Who would seek after my soul? - Who would desire my hurt? - -

Thought For Today - January  14
Who would seek after my soul? - Who would desire my hurt? - -
Read Psalm 70 
By: Robert A.. Searles

Who would seek after my soul, and who would desire my hurt? Who is the chief enemy of our soul? Satan is God’s enemy, and because we are the children of God, he is our enemy also, and he will use every means at his disposal to seek after our soul and draw us away from God to our eternal destruction.

We need to be aware of Satan’s tactics: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood; but against principalities; against powers; against the rulers of the darkness 0f this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6;12.

 Jesus gave a warning to Simon Peter that Satan would desire to destroy his faith and his testimony: “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.” Luke 22: 31

When we are in constant pain, Satan can use it to take our mind and focus away from God and sometimes make us blame God. When we are lonely, Satan can use our loneliness to draw us to ungodly associations, and cause us to try to find consolation in wicked worldly pleasures that last only for a moment, and eventual despair. When we are in poverty, Satan can make us to be covetous, and even temp us to steal, lie, and cheat.

We must constantly be on our guard against the wiles of Satan. When we are in desperate pain, we must remember to flee to God for relief, for he is the great physician and healer. When we are lonely, we must remember that Jesus is an ever present friend and companion if we will have him to be so. When we are in poverty, we must remember the promises of God that our help comes from God, and that he will supply all our needs.

“We must 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 must do as the Psalmist did, and pray constantly to our Father in heaven that he will protect us from his enemy and ours. “Make haste, O God to deliver me: make haste to help me, O Lord” Psalm 70:1.

God has told us in other scriptures that he inhabits our praises. When we are constantly thinking of him and praising him and rejoicing and being glad in him, he is ever present with us, and when the spirit of God dwells within us, Satan and all that is evil and would seek our soul to hurt and destroy us must flee away.

“Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee; and let such as love thy salvation say continually, let God be magnified.” Psalm 70:4.


Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

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A Nation Blessed?

Thought For Today -  September 3, 2022
A Nation Blessed? 
By: Robert A. Searles

Read Psalm 33 

The time for mid-term elections in our country is drawing near,    and further on down the road to 2024,  - we are concerned as to what the results may be.  Whatever happens now and then, much depends on each of us individually, and collectively as the redeemed church of Jesus Christ. 

God has promised us that if we his people will turn to him, confess our sins and repent, and pray, he will heal our land 

 Let us rise up o men and women of God and let our voices be heard for God and take back our country.  May God bless America!

A new regime will soon be inaugurated in Washington. Will our nation be blessed? Will God look down from heaven and see his people in control of our great land? Will our leaders call upon the Lord God of heaven and earth for wisdom to make important decisions in the lives and affairs of men? Is the infallible word of God, the holy bible, the compass for our nation to lead us through these troubled waters? Or, will we chose to forget God and his guidance, and be cast into hell as the scriptures warn?

 “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all nations that forget God “ Psalm 9: 17. 

Or, will we have reason for rejoicing as we are promised by the holy writ - “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule the people mourn.” Proverbs 29: 2.

“Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14: 34.

I pray that in the days ahead, we the people, will have cause for rejoicing and praising God. I pray that when God looks down from heaven he will see righteousness prevailing in our government, and that he will be pleased to bless us.

“Rejoice in the Lord, o ye righteous; for praise is comely for the upright.” Psalm 33:1.

“For the word of the Lord is right; and his works are done in truth.” Psalm 33:4.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host; a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety; neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eyes of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine.” Psalm 33: 16-19. -

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry 

                              Psalm 26: 7

T Blessedness of Being Forgiven

Thought For Today - January 29 - -
The blessedness of being forgiven! 
By: Robert A. Searles

Read Psalm 32 

Oh! How wonderful it is to know that our sins are forgiven. We all know inherently that we are guilty. We were born guilty from our mother’s womb. We inherited our guilt and our sin from our parents, all the way back to Adam, and as a result of our sinful nature, we are bent toward sinning, sinning against God, and sinning against each other.

We may not always be thinking about our sin and disobedience to God and man, but in the subconscious, the guilt is always there, bending us over and bearing us down. We are as Pilgrim in Pilgrim’s Progress, we carry a heavy burden on our back, and as he found, how wonderful when the burden falls from our back at the feet of Jesus!

