Month: December 2018

Jehoshaphat’s Victory — Part 1

“Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Sometimes the Lord has to put us in circumstances to remind us that our enemy Satan, and his hosts, are nothing new. If you will read the 20th chapter of 2 Chronicles you will find that the enemies of Israel were the same old enemies that they had always had. They had often met these enemies since leaving Egypt as a redeemed and delivered people. We find at the beginning of this chapter, that the different enemies come together at one time to fight against the people of God. “It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle” (2 Chronicles 20:1). Our enemy often does this as well. He gathers together his forces to make us scared and afraid. “Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Thankfully we have One who is greater than the devil!

Dear Young Christian:

Perhaps some of our readers are studying for a university or college degree. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, but have you ever considered this verse: “For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:13)?

Paul told the young man Timothy how to get, not just a degree, but a “good degree.” Maybe the Lord has some useful function or work for you to perform for His people. If you do that well, and for the Lord’s glory, you will certainly have purchased a good degree in God’s sight. It may not be the most glamorous job in the world, and you may not get a lot of recognition or thanks for it from other believers. It may seem very mundane, repetitive, or menial, and maybe not even appreciated by those you seek to serve. But if you do it for the Lord and His approval, He will reward you. That is more worthwhile than any degree which you may obtain from a school in this world.

 Your Christian Friend,

 Jim Hyland

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

He Gave Himself

This morning I had the privilege of attending the Breaking of Bread with believers in Dickson Village, Saint Vincent. The meeting began with the singing of the hymn:

Lord, Thy love has sought and found us

Wandering in this desert wide,

Thou hast thrown Thine arms around us,

For us suffered, bled, and died:

Sing, my soul! He loved thee,

Jesus gave Himself for me.

          Little Flock Hymn Book #31 (appendix)

Although I have sung this hymn many times it seemed so fresh and appropriate for the occasion and brought to mind several familiar verses from the Bible.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins” (Galatians 1:3-4).

“The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

“Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25).

It was wonderful to be reminded that “He gave Himself.” He could not give more, and He would not give less.

The Two Gates

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life,
and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

There is a way that leads to hell,

And many pass that gate,

And sad to say continue on,

Until it is too late!

Please do not linger in your sins,

To Jesus come today;

Believe in Him, and enter in,

He is the only way!

There is a gate to heaven…

Have you entered through that gate?

Jesus bids you enter now,

Before it is too late!

He died to open up the gate,

His blood has made the way,

And boys and girls, and adults too,

May enter right away.

Compassed About

“For Thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt Thou compass him as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12).
“Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah” (Psalm 32:7).
“He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall
compass him about” (Psalm 32:10).
“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7).

It’s a very disheartening and frightening thing to be in a hostile territory and realize you’re surrounded by the enemy. But we can rejoice in a far greater power than that of our enemy, Satan. This very day we are compassed about with the Lord’s own “shield” of protection; with “songs of deliverance”; with abundant “mercy”; and with “the angel of the Lord.” Would we wish it any different? Would you wish to be anywhere else?

Yes, we are definitely in a spiritual war zone, and will be as long as we are in this world. But we have One who is far greater than any onslaught of Satan and his forces. We are assured, “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

A Helping Hand

“The men rowed hard” (Jonah 1:13).
“And He saw them toiling in rowing” (Mark 6:48).

In 1881 The French painter Emile Ranouf in his painting “A Helping Hand” depicted an old fisherman seated in a boat, with a little girl on the seat beside him. She is probably the old man’s granddaughter, and she has both hands on a huge oar. The man is looking admiringly down on her with great fondness. He has apparently told her that she may assist him in rowing the boat, and by the look on her face, she is taking this task very seriously. We can assume that in her desire to help she feels as though she is doing a great share of the work, and that the boat is moving steadily through the water due to her efforts. However, it is easy to see that it is the strong, muscular arm of the grandfather which is actually propelling the craft toward the open sea.

So it is with each of us who know Christ as “the Captain of their salvation” (Hebrews 2:10). He takes the helm and mans the oars, but also gives us responsibilities and a part in His work, while assuring us, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee” (Isaiah 43:2).

He Lives Here

“They constrained Him, saying, Abide with us … And He went in to tarry with them” (Luke 24:29).
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith” (Ephesians 3:17).

When Queen Victoria reigned in England, she occasionally visited some of the humble cottages of her subjects. One time she entered the home of a widow and stayed to enjoy a brief period of Christian fellowship.

Later, the poor woman was taunted by her unbelieving and worldly neighbors. “Who’s the most honored guest you’ve ever entertained in your home?”

They expected her to say that it was Jesus, but to their surprise she answered, “The most honored guest I’ve ever entertained is Her Majesty the Queen Victoria.”

“Did you say the Queen?” they taunted. “we’ve got you this time! Isn’t it the Jesus you’re always talking about? Isn’t He your most honored guest?”

The old lady’s answer was definite and Scriptural. “No indeed! He’s not a guest … He lives here!” Her mockers were put to silence.

Famous/Faithful

“A faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6).

Famous or faithful,

Which will it be?

Building for this life,

Or Eternity?

Faithful or famous,

What will you decide?

The glory of earth,

Or what will abide?

Faithful to Jesus,

Or famous down here?

What will it matter,

When He shall appear?

“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

Dear Young Christian:

I think everyone who is saved will admit that a Christian should be a Christian in conduct and speech as well as in name. Otherwise how will the life of Christ be seen in us, and how will we give testimony as to our salvation for the blessing and salvation of others?

The Lord gave very specific directions to the man out of whom He cast the demons, with a slight difference in the two gospels in which the event is mentioned.

“Go home to thy friends, and TELL them how great things the Lord hath done for thee” (Mark 5:19).

“Return to thine own house, and SHOW how great things God hath done unto thee” (Luke 8:39).

On the one hand he was to tell them of his wonderful experience with the Lord Jesus, on the other hand he was to show by his actions that he was healed and was now a follower of Christ.

These two things should characterize our day-to-day life as well.

Your Christian Friend,

 Jim Hyland

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

The Sufferings of Christ

Read carefully and prayerfully the following words written prophetically of the sufferings of Christ on the cross, and let them stir your heart to worship, praise, and thanksgiving.

“We did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed … .He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken. And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand” (Isaiah 53:4-5, 7-10).