Polish The Silver

Polish The Silver

By: Robert A. Searles

      “Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.” Proverb 25: 4, 5. (KJV)

      Fine silver, if it is not polished and cleaned up, has the appearance of worthless junk; but when polished, it shines forth, and manifests its' true value. The same is true with those around us who have never been washed in the blood of the lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, and have been saved and polished in his righteousness. How wonderful it would be if all our government leaders and their councilors were saved, and washed in the blood of the lamb of God and polished in his righteousness. Our beloved country would then be established in righteousness and shine forth as fine silver.

      God wants all of us, who have been washed and polished, to do all that he empowers us to do to witness to them that they might by faith, receive his pardon and forgiveness, and be washed in the blood of the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, and go forth leaping and praising him, and being a vessel for the finer.

Be Quiet And Listen

Be Quiet and Listen!

By: Robert A. Searles

“The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.” Ecc 9: 17 (KJV)

While God is speaking to us, are we really listening, or is the clamor and noise of this sin cursed world drowning out the voice of our loving heavenly Father who is trying to tell us of his love and mercy for his children? If we really want to know what God is saying to us, moment by moment, we must cease from our own noise making, and listen intently to the still small voice of God.

We cheat ourselves of so much comfort and so many blessings when we are so preoccupied with our own everyday affairs, that we do not take the time to get alone with God in our own secret hiding place and listen for the voice of God as he speaks to us by the various methods which he chooses.

How does God speak to us? God speaks to us first of all by his written word, the Holy scriptures. In them, God tells us how the heavens and the earth came into being. He tells us how he made man and woman, and all the animals and creeping things of the earth for the use and benefit of mankind. He tells us how he hates sin, but loves the sinner. He tells us that we all have sinned and come short of his glory, but that he is willing to forgive and forget our sins. He tells us how we may obtain that forgiveness and renewal of spirit and restoration of fellowship with himself.

In the written word, God also assures us that every word written in the scriptures are true and given by his Holy Spirit to his chosen prophets and historians who would be faithful men and women to record his words for all future generations to come.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

“We have also a more sure word of prophesy; where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shinneth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your heart; knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19- 21 (KJV)

In the Holy Scriptures, God relates to us the history of his chosen people, Israel from Abraham down through the centuries to the present generations. He speaks to us of the promises he has made to his chosen ones. He show us all the trials and tribulations that his people have experienced because of their sins and rebellion and turning their back on him and worshiping idols. Through the history of his people Israel, he warns all of us of what can become of rebellious nations who forget God and turn to idols; but he also reveals to us his great love and mercy when men and women repent and turn back to him.

In the written word, God is speaking to us to show us the way back from our sinfulness and rebellion by receiving his son as the perfect sacrifice for our sin. He tells us that: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried and rose again the third day, according to the scriptures, and is now in heaven interceding for all of us who will believe and receive him, and we are promised that he is coming again to receive his children to himself and establish his kingdom on earth.

In the written word, God offers us comfort and rest when we are tired and weary, and peace when we have turmoil in our soul.

God also speaks to us through the living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were make by him; and without him was not anything made that was made., In him was the life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shinneth in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1: 1-5 (KJV)

God is spirit. The bible says that no one has seen God at any time, but the son of God has revealed him. Christ came into the world not only to die for the sins of the world, but also to reveal God the Father to the world. Jesus said: “if you have seen me you have seen the Father. I and the Father are one.”

God the Father, speaking through his son, the Lord Jesus Christ, spoke to his disciples in the language of men, in an audible voice which they could understand, and record his message to all mankind through the gospels. Jesus, while on earth, spoke many words of wisdom and instruction to his apostles and disciples, to which we ought to listen intently and pay the most earnest heed. Do we read and study the gospels and quietly listen to the words of Jesus, and make them a part of our very being as was intended by God?

God also speaks to us through his indwelling Holy Spirit in the heart and mind of every born again child of his. When Jesus ascended into heaven he promised, that when he went away, he would send another comforter, to be a constant companion, interpreter of the word of God, instructor and guardian of his redeemed,

God has so much for us to know of him, so much to enjoy and be blessed by him. God speaks in a still small voice, and in order to hear what he is saying, we must quietly listen. We must stop our ears, at least for a little while from all the noise of the world, and the noise within our own soul. Arise in the morning and behold the majesty of a gorgeous sunrise, and allow the sunrise of the love of God to arise in your own soul. Stop and smell the fragrance of the rose, and enjoy the peace and tranquility of a beautiful sunset, and know that with God all is well, and it is well with your soul.