Oh, how heavy the burden, but oh, how delightful and refreshing it is when the burden has fallen from our shoulders because Christ has commanded it to be so! When Christ declares that our sins are forgiven, and that he will not impute to us our iniquity, we become as new born babies, with new life and new energy to live on a higher plane than we have ever known before. We are truly blessed when our transgression is forgiven, when our sin is covered. 

If we are willing to confess that we are sinners and our guilt, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us, because he paid the penalty of our sins by his death on the cross, and he justified us by his resurrection. He takes the burden and guilt all away.

When we try to cover our sin by our denying the fact that we have sinned, or try to atone for it by our own good works, then the fire still burns, and the guilt does not go away, because there is nothing that can wash away our sin but the blood of Jesus Christ.

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all day long.” Psalm 32:1,2, 3.

“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said I will confess my transgression unto the Lord; and thou forgavest me the iniquity of my sin, Selah.” Psalm 32: 5
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“Thou art my hiding place, thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance, Selah.” Psalm 32:7

“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice ye righteous; and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” Psalm 32: 10,11. - -

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry 
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Read Psalm 31

Thought For Today - January 28 - -
Read Psalm 31 
By: Robert A. Searles

We can never be ashamed or disappointed when we put our trust in the Lord because he will deliver us from all that is evil and against us. Christ has purchased us with his own blood, and we have been redeemed. We are his property. We can rest assured that he will take care and provide for his own.

We can be glad and rejoice because he knows all about our troubles and adversities, and he will not allow our enemies to be victorious over us. Today we may have troubles, but he knows, and his love and mercy is great, and his grace abounds.

“In thee O lord, do I put my trust, let me never be ashamed; deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me, deliver me speedily; be thou my strong rock, for a house of defense to save me.” Psalm 31: 1,2.

“I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy; for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversity, and hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; thou hast set my feet in a large room.” Psalm 31: 7,8.

“But I trusted in thee O Lord. I said, thou art my God. My times are in thine hands; deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.” Psalm 31: 14, 15.

“Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Psalm 31: 19

O love the Lord all ye his saints, for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31: 23, 24.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

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The Ever Abiding Christ!

Thought For Today - January 12
The Ever Abiding Christ! 
By: Robert A. Searles

At the moment when we believe, and by faith receive Christ as our Savior, the person of the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us and abides with us forever. He is an ever abiding guest.

" Jesus promised that when he returned to the Father in heaven, he would send us another comforter which is the Holy Spirit who would be our constant companion. Jesus said - “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter that he may abide with you forever.” John 14: 16.

The Holy Spirit, abiding with us and in us, is not only our constant companion and comforter, but he is our teacher and brings to our remembrance all things that Jesus did and taught here on earth, and he rebukes us when we are wrong, and encourages us when we are in right fellowship with God our Father.

Jesus said: “But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you, heretofore. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you. And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment John 16: 7,8

The Holy Spirit is our teacher, our guide, and the voice of God, and the prophet. “Howbeit, when he, the spirit of truth is come, he will guide you unto all truth for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show all things to come.” John 16: 13.

The Holy Spirit is the glorifier of Jesus: “He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” John 16: 14. He exhibits Jesus. “All things that the Father hath are mine, therefore said I that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. John 16: 15.

The Holy Spirit is the spiritual dynamo and source of power for all truly born again Christians “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and ye shall be witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” Acts 1: 8.

The Holy Spirit is the witness of our relationship to God the Father. “The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8: 16.

 He is also our helper and guide in prayer. “Likewise, the spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. “ Romans 8: 26.

The Holy Spirit is the solicitor of the lost. He convicts and draws sinners to God the Father, through the son, The Lord Jesus Christ. He invites, he pleads, and even at times makes us uncomfortable for our own good so that we will be saved.

 “And the spirit and the bride say come, and let him that heareth say come, and let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelations 22: 17.

You who are reading this message, perhaps you feel a tug at your heart. Perhaps the person of the Holy Spirit is convicting you, inviting you, and pleading with you to receive Christ as your savior. Before it is eternally too late. Won’t you heed the call, and take the water of life freely, and quench your thirst for peace and the forgiveness of sins, and receive the free gift of eternal life being offered to you.?

