To Know Christ!

Thought For Today - October 1
To Know Christ!
By: Robert A. Searles

     To know Christ, whom to know aright is life eternal, and to know the power of his resurrection; to have an intimate relationship with him should be the desire of every child of God.  Our prayer ought to be- that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.

     We are the brothers and sisters of Christ, he being our elder brother.  Jesus said: “I ascend unto my Father and your Father, to my God, and your God.”  Having a common faith with our Lord makes us brothers and  sisters with him.

     Oh! if only the eyes of our understanding might  be opened so that we could see the fabulous riches of Christ and his glory, and to realize that as brothers and sisters of his, we are joint heirs with him and all that is his is ours. 

 Pray that: “The eyes of your understanding will be enlightened-that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and  what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints and what  is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come  and hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the church which is his body the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:18-23.  

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Thought For Today - September 30
Crumbs From The Table
By: Robert A. Searles

The spiritual riches of the Gentiles came from the crumbs that fell from the table of Israel. Christ was sent to teach and to save his people, Israel.

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not, but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1: 11-13.

If Israel had not rejected his teaching, and accepted him as their promised Messiah, confessing to him their sins and receiving his forgiveness, his kingdom would have been established on earth at that time; but God also had in mind the Gentile nations , that they also should be gathered into his kingdom, so it was in his divine plan to save all kindreds and nations who would believe and call upon him for salvation. A Gentile woman approached Jesus and cried out to him for mercy to deliver her daughter from the power of darkness. He reminded her that his mission was for the lost sheep of Israel, but she replied that she would be satisfied with just the crumbs that would fall from her master's table. Jesus commended her for her faith and rewarded her accordingly.

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." They that have faith to believe and receive Christ as savior and Messiah will have an inheritance in his kingdom.

"Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying: have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples, came and besought him, saying, send her away; for she crieth after us, But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshiped him, saying Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour." Matthew 15: 21-28.

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From the Depths of the Heart!

 Thought For Today - September 28
 From the Depths of the Heart!
By: Robert A Searles                                 

    "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9 

Out of the depths of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, and every evil thing.

    The scribes and Pharisees accused Jesus of transgressing the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before eating. These hypocrites, as Jesus called them, were zealous of outward appearances and the attending to rituals in a pretense of seeming to be Holy before God; but Jesus was swift to remind them that they were transgressing the laws of God by their tradition.

    Like many people today, they drew near to God with their mouth, but their heart was far from him, they were careful to give a vane show of worship of God by following the doctrine of good works of men.

    Jesus who examines the heart of all men, and knows our thoughts afar off, and knows the motives behind every deed, emphasized that it is not what we do, or what we put into our mouths that matters so much to God, but the thoughts and intents of the heart that produce either evil or good. If the thoughts and meditations of our heart are pure and pleasing to God, Then will follow obedience and good works that will be pleasing and honoring to God. Only God can purify our hearts by the constant indwelling of his Holy Spirit.

    "Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, why do ye also transgress the commandments of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, honor thy father and mother: and , he that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, it is a gift, by whatsoever thou might be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, this people draweth nigh unto me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the doctrines of men." Matthew 15: 1-9. 

"And he called the multitude, and said unto them, hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." Matthew 15: 10-11.

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Almost Persuaded!

Thought For Today - September 25
Almost Persuaded!
By: Robert A. Searles

     If perchance someone may be reading these lines who is not a Christian, and does not know what it means to be saved, and you do not have the joy of fellowship with our wonderful Lord and savior Jesus Christ, you ought to stop right where you are and consider the alternatives.

     It is possible to have a pearl of great price slip through your fingers and be lost to you forever, and it is possibe to be so close to much treasure, and yet to lose or neglect it all.

     Perhaps  a wife or husband, a mother or father, or a son or a daughter has  been praying for your salvation.  Perhaps they have very lovingly told you  of Jesus and his power to save.  Perhaps they have very patiently and kindly explained to you God’s simple plan of salvation. It may be that at times the Holy Spirit has tugged at your heart and you have been almost persuaded to believe and confess your sins and call upon Christ to save you, almost but not yet, another time perhaps, when I am older, after I have exhausted all the temporary pleasures of a worldly lifestyle; almost persuaded to believe and trust Jesus, almost, but still lost.

     You, no doubt, have heard the gospel preached at church, or on the radio, or television, or from literature such as you are now reading, and yet you continue  to neglect your salvation.

