Young People’s Blog

Thy Country — Part 1

“What is thy country?” (Jonah 1:8).

This is a very interesting question, and one of greater significance than perhaps we think. If someone were to ask me this question at a customs or immigration desk I would truthfully answer, “I am a Canadian.” Some of my readers would answer, “American,” while others would give a variety of nations from around the world, and, I would add, this would be the wise way to answer in such cases. To government officials we need to give straightforward, honest answers. Jonah, when asked, affirmed, “I am an Hebrew” (Jonah 1:9). This was certainly true.

But I am far more than just a Canadian. And you too, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, are far more than just the nationality indicated on your birth certificate or passport. Whatever flag or government we live under we have one thing in common; we are citizens of heaven. Here is how the Apostle Paul explained it when writing to the believers in the city of Ephesus: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

 

A Biting Tongue

“For he that will love life, and see good days, let
him refrain his tongue from evil” (1 Peter 3:10).

My mother used to tell me to bite my tongue. She did not mean this in a literal sense of course. Maybe the following statement sums it up in a rather pointed way: “It is better to bite your tongue than to have a biting tongue.”

Here are some Scriptures that back this up:

“Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He that backbiteth not with his tongue” (Psalm 15:1,3).

“But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Galatians 5:15).

“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26).

“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law” (James 4:11).

Let’s be like David, who said, “And my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long” (Psalm 35:28).

 

Young People

“O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth”
(Psalm 71:17).

Young man, young lady…walk with God,

His power will see you through,

Though life at times is oh so tough,

Your strength He will renew.

Young convert, you who’ve just been saved,

Learn now to walk with God!

All is provided through His love,

His grace, His staff, His rod…

Young man, young lady…talk with God,

He is your loving Father;

Through all the ups and downs of life,

With all its trials and bother.

Young person, you who love the Lord,

Remember He is true!

He loves to hear your voice each day,

And help you make it through.

 

Dear Young Christian:

“The Lord never stereotypes His responses.”

Someone made this comment to me last week and at first it rather surprised me. But when I thought about it, I realized there was a lot of truth to it. He always responds according to His perfect knowledge of the individual who asked the question, and according to their level of understanding, spiritual exercise and discernment.

Perhaps you will be asked some questions by those who know you and see your testimony for the Lord this week. The Bible tells us, “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). The Lord can give wisdom to say the right thing at the right time, if we look to Him in every situation. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). Don’t stereotype your answers, look to the Lord in each individual situation.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to [email protected]

Lord’s Day

The secular calendar calls it Sunday. It is the day that Christians often refer to as the Lord’s Day, in keeping with the Scripture where the Apostle John says, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10). It is also referred to as “the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7).

Today, by the grace of God, we once again have the unspeakable privilege of remembering the Lord in the way that He asked His own to do in the upper room just before He went to the cross. “And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:19-20). Will you remember Him in this way?

Before long we are not going to need the breaking of bread to remind us of the sufferings of Christ and the cost of our salvation. Soon we are going to be called away to be with Him forever in the Father’s house. Then we will be forever occupied with “a Lamb as it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6).

 

The Key

“I am the door: by Me if any man enter
in, he shall be saved” (John 10:9).

I was passing along the street the other morning, when I came upon a Christian neighbor trying hard to open his shop door with much effort and no success. I offered to help him, and on inserting the key he was using, I soon found that it was the wrong one. “Are you sure that this is the right key?” I asked.

He hesitated a moment and then put his hand into his pocket and took out several keys, one of which he picked out, and holding it up, said, “How foolish to be trying to open the door with the wrong key.”

Inserting the right key into the lock and giving a gentle turn, the door opened at once and he stepped inside, remarking with a laugh, “It’s an old habit of mine to work with wrong keys. I did it when I was seeking salvation by works and prayers and religion. But when I applied the key of FAITH, the door was opened and I walked in to enter into a joyful possession of God’s free salvation.”

“For by grace are ye saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).

 

Monthly Question Page

*Continued from last month (August 26).

Q. How is the word “usury” used in the Bible?

A. The point is simply this: each of us have been given abilities and gifts that we are to use for the glory of the Lord, for the blessing of souls, and in His service. If we use what has been supplied by His grace, there will be increase, Paul desired for the believers at Philippi, when he wrote concerning “fruit that may abound to your account” (Philippians 4:17).

In a parable in Matthew the Lord said, “Thou oughtest therefore to have put My money to the exchangers, and then at My coming I should have received Mine own with usury” (Matthew 25:27). In Luke He says, “Wherefore then gavest not thou My money into the bank, that at My coming I might have required Mine own with usury?” (Luke 19:23). Note that the one who did not trade, or put his money to the “exchangers,” or as Luke says, the “bank” was only a professor and was cast into “outer darkness” (Matthew 25:30). However, the principle applies to all. As believers we will be held accountable at the judgment seat of Christ. Have we been faithful?

 

Christianity

“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again
the third day according to the Scriptures”
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

There are many religions in the world, but Christianity outshines them all. That is because Christianity is more than a religion; Christianity is a person.

The heart and center of Christianity is the person of Christ, the Son of God, who is living at the right hand of God in heaven. The Bible declares, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive, for evermore” (Revelation 1:18). The Lord Jesus Christ is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6).

This person is also with us, as He promised His own in resurrection, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

He is the great “I am.” Indeed, He is personally the heart and essence of Christianity. No wonder the Apostle Paul, having turned from mere religion to Christianity, could say, “For to me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21).

 

Monthly Scripture Reading

Matthew 6

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

No Empty Seats

On a plane today from Toronto, Canada to Port of Spain, Trinidad, I noticed that it was a full flight — no empty seats! It made me think of how there will be no empty seats when the Lord comes to give the shout and call His own redeemed ones to be with Himself in the Father’s House. In fact, the Bible tells us of that future time, “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting” (Revelation 4:4). While I realize the number 24 is figurative, yet it is nice to think that there are the same number of seats as there are elders sitting on them. In other words, there will be no empty seats in heaven.

With our heavenly seat reserved we look forward to that day when we will leave this earth in exchange for the joy of the Lord’s presence and the blessedness of sitting down in His company forever.

Now I have another flight to catch before my travels are done for the day, but when we take our seats around the Lord Jesus, our traveling days will be over … and I personally can’t wait!