Consider the Goodness of God

Thought for Today - September 1, 2023
 Consider the Goodness of God!
By:Robert A Searles

    Consider the goodness of God. Think of the goodness of God toward you as an individual, and then think of the goodness of God to your family. 

    But for the goodness and grace of God, where would we be?  It was said of John Bunyan, the author of "Pilgrim's Progress", that he  looked at a drunken bum lying in the gutter and he made the statement: "But for the grace of God, there go I". 

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2: 8,9. 

"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.
 Because of the goodness of God and his love for us, we are rescued from the bondage of Satan and set free as the redeemed children of God. 

 Because of the goodness of God, we no longer have to be slaves to the world, the flesh, and the devil. Because of the goodness of God, we can know love, joy, peace, and freedom from guilt and fear. We can enjoy the things that God has given us to enjoy.

 Because of the goodness and grace of God we have health and strength and are able to live normal lives. We see the goodness of God in all creation. We see the goodness of God in God's faithfulness. 

 " .......and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.   and the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children unto the third and to the fourth generations." Exodus 34:4, 5-7.

    "He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap; he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." Psalm 33: 5-9

    "Thou crownest the year with thy goodness, and thy paths drop fatness." Psalm 65:11.

"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." Romans 2:4.

    The goodness of God demands nothing less than our gratitude, our love, and dedication to God's service ,and obedience to him. If we give God less - then, we are despising his goodness.

"Behold, therefore, the goodness and severity of God; on them which fell, severity; but toward thee ,goodness, if thou continue in his goodness; otherwise thou shalt be cut off." Romans 11:22.

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Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                                     Psalm 26: 7

If Winter Comes

 

 Thought For Today - January 29, 2024
If Winter Comes
By: Robert A. Searles

      As I gaze through my window on this chilly January morning, I am beholding the inevitable death of summer. I see the last rose on the bush fading away and gasping for its' last breath, it seems. 

 

Trees and flowers which only a few weeks ago were in their heyday and ablaze with beauty and glory are losing their beauty, and soon will lie dormant in the frozen grasp of winter. The leaves are falling and the cold winds blow, and the days grow long and dreary as all the world seems to be ready to close its' eyes and succumb to the death and long sleep of winter.

 

      Then my thoughts are turned to myself, and I begin to realize that I too am on the threshold of that winter sleep called death. Many of my loved ones and friends have, like the leaves on the trees, fallen to the earth in submission to the wages of sin, which is death. 

 

 As I mediate on these things and look at the bareness of the fields and trees, and wish it were spring, then I begin to realize, soon it will be spring again. After the winter is past, the earth will return in its' orbit, gentle breezes will blow again, and alas! The buds will spring forth again on the trees, the flowers will bloom again, and the birds will once again send forth their sweet song. 

 

 As someone has already asked: “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”

 

      If a man dies shall he live again? Oh yes! I know, even as Job of old said: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another: though my reins be consumed within me.” Job 19: 25-27.

 

When spring comes again, the bush will have a new rose, the trees will have new leaves, the fields will burst forth with new life and all will be alive again.

 

      Even though I despair and sorrow now for awhile, I know that I shall rejoice later. As the songwriter has encouraged us with the words of that beautiful song: “Some golden daybreak Jesus will come.” 

 

On that bright spring morning Christ shall appear and abolish sin and death and spiritual winter forever. I shall have new body as do the trees have new leaves.

 

      “Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30: 4,5.

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Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry 
 

                                  Psalm 26: 7

Sharper Than a Two Edged Sword!

Thought For Today -  August 29, 2023

Sharper Than a Two Edged Sword 

  By:Robert A. Searles
      "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and ntents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12.
      Perhaps this is why some of us avoid the preaching of the word, and neglect to read the bible, and deprive our selves of the blessing and fellowship of God our Father.

 When we read the bible, or hear the word preached, it tears us apart and reveals to us all the hidden, secrets of a darkened soul. It shows us how black the heart of man is without the cleansing of the blood of Christ. It shows us how we measure up to God when compared to his dear son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
      But, oh!  what blessings we receive when we allow the word of God to accomplish its' purpose in us, when we allow the Holy Spirit to take the word of God and go down into the basement of our lives, as it were, and search out all the trash and garbage that is there in the depths of our soul, and bring it to our attention and give us the grace to confess and repent of all the evil that is within us, and make room for the filling of the Holy Spirit.
      Every creature is naked before God. Even if we neglect to listen to God speaking to us through his word, yet -  "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities,; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4: 13-16.

