Month: September 2017

Road Map — Part 2

Read the Bible and consult the Road Map of life! That can only do us good! It is the book that God gave us to teach us His thoughts on every subject imaginable. We learn how God regards us and get to know what we are really like, and at the same time we become properly acquainted with God Himself.

But don’t just read the Bible! Believe the whole Bible! That is going a step further. The Apostle Paul tells us, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). Remember, it is God’s Word, true from cover to cover.

But don’t just read and believe the Bible! Obey the Bible! That means conducting ourselves and our life according to the instructions it gives. That is what God expects of each and every one of us. The wise King Solomon said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). That is the sure way to enjoy God’s blessing on life’s pathway. Let’s be like Ezra, who “had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it” (Ezra 7:10).

Road Map — Part 1

“Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read”
(Isaiah 34:16).

An elderly sailor entered a bookshop, went to the young clerk and said, “I need a map to help me find my way.”

“Certainly, which map would you like? Western Canada, Ontario, the Maritime Provinces, maybe the United States of America, or perhaps some country in Europe?”

“No, none of those,” the sailor responded, “I need a map to show me the way to heaven.”

“The way to heaven?”  The salesperson thought for a moment, then added, “I know what you mean, you want a Bible.”

“That’s it! You’ve got my meaning,” replied the sailor.

The Bible was purchased and as the man was about to leave the shop, he turned to the clerk and asked, “Do you know this map?”

“Oh yes, I occasionally read a passage in it.”

“I am glad to hear it, that’s a good thing, but you know, my friend, don’t think just reading it is enough: you have to believe the Bible and obey it.”

Dear Young Christian:

The other day I heard someone describe the sameness of life as, “Each new day is just yesterday warmed up.” It is true that many of our days follow a set pattern and routine … the pressure of school and work, the frequent pain, strained relationships and the tests that often appear and are repeated time after time. But don’t forget, the Lord promises new mercies every morning. Centuries ago Jeremiah wrote, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). We may not be able to change the course of our days any more than we can control the wind, but by our attitude toward our sameness we can adjust and find all the grace, strength and help we need for each day to come.

This week may be the same-old-same-old, but it can be enjoyed in the company of our Savior, Friend, and unfailing Guide. We can always, “Rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 4:4).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Above All

“He that cometh from above is above all: He that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: He that cometh from heaven is above all” (John 3:31).

In the heavenly realm from which our Lord Jesus came, He ever was, and ever will be “above all.” As “the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father” (John 1:18), His supremacy is unsurpassable. In His incarnation, He voluntarily humbled Himself and experienced suffering and death. Today, having perfectly accomplished all He came to do, He is enthroned “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come” (Ephesians 1:21). “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:6-9).

Loved

“Jesus beholding him loved him” (Mark 10:21).

Do you ever crave for love, for a friend who can sympathize with all your troubles, and whose love never fails? Jesus is such a One! He loves you! Just think of that; Jesus Christ loves you! Now what will you do with that love? Reject it? Neglect it? Slight it? Scorn it? Wouldn’t you rather come now to Him who loves you so much? He died to save you from your sins and to have you with Him in heaven. The love of Jesus is the most precious thing you can have. He loves you. He comes to you now in His mercy and calls you to Himself! He calls you to eternal blessedness, and to receive His love. Will you trust in Him as your Savior, your Lord, your Deliverer from sin? Do you not desire to be set free from the slavery of sin? Sin in your heart keeps you unhappy. It makes you proud, hateful, envious. Sin will destroy you forever if you are not saved from it. Only Jesus can save you. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). What will you do with the love of Jesus? Will you receive it, or will you refuse it? Will you come to Him now and let Him save you?

Doing

Here are some things we as believers should be doing while we wait for the Lord to come and call us to heaven:

“DOING the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:6).

“With good will DOING service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Ephesians 6:7).

“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so DOING thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head” (Romans 12:20).

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in DOING this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16).

“And let us not be weary in well DOING: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

“For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well DOING, than for evil doing” (1 Peter 3:17).

What are you DOING today? What will you be found DOING when the Lord comes?

Excuse or Confess

 “O my God, I am ashamed and blush
to lift up my face to Thee” (Ezra 9:6).

Too many believers have a cavalier or high-handed attitude about sin. They say:

“I’m only human.”

“I’m not the first one to do that.”

“That’s not so bad.”

“Everyone does it.”

“There are far worse things.”

…And on and on it goes!

These are simply excuses to justify an unwillingness to repent and turn from that sin. Ezra addresses the subject of true repentance — our heart cries because of sin — we are “ashamed,” and “blush” to even tell God what He already knows but wants us to acknowledge and turn from.

King David, in his confession, said, “Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight” (Psalm 51:4).

John writes, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).

Are we excusing or confessing?

The Oil Can

There is a story of an old man who carried a little can of oil with him everywhere he went, and if he passed through a door that squeaked, he poured a few drops on the hinges. If a gate was hard to open, he oiled the latch. And thus he passed through life lubricating all the hard places and making it easier for those who came after him. People called him eccentric, crazy, and strange; but he went steadily on refilling his can of oil, and using it almost every day.

There are many lives that creak and grate harshly as they live day by day. Nothing goes right with them. They need lubricating! Have your oil can with you, and be ready with the oil of, “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance,” which things are the “Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Oil is often used in Scripture as a type of the Holy Spirit, and in a previous verse in this same chapter we are exhorted to “Walk in the Spirit” (verse 16).

Our lives touch and affect others, and a little, soothing, spiritual oil may be just what is needed to help, comfort, encourage, heal, or edify.

Little Things

Do you ever get frustrated with the little things that seem to pop up and delay or deter you from what you hoped to accomplish? Yesterday we mentioned the tragic events of September 11, 2001. While many lost their lives as a result of what happened that day, there were many who survived because of what seemed like coincidence and happenstance. Here are just a few examples:

The head of a company survived because his son started kindergarten.

One is alive because it was his turn to bring donuts to the office that day.

A woman was late because her alarm clock didn’t go off.

One was late because he was involved in a minor accident on the New Jersey Turnpike.

One lady spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.

The next time you are annoyed at some little inconvenience, remember this verse. “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself” (Psalm 37:7). If the Lord has caused a delay, it is for a good reason!

Dear Young Christian:

September 11, 2001 will be forever planted in the minds of those who were old enough to remember what happened on that fateful day when the Twin Towers in New York City were brought crashing down by a terrorist attack. Even years later, many will stop to reflect on the tragic happenings of that day.

I realize that many of my readers today were not old enough to remember 9/11, and some of you where not even born. But as many pause today to reflect and remember, let’s also think about the day when the Lord Jesus was convicted, sentenced to death, and led outside the walls of Jerusalem to be crucified. What a result there has been for the blessing of man, our personal salvation, and a future blessing for unnumbered multitudes who will experience earthly blessings, and eventually for all of creation, when the fullness of redemption is felt at every level. The verse that stands out in my mind today is, “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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