 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

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Effort Demanded Before A blessing Can Be Given

Thought For Today - January 11
EFFORT DEMANDED BEFORE A BLESSING CAN BE GIVEN
By: Robert A. Searles

Faith without works is dead. We are told that we are justified by faith, and we are to live by faith. Faith is believing in something even though the object of our faith remains unseen. We are told that if we have faith, even as small as a grain of mustard seed, we can say to the mountains in our lives to move, and they shall move and be cast into the depth of the sea.

We all have mountains in our lives that we wish we could remove and we are told to ask our Father in heaven to move them for us , and he says that he will, according to his purposes for us if we believe and have faith. 

 We read in Hebrews chapter 11:1, that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Yes, we believe in eternal God who is high above in the heavens, having all power and authority, who can do all things because nothing is too hard for him. Nothing is impossible with God; but God often tests our faith by requiring some sort of effort and action on our part to show that our faith is genuine. Many times God accomplishes his purpose by miraculous, supernatural means, but more often he requires some kind of action on our part.

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?” James 2:14.

We may believe and have faith that the bible says that Christ was the divine son of God, and that he was crucified and died, and was even resurrected, but just by simply believing this fact of history alone will not save us. We must act on what we believe, and receive the free gift of God with gratitude , and rest upon the promises of God for our salvation.

James gives us an example of how faith and works must work together to be effective. “Seest thou how faith wrought with works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God.” James 2: 22,23. Abraham believed God and took action as to that which God had told him to do and God blessed him for it.

We might also use the illustration of how faith and works go together by considering the story of a man caught in a flood, and taking refuge on the roof of his house. He was a godly man and believed in the power of God, and he kept praying that God would save him from his difficult situation. Soon a helicopter flew over and called to him with their loudspeaker, telling him that they were come to rescue him and would drop a ladder, but he refused to climb onto the ladder because he said that God would soon answer his prayer and save him. The helicopter was God’s means of saving him. Our faith must be combined with our common sense and work in order for us to receive blessings from God. Before blessing can be given, effort is demanded.

Jesus and his disciples were confronted with the tax collectors and needed money to pay their taxes. Jesus, almighty God, creator of all things, could have materialized the money instantly, but he instead, performed the miracle of obtaining the money by requiring effort on the part of the disciples.

“And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, yes, and when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, what thinkest thou Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up a fish that first cometh up,. And when thou hast opened his mouth thou shalt find a piece of money, that take and give unto them for thee and me.” Matthew 17: 24,27.

 They had faith to believe that the coin would be there in the fishes mouth, but they were told to go and cast a hook. Faith was combined with works.

Christ, being in the synagogue on the Sabbath encountered a man with a withered hand. “And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, stand forth. And he saith unto them, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil, to save life or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out; and his hand was restored whole as the other.” Mark 3: 2-5

Faith alone was not enough to heal his withered hand. Jesus required him to stretch forth his hand, works combined. With faith.

Jesus saw fit to bless Peter and the other disciples with a great drought of fish. They knew he could provide the blessing. He told them to make an effort to do something to receive the blessing by launching out into the deep. They had fished all night and had caught nothing, but Jesus told them to go and try again by launching out into the deep and to let down their nets. When they obeyed his command they were successful.

“And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a drought. Luke 5: 4. “And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes and their nets brake.” Luke 5: 6. Again, for Peter and the other disciples to receive this blessing from the Lord, it required effort on their part. By doing that which the Lord commanded they showed their faith in his provision.

When the Lord healed the ten lepers he told them to put their faith into action, he told them to go and show themselves to the priests. They did, and they were healed. Luke 17: 14.

