by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Patriotism
Reformation is Called For
Biblically examining the rule of kings who oversaw the nations of Judah and Israel reveals the truth, God blesses obedience and He chastens for disobedience. 2 Chronicles 17-20 reveals God’s view on the reign of Jehoshaphat. Understanding how God worked in the life of Jehoshaphat helps us understand how the Lord wants to work in America.
In 2 Chronicles 18 we read of Jehoshaphat crying out to the Lord, the Bible says God helped him. In 2 Chronicles 19, we read of Jehoshaphat’s safe return from a battle, an alliance he was not suppose to be in. The Bibles says, “When Jehoshaphat, king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, Jehu the seer… went out to meet him and said to the king, ‘Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is upon you.”
Medicine for America begins with the modern day teachers of God’s Word rebuking politicians who help those whom the Bible says live in ways that are displeasing to God. Sadly, many in leadership claim to know God, but choose to live for the flesh and are lured by a world view. Watching the TV news and reading the daily news paper reveals God’s wrath being poured out. (Read Romans 1:18-32)
The Bible says Jehu said this to Jehoshaphat, “There is, however, some good in you… you… have set your heart on seeking God.” (2 Chronicles 19: 1-3) 2 Chronicles 19:4-10 records the fruit of repentance Jehoshaphat produced. He went among the people of the land and told them to return to the Lord. He appointed judges in the land, told them that they should carefully choose what they do, for they were to be judging for God, not for man. They were to let the fear of the Lord be in their hearts. These judges were to warn people not to sin against the Lord, otherwise God’s wrath will be upon them. (2 Chronicles 19: 1-10)
The Holy Spirit of Christ wants Americans to understand that their Medicine is to appoint “judges” (Hebrew- sapat) who have the conviction that they are judging for the Lord. Medicine for America – Reformation of Appointment of Her Judges
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Patriotism
Recognize You Have Sinned
Biblically examining the rule of kings who oversaw the nations of Judah and Israel reveals the truth, God blesses obedience and He chastens for disobedience. Instead of hanging onto this world’s view, Christians can come to understand the Lord’s view of the reign of kings by reading the two Books of Chronicles. 2 Chronicles 17-20 reveals God’s view on the reign of Jehoshaphat. Understanding how God worked in the life of Jehoshaphat helps us understand how the Lord wants to work in America.
Jehoshaphat’s leadership had brought great blessings to Judah and like most in leadership, his leadership had moments that brought severe consequences to the spiritual, social and political life of Judah. Jehoshaphat allied himself with the wicked king Ahab whose policies brought the people of God to mix true worship with false worship. Jehoshaphat’s alliances in war and business nearly cost him his life and he put the nation of Judah at great risk.
Our national leaders, especially our founding fathers made Biblical choices that enabled America to enjoy the Lord’s blessings. However, many leaders today have allied themselves with organizations, opinions and are on friendly terms with those whom the Bible says, do evil in the eyes of the Lord. Our Biblical-Anemic preaching churches have failed to produce enough men and women who are statesmen who can overrule decisions made by politicians who are more concerned with party rule than with what is right before the eyes of God. Our nation and many of her churches find themselves afflicted with several of the curses written about in Deuteronomy 28:15-51. The wrath of God that is clearly spelled out in Romans 1: 18-32 is powerfully being experienced all through America. Medicine for America Begins With Recognition of Sin!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Patriotism
Powerful Delusions
2 Thessalonians warns of a time when “The man of lawlessness [we be] revealed.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) The Apostle Paul tells us “…the secret power of lawlessness is already at work…” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) This is happening because “…all the ways wickedness deceives, [is deceiving] those who are perishing..” (2 Thessalonians 2:10) People are perishing because “…they refused to believe the truth and be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10) Paul writes, “For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, so they may believe the lie, in order that all may be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)
A prototype, in regards to people who have governmental authority, “is an individual that exhibits the essential features of a later type.” (Mish, F. C. (2003). Preface. Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.) Like the man of lawlessness who will arise and deceive the whole world, there are governmental officials who have an ungodly agenda, yet present an appearance of good social order. Delusion becomes all who do not fully embrace the truths of God’s word. These people are intrigued with political leaders who have a worldly social agenda that embraces humanistic views.
