Thought For Today - Jauary 24 - Effort Demanded Before Blessing Can Be Given !

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Thought For Today - January 24 - -
EFFORT DEMANDED BEFORE A BLESSING CAN BE GIVEN - -

Faith without works is dead,. We are told that we are justified by faith, and we are to live by faith. Faith is believing in something even though the object of our faith remains unseen. We are told that if we have faith, even as small as a grain of mustard seed, we can say to the mountains in our lives to move, and they shall move and be cast into the depth of the sea.
We all have mountains in our lives that we wish that we could remove and we are told to ask our Father in heaven to move them for us , and he says that he will, according to his purposes for us if we believe and have faith. We read in Hebrews chapter 11:1, that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Yes, we believe in eternal God who is high above in the heavens, having all power and authority, who can do all things because nothing is too hard for him. Nothing is impossible with God; but God often tests our faith by requiring some sort of effort and action on our part to show that our faith is genuine. Many times God accomplishes his purpose by miraculous, supernatural means, but more often he requires some kind of action on our part. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?” James 2:14. We may believe and have faith that the bible says that Christ was the divine son of God, and that he was crucified and died, and was even resurrected, but just by simply believing this fact of history alone will not save us. We must act on what we believe, and receive the free gift of God with gratitude , and rest upon the promises of God for our salvation.
James gives us an example of how faith and works must work together to be effective. “Seest thou how faith wrought with works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God.” James 2: 22,23. Abraham believed God and took action as to that which God had told him to do and God blessed him for it.
We might also use the illustration of how faith and works go together by considering the story of a man caught in a flood, and taking refuge on the roof of his house. He was a godly man and believed in the power of God, and he kept praying that God would save him from his difficult situation. Soon a helicopter flew over and called to him with their loudspeaker, telling him that they were come to rescue him and would drop a ladder, but he refused to climb onto the ladder because he said that God would soon answer his prayer and save him. The helicopter was God’s means of saving him. Our faith must be combined with our common sense and work in order for us to receive blessings from God. Before blessing can be given, effort is demanded.
Jesus and his disciples were confronted with the tax collectors and needed money to pay their taxes. Jesus, almighty God, creator of all things, could have materialized the money instantly, but he instead, performed the miracle of obtaining the money by requiring effort on the part of the disciples. “And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, yes, and when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, what thinkest thou Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up a fish that first cometh up,. And when thou hast opened his mouth thou shalt find a piece of money, that take and give unto them for thee and me.” Matthew 17: 24,27. They had faith to believe that the coin would be there in the fishes mouth, but they were told to go and cast a hook. Faith was combined with works.
Christ, being in the synagogue on the Sabbath encountered a man with a withered hand. “And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, stand forth. And he saith unto them, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil, to save life or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out; and his hand was restored whole as the other.” Mark 3: 2-5 Faith alone was not enough to heal his withered hand. Jesus required him to stretch forth his hand, works combined. With faith.
Jesus saw fit to bless Peter and the other disciples with a great drought of fish. They knew he could provide the blessing. He told them to make an effort to do something to receive the blessing by launching out into the deep. They had fished all night and had caught nothing, but Jesus told them to go and try again by launching out into the deep and to let down their nets. When they obeyed his command they were successful. “And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a drought. Luke 5: 4. “And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes and their nets brake.” Luke 5: 6. Again, for Peter and the other disciples to receive this blessing from the Lord, it required effort on their part. By doing that which the Lord commanded they showed their faith in his provision.
When the Lord healed the ten lepers he told them to put their faith into action, he told them to go and show themselves to the priests. They did, and they were healed. Luke 17: 14.
All the blessings that we receive from God our Father come to us because of God’s grace. God blesses us because he wants to. God will surely help us in every situation in which we find ourselves, but he does not want us to be negligent of the powers, and abilities he has already instilled within us. Sometimes in order for God to bless us, he requires action on our part. We need to know the talents and abilities that God has already given to us, and use them to the best of our ability to accomplish God’s purpose in our life. Much of the time effort is demanded before a blessing can be given.

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Thought For Today - January 23 - Eagerness For the Truth !

Thought For Today - January 23 - -
EAGERNESS FOR THE TRUTH 
By: Robert A. Searles

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


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


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

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry 

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https://sterlingsilvercollections.blogspot.com                    

Thought For Today - January 22 - Christ's Divinity Acknowledged !

Thought For Today - January 22 - -
CHRIST’S DIVINITY ACKNOWLEDGED 
By: Robert A. Searles

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

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

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


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

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

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

Christ’s deity was challenged by his own people. His own nation and people, the Jews, branded him as an imposter, and demanded that he be punished for proclaiming himself to be God. “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” John 5:18.

 “Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? And the prophets are dead; whom makest thyself?” John 8: 53. “The Jews answered saying, for a good work we stone thee not but for blasphemy, and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” John 10: 33.


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

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

When he was on the cross, the crowds were mocking him and challenging his divinity, telling him to come down from the cross if he were God, and save himself. “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying , thou that destroyed the temple, and buildest it in three days, , save thyself if thou be the son of God, come down from the cross.” Matthew 27: 39-40.


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


Two thieves were crucified with him. One of the thieves challenged his claim to be the Christ. “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him saying, if thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” Luke 23:39. The other thief turned and looked upon him , and in repentance, acknowledged his divinity and was granted a place with him that very day in paradise. Jesus said to him: “Today thou shalt be with me in paradise.” 