     My dear friend or relative,  whoever you may be, millions throughout the ages have tried and tested the word of God and have found it to be  sure and steadfast and trustworthy.  The word of God teaches us that it is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment.  All must stand before God and give an account for what he did with God’s greatest gift to mankind, his  only begotten  son, the Lord Jesus Christ - That whosoever should  believe on him and call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.


     My friend, the only alternative to being saved is to be lost, and to be lost does not mean cessation of existence or annihilation, but it means to spend eternity in an eternal hell, separated from God and saved loved ones  forever.

     “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at the  first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;  God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” Hebrews 2: 3,4.

     If you have neglected your salvation, won’t you please reconsider before it is eternally too late?

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

Thought For Today - September 25
Christ’s Kinsmen!
By: Robert A Searles

Who are the brothers and sisters and kinsmen of Christ? Those who have truly believed his word, and have accepted him as their Lord and Savior, and by faith have been born again into the family of God. These are considered to be his family, his mother, and brothers and sisters.

In order to be his kinsmen, we must have a deep personal relationship with him. We must love him with all our heart and soul, we must eagerly listen to his word of instruction and obey him, and trust him implicitly. Those who want the will of God to be done in their lives, and do what God asks them to do are his kinsmen

“While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, who is my mother? And who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Matthew 12: 46-50.

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We Are What We Speak!

Thought For Today - September 24
We Are What We Speak!
By: Robert A. Searles

The words that proceed from our mouth echo the thoughts and intentions of our heart. The heart, or our innermost being, is the place where the spirit of God dwells, or the spirit of the devil and evil.

When the spirit of evil dominates the heart, no good thing can come from our lips, but when the spirit of God dominates the heart, the words of our mouth bring forth good things.

As a cesspool when open to the air gives forth foul odors, so the corrupt evil heart of man sends forth a stench from the mouth which speaks blasphemy, and dishonors God and pollutes men. Only after the heart of man is cleansed and purified, and purged of all evil, and the Holy Spirit enters in, by having received Christ as Savior, will the words of our mouth have a sweet fragrance and be pleasing to God and edify men.

“Be careful little tongue what you speak”, - God holds us accountable for every word that proceeds from our lips.

“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. for by thy words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12: 34-37.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

Bring Your Burdens to The Lord

 
Thought For Today - September 22
 Bring Your Burdens to The Lord
By: Robert A. Searles

    Jesus extended an invitation to all who are weary and heavy laden to come unto him, and he would give them rest. He came into the world to be our burden bearer and our sin bearer.

    "Surely he hath borne our grief's, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted." Isaiah 53: 4. 

|That it might be fulfilled which was spoken of Esaias the prophet, saying, himself took our infirmities and bare our sickness." Matthew 8: 17

    What burdens lay heavy on our souls today? Is it the burden of sins not confessed and not forgiven? Is it the burden of doubts and fears, or the burden of sickness and immanent death? Do we grieve today over the loss of family, friends, or loved ones? Are we perplexed, not knowing where to turn or what road to take to solve our problems? Are we overly concerned about how we will meet the challenges of the future?

    Jesus stands ready to make an exchange of burdens. If we are willing to lay all our cares and burdens upon him, he will bear them for us, but we in exchange must be willing to put his yoke upon our shoulders and be busy for him. When we are yoked together with him, he is bearing the heavier part of the load and our burdens become lighter. We are told to take our burdens to the Lord and leave them there. Burdens are lifted at Calvary.

    Jesus said: "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11: 28-30.

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Do We Look For Another?

 
Thought For Today - September 21
Do We Look For Another?
By: Robert A. Searles

    John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness and baptizing in the Jordan river, pointed to Jesus and proclaimed: "Behold the lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world". Now, John being in prison, has doubts within himself. John sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask him plainly: Are you the one or should we look for another? 

    Today, we Christians, though we live by faith and believe the word of God,  yet, in trying times it is possible that doubts and fears may creep into our lives, especially if we are not as close to the Lord as we ought to be, and faithful in studying God's word and praying. If we are completely honest, we must admit that down in our hearts we have all asked the question: Is it true? Is the bible relevant for us today? Is Christ alive? Will he return as he said he would? Is there life after death? Will God forgive and forget our sins?

    John, being in prison and about to be executed, probably was wondering in his heart - If Jesus was the one, the Lamb of God, the mighty God in human flesh, why would he allow him to be imprisoned and executed?

    We ask very similar questions today - Why am I going through such troubling times? Why am I sick and afflicted with a terrible disease? Why am I lonely? Why am I going through financial difficulties? Why am I so afraid?

