by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Baptism
Publicly Identifying With Christ – Important Step for the Christian
After accepting Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, the sacrament of water baptism is a very important step in the Christian’s life. In Matthew 3:13-17 we read of Jesus being baptized. The Bible says, “…Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you.’ Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now, it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” “Righteousness” (δικαιοσύνη dikaiosúnē) here is conformity to all of God’s standards for the believer. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary, New Testament)
Christ is the standard for Christians. Jesus was not being baptized for the repentance of sin, for He never sinned. (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26) This baptism for Jesus was an ordination, publicly fulfilling God’s standard for Him, and thus opened the gates of heaven for the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to accomplish God’s will for Him. (Matthew 3: 16; 4: 1-11) Jesus’ baptism forever changed the way His followers would look upon the celebration of water baptism.
When we receive Jesus Christ as personal Savoir and Lord, through faith we become children of God; and we are baptized we are identifying ourselves with Christ publicly. (Galatians 3:26-29; Act 10:1-47; Acts 8:26-39) The baptism celebration ceremony is a public proclamation of whom we are uniting ourselves with. A similar form of ceremony is performed at a wedding; specifically the exchange of a wedding rings, where witnesses observe whom you are pledging yourself. Before a soldier can wear the uniform, a ceremony is performed when a soldier makes a public proclamation of loyalty.
From the earliest time in church history to now, the body of Christ has used symbols to communicate her faith and life. One of the symbols of repentance and receiving the new life promised in Christ is water baptism. (Acts 8:36; 10:37) A wedding ring is a outward symbol that a person is married to someone, the person God has given them, to be their partner throughout life on earth, and is given in front of witnesses at the ceremony. A military uniform is an outward symbol that a person is involved with the armed forces—the type of uniform dictates which branch and division. There are regulations on the wearing and caring for those uniforms. Military personal are expected – and required – to wear respective uniforms during appropriate occasions, just as Christians are expected to participate in baptism. The celebration of the Christian’s baptism is a symbolic act saying, “I am dying to self-centeredness and sin-centeredness for the righteousness of God and Christ-centeredness.”
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Veteran's Day
Becoming a Soldier’s Shield
Pray for Our Veterans Works
1 Samuel 12:23, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord for failing to pray for you. Samuel was married and had a family. (1 Samuel 12:2) He had served as priest (1 Samuel 7) and Judge (1 Samuel 7:16; Acts 13:20) and he was a prophet. (Acts 3:24) He also got involved in directly praying for military situations, in calling a nation to repentance and in giving them directions on how to live.
In 1 Samuel 7 we read of Samuel a great man of prayer fulfilling his position as judge, prophet and priest. He tells the Israelite’s to meet in Mizpah. He gives them the great news that he is going to intercede for them. (1 Samuel 7:5) The Bible says Samuel cried out to God on Israel’s behalf. (1 Samuel 7:9) When the Philistines heard that the Hebrews gathered at Mizpah, the Philistine leaders decided to attack the Israelite’s. The Israelite’s became frightened and they went to the man of God and requested prayer saying, “Samuel, Do not stop crying out to God for us, [pray] that [God] may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 7:8) Listen to what the Bible says about God’s deliverance, in answer to Israel’s seeking after the Lord and Samuel’s prayer. “[When] the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. …that day the Lord thundered with a loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelite’s. The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them…” (1 Samuel 7:10-11) 1 Samuel chapter 7 says, “Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 7:13) The Israelite’s had their land restored back to them, and they delivered their neighboring territory from the power of the Philistines and there was peace between the Israelite’s and the Amorites. (1 Samuel 7:14) In the lifetime of Samuel, the great prophet, priest, judge and prayer intercessor, the Philistines never invaded Israel territory again. (1 Samuel 7:13)
History records powerful truths of God’s intervention for armed forces as people take time to prayer for those in harm’s way. In May of 1940, Germany was on the move and it was unbelievable how much control Hitler got over Europe. Hitler had backed up nearly all the remaining Allied troops to the beach at Dunkirk, France. Our Allied troops were surrounded. Ten miles to their rear was the German army. In front of them the English channel. An evacuation by water was their only hope however, it would not be easy. The English Channel was known for her terrible tides and treacherous winds. She was full of German mines and down the beach was Nazi artillery. The only other direction to go held German U-boats. 400,000 Allied troops were at Dunkirk and one English General said, “Nothing but a miracle could save them.”
