Thought For Today - March 2
 We Become Like That  Which We Think About!
By: Robert A. Searles

"The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God; God is not in all his thoughts." Psalm 10: 4.

  Do we seek after God the very first thing that we do when we awake each morning? Is God in all out thoughts, or is God in any of our thoughts?

    It is very possible to perform services in the name of God, and to do good works in the name of God without really giving much thought to God, and without really seeking the presence and fellowship with God. Do we really worship and praise God in the spirit? Do we worship God in the beauty of his holiness, are we truly in love with God, or are we just in love with the idea of appearing Godly?

    Adolescents reach an age when they think that all that matters is being in love with members of the opposite sex. Psychiatrist will tell you that most of the time, they are not in love with any one person, but they are in love with the idea of love, because it seems to be the in thing to do. This is why it is dangerous for young people to get deeply involved with this sort of thing until they get older; but this is just an example of what can happen to us as Christians. We can become so involved in the idea of serving God, and being all wrapped up in activities and going to church, and we can get so busy doing things, that we might forget to seek God ,and exclude him from any or all of our thoughts
.
    If we are to worship God properly the way that God wants us to worship him in the beauty of holiness, we must worship him in spirit and in truth. God must be predominant in all our thoughts. What does it mean for God to be predominant in all our thoughts? It means that when we awake from sleep, our first thoughts will causes us to consciously fix our mind upon the Lord Jesus Christ and God, and that by the process of our will, we choose to keep our mind fixed upon the Lord Jesus Christ all during our waking hours. Every thought that comes into our mind during the course of the day will be in subjection to him , and under the control of this primary thought which is fixed upon the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee." This is what it means to keep our minds and hearts stayed on him.

    We are ,and will become what we think. We can choose what we think; therefore, it is up to us really what we are, and what we will become, because by the process of our conscious will we choose the things that we think about.  If the predominate thought in our mind is on the Lord Jesus Christ, and the beauty of his holiness, then we will, more and more each day grow into his image and likeness. Proverbs 23: 7 tells us that: "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Again, we are what we think about.

"Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Romans 12: 2

 Our power and blessing from God comes through praying without ceasing.  1Thes 5: 17 tells us to "pray without ceasing." How can we pray without ceasing? We pray without ceasing by thinking, without ceasing, of the Lord Jesus Christ. "In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy paths".

"Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things". Phil 4:8
You are what you keep your mind on.


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Obdience!

 Thought For Today - September 20
 Obedience!
By: Robert A. Searles

    How often do we stop to consider the importance of our unquestioned obedience to God? Obedience, is to do exactly what God tells us to do, immediately without question ,with the right heart attitude. If we want God to take our lives and make something out of them, and perform miracles in our lives, we must be willing to submit ourselves to the strict discipline of the Lord in obedience. At the wedding at  Cana,  when the people looked to Jesus for something special, his mother said unto the servants: "whatever he saith unto you, do it".

    If we are to serve God faithfully and enjoy the blessings of God in our lives, then whatever he says unto us to do we ought to do it.  How do we know what he would say for us to do? We can know by reading his word, and by the influence of the Holy Spirit upon our lives. The Holy Spirit will never influence us to do anything that will not bring honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy spirit will never tell us to do anything that has not already been given to us as a command in the written word of God. It is never God's will to go contrary to the written word of God.

    This is why many people, even Christians avoid the word of God and neglect to read it, because the word of God speaks to them and tells them things to do, and because of the rebellious nature within, they do not want to do what he tells them. So, by avoiding the word, they think that they do not have to obey.

Obedience is necessary for our happiness, well being, and even long life.

 A true story is told of a little boy who was out in the field playing baseball with his father who was a missionary. His obedience to his father, immediately without question when his father spoke to him,  and with the right heart attitude saved his life. 

The story goes that while playing ball together in the field, without any warning, his father suddenly said to him, "drop down on your belly and crawl toward daddy." Without question, or without any hesitation whatsoever, the boy immediately dropped to his belly and started to crawl toward his father. After he had crawled ten or fifteen feet, his father said: "now stand up and run to daddy." Immediately the boy stood up and ran to his father. His father caught him in his arms, and when the boy looked back, he saw a big ten foot snake that was ready to strike, hanging from the tree that he had been just standing under.   If he had questioned his father or stopped to look around, the snake would probably have struck, and the boy would have lost his life.

