by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Evidence of Salvation
Your Religious Mission Statement
There is an important pronouncement that should be declared by all who claim to have faith, A Mission Statement. A mention statement lets people know who you follow, what you believe and your vision direction. It only makes sense, if you cannot proclaim who you follow, what you believe and explain your vision, you have no clue of the way of life you are to live, nor whom to serve. When a mission statement is the conjuncture of man it opens the door to worship all god’s, trying to please all people, leaving souls miss-guided and spiritually deluded. It is important to note, the God of the Bible gives everyone the option of whom they may serve. Through Joshua, the God of the Bible proclaims a truth that is as much for us today (2 Timothy 3:16) as it was for those he spoke to in Joshua 24: 14-15, “Now serve the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness… But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
When we take time to do a detail study of Joshua 24:14-15 you will see the Lord mentioned three times and the word “gods” mentioned three times. The “Lord” (יְהוָֹה yehōwāh) a noun meaning God. The word refers to the proper name of the God of Israel, particularly the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses (Exodus 6:2, 3). (Baker, W., & Carpenter, E. E. (2003). The complete word study dictionary: Old Testament (p. 426). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.) “Serve Him with all faithfulness” is literally “serve Him with integrity (tāmîm) and truth (ʾĕmet) (Howard, D. M., Jr. (1998). Joshua (Vol. 5, p. 435). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.) Joshua lays the truth of what a good leader for the Lord does. He told the people of God this day put away the other gods (אֱלֹהִים ʾelōhiym).” (Joshua 24:14b)
Any church wanting to serve God with integrity and truth has a mission statement that is birthed from Scripture (the Bible), substantiated by Scripture from the Bible and guided by the whole council of the Word of God (the Bible). It proclaims God as the one true God (Psalm 96:4; Micah 7:18) The Son being the only way to the Father (John 14:6) and Holy Spirit influenced (John 14:15-31; Romans 8:1-17). The New Testament writer puts it so clearly, “…yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from Whom all things came and for Whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom all things came and through Whom we live.” (1 Corinthians 8:6) The writer of the Book of Romans writes, “For those who are led by the Holy Spirit of God are the children of God.”
The Billy Graham Association understands this truth. Their statement of faith, “We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:15-17) We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19) We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1:23) We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, whose indwelling enables the Christian to live a godly life. (Romans 8:9) (The Official Website of the Billy Graham Association: Statement of Faith)
What say you? Does your mission statement make a clear proclamation about the One True God of the Bible? Proclaim Christ as the only way to the Father and Holy Spirit illuminated?
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Heaven
A Biblical Revelation – The Loss of a Baby
David, the man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) gives a truth worth grasping when we face the tragedy of the death of a baby. David writes, “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together…, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16) The prophet Jeremiah has this Biblical revelation, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” We know from Scripture that the life of a child is unique and sacred. The Word “knew” (Hebrew-יָדַע yāḏa) means God knows us personally, relationally and He has ordained us to do a specific task before we were even born. David says before our days came to be, God has written down His ideal purpose for us in the whole of life. To God, the age and existence of a child is not figured from the day they are physically born, but from His knowledge of their conception through eternity.
Medicine for a broken heart over the death of a baby is Holy Spirit illumination of the current dwelling place of the child missed here and now. King David was able to comfort his wife with the Biblical revelation he had of the death of their child, “…I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:23) Jesus gives us all a truth to grasp: “I am going there to prepare a place for you… I will come back and take you to be with Me that you may also be where I am.” (John 14:2b-3) The Apostle Paul believed the Lord, He wrote, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)
“Some years ago in Dayton, Ohio, a little girl came to know the love of Jesus Christ, becoming an earnest Christian. She loved her father very much, but her father was not a Christian and he had no concerns for the affairs of the Body of Christ.
Each evening as the father came home from work, this little girl would meet him at the gate. Despite the gate being very high and without gaps to see through, she waited patiently. In order for his daughter to see him come home through the gate, he took a paling off the gate. Each night when the father came home from work, his little Christian daughter was waiting for him, eagerly looking through the palings of the gate.
