Fear Not Man!

 

 Thought For Today - December 17
 Fear Not Man!
By: Robert A. Searles

    "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favor; but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord." Proverb 29: 25,26.

Some of us have more fear and regard for man than we do for God. This is what hinders us as Christians from taking the stand that we ought to take for godliness and morality in our home, our communities, and our nation.
   
    Some of us are more concerned that we will be "politically correct" and appealing to men than that we will be grieving the Holy Spirit when we do not speak up against all that we know to be contrary to the laws and commandments of God. Some of us have more regard for the creature than we have for the creator. Some of us would not do some of the things that we know are contrary to the perfect will of God if it were not for the fact that we don't want people to think that we have gone off the "deep end" and become fanatics and "odd balls".

    The fear of man is bondage and slavery. Obedience to God and trust in him is true freedom. Why should we care what men do to us, or think about us if we have the assurance that we can stand alone in our closet and be justified before God? The fear of man keeps us from giving our all to God, or becoming fanatics, if you prefer. The fear of man keeps us from taking a firm stand against immorality, and prevents us from publicly declaring that this is wrong, and that is right, according to the word of God. The fear of man keeps us from putting God first in all our thought and deeds.

    "The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." Proverbs 29: 25.
    Peter said by inspiration of the Holy Spirit: "We must obey God rather than men."

    Jesus said : Fear not him who can destroy the body, but fear him who has the power to destroy both soul and body in hell."
    "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?" Isaiah 2: 22.

    We Christians ought to covenant with God and with each other that we will not fear men, but we will fear and obey God in all things regardless of what ungodly men may say or think. Lets preserve ourselves, our homes, our communities, our churches, and our nation from the so called "politically correct" philosophies of ungodly men.

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Remembering! - Joanne Greenlaw Searles

Thought For Today - December 14, 2024
Remembering! Joanne Greenlaw Searles  -  March 4, 1934 - December 14, 2018

 By: Robert A. Searles
      I am re-posting this annual remembrance  today in loving memory of my best friend; my helpmate; my partner; and beloved wife for sixty six years - Joanne Greenlaw Searles

It seems that only yesterday we were making  preparations for the celebration  of our Lord's birth at Christmas- trimming the tree; wrapping gifts; mailing cards - together, Today  Joanne is safe in the arms of Jesus, face to face with her Savior.  All of us who know and have accepted Christ as Savior will soon  join them.

 
     Six  years ago today, on December 14, 2018, at approximately 9:05 AM, I had to say goodby to the dearest on earth to me.  On that day, and even now sometimes I, in my own  heart have asked the question as the song writer - Frank E. Graffe  has so beautifully written - "Does Jesus care when I've said goodby to the dearest on earth to me?"

 
     "Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth and song  As the burdens press, and the cares distress, and the way grows weary and long?  Does Jesus care when my way is dark with a nameless dread and fear?  As the daylight fades into deep night shades, does he care enough to be near?  Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed  to resist some temptation strong, when for my deep grief, I find no relief, though my tears flow all the night long?  Does Jesus care when I've said goodby to the dearest on earth to me, and my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks - is it aught to him,does he see?" - Frank E. Graffe

 
      Then the answer comes flowing back as the fresh breath of spring - " Oh yes he cares; I know he cares.  his heart is touched  with my grief.  When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares" - Franke E. Graffe

 
      She, being afflicted with that horrible disease known as dementia, daily, and constantly had a longing and craving to "go home",whether it was for the home she had known as a child on earth, or if it was for her eternal home that was prepared and promised to her in heaven by our Lord Jesus Christ, only the Lord knows.

 
      Because of the severity, and super aggressiveness related to her condition, no nursing home  could be found that would accept her for long term care, but Jesus cared, and he mercifully called her home to her mansion in heaven that he had been preparing for her

 
      Jesus said:  " Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions.  If it were not so I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am  there you may be also." John 14: 1,2,3

 
      Joanne believed this promise, and spent much of her lifetime teaching this, and the rest of God's word to children and others.

