by Terry Laughlin | Dec 30, 2016 | New Year's Messages
1 Samuel 30:1- 6, “David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, and had taken captive the women and all who were in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way.
When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So, David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David’s two wives had been captured–Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.” Let the Holy Spirit of Christ place this truth deep into your spiritual heart, “…But David found strength in the Lord his God.”
What we are seeing today
What we are seeing today is what is often described in Scripture as, “For the Lord has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution…” (Isaiah 34:8) Considering that this world and everything in it is God’s creation, Christians and nations are to heed to what is written in Psalm 2:11, “…Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.” Psalm 19:9 says, “The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.” The exhortation from the New Testament is “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act for His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12)
The Word of God holds blessings for obedience and chastisement for disobedience. Serious scholars of God’s Word know that there are times when God has a day of vengeance (naqam) and long seasons of retribution or recompense (sillum) for the sins willfully committed by people who live in a nation with the motto, “In God we Trust.” (Leviticus 26:25; Deuteronomy 32:35, 41,43; Ezekiel 24:8; Micah 5:14; Isaiah 34:8; Hosea 9:7; Judges 5:8)
Isaiah 34:8 is the key passage for the introduction of this message which is placed under the heading “Judgement Against the Nations.” God allows war to come and He allows conflicts to arise within the spiritual heart, (Romans 7:23; 2 Corinthians 10:3; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Timothy 1:18) to show us our great need of Him in every part of our lives. Romans 1:18-32 warns of the many sins that will be manifested in lives of people because they did not think it “worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God.”
“Jesus” said, “…You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (Matthew 24:4-6) Jesus is describing the events leading up to His return from heaven and the events that will precede His second coming. In the Middle East we hear of wars and peace treaties and then in no time at all, again there is war. This world is seeing major natural disasters and financial instability.
Everything people find security in has been or may even now be stripped from them. People have lost jobs and homes, and many of our armed forces are out in battle. These service men are returning home to find that an enemy has invaded their camp. Their spouses and children have been dragged into captivity that includes bondage to the flesh, the world or the lies of the devil. While calamity strikes, everyone is blaming anyone in authority and rebellion of the tongue breaks out. Bitterness of spirit is found in the hearts of many today, just as in the time of David in Ziklag.
I would propose to you that David, the man after God’s heart had illumination of the God he served and he sets before us truth that can be grasped in desperate times.
Just what is that truth and how can Christians live a life worthy of the gospel they proclaim? The Bible says, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27)
In our opening text, David was a regular human being holding a place of leadership, a man chosen by God to do a work for Him. David was greatly distressed because his family was taken captive, his place of security or rest was burned by an enemy, and the men he led were considering killing him.
Christian or non-Christian, God in His sovereignty has given you a place of leadership or responsibility. Just like David, bad things are going to happen to you because we live in a sin cursed world. Someone is going to blame you and they will consider ways of destroying your credibility. The things you found security in will someday be taken away or at the very least be revealed to you as a false security.
Those for whom you have sacrificed time and strength at some time may be taken from you by the world, the sinful flesh or because of the lies of the devil. Those for whom you are responsible will speak against you. It is at that moment you can choose to have the heart of David (Acts 13:22) or be listed among those whose hearts grew cold (Matthew 24:12) or remained unmoved toward God. (2 Corinthians 3:14)
Let the Holy Spirit keep the veil off your heart and trust in Christ as you prayerfully consider the following truths that will enable you to “…[find] strength in the Lord… God.”
Believe what the Bible says about Him
The first step to finding strength in the Lord in desperate times is to believe what the Bible says about Him. Hebrews 13:5b – 6 says, “‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So, we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalms 18: 1-3 says, “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”
Psalm 18 is a song offered by King David who sang this song to the Lord when God delivered him from his enemies. (The Treasury of David, Spurgeon; The Expositors Bible Commentary; Thru the Bible) This song of praise to God opens with a Hebrew word translated, “I love you (raham).” In its active verb form (ruhamah), it can mean to find mercy. The word pictures a deep, kindly sympathy and sorrow felt for another who has been struck with affliction or misfortune, accompanied with a desire to relieve the suffering.