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


The centurion who stood guard at the cross, when he beheld him, had to acknowledge that he was the son of God. “And when the centurion, which stood over against him saw that he cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, truly this man was the son of God.” Mark 15: 39.

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

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

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


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

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

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Thought For Today - January 21 - Christ Defamed !

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Thought For Today - January 21 - -
CHRIST DEFAMED ! - -
It is sad but true that we live in a world where instead of love, peace, and harmony prevail, there is avarice, deceit, and slander. It is difficult to know sometimes just who we can trust or who will betray us. In this dog eat dog world which holds to the philosophy of the survival of the fittest, when one is lifted up to a higher degree of importance, another comes along to put him down, and to destroy his credibility and to ruin his reputation so as to make himself look better.
In this sin cursed world, some people would rather cling to and believe a lie rather than to adhere to the truth. Many try to twist the truth to exalt their own ego.
The old testament prophet Jeremiah warned us of this very thing. He said: “Take ye heed every one of his neighbor and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slander. And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.” Jeremiah 9: 4,5.
When our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was on earth, the religious leaders of his day tried to disqualify him and defame him, and they tried to persuade the multitudes to be swayed by their slander. Because he spoke the truth and said that he was the son of God, come down from heaven to bring light and salvation to a world of lost sinners, they accused him of being a blasphemer. “Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, he hath spoken blasphemy, what further need have we of witnesses? Behold now ye have heard his blasphemy.” Matthew 26: 65.
There are religious leaders today who try to picture Jesus as some kind of a pervert or blasphemer. They try to take away from him his claim of deity by denying his virgin birth and bodily resurrection. Sinners who are lifted up with pride and arrogance want to put Jesus in the same category as themselves, claiming, at best, that he was just another prophet or good man, but the fact of the matter is: Jesus Christ, the divine son of God was not just another prophet, or angel, or good man, but he was and is God in human flesh dwelling among men.
There were those in Jesus day who thought themselves to be religiously superior to other human beings. They boasted of their good works and adherence to the old testament laws. They refused to fellowship with others who were different from themselves in their beliefs and practices. When Jesus came on the scene, he openly announced that he had not come to save the righteous but that he was come to save sinners, and that all men and races were precious in his sight. He gladly accepted the invitation to fellowship and dine with all who would invite him. Consequently, he was accused of keeping bad company. “And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, why eateth your master with Publicans an sinners?” Matthew 9: 11.
He was accused of gluttony and intemperance. Jesus was frequently found at a gathering of people at a festive occasion enjoying their fellowship and food and answering their questions. His enemies seized upon this to accuse him of being a glutton and intemperate. “The son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.” Matthew 11:19.
Even the members of his own family and close friends thought, at one time, that he might be insane, for what man in his right mind would claim deity , and claim to be equal with God, but the one thing they did not realize was that he was God. “And the multitudes cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it they went out to lay hold on him, for they said, he is beside himself.” Matthew 3: 20,21.
The religious leaders branded him as a sinner because they accused him of not keeping the law of Moses. They tried every way they could to trap him in his conversation and to belittle his claim that he had come to save the lost and forgive sins. “Therefore, said some of the Pharisees, this man is not of God because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, how can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.” John 10:20.
They tried to attribute his work and miracles to the occult, to the works of the devil. They said that he was possessed and derived his power from the devil. Jesus knew that there were those among them who would like to kill him, and he told them so. “The people answered and said, thou has a devil, who goeth about to kill thee?’ John 7:20.
Because of their hatred and envy of Jesus, the Pharisees and religious leaders tried to accuse Jesus of being a traitor, and accused him of treason. They said that Jesus was trying to make himself king and overthrow the government of Rome. They said he was not a friend of Caesar. “And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him:; but the Jews cried out saying, if thou let this man go, thou art not Caesars friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.” John 19:12.
It is sad to see that even in our own country today there are so many who prefer sin and darkness over the light and righteousness that Christ came to give. They are trying every way possible to defame Christ and his righteous claim to be ruler over his creation and the lives of all men. Christ is the answer to the worlds problems, politically and economically. The bible says that “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.
I wonder, as election day approaches and new leaders are chosen, will the people rejoice or will the people mourn? Who will we choose to be the leaders of our great nation? Will we choose those who would deny Christ and try to defame him, and vote for policies in government that are plainly against his teaching of righteous living, or will we choose those who embrace him, and adhere to his teaching, and trust him as Lord of Lords and King of Kings to lead us to peace and prosperity.

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Thought For Today - January 20 - The Godly Man Ceaseth !

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Thought For Today - January 20 - - -
"The godly man ceaseth" - - -

“Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth: for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things; who have said, with our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is Lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord, I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them. O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever. The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted." Psalm 12
This psalm could very well describe the era and the times in which we live. It is difficult, at times, to find anyone out in the world who fears God, and lives according to God's laws; but we can be assured that God knows those who are his own, be they ever so few, and he has promised to help and give victory to all who will honor him with their trust and devotion. God's word is true, and his promises sure to all those who will believe.
Sometimes when we have problems and trials, it seems that either God has forgotten us and abandoned us forever, or that he doesn't even exist. Satan, our enemy would like to have us believe this lie; but we know that God is true and eventually we shall rejoice in our salvation and sing unto the Lord because he hath dealt bountifully with us. - - -

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