    Jesus’ reply to John's disciples was that he examine the evidence. Consider all that came to Jesus for help. The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, even the dead are raised.

    When Satan whispers in our ears and tries to get us to question as to whether or not Jesus is real and our faith genuine, then we need to stop and remember the goodness of God in our lives in times past. Remember when the burden of guilt was lifted off our shoulders when we first believed. Remember all of our childhood prayers that were answered. Remember the times that we were afraid when the Holy Spirit of God was there to calm our fears. Remember when the Lord healed us when we were sick and came to our assistance when we were experiencing financial difficulties. 

Let us carefully examine the scriptures and hear again the testimony of all the eye witnesses of Christ's resurrection and ascension into heaven. Let us once again examine all the fulfilled prophecies of where and when Christ should be born, and the validity of all his miraculous works.

    "Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me." Matthew 11:2-6.

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   “ Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.  Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God.  But thou, O Lord art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.  I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.  I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.  I will  not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that  have set themselves against me round about.  Arise, O Lord: save me, O my God for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.  Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing  is upon thy people. Selah.” Psalm 3: 1-8

 Thought For Today September 19
 What is his name?
By: Robert A. Searles

    God forbid that we should be afraid or ashamed to speak the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and proclaim him as our Savior.

    The name of Jesus Christ is forbidden to be mentioned in public ceremonies and places today in our great country which was founded upon the principles of Jesus Christ and Christianity. At sporting events, commencement exercises and other public events, those who are called upon to pray are warned not to mention his Holy name lest they offend unbelievers and disturb their guilty conscience. It is ok, we are told, to pray to a generic, unknown god: the man upstairs; the divine power or influence, the god that will satisfy everyone's own individual convictions.

    Sad it is to observe that many professed Christians, who claim to be saved and redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, hesitate to speak his name among friends and acquaintances. It seems that the only time public prayer is permissible nowadays in our great country is when our country is in great danger. Then, we are urged to cry out with a loud voice: "God bless America"; But who is the God that we want to bless America?

    I, for one, will tell you who he is. He is the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God. There is no other name under heaven among men whereby we must be saved. 

 "This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." Acts 4: 11-12. 

    Jesus said: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 10: 32,33.

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Facing Our Enemies!

 Thought For Today - September 18
 Facing Our Enemies!
By: Robert A. Searles

    When we answer the call to be a volunteer in the service of the Lord, we must be prepared to face enemies that we have never had to face before. We will find ourselves in a spiritual combat zone. Giants of adversity will constantly be rising up before us and we will seem to be as sheep among wolves. There are many wolves in the world who pretend to be fellow sheep and cloth themselves in sheep's clothing -  Of these we must be aware, and when we are among them we must be wise as servants, but harmless as doves.

    Ungodly, wicked men do not appreciate hearing about their wickedness and sin, and are not gospel friendly. The preaching of the truth of God's word is an abomination to the wicked, therefore, we must be aware of men for they will deliver us up to judges, and councils and imprisonment. Sometimes our most subtle enemies are members of our own household: wives against husbands; husbands against wives; children against parents; brother against brother.

    The world hated Christ and wanted him put away, and we can be sure that those of us who love him and are soldiers of the cross will be hated also. We must remain strong and of good courage. We already know, according to the word of God, the final outcome of this war. We are, and forever will be, more than conquerors through Christ our Lord and captain of our salvation.

    Jesus said: "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues, and you shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak but the spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Matthew 10: 16-22.

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Thought For Today - September 16

Prince of Peace!

By: Robert A. Searles

Jesus Christ is known as the Prince of Peace. His mission on earth was to make peace between God and man. At his birth, the angels proclaimed: "peace on earth, good will toward men", meaning that God was willing to sacrifice his son, so that mankind could receive pardon for their sins, and be at peace with God.

Since Adam 's and eve's disobedience to God's word in the garden, mankind had been cast out of God's paradise, and all people became enemies of God, and there was war between men and God.

Christ Jesus came into the world as the Prince of Peace to be a mediator between God and man, and to pay the price for man's sin, which is death or separation from God forever.

Individuals who will acknowledge him as God, and accept him as their sin sacrifice, will receive pardon and forgiveness, and be reconciled to God the Father and be at peace with him

.
Contrary to popular opinion, Christ did not come into the world to make peace among nations. In fact, he prophesied that there would be wars and rumors of wars before his final return and reign on earth. He prophesied that because some would receive him as Savior and some would not, tension and strife would increase, and brother would be at war with brother, and the members of one's own household would be his foes. Family ties are strong and blood is thicker than water, and we tend to defend our own, but Jesus taught that where God's word and truth are concerned, if we are truly servants of God, we must love God more than any others and take our stand for truth and combat falsehood and evil wherever it may be found.

