose, and followed Him” (Matthew 9:9).

Matthew, the son of Alphaeus, was a tax-collector for the Romans, and is called a publican. We would say today, he was a civil servant. The King James translators used the word publican which comes from the Latin, Publicanus, meaning, engaged in public service.

Busy at his work, he immediately left it when called to follow the Lord. From Scripture we know little else about him, but we see from his call that he was diligent and obedient. This is a good lesson for all of us. If we are faithful in our day to day work, and obedient to the word of the Lord, He will use us in wonderful ways.

He is referred to as Levi in Mark 2:14, and also in Luke 5:27. It was not uncommon for men to have two names at that time in history. It is universally thought and accepted that he was the writer of the gospel the bears his name.

 

Nothing To Do

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

How often do we say, “I’m bored,” or “I’ve nothing exciting to do”? And yet there is so much that we can do, and should be doing, for the Lord, and for the furtherance of the gospel.

Young people, there are no shortage of needs and opportunities to serve the Lord and help His people. As we mentioned a few days ago, it does not mean that we all pack up and leave for the foreign mission field, but it does mean looking around us for needs and open doors every day, in the schoolroom, office, shop, factory, neighbourhood, or wherever you operate on a daily basis. There is much that can be done, too, to help those who are distributing and preaching the Word of God on a full-time basis. It may not always be exciting, but if done for the Lord, it will be rewarding. The next time you find yourself wondering what to do, or how to fill your time, say to the Lord, “What wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). If you truly mean it, you will find plenty to do.

 

Contentment

“Godliness with contentment is great gain”
(1 Timothy 6:6).

We are assaulted almost every day of our lives with advertising that is specifically designed to make us discontented with what we are and what we have in this life. The message is clear — whatever you bought last week is not good enough today. Pressure, pressure, pressure. Satisfy yourself with something new and better.

Godliness with contentment runs totally contrary to the thinking of modern society. When we consider our eternal blessings in Christ and His daily blessings poured out on us we should be perfectly content. And it should show. The challenge is to avoid being swept along with the grumbling, complaining, grasping, dissatisfied crowd and enjoy what we have in Jesus Christ. “Be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

Can we say, like Paul, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11)?

 

Dear Young Christian:

Did you have a song in your heart and on your lips yesterday, as a result of the scriptures we noted? I hope so; and if so, let it continue all week long. The Lord doesn’t want us to just sing and praise Him one day of the week, no He is worthy of our praise every day.

Here is a verse to keep in mind as you face what is ahead this week: “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15). Notice, it is continually. All the time! Not just when things are bright and sunny or everything is running smoothly…all the time!

There may be some difficulties, and even sorrows in the days ahead, but we can always sing. Paul had many trials, but through it all he said: “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). We have a lot to sing about, and the Lord enjoys and values our songs of praise.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

A New Song

“Sing unto Him a new song” (Psalm 33:3).

This is the first of seven times we have the expression, “a new song” in the Old Testament. (Psalm 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isaiah 42:10).

We also have it twice in the New Testament,

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: 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).

“And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth” (Revelation 14:3).

The Lord has already put “a new song” in our hearts and on our lips now, as the Old Testament verses indicate. When we get to heaven we will sing “a new song” forever, as the verses in Revelation show.

 

Love

A computer virus known as “The Love Bug” spanned the globe by e-mail, infecting millions of computers. It seems that even wary people like top software engineers couldn’t resist opening a message titled simply, “I Love You.”

Some analysts said that the success of the destructive computer virus reveals as much about the human heart as it does about the vulnerability of computers. Down deep, everyone on earth, young or old, is looking for love. It’s no accident that the best known verse in the Bible is John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The love we long for the most is God’s love. The love of Jesus Christ is what we really desire more than anything else. If so, then accepting God’s love in Christ could change our lives in remarkable ways. Hope, peace and a zest for living — they all spring from having the love of Jesus in our heart. God has told us He loves us. It is a message we’ve all been looking for. The death of Christ is the measure of God’s love for you! How will you respond to Him today?

 

The Lord’s Will – Part 4

A few more questions…

    Does it have the appearance of evil?

“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22

    Is it captivating and enslaving?

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12).

    Am I in a hurry about it?

“He that hasteth with his feet sinneth” (Proverbs 19:2).

    Have I counselled godly Christians about it?

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).

If you want to know the Lord’s will, He wants to show you. “If any man will do His will, he shall know…” (John 7:17).

 

The Lord’s Will – Part 3

Still more questions…

    Am I at peace about it, or am I uneasy?

“Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

    Do I find myself justifying it to others?

“If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me” (Job 9:20).

    If it involves spending money, could it be better spent?

“Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase” (Proverbs 3:9).

    If it involves time, could the time be better spent?

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).

    What effect will my conduct have on others?

“Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak” (1 Corinthians 8:9).

Continued…

 

The Lord’s Will – Part 2

More questions….

Will it make Christ more precious to my soul?

“Unto you therefore which believe He is precious” (1 Peter 2:7).

Will it promote godliness in me?

“Godly edifying which is in faith: so do” (1 Timothy 1:4).

Would I feel right to bring the Lord there if He was physically with me?

“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

Would the Lord have done it?

“For even hereunto are ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Would I like to be doing it when the Lord comes?

“Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He comethshall find so doing” (Matthew 24:46).

Continued…