Author: BTP

Isaiah 53

In this chapter the Lord is presented in different ways…

The Sorrowing Saviour: “A Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (verse 3).

The Submissive Sufferer: “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (verses 4-5).

The Sinless Substitute: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (verse 6).

The Sacrificial Lamb: “He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter” (verse 7).

The Silent Sheep: “As a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth” (verse 7).

The Stricken Victim: “For the transgression of My people was He stricken” (verse 8).

The Satisfied Sovereign: “He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied” (verse 11).

While You’re Young

“Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment” (Ecclesiastes 11:9).

How wonderful and gracious of our God to warn us while we are still young of the foolishness of seeking all our joy and pleasure here in this world.

For a happy and fruitful life we need to go to Him. The Lord Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Everything this world has to offer is “Vanity of vanities” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Solomon further exhorts us, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Yes! While it is the bright, fresh springtime of your life, remember your Creator. Give God your early days, your best days. Many have regretted in middle life that they did not obey His call and turn to Him for salvation earlier.

The Lord’s Will — Part 4

Here’s the final set of questions we can ask ourselves that will help us in discerning whether we have the Lord’s will or not, when there is no definite Scripture.

15. Does it have the appearance of evil?

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

16. 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).

17. Am I in a hurry about it?

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

18. Have I counselled godly Christians about it?

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:15).

Above all, we need to ask the question that the Apostle Paul asked, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do” (Acts 9:6). Remember too, “if any man will do His will, he shall know” (John 7:17). “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6).

The Lord’s Will — Part 3

Here are more questions we can ask ourselves that will help us in discerning whether we have the Lord’s will or not, when there is no definite Scripture.

 Do I find myself justifying it to others?

“If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse” (Job 9:20).

 If it involves the expenditure of money, could the money be better spent?

“Honour 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 in the thing have on others?

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

The Lord’s Will — Part 2

Here are more questions we can ask ourselves that will help us in discerning whether we have the Lord’s will or not, when there is no definite Scripture.

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 were 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 were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

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

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

 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).

The Lord’s Will — Part 1

Here are questions we can ask ourselves that will help us in discerning whether we have the Lord’s will or not, when there is no definite Scripture. (This series adapted from How to Know the Will of God for Your Life: Part 2 by B. Anstey.)

Is it for Christ?

“Them that honour Me I will honour” (1 Samuel 2:30).

Will it bring glory to God?

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

What is the source of such a desire; is it the flesh or the Spirit?

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

Which nature does it feed?

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” (Romans 8:13).

Will it make Christ more precious to my soul?

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

Dear Young Christian:

We live and operate in an evil world, and if ever there was a day when it is important for every follower of Christ to stand fast and to be true to Him, I believe it is the present day. There is no greater testimony to the unbeliever than the life of Christ displayed by the Christian. Nothing puts to shame and silences the unbeliever like the devoted, quiet, consistent, daily walk of a faithful Christian.

The Apostle Paul in writing to Titus told him, “Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you” (Titus 2:6-8). This is not only a good word for young men but for young women as well … and for that matter, all of us, whether young or old. What will the world see of Christ in our life this week? Will it be something that can be used for the salvation and blessing of souls?

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

His Incarnation

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth”
(John 1:14).

Take time today to meditate upon the wonder of the incarnation of the living God in the lowly person of the Lord Jesus. Though Himself the infinite, eternal, omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (all powerful), omnipresent God of the universe, He became Man in marvellous grace, a Man of perfect dependence and faith, whose every act and word and thought was beautiful for its simplicity, with grace and truth wonderfully blended in every detail of personal life and of His dealing with others. Then at the end of that perfect pathway, He went to the cross and gave Himself as that great sacrifice for sin. “And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Why did He do it? He did it for us. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Are You a Judas?

“Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood” (Matthew 27:3-4).

The story of Judas appals us. For some three years he had accompanied the Lord. During that time he had sufficient opportunity to recognize his wicked inclinations and repent. Even when he betrayed his Master with a kiss, the way the Lord addressed him, “Friend, wherefore art thou come” (Matthew 26:50), reveals how He still sought him in love. But Judas did not heed it. Only when Jesus was condemned to death was Judas seized with regret. But it was regret over the consequences of his deed. He did not repent of the wickedness in his heart. Today we are in no danger of betraying the Lord to crucify Him. Still, we can get to know Him very well by means of Biblical facts; we can know the way of salvation and the sad end of those who neglect or reject that salvation; we can pretend to be a real follower of Christ, and yet be a Judas. The Lord said, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Have you?

Taking No Chances

“I know whom I have believed” (2 Timothy 1:12).

Once in a while somebody speaks of “staking all on Christ,” or risking everything on God’s promises, as though it were a great gamble. But we are not gambling when we venture on God’s Word. Staking something on an uncertainty is a gamble, but when we commit to Christ we are depending on an absolute certainty that cannot fail and we are jeopardizing nothing. It is one thing to act on some vague suggestion, trying to imagine what may or may not be actually true. It is another thing to rest on something we know is true, though sometimes we may not fully comprehend it. Then we may with confidence live in the good and reality of it, because it is absolute truth.

God’s promises are true, and “forever … settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). Jesus is “the Truth” (John 14:6). Paul knew in whom he trusted. There was no chance about it, but absolute certainty. We are risking nothing when we trust Him. “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).