by Terry Laughlin | Apr 14, 2016 | Easter
Remembering Your Works
Psalm 143:5 says, “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.” Sometimes we need to talk about and meditate on the battlefield wounds our Lord received as He paid the price for the redemption of our very souls.
Many grow up in homes where they have not experienced the frustrations and heartaches of war. Most of their lives they have not taken time to meditate upon the cost of war.
If you watch closely at the “Veteran’s Day Parade,” you will notice how the young find their joy in grasping for the candy. The youth are captivated by their friends who ride on the floats. But, it is those who have tasted the bitter fruit of war in some way, they are the ones who appreciate the men and women of whom the Veteran’s Day remembrance parade is for.
If you take time to get to know a war veteran who has received a purple heart and hearing the story of how he received that honorable medal, you can also grasp the truths of Veteran’s Day. Taking time to listen to and meditating upon the cost of our American soldiers, you can completely change your outlook towards the “Veterans Day Parade.”
The Holy Spirit of God calls all Christians to be witnesses to family members, friends and co-workers. Christians are to live in a way that shows the Lordship of Christ over their lives, so they can be seen as children of God who understand fully “The Battlefield Wounds of Christ.” This keeps them from being seen as children at a “Veteran’s Day Parade” who are more captivated by the candy and worldly floats than the veterans who bear the scars of war on their bodies and hearts.
During the Easter season, those who want to get all that the Lord has for them will make time to learn all they can about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! Just how will you remember the works of Christ this Easter Season?
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 14, 2016 | Easter
His Cost Our Gain
When I first got started in the Arabian Horse business, my parents and I attended a special coronation celebration for a beautiful Arabian Stallion. On a Saturday night, in Lincoln, Nebraska we sat in a large indoor arena, excitingly watching this beautiful horse receive the very high honor of “Legion of Merit.” The lights were turned off and a large spotlight appeared at the entrance gate. Music was playing and our hearts beat with anticipation. Then suddenly a beautiful bay stallion with long black flowing mane and tail entered at a gallop. The spot light followed him as he loped through the arena while the announcer told of all the achievements that this horse had accomplished.
When the announcer was finished, the horse trainer entered and called the horse to come to him. With lights upon them, a coronation of roses was fastened around his neck and laid across his chest. With a standing ovation this beautiful Arabian Stallion was led from the arena.
In contrast was the atonement day of Christ–the day the perfect man received for a coronation a crown of thorns. He went about accomplishing the complete will of God, healing the sick, feeding the multitudes and raising the dead. If anyone was worthy of honor it was Him. Yet, He was not greeted with lights and music, but darkness came over the land. (Luke 23:44) He did not receive a coronation of roses, a public announcement of achievements and a standing ovation. Rather, He was given a crown of thorns and afflictions from men.
The Prophet Isaiah catches the reality of what Jesus was to look like when He would be scourged for our sins, “Just as there were many who were appalled at Him – His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human likeness.” (Isaiah 52:14)
Make plans to remember the cost paid for our sins and let the Holy Spirit of Christ lead you in a lifestyle that brings honor to God and to the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus Christ. Respond to Christ appropriately!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 14, 2016 | Easter
The Battlefield Wounds Of Christ
Matthew 27:28-31 says, “They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand and knelt in front of Him and mocked Him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ They spit on Him, and took the staff and struck Him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him away to crucify Him.” The prophet Isaiah enlightens us with this description of our Lord’s battlefield wounds, “Just as there were many who were appalled at Him – His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and His form marred beyond human likeness” (Isaiah 52:14).
The Word of God gives us numerous details of the “Battlefield Wounds of Christ” which were inflicted upon the Savior of the World. “Jesus came to rule in the hearts and souls of man, and the rebellion of man’s soul wounded Him. He came to rule the wills of His people and the resistance of self-will hurt Him. He came in righteousness to cast out unrighteousness and the wickedness of the world turned against Him.” (unknown)
Though the Roman soldiers inflicted Him with a crown of thorns meant to cause pain, mockery and morbid enjoyment, God was allowing the proclamation of some powerful truths. Thorns were introduced with willful sin and were part of the curse spoken by God, “Cursed is the ground because of you [Adam]… It will produce thorns and thistles for you…” (Genesis 3:18). Figuratively, thorns signify affliction, the adversities of the wicked and the evils that spring up in the heart to choke out truth (Numbers 33:55; Proverbs 22:5; Matthew 13:7). Jesus’ “crown” represented all our sin that He came to die for.
Another battlefield wound that was laid upon Jesus was flogging. Among the Romans it was customary to viciously whip a slave or criminal to cause even more excruciating pain for the victims about to be crucified.