The Apostle Paul wrote “a powerful delusion” (πλάνη plánē) meaning, “A wondering out of the right way, …seduction to error, false opinion. (Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.) The practical application is, “to cause someone to hold a wrong view and thus be mistaken.” (Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, pp. 364–366). New York: United Bible Societies.)
An honest look at our American history is proof that this delusion is at work. Daniel Webster served as U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Secretary of State. He was known as the “Defender of the Constitution.” He believed “it was the people’s right to establish qualifications for their elected officials.” The qualification, “profession of belief in the Christian religion.” (Source: Daniel Webster, The Writings and Speeches of Daniel Webster, (Boston: Little, Brown, & Company, 1903), Vol. III, pp. 3-7.) Today, as in the last several elections, there is a desire of most in America to elect officials who will enable them to live freely to make un-Godly choices, officials who will seduce them into error and embrace a mistaken view of the purpose for which our founding father’s intended this nation to be for God.
Shockingly, many embrace the delusion, “Woman’s choice over the right of life to the unborn.” Amazingly, people will support disrespect to others in a candidate, as long as that candidate appears to support their views. There is little concern over the fact of unrepentant immorality in government, as long the immoral person achieves the agenda of those who refuse God’s truth. There is strong endorsement for any leader who makes the things that break the heart of God look good and the things that please the Lord look bad.
The only way to overcome any deceptions today and the coming powerful delusion – is to fully surrender your spiritual heart to Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Patriotism
Urgent Call for Intercessors
1 Timothy 2:1-4, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
The apostle Paul wrote to the young pastor Timothy regarding the last days saying, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1) The Apostle Paul is being led of the Holy Spirit to take the Body of Christ to the high level of intercession for those they love and for those in authority. The truths found in this portion of Scripture guide the children of God to a very effective form of public worship, an act of worship that comes from a heart that has learned the joy of both singing the praises of God and grasping the truths of worship in spirit and truth through prayer.
The Holy Spirit moved Paul to write “I urge” (parakaleo) to indicate the urgency of the need of prayer. This Greek word means to admonish or call someone to do something. It is like a mother looking out and seeing her two year old standing in the middle of a four lane highway. Because her hands are full with a baby and packages from the store, she calls out for someone to intervene.
Dr. Ralph Earle points out that Paul is giving Timothy instructions on public worship in today’s text. The Holy Spirit wants you to grasp this truth: our president and our country have great needs. Pastors are to call out for someone with ears to hear and a heart to obey to urgently pray.
Over the next several weeks we will be teaching on how American Christians can Biblically respond to Paul’s exhortation to urgently intercede for this great nation. Pastor Terry L Laughlin will be teaching Biblically on what, how and who Christians are to pray for. Most importantly, you will learn what can be accomplished if the Children of God walk in obedience in interceding for our leaders and this nation. Make Plans To: Learn How to Offer National Prayers Become Intercessors for America!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Patriotism
National Prayer Warrior
1 Timothy 2:1-4, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
The first step in becoming a pleasing prayer warrior is to grasp the truths of four keys words regarding prayer in today’s key text.
The first word is “request” (deesis) giving us the application of presenting a special need or the intense needs of others by making the supplications with a sense of urgency. In keeping with our theme, it was the intense prayers offered up to the Lord for protection of our president when he was being flown around the USA in Air Force One, while our nation was being attacked on 9/11/2001.
The second word is “prayers” (proseuche) meaning to become a house of prayer. This is literally a house of prayer with set times to pray and involved in seasons of prayer. Compare this to a house that has everything set in place, everything being done in proper dependable order.
The third word is “intercessions” (enteuxis) and as it is used in 1 Timothy 2:1 it means praying according to God’s will (Zodhiates) and standing in the gap before God on behalf of others seeking His mercy and grace for them. In keeping with our theme today, it’s praying that God would bring America to repentance, God would put His protective hand around our president as He did King David, and that the Lord would give him wisdom.
The fourth word is “thanksgiving” (eucharista) meaning prayers that express thankfulness to God for hearing our prayers of faith in anticipation that He is going to work out all things for His glory and purposes.
Christianity Today had a quote from Karl Barth that should cause all Christians to grasp the power that is possible in offering prayers girded in these truths, “To clasp hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.”
With These Truths in Your Hear You Can Offer National Prayers. Become Intercessors for America!
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