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Honor — Part 2

Each Other:

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another” (Romans 12:10).

Employers:

“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed” (1 Timothy 6:1).

Wives:

“Husbands … giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7).

Godly Widows:

“Honor widows that are widows indeed” (1 Timothy 5:3).

Spiritual Leaders:

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17).

All:

“Honor all men” (1 Peter 2:17).

Honor — Part 1

There are a number of exhortations in the Bible regarding the honor and respect that is due to certain individuals. Today and tomorrow we will list several. As you read these verses ask yourself, “how much is it true in my life? Do I give ‘honor to whom honor (is due)’ ” (Romans 13:7)?

God:

“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17).

The Lord Jesus:

“The King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:15-16).

Governmental Authority:

“Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).

Parents:

“Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)” (Ephesians 6:2).

Continue

The Christian life is a life of continuance. It takes constant exercise and perseverance to live for the Lord on a daily basis. Here are seven exhortations to continue in that which has been provided for us by God, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ:

“Continue ye in My love” (John 15:9).

“Continue in His goodness” (Romans 11:22).

“Continue in the faith” (Act 14:22).

“Continue in the grace of God” (Acts 14:43).

“Continue in My Word” (John 8:31).

“Continue in prayer” (Colossians 4:2).

“Continue in the Son” (1 John 2:24).

Moments

We all have our moments … special moments … difficult moments … happy moments … etc. Here are some ways we can use those moments for eternal benefit:

In happy moments … praise God!

“Praise God in His sanctuary” (Psalm 150:1).

In difficult moments … seek God!

“When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek” (Psalm 27:8).

In quiet moments … worship God!

“So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou Him” (Psalm 45:11).

In painful moments … trust God!

“Trust in Him at all times” (Psalm 62:8).

In every moment … thank God!

 “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

Dear Young Christian:

There is an old saying: “A friend in need, is a friend indeed.” This is especially true of the Lord Jesus. He is always available and always able to help us no matter how big or how small the difficulty or problem. He loves us in spite of our failures, and says to each of us, “Ye are My friends” (John 15:14). As you start out on the routine of daily life this week go to Him in all your need. Every day! Every hour! Every moment! Consider the following verses in the light of this wonder Friend and have a wonderful week.

“There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

“A friend loveth at all times” (Proverbs 17:17).

“He is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend” (Song of Solomon 5:16).

“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel” (Proverbs 27:9).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

From Above

“From above hath He sent fire into My bones, and it prevaileth against them” (Lamentations 1:13).

“Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame” (Song of Solomon 8:6).

The fire, or coals of fire, in these verses speak to us of that which the Lord suffered on the cross. But this is not that which He suffered at the hands of men, but that which He suffered from the hand of God in the three hours of darkness. Notice that the fire comes “from above.” Peter tells us about it when he says, “Christ also suffered for us … Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth … Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree … by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:21-22, 24).

We will never know what it meant to the Lord Jesus to endure the fire of God’s judgment against sin. In the Old Testament the sacrifices were consumed by the fire of the altar, but with the Lord Jesus, the sacrifice consumed the fire of judgment. At the end He could say, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Pretenders

Private James Henry put on his uniform and went about his business. The first private he passed snapped him a salute. Private Henry thought that was odd, but he returned the salute. After about ten more privates had saluted him in the same way he became suspicious. He soon discovered that his jacket bore a shiny gold bar on the shoulder. An officer had worn it and forgotten to remove his insignia. So everyone who saw him thought he was a Second Lieutenant.

In the same way many people are being saluted as believers in Christ, when they are not really Christians at all. They may have joined some church, and may live a respectable life. They may attend all the meetings and support good Christian causes. They may even teach a Sunday school class and preach in the pulpit, and not have eternal life themselves. For these things do not make a person a real Christian, just as the gold bar on the jacket did not make Private Henry a Second Lieutenant.

Judas was a professor, a pretender, and we read, “Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place” (Acts 1:25). What God wants is, “truth in the inward parts” (Psalm 51:6). Are you real?

The Gospel

“For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to Godward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing” (1 Thessalonians 1:8).

What a thrill to think that the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is preached in all the world. You and I have the means to be instruments in His hands, and live our lives as His witnesses. “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16).

The Bible is God’s message to man; hence it can rightly be called the “Word of God.” It’s object is to bring man to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).

This witness of the gospel has been going on for some 2,000 years! As a result the choir that will never tire of singing His praises will be saved from, “Every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

Franklin’s Little Book — Part 2

“Thy Word is very pure” (Psalm 119:140).

“Thy Word is truth” (John 17:17).

Upon learning that it was the Bible that had just been read, and not being able to refute it, the ashamed mockers lowered their eyes and changed the subject of conversation.

How many people today pass such a damaging criticism about the Word of God without knowing much about it, and perhaps having never even read it. The Bible is indeed the living Word of God. His revelation is given to us by the Holy Spirit. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).

For many the Bible has been the spring of life. It gives the truly seeking heart light, strength, comfort, refreshment and spiritual food. Read this Holy Word of God, prayerfully and carefully, and ask Him to show you that He is love and that through the Lord Jesus He has done all that is necessary, not only to save the sinner but to make him happy in this life, as well as providing a wonderful future and home in the next life.

Franklin’s Little Book — Part 1

“Thy Word is true from the beginning:
and every one of Thy righteous judgments
endureth for ever” (Psalm 119:160).

Benjamin Franklin, the inventor of the lightning conductor, was one evening in a circle of famous men in Paris. The conversation turned to the subject of Christianity and the Bible. One of the men brushed it all off with a wave of the hand, saying “The Bible is a book of lies and deceit and contains no scientific knowledge.” Almost everyone agreed with him. Only Franklin kept quiet. His silence being very noticeable, and as they all valued his opinion, they asked him what he thought on the matter.

“I should not like to pass such a hasty judgment as you have, gentlemen,” he said quietly. “Allow me to read a few lines from a book which I have with me in my pocket.” He drew out a well-worn volume and read a short passage. Everyone listened and wondered at the dignified wisdom which spoke from its pages.

“What book is that,” the men questioned? “Such powerful language we have never heard.”

“This Book,” answered Franklin, “Is the Bible, which you have just scorned.”