    This is the kind of willing obedience that God expects from his children for their safety and well being.  God speaks to us through his written word, and through the influence of the Holy Spirit on our  conscience .  God speaks to us through Godly parents, pastors, teachers, and those he has put in authority over us.

    Though Jesus was king of the universe, he was perfectly obedient to the word and will of his heavenly father.

 "Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered: and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." Hebrews 5: 8.9

 
"And Samuel said, hath the Lord as great a delight in burnt offering and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better that sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22.

Read Colossians 3: 18-25.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

 Thought For Today - February  22
 Wait For God
By: Robert A. Searles

    We must learn to wait for God in all things. Our time schedule is not necessarily God's time schedule. In fact, God exists outside of time, because he created it, and time, as we know it, means nothing to God. Eternity past, present, and future, is all combined in the now with God.

    Man exists in time and space. everything that man does or experiences is controlled by time and space. This is not so with God. God knows the beginning and the ending all at the same time. He sees our down sitting and our uprising all at the same time. He is the Alpha, and Omega, the beginning and ending.  Therefore, after all is said and done, no evil can befall a child of God, because all things work together for good to those who love God, according to Romans 8:28.

    Jesus taught us that we are to be anxious for nothing. God's time is not our time, and God's ways are not our ways; his thoughts are not our thoughts. Jesus said that we are not to be anxious, but to trust God and wait for him.


 "And which of you by being anxious can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then, be not able to do that which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?" Luke 12: 25,26.

 "But I would have you without carefulness ." 1 Cor 7:32. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God." Philippians 4:6. "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7. "Therefore, take no thought, saying what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or where withal shall we be clothed? But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness ;and all these things shall be added unto you." Math 6: 31,33.

We must learn to always be seeking first the will of God; the glorifications of God; and the kingdom of God; and to trust God and wait for God.

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock." Math 7: 24.

Wait for God.  "My soul wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him." Psalm 62:5. "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress: so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us." Psalm 123: 2

"Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee." Proverbs 20: 22.
Let us learn to wait for God.

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Prayer Without Ceasing!

 Thought For Today - February 21
 Prayer Without Ceasing!
By: Robert A. Searles

    Before God can truly work in us and through us, we must confess and depart from every known sin. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, but before the blood can cleanse us from all sin, all our sins must be brought before him and laid at his feet  We may have already put every sin under the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we may think that we are justified, and sanctified in the sight of God, and fit for the master's use, and we may very well be except for one besetting sin which keeps us from having the power of God in our lives, and being effective for God. That is, the sin of neglecting to pray.

  Jesus said, I will know if you love me if you keep my commandments. He gave the commandment that men ought always to pray without ceasing. Without ceasing means without ever stopping. Always means always. So, the command from Jesus is that if we love him we will never stop talking with him night or day. 

    It is a very definite sin to cease praying ,or to let there ever be a moment in our lives when we are not in direct communication with God. Samuel, considered it sinning against God when he ceased to pray. He said: "Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and right way....." 1 Samuel 12: 23.

    If anything enters our mind that obstructs or hinders our communication with God, that thing has become an idol, and should not be there. When our minds are cluttered with things rather than thoughts of God, our mind is at work on these things, and we are really praying to a god that cannot save.

 "Assemble yourselves and come, draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save." Isaiah 45: 20.

    Jesus said: "watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation" Math 26:41 Watching in prayer and constant communication with God keeps us from falling into temptation. In Luke chapter 11:1 the disciples did not ask Jesus to teach them how to pray: they asked him to teach them to pray. Jesus said: "men ought always to pray." Luke 18:1.  "Pray without ceasing" 1 Thes 5:17. "I will that men pray everywhere." 1 Tim 2: 8.

Praying without ceasing is having God a part of everything we do. Always talking with God in our innermost being while carrying on whatever activity we have to do in our practical lives.
If you were talking with your friend on the telephone, it would not be too difficult to hold the receiver to your ear with one hand while stirring the soup, as it were, with the other. We must do the same with God if we want his power and blessing. Let us ask for cleansing from  our neglect of praying without ceasing.
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A Tree of Life

Thought for Today - September 29
 A Tree of Life
By: Robert A. Searles

    "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." Proverbs 11:30.

We see a tree growing in the midst of other trees, and we can usually determine what kind of a tree it is by examining the fruit which it bears.  How refreshing, and restoring it would be if we were travelers in the wilderness, and suddenly came upon a tree with fruit which we could eat.

