Month: February 2016

Simple Principles

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat,
nor with the wine which he drank” (Daniel 1:8).

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10).

Great men and women of God base their lives on simple principles. They don’t just know them — they do them as well. Though Daniel had been carried away into captivity and was many miles from his true home, he followed these two simple principles:

No compromise — Never would he defile himself with the idolatrous meat.

Much prayer — At all times he lifted his heart up to God.

Testing came and he was found 10 times better than all the others. If our lives are marked by these simple principles, real blessing follows as well.

 

Jacob’s Twelve Sons — Simeon

“The sons of Leah … Simeon” (Genesis 35:23).

We are told very little of the personal life of Simeon. He and Levi made an attack on Shechem to avenge their sister Dinah. “Two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males” (Genesis 34:25). He was also kept by Joseph as a hostage in Egypt while the others were sent back to their father. “And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes” (Genesis 42:24).

When Jacob blessed his sons he linked Simeon and Levi together and said, “Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations” (Genesis 49:5). When Moses blessed the 12 tribes, Simeon is not mentioned. As a punishment for his cruelty, Simeon, along with Levi, has experienced a continual dispersion among their brethren. He was the last of the tribes to enter the land of Canaan, and his inheritance was in the extreme south.

 

Three D’s

Yesterday I mentioned visiting a school on the island of Dominica, and seeing a poster on the subject of worry. In another classroom in the same school there was another poster. It also had a good message which can be given a Biblical application. Here is what it said:

The three D’s to success…

Desire

Discipline

Dedication

This made me think of the verse that reminds us, “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat” (Proverbs 13:4). We can have a good desire, but if there is no motivation behind it, it will never accomplish anything. David had a desire too, but it didn’t stop there. He said, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after … ” (Psalm 27:4).

Let’s ask the Lord to give us not only good and pure desires but the spiritual discipline and dedication to carry out those desires.

 

Worry

While visiting a school on the island of Dominica, sharing the gospel with some of the students, I noticed a poster on the wall in one of the classrooms we were speaking in. It had a rather appropriate message, especially for those of us who tend to fret and worry. Here is what it said:

Worry is…

Wasting today’s time

to clutter up tomorrow’s opportunities

with yesterday’s troubles.

It reminded me of the Lord’s words, when He said to His disciples: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Matthew 6:34). What this verse is simply saying is, live for Christ today and leave tomorrow in the hand of the Lord. He knows the future and He is in full control. Let’s not be like Martha, of whom the Lord had to say, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41).

 

Dear Young Christian:

I came across a statement the other day that I thought was rather interesting and significant. This is what it said:

“The entire book of God (the Bible)
is a record of the victories of Christ!”

It brought to mind the following verse: “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all” (1 Chronicles 29:11).

Yes, when we know Christ we are on the winning side. His is the victorious one and will continue to be so until His enemies are forever destroyed. “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26).

Isn’t it wonderful to know the Lord? I wouldn’t want to trade places with anyone who is not on the Lord’s side. “His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory” (Psalm 98:1).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

His Beauties

Here are some scriptures that bring before us the beauties, glories and loveliness of the person of Christ:

“Thou art fairer than the children of men:
grace is poured into Thy lips” (Psalm 45:2).

“My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among
ten thousand … His countenance is … excellent … 
He is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this
is my friend” (Song of Solomon 5:10,15-16).

“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, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God
sent forth into all the earth” (Revelation 5:6).

“I Jesus … am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star” (Revelation 22:16).

See if you can add to the list today. To read and meditate on such verses will give you a fresh appreciation and delight in the Lord Jesus Christ. It will also deepen your love for Him and increase your value and estimation of His person and work.

 

Prepared

I noticed this statement one day while reading a Christian periodical: “If the Lord Jesus did not come where we were (into this world), we could never go where He is (the Father’s house).”

It brought to mind a similar statement by another writer: “On the cross He prepared His people for the place; His presence in the glory prepared the place for His people.”

Yes, everything has been done that could and can be done, and as a result there is a wonderful place called heaven, or the Father’s house, all prepared and waiting for the moment when the Lord will call His redeemed ones home to Himself.

There is no further preparation on God’s part. He says, “Behold, I have prepared … all things are ready: come” (Matthew 22:4). The question is, Are you prepared?

Amos said, “Prepare to meet thy God” (Amos 4:12).

The Lord Jesus said, “Therefore be ye also ready” (Matthew 24:44).

He came where we were — He has made full preparation, but are you prepared? Do you know Him as Saviour? Will you go where He is when you leave this world?

 

The Right Way

“He led them forth by the right way” (Psalm 107:7).

This is a summary of the way that the Lord led His people the children of Israel for 40 years through the wilderness. Make no mistake, it is still the way He leads His children today if we are willing to submit to His guidance in our Christian pathway of faith and service.

Do you really believe that He leads by the RIGHT WAY? Then let Him decide the path for you! Trust Him and rejoice whether the path He chooses is hard or easy, rough or smooth, straight or crooked. “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5). It may not always be “to pass” in the way we thought it should be, but it will always be “to pass” in the way that He sees is the very best if we leave the choice with Him.

He has said, “Lo, I am with you alway” (Matthew 28:20). Isn’t that what really matters most? To have a sense of His presence is what brings real peace, joy, contentment and happiness!

 

When to Speak

Here is a quote from Winston Churchill, British politician and prime minister of England during World War II. He made the following statement at a conference in Washington, D.C.

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak;
courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

It made me think of similar words, penned by Solomon centuries ago:

“Answer not a fool according to his
folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he
be wise in his own conceit”(Proverbs 26:4-5).

It takes real wisdom from the Lord to know when to speak and when not to speak. Sometimes, the less said the better. Sometimes, nothing said is best. Sometimes we need to speak, but even then Solomon said, “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

 

Bible Algebra

S+S=S

S in and S elf-will, when allowed in the Christian life can cause only S orrow.

There are many older believers in Christ who will give sad testimony to this fact. They are those who, for one reason or another, and in one way or another, lived a selfish life in their youth, instead of following the Lord, living for Him, and taking up His interests. Sad to say they spent the best years of their life in selfish pursuits.

These individuals may have been truly saved, but they wasted their time, energy, and other resources intrusted to them by the Lord. They are now experiencing the truth of the verses that say, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). King Solomon put it this way: “He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity” (Proverbs 22:8). Vanity is another word for emptiness. Don’t live a vain and empty life. Living for Christ and for others is a full and satisfying life.