Youthful Days

Editorial

Message from the Editor

Each issue of Youthful Days starts with a personal message that I like to write to my readers.  Usually, it includes a reference to the need for each reader to come to know the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour, because that is where every Christian’s path starts – repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus Himself declared He was the Way, and He still is.  He is the answer to the sorrows and anxieties resulting from the effects of sin.  He is the One who can give us peace with God – the God with whom we have to do.

Often the messages will have some relevance to present needs, and some of the previous editorials are included below as examples of what you might expect to find.  It is my prayer that God in His goodness may awaken hearts to realise their need of Him.  The good news is that God is for you, not against you, and Youthful Days is written to help you discover God’s way of salvation and find the peace that He alone can give.

Some sample editorials from recent issues of Youthful Days are printed below:


A Sure and Certain Hope

As I write this message to my young readers of Youthful Days, my thoughts are transferred from the wind and rain beating down outside my window to the scene of perfect tranquillity on our front cover.  Could this be a picture of better days to come, when sheep and lambs graze peacefully together, and the skies are blue?  Will there again be visits to country villages where cottages nestle in perfect harmony with all around?  Maybe by the time you read this, those days will be almost here.

These sheep seem quite content to be where they are, keeping a watchful eye on their lambs as they bound from one hillock to the next, exploring their new world.  But the Bible warns, “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).  Let’s be honest – we know that Bible verse is true because all scripture is divinely inspired, but don’t we know our own hearts?

That’s just why God sent His Son, Jesus, to be a Saviour for sinners.  That’s why Jesus died on a cross outside Jerusalem, for it was there that God laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.  And just as I’m hoping for brighter days, so Jesus gives a sure and certain hope to every one who trusts in Him and in His work – sins forgiven, peace with God, and the prospect of a future where He will be at the centre of everything.

May God bless you as you read Youthful Days today.

Editor

extracted from the Mar 2023 issue of Youthful Days


Which Way?

So many directions - so many decisions!  Who knows what will work out for the best?  Should we decide on the direction that seems right, and hope … or ask someone who knows the way?  Whom should we ask?  Does anyone know?

As we come to the start of another year, I wonder how many times you’ll face this dilemma, especially if you’re young and are looking ahead.  Decisions need to be made that may significantly affect your future, and no-one quite knows how the year will unfold.  So many ‘unknowns’ over which we have no influence at all!

But in this magazine, I want to tell you about Someone who is able for everything, and who sees the way ahead too.  Those big decisions (as well as the small ones) can be shared with Him – as the Bible itself tells us, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6).  It’s one of the reasons why I want to tell you about the Lord Jesus, because He knows what’s ahead, He knows the right way, and if you trust Him, He’ll lead you in it.

He's my Saviour and Friend, and I want you to come to know Him.  You too can confide in Jesus for everything, and He will be a wonderful Saviour and Friend to you.  He’s a Guide through the paths of life, and you can trust Him.  When you know Him as Saviour, you’ll recognise His voice when He says, “This is the way, walk ye in it.”

Editor 

extracted from the Jan 2023 issue of Youthful Days


The Squirrel’s Lesson

The leaves have fallen from the trees early this year.  A few weeks of drought in summer have accelerated the autumn changes, as trees adapt to water shortages and send their golden leaves spiralling downwards to create the deep carpet on the ground.  What fun it is to don our boots and kick our way along tree-lined avenues or woodland walks, and send the leaves scurrying away in the wind.

But as you can see from our cover picture this month, a furry friend is keeping a watchful eye, making sure you pose no danger.  The slightest false move, and your little onlooker will be up the tree and out of harm’s way in a moment.  He knows you can’t follow, and then from a high branch he can survey the scene in complete safety.

We may not be as agile as the squirrel, but we need to be on the alert for danger too.  The Bible tells us there is a way that seems right but the end thereof is the ways of death.  Where is your walk taking you.  Are there dangers around, and ahead?

Be alert, like the squirrel.  This world is full of disputes, temptations and snares.  Again, the Bible instructs us to “flee these things, and pursue righteousness, piety, faith, love, endurance, meekness of spirit” (1 Timothy 6:11).

Jesus said “I am the way” (John 14:6).  He makes all the difference, and I want to tell you about Him.  Here in these pages are some stories about Him that I’ve found which I thought might interest you.  I hope you’ll enjoy reading them, and find God’s blessing as you do.

Editor 

extracted from the Nov 2022 issue of Youthful Days


Two sides of the Story

How do you view the picture on our cover this month?  Do you love the snowy covering, the excitement of wrapping up in a warm coat and boots, kicking your way through drifts of soft snow?  Do you not mind the cold on your face and hands as you gather balls of snow for friendly battles with your schoolmates, and the numbness of your toes as ice finds its way down inside your boots, and soaks your socks?  Maybe you’re one who “can’t wait” for the snow to come!

For others, maybe a look at our picture will bring less-exciting memories of cold, dark winter months, of treacherous walkways and slippery roads and paths.  Perhaps the anxiety of falling keeps them indoors and, much against their will, they must depend on others to bring them their shopping.

The Bible tells us a wonderful true story about salvation – but there are two sides to that too!

On the one side, all of us have done wrong (sinned), and one day we will all have to give an account of ourselves to God.  The Bible tells us, “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).

But on the other side, we learn “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Make sure you understand and accept both sides of the gospel story.  You will find untold blessing and happiness when you do.

Editor 

extracted from the Jan 2020 issue of Youthful Days


SAVED?

It’s always good to start every New Year with a question about something that really matters.  Last year has somehow slipped away, together with opportunities missed or fulfilled, and we can’t change that.  Perhaps last year brought challenges too, and possibly a few disappointments.  Most years are a mix of joys and sadness, and 2019 is unlikely to be any different.  But when we come to a New Year, it’s a sharp reminder that time is slipping away, and have we made those decisions that we really should?

It’s a good time to start, and the title at the top of this page is a good place to start too.  Every one of us needs to answer this question – and no better time than now, as the bible says “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).  Even if you have attended church and Christian meetings regularly during the past year, that’s still not enough.  You need to know your sins forgiven, and you personally need a Saviour.  It’s something that, come what may in 2019, matters more than anything else.

The little robin on our cover this month is in full song.  Maybe he’s been counting his blessings, and has discovered that he had more than he thought!  But the greatest blessing of all is to know Jesus as your Saviour.  I pray that you may realise your need of Him, and that you too will know the wondrous blessing of being SAVED!

extracted from the Jan 2019 issue of Youthful Days