Where is Safety?

 

Thought for Today - August 9, 2023

Where Is Safety?

By: Robert A. Searles

      The safest place to be is in the center of the will of God; and 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 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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Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                                  

                                       Psalm 26: 7

Lie Not Against the Truth

 

 Thought for Today  -  August 30, 2023

 Lie Not Against The Truth 

By: Robert A. Searles

 “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom decendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work.” James 3: 13-16 

 Dear friends, one of the methods that Satan uses to try to destroy us and to ruin our testimony as a Christian is to cause us to harbor bitter envying and strife in our heart. Satan knows the effect that bitterness and strife can have on our mind and our bodies. It can cause an imbalance in the chemical make up in our bodies, eventually causing breakdown and illness, and it can cause our thinking process to be irrational and perverted; also , it can cause our thoughts to be turned away from our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

 My friend, if there is any trace of bitterness or strife in your heart this morning as you begin this new day, glory not, but confess it to God and lie not against the truth. Jealousy, envy and covetousness are all grievous sins and displeasing to God our Father who has promised to be generous to his children and to provide for all our needs. 

 Bitterness, envy, strife, jealousy and covetousness are the elements which lead to war. “From whence come wars and fighting among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and can not obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not because ye ask not. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4: 1-3 

 Dear friend in Christ, turn to your Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ this morning, and to the written word which he has given us, and allow the Holy Spirit, through the word of God to wash away all this bitterness, and to cleanse us and make us fit vessels for the master's use. Get into the word of God, and by the washing of the word, be clean. 

 “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy, and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” James 3: 16-18 

“But he giveth more grace, wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4: 6-10  

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 Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry 

                                      Psalm 26: 7

Special Thoughts at Christmas Time

Thought for Today - November 28, 2022

Special Thoughts At Christmas Time
By Robert A. Searles
We are now entering into a new month, the "magical month" of December. The entire month could be thought of as "Christmas time"

If we would reap the most joy from this holiday season, it would do us all well if we would ponder these thoughts during the entire monh before that grea day arrives, and respond according to the will of God for our individual lives.

It is only a few more weeks and days before Christmas. This is the time for the giving and receiving of gifts. Who is the most important person on your Christmas gift list?

We celebrate the advent of the Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas time, but do we really? Where are our thoughts, and where is our mind and our heart focused, really, at Christmas time.? 

We ought to be celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but I wonder if he is at the top of our Christmas giving and receiving list, or at the middle, or at the end , or is he really there at all?

As we gather around with our family and friends to celebrate this most festive of occasions, the first gift that ought to be received with gratitude and thanksgiving is God's love gift to us, the Lord Jesus Christ. Open his gift first. Give him gratitude and praise him first for his gift of love.

At Christmas time "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3: 16. 

At Christmas time God offered us the opportunity to become his adopted children by grace through faith. "As many as received him to them gave he the power (or authority) to become the sons of God." At Christmas time he made it possible for us as the children of God to become heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. At Christmas time, God gave gifts unto men.

 "Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men." Ephesians 4: 8. At Christmas time, God provided for our salvation.

Salvation is a big package, containing many things. It first of all contains forgiveness of sins, freedom from guilt, justification with God. It includes peace and joy and all the fruits of the Spirit. It contains everlasting eternal life. It guarantees an all expense paid trip to heaven and the right to walk on streets of gold. It guarantees that there is a mansion prepared and waiting for us in heaven.

 Jesus said: " In my father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also." John 14.

 The package of our salvation contains abundant life here on earth, protection from danger, healing for mind soul and body, and a guaranteed audience with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It contains all the provisions available to us in the 23 rd Psalm.

 It all happened at Christmas, and what a Christmas gift it is, thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift, the Lord Jesus Christ. As we gather to receive and give gifts, lets first thank Christ that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, the godly for the ungodly and the righteous for the unrighteous.