It was at this time the Holy Spirit of God moved upon Reece Howell and a group of 100 students in a Welsh Bible College to become intercessors for those who were in harm’s way of Hitler’s armed forces. For some time they prayed from 7:00 P.M. to 12:00 Midnight. While those Welsh Bible students prayed, the British Royal Navy rounded up practically everything that floated in England to go a rescue the troops. During the rescue attempt there were several miracles. First, Hitler, for some mysterious reason stopped the Panzer tanks just 10 miles away. If he had kept moving he could have done great damage to our Allied Forces or destroyed them completely. Second, for an unheard of 9 days, the English Channel was perfectly calm, smooth as glass. Old-timers said, “We have never seen it like this before.” Heavy fog sometimes moved in and at other times smoke from burning oil fields drifted calmly towards the beach, thus, keeping the German air-force from seeing anything from the air during the evacuation. When the evacuation off the beach was finished, 338,000 Allied troops were rescued. The other 62,000 soldiers gave their lives so their fellow soldiers could get off the beach. They fought the oncoming Nazi Armed Forces when they finally made their move to attack again.
It is because of that kind of sacrifice we take time to observe Veterans’ Day. It is because of God responding to the prayers of great intercessors that we enjoy the freedom that we have in America today.
Christians are to be faithful in praying for those who are in harm’s way.
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Veteran's Day
A Soldier’s Shield
The Bible Calls us to Prayer for Veterans
1 Samuel 12:23, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord for failing to pray for you.
I would propose to you that when those whose lives are in danger ask for prayer, it would be a sin to fail to pray for them. Born again Christians can take their rightful place among such giants of intercession (The Expositors Bible Commentary) as Moses, (Exodus 32;30-32) Daniel, (Daniel 9:4-20) the apostle Paul (Romans 1:9-10) And Jesus. (Romans 8:34)
Just what are the benefits in praying for those in our armed forces?
God who called us to Christ sent His Holy Spirit to have the Apostle Paul write, “I urge, then first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…” (1 Timothy 2:1) Ephesians 6:18 tells us that Christians are to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers…” All Christians who come to understand and respond to their call to pray for others have the great opportunity to go before the “Throne of Grace” (Hebrews 4:16) and intercede for their fellowman. They have on many occasions seen the truth of what James wrote, “…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)
Christians must resist that temptation of omission in prayer because they become weary of the nation’s continued descent into sin. The prophet Samuel saw the sins of the people, yet committed to pray for them because he did not want to sin against the Lord. The most influential work done for the Hebrews was the teaching of God’s Word and the prayers that came from great intercessors such as Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and King David. These powerful intercessors did not just leave the people of God to their own course – to sow as they pleased and reap as they had sown. They did not withdraw from their responsibility, but interceded with all their hearts before a merciful God who could bring a people to repentance, protect them from their enemies and empower them to accomplish His perfect will.
Prayer is mightier than a king’s power of authority and more effective than a warrior’s sword. Wars are going to come and it is the responsibility of Christians to hold up their generation of soldiers in prayer which the Apostle Paul understood to be a weapon that has divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:4)
As Christians prayerfully examine the whole of Scripture they are led of the Holy Spirit to intercession. They know in their hearts that failing to pray for those who are in harm’s way, whether in fighting the spiritual or earthly battles of the Lord, is to sin. Pleasing God involves interceding for all of His works and for the people He is using to get His will done. (Matthew Henry Commentary; The Bible Readers Companion; Commentary on the Old Testament; The New American Commentary; True the Bible Commentary; The Pulpit Commentary)
I can assure you that every soldier who is facing the onslaught of our enemies’ attack would love to know that there are people of God out there who say as the apostle Paul, “God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times…” (Romans 1:9-10)
Pray for Our Veterans!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | The Bible
Your Ideology, True or False, Part Two
Jesus said, “…for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” (John 18:37) The “truth” (ἀλήθεια alḗtheia): “What is true in itself, purity from all error or falsehood…” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary) Absolute truth is given to those who hunger and thirst for the Lord’s righteousness.