All the blessings that we receive from God our Father come to us because of God’s grace. God blesses us because he wants to. God will surely help us in every situation in which we find ourselves, but he does not want us to be negligent of the powers, and abilities he has already instilled within us. Sometimes in order for God to bless us, he requires action on our part. We need to know the talents and abilities that God has already given to us, and use them to the best of our ability to accomplish God’s purpose in our life. Much of the time effort is demanded before a blessing can be given.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry
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Eagerness For the Truth

Thought For Today - February 9
EAGERNESS FOR THE TRUTH
By: Robert A. Searles

“What is truth?”, Pilate asked Jesus. Little did he know that he was dealing with, and speaking to the personification of truth. From the dawn of time, men have been searching for, and asking, what is true and what is truth? It is sad that over two thousand years ago, truth walked the earth in human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, and mankind was blinded by their sinful nature and could not apprehend truth. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”

There are those who regard truth as being relative to any given situation of time, or place. They say that what may be true for one may not be true for others; but we know from the word of God that this is not the case. The bible teaches that truth is absolute because God is absolute, and the word and commandments of God are absolute authority in the universe. There are some who would try to evade truth because they are frightened by it. For example, one may go to a physician to find help for a physical problem, and be frightened to death to hear the truth that he has some horrible dreaded disease, if that be the case. Some avoid the truth of the word of God because they do not want to be reminded that they are lost sinners, and unless they find a remedy, will be lost forever.

Some times truth hurts and cost something, but in the end, truth always heals and sets us free.

What is true? The Holy Bible, the inspired, infallible word of God is true, from Genesis Chapter 1: verse 1 to Revelation Chapter 22: verse 21. The fact that Holy intelligent God created the universe and all things in it is absolute truth, a truth that cannot be proven in a scientific laboratory, but can be known in the human heart as being absolute truth by the witness of God’ s Holy Spirit.

Many do not want to hear and accept this truth because it deprives them of the luxury of believing that man is the center of all things and controls his own destiny. In many places, parts of the bible have been cut out and discarded because ,if the truth were known and adhered to, it would mean that there would have to be a change in lifestyle.

God’s word, the absolute truth, says it is wrong and a sin to commit murder which includes the abortion (or murder) of unborn babies. Some say, in order to justify their evil deeds, and sin and rebellion against the absolute truth of God’s word, that it depends upon the situation in which they find themselves. This is known as situation ethics.

God’s word, the absolute truth , says that it is wrong and a sin for men to have sexual relations with other men, and women with other women. God’s word, the absolute truth , says that the meaning of marriage is the relationship of one man and one woman, joined together in a holy union by God for life.

God’s word, the absolute truth, says that it is wrong and a sin to lie, cheat, and steal. Again, there are those who hate truth so as to justify lying, cheating, and stealing, as expedient means for solving difficult problems, especially in governments. Sad to say that there are those who claim to be Christian serving in high places of authority who are willing to sacrifice truth on the altar of expediency.

The good news is that not all men are liars, murderers, sex perverts, and adulterers. There have been those down through the ages who have recognized truth as being the absolute nature of God, and required of men.

God’s word, the absolute truth, teaches us that all men are sinners from birth and have a sinful nature, and consequently, barred from the presence and fellowship with God. God’s word, the absolute truth, tells us that Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life, came into the world to save us. God’s word, the absolute truth, tells us that one must be born again before he can be saved and have access to heaven, that is, he must believe in Jesus Christ as the only way to God the Father, ask forgiveness for sin, and receive his sacrifice as a free gift from God for our redemption. Those who would seek heaven and the paradise of God must accept God’s absolute truth for mankind.

Fortunately, there have been those who having been exposed to the word of God, have diligently sought after and found truth. A Jewish Rabbi sought after truth. “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, good master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Mark 10: 17. This man kneeled at the feet of Jesus to find truth.

The common people came to Jesus and listened to his teaching to learn truth. “David therefore himself calleth him Lord: and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.” Mark 12: 37.

Multitudes flocked to the temple early in the morning to hear the truth that Jesus had to teach them. “And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.” Luke: 21:38

The Samaritans were eager to hear what he had to say. “So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them, and he abode there two days.” John 4: 40
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The bible says that Cornelius and his family were eager to hear the truth of God, and they sent for Peter to come and teach them. Cornelius said to Peter: “Immediately therefore, I sent to thee, and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” Acts 10: 33.

When the truth was taught in the temple to Christ’s own people, the Jews at Antioch, the gentiles which overheard were curious to know what was being taught. “And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath . Acts 13: 42.

The Bereans, “Were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things ere so.” Acts 17:11.

Oh! That men and women today would have an appetite for the absolute truth of God, and accept Jesus Christ as the their own personal Savior. What a change there could be in individual lives, and in our homes, our government, and our country.