This active verb occurs forty-seven times in the Old Testament, with God being by far the most common subject and His afflicted people the object. The Lord God is compassionate but it is not because any deserve His compassion. It is solely because God in His sovereignty shows it to whom He chooses. (Exodus 33:19; Romans 9:14-16; The Complete Word Study of the Old Testament) The phrase, “I love you” that David is expressing communicates a full understanding of this and it is an intimacy based on past experiences. (The Expository Bible Commentary referring to G. Schmutter and Eine Lexikalisce; 1 Samuel 17:37; 24:1-16; 26:1-2)
What the Holy Spirit wants you to grasp is that David was expressing a supernatural love that came from God to David and that enabled David to love the Lord with a true love. Therefore, finding strength in the Lord in desperate times comes with Holy Spirit illumination about who God is and an understanding of His love. Christians can know this love just as the beloved John did who wrote, “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
Missionary David Brainerd was a soldier of Christ who knew God’s love and then passed the Lord’s love on to the American Indians in New York, New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. By almost every standard known to modern missionary boards, David Brainerd would have been rejected as a missionary candidate. He was tubercular, and from his youth was frail and sickly. He never finished college, and was expelled from Yale for criticizing a professor and for his interest and attendance in meetings of the “New Lights,” a religious organization.
He had only a few converts, but became widely known because of writings about him. His personal diary inspired William Carry, Henry Martyn, Robert McCheyne and Jim Elliot. (School of Tomorrow; Wikipedia Encyclopedia)
God is still using his writings today to inspire and convict the Christians world-wide on matters of true Christian service. (Missionary Biographies, World Missions) Brainerd’s first journey to the Forks of the Delaware to reach that ferocious tribe resulted in a miracle of God that preserved his life and revered him among the Indians as a “Prophet of God.”
Encamped at the outskirts of the Indian settlement, Brainerd planned to enter the Indian community the next morning to preach to the Gospel of Christ. Unknown to him, his every move was being watched by warriors who had been sent out to kill him. F.W. Boreham recorded the incident. He writes,
“But when the braves drew closer to Brainerd’s tent, they saw the paleface on his knees. And as he prayed, suddenly a rattlesnake slipped to his side, lifted up its head to strike, flicked its forked tongue almost in his face, and then without apparent reason, glided swiftly away into the brushwood. ‘The Great Spirit is with the Paleface!’ the Indians said; and thus, they accorded him a prophet’s welcome.”
David Brainerd, like King David was a faithful servant of the Lord and that incident in Brainerd’s ministry illustrates more than Divine intervention of God in his life – it also shows the truth that God shows His love to those who will love Him enough to trust Him with their entire lives regardless of the circumstances they face and the enemies who stand against him.
David Brainerd was humiliated by being thrown out of college, and he constantly battled bitterness and disappointment from his expulsion from Yale. However, in June of 1742 he began several days of fasting, prayer and seeking God and found himself totally focused on what the Lord called him to do even when people and circumstances were against him. (Missionary Biographies, World Missions)
Like David, Missionary David Brainerd, in desperate times found strength in his Lord. It all begins with being able to Biblically say, “I love you, O LORD, my strength. (Psalms 18: 1) Holy Spirit illuminated Christians can say to the Lord, “I love you” because they understand God’s love for them.
Biblically seek God’s will
Once Christians grasp the Biblical truth, “I love you, O Lord, my strength,” they can begin to Biblically seek God’s will for them. Taking you back to that time in Ziglag when David faced a desperate time in his life, the Bible says, “Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, ‘Bring me the ephod.’ Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the LORD.” (1 Samuel 30:7-8)
Christians who have been in deep study of God’s Word find a truth that causes them to have a healthy fear of the Lord, and which enables them to “… [inquire or seek] the Lord.” When Biblically considering leadership and responsibility, two names stand out. One, Saul, who was asked for by elders of sinful Israel (1 Samuel 8:4-9; 10:17-19) and two, David, whom God was with (1 Samuel 16:18). Both men were given responsibility and leadership, they are portrayed as men appointed by God to face desperate times. Let the Holy Spirit placed this exhortation deep within your spiritual heart. Desperate times are opportunities to either show your love to God by seeking Him or surrender to the sinful flesh and a world view and listen to the lies of the devil as Saul did.
