Author: BTP

Fact & Faith

As amusing as the following account may seem, there is no doubt a lesson to be learned from it.

A preacher of the gospel in seeking to illustrate the difference between fact and faith put it this way: “That you are sitting before me in this auditorium is fact. That I am standing speaking to you from this podium is fact. That I have a Bible in front of me is fact. But it is only faith that makes me believe that anyone is actually listening.”

We smile at the irony and simplicity of the illustration, but there is perhaps more truth to it than we would like to admit. The fact is most of you have been to gospel meetings and most of you have heard the way of salvation. But that is not enough. Have you really listened? We read of those in the Bible of whom it says, “they have ears to hear, and hear not” (Ezekiel 12:2). On the other hand we are told, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).

The facts of the gospel, man’s true condition, and God’s way of salvation remain as fact. Have you believed it? Has there been “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).

A Good Thing

“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord” (Proverbs 18:22).
“A prudent wife is from the Lord” (Proverbs 19:14).

It is not blind chance that unites congenial and compatible partners in the bonds of marriage. A wife (not merely a woman) is from the Lord, and it is an expression of His loving-kindness and favour. This being so, it is of the utmost importance that the young man, before he permits his affections to go out to a young lady, should seek to be guided as to the proper object of his attention by the Lord Himself.

There would be fewer incompatible marriages if the Lord’s mind was more often sought, instead of mere fancies and emotions allowed to direct. If you are a young person considering this ever-so-serious step, consider well whether such a marriage as you are contemplating is likely to prove an unequal yoke or a hindrance to your spiritual well-being or the progress of your soul. God desires your happiness as “heirs together of the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7). The person you marry will either make or break your life. Pray much about it before you do it!

Uncertain Riches

Are you trusting in “uncertain riches” (1 Timothy 6:17)?

Lotteries are commonplace in most nations and many people, young and old, dream of winning the big prize or jackpot. However, recent studies have revealed a phenomenon known as “lottery curse.” This is a term that describes the heartache and disappointment that has come to many who have won. There are accounts of divorce, suicide, murder, depression, and untold problems for those who have played the “get-rich-quick” game. Here are some Scriptures to consider on this subject:

“Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:5).

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent” (Proverbs 28:20).

“He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him” (Proverbs 28:22).

We may not be buying lottery tickets, but what does the focus of our life reveal about what we think is truly valuable?

Time — Part 2

“The time is short” (1 Corinthians 7:29).
“Redeeming the time” (Ephesians 5:19).

Do you spend some time alone with Jesus every day? I don’t mean just once a week or when you feel you have time, or when it suits you to do so … but every day!

How sad it is when real Christians do not have time to spend in the presence of the One who loved them enough to die for them, and the One who wants to be their friend, support, guide, comfort, help, etc. Think back over the past few days. How much time have you really spent with the Lord Jesus?

When we do not spend time with Him, not only do we rob ourselves of the joy of communion, but we rob Christ of His portion as well. He desires our company and how sad His heart must be when we do not give it to Him. Remember, there is a mutual joy when we spend time with our Lord Jesus Christ. His joy and our joy. David having spent time in the presence of the Lord, said, “In Thy presence is fulness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).

Time — Part 1

Time! It seems to be a precious commodity these days. Do you ever have enough time? We all wonder where time goes and why there isn’t more of it. It is amazing that with all the push-button conveniences we enjoy (?) nowadays, there isn’t more time.

But one thing is for sure and certain, we need, amidst all the hustle and bustle of daily life to schedule time for the Lord. Ask yourself this question, “How much time have I spent with Jesus today?” Time spent with Him will have eternal benefit. Discipline yourself to take time for the One who loved you enough to take time for you on the cross. And the One who always has plenty of time for each of His own, day or night.

When you see the Lord Jesus in the Father’s house, what excuses will you give Him for not having spent more time with Him here on earth? He has time for you, do you have time for Him? “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you” (Hosea 10:12).

Dear Young Christian:

How often we are faced with a problem which appears overwhelming! Nothing that we can do seems to make any difference. Mary was in such a situation as she anticipated the death of the Lord. She couldn’t do much but the Lord said, “She hath done what she could” (Mark 14:8). Yes, she did what she could: she anointed the Lord with her precious spikenard ointment.

The Lord will not ask you to do the impossible. Just do what you can and leave the results to Him. Remember too, that whatever He asks you to do He will always provide what is needed to do it. As you start another week, consider what things you can do for Him in spite of difficulties and problems. It may not be great things by the world’s standard, and like Mary, there may be criticism even from other believers; but never mind. If you have the Lord’s sanction and approval that is what really counts. And don’t forget, whatever you do, “do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

  Your Christian Friend,

          Jim Hyland

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

First Love

“Thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4).

When there comes a time that we aren’t as on fire for the Lord as we used to be, when we seem to have left our first love, we need to go back and read Matthew 27, or Luke 22, or Mark 14 and 15, or John 19. Read and meditate on those accounts of the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. Read them slowly and prayerfully. Let these accounts touch your heart and soul. “For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Hebrews 12:3). Think of what He suffered, not only at the hand of man, but at the hand of God. “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

Above all, if there is something that has come between you and the Lord so you don’t feel that warmth and love toward Him, kneel down and ask Him to show you what it is and then ask Him for the grace to remove it. Rest assured that the Lord will show you what it is, because it is His delight to restore you to happy communion with Himself.

Found Out

In a museum in Jamaica there is a huge stuffed shark’s head. Beside it lies a strange bundle of old papers. This is the story:

An English ship caught the shark. The papers where found in it stomach. They belonged to a ship named “The Nancy” and proved that it was involved in smuggling and piracy. The captain handed the papers over to the authorities in Jamaica. The case against the crew of “The Nancy” came to trial, but the evidence was lacking. Seeing themselves under suspicion the men had thrown the compromising material into the sea. They thought they were safe, but how dismayed they were when the judge produced the evidence that convicted them.

How many wrongdoings, twisted truths, or moral lapses do we think have been forgotten or disappeared? But the Bible declares, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” (Romans 2:3). Thankfully there is full forgiveness and salvation through the blood of Christ.

Monthly Question Page

Q. What is the purpose of fasting?

A. Fasting is usually connected with prayer. Examples:

Nehemiah:“I sat down … and fasted, and prayed” (Nehemiah 1:4).

Daniel:“I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting” (Daniel 9:3).

Anna:“served God with fastings and prayers” (Luke 2:37).

Cornelius:“I was fasting … I prayed” (Acts 10:30).

To put it very simply, prayer is dependence and fasting is self-denial. These are two essential elements to power in our Christian pathway. Not only do we need the energy and exercise of prayer, but we need to deny ourselves those things that hinder us in following the Lord.

Fasting is not always the denial of food, although it may be, but the denial of anything that distracts from or impedes progress in the believer’s life. It may be the giving up of some activity or comfort, or the denial of any number of things, which may not be wrong in themselves. Concerning a certain problem the Lord told the disciples, “This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21).

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

All Good

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”
(James 1:17).

God is the Source of all good. Every blessing we enjoy comes down from Him. He is the “Father of lights,” who is unchanging in His love and grace, and in whose dealings with us there is “no shadow of turning.” In other words, His face is always towards us for blessing. When the Lord was here on earth He said, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” (Matthew 7:11).

We need never be afraid to recognize our own incompetence, and we have no need to minimize or hide from ourselves the magnitude of the difficulties that beset our path. Real faith will go in the strength of the Lord, saying, “If God be for us, who shall be against us”? And real faith says, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).