God's Promise of Salvation

 Thought For Today - May 18, 2024
God's Promise of Salvation
By: Robert A. Searles
     A cry for help is heard from a lost and dying world.  A world  engrossed in sin and evil, shrouded in darkness, and seemingly without hope, clamors for answers, and gropes at the nearest floating straw which has no anchor.
   For centuries, since the beginning of time, and when disobedience to God entered the scene, evil has had dominion over the lives of men and women, causing them to murder, steal, lie, and commit all manner of cruelty and atrocities toward one another, and to blaspheme the Holy God who is their creator, and their source of life and well being, although wicked men and women may not recognize him as such. 

 God's laws are ignored, his Holy word desecrated, and his appeal to the lost to accept his mercy and loving kindness ridiculed, yet a lost world cries for help, but refuses to recognize it when it is offered.

     Whenever we have a physical emergency, or a life threatening situation, we send a call to the nearest aid station, such as to 911, the coast guard, the police, the firemen, the national guard.  We welcome the sound of the siren, and the first responders when they arrived on the scene.

     The inner soul of all mankind  is in a life threatening state called sin, a state which we are all  aware of because we have been given inherent awareness of our state of affairs.  God has declared all to have sinned and come short of his glory, and consequently, all are lost and without hope in the world,  being separated from God, and trying, by our own efforts to save ourselves.  The world while sinking deeper in the mire of sin, cries peace! peace! when there is no peace, help! help! when there is no help but that from God.

     The desperate man cries for help -”From whence cometh my help? The wise man who has discovered his source of help answers - “My help cometh from the Lord who has made heaven and earth.”  God has promised to help and save the lost if they will call upon him in truth and by faith, believing his promises.  God is not willing that any should be lost, but that as many as will call and trust him, he will snatch from the pits of hell and the miry clay, renew a right spirit  within them, clothe them with the garment of Christ's righteousness, and guarantee them a place in his kingdom, and give them eternal life.

     When the first responders come to save our physical possessions, and our physical lives, many times they risk and lose their own lives for the sake of those whom they are trying to rescue.  Jesus said: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man should give up his own life for his friend.”

     When a loving heavenly Father responds to the call of a lost sinner, he responds immediately to the call.  Rescue from sin and damnation is sure to the lost, and it is free to the one who receives it, but it was truly expensive to God who gave his only begotten son to leave his riches and  glory in  heaven to come to a sin cursed world to save  the lost. No one need to be lost forever and spend eternity in hell.  God has promised salvation to all who will believe and receive.

     Christ is the answer.  He is the first responder to the cry of our soul for salvation.  “Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that  come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession  for them.:” Hebrews 7: 25.

  “But the salvation of  the righteous is of the Lord; he is their  strength in time of trouble, and the Lord shall help then; he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them because they trust in him.” Psalm 37: 39, 40.

  “And it shall be said in that day, lo, this is our God; we have waited for him , and he will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for him; we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Isaiah 25: 9.

  “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and broken down the middle wall between us.” Ephesians 2:14

     “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.” Ephesians 2: 8.9

     God has promised salvation to a lost and dying world, but how shall we  be  saved?  “And they said: believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16: 31

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

telehelppublicationsbookshelf.blogspot.com

booksjewelygifts.com

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry 

                           Psalm 26:7

Is There Oil in Our Lamps?

 

  Thought for Today - May 17, 2024

Is There Oil in Our Lamps?

Today's Message - Is There Oil in our lamps, and are our wicks trimmed?

 By: Robert A. Searles 

If this should be the day that our LORD should come for his bride, the church, or for any one of us individually, would there be oil in our lamps (the Holy Spirit), or would it be too late for us to get ready to meet him? - a good thought to ponder.

 "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." Matthew 25:1-13

telehelppublicationsbookshelf.blogspot.com 

booksjewelrygifts.com

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                            Psalm 26:7

 

 

 

The Question We All Must Answer

Thought For Today - May 16, 2024
The  Question We All Must Answer
By: Robert A. Searles

There is a question which every man, woman, boy and girl, must eventually answer for himself. The answer given to this question will determine the eternal destiny of each and every person on earth. 

 There have been diverse opinions of men down through the ages, as concerning the person of Jesus Christ. Who is he? Some have said that he is just another man. Some have said that he was a good man. Others have called him a blasphemer, an imposter. There have been those who have said that he was one of the prophets. Jesus said, “I am come down from the Father, and the Father and I are one.” What is your answer, who is Jesus Christ? What do you believe about him?

Peter was asked this same question by Jesus Christ himself. “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, whom do men say that I the son of man am? And they said: some say that thou art John the Baptist, some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them; but whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.” Matthew 16: 13,14,15,16

The multitudes that Jesus taught were confused as to who Jesus was. The Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day were blind as to the identity of Christ, even though all the prophets and holy scriptures had told of the his coming. “And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, who is this? “ Matthew 21: 10.

"While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying: what think ye of Christ? Whose son is he? They say unto him, the son of David. He saith unto them, how then doth David in spirit call him Lord?” Matthew 22: 43.

Pilate tried to remain neutral and avoid answering the question as to who Christ was. He said to the multitudes that were calling for Christ’s crucifixion, "what shall I do with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, let him be crucified.” Matthew 27:22

Those of us who know him personally through the holy scriptures and the witness of the Holy Spirit within us, will affirm that he is the Christ, the divine son of God, the savior of the world, whom God the Father has sent to redeem the world, that through him all people may be reconciled to God the Father.

Let those who doubt the credentials of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ examine the holy scriptures, and they will have to come to the same conclusion, that Jesus is the Christ, the divine son of God. The first mention of a Messiah or savior of mankind was given by God to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. God promised that one would come who would be bruised by Satan, but who would crush Satan and all evil, and be the propitiation for the sin of the whole world

 “And the Lord said unto the serpent, because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field: upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3: 14,15.

