Month: July 2017

Shaken — Part 1

Vance Havner, who lived from 1901 to 1973, was a well know preacher throughout the United Sates and Canada. He had a very down-to-earth approach in presenting the truths of Scripture in a way that was understood and yet reached the conscience as well as the heart. Recently I rather enjoyed a quote of his:

“Sometimes your medicine bottle has on it, ‘Shake well before using.’ That is what God has to do with some of His people. He has to shake them well before they are ever usable.”

It made me think of Paul’s words to the young man Timothy: “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee” (2 Timothy 1:6). If we do not stir ourselves to be used and to be useful, then the Lord may have to shake us up through some hard or unpleasant circumstance. A sound sleeper may have to be shaken out of sleep in the morning, and just so, we are exhorted, “that now it is high time to awake out of sleep” (Romans 13:11).Are we spiritually awake and ready to be useful? Or do we need to be shaken some more?

Dear Young Christian:

Recently I read a quote from a writer by the name of W.T.P. Wolston. He said, “It is one thing to admire the truth, it is quite another thing to adopt it! It made me think of another statement I read some time ago. It said, “The Bible was written for willing hearts.”

If you notice the title of Psalm 86, you’ll see it is a prayer of David. In that prayer he says: “Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name” (verse 11). It is one thing to know and admire something, it is quite another thing to practice it. David’s desire was not only to have a knowledge of the truth and the ways of God, but to have a willing heart to put it in practice. The book of James exhorts us, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22).

To adopt the truth is really to make it very personal, to make it your own, and to live it every day. How much will this be true of you this week?

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

The Lamb

The subject of the “Lamb” is a subject that occupies the pages of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Abraham said to Isaac, “My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:8).

John the Baptist declared on two occasions, “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:29, 36).

The Apostle John records the fact that the “Lamb” is going to be the paramount theme in heaven and will occupy us for all eternity. “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain … And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing” (Revelation 5:6,11-12).

What a theme for our hearts! May that which will be our theme for eternity be our theme today, as we recall to mind that great sacrifice of the “The Lamb of God.”

The guide to this calendar is found on the last page.

“I Have Sinned”

The Bible gives us more than one example of people who stated: “I have sinned,” yet it is clear that their acknowledgement did not lead to a change of heart.

King Saul said, “I have sinned: yet honor me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel” (1 Samuel 15:30). Saul had his own honor in view more than the honor of God.

Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Lord Jesus said, “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). With him, too, we find a nagging conscience and remorse, but certainly no repentance.

On the other hand we have the prodigal son, who when he returned to his father said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son” (Luke 15:21). What a difference between King Saul, who said, “Honor me now,” and the prodigal, who confesses, “No more worthy.”

When David said “I have sinned,” because he was sincere, he was assured by Nathan, “The Lord also hath put away thy sin” (2 Samuel 12:13). True repentance brings true forgiveness. Are you a forgiven sinner?

The Devil — Part 3

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).

Here is a piece of poetry to sum up this subject:

When Satan comes to tempt you,

And you your weakness feel,

Lift up the shield of faith,

The Word of God is real.

Quote then a verse of Scripture,

The Spirit’s mighty sword;

Trust in His grace and goodness,

Rely upon the Lord.

He’ll see you through and keep you,

Held by almighty power,

You’ll know the joy of being,

Victorious each hour:

The enemy defeated,

Jesus, the Lord of Hosts,

You’ll be an overcomer,

Who in the Savior boasts.

The Devil — Part 2

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil … and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God”
(Ephesians 6:11, 17).

Use the “sword of the Spirit.” As we noted yesterday, that is what the Lord did, and that is what we are to do as well. This is why it is so important to read the Bible, memorize portions of Scripture, and spend time studying and meditating. Then when the enemy comes you will have something ready to use against him. Of course we need prayer too.

Everything has been provided so that we can meet the enemy in the power and strength of the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who is all powerful. Taking up and using the armor of God is really making use of the resources we have in Himself. Go out to school or work today remembering that we don’t have to meet the enemy in our own strength. If you try it you will be soundly defeated, but if you meet the enemy in the strength of the Lord, you will be victorious … a true overcomer. Remember, “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

The Devil — Part 1

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

We have a powerful enemy, and we are no match for this foe, Satan! Don’t think that you can take on the enemy in your own strength. Peter thought he could when the Lord told him, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31). He was so sure of himself that he boasted to the Lord that he would never deny Him, and was even willing to go into death with Him. The Lord had to show Peter that he did not know his own heart, nor the power and subtlety of the enemy.

We are told, “Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). How do we resist the Devil? Well, the Lord gives us the key in Luke chapter 4. When the Devil came to tempt Him, He answered every temptation by simply saying. “It is written” (Luke 4:4, 8, 10). In other words, He used the Word of God, and that is what we are to do as well. That is where the power to resists lies. Not in our own ability to reason or argue the situation. Not in our own power, but in the living Word of God.

Our Everything

“Christ is everything”
(Colossians 3:11 JND Translation).

“For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness” (Psalm 107:9).

When Jesus comes,

To fill the heart,

Then satisfaction,

Is our part;

He is our WELL,

Our JOY, our SPRING,

CONTENTMENT, FOOD,

Our EVERYTHING!!!!

When Jesus comes,

Our souls He fills,

His sweetness taste,

His goodness thrills;

No want, no lack —

We praise, we sing;

Christ is our ALL…

Our EVERYTHING!!!!

Dear Young Christian:

How much value do you place on the Bible? When Samuel was a young person, the Word of God was scarce. We read: “The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” (1 Samuel 3:1).

Some time ago, at a large airport, a dirty small box, of considerable weight, was kicked around on the floor, being used as a door stop when needed. It had been there for some time, and no one seemed to know where it came from. Finally, someone became curious and it was pried open. It contained a gold brick! It had been part of a cargo shipped by air through a carefully guarded route, and in such crude looking boxes as a security disguise. One box had dropped off the cart! It was returned to the government authorities. So it is with the precious Bible, the Word of God contained in a book. Collecting dust perhaps, ignored, and used as an ornament, or to keep things in, or just kicked around! But it is priceless! Value it!

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Our Desire

“The desire of our soul is to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee” (Isaiah 26:8).

In some measure every believer, deep down in their soul, has a desire towards the Lord Jesus. Why? Because He gave Himself for us at Calvary’s cross. He suffered for our sin. He died, and shed His blood to wash us clean and make us fit for heaven. As a result we can with confidence and joy echo with the Apostle Paul, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). This should cause our affection to go out to Him. And not just to be identified with the name of Jesus, but to remember Him and the cost of our salvation. That’s what’s so special about today. We can remember Him. Here are some things in connection with His person and work that we should remember today:

“We will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).

“Give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness” (Psalm 30:4).

“Remember His marvellous works that He hath done” (Psalm 105:5).

“We will remember Thy love” (Song of Solomon 1:4).