Saul was a man of leadership and responsibility who lacked the spiritual qualities necessary for pleasing God. His repeated failure to follow God’s instructions given through Samuel brought him to a point where the Lord would no longer answer Saul.
In 1 Samuel 28, the “…Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel.” (1 Samuel 28:1) The Bible says, “When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.” (1 Samuel 28:5-6) If Saul would have drawn near to the Lord with a contrite spirit, a heart after God’s heart, if he would have approached in a true Biblical manner, the Lord would have spoken to him.
Saul was a man who did religious things even to the point of confessing sin. (1 Samuel 15:24) The Spirit of God came upon Saul and his men causing them to prophesy while they were searching for David to kill him. (1 Samuel 19) Saul obeyed righteous laws, he expelled the mediums and spiritualists from the land of Israel. (1 Samuel 28:3) The Old Testament is very clear and presents a truth that should keep any man focused on truly seeking the Lord. Leviticus 20:6-8 says, “I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritualists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people. Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy.”
Saul did what most people do in desperate times. He justified the disobeying of the Word of the Lord. He disguised himself so a woman medium would call up the spirit of Samuel for him. Saul even swore in the Lord’s name that she would not be punished, when he should have been arresting her. (1 Samuel 28:8-10)
During this seeking the dead, Saul received the announcement of God’s judgment, “Samuel said to Saul, ‘Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?’
‘I am in great distress,’ Saul said. ‘The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So, I have called on you to tell me what to do.’
Samuel said, ‘Why do you consult me, now that the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy? The LORD has done what He predicted through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors–to David. Because you did not obey the LORD… the LORD has done this to you today. The LORD will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines.’” (1 Samuel 28:15-19)
Even though Saul was anointed by Samuel to be king, (1 Samuel 10:1) had been anointed by the Spirit of God to prophecy (1 Samuel 19:23) had obeyed righteous laws (1 Samuel 28:3) and could confess sin (1 Samuel 15:24) he is not the example to follow in desperate times because he did not find his strength in God nor inquire of the Lord in the prescribed way.
It must be understood that the spiritual use of calamity is for the prompting of man’s heart to seek the Lord and our opening Scripture today shows us that David inquired of God. David looked to his priest and adviser Abiathar to bring him the ephod, which to David and Samuel represented God’s divine presence. (The New International Dictionary of the Bible) Dr. Jay Vernon McGee writes, “The ephod was a portion of the high priest’s garment which speaks of prayer.”
It is believed that on the ephod mentioned by David was the Urim and thummim of which very little is known. What is known is that they were passed on from Aaron to Elazar and were seen as necessary symbols. The New International Dictionary tells us this, “they served as symbols of authority to seek the counsel of the Lord, God’s will being revealed through inner illumination.”
Dr. Jay Vernon McGee further explains, “…this garment was worn when the priest went into the golden altar of prayer. It had two stones on the shoulder, on which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. In other words, the priest came to the altar bearing Israel on his shoulders. This is a picture of Christ our Great High Priest who ‘lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede… (Hebrews 7:24-25)’ for us.”
The word “inquired” (saal) means to ask God for something and all Christians may pray according to the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God with an assurance the Lord will give guidance, especially in desperate times.
In Jeremiah 33:1-3 we see an invitation to prayer that is for us as well as for the weeping prophet Jeremiah. (Matthew Henry Commentary; The Pulpit Commentary) He has experienced and seen desperate times for himself and the people of God. Listen to this Word from the Lord to this faithful man of God in desperate times. Jeremiah received this word of promise while he is in prison. “While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him a second time: ‘This is what the LORD says, He who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it–the LORD is His name: Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” (Jeremiah 33:1-3)
All Christians may pray with an expectation that God is going to hear and answer their prayers in accordance with His good purposes. James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” No captivity, affliction or situation can keep God from hearing our prayers or intervening in our behalf. The persecutor cannot rob his victim of knowing the presence of the Lord and God can repeatedly visit His troubled children.