 
      So, four  years ago, Jesus kept his promise, and took her home to heaven to live with him forever.  There he healed her.  No more dementia;  no more pain; no more longing to go home.  She is now at home rejoicing around the throne of God.

 
      My comforting thought and hope is that .... I know that Jesus is alive and cares.  And Joanne and I will meet again one day in heaven.  When I see her again, I believe she will be young again and beautiful,and have a brand new glorified body, and be like Jesus with perfect youth, health, and knowledge and eternal life.

 
      What a blessed hope that Jesus has offered to all who will believe him, and confess our sins, ask for his forgiveness, and accept him as Savior and Lord.. I pray that whoever reads this memorial for Joanne has accepted Christ as Savior and has the blessed hope of reunion when you have to say goodby to the dearest on earth to you.

 
      Good night! Sweetheart! I'll see you in the morning.  Together we will worship around the Throne of God, and together with Jesus we will stroll around heaven forever.
                         

Thought For Today - December 13
 No Light in the Window!
By: Robert A. Searles

    There is no one at home tonight at the old home place. No light in the window, no fire in the hearth, no friendly voices of welcome as in days gone by.  Once there was a mother's prayer, a father's strong arm and the light of love and faith, and the aroma of life, where now only barren and void stands the old homestead, beat upon by the rain of summer, the winds and storms of winter, and torn by the lashing torrent of the passing of time.

    Abandoned and alone it stands like the cast off shell of something that once was alive, slowly moldering, and decaying, and returning unto the dust, like the shells of those whose voices once caused its' rooms to vibrate and resound with laughter. 

    Where are the former tenants of so forlorn a place? Is there no one to light a fire in the hearth? Is there no one to put a light in the window? Is there no one who cares that I have come home from the wars: - the battle of good and evil; of right and wrong; of righteousness and unrighteousness? Is there no one to welcome me and succor me? No, time was, time has been, time is gone, time waits for no man. One by one I have watched them go down the valley to meet the lover of their souls. It is said that life is forever, and there is no end of love. Ah! what blessed truth! Our Lord and Savior said: "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me , though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." John 11: 25,26.

    They believed and they trusted, and so they occupy stately mansions in a far off country. Jesus said: "In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you." John 14: 2

    I shall turn and go forever from the old home place which is abandoned and alone, and torn by the passing of time. Return to your dust from whence you came. Never again will a light shine from your windows to light my pathway. Never again will a fire burn in your hearth to warm my soul, never again will I hear on earth those voices so dear to me. Fall into your dust ye abandoned and desolate relic of time and space, for these mortals have put on immortality.

    "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Corinthians 15: 55. Know ye not that on the resurrection morning the trumpet of God shall sound and the dead in Christ shall arise? 

    In that far off country, in my Father's house there is a light shinning to guide me home. There is an un extinguishable fire of God's love and mercy burning on the hearth. There are those who are waiting to welcome me home from the wars: the battles of good and evil; right and wrong; righteousness and unrighteousness. When my life's work is over, when I have fought a good fight, when I have run the race, then I too shall make my way down the valley to meet the lover of my soul. I shall walk up the lane to my Father's house and receive the welcome of my Lord. Then, I hope to see the ones I cannot see tonight.

    Father, if you see mother first, tell her that her prayers were not in vain. Tell her that I love her and I will be coming home from the wars one day soon. Mother, if you see dad first, tell him that his labors were not in vain. Jesus, tell those I love that I love you, because you first loved me and gave yourself for me. Tell them that I want to work for you and serve you a while longer here on earth so that I might tell the good news of your amazing grace to save the lost, and bear fruit to your glory, but some day we will meet at the marriage supper of the Lamb and renew old acquaintances and rejoice forever in the presence of our Savior in the everlasting mansions on high.
    Dedicated to the memory of my father and mother at home with the Lord.

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How Long WillThou Forget Me ,O Lord?