    The verse says: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life." Are we like a tree planted in the vineyard of our God? Are we one of those that be planted in the house of the Lord, and are we flourishing in the courts of our God? Are we a tree called "righteous"? 

Psalm 92: 12-14 says: "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing."

  Righteous trees that are flourishing in the courts of God shall still bring forth fruit in old age. Is the fruit that we are bearing, life giving, and life sustaining to travelers who pass our way? The scripture says that the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. Will someone live and be sustained, and grow because they have eaten of our fruit today? Are we truly a tree of life? Are we truly soul winners? He that winneth souls is wise.

    Let us examine ourselves and see if we are indeed righteous, not that we are righteous in our selves, but ,that we have been made righteous by the finished work of Christ. And, let us examine ourselves and see if we are indeed planted and flourishing in the courts of our God. We cannot abide long as a branch unless our roots are firmly attached to the true vine, the Lord Jesus Christ.  What kind of fruit are we bearing? Is it eatable to a hungry soul that may come our way today? 

Jesus said that a branch that bears no fruit is good for nothing and is cut off and thrown away, but even the branch that does bear fruit, the husbandman purgeth and pruneth it so that it might bear more fruit.

    May it be said of us that we are righteous trees, growing in the courts of God, and that our fruit is a tree of life, and pray that we will still bring forth fruit in old age.


Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

The Strange Woman!

 
 Thought  For Today - February 19
 The Strange Woman!
By: Robert A. Searles


    As well as warning us to beware of the folly of the lust of the flesh as it pertains to falling into the sin of adultery, the mention of the strange woman in scripture typifies , and speaks of anything that would draw us away from God. Adultery in scripture also has a twofold meaning, in that, not only does it pertain to the actual act of physical adultery, but , it also typifies and speaks of the act of turning away from our first love, who, for the Christian and child of God, is our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

    The command given to us that we should not commit adultery is a twofold command to warn us not to leave our physical mates for another, but, also , it is a warning to the bride of Christ for us not to become involved in any affair that would constitute our committing spiritual adultery against our first love. So, the mention of the strange woman in the scriptures speaks of any thing, or any one, that would draw us away from God, and his perfect will for us  Speaking of the strange woman, Proverbs 5: 4 says: "her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two edged sword."

    What are the results of yielding to those things that draw us away from God?
When we are drawn away from God and commit adultery with other Gods, we are cast about by every wind or doctrine. We are like the chaff that is blown about by the wind, according to Proverbs 5:6 an unstable life without foundation where it says: "Lest thou shouldest ponder the paths of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them".

    What are some of the strange women in our lives with whom we commit adultery? Could it be a sin that draws us out of fellowship with God? Could it be a grievance of the Holy Spirit because of something that we have not made right, perhaps a broken promise, or a broken  vow? Could it be that there is some person, husband, wife, son or daughter, mother, father , or friend, that we desire their admiration, respect, and esteem so much that we would turn aside from God for them? Is the strange woman in our lives our material possessions, our house, our car, our business, bank accounts, our job? Is it our education? Is it our standing in the community? 

    Whatever it is that draws us away from God and causes us not to put God at the very pinnacle of our lives, and the seat of our conscious worship, is nothing but an adulterous whore, and we are warned to seek wisdom that we may be kept away from the strange woman which flattereth with her words.

Following the strange woman means ultimate destruction. God admonishes us not to be a wanderer away from God. Be true to your first love. Be true to the wife of your youth. Bride of Christ, be true to the one who has bought you and married you.

    Thou shalt have no other Gods before thee. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul. So shalt thou keep his commandments and live.

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Why Do I Love Jesus?

 
  Thought For Today - February 18
  Why do I love Jesus?  
  By: Robert A. Searles

    Recently I was asked: why do you love Jesus?

    Many good men and women of the past have told us why they loved Jesus, the psalmist being one of them, he said under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: "I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. the Lord preserved the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: I said in my haste, all men are liars. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. In the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord." Psalm 116 

    I can tell you that I, too, love Jesus for all the same reasons: but to be more specific as to my own personal testimony, let me say that I love the Lord Jesus Christ because he had chosen me before the foundation of the world, to give me faith to believe his word and be saved. I did not choose him, he chose me. According to Ephesians: 1: 3-5 which tells us: "Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will."