Often it is in the continuance of trouble the Lord gives His most powerful revelations. Through the Apostle Paul’s imprisonment and persecution, we have a great amount of the New Testament epistles. Often it was through hardship and difficult circumstances the Old Testament writers were enabled to receive revelation from heaven to be passed on down to us. These revelations are filled with promises of God’s love, provision and protection, especially in troubled times.
The Apostles prayed prayers that are still for the church today, one worth grasping is a prayer for revelation, Ephesians 1:17-23 says, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.”
What the world needs to see is a Body of Christ which can get “revelation” from God in desperate times– Christians who know Christ and unashamedly live by the Book, the Word of God.
The Greek word for “revelation” (apokalupsis) in Ephesians 1:17 means having, “a spirit which can fathom and unfold the deep things of God.” (Complete Word Dictionary of the Bible) The New International Dictionary of the Bibles tells us, “Revelation is the theme central to Christianity… The theological concept is the trustworthy account of God’s self-revelation in word and deed contained in the Scriptures. To call the Bible the Word of God is to claim that it is the unique and faithful statement of God’s self-revelation to mankind. To use the word inspiration [is to reveal the truth] that the Holy Spirit guided the hands of the writers of the Bible, to put down just what God wanted them to write. [It is] by illumination, the work of the Holy Spirit on the [spiritual] hearts and minds of readers and hearers of the contents [is man changed into the image of Christ].”
Let the Holy Spirit place this truth into your spiritual heart. When facing desperate times, Christians and mankind need a Word from God. The way of inquiring of God is prayerfully reading the Bible and inviting the Holy Spirit of Christ to do His faithful work within you. The church and mankind in general need a revelation of true love (agape) so they can say as David, “I love you, O LORD, my strength. (Psalms 18: 1) Holy Spirit illuminated Christians grasp through God’s word just who Jesus Christ is, God’s will, and His purpose, and are, therefore, enabled to know, love, trust, and obey Christ as Lord.
When a man becomes, unhealthy and is battling some dreaded illness he must take the right medicine. When a baby is born, he must be fed healthy food daily if he is going to grow healthy and strong. When mankind is saved from the illness of the sinful flesh, rescued from this world’s view, and discerning of Satan’s lies, the Holy Spirit prompts him to feed on God’s Word because it is the right medicine and food from heaven. Jesus said, “It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word, that comes from the mouth of God.'” (Matthew 4:4)
In Closing: David Wilkerson wrote, “In normal times, I can draw advice from my godly wife, Gwen. She is always there to give me a good word, just what I need.” All of us have Christian friends, spiritual leaders, or a spouse whom God has used to give us direction. However, in desperate times, not friends, spouses, or the Body of Christ can touch the human spirit like the Holy Spirit of Christ can. (Romans 8:27) One spiritual leader whom the Lord used to minister to me in desperate times is Pastor David Wilkerson. This faithful man of God, often through his Holy Spirit anointed teachings, has taken my grateful attention off him to the Word of God. He points out a Biblical truth, “In the Old Testament we read of a phrase, “…the Word of the Lord came.” (Genesis 15:1)
When David Biblically inquired of the Lord, (1 Samuel 30:7-8) when the prophets sought out God (Jeremiah 29:13) and when Paul trusted our Lord, revelations came (Galatians 1:12). So, it can be with the child of God in this dispensation. Christians who stay in the Word of God in desperate times will be able to sing in his heart unto and about the Lord, “Through it all, through it all. I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God. Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.”
Let us pray!
by Terry Laughlin | Nov 27, 2016 | Christmas Truth's
William Shakespeare penned these words in his play, As You Like It, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances…”
Most of us have seen a wide variety of Christmas plays and pageants in our lifetimes and perhaps have even been in one or more of them ourselves. We enjoy seeing the tiny tots program—Mary in her blue dress and white veil; Joseph in a too-large bathrobe; both kneeling beside a manger with the “Baby Jesus”; and the little angel choir with crooked tinsel halos heartily singing “Away in the Manger” behind them. We perhaps, too, have seen or participated in elaborate Christmas pageants with huge casts and conceivably thousands of dollars spent on costumes, backdrops, live animals, and professional sound and lighting. Both, in its own way, characterize that first great “Casting Call of Christmas.”