Thought For Today - November 29
 How Long Wilt Thou Forget Me, O Lord?
By: Robert A. Searles

    "How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy, my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me." Psalm 13.

 
    There are times in all our lives when it seems that the Lord has forgotten us and hidden his face from us, and abandoned us to the mercies of the world, the flesh, and the devil. This was true in David's life, a man who was a chosen vessel unto God, and a man after God's own heart, and it is true also in our lives as well.

 
    When we are left without the fellowship and nearness of the Lord we are prone to sorrow, despair, depression, and it seems that the world, the flesh, and the devil presses in upon us. It seems that our enemy, the devil is exalted over us.

 
    Sometimes our eyes are blinded to the presence of God by some sin in our lives, or the failure on our part to carry out a vow or a promise that we have made to him. Sometimes it is because we have not read God's messages to us from his word, or have not been in proper communication with him through prayer, and have not been listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts. Sometimes, I believe God is testing us to see if we really believe in him and trust him in times when he obscures himself from us for a little while.

 
    God always honors our faith in his word when we have nothing else but the word of his promise, and we just simply believe for no other reason than just because it is written in God's word. God sees our faith and counts it as righteousness.

 
    Though David felt far from God, though he felt that God was hiding his face from him and abandoning him, yet he knew and believed the promises of God's word that his mercy endureth forever, and that he would never leave nor forsake him. So, David kept pounding on God's door, as it were, even though it seemed that God was not at home for a little while.    Even before the joy of David's salvation was returned to him, even before his fellowship with God was restored, David believed and trusted in the mercy of God, and he knew that his heart would once again rejoice in the salvation of the Lord. He said: "I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me."

 
    When we feel that God has forgotten us, and that he is hiding his face from us, and has abandoned us; when we sense that our enemy, the devil is exalted over us; lets remember the written promises of the word of God that his mercy endureth forever, and that he will never leave us nor forsake us. Lets examine ourselves to see if there be any sin in our lives that needs to be confessed. Lets read God's messages to us through his word over and over to see if we have missed any important information from God. Lets stay in constant communication with God through prayer, and lets be constantly on the alert to hear God speak to our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

 
    Then, at times when it seems that God is not at home., lets keep pounding on God's door anyway, and even before our fellowship and joy is restored, lets trust in the mercy of God and rejoice in our renewed fellowship with God, even before we have it  This is faith. God honors faith and counts our faith as righteousness.  Lets lift up our hearts and sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with us no matter how we might feel at the moment.

 
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Take care of God]s business and he will take care of ours

 Thought For Today - November 28
 Take care of God's business and he will take care of ours.
By: Robert A. Searles

    If we will take care of God's business, he will take care of ours. Jesus said: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6: 33.

 
    We who are Christians ought to be so wrapped up in the things of God , and be so busy in our ministry for him that we have no time to be anxious for our food, or clothing, or any of our needs. As Christians we ought to be living in complete reverse to the way that most people in the world live. Most people spend about ninety nine percent of their time seeking for food, clothing, and shelter, and things that they think will make them happy and comfortable, and if they have about one percent of their time left, they offer it to God.

 
    This is why there is so much unhappiness and discontent in the world. God's plan for our lives is for us to spend one hundred percent of our time in loving and serving him, and being so wrapped up in heavenly and godly things that we have very little time to think about our food, clothing and shelter, and the pursuit of happiness.  I believe that this is one of the most difficult passages of scripture to believe and obey, and yet it is the secret and key to successful living and power with God.

 
    Someone related to me some time ago, whether or not it is true I do not know, that when Thomas Edison was working on some of his great inventions, he would work in a room without windows and without clocks, and he would be so engrossed in his work that he would lose all consciousness of time and forget to eat and sleep for days. It was said that when he got married, on his wedding day they were missing him during his wedding reception, and finally they found him locked in his work shop working on one of his great inventions. As I said earlier, I do not know if this story is true, but if it is, it is a good illustration as to how we Christians ought to be engrossed in the business of the Lord.