Satan and the power of evil bruised the heel of Christ on the cross by his suffering and death, but Christ conquered and bruised the head of Satan by his glorious resurrection.
The killing of animals and the blood sacrifice for the atonement of sins was a picture of the coming lamb of God who would shed his blood once and for all for the cleansing of sin.

The prophets told of his coming into the world by a miraculous virgin birth. Isaiah prophesied, saying: “therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7: 14.

 The gospel according to Matthew attests to the fact of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise, when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” Matthew 1: 18.

 The angel appeared to Joseph and told him of what was about to take place. “But while he thought on these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1: 20,21.

The prophet Micah prophesied as to where the Messiah, or Christ should be born. “But thou Bethlehem Ephratah , though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel: whose going forth have been from old from everlasting.” Micah 5: 2.

It all came to pass, even as Isaiah and Micah had predicted. The virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Ghost, and Christ was born in the little town of Bethlehem. “And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.” Luke 2:1. 

 “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth , into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.. And it was that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered and she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2: 4,5,6,7

John the Baptist testified as to the identity of Jesus when he proclaimed: “Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said , after me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.” John 1: 29, 30.

Jesus taught in the synagogue where he testified of himself when he was invited to read from the holy scriptures: “And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book he found the place where it was written: the spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted; to preach deliverance to the captives; and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty them that are bruised; to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down, and the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.” Luke 4: 17-20.

The work and miracles that Jesus performed while here on earth could only be accomplished by God himself. He changed the water into wine. He healed the sick. He gave sight to the blind. He made the lame to walk. He cured the lepers. He walked on water. He raised the dead. He raised Lazarus after he had been dead for three days, and to cap it all, he himself rose from the dead. The tomb was empty. The fact that Jesus showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs attest to the fact that he is more than a man, he is God, and because he is God, he has the power and authority to forgive sins and grant eternal life to all who will believe that he is God, and that he is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can approach God the Father except through him.

Jesus Christ changes lives. He brings families together. He heals broken hearts. He comforts the lonely. He forgives sins. He gives eternal life. He is the prince of peace, and in his own good time, he will return to earth and bring peace.
If there be any doubts in your mind as to who Jesus Christ is, I would urge you to examine all the evidence. Go to God in prayer and ask him to reveal to you the true identity of Jesus Christ.

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

telehelppublicationsbookshelf.blogspot.com 

booksjewelrygifts.com

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                                        Psalm 26: 7

Serve the Lord with gladness.!

Thought For Today - May 15, 2024
Serve the Lord with gladness.!  

By: Robert A. Searles
Serve the Lord with gladness! We who are saved ought to love to serve the Lord. To know that we bring joy to the heart of God when we love him and serve him with a willing spirit ought to make us happy and complete. What better way to spend a life than to faithfully and joyfully be in the service of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? He loved us so much that while we were contemptible sinners, he gave his only begotten son to die for us, but praise the Lord he arose and is now at the Father's right hand interceding for us and one day will come again to planet earth and rule and reign in righteousness.
"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

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

telehelppublicationsbookshelf.blogspot.com

booksjewelrygifts.com

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry 

                              Psalm 26:7

When The roll Is Called Up Yonder

 

Thought For Today – May14, 2024
When The roll Is Called Up Yonder
By: Robert A. Searles
     “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
     “And he answered and spoke unto those who stood before him, saying, take away the filthy garments from him.  And unto him he said, behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” Zec 3:4.
     “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, friend , how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.  Then said the king to the servants, bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness: there shall  be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22: 11-14.
     “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment: and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Rev 3:5.
     When the roll is called up yonder, will you be there? Is your name recorded in the Lamb's book of life? Have you responded to the Lord's invitation to sit at the banqueting table at the wedding feast of the Lord?  Have your filthy clothes been changed, and have you allowed  the Lord to clothe you with the shinning white garments of his righteousness.?  Have you acknowledged that you are a sinner by nature, as we all are, and that your own self righteousness is as filthy rags? We all need to be bathed in  the blood of the Lamb of God, and clothed with his garments of righteousness.  Unless we believe and come to Christ, and accept him as Savior and sacrifice for our sins, we will have to appear before God in our filthy rags, and our name will have been blotted out of the Lamb's book of life, and we will not hear the Lord calling  our name to enter into the banqueting hall.
     The Lord has a robe of righteousness awaiting to be put on all those who will come to him and believing in him.  Do you know for sure that when the angel of the Lord stands in heaven to call the roll of all the saints, that your name will be called and not blotted out?  If you are not sure why not make sure of your salvation today, and believe and call upon Christ before it is too late?

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

telehelppublicationsbookshelf.blogspot.com

booksjewelrygifts.com

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                              Psalm 26:7

Chasing after the Wind!

 Thought for Today - May 13, 2024

Chasing after the Wind!

By: Robert A. Searles

Everything that we try to accomplish and enjoy all by our own labor  and achievement under the sun without the the presence and help of God, will end up as useless and vanity in the end.  If we have lived only for personal pleasure, and the things of  this world more than we have loved and served God, we will find in the end that we have "Chased the wind" and find ouselves empty and have nothing.

"I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the  sun."  Eclesiastes 2:10-11

^"I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless. "Laughter," I said, "is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?" I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly-my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.  I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. ⁵ I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.  I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem[ as well-the delights of a man's heart. I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

 Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done? I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.  The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.  Then I said to myself, "The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?" I said to myself, "This too is meaningless."  For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered; the days have already come when both have been forgotten. Like the fool, the wise too must die!

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

telehelppublicationsbookshelf.com

booksjrwelrygifts.com

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                            Psalm 26: 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

e