Lets covenant with ourselves and with each other that we will not receive any gift from anyone else this Christmas time until we have received with gratitude in our heart, the treasure that was given to us at Christmas time. No matter how abject the poverty, or how small the bank account, or how few the gifts under the tree, no one has a right to say that they received nothing for Christmas. God gave us everything he had at Christmas time. Lets covenant with ourselves that we will not offer to anyone else our meager trinkets or gifts until we have rededicated our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ and offered our selves again to him in loving gratitude and service.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present you bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12: 1. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." Matthew 6:33.

Every gift that we present to someone else should not be with the attitude of seeing how much the recipient of our gifts will be pleased with us for having given them a gift. Instead, every gift that we present to some one else ought to be a symbol of the gift that was offered to us by Christ coming into the world and shedding his blood for us. 

If opportunity presents itself, we ought to first offer to every one on our giving list, God's plan of salvation. Our first gift ought to be presented to the Lord Jesus Christ in gratitude for his gift to us. We ought to present to him our bodies as a living sacrifice which is our reasonable service. We ought to present to him our complete love and loyalty. The gift which is acceptable and pleasing to God is to love the Lord with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our soul. 

We ought to keep our minds clean, and our thoughts pure, and our bodies as the temple of God, spotless and clean that they may be God's dwelling place, and headquarters on earth.

If the Lord Jesus Christ is not on the top of our Christmas gift receiving and giving list, then we are not celebrating the coming of the Lord into the world. Instead, we will be celebrating a pagan festival of lustful covetousness and self seeking for vain glory and the esteem of men.

How sad it is that in this so called Christian country of ours, we are told that in order to be politically correct, we must exclude the word and idea of Christ from Christmas and celebrate a pagan holiday instead. This is utter blasphemy. 

May God have mercy on our souls and on our nation for this gross sin.

May God bless all my readers, and may you all have a most joyous and merry Christmas

  >Can't get out to church? ? Then, enjoy up to date Sunday morning services from several local bible believing churches right here   

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                                 Psalm 26: 7

 

 

 

 

 

Acceptable Sacrifice

 

 Thought for Today -  August 19, 2023

Acceptable Sacrifice

By: Robert A. Searles

      “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.” Psalm 107: 21, 22

      “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.” Psalm 69: 30, 31

      An ox or a bullock offered upon an altar as a sacrifice to God is something that can be seen and touched, and something that seems to be real in the earthly sphere of things, and it is probably quite costly to the owner or the person offering it; however, God has said that he values more highly than the ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs, the praise and gratitude from the heart of his people.

      God said that love is the more perfect way.; Good works, good deeds, good morals, sacrifice, all these things that man can offer up to God are abominations, and a stench in God's nostrils unless they are genuinely motivated by love and praise and thanksgiving.

     Just to be talking about God, and to be doing things that pertain to God, and to be all wrapped up in some service for him in the name of God, is not enough by itself. Martha was busy about many things, she was so wrapped up in doing things, that she had little time for the Lord himself. Jesus did not say that Martha was completely wrong in doing, but he did say that Mary had chosen the better part. What was the better part? The better part was to sit at his feet and worship him, and listen to his teaching, and love him and show her gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving, by washing his feet with her hair.

      The acceptable sacrifice to God is love and gratitude to God. Jesus said: “Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy mind and all thy soul.” Our love of God will cause us to put everything else aside and make the Lord truly the Lord of our lives, and seek him first in all things, and trust him for all our needs.

      God will not fail us if we truly trust and believe his word. If we will be preoccupied with God – God has promised that all our needs will be met and that our hearts wil burst forth wit new wine. Let us pray that God will help us individually and together to offer the right kind of sacrifices to him, which is the best of our time, the best of our life, the first fruits of all our increase, the first part of every new day, and live in such a way that we will be a testimony to all people that we rely wholly on God, and not our own efforts, nor our own wisdom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for Today - November 28, 2022

Special Thoughts At Christmas Time
By Robert A. Searles
We are now entering into a new month, the "magical month" of December. The entire month could be thought of as "Christmas time"

If we would reap the most joy from this holiday season, it would do us all well if we would ponder these thoughts during the entire monh before that grea day arrives, and respond according to the will of God for our individual lives.

It is only a few more weeks and days before Christmas. This is the time for the giving and receiving of gifts. Who is the most important person on your Christmas gift list?

