So Send I You

Thought for Today - May 26

So Send I You

By: Robert A. Searles

 

“Then said Jesus to them again, peace be unto you; as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

John 20:21 (KJV)

 

Jesus gave his disciples the commission to continue his ministry on earth after he had ascended into heaven.., He gave them the Holy Spirit to help them. We who are the children of God, have been given the same commission from him. We are told to go into all the world and preach the gospel to  every creature.

 

 As God sent Jesus to reconcile the world to himself, so Jesus sends us into the world among sinners, to tell them of his love and redeeming power. There is no purpose for living on earth other than for service to God. 

 

 The unsaved person from the time he is old enough to think for himself is constantly searching for something that will fulfill his purpose in life. It is called the pursuit of happiness. It is the common thought that happiness is something which we can run after, and some day catch, and when it has been caught, hang onto it and never let it go. No wonder there are so many frustrated people in the world. They go from one thing to another, without ever finding any real satisfaction in life, and no purpose for living.

 

 Education won't satisfy, houses and property and wealth won't satisfy, even good health won't satisfy, and the reason being, that we were designed to be satisfied only from within when we have found the perfect will of God and are doing it.The most miserable people of all are those who have become the sons of God, if they have never yielded themselves to serve God and win souls to Christ.The greatest joy and satisfaction that any of us can ever experience is to know that we are doing the very thing that we were sent to do after we were saved, that is, to magnify and exalt the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; to win souls; and to continue the ministry of love and compassion, and reconciliation to God through Christ, and help those in need.

 

When a person has no purpose in life other than to satisfy his own flesh, then life itself becomes nothing but a continual state of boredom and depression, and can become a living hell. We have been sent by Jesus to do a job, to work in his vineyard, to bring in the harvest. There is much joy in laboring for the Lord. 

 

 We are told that: “they that sow in tears, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them.”I want to be one of the sent ones. I don't want to be just sitting around feeling miserable because I have reached a certain age, and feeling sorry for myself that all my yesterdays could not continue until today. I pray that the Lord will fill me to overflowing with the Holy Spirit and give me a ministry and service for him that will keep me busy magnifying and exalting his name forever. 

 

 I want to keep my eyes on the future, not on the past. That which is ahead is greater and more exciting than anything we have ever known in the past. I want to keep pressing forward to the prize of the high calling of God, as Paul said, and to keep my eyes fixed firmly on Jesus. I want to seek first the kingdom of God, and accept with thanksgiving any blessing that God wants to shower upon me.

 

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry 

www.bibles-books-gifts.com

www.telehelppublications.blogspot.com

 

What Did Jesus Say - About Good Works And Giving?

Thought for Today - May 24
What Did Jesus Say- About Good Works And Giving?
By: Robert A. Searles

     Men and women love to be recognized and praised and win medals for their generosity and good works.  To be seen and glorified by their fellowman is the only motivation of many for their benevolence and charity, even though their heart is not really in it.

     Jesus taught about the hypocrites who love to stand in prominent places and pray so as to be seen of men, and to be known for their so called spirituality.  Sad to say that there are some do- gooders and givers in churches today that want to be known by what they do and be recognized, and have their names displayed in prominent places.

     God knows all about our hypocrisy and the motives of our heart.  If we truly love God and love our fellowman, all our good works and giving ought to be motivated by a heart in tune with God, not caring whether anyone knows about it, and not seeking rewards.

     We ought to gladly serve God with our good works and giving out of pure gratitude for what Christ has done for us by saving us from eternal separation from God.  We could never earn God's favor by anything we could give or do.  All the blessings that we receive from God are free gifts of God's grace,- unmerited favor.

     Jesus said: “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them: Othewise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  Wherefore when thou doest thine alms do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.  Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth. That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6: 1`-4.

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

Did You Go To The Garden This Morning?

Thought for Today - May 23
Did You Go To The Garden This Morning?
By: Robert A. Searles

Did you go to the garden this morning where Jesus was waiting for you?
Did he greet you there, with your burdens and cares, did he bid you to give them to him?
When you met with the Lord in the garden, did he tell you that all would be well,
if you only believe, and his love receive, and that no one could take you from him?

When you walked in the garden with Jesus this morn  in the cool of the day,
did he tell  you of heaven, his home up above?
Did he tell you that he was the way?

If you did not go to the garden, this morn at  the breaking of day;
to meet with the Lord who was waiting for you, to take all your burdens away -
then you have missed a great blessing that could have been yours
had you worshiped at his throne of grace.
He wanted to comfort and give you sweet rest,
and wipe all the tears from your face.

Had you met in the garden with Jesus,
this morn at the breaking of day,
great peace would be yours, after hearing his  voice,
saying child you have nothing to fear:
For all  will be well if with me you will dwell, and walk in the garden with me.

I went to the garden this morning, where Jesus was waiting for me.
We walked and we talked and we had fellowship there.
He showed me his plan for today.
One day at a time, each moment I'll find
his guidance sufficient for me.
If I will but trust in his holy word,
And be led by his spirit you see.