One day the little girl became very ill, one from which she would never recover. As she became sicker and sicker, the little Christian girl told her father, ‘When I get to heaven, I am going to ask God to pull a paling off Heaven’s gate so I can look through to see if you are coming.’” (Knights Treasury of 4,000 Illustrations, Walter B. Night)
For those who have a baby in heaven, there is truth for your soul. You can overcome bitterness, suppress anger and choose to walk in everlasting joy. The one you lost is waiting in heaven. Souls in heaven are looking, watching to see if you are coming through faith in Jesus Christ. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | God's Provision
God’s Power Over Satan
There is a powerful truth spoken by Jesus Christ that should intrigue everyone who is willing to be taught of the Lord. He makes a statement to the seventy-two that should give all of us the same joy, “…rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20b) Prior to this truth is another truth, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” (Luke 10:18) Spiros Zodhiates gives us an excellent understanding of “lightning” (ἀστραπή astrapḗ) and it’s usage in this passage of Scripture, “The physical phenomenon of lightning, [as a sign] for the swift completeness of Satan’s overthrow.” “The point of the comparison is the suddenness and power of the Divine working.” (Kittel, G., Bromiley, G. W., & Friedrich, G. (Eds.). (1964–). Theological dictionary of the New Testament (electronic ed., Vol. 1, p. 505). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.)
It is imperative that you understand, Jesus the Son of God is always revealing truths about Kingdom Authority over everything, including heaven, hell and earth. No doubt Jesus is remembering the power of God in dealing with Satan at the time of his fall. (Isaiah 14:12) Symbolically, through lightning, He is expressing the swift power of God in the authority given to the seventy-two as they saw demons submit to them in the Name of Jesus Christ. (Luke 10:17) The Lord in this teaching is also seeing into the future, the many contest with and victories over evil. (Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). St. Luke (Vol. 1, pp. 272–273). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.) Satan’s counterfeit kingdom will face many set backs as the results of the ministries of Jesus’ disciples. (Hughes, R. B., & Laney, J. C. (2001). Tyndale concise Bible commentary (p. 450). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.) The all knowing Christ is thinking of the time when Satan and all who follow him will march over the earth, surround the camp of the saints and the beloved city [Jerusalem].” (Barclay, W. (Ed.). (1976). The Revelation of John (Vol. 2, p. 194). Philadelphia: The Westminster John Knox Press.) The Bible says, “Fire [comes] down from heaven and [consumes] them.” (Revelations 20:7-10) This attack on God’s people brings fourth an immediate judgment. (Walvoord, J. F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 981). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books) Just as all of nature has no resistance to the swift forceful power of lightning, Satan cannot in any way stand against the powerful forces of God.
It is like, only like the scene in the movie Thor, were Odin comes from Asgard to Jotunheim with a bolt of lightning to confront Laufey. Odin’s entrance catches the attention of everyone. Laufey is king of the Frost Giants, symbolic to all that is evil. During their confrontation Odin tries diplomacy, which is rejected by Laufey. With just a spoken word and a gesture of the hand, Laufey is thrown from the presence of Odin. In a flash Odin and all under his protection are taken back to Asgard.
The whole of Scripture teaches that Satan, the prince of this world (John 16:11) can not over power the eternal purpose of God.
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Christian Living Truth's
Christians and Non-Christians Must Give an Accounting
Oswald Champers in My Utmost for His Highest wrote “The deadliest pharisaism to-day is not hypocrisy, but unconscious unreality.” Jesus spoke a truth that awakens the human soul to a reality that is going to be experienced by all of mankind, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:34b-37)
The Message (Bible) translates what Jesus taught, “Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back and haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” (Matthew 12:34b-37)
This truth is taught by Jesus during his teaching to the Pharisees. (Matthew 12:1-14; 12:22-37) Here in this teaching Jesus tells His listeners to come clean, examine their own hearts by what they speak to see if they are letting the Holy Spirit season their speech with God’s grace.