We celebrate the advent of the Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas time, but do we really? Where are our thoughts, and where is our mind and our heart focused, really, at Christmas time.? 

We ought to be celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but I wonder if he is at the top of our Christmas giving and receiving list, or at the middle, or at the end , or is he really there at all?

As we gather around with our family and friends to celebrate this most festive of occasions, the first gift that ought to be received with gratitude and thanksgiving is God's love gift to us, the Lord Jesus Christ. Open his gift first. Give him gratitude and praise him first for his gift of love.

At Christmas time "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3: 16. 

At Christmas time God offered us the opportunity to become his adopted children by grace through faith. "As many as received him to them gave he the power (or authority) to become the sons of God." At Christmas time he made it possible for us as the children of God to become heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. At Christmas time, God gave gifts unto men.

 "Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men." Ephesians 4: 8. At Christmas time, God provided for our salvation.

Salvation is a big package, containing many things. It first of all contains forgiveness of sins, freedom from guilt, justification with God. It includes peace and joy and all the fruits of the Spirit. It contains everlasting eternal life. It guarantees an all expense paid trip to heaven and the right to walk on streets of gold. It guarantees that there is a mansion prepared and waiting for us in heaven.

 Jesus said: " In my father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also." John 14.

 The package of our salvation contains abundant life here on earth, protection from danger, healing for mind soul and body, and a guaranteed audience with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It contains all the provisions available to us in the 23 rd Psalm.

 It all happened at Christmas, and what a Christmas gift it is, thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift, the Lord Jesus Christ. As we gather to receive and give gifts, lets first thank Christ that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, the godly for the ungodly and the righteous for the unrighteous.

Lets covenant with ourselves and with each other that we will not receive any gift from anyone else this Christmas time until we have received with gratitude in our heart, the treasure that was given to us at Christmas time. No matter how abject the poverty, or how small the bank account, or how few the gifts under the tree, no one has a right to say that they received nothing for Christmas. God gave us everything he had at Christmas time. Lets covenant with ourselves that we will not offer to anyone else our meager trinkets or gifts until we have rededicated our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ and offered our selves again to him in loving gratitude and service.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present you bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12: 1. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." Matthew 6:33.

Every gift that we present to someone else should not be with the attitude of seeing how much the recipient of our gifts will be pleased with us for having given them a gift. Instead, every gift that we present to some one else ought to be a symbol of the gift that was offered to us by Christ coming into the world and shedding his blood for us. 

If opportunity presents itself, we ought to first offer to every one on our giving list, God's plan of salvation. Our first gift ought to be presented to the Lord Jesus Christ in gratitude for his gift to us. We ought to present to him our bodies as a living sacrifice which is our reasonable service. We ought to present to him our complete love and loyalty. The gift which is acceptable and pleasing to God is to love the Lord with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our soul. 

We ought to keep our minds clean, and our thoughts pure, and our bodies as the temple of God, spotless and clean that they may be God's dwelling place, and headquarters on earth.

If the Lord Jesus Christ is not on the top of our Christmas gift receiving and giving list, then we are not celebrating the coming of the Lord into the world. Instead, we will be celebrating a pagan festival of lustful covetousness and self seeking for vain glory and the esteem of men.

How sad it is that in this so called Christian country of ours, we are told that in order to be politically correct, we must exclude the word and idea of Christ from Christmas and celebrate a pagan holiday instead. This is utter blasphemy. 

May God have mercy on our souls and on our nation for this gross sin.

May God bless all my readers, and may you all have a most joyous and merry Christmas

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                                   Psalm 26:7
 

 

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                                  Psalm 26: 7

First Fruits of Our Increase

Thought for Today - November 26, 2022

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 for ourselves. 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 to its' source of power? How can we, as humans who are dependent upon our creator as our 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 plerased 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 have missed 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 Iworship 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.

 

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Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Mnistry 

                                      Paslm 26: 7

Acall to Worship The Lord

 

 Thought for Today - Nove3mber 25, 2022

A Call To Worship The Lord - A Song of Praise
Psalm 96

By: Robert A. Searles

Come, this morning after a special day of thanksgiving, let us together sing this song of Praise unto the Lord.

