Author: BTP

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.”

Are You … ?

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalm 42:11).

Are you feeling sad and lonely?

Are you fearful or depressed?

Do you dread to face tomorrow?

Does your life seem strained and stressed?

Do you long to have an anchor?

Are you drifting with the tide?

Do you wish a rock to rest on?

Is there a soul-thirst inside?

Then just learn to trust in Jesus,

Learn to walk with Him each hour;

You can bravely face your problems,

When you utilize His power:

He’s a sure and steadfast anchor,

He’s the firm and solid Rock:

Satisfies the thirsty soul,

Gives us power for our walk.

Dear Young Christian:

“The wind was contrary … But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid” (Matthew 14:24, 30).

I read the following statement the other day:

The wind blows in one direction; you can walk against it or with it — take your choice!

Peter when walking on the water to go to Jesus, saw the wind and became afraid. We too can be like that. We see the work and opposition of the enemy and the trials of life that seem so against us. Then we fail to see the Lord Jesus, and like Peter, thinking it is all too much, we begin to sink.

So often we try to fight against the winds of life in our own strength. This gets us nowhere except to discourage and weary us. But instead of walking against the wind, we can walk with it by accepting all from His heart of love, and walking hand in hand over the sea of life in the shelter and power of His company. Try it this week, and you will be surprised at the blessing that will result.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Thanks

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth
us to triumph in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 15:57).

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made
us meet to be partakers of the inheritance
of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:12).

“By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips
giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).

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

Are you truly thankful today for the Lord Jesus Christ and all the blessings that you have received because God the Father sent Him into this world, and because the Lord Jesus, “died for our sins … was buried, and … rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)?

Blotted Out

There is a sign in a local shop which lists the names of those who owe money to the store owner. The amount of the debt is also recorded. If the obligation is paid the person’s name and debt are blotted out in black ink and can no longer be read.

Little does the shop owner know that his way of collecting owed money is an illustration of something far greater. The Lord Jesus has done much more than pay a debt of money that we may owe to some earthly creditor. He paid the debt of sin that we could never pay. For those who will come to Him in faith and repentance and be cleansed, He has blotted the record out with His own precious blood. He says to such, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee” (Isaiah 44:22).

What about you? Are your sins blotted out? Or are they like the debts recorded on the wall of the shop, still there and indisputable? They can be gone today and gone forever. Can you say, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12)?

Monthly Question Page

Q. In Philippians 2:29, it says of Epaphroditus, “Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation.” Does this mean that we should hold those who labor for the Lord in a more honorable position?

A. Yes, we often find in the Bible, that those in a place of leadership amongst God’s people are to receive recognition on that account. For example: “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). “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves” (Hebrews 13:17). “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

It is not that they seek this honor themselves (indeed it is a sin of pride if they do), but that they are given it by others who recognize that God has placed them in a position of oversight. They themselves are only to seek the good and well-being of the people of God for the Lord’s glory.

Do you have a question? Email us at jhyland@primus.ca