Careless (idle, literally thoughtless words) are spontaneous expressions which reveal what is in a person’s heart. It has been well written, “Let a man examine his words, that he may discover the state of his heart. And let him remember that God will not only judge the words he speaks under careful deliberation, but also by the words he speaks when the conventional restraints are gone and the real feelings of his heart are spoke forth.” (Barclay, W. (Ed.). (1976). The Gospel of Matthew (Vol. 2, pp. 46–47). Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster John Knox Press)
People may say in anger words that hurt others. After their discourse they may say, “I never meant it.” That does not free them from the responsibility of what they have spoken. What they have spoken, has wounded a heart. Thus, they will give an accounting. A person may say things in an relaxed moment that brings question to the character of others, cause people to lose heart, entice people to rebel against truth and positive leadership. For saying such words, there will be an accounting. The fact is, the words that we speak are a reflection of what is really in our hearts, revealing who we really are.
What does your speech reveal to others? Are you a person who is positive in your speech or a person who is known to speak negatively. Does your speech reflect a language that is Holy Spirit controlled, or influenced by the sinful nature, a world view or by the lies of the devil. The truth we all must heed to: At the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10) or at the White Throne Judgment (Revelations 20:11-15), everyone will give an accounting for every word spoken.
We should all seek the Lordship of Jesus Christ, so we can set an example in speech. (1 Timothy 4:12) Whoever loves life and desires to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and lips from deceitful speech.” (1 Peter 3:10)DaVinci and Christ
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Christian Living Truth's
The Apostle Paul gives instructions to Timothy that applies to all Christians who desire to take on the important charge, “Preach the Word” (2 Timothy 4:2). “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) First, Christians are to study in such a way that would bring them approval to God. Second, they are to be such a quality laborer for the Lord, when their teaching of Scripture are examined, they need not be ashamed. Third, Christians are to be accurate in their delivery of the message of truth so as not to pervert or even distort the Word of God. (The New American Commentary – Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, pp. 214–215). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers)
The word “approved” (δόκιμος dókimos) means to be such a workman in the teaching of the Word of God, you would receive a commendation from the Lord. (2 Corinthians 10:18) It is to do your work for God in a way that is honorable. “Correctly handle” (ὀρθοτομέω orthotoméō) is to skillfully interpret, correctly teach and give accurate instructions of the Word of God. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament; Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 414; Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament); Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc; A Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament). Christians who are called to preach are diligent, literally exerting themselves in the hard work of study and are not afraid to have their work examined by others who God is using.
In 1994 the Billy Graham Evangelistic team oversaw the North America Conference for Itinerant Evangelist (NACIE 94). The team held every Bible teacher to the standard the Apostle Paul held Timothy to in 2 Timothy 2:15. Every teacher at NACIE 94 had to present themselves as students approved by God. Every teacher had to present in writing every Biblical truth they were going to teach. Before they could teach at NACIE 94, Bible teachers had to show they were workman who skillfully interpret and accurately instruct the Word of God. Every message to be preached was examined by proven men and women whom God was using to teach His Word all over the world. After five years of prayerful preparation, thousands of Itinerant Evangelist attended a conference that was Holy Spirit anointed. To this day those who attended this conference remember what they learned from the Bible teachers. Because of the team’s insistence, every teacher be held to the Biblical test of 2 Timothy 2:15. Students who could not attend NACIE 94 or were not be able to participate in every class can glean truths from every teacher, because every Biblical teaching was placed in a book, Equipping for Evangelism. Students attending NACIE 94 were given outlines of every teaching in each class so they can takes notes, writing down revelations the Lord gave them as they prayerfully participated in this Christ centered event.
Every Holy Spirit illuminated Christian wanting to enjoy God’s best in their service to Him in obeying their charge, “Preach the Word” will humbly present themselves to those whom they desire to teach as one who is approved by God to correctly handle the Word of God.
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