    Unsaved friends, God has chosen for you to read these words and bring you within hearing of his gospel message. All whom God has allowed to hear the gospel message have been chosen to believe and be saved. 
    Without faith it is impossible to please God and be saved. Faith is a gift from God. Ephesians 2: 8-9 tells us:” For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."
    I love Jesus because he gave me faith to believe. Once I was dead to God in trespasses and sin, a natural man who could not understand the things of God according to 1 Cor 2:14: "The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned."
  Jesus awakened me from my natural state and gave me new life according to Ephesians 2: 1-3: "And you hath he quickened ( or made alive ) who were dead in trespasses and sin: wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worked in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
 Therefore, I love Jesus because he chose me. I love Jesus because he gave me faith to believe. I love Jesus because once I was blind, but now I see: Once I was lost but now I am found. I love Jesus because he paid with his own blood all the debts I owe God. I love Jesus because he will keep me secure forever according to his promise of 1 John 5: 11-13.

"And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life. And this life is in his son. He that hath the son hath life and he that hath not the son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the son of God."
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Thought For Today - February 17
First fruits of Our Increase!
By: Robert A. Searles

".But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6: 33

"Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." Proverbs 3: 9,10.

The first fruits of all our increase not only includes our money and material possessions, but it also includes our time, our health, and our youth, and the freshness, and soundness of our minds. When God awakens us from sleep each new day, he has increased our time upon earth. If we truly seek first the kingdom of God, then we will give to him the first fruits of this increase.

The first moments, or first hours of each new day, ought to be spent in quiet prayer, and meditation, and fellowship with God. Often we are content to give to God whatever happens to be left over after we have taken the best of the crop. Then we give to God the gleanings. After we have all the sleep we want, after we have eaten all the breakfast we want, after we have done all our work, and taken care of all the necessary things that have to be done for ourselves, then we will try to find time to fulfill our obligation to God.

If it is an obligation that must be worked in somewhere in our time schedule, then we ought to forget it, because God wants our first fruits, brought to him with a willing heart, with love, and adoration ,and gratitude.
"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." Psalm 5: 3

Morning implies newness, freshness, first things. Morning is the first fruits of each new day. How can any machine which depends upon an outside source of power, for its' energy, be expected to function if it is not first connected with its' source of power? How can we, as humans who are dependent upon our creator's source of power and wisdom. function properly, if we are not connected to our source of life?

Our first act when we awake in the morning ought to be to call upon the name of the Lord. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. If we want to be safe in the arms of Jesus all day long, then we ought to call upon him the moment we awake from sleep

Seeking first the kingdom of God means that we first want to live in God's presence and kingdom more than we want anything on earth. We ought to seek the kingdom of God early in the morning with the freshness of our minds, and our youth, and our health.

Don't you think that God is well pleased when his children arise early in the morning and offer to him with sincerity, gratitude, and love, the first fruits of the new day that he has given to them?

When we honor God by opening our eyes in the morning and calling upon the name of the Lord, and say - thank you Lord for this new day in my life, I want to walk and talk with you today, and have the fellowship of the Holy Spirit in all that I do this day; this is well pleasing to the Lord. Each new day the Lord is knocking on the door of our hearts and lives the moment we awake in the morning.
Jesus said: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man will hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and sup with him and he with me."
The door must be opened the first thing in the morning. If we wait until it is convenient for us to open the door, it may be that we will forget to open the door at all and we will miss a very important dinner guest.
"As for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy. And in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple." Psalm 5:7

"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." Psalm 5: 3

"Lead me O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face." Psalm 5:8.

 Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

 
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God's Will and Our Will

 
 Thought For Today - February 16
 God's Will and Our Will!
By: Robert A. Searles

    "I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee O Lord, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way, O when will thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord." Psalm 101.

    David declares his own will in the way that he shall live before God and men. His will is that his house and all that are in his house shall serve God. So ought we will the same.  We speak of God's will in our lives, and that we want God's perfect will for ourselves and our loved ones, and rightly so, for God is sovereign, and his will is best for us; but what about our will toward God? God has given us a mind, and the ability to make decisions and to choose. God never forces us to go against our own will, but it certainly pleases him, and is for our benefit when our will is in conformity with his will. As the psalmist has said, we ought to determine that we will sing of God's mercy and judgment all the day long; that we will behave ourselves wisely in a perfect way; that we will set no wicked thing before our eyes; that we will not have close association with wicked persons ,and that we will put away from us all that is contrary to the glory and holiness of God.
 