The power of sin puts a person into bondage and causes him to become a criminal before the eyes of God. All sins are acts of rebellion against God’s laws and decrees. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). Sin is in the heart of every criminal and unsaved sinner. Therefore, Jesus was stripped and flogged, His body afflicted because of our sin.
A third battlefield wound that was laid upon Christ was crucifixion itself. On the cross Jesus saw two classes of people, those whose hearts will remain hard and those who would repent and call out to Him. He not only bore the physical pain, but also the entire torture and suffering that are the consequences of human cruelty.
In Isaiah 53:6 we read that, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.” Through the Battlefield Wounds of Christ sinners are offered forgiveness. Which class of people will you be in? Be like the repentant thief; put your trust in Christ for the salvation of your soul and receive Him into your life.
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 14, 2016 | Football Season
Living God’s Best for You
In boasting about tomorrow James, the half brother of Jesus wrote, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, …carry on business and make money.’ Why you do not know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 4:13-15)
A key truth to grasp in living out God’s best for you is, “life is fragile”. You have now to have a lasting impact on those you are called to influence.
While coaching the Washington Red Skins, Joe Gibbs was awakened to this truth when he received a phone call from his boss, Dan Snyder. The call, “Sean Taylor, their superstar safety had been shot in the leg.” Sean was a Pro-Bowl player in 2006 and 2007. The media said “Sean had the talent to become one of the greatest NFL safeties of all time.” Sports Illustrated name Sean as the hardest hitting NFL player. His teammates gave him the nickname, “Meast,” because they saw him as being part man and part beast.
During their phone conversation, Joe asked, “How bad is it?” He was thinking, “Shot in the leg, how bad can that be? Certainly, not life threatening.” To Joes’ horror and the devastation of the whole team, Sean died the next day.
One year later as Joe was sitting in his office the incident of Sean Taylor still weighed heavily upon him. While doing business with a friend, Joe remembered George Tharel, a man who had a strong spiritual influence in his life. George, who had died 17 years earlier, had taught Joe how to understand spiritual truths from God’s Word, truths he still lived by. One year later, Joe thinks about the man who had taken him under his wing, taught him about the Lord’s truths enabling him to find and enjoy God’s best for him.
Life is a mist. You have now to live a life that has a lasting effect on those around you. The Bible says you are living letters, “…known and read by everybody.” (2 Corinthians 3:2) Surround yourself with men who love the Lord and who can teach you the truths of God’s Word. Become a person who teaches others the truths of God’s Word and point them to the Christ of the Bible. You have now to affect others for Christ!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 14, 2016 | Football Season
Offering His Guidance to the Church
The Bible tells us to “Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:2) God, has given us a written account of His guidance for the church of Jesus Christ. Much can be said about this passage of Scripture, our focus will be on “careful instruction.” Careful instruction (διδαχή didachḗ) means the act of teaching, instructing, tutoring in such away that it incorporates the authority of what is taught.
At Kole’s Kicking Camps they teach young football players about the art of being a place kicker. They have the authority of ESPN, to seek out potential place kickers that have the ability and drive to go on from high school to college level and then on the NFL. Kole’s Kicking Camps have teachers who understand what it means to instruct and tutor young players to reach their full potential as a kicker as well as make the right connections to move forward in reaching the goal set before them. Kole’s instructors have applied the hard work of writing a handbook that gives clear instructions on the art and dynamics of the kicking career. Back in the early days, at the beginning of the camp, students were give written material that: First, substantiate their call. At the front of the handbook is a list of several hundred names of kickers, trained by Kole’s Kicking Camps who are presently kicking from Community College level to the NFL. An impressive list indeed. Second, the handbook gives detail instructions on how to condition for being a kicker. Third, there are clear instructions on how to kick a football from whatever position on the field they find themselves in. Lastly, this kicker training manual instructs kickers how to approach a college to receive a scholarship as well as help a kicker approach the NFL before their college kicking days have completed. That is a practical application of what it means to give careful instructions.
Imagine, what hope, joy and vision it would bring into a Christian’s heart if he could walk into the church he attends and be handed a well written handbook that list the 20+ Holy Spirit Gifts. A handbook that has a list of names of Christians who are sacrificially exercising their Holy Spirit given gifts presently in the church. (1 Corinthians 12-14) A handbook with clear instructions on Whom to seek, how his gifts are to work and how to effectively use them for the good of others. A handbook that clearly instructs Christians how to discern from trials and chastisements from the Lord. A handbook that has practical helps birth from Scripture placed in real life circumstances so one can grasp how to respond in key life situations. A modern day handbook which holds testimonies of people who have been ministered to by Christians who have exercised their gifts with true sacrificial love.
Could such a handbook intrigue lost souls to attend church and be what is needed for Christians who feel they are no longer getting anything out of church attendance?
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