Bread In The Wilderness

Bread In The Wilderness

By Robert A. Searles

      After the children of Israel had left Egypt under the leadership of Moses, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years because of their unbelief and disobedience, whereas, if they had believed and obeyed God, they could have immediately inherited the promised land. Nevertheless, God in his compassion and mercy provided for their needs in the wilderness. He fed them by sending down manna from heaven, and they were told to gather a certain portion for themselves for each and every day. It could not be hoarded nor stored up. If they tried to store up so they would not have to gather every day, they would find it spoiled and stinking.

      Likewise, God in his grace and compassion, has provided for us, manna, as it were, while we are wandering about in the wilderness of this world from the cradle to the grave. The lord Jesus Christ is the heavenly bread which has been sent down from heaven to be our food and nourishment for each and every day. We are told if we will meet with him before the day begins, and eat his flesh and drink his blood by praying and meditation on his word, that we will have the nourishment we need to see us through the day. Abiding in him gives us eternal everlasting life. The more we gaze upon him, the more we become like him. Look upon his holiness, his kindness, his confidence in God the Father. Look upon his willingness to have the Father's will accomplished in his life. Look upon his power in heaven and earth, look upon his health. Look upon him as our source, our beginning. God's storehouse is brimming over with all that we will ever have need of, and he invites us to come and gather all that we want or need today.

      “Then said they unto him, what shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said, therefore unto him, what sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, he gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” John 6: 28-35 (KJV)

What Shall I Render Unto the Lord?

What Shall I Render Unto The Lord?

      “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” Psalm 116: 12 (KJV). How can I ever repay the Lord for his great love and kindness which he shows toward me? I can't! There is no way that I could ever come close to repaying God for all his benefits. What, then, shall I do, seeing how much I owe God? “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116: 13-15 (KJV)

      As the psalmist said: I will gladly, and with much thankfulness receive the gift of salvation which God has given to me, and I will gladly be his servant, and allow him to use me and to continue his work through me, which he has begun, until he comes again and restores all things.

      God loves us, and wants not our destruction, or for us to be incapacitated, but he desires that we should live for him and bear much fruit for his glory. As a token of our gratitude then, to God for all his benefits, let us continually offer him the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the name of the Lord, and render our service to him with joyfulness and praise.

Positive Thinking

Positive Thinking

By: Robert A. Searles

      Do you want to have a positive attitude and outlook on life? Keep your mind constantly consciously fixed upon God. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26: 3 (KJV).

      All the day long, think upon God; think of how holy God is; think of how just God is; think of how merciful and forgiving God is; think always of the love of God, and how he expressed that love by his sacrifice for us. Think of how mighty and powerful God is. Think of how wise God is, and how wealthy he is. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. Think of how healthy God is; think of him who is full of life. He is the creator of all life. Think of how eternal God is, he is the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the alpha and omega. And then think this one solemn thought: God wants us to become as he is. He wants us to be conformed to the image of his son. If we think in this way we will be thinking positively even as God thinks. Therefore, if you want to be positive in thoughts and attitudes, think always on the lord.

Righteous? - or - Wicked?

Righteous? - or – Wicked?

      “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.” Isaiah 3: 10-12

      Is this not true today in the world, and in our country, and in our homes, that children are our oppressors, and that women have the rule over us? This was never intended by God to be. God's plan for a happy and harmonious life is for children to be in subjection to their parents, and to be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and for wives to lovingly follow the leadership of godly husbands or fathers. The situation in many of our homes, and in our country today is, I believe, partially the judgment of God on those who have wickedly fallen away from him.

      Verse 16 to the conclusion of Isaiah chapter 3 describes the revealing haughty attire, and attitude of many women in the world at the time it was written, but it is also descriptive of many today. Instead of being loving wives, mothers, and sweethearts, they are in many cases, scheming , arrogant, and boldly aggressive.