The Bible gives all of mankind stern warnings, “The heart is deceitful above all things…” (Jeremiah 17:9) “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25)
We live in a day were people are questioning Biblical truth. Jesus made a statement that gives all a clear direction for life, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) John, in his Gospel used the Greek word Logos as a title for Jesus, “God’s revelation” for mankind. (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament)
In the Farrier Trade (the art of shoeing horses) there are absolute truths. These truths are learned from horseman of the past, given to horseman of the present and passed on to the horseman of the future. All horseman know: 1.) A horse’s foot lands to height. 2.) A horse’s foot flies to weight and 3.) A Horse’s leg must have the proper line of support. No matter what task the horse is asked to do, racing, working cattle, jumping, etc. – avoiding these truths will certainly lead to the horse becoming lame, making it ineffective to perform at its peak level and possibly crippling the animal for the rest of its life..
There are three absolute truths to sound Christology: 1.) God the Father, (John 6:12) 2.) God the Son (John 14:9-11) 3.) God the Holy Spirit (John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 2:11). The only way to God, is through the Son, Jesus Christ. (John 14:6) Salvation is found in no other Name, Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12) “…If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ [the Holy Spirit] they do not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9) Jesus said, “…everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” To Jesus, truth in not merely some intellectual concept of correct teachings, it involves life-oriented integrity that please the God who created mankind. Many can quote the Bible, speak religious precepts and tell others what Jesus said, yet they lack Biblical integrity in life. “Listen to My voice” means to hear, giving attention, causing one to strive for obedience to God’s Word.
The Psalmist wrote, “All Your commands are true.” (Psalm 119:151) “All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal.” (Psalm 119:160) The Gospel of John tells us, “…whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” (John 3:21)
People with a false ideology use as their resources, teachings outside of God’s Word, often quoting celebrities, politicians, or studies not based on absolute truth. Born again Christians strive to live by true ideology, their philosophy of life is birthed from, guided by and substantiated by the whole counsel of God’s written Word.
Each person has an ideology, does yours move you to live a life of integrity before the Christ who died for all of mankind?
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | The Bible
Your Ideology, True or False, Part One
Jesus said, For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’” (John 18:37-38) Pilate asked the question that is often asked today, “What is truth?” So many, proclaiming what they perceive as truth. All driven by the familiar phrases, “I think,” “I believe,” or the real truth, “My two cents.” No organization, group, or belief system can proclaim a life guiding truth made up from their own point of view. Here is why. No motorcycle club can race through a 65 mph speed zone running 90 mph, thinking it’s ok, because it is hard to detected them on the radar. That is a false-hood, an idea some bikers would like to believe. No inmate in a correctional facility can decide what is contraband, the overseers of the facility decide what is contraband. No one can choose to live a lifestyle based on personal opinion, preference, or self-delusion and expect their Creator (Psalm 24:1; 1 Corinthians 10:16) to be pleased with them. That is the heart if idolatry, the very ideology of Satan, which got him cast out of heaven.
For example: Let us consider an extreme lifestyle that led to barbaric acts that all us would agree would anger God, Human Sacrifices. The Bible and world history records a very sad fact, human sacrifices offered for some reason or another. The Rev. Samuel Burder (Oriental Literature) listed thirteen nationalities that offered human sacrifices, Egyptians, Arabians, Romans, and ten others. In the Bible you read of several occasions were the idolatrous Israelite’s offered up human sacrifices. God says this about His people who followed the examples of the Phoenician, who sacrificed their own children, “They [His people] have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal – something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter My mind.” (Jeremiah 19:5) That sad fact is, the thirteen nationalities written about by Rev. Burder and idolatrous Israel felt they were in the right and were doing a good thing for the people in their nation they lived in. The people of God in the Bible did a barbaric act, sacrificing their children because they did not think it worthwhile to seek the whole counsel of God’s Word, nor obey His commands.
There a people today who proclaim opinions, they desire their own preferences and love to serve the god of self-delusion rather than seek the whole counsel of God’s Word. Paul writes about these people in 2 Timothy, “….[people who] are lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. (2 Timothy 3:4) They are “…always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” “…They are men of depraved minds…” (2 Timothy 3:7-8) God surrender’s these people over to the desires of their own hearts, they are overcome with different kids of sin which are listed in Romans 1:18-32, Galatians 5:19-20, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Just as the Israelite’s, in the Old Testament rejected the truths of God, people today reject the truths in the Word of God. Being influenced by false teachers who delude the minds of those who do not love the Lord, nor live for the Christ who died for them.
Are you like Pilate, drawing question about truth?
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