Oh friend won't you come to the garden,
each morn at the breaking of day,
where the roses are fresh with the dew of the morn,
and the birds sing so sweetly of love,
to walk with him there, and so to prepare
to live in his presence above?

Oh who then will come to the garden to pray,
where Jesus is waiting for you?
He waits for you there to show you the way, 
and show you the depths of his love.

For you see, he's not willing for you to be lost
and be cast into eternal hell.
All your sin debt was paid when he died on the cross.
He carried your guilt all away.

And when he arose on that first Easter morn,
how fresh was the breaking of day !
The dew on the rose, and the song of the birds,
in the garden they met Jesus there.
Sin debts were paid, death was destroyed
when Jesus came out of the tomb.
Forever there will be, for you and for me,
 a place by his sanctified throne.

So, why don't you come this morning with me
to the beautiful garden of prayer?
To tell him how thankful we are for his love,
And that we have a home over there.

With these morning thoughts still fresh in our hearts,
let us walk with him all through the day.
As he guides us along and shows us the way,
let us but  trust and obey.

Then when the shadows of night come along,
and we come to the end of our day,
we can rejoice and lay down to sleep
with assurance of eternal day.

R. A. Searles – all rights reserved

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

Safe In The Arms of Jesus

Thought for Today - May 22
Safe In The Arms Of Jesus
By: Robert A. Searles

     Because I am a child of God; because I have been forgiven, and purchased with  the precious blood of  Christ from the realm of the evil one, Satan,  I can be sure that “though I walk in the midst of trouble thou  will revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me, the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O lord, endureth forever; forsake not the works of thine hands.”  Psalm 138: 7, 8.  The Lord will never forsake the works of his  own  hand, and those whom  he has redeemed.

     No one is beyond the sight and knowledge of God. No one can hide from God.  No one can  keep a secret from  God.  He knows everything we do, every thought we think, and every motive of our heart.  We may be able to deceive our fellowman, but not so with God.  He knows who has genuine faith and confidence in him, and who is a hypocrite.  The knowledge of God is wonderful, beyond any human comprehension, but he is willing to impart his knowledge and  wisdom to us  if we  will seek him and ask him for wisdom.

     “O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.  Thou knowest my down sitting and mine uprising.  Thou understandest my thoughts afar off.  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.  Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon  me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto  it.  Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither  shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there.  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139: 1-10

I am safe in the arms of Jesus forever.

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

God's Promise tpo Us When - We Are Confused

Thought for Today - May 20
God's Promises To Us When -  We Are Confused
By: Robert A. Searles

Many people in the world today are walking in spiritual darkness, and living in a state of gross confusion, even though, seemingly, they may be quite confident that all is well  with their soul, and eventually the land of milk and honey will be reached, although they don't know how. So by desperately striving, and searching for truth wherever it may be found, they hope to attain  peace on earth, and a place called heaven at last.

     People of the world have heard, and listened  to many voices – politicians; preachers; evangelists; educators; scientists; philosophers; and even fools like me, yet, who or what is to be believed?  Who is telling the truth? Who really knows the truth?  There are politicians, serving in positions of leadership and authority,  who promise great things for the people whom they are supposed to represent, yet, in many cases, they are discovered to be liars,  crooks, and self seekers.

There are  preachers, and evangelists occupying pulpits throughout the  world who  are preaching a good works – social gospel, and teaching about a God that they know only by name, and by the theology which they have studied  at some secular university, or so called Christian seminary. These, are those who have never truly been “born again”,  and do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who is God, manifested in human flesh.  How can these prophets of God, so called, lead their flock into God's light and green pastures, when they themselves  have never quenched their thirst from the still waters of God's truth, -  from that fountain that never runs dry?

     There are educators, and philosophers teaching in our schools and universities, and even in some, so called, Christian seminaries, who dissect the word of God, piece by piece, word by word, to see if they can disqualify the infallible word of God from being the absolute, universal truth for all mankind.

Scientists present their hypothesis and try to prove the non-existence of an intelligent creator of all things.  Is it any wonder that we find our world today in such spiritual chaos and confusion?

It is easy to become confused by all the ideas that are presented to us, especially if one is not securely grounded in the word of God; however, God has  promised us a remedy for the darkness and  confusion that tend to enslave so many.

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace as in all churches of the saints.” 1Corinthians 14:33.

“In thee O Lord, do I put my trust, let me never be put to confusion.” Psalm 71:1.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,  and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.” James 1:5.

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.  I will guide thee  with mine eye.”
Psalm 32:8.

“And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; I will lead  them in paths that they have not  known.  I will make darkness light  before them, and  crooked things straight.   These things will I do unto them and not forsake them .” Isaiah 42: 16.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, I am the light of the world.  He that followeth me shalt not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” John 8:12.

It is needless for men and women, boys and girls, to be engrossed in darkness and live a life of confusion when we have a Father who loves us, cares for us, and imparts his salvation to us through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Let the word of God be your spiritual compass, and it will lead you safely home.

