Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness

Thought for Today - May 9
Hunger And Thirst For Righteousness
By: Robert A Searles

     We as Christians ought to hunger and thirst after righteousness.  “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5: 6.

     Christ has imputed his righteousness to us if we are saved.  He made the first step toward us by offering his righteousness to all who will receive it.  Righteousness is simply being right in our actions, and thoughts, and attitudes toward God.  Our Lord and Savior was and still is the only person who could measure up to this requirement.

     Righteousness has its' rewards: “Righteousness delivers from death”-Proverbs 11: 4.
By right thoughts and actions toward God, we are not only delivered from spiritual death, but often we will prolong our life on earth because we will have  avoided those things that can destroy us.

     “The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way.” - Proverbs 11:5.
When our mind and our thoughts are in harmony and agreement with the mind of God, the Holy Spirit will direct our paths so that we follow a lifestyle that is good for us.

     “The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them.” Proverbs 11: 6 . Being right with God assures our escape from the penalty of sin, and guarantees a sure place in heaven because - “Righteousness tendeth to life.” Proverbs 11: 19.

     The seed of the rightreous shall be delivered.” Proverbs 11: 21.
Even our childfren and grandchildren, and future generations will reap the rewards of our righteousness; but on the other hand, they will also reap the penalties of our wickedness if we are wicked.

     “The desire of the righteous is only good.” Proverbs 11: 23
When  we are right with God, when our thoughts and actions toward God are  right; when we seek God with all our heart; then we can trust that the desires of our hearts are from God.  When we delight in the Lord, he gives  us the desires of our heart.

     “The righteous shall flourish as a branch” Ptoberbs 11: 28                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             and - “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise.  Proverbs 11:30.

 A good tree grows tall and spreads its'  leaves and branches and provides shade.  It provides a nesting place for birds and other creatures.  It provides food and offers protection.  May we each live and have our being as a tree of life in thee, oh Lord and win others to thee.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry
www.bibles-books-gifts.com
www.telehelppublications.blogspot.com

God's Promise to Us When - We Are Persecuted

Thought for Today - May - 7
God's Promise To Us When – We Are Persecuted
By: Robert A. Searles
     “Yea, And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus Shall suffer persecution” 2 Timothy 3: 12.
     Whatever comes our way, in the realm of trials, temptations, and persecution, we are assured  from the Holy Scriptures, that God sometimes wills and allows those things for our good, and perhaps for the good of those with whom we have an influence in our daily lives, so that,  perhaps they may witness our testimony of steadfastness for the Lord, and receive Christ and be saved.
     The  spread of the gospel, was greatly expedited by the persecution of the early martyrs,   in the early days of the church after the ascension of the Lord into heaven,
     Joseph was one who suffered persecution at the hands of his brothers when they became envious of him, and sold him into slavery; but this was meant for good for the saving of his family when they were  suffering a time of famine in their own land.  “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.'”  Genesis 50: 20.
     Jesus has promised us that there are great rewards in heaven waiting for those who suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness here on earth.
 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when men shall  revile you, and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. “ Matthew 5: 10-12.
     In the days ahead, some of us Christians may have to suffer some severe persecution, if the Lord does not return soon.  Because of our not being “politically correct”, and  by not denying our faith in Christ; the absolute authority of the word of God;  and the desire for righteous living, -  in the opinion of unbelievers and wicked persons, we who hold to the truth of the Word of God are the wrong doers and deserve to be punished and persecuted for righteousness sake.  Even so, let us, if and when we are called upon to suffer persecution for Christ, remember the promise of God, that the wicked and evil workers of iniquity who bring persecution upon us will soon be cut down, and those who belong to  Christ shall prevail  and be more than conquerors with him
.     “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed,  but not in despair; persecuted but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. Always bearing about in the body the dying of he Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live  are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.  So then, death worketh in us, but life in you. “ 2 Corinthians 4: 8-12.
     “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?  But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye, and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. 1 Peter 3:  13-14
     Let us not be boastful and over confident in our  own strength in the time of  persecution, as Peter did during the trial of Christ when he boasted that  he would never forsake  the Lord, but let us pray for one another that we may find grace in the time of need, and in the power of God remain faithful and steadfast in our faith.

                                      Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry
                                                                            Psalm 26:7

The Field of the Slothful

Thought for Today - May 6
The Field Of the Slothful
By: Robert A. Searlesl

     “I went by the field  of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown  over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.  Then I saw, and considered it  well:  I looked upon it, and received instruction.  Yet  a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth; and thy want as an armed man.” Proverb 24: 30-34

     Just as physical laziness will result in poverty and want, so will spiritual laziness and slothfulness result in poverty of the spirit and soul when we are too lazy or indifferent to pray and meet with God, and seek God, and do our duty toward him.  Just as we need to work  for our physical well being, so we must consciously make the effort to be spiritually well nurtured and adjusted by deliberately searching the scriptures, praying, and having communion with God.

     May we not allow ourselves to become negligent and lazy concerning the things of God, when God has opened his store house of blessing to us  and invited us to abide in him and enjoy the abundant life which he has provided for us.