For His cast, however, God the Father signed on and coordinated the innocent and the majestic, the humble and the proud, the unlearned and the scholarly, the good and the evil in widely diverse characters for roles in that first great Christmas drama. God’s choice of players includes:
MARY: A young woman, pledged to be married to Joseph, finds herself visited by the archangel Gabriel one night. Gabriel announces to her that she will become pregnant. To overcome her confusion since she is a virgin, the angel explains to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.” Though under Jewish law Mary knows she can be stoned to death for being pregnant outside of marriage and knowing that her husband-to-be will probably not understand, she bravely responds, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Traveling to Bethlehem while heavy with child, she ends up giving birth there in a stable. Since they could find no room in any boarding houses, Mary ends up laying her precious firstborn child in a feeding box for animals. Notice the Bible says Mary was highly favored meaning that she was approved of God for the call He has laid before her. Do you have the heart beat of Mary, one God could trust to fulfill your call?
JOSEPH: A righteous man pledged to be married to Mary. When he finds Mary to be with child, he decides to divorce her quietly and not embarrass her publicly. The shock of this revelation must have been tremendous to Joseph who thought his beloved Mary was a pure and godly woman. (Under Jewish law, engagement was as binding as marriage. To break it, a legal divorce was required.) Before he could do this, an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, explains the situation, tells him to take Mary as his wife, and when the child is born “…to give him the name, Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Joseph does as he is commanded, takes Mary as his wife but has no sexual union with her until after Jesus is born. This fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son and will call him Immanuel.” Joseph was a man of real Godly character, he fulfilled His part in the drama of Jesus birth and life. Joseph takes Jesus to Jerusalem for the purification, fleeing with Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod. Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem each year for the Passover. Just as Joseph fulfilled his part – we are called to fulfill our part in this Christmas drama in telling others about Jesus Christ. Joseph put others ahead of Himself. He could hear and obey the voice of the Lord. He could see his calling to a healthy completion. Let his life be an inspiration to you.
CAESAR AUGUSTUS: A Roman emperor (a small but very important part in the “Play”), who issues a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. Everyone must go to his own town to register. This requires Joseph to go up to Bethlehem, taking the very pregnant Mary with him, since he is of the house and line of David. This fulfills the words of the prophet Micah written over 700 years before, “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, …from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” (Micah 5:2, NASB) Life Application: Caesar, a non-believer used of God to put into law all that was required to move Joseph and Mary to be in the right place at just the right time. Another significance, Jesus, the King of kings, came in the fullness of time and was born under the law of mankind. God is still Sovereign today, fully able to accomplish His purposes. We find ourselves under the law of mankind, yet we have a God who can accomplish His perfect will for us as we live in this world. We have a God who can use laws written by mankind, to have us in the place He wants to be, to give witness of His Son. True Christmas is revealing to a lost world about the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ, no matter where find ourselves, as the results of laws implemented by mankind.
THE SHEPHERDS: Generally poor, uneducated men doing what they do every night. Nothing extra-ordinary happens to them except for an occasional predator coming along to scare away or kill to protect their sheep. But the Author of the “Play” has something special planned for this night. They are about to be astonished by the brilliant shekinah glory of the Lord ripping open the quiet night skies, the angelic proclamation of a newly-born Savior and a great multitude of angels praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” After recovering their senses, they hurry off to find the Savior. After seeing Mary, Joseph and the Babe in the manger “just as they had been told,” they return to their work. As they go, they glorify and praise God and testify to everyone who will listen of what they have seen and heard. These men, whom the world would deem unworthy, have been among the first to see God in the flesh! Life application – “Christians, who stir themselves up to be about their business for the Lord in their callings are able to receive divine revelations from the Lord if they know Him, love Him and are willing to obey His Word.” Many call the shepherds the first evangelist, they were not ashamed of the Gospel, not allowing it to be watered down with religious slogans or over shadowed by the issues of the day, but proclaimed what the angles had told them. Have the heart of the shepherds!