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

Thought For Today - May 19
Wise Children Maketh A Glad Father
By: Robert A. Searles

     “A wise son maketh a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. Proverbs 10:1.

  God compares our relationship to him as a father and son relationship.   When we do wisely as his children, we please him, and make him glad.  Walking in our own ways, and doing our own thing, and storing up treasures for the pleasure of the flesh  will profit us nothing; but giving ourselves completely to God and living righteously delivereth from death. 

     When we give God less than our best, whether it be our time, or our money, or our abilities, or our very  selves, we become poor.  Proverbs 10:4 says: “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand, but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”

     If we want to make our heavenly father glad, as verse one says that a wise son should do, and if we our selves want to be enriched, then we ought to be willing to go to work in our father's vineyard while it is yet summer, and we have the opportunity to do so. Verse 5 says: “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son, but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”  “The labor of the righteous tendeth to life; the  fruit of the wicked is sin.” Proverbs 10: 16

     Jesus said in John 4: 35-38 “Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?  Behold I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they  are white already to harvest.  And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal, that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.  And here is that saying true, one soweth, and another reapeth.  I sent you to reap that on which ye bestowed no labor; other men labored and ye are  entered into their labors.”

     Babies cannot work in the fields, they must remain behind in the nurseries and be breast fed, and nursed with the milk of the word; but we are grown children, and no longer feed on milk alone, but we ought to be able to eat and digest meat of the word and gain the strength we need to  go to work in the fields.  If not, we are retarded children

 “For when for the time ye ought  to be teachers, ye  have need that one teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk  and not  of strong meat.  For everyone that useth milk is  unskillful in the word of righteousness: for  he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5: 12-14

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

God's Promise to Us - When We Are sick

Thought For Today - May 18
God's Promise To Us -  When We Are Sick
By: Robert A. Searles

     Once there was a place called Eden, according to the Holy word of God, wherein was planted the tree of life.  God created a man, made in God's own image, whose name was Adam, and from Adam's rib he made woman whose name was Eve, and God gave them Eden for their paradise home, wherein life, health, and happiness did prevail – no death, no sickness, no hard times. No evil was present there while God walked among them.

     “And the Lord God formed man of  the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed.  And out of the ground made the Lord to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food, .  The tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis 2: 7,  8, 9.

     “And the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it, and the Lord commanded the man, saying – of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gen 2: 15, 16. 17.

     “And the  Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh instead thereof, and the rib which the Lord God had taken from man made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.” Genesis 2: 21,22.

There was not known to Adam and Eve in Eden, death, sickness, sorrow, or hard times, and lack of fellowship with God until, the fall of man, when Eve chose to follow the advice of  the serpent, who beguiled her, and she ate of the tree which God had forbidden, resulting in  the penalty of death for disobedience.

     “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made, and he said unto the woman, yea, hath God said, ye shalt not eat of every tree of the garden?” Genesis 3: 1.

 “And the serpent said unto the woman, ye shall not surely die, for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.  And when the woman saw that the tree was  good for food,  and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a  tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit  thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.” Genesis 3: 4,5,6.

     “And the Lord God 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.  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception, in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children, and thy desire shalt be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.  And unto Adam he said, because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee, saying, thou shalt not eat of it, cursed is the ground for thy sake, in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shalt it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.  In the  sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return to the ground, for out of it wast thou taken, for dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return.” Genesis 3: 14-19.

Thus entered into the world of men and women, that  which they had never known before -  sickness, followed eventually by death, and condemnation, and separation from fellowship with God who is the very source of life and health.  Henceforth we are all subject to sickness, and eventually death, of our body while on earth, and eternal separation of our soul from God unless we are born again by receiving The Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.

What are God's promises to us when we are sick? As a result of Adam's and Eve's disobedience, the whole human race, past, present, and future became infected with a terrible disease known as sin. The outcome of sin is sickness and death, and eternal seperation  from God in Hell, unless a cure is found and applied

The great physcian, the lord Jesus Christ has the cure for the disease of sin, his own blood shed on the cross, and freely offers it to all, who by faith will receive it.  “Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you”.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  Bless the Lord , O my soul,  and forget not all his benefits   Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases ; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.” Psalm 103 1-5. 

     Whatever the nature of our sickness, whether it be a physical problem or a spiritual one, we can call upon the great physcian for help, and  he has promised to help us.

     “When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils, and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: himself took our infirmities, and bare our sickness. “ Matthew 8: 16, 17. 

     “Is any sick among you?  :Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him.  Anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James 5: 14, 15. 

It is always God's will to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we call upon him in faith, claiming his mercy, and confess our sins, and ask his forgiveness in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and give us the assurance of eternal life, and a home in heaven. 

God is able to heal all our physical aliments as well, if it be his perfect will to do so in each individual's situation.  However, sometimes God has his reasons for not granting healing to a paticular individual, his reasons being known only to himself.  In that case we have an even more precious promise from God.

     “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou  art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23: 4.

    Let each of us today, when we are beset with sin, or sick with  a physical disease, seek out the great physician, the Lord Jesus Christ, and ask that his will be  accomplished in our lives.    

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