"O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.   Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.   For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.   For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.   Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.   Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.   O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.   Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness  thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth." Psalm 96 

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lelehelppublications Christian Lit3erature Ministry

                                  Psalm 26: 7

Greatly to Be Praised!

 

Thought For Today - November 24, 2022
Greatly to Be Praised!
By: Robert A. Searles

Our God is a great God and greatly to be praised. Sometimes we do not give God enough praise for who he is, and what he is. We do not really worship God enough.

 We ought to spend more time in prayer and meditation, not necessarily asking God for things, (although he has told us to ask and we will receive), but because he has already given us salvation and eternal life, and given us an inheritance in his kingdom. He supplies our daily needs and give us sufficient grace to meet every emergency. 

We ought to spend much time in prayer, just loving God, telling him that we love him and thank him for his great love for us. We can see God's love for us all around us in the things which he has made and given to us for our comfort and enjoyment. Even among people who cannot read or write, or who have never heard the word of God, they can look around them and experience the love of God.

It is very presumptuous for us to enjoy all the benefits and joys and pleasures that God has given to us without praising him for them. Did you ever think of how presumptuous it is for us to sink our teeth into a beautiful apple that God has made and given to us for our welfare and use, and just take this for granted without any thought of God? 

Did you ever stop to think how many of God's creatures have been destroyed and have had to die to support our life here on earth?

Psalm 19 verse 12 says: " Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults." 

 We begin to have secret faults when our minds wander away from God to things of ourselves and things of the world. We cannot sin while our minds are stayed on Jesus. It is when our minds are not focused on Jesus that we are drawn away into temptation and sin. No matter what we are doing , or where we are, Jesus can always be found standing in the shadow of our thoughts and mind if we chose to have him there. He has promised to keep us in perfect peace when our minds are stayed on him,

Psalm 19 verse 14 tells us: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." If our heart is constantly and continually meditating on the Lord Jesus Christ twenty four hours a day, every day, seven days a week, and if we are in a continual attitude of prayer and praise, and if our love is constantly and continually flowing out to him, and his love is flowing back to us, then the meditation of our heart will be right, and as a result the words of our mouth will be right and acceptable to him, because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Jesus said: "That men ought always to pray and not to faint." Take note of the word "always". "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Ephesians 6:18. "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5: 17. God is greatly to be praised!

  >Can't get out to church? ? Then, enjoy up to date Sunday morning services from several local bible believing churches right here  

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry
                                      Psalm 26: 7

Where Will We Stand?

 

Thought for Today -  November 23, 2022

Where Will We Stand?