 God has given us a free will. Let us give it back to him that we might be happy and joyful, and full of praise, and that our lives will bear fruit for him who has redeemed us, and given us so great salvation.

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Psalm 41: 1, 2, 3, 13

 Thought For Today -  February 14
  Psalm 41: 1,2,3,13
By: Robert A. Searles

    "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen." Psalm 41: 1,2,3,13.

    If we wish for God to answer our prayers and deliver us in the time of trouble, then we need to cease from complaining and being covetous, and realize that there are others who are far more needy than we, and we need to be willing to share our abundance with them that they might be helped.

When we meet the needs of others, we are investing in God's help for ourselves. He will preserve us and keep us alive and protect us from all our enemies. He will lengthen the span of our life, and strengthen us in our infirmities.
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Forever Free From Condemnation !

 Thought For Today  - March 12
  Forever Free From Condemnation!
By: Robert A. Searles

    "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1.

  Those of us who have put on Christ Jesus are no longer condemned before God, as we once were.  If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away, and all things have become new.  Before we were saved, we walked according to the dictates and desires of the flesh, obeying the lusts of the flesh, we were carnally minded. But, when we were "born again" as the children of God by God's grace, through faith in the shed blood, the death burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we had a change of personality within us if, indeed, we were truly born again

. This personality change within us is the result of the Holy Spirit moving in and taking control of our bodies when we invited him; therefore, we are changed from the vile person that we were by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to become the sons of God, and as sons and daughters of God, we cannot be condemned or cast out because we are sealed by the power of the Holy Spirit. We have passed once for all from death unto life.

    Once we were carnally minded all the time, and we were dead completely in trespasses and sins; but, when we were born again, the Holy spirit began his work in us and we began to live eternally. This does not mean that we do not still have the old sin nature still abiding in us, but now, if we will allow , we have the Holy Spirit warring against the evil within to give us victory over the old nature. 

"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 8: 6.
Now as the redeemed children of God, we ought to be Holy Spirit controlled beings.

"For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8 14.
If the flesh controls us, we shall die; but, if the Spirit controls us, we shall live.

"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Romans 8:13

    We ought to be careful as Christians, just what power we allow to control us, whether it is our own fleshly lust, or the spirit of anti Christ - the devil, or the Holy Spirit.
It is our obligation as the children of God to seek such fellowship with the Lord that we Know that we are being led by the Holy Spirit.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

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Waite Patiently For the Lord

 Thought For Today - February 9
 Wait Patiently for the Lord
By: Robert A. Searles

    “I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined unto me and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord." Psalm 40: 1-3

    When we wait patiently for the Lord he does not disappoint us. He is faithful in keeping his promises. When I cried unto him and waited, he pulled me up out of the miry pit and set my feet upon the rock, and taught me songs of praise to sing to the ungodly that they might hear and know that he exists and loves them ,and offers salvation to all who will believe. I pray that my song of praise shall be heard and bring glory to my Lord.

    "Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, the Lord be magnified." Psalm: 40:16
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Where is Jesus Today?

 
Thought For Today - February  8
 Where is Jesus Today?
By: Robert A. Searles

    Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is no longer in Jerusalem, no longer walks the shores of Galilee, no longer in the fisherman's boat, no longer hangs on a cross, and no longer in the tomb.

Our Lord and Savior has risen and ascended into heaven as our great high priest, our advocate with the father, our lawyer in heaven, as it were, interceding for us, and preparing a place for us in heaven. He is preparing his kingdom and calling his people.

    One day we shall hear the trumpet sound and we who know him as our own personal savior will be drawn away to meet the king of kings, and dwell and reign with him forever.

It is a good thing to study history and remember our beginning and consider our roots. It is good to remember and never forget the miracles and sinless holy unspotted life of our Lord; it is good to remember that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, taking our sins upon himself and bearing all our iniquities, shedding his blood as the only cleanser of our guilt and sin. It is good to reflect and remember, but we must not stay in the past. We must consider where we are today in our relationship with him. We must be constantly in communication with him today to know his will and get instructions for our daily activities
    He has promised us that from heaven he will hear our prayers, accept our praise, and provide for all our spiritual and physical needs.  Let us learn to keep our minds and our hearts stayed and focused on him and walk in the spirit and grow in wisdom and grace. He has promised to keep us in perfect peace when our minds are stayed on him.
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The Great Invitation.