 
    God wants us to seek him first and put him first to the point that we are so engrossed in him and the work he has given us to do that we actually forget about all our needs and lose consciousness of our selves.

 
    When a person becomes a child of God he is baptized with the Holy Spirit and he becomes a member of the body of Christ, and God gives him a special gift to be used in his service to enhance his kingdom. It is our responsibility to find out what that special gift is and develop it and use it, and become engrossed in it for the furtherance of the kingdom of Christ.

 
    "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching, or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12: 6-8.

 
    Whatever we do we should do it with all our might and to the glory of God. When we are so busy doing God's work that we forget about the food we need, and the clothes we need, and the comforts that we think we need and would like , then we are really believing and trusting God's word and relying on him that our " heavenly Father knoweth that we have need of all these things". God honors our faith and all our needs will be automatically met without us having to spend too much time worrying about them, when we could be spending this time serving God.   If we will diligently take care of God's business, then you can be sure he will take good care of ours.

 
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King of Kings!

 
 Thought For Today - November 27
 King of Kings!
By: Robert A. Searles 

 
    What would our lives be like today if the Lord Jesus Christ was returned from exile, and was ruling the earth from his throne in Jerusalem, as he has promised that someday he will? Oh Lord, hasten the day of your return. I pray that it might even be during the time of our sojourn on earth. Even so, while you are yet in heaven, we want you to be the real King of our lives, and we want your will to be accomplished in our lives, as it would be if we were already in heaven, of if you were already on earth 

 
You have told us to pray for thy kingdom to come and for thy will to be done on earth even as it is in heaven.  We who have been redeemed by your blood are your children, the sheep of your pasture, the subjects of your kingdom, and part of your inheritance.

 
    I pray that you will help me to allow your minister, the Holy Spirit to sit in the executive seat of my life and direct my affairs as you see fit. Help me to be disciplined to allow the Holy Spirit to lead, direct, and command. Help me to submit every thought for his approval before I allow that thought to become a part of me; to submit every word for approval before I let it fly from my lips; and to submit every plan of action before I move in any direction.

 
    If Jesus were ruling on earth today, the law as given by Moses would be strictly obeyed. There would be an unfeigned love for God the Father; the love of our neighbor as ourselves; and all that God has created would be loved as well. If Jesus was now ruling on earth there would be no murder, no stealing, no adultery, no false witness, no covetousness; parents would be honored, children would be obedient, there would be no sin, no death, no sickness, no worry nor anxiety.

 
    "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done , as in heaven, so on earth." Luke 11:     Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!

 
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The Righteous Shall Flourish!

Thought For Today - November 26
The Righteous Shall Flourish!

By: Robert A. Searles

"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing. To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness with him." Psalm 92: 12-15

But who, among the human race, are the "righteous"?

"As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one" Romans 3: 10

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" Isaiah 64: 6

There IS one who IS perfectly righteous. his name is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the perfect sinless lamb of God, the second person of the Trinity.

"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 made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1: 1-5

This same person, Christ Jesus, left the glory of heaven to come to earth to rescue and save sinners like me, and like you, and all the rest of mankind - "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

If we have believed and confessed our sins, and accepted Christ as our savior, then we have been forgiven, "born again". and adopted into the family of God. We have become joint heirs with Christ, and will inherit eternal life. At the moment that we, by faith, say yes to Jesus, he strips us of our filthy rags of sin, and clothes us with the clean fresh garments of his perfect righteousness. We are justified by faith, and God the Father sees us as being clothed in the righteousness of Christ. 

 
Therefore, having been declared righteous by our faith, and acceptance of the finished work of Christ on the cross - his death, burial , resurrection, and asscention into heaven - we who once were lost sinners, are now made righteous, and can claim with confidence that we shall "Flourish like the palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing. To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness with him." Psalm 92: 12-15

To all who may read this, I as a redeemed servant of the Lord, invite you to accept Christ today, receive his righteousness by faith, and flourish-be planted in the courts of our God forever.

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