Telehelp Publicastions Christian Literature Ministry
www.bibles-books-gifts.com
www.telehelppublications.blogspot.com

First Fruits of Our Increase3

Thought for Today - May 5
First Fruits Of Our Increase
By: Robert A. Searles

     “....But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his rightreousness; 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 necessasry 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 pleased when his children arise early in the morning and  offer  to him, with sincerity, gratitude, and love, the first fruits of the new day that he has  given to them?  When we honor God by opening our eyes in the morning and calling upon the name of the Lord, and say: Thank you Lord for this new day in my life, I want to walk and talk with you today, and have the fellowship of the Holy Spirit in all that I do this day; this is well pleasing to the Lord.  Each new day the Lord is knocking on the door of our hearts and lives the moment  we awake in the  morning.

    Jesus said: “Behold I stand at the door and knock,  if any man will  hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and sup with  him and he with me.”  The door must be  opened the first thing  in the morning. If we wait until it is convenient for us to open the door, it may be that we will  forget to open the  door  at all and we will 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 Idirect my prayer unto thee,and will look up.” Psalm 5:  3

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

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry
www.bibles-books-gifts.com
www.telehelpppublications.blogspot.com

Eat Your Words

Thought for Today - December 17
Eat Your Words  -  By: Robert A. Searles
     Would you like to eat your words?  Are the words and statements which come from our mouths food for thought, and edifying to ourselves and others, or are they poisonous and destructive of ourselves and others?  Do the words that proceed from our mouths add health and vitality and strength for those who receive them?
     The words that come from our mouths are only the aroma, as it were, or the smell of that which actually dwells within us.  If in our heart there is produced the fruits of the Spirit of God by the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, then our  words which proceed from our mouths will be a sweet   savor, or a sweet smell to the Lord.  They will be uplifting to ourselves, positive in nature, and glorifying and pleasing to God.  Our conversation and  our words paint a picture of that which we actually are on the inside.  The words and statements which come from our mouths not only feed ourselves, but others around us as well.
     We are and become that which we say we are.  We believe that which we say we believe  We can do that which we say we can do.  We have that which we say we have.  Our statements and words determine our success or failure in life.  Our words feed us.
     “A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18: 20, 21.
  “Doth not the ear try words? And the mouth taste his meat?” Job 12: 11. 
  "But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12: 36,37.
     Let us pray that the words of our mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to God our Father who hears every word and knows every thought.
       Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

Your Invitation to Attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb of God

Thought for Today - May 3
Your Invitation To Attend The Marriage Supper Of the Lamb Of  God
By: Robert A. Searles

     You are cordially invited to attend the  banquet of the King, and master of the universe, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, to be held in heaven at a time and date known only to God the Father.  This banquet known as the marriage supper of the Lamb will take place at such a time as there will be much suffering and tribulation on planet earth, but those who have responded and accepted  the King's invitation to come and dine will be transported away from planet earth, being escorted by the King himself, just prior to the beginning of earth's troubles.

     There will be a time of great rejoicing and feasting, and reunion with loved ones, and best of all, you will be eligible to enjoy the splendor and beauty of God's paradise forever where there is perfect peace and justice – where there is no sickness, no death, no parting.
     You must respond quickly, ASAP, to assure your reservation because time is short and limited. Today is the accepted time.  Tomorrow may be too late.  If any man, woman boy or girl, will hear his voice and accept his invitation there will be a place reserved for them at the Lord's table.

     This invitation is extended  to all races, all clans, all creeds, and all religions; however, this invitation is not extended to good, self righteous, perfect people, who are trusting in their riches, or good deeds or accomplishments -  unless they are willing to acknowledge that they are sinners, imperfect before God, and need a Savior.  Such a person will come to God, believing that he is, and believing the bible to be the written word of God – he will confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Lord and Savior, and the perfect sacrifice offered unto God for the forgiveness of sins.

     It is required that you wear a wedding garment when you enter the banquet hall, but this garment which is the righteousness of Christ, is fitted for you and provided for you when you accept by faith his invitation to be saved, and born again as a child of God, and are looking forward to attending this great feast of the Lord.

     The cost of the banquet is extremely high and beyond the means of every mortal being, but it has been paid for in full by the King himself, the Lord Jesus Christ with his own blood.

     You may confirm your reservation today to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb, and for an eternal mansion in our Father's house by bowing before the Lord and confess that you are undone in yourself, that you are a sinner and need to be saved, and ask him to enter your heart and save you.  If you will do this today, your reservation will be guaranteed and confirmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.

     I look forward to meeting with you in that celestial city, and together with our Lord, walking the streets of gold – passing through the gates of pearl, and gazing at the walls of Jasper.  Until that day arrives, I wish you the best of joy, and peace, and abundant living here on earth until our Lord returns to carry us away to begin the festivities at his banqueting table on high.

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  And to her  was granted that she should  be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  And he saith unto me, write, blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the lamb. And he saith unto me, these are the true sayings of God." Rev 19: 7-9

Signed: Only a sinner saved by the grace of God
Your ambassador for Christ


Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry
www.bibles-books-gifts.com
www.telehelppublications.blogspot.com

Wher is Safety?

Thought for Today - May 2
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.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry
www.bibles-books-gifts.com
www.telehelpppublications.blogspot.com