Month: June 2019

Numbers in Scripture: #6

This number is indicative of incompleteness and imperfection, being one short of God’s perfect number seven. Here are some examples:

Solomon had six steps to his throne. “Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold. The throne had six steps” (1 Kings 10:18-19). However, it was not elevated enough to save him from idolatry.

Six hundred sixty and six talents of gold were brought him in a year. “Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold” (1 Kings 10:14). Still, he had to confess that all was vanity and vexation of spirit.

The Jews at Cana had six water-pots for purification. “There were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece” (John 2:6). Yet they expressed the insufficiency of ordinances to meet man’s need.

The number of the beast will be six hundred sixty and six. “Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (Revelation 13:18).

Christ Jesus

What wonderful resources we have in CHRIST JESUS …
“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in CHRIST JESUS” (Romans 3:24).

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in CHRIST JESUS” (Romans 8:1).

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in CHRIST JESUS” (Galatians 3:26).

“But now in CHRIST JESUS ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through CHRIST JESUS” (Philippians 4:7).

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by CHRIST JESUS” (Philippians 4:19).

“Unto Him be glory in the church by CHRIST JESUS throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:21).

“As ye have therefore received CHRIST JESUS the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7).

Jesus Christ

What wonderful blessings we have in JESUS CHRIST …
“And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and JESUS CHRIST, whom Thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

“Grace and truth came by JESUS CHRIST” (John 1:17).

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of JESUS CHRIST” (Galatians 2:16).

“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by JESUS CHRIST to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Ephesians 1:5).

“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of JESUS CHRIST” (Philippians 1:6).

“JESUS CHRIST, who is the Faithful Witness, and the First Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5-6).

Dear Young Christian:

When I was growing up I often had the admonition from one or the other of my parents, “Behave yourself!” I certainly needed this reminder far more than I care to remember, and often I did not heed the timely advice, usually with some disciplinary consequences resulting.

Paul said to the young man Timothy, “If I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God” (1 Timothy 3:15). There is a conduct that is becoming to a child of God at all times. Remember, we are in the House of God wherever we are. “Christ as a Son over His own house; whose house are we” (Hebrews 3:6). It’s not just at special times when we are with other believers that we are to behave, but in all situations.

As we start out this week let’s think about what David said: “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way” (Psalm 101:2). Those we know and meet in the days to come should see by our behavior that we belong to the Lord and want to please Him. As my mother would say, “Behave yourself.”

 Your Christian Friend,

 Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you.

Send your comments and questions to jhyland1959@gmail.com

Remembering — Part 3

“Thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever; and Thy remembrance unto all generations” (Psalm 102:12).

We drink this cup, Lord Jesus,

 And muse upon Thy blood;

The ground of all our blessings —

 Life-giving, precious flood.

We worship Thee, Lord Jesus,

 A risen Savior Thou;

“Worthy the Lamb” once slain,

 Lives in the glory now.

Lord Jesus, when we gather,

 Around Thee in that place,

Where we shall there behold Thee,

 Unhindered face to face;

We shall remember ever,

 The work of Calvary;

Thy wounds a fresh reminder,

 For all eternity.

Blackness

“To whom is reserved the blackness of
darkness for ever” (Jude 13).

John Welsh, a Scottish Covenanter, known for his prayer life and defense of the Scriptures, rejected state interference in church matters. His beliefs landed him in a notorious castle at Blackness, near Falkirk. According to tradition, he was lowered into a dungeon pit that could be reached only through a hole in the floor. Its rough floor was uneven and slanted. There was no flat place on which to lie and no smooth spot on which to get comfortable. One could not sit, stand or lie down without misery. John spent ten months at Blackness. Banishment in total darkness here led many to despair, but Welsh declared, “It is better to know the darkness of Blackness than to experience the blackness of darkness.”

No such fate awaits the believer. The one who has accepted Christ as Savior looks forward to enjoying all eternity in the light of His glorious heaven.

Are you one of the “children of light” (1 Thessalonians 5:5)? Has He “called you out of darkness into His marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9)?

Can God?

“Can God…?” (Psalm 78:19)

Have you ever asked yourself this question in connection with some difficulty in your life? Have you sometimes wondered in your heart, or even out loud, Can God really take care of this … does He know all about it … Can He straighten it all out … Is He really aware and concerned … etc.? The answer is found in the words of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, when they answered King Nebuchadnezzar concerning the fiery furnace. With unwavering assurance, they said, “Our God whom we serve is able” (Daniel 3:17).

Yes, our God is indeed able! He can, and He does work everything for good in our life, and as we noted yesterday, everything is running on His perfect timetable.

To question God is to lack in faith and confidence, and this must sorely grieve His heart. He is worthy of our trust at all times, and He never gives us reason to doubt Him or His word.

The next time you question “Can God?” turn to your Bible and remind yourself, “He is able.” Also, look up the following references where we have this expression in the New Testament: Philippians 3:21; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 7:25.

A Wait Problem

Today I was visiting an elderly Christian lady on the island of Trinidad. We spoke of many things, and then read some Scripture and prayed together.

During the visit, she made an interesting remark. She said, “In this day and age, many people have a ‘wait’ problem. Not a w-e-i-g-h-t problem, but a w-a-i-t problem.”

This was a very interesting way of expressing what does characterize the spirit of the twenty-first century. This is an instantaneous society, and we like everything now! But it is good for us to learn while we are young to wait for God’s perfect timing in our lives. David in the Old Testament had to learn this lesson, and over and over again he speaks of it. Here are some examples:

“Yea, let none that wait on Thee be ashamed … On Thee do I wait all the day” (Psalm 25:3, 5).

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).

“Wait on the Lord, and keep His way” (Psalm 37:34).

I am sure it was often hard for David to wait God’s time, but, in the end, it was all worthwhile.

Occupied With Him

 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” (Colossians 3:17).
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23).

The magnet always turns to the pole.

The flowers turn their blooms toward the sun.

The cows head home from the field at sunset, and the sheep follow the shepherd back to the fold.

The compass needle trembles a little when the storm and tempest roar, but its direction never changes.

Just so, the needle of the Christian heart always points toward Christ. Everything in our life now relates to Him. As a result, what we think, what we say, what we do, should always be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. As you begin another day, begin it in the conscious sense of His love and presence, and with your mind and heart occupied with Himself and His service.

Having Jesus

Today I am in Iowa Falls, Iowa. On my morning walk I saw another interesting sign:

Having Jesus + Having Nothing = Having Everything

It made me think of the verse: “Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11). I like another translation which puts it this way: “Christ is everything.”

I have had the privilege of visiting many Christians in parts of the world where they have very little of this world’s comforts. It is always a joy to see their love for the Lord and their happiness and contentment in spite of circumstances and lack of bodily comforts. The Apostle Paul, who gave up so much to serve the Lord and to travel as a missionary and preach, could say, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11-12). How good it would be if we could all learn to be that content with our lot in life, and find our full satisfaction in Christ alone!