You may talk all you want to about the “big bang” which scientist claim brought forth the universe, but please tell me, where did the thing that “banged” come from? The absolute truth of the matter is, that God spoke and said let there be, and it was so

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

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Thought For Today - January 22 - - CHRIST’S DIVINITY ACKNOWLEDGED

Thought For Today - January  9
CHRIST’S DIVINITY ACKNOWLEDGED
By: Robert A. Searles

Dear reader, what do you think of Jesus Christ? Who is he? Why did he appear on earth? Is he just a man or is he more than man? What man is there who could perform such miracles, and raise himself from the dead if he were just an ordinary man? What is your opinion of this man from Nazareth, the carpenter?

Down through the ages men and devils have tried to deny that he is the divine son of God, God in human flesh. His divinity was challenged by Satan.

“And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” Matthew 4:3. “And he saith unto him, if thou be the son of God, cast thyself down; for it is written, he shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Matthew 4: 6.


Satan not only tried to temp Christ to prove his deity , but Satan is ever active in the minds and hearts of individuals today to create doubts as to who Christ really is. Some say that he was just a good man. Others say that he was a wise prophet. Some say that he was a reformer, and others say that he came to be king.

Christ’s deity was challenged by the scribes and Pharisees. The learned scribes and Pharisees were well versed in the old testament scriptures, and knew the prophecies of the coming Messiah, yet, they saw him as only a man who was blaspheming God by declaring himself to be God. These were the religious leaders of the day. It is sad that some religious leaders of our time are so blinded that they cannot see that this same Jesus is the fulfillment of all the old testament prophecies concerning him. There are preachers in pulpits everywhere who stand at the sacred desk week after week and challenge the virgin birth and divinity of Jesus Christ.

“And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” By asking this question, they were denying that Jesus was God.

Christ’s deity was challenged by his own people. His own nation and people, the Jews, branded him as an imposter, and demanded that he be punished for proclaiming himself to be God. 

 “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” John 5:18.

“Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? And the prophets are dead; whom makest thyself?” John 8: 53.

 “The Jews answered saying, for a good work we stone thee not but for blasphemy, and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” John 10: 33.


Christ’s authority to teach was challenged by the elders in the temple. If this was just an ordinary man, from whence did he derive such authority to declare the word of God, having not learned letters, and having little formal education?

“And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the elders came upon him with the elders, and spake unto him, saying, tell us by what authority doest thou these things? Or who is he that gave thee this authority?“ Luke 20: 1,2.

When he was on the cross, the crowds were mocking him and challenging his divinity, telling him to come down from the cross if he were God, and save himself. 

“And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying , thou that destroyed the temple, and buildest it in three days, , save thyself if thou be the son of God, come down from the cross.” Matthew 27: 39-40.


He was derided by the rulers. “And the people stood beholding him, and the rulers also with them derided him, saying, he saved others; let him save himself, if he be the Christ, the chosen of God.” Luke 23:35.


Two thieves were crucified with him. One of the thieves challenged his claim to be the Christ. 

 “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him saying, if thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” Luke 23:39. 

 The other thief turned and looked upon him , and in repentance, acknowledged his divinity and was granted a place with him that very day in paradise. Jesus said to him: “Today thou shalt be with me in paradise.”


Down through the ages there have been many who have been forgiven and gained a place with Christ in paradise because they have acknowledged the truth of God’s word that Jesus is the Christ, the divine son of God, and all who call upon him for forgiveness of sins will be saved. Peter acknowledged his divinity. “And Simon Peter answered and said, thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.” Matthew 16: 16.


The centurion who stood guard at the cross, when he beheld him, had to acknowledge that he was the son of God.

 “And when the centurion, which stood over against him saw that he cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, truly this man was the son of God.” Mark 15: 39.

Nathaniel acknowledged his divinity. “Nathaniel answered and saith unto him, rabbi, thou art the son of God: thou art the king of Israel.” John 1:49.

Even the demons were terrified when they had to acknowledge who Jesus was. “And cried with a loud voice, and said, what have I to do with thee Jesus, thou son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.” Mark 5:7..