      “Moreover the Lord saith, because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, Walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will discover their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, the chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, the bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, the rings and the nose jewels, the changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, the glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vales, and it shall come to psss, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; instead of a girdle, a rent; and instead of well set hair, baldness, and instead of a stomacher, a girdling of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty. Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war, and her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.” Isaiah 3: 16-26.

     Could this be a warning for us today as well as it was in Isaiah's day?

The Holy Bible - The Word Of God

 Thought for  Today - June 11, 2024

The Holy Bible – The Word Of God

By Robert A. Searles

To be adrift on one of the vast oceans of the world, in nothing more seaworthy than a life boat, and with no compass, or sextant, no state of the art guidance system; and no instruction in seamanship, would be a deplorable and frightening situation and state of affairs.

All around us, nothing but the raging sea. Wherever we look in any direction, we can observe nothing but where the heavens meet the see on the horizon. If we should survive the dangers we face, how shall we find our way home? In what direction is home? We look and pray for a rescue vessel to spot us in our peril, and pluck us out of the boiling cauldron of the deep.

Ever since sin and evil entered the world , when the first woman, and the first man disobeyed God's instructions not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge, of good and evil, all of human kind, down through the ages has been set adrift on the spiritual sea of misery, temptation, sin, and damnation.

The sea rages, we are tossed to and fro, we are lost, battered, bruised, and without hope, until God in his mercy, provided us with a compass – a guidance system, and instruction, and sent a rescuer and redeemer to save us, and to raise us up from the angry waves which are about to swallow us up.

God provided us with a compass and guidance system which is always true and never fails to keep us on a straight course that will lead us safely home. “Forever O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119: 89 (KJV)

The bible – the word of God – The book of the ages – God's love letter to all mankind; every word is inspired by God, and delivered to his chosen servants so that all who will receive it will not be without hope and direction, on this perilous sea of life on which we all find ourselves.

How foolish it would be of us if we were literally drifting in a life boat on the ocean, and a rescue ship came along and offered to rescue us, and we would refuse to believe that they had come to help us and we spurned their offer.

The bible – the word of God is despised by the foolish among us. It is sad to realize that there are so many foolish people in the world today who despise the bible, and the help that almighty God has offered them, and would even ignore, and burn, and destroy it, and be without any spiritual compass or guidance system, only to eventually drift into a Godless eternity and find themselves in hell. Foolish indeed! “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” Psalm 14: 1,2,3

God would not have his highest creation alone in the world, and have no way of knowing who or what they were, or why they were here, or where they were going. No! God provided us with a book of instructions, called the Holy Bible, the word of God, to be our compass and guidance system, if you will, in this vast ocean of space, galaxies, planets, and especially here on planet earth, the home of mankind.

The bible, the word of God, written by men, for mankind, but was not conceived by men, but was given by the Holy Spirit of God, implanted in the hearts of holy men of God , by the inspiration of God, to be a light unto our pathway.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” psalm 119: 105 (KJV)

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3: 16 (KJV)

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” 2 Peter 1: 21 (KJV)

To successfully navigate the sea of life, and over come the billowing waves of sin, evil, hardships, grief, temptation, sickness, and death: and to ensure our safe deliverance to the heavenly shore, we need the bible – the word of God, the heavenly guidance system that a loving, merciful God has provided for his children- those who would surely sink and drown without it.

When we are following God's guidance to navigate on the sea of life, God's word is the food for our soul so that we will not hunger and starve, or be overtaken by sin and evil while we wait to be rescued.

The bible – the word of God, promises us that we have a sure and certain rescue if we will just believe and if we will remain steadfast in our faith. “For 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 (KJV) . Eat these words my friend, for your redemption draweth nigh..

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart; for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15: 16 (KJV). “How sweet are thy words unto my taste, yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth' Psalm 119: 103 (KJV)

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby. “ 1 Peter 2: 2 (KJV)

Dear Reader – The bible, the infallible word of God is the lighthouse which if trusted, will guide us on the turbulent sea of life, and encourage us to believe, pray, and listen to the Spirit of God, and believe his promise that we have a Savior who gave his life for us so that we might live abundantly here on earth, and have an eternal home in heaven. His name is the one and only Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray that whoever reads these lines will come to treasure the holy bible, above all other possessions, and be guided safely home.