Thought For Today - December 7, 2022
The Great Invitation
By: Robert A. Searles

I would like to invite all my friends and readers to consider, and accept God's gracious invitation which he extended to his people Israel, through the prophet Isaiah many centuries ago, and is still applicable to all people  today, and throughout the ages, who will receive it..  How about it?  Will you receive it today?

"Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat, yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not?  Hearken diligently unto me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.  Incline your ear and come unto me: hear and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." Isaiah 55: 1-3

"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while his is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous  man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he  will have mercy upon him,  and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Isaiah 55: 6,7

Telehelp Publications Christian  Literature Ministry

                                             Psalm 26: 7

My Daily Bread

 
 Thought For Today - February 6
 My Daily Bread
By: Robert A. Searles

    Give me this day my daily bread so that my soul might find nourishment in thee, O God of my salvation, and that I might have to give to others, that they too might be fed. Except thou dost break the bread to me, I cannot feed the hungry. A person can receive nothing except it be given him from God. You have told us, dear Lord in your word, that as our days are, so shall our strength be. Each day the manna falls from Heaven upon your beloved own, and provision is made for our well being; therefore, dear Lord, we ask for strength that we might gather that which you have already provided for us.

    Your word O God is a banqueting table to which all who will hear your voice have been invited to come and dine. A banqueting table filled with the finest cuisine of heaven; the bread of life; the lamb of God; the heavenly mana, the Lord Jesus Christ who said that if we eat of his flesh and drink his blood we shall never hunger and never thirst. He is at the head of the table with his arms outstretched and calling to the multitudes, come and dine.  Sinner, will you believe and receive Christ as your Lord and Savior today and partake of the bread of Life.?

    Christian friend and brother and sister, will you leave the scraps of the world to the hogs and come to your father's table and eat like a king's son. God has promised that he will supply us with daily bread, but our daily bread is found within the pages of his holy word. We must gather and eat by reading and prayer and meditation in a disciplined time and manner. Then the Holy Spirit will feed us. Then we will have enough for ourselves and others, and baskets full left over.
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Flourish Like the Palm Tree

Thought For Today - February 5
Flourish like the Palm Tree
By: Robert A. Searles

"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him." Psalm 92: 12-14.

When we have cast off our filthy rags of self righteousness and put on the righteousness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are declared righteous before God and this promise holds true for us: that we who have had the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to us shall flourish like the palm tree, and we are planted in the house of the Lord, and no man is able to pluck us out of his hand. We sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus, and we are joint heirs of the inheritance of God's kingdom with Christ.

You may have the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to you simply for the asking. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Confess and agree with God that you are a sinner and believe in your heart that Christ shed his blood to pay your sin debt. He died and was buried according to the scripture, and the third day he was raised from the dead according to the scripture for our justification. By faith receive this free gift of God and you too shall flourish like the palm tree, and grow like the cedars of Lebanon, and flourish in the courts of our God.

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Where is Safety?

 
 Thought For Today - February 2
 Where is Safety?
By: Robert A. Searles

    The safest place to be is in the center of the will of God. To dwell in the secret place of the most high, and abide under the shadow of the almighty. There is no greater refuge or fortress than our blessed savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. If we put our trust completely in him, he is faithful and just to forgive all our sins, and to deliver us from all unrighteousness.

    Our enemy, Satan, is seeking to devour us and ruin our testimony, he sets traps for us, but when we hide beneath the "wings", as it were ,of our heavenly father, we are protected, and the word of God is our shield and buckler.

    Many are lost all around us, and many are caught in Satan's traps, we see destruction all around us, but from the battlements of heaven, as it were, : because we are in the high tower of our Lord's habitation, no evil can befall us, and no plague come nigh our dwelling, unless God so wills it for reasons that we know nothing about.

    Our body guards are the angels, and they are under the strict orders of our heavenly father to protect us and watch for our welfare. One cry or one whimper directed to God from one of God's children in distress is enough to set the whole host of heaven in an uproar, and set everything in motion for our rescue.

    "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day,; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou has made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most high, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder, the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation" Psalm 91.

    If we want to be sure and confident of God's protection from the evils that are in the world, and all around us, we must change our place of residence from the world, to the secret place of the most high.

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