There is a price to be paid for being a servant of the Lord, if we are to stand on his truth and righteousness. If we are to find and enjoy life eternal, we must be willing to lose our life here for his cause.

Jesus said: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew 10:34-39.

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Once I Was Blind

Thought For Today - September 15
Once I Was Blind
By: Robert A. Searles
From the moment of my physical birth until the moment of my rebirth as a child of God, my spiritual eyes and understanding were afflicted with blindness. This is true of all people whether or not they will acknowledge this truth. In this state of spiritual darkness, the Bible says we are "natural" men.
"But the naturalo man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he knw them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2: 15.

Jesus said: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3.

Unfortunately, there are certain religious leaders today occupying pulpits and teaching and preaching some form of religion who are blind leaders of the blind. Jesus said: "Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up. Let them alone, they be blind leaders of the blind. and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Matthew 15: 13,14.

These blind leaders have never truly been born again and experienced a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; therefore, they teach the doctrines of men, a social gospel of good works, good deeds, the keeping of rules and commandments: more emphasis placed on tolerance and love, and at the same time neglecting to teach the penalty of not being forgiven and pardoned by God and having a personal relationship with Christ.

Praise God! Christ is willing and able to open the blind eyes of all those who will come to him and ask to receive their sight. In asking we must believe that he is, in fact, the divine son of God, and is the only way, the truth, and the light. We must believe that he is the propitiation for our sins: he paid the price of our redemption, and we are forever saved by his grace. We must believe that he arose from the dead and ascended into heaven, and is now our great high priest who makes intercession for us before the throne of God. We must believe that if we will confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When we receive all this truth by faith as a free gift of God's grace, we are miraculously born again, and then, and only then can we see spiritual things. We must have the confidence that Jesus can and will do all this for us, and as we believe, Jesus said, it shall be done unto us.

"And when Jesus departed thence two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, thou son of David, have mercy on us. And while he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, according to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, see that no man know it." Matthew 9: 27-30 In this case Jesus gave physical sight to physical eyes, and at this time he was not yet ready for it to be known abroad. Today Jesus will give spiritual sight to spiritual eyes and he wants all those who have received spiritual eyesight to go into all the world and preach the gospel.
Once I was blind, but now I see.


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Come, Worship the Lord With Me

Thought For Today - September 14 Come, Worship the Lord With Me..
By: Robert A. Searles

    Come, worship the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.  Worshiping the Lord ought to be our first order of business each and every day. Let us begin our day by reverencing, adoring, loving, and admiring him with our whole heart. Let us be grateful for his loving kindness and tender mercies that he bestows upon us momentarily.

    "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." 1 Chronicles 16: 29. 

"O come let us worship and bow down , let us kneel before the Lord our maker." Psalm 95:6

    True worship of the Lord is not to be found in rituals or ceremonies, but is an act of the will, and the heart. We must worship in spirit and in truth.. True worship of our Lord is to reverence, adore, love and admire, and be grateful from the depths of our heart.

    "God is spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." John 4: 24.
Before we can expect God to answer our prayers we must first worship him. 

    "While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him saying, my daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her and she shall live. And Jesus arose and followed him , and so did his disciples." Matthew 9: 18,19.

 This man, before he asked Jesus to raise his daughter, came and worshipped him.

    "And behold, a woman which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: for she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment I shall be whole." Matthew 9: 20,21.

 The very thought that this woman had in her mind that if she could just touch his garment she would be healed was an act of worship in her spirit. Jesus rewarded her for her faith.

 "But Jesus turned him about and when he saw her he said: daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole. and the woman was made whole from that hour." Matthew 9: 22.

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Not to call the righteous!

Thought For Today - September 13
 Not to Call the  Righteous!
By: Robert A Searles

    Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. When God the Father saw the lost condition of the human race, he did not want to pour out his righteous wrath upon us to punish, but he had compassion and revealed his great love for mankind by giving himself in the person of Jesus Christ as a ransom for our redemption. 