 By: Robert A. Searles
    “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple- that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. and the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.." John 18:15-18.
    Some of us Christians are like Peters. We claim to be Christians, and to be saved. Down deep in our heart we want to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, but when the chips are down, and the curtain is raised in front of us, we become cowardly and back off, and fail to raise our colors to let everyone know where we really stand. Peter loved the Lord and was interested in the things of the Lord, but he didn't really want to get involved , and be identified with the Lord at this time because it would have cost him something. It might have even cost him his life. Instead, he made himself comfortable around the enemy's fire warming himself.
    Let us examine ourselves. Are we like Peter? When we are brought to task are we a little bit afraid to raise our flag and show our true colors and let everyone know exactly where we stand? We may find ourselves in a group of two or three people, or perhaps even more. One person in the group may be taking his stand all alone for the Lord Jesus Christ and witnessing for him. The rest of the crowd may be scoffing and ridiculing that person, and calling him fanatic. Where will we choose to stand? Will we stand beside the one who is giving a positive testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ, or will we choose to stay where it is comfortable beside the enemy's fire, and pretend to go along with the crowd, even though down deep in your heart you know it is driving you crazy?
    Some of us want to be secret followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we don't want it to cost us anything. Where will we stand against the issues of known sin? Will we take a firm positive stand against those things which we absolutely know are immoral, and sinful, and displeasing and dishonoring to the Lord, or will we take the road of least resistance. Will we go a little way down the road of sin with the crowd just so that we do not lose their friendship and admiration , and  reason that while we are walking with them we can keep our fingers crossed, as it were, because we don't really want to go their way, but somehow if we can remain popular with them, we might win them to our side without it costing you anything?
    Jesus said that no man starts to build a tower until he first sits down to count the cost to see if he has the wherewithal to finish it. And no man is fit for the kingdom of heaven who having accepted the Lord and started following him, looks back on the old crowd and the old ways. Fellow Christian, have we really counted the cost of being a real true Christian and follower of Jesus?
    I believe that the maid who kept the door of the palace where Jesus was taken lost all respect for Peter because he was seeking his own safety. I also believe that when the world sees us as lukewarm Christians who are afraid to name the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and afraid to call sin by its' rightful name, and afraid to witness for the Lord, and afraid to take a good firm positive stand for the right against evil, -  lose respect for us as well.
    No wonder artists have painted pictures of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings with lace dresses on him. No wonder the world has the impression that Christians are a bunch of effeminate sissies who can't make it in reality, and have to resort to wishful thinking. No wonder the world is losing respect for our great country which was founded on principles of Christianity.
    Christian, where will you stand when you hear someone taking the name of the Lord in vain and being disrespectful to him? Where do you stand on the murder (abortion) of millions of innocent babies? Where do you stand on the break up of the traditional family, and same sex marriages? Where do you stand on the clear teaching of Romans chapter 1? Where do you stand on the clear teaching of all the Word of God, the Bible? Will you go along with the world and comfort yourself by the enemy's fire, or will you stand faithfully by the side of your Savior? The Lord Jesus Christ himself looses respect for the cowardly Christian.
    "I know thy works, and thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot I will spew thee out of my mouth." Revelation 3:15, 16
    God is not a mealy mouth preacher. Can you imagine God vomiting out Christians? How would you like to be a food particle in God's mouth, so distasteful to him that he has to vomit . For this to be true, all you have to do is to be like Peter was, and seek the comfort and safety of the enemy's fire before he eventually came to his senses and repented with weeping, and because of his testimony that Jesus was the Christ sent from God, Jesus called his testimony the rock on which his church was built.
    If any of us have been fearful of standing for the Lord, Let us repent with weeping, and turn again to our first love and all for which he stands..

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Telehelp Publications Chjristian Literature Ministry

                                   Psalm 26:7

Trust in the Lord!

 Thought for Today -  November 2, 2023
Trust in the Lord!
By: Robert A. Searles

"In thee,O Lord, do I put my trust, let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness." Psalm 31: 1

When we trust in the Lord, he will not disapoint us.  We can be confident of his love and care for us if we truly trust him  He is our deliverer and our strong rock of defense to protect us and save us from all our enemies.  We can rest our souls for safe keeping in Christ for he has redeemed us, and brought us back into the fellowship with God our father by the shedding of his blood, and has forever cancelled the penalty of  our sin.

We have ample  reasons to rejoice this morning and be glad, and offer a sacrifice of praise, for as the psalmist has said - "He has considered my troubles, and known my soul in adversites, and has not shut me up into the hand of the enemy. Thou has set my feet in a large room." Psalm 31: 7,8

"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

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Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry
                                  Psalm 26:7

Where is Our Boasting?

 

Thought for Today - November 21, 2022
Where Is Our Boasting?
By Robert A. Searles

     “Thus saith the Lord, let  not the wise man glory in  his wisdom, neither  let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory  in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”
 Jeremiah 9: 23, 24.

     What are we boasting in  this morning, my friends?  Are we glorying in our high degree of intelligence; our great worldly wisdom; education,  college degrees, or our position in life?  Are we boasting in our youth, or in our physical beauty, or our health?

     You may be saying within yourself - I am young yet; in perfect health; I have the wold by the tail, but do you, really?  Don't be presumeous, boast not thyself  of tomorrow, or even of today, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.  Take heed therefore and consider - “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

 "For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time when it falleth suddenly upon them” Eccleslastes 9: 12.

