Month: June 2018

The Lion & The Lamb

“The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 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”
(Revelation 5:5-6).

Once in the book of Revelation the Lord Jesus is referred to as “The Lion” and twenty-eight times as “The Lamb.” As “The Lion” He is able! Able to execute the judgments of this world, put down His enemies, and bring about millennial peace and blessing on earth. However, as “The Lamb” He is worthy! Worthy because of who He is, “The Lamb of God” (John 1:36). Worthy, because of that great work of Calvary on which all blessing rests. Today, He is worthy of our worship and praise, and in a future day, all created beings will give Him that honor. “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever” (Revelation 5:13).

ALL

A local Grocery store in Smiths Falls, where my wife and I often shop, has recently come up with a new advertising slogan.

“I WANT IT ALL!”

Whatever other thinking there may be behind this catchy slogan, it certainly sums up the spirit and attitude of many people today. Not only do people want it all, but they want it now!

King Solomon had it all. Notice what he says: “And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy” (Ecclesiastes 2:10). But notice how he sums it up at the end of the chapter: “This also is vanity and vexation of spirit” (verse 26).

Only the one who made us can satisfy us. “For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness” (Psalm 107:9). And more than that, when we know God as our Father and Jesus as our Saviour, we do have it all. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with ALL spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Yes indeed, the Christian is the richest person in the world … He has it all! DO YOU?

Prepared Circumstances

“The Lord sent out a great wind there
was a mighty tempest” (Jonah 1:4).
“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish” (Jonah 1:17). “And the Lord God prepared a gourd” (Jonah 4:6).
“But God prepared a worm” (Jonah 4:7).
“God prepared a vehement east wind” (Jonah 4:8).

Jonah had some hard lessons to learn, and at first he did not listen to the Lord speaking through the various circumstances He had specially prepared for his correction and instruction. The Bible tells us “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11). As in Jonah’s experience, so too in our lives, things that we may find unpleasant are the hand of God at work to bring about a transformation that will ultimately benefit us and glorify Himself. It is important to recognize each circumstance as coming directly from Him with the realization that it is for our good and blessing if we are willing to learn by it.

Nothing Behind You Matters

The whistle blew and the four strong boys dived immediately. In seconds they were swimming through the water as they raced to the other end of the pool. When half way the coach’s whistles signalled the next four to start. By this time the first four were headed back. As they climbed out the coach nodded his approval as they got back in line to dive again. Evening after evening they came to practice. No wonder they had won so many championships.

Their motto was, “Nothing behind you matters.” Any of them would tell you that they were trained never to look back during a race. Looking back to see how far you have come or how close the next racer is breaks the rhythm or the stride. It makes you lose seconds, and usually those seconds can never be recovered.

The Apostle Paul said, “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). The prize in the Christian life is always Christ, and the finish line is heaven. Push forward, we are almost there.

Helping

“And, behold, a woman of Canaan came … and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me”
(Matthew 15:22, 25).
“And one of the multitude answered and said … If Thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us” (Mark 9:22).

Would you like to be more like the Lord Jesus? I’m sure you answered, “Yes!” Remember that when He was here He always helped those in need, and showed kindness wherever He went. You can do the same. Simply by helping others you can be like Christ. Don’t be like the priest and the Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan. When they saw the man lying half dead in the ditch they “passed by on the other side” (Luke 10:31-32). In contrast, the Samaritan (a picture of the Lord Jesus), “came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33-34). We read of Apollos, “who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace” (Acts 18:27).

Praise & Service

“Praise the Lord … praise Him, all ye people”
(Psalm 117:1).

Come, praise the Lord, all Christians,

How can you silent be,

When Jesus died to save you,

From sin to set you free?

Yes, praise the Lord, all Christians,

Wherever you may be,

Whatever you are doing –

Jesus is so worthy!

Come, serve the Lord, all Christians,

How can you slothful stay,

When Jesus lives to keep you,

And strengthen you today?

Yes, serve the Lord, all Christians,

He has work to do,

A special work’s been given,

Especially for you!

“Serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:2).

Dear Young Christian:

Many of you are starting school holidays for the summer, and perhaps some of you will take along a good book to read while you relax or travel. Whatever else you put on your reading list this season, don’t forget or neglect your Bible. I saw a motto that stated:

THE BIBLE IS NOT ONLY THE WORLD’S BEST SELLER, IT IS ALSO MAN’S BEST PURCHASE.

Here is one way the Psalmist expressed his interest in, and value of, the Word of God: “Thy testimonies are also my delight … O how love I Thy law” (Psalm 119:24, 97)!

In the same psalm —  the writer also says, “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11).

“Thy Word” — the best possession.

“Have I hid in mine heart” — the best place.

“That I might not sin against Thee” — the best purpose.

Reading the Word of God is good; meditating on it is better; memorizing it is best of all.

  Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

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

Himself

“I found Him whom my soul loveth: I held Him and would not let Him go” (Song of Solomon 3:4).

Many years ago, the Bible commentator, Harry Ironside, wrote the following:

“Nothing gives our Lord more delight than to find a heart that joys in Him for what He is in Himself. Too often we think rather of the gifts, the gracious favours He bestows. It is right and proper that these should stir us to thanksgiving; but it is as we get to know Himself and to joy in His love that we really worship in blissful communion.”

On the resurrection morning Mary Magdalene did not immediately recognize the Lord through her tears “She turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus” (John 20:14).However, her anguish quickly turned to adoration when she saw it was indeed the Lord. She fell down at His feet and worshipped.

The most beautiful face in the universe is that of our Lord, once marred at Calvary, but now glorified. That glorified visage will draw forth our ceaseless worship throughout the endless ages of eternity.

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!