“Christ showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proof.”. thus confirming that God had raised him from the dead, and accepted his sacrifice for the sins of the world. Thomas, the doubter, acknowledged his divinity when he was allowed to place his hand in the print of the nails, and his wounded side and declared him to be God. “And Thomas answered and said unto him, my Lord and my God.” John 20:28.


Can we say with Thomas that he is divine, and he is my Lord and my God? Can we declare with Job that we know that our redeemer liveth? Do we have the confidence that Jesus is God, that he has the power to forgive our sins, and raise us from the grave? Whatever we believe and publicly acknowledge about Jesus will determine our eternal destiny, whether it be in paradise with him, or in hell forever.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

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Marks of Childhood

 Thought For Today - January 15
  Marks of Childhood
By: Robert A. Searles
 
 Who is a child of God? God is the creator of all living; but he is not necessarily the Father of all. Not all people are the children of God. Only those who have been truly born again and have been begotten by him. There is a vast difference between the children of God and the children of the devil. Those who have acknowledged that they are lost sinners, and turn to Jesus Christ for salvation are truly the born again children of God. Those who will not acknowledge and turn away from their sin, and insist on following the course of the world, are the children of the devil.

 God speaks to his children, and the devil speaks to his children. A child of God will hear the voice of God and obey him, whereas, the child of the devil will hear and obey him. 

 “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil; whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” 1 John 3: 10

Children, when very young and immature have a tendency to believe anything and everything they hear, whether it be true or false, good or evil. If we want our children to grow up and mature as a true child of God, then we who are parents and grandparents must be sure that we ourselves are the true children of God, and are following his direction for the rearing of our children.

 “The simple believe every word, but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” Prov 14: 15.

 A prudent child of God who is a parent or guardian of children will be wise concerning that which he allows to enter his mind and soul through the eye gate and the ear gate. Likewise, he will not allow his children to absorb endless hours of trash and evil presented to them via television or the internet. 

 “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Prov 22:6.

 “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” Prov 22: 15.

 If we are the children of God, we can expect that because God loves us so much, he will, on occasion, use the rod of correction in our lives to keep us in harmony with his will. Children have a love for amusements. Young children, for the most part, love to get outside and play with their friends in the streets. The streets of our cities today are in no way a safe place for young children to hang around . They are a cesspool of corruption, full of vice, drug dealers, and criminals, as well as sex perverts and child molesters. A parent who is a child of God and desires that his children be the children of God will not turn their children loose to themselves and allow them to go anyplace they like any time they want. They will place strict controls on their children’s whereabouts, and their companions at all times.

 God has promised that there will come a day when the kingdom of Christ reigns on this earth that children who love to play will be able to play in the streets of the new Jerusalem in perfect safety. 

 “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; there shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with the staff in his hand for very age, and the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.” Zecharah 8: 4,5.

 Children have a tendency to be very fickle, going from one thing to the next, and never seeming to be satisfied, sometimes complaining about the toys they play with; and sometimes complaining about their surroundings. Many adult Christians who are indeed the children of God are full of complaints and unrest, going from one thing to the next without ever finding any satisfaction in anything. If we as God’s children are not careful, we can be swayed and influenced by every wind of doctrine that comes our way. We need to be careful that we are well grounded in the word of God and know what we believe and why.

 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine and the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive .” Ephesians 4:14

 All God’s children, no matter their age or level of maturity, need rules and guidelines by which to live and order their lives. Those who are truly the children of the heavenly Father have been given the Holy Spirit to indwell them and to be their law giver, interpreter, and guide. We are heirs to the kingdom of Christ, but until our perfection in Christ is fulfilled, we are under tutors and governors.

 “Now I say that the heir as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all, but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the Father. Even so do we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world, but when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons, and because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his son unto your hearts, saying, Abba Father.” Galations 4: 1-6.

 Some children of God have not progressed much beyond the state of babyhood and remain ignorant of many things that God has taught in his word. Such children, because of neglect of gaining knowledge of God’s word are not equip to do much of the work that God requires of his children, thus they are hampered in their service to God.

 “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracle of God; and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.” Heb 5: 12, 13.

 May we who are the children of God listen to our Father when he speaks o us through his written word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If we will obey our parent we will be blessed, especially if we obey our heavenly Father. 

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