    While here on earth, Jesus purposely drew near and associated himself with the lowest of the low, so that he might save us and lift us up and plant our feet on higher ground. Jesus, the great physician, realized that a healthy person does not need a physician, but the sick for whom he came to minister. God who is the God of love and mercy does not require sacrifice and penance, but rather, offers as a free gift to all who will receive it, grace and mercy. Jesus did not come to call the righteous, or those who thought that they were righteous, instead he came to call the lost, the weak, the sick, the homeless; those who were poor in spirit and were well aware that they were sinners and needed salvation.

    The self righteous scribes and Pharisees could not understand why, if he were God, Jesus would want to associate and sit down and eat and have fellowship with such people.

    Jesus did not wait until we became righteous through our own good works before he gave himself for us to save us but, "while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior that being justified by his grace we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:5-7.

    While sitting at the table with the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus discerned their thoughts -  "And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, why eateth your master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, they that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth. I will have mercy and not sacrifice; for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matthew 9: 10-13.

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Sins forgiven! Health restored!

Thought For Today - September 12 Sins forgiven! Health restored!
By: Robert A. Searles

    A man who was sick of the palsy was brought to Jesus, being carried on a bed. His family and friends, no doubt, had such confidence in Jesus that he could help and heal him ,that they were willing to carry him a great distance to get to Jesus.

    "And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, laying on a bed; and Jesus seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy. son be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." Matthew 9:2.

Many sickness and diseases in our physical bodies may be the result of sins in which we have indulged without regard for the laws and commandments of God. The first step to a healthy mind and healthy body is to have our sins forgiven and to have a clean conscience with God. 

    The shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ washes away all our sins if we will ask him for cleansing. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9.

    When the sick man, laying on the bed, received confidence that his sins were forgiven and he could have a clean conscience with God, he arose from his bed and walked. Jesus said unto him: "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." Matthew 9: 2.

    God rewards our faith and confidence in him. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." When we know that our sins are forgiven, and we are accepted by God through Christ, we can be of good cheer and this tends towards good health for both soul and body.

In spite of what the scribes said, Jesus Christ, the mighty powerful God has power to forgive sins and heal.

    "And behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, this man blasphemeth. and Jesus knowing their thoughts said, 'wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier to say, thy sins be forgiven thee or to say, arise and walk? But that ye may know that the son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,(then sayeth he to the sick of the palsy,) arise, take up thy bed and go into thine house. And he arose and departed to his house." Matthew 9: 3-7.

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What did Jesus say about asking and receiving?

Thought For Today September 5
What did Jesus say about asking and receiving?

By: Robert A Searles
What a great privilege we have as the redeemed children of God to come boldly to the throne of God in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and make our request known to him!
Of course, he already knows the things that we need before we ask him, but it honors him when we come to him and ask in faith. When we approach God our heavenly Father, we are to picture ourselves as when we were little children approaching our earthly father, asking for the things that we desired, believing with all our heart that we would receive that for which we asked , if, in the wisdom of our earthly father, it would be good for us.

God does not want us to be lazy, helpless children. Sometimes God makes available to us the things that we ask, but requires us to go seek and gather by the means which he has already provided. God feeds the sparrows, but they must go and gather that which God has put there for them. Sometimes God answers our prayers by leading us to doors upon which we need to knock to take advantage of all the opportunities which he has provided for us. If we are faithful in reading and studying God's word and praying, God gives us the wisdom to know how to use all our earthly means to solve our problems. If God must, he will change the course of nature to help us 

Jesus said: "Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matthew 7: 7-12

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What Did Jesus Say? - About Cares and Worries?

Thought For Today - September 3
What Did Jesus Say? - About Cares and Worries?
By: Robert A Searles
All those who have by faith received the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior, and have been "born again" into the family of God , can have the assurance that they are being cared for and provided for by a loving heavenly Father who knows all our needs.

As the children of our heavenly father, we do not need to be concerned about the future to the point where we worry and distrust the providence of God. The scriptures tell us that we are to appear before God as little children in perfect confidence that we will be clothed and fed, and cared for, even as a little child.

When we observe nature and consider all the fowls of the air; all the beast of the earth; all the fish of the sea; we do not see them planting gardens and sowing seed, and worrying about what they will eat or about what tomorrow holds for them. Instead, they simply live one day at a time. They take it for granted that their food will be there for them and they just go and find it wherever it has been provided for them.

Jesus taught that we should not waste valuable time worrying and fretting about the unknown, but rather we should use our time wisely serving him and trusting that he will provide all our needs according to his riches in glory.4
Jesus said: "Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought, can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how thy grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought saying, what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or where withal shall we be clothed?(For after all these things do the gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things,. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:25-34.

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