  >Can't get out to church? ? Then, enjoy up to date Sunday morning services from several local bible believing churches right here  

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                        Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                                Psalm 26:7

Desire to Be Like Jesus

 

Thought for Today - July 12, 2023
Desire To Be Like Jesus
By: Robert A. Searles

      Oh! that we might be like Jesus! What a high and noble calling to be formed in his likeness, and to be joint heirs with him! To have the mind of Christ; to have the heart of Christ; and the attitudes of Christ; that we might know him whom to know aright is eternal and everlasting life. He who was from before the beginning and is now and ever shall be, let us worship him and let us desire to cease to be what we are now and become what he is.

 

 Oh! To be like Jesus! God hath appointed him heir of all things. Oh! To be like Jesus! The brightness of God's glory, and the express image of his person. Oh! To be like Jesus, who being so much better than angels and hath obtained a more excellent name than they.

      We will never attain to the perfection which is in Christ while we are in this body, but we ought to desire to be made perfect as he is perfect. God looks upon the heart, and the motives, and honors good desires.

 

       Oh! To be like Jesus! “God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he hath made the worlds; who, being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1: 1-4.

Something For Which to Look Forward

 

Thought for Today - July 13, 2023
Something For Which To Look Forward
By: Robert A. Searles

      What are we Christians looking forward to today? As we begin this new day which God has given to us, do we have something to hope for, something that has been promised to us that we can with assurance look forward to?

 

      We all ought to be looking for Jesus to come. What a glorious morning that will be when: “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God , and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4: 16, 17.

 

      We ought to be diligently scanning the heavens, “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2: 13, 14.

 

      Meanwhile, as we wait and watch, and long for his coming, we ought to occupy until he comes as good soldiers and ambassadors. “Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly in this present world.” Titus 2:12.

      Let us rejoice and be glad. There is a great day coming when we shall enjoy the fruits of our labor, but rejoice today for this is the day that the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it because this is the day that we still have opportunity to labor for the master so that when the bridegroom comes we will have oil in our lamps, trimmed and ready to meet him.

  >

                                

A Dream Come True

 Thought for Today - November 10. 2022
A Dream Come True
By: Robert A. Searles

Have you ever had a dream come true? Have you ever had something wonderful happen to you that was beyond your fondest dreams and expectations? 

 

If you are one of us who have been saved and truly born again, you have had this happen to you. For once God's grace has been poured out to you, and you have been enabled by faith to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and have received him as your Lord and Savior, and you know that all your sins have been forgiven and that you are on your way to heaven, your weeping is turned to laughter; your mourning has been turned to joy; and for the first time in your life you are set free. 

 

 When the Lord turned your captivity to freedom, it seemed too good to be true. It seemed like a dream, and oh! the joy that filled your heart and you wanted to jump up and shout the glad tidings and tell the whole world.

 

We are so happy over what has happened to us that we want to go nd tell the whole world. We sorrow for those who remain in captivity to Satan, and we go out to sow the seed of the good news of the gospel in tears, knowing that by the grace and power of God, we shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing our sheaves with us as we are promised in the word of God.

 

Oh! What a dream has come true for all of us who have put our trust in Jesus, that sin and death would have no more power over us, and he has turned our captivity and made us to be partakers of his glory in his heavenly kingdom. 

 

“When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue witjh singing. Then said they among the heathen, the Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm, 126: 1-6.

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Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry

                                Psalm 26: 7

Study to Show Thyself Approved

Thought for Today - September 5, 2023
Study To Show Thyself Approved
By: Robert A. Searles

     “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2: 15.

     This is one area where many of us who are Christians are disobedient, and of course, all disobedience is sin.  The bible commands the believer to search and study the scriptures daily to see if the things we hear are really true lest we be led astray and deceived by false doctrine.  God has given us the written word to be a compass for our lives, to lead us through uncharted seas.

  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a guide unto my path.” Psalm 119: 105.

     Many times we wander out of the will of God because we do not meditate on the Word of God to know what his will is  for us.  If we search the scriptures, we shall find, if we knock, it shall be opened unto us, if we ask in faith, we shall receive
.
  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3: 16,17

     If any of us have been negligent in this area of our lives and are not actively engaged in the study of the scriptures, we ought to confess this to God that we might be forgiven of this sin and get back into the perfect will of God as he instructs us from his word.    

  >Can't get out to church? ? Then, enjoy up to date Sunday morning services from several local bible believing churches right here

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Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry
                                  Psalm 26: 7