     Each of us need to stop and consider that all that  we are; all that we have; all that we ever can hope to become has been bestowed upon us by our creator and heavenly Father.  Every good and perfect gift comes down from our Father above, whether it be our eternal salvation  through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, or the gift of intelligence,  or health, beauty, position in life, or great riches. It is God who gives us the power to accumulate wealth.

 “That according as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31

“But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.  For not he that commendeth  himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.”
2 Corinthians 10: 17, 18.

     Friends, lets turn our eyes away from ourselves, and fix them upon our wonderful God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and let all our boasting and glorying be in him.

     “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the trasngression of the remnant of his heritage?  He retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy.  He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us: he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all our sins into the depth of the sea.”Micah 7: 18, 19

      When we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are  indeed the richest persons in this world system, although  by worldly standardss we may seem very poor.

In a few more days, many of us will be blessed of God to gather with our family and friends to celebrate a special day of thanksgiving.  As we gather to enjoy the feasting, may we truly reflect on these thoughts and give God the glory and be truly thankful for the ways  in which he has blessed each one of us individually.

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Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                              Psalm 26:7

 

A Prayer for Help!

 

Thought for Today - August 21, 2023
A Prayer for Help
By: Robert A Searles

"Unto thee will I cry ,O Lord my rock; be not silent to me, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.  Hear the voice of my supplication, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.  Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts  Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render  to them their desert.  Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them and not build them up,Blessed be the Lord , because he hath heard the voice of my supplication.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.  The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.  Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance; feed them also, and lift them up forever." Psalm 28: 1-9.

God is my rock, and I must hear from him the first thing every morning lest I become like them that wander thru  the day in darkness and stumble and fall into the pit of sin.

When we cry out to God in the sincerity of our heart, God hears our supplication.  He shines light on our way, and shows us the way we are to travel thru the day.  When our hearts are made clean and our minds are stayed on him, we will not be drawn away  with the works of iniquity.

Praise be to God who promises  always to hear our prayers and supplications and provide us with the strength and fortitude necessary to overcome  all the forces of evil that come against us.  This assurance  ought to cause us to go forth today rejoicing and liftig up our hands in praise to him, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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Telehelp Publications Christian Liteature Ministry

                                    Psalm 26: 7

My Daily Bread!

 

Thought for Today - September 30, 2023
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 you do 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 manna, 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 or daughter?

 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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Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                               Psalm 26: 7

Wait on the Lord

 

Thought for Today - November 18. 2022
Wait On The Lord
By: Robert A. Searles

     “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait I say on the Lord.” Psalm 27: 14.

     One of the most difficult lessons we must learn as the children of God is to realize that God's ways are not our ways, and God's timing is not our timing.  We want things, and  we want  them now, and even yesterday, if that were possible.  

God has told us in his word that whatsoever things we have need of,  to ask of him and he will provide them for us as he sees fit.,  God knows and sees  the end from the beginning, and the beginning from  the end, and he knows what is best for us, and the right time for answering our petitions.

     We know that God will not withhold any good thing from us if it will profit us and bring glory to himself. When we have learned this  lesson to wait patiently for God to fulfill his purposes in our lives, then we have  great peace and contentment in knowing that however long it takes, God will come to our rescue and meet all our needs

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Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry
                              Psalm 26: 7

Here to Serve

 Thought for Today - March 14, 2024
Here To Serve
By: Robert A. Searles

     Once we are saved, we are left here on earth to serve the Lord, and to continue his ministry of reconciliation  and good works which Jesus began when he was with us on earth. 

Now, the members of his body, being many and scattered throughout the world, having been anointed with the power of  the Holy Spirit, can accomplish great things for him  if we are willing and obedient servants. 

We are left here on earth after we are saved, not to do our own will but the will of him who saved us.

  The repeated routine of every day life does not make a lot of sense unless we realize why we are doing it.  We work to buy food, clothing, and shelter, and some luxuries so that  we can take proper care of these bodies, and be happy.  Why do we do these things?  It ought to be so that the Holy Spirit which lives within  us can use us to  accomplish great things for the glory of God.  

     “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye  lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  Know ye that  the Lord he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the  sheep of his pasture.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100: 1-5 (KJV)

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Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry 
 

                                  Psalm 26: 7