THE MAGI: Wise men, astronomers, from the east. They have seen “His star” and have traveled a great and dangerous distance to find and worship the newborn King. Stopping in Jerusalem to speak with King Herod, they find that the new King of the Jews is to be born in Bethlehem. Going there, these obviously wealthy and prestigious men now bow in worship before this special Child, recognizing Him as King. After seeing the Savior and presenting Him with their precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, they are warned in a dream not to tell Herod where they have found the Child so they return to their own country another way. In God’s Cast of Christmas, the Lord raised up worshipers who gave of their best. Life Application: Wise men still seek Christ as King and Lord of their lives, they give their best so they can help provide for His continued work upon this earth. They travel the long hard road to find that place of true worship unto Him. True worshipers are led of the Holy Spirit, being led in their paths of this life to protect the Name of the Lord. Can people see you are seeker, like the Magi of Jesus time?
HEROD, THE GREAT: The “bad-guy” in this drama, the current so-called “King of the Jews.” He is greatly disturbed by the Magi’s questions, since the birth of a new king would mean his reign is nearly at an end. He is a tyrant of the worst kind. He has already had many of his own family murdered so that they cannot threaten his throne. Herod is a secular Jew that follows their strict dietary laws including never eating pork. A commentator of his time stated, “I would rather be Herod’s pig than Herod’s son!” Herod deceives and lies to the Magi, asking them to return to him after they have found the baby so that he, too, “may go and worship him.” When the Magi do not return to him, he puts his satanically inspired plan to kill the Christ child into effect. Without knowing the exact location or age of the Child, he orders the death of all Jewish male children under age two who were being raised the Bethlehem area. Life Application: The gospel messages are not always going to be received with a joyful heart. There a those who have no desire to have Jesus Christ be known about or worshiped, even during Christmas. There are many who do not want Jesus to be Lord a Savior of their lives. This Christmas, spend some time in prayer, asking the Lord to enable you to share about Christ this Christmas season.
CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW: The Christmas story has Chief Priest and Teachers of the Law in it. After the Magi came asking their questions, Herod consults these Jewish scholars to find out where the Christ is to be born. They know the teachings of Scripture that tell of the place of the Messiah’s birth, which was in Bethlehem. There is no place in Scripture that records any of them seeking out the Christ child. A little over thirty years after Jesus’ birth, it was men in these positions that called for the crucifixion of Christ. Which is a fulfillment of Scripture, Jesus was born to die for our sins. It was not until after our Lord’s death that some of these spiritual leaders came to truly believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Messiah. Life Application: It is what is done with Jesus Christ in a person’s spiritual heart that opens the door to true revelation about the Son of God. It takes more than just knowledge of the Bible, church attendance or a religious spirit. There must be Holy Spirit illumination of the Word of God, which comes after truly believing Jesus is God’s Messiah, the Gift of God to all of mankind. True belief in Jesus replaces that dead religious look of just church attendance to a life that is lived in true obedience to our Lord’s teachings.
SIMEON: A righteous and devout Jew to whom it has been revealed by God that he will not die before he has seen the Messiah. Moved by the Holy Spirit to go to the temple on the very day that Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to be dedicated to God, he takes Him in his arms and praises God saying, “…my eyes have seen Your Salvation… a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.” He blessed the holy family and prophesied of Jesus’ ministry and death.
ANNA: An elderly and devout prophetess who, having been widowed countless years ago, now spends all her time, night and day, in the temple worshiping, fasting and praying. At the very moment that Simeon was speaking, Anna, also drawn by the Holy Spirit, recognized the Christ. She praised and gave thanks to God and testified of the Holy Babe to all around who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Christians are spiritual temples who can daily worship in Spirit and truth, thus they can be led of the Lord. Life application: True worshippers daily seek the Lord whole heartedly, not just during the Christmas season. These Christians find themselves being lead of the Holy Spirit of Christ like Simeon and Anna. Worship for the Christ of Christmas involves considering how your thoughts, actions and life affects Him.
JESUS CHRIST, Son of God and Son of Man: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning… The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 1-2, 14). Jesus willingly gave up the majesty and acclaim of heaven. He humbled Himself so far as to be born a baby in a stable surrounded by the stench of animals and among human beings, most that would neither recognize Him nor care that He had arrived. As a Man, he got hungry, cold, and tired. As he grew, he was tempted in all ways, just as we are, yet was without even one sin. Then, in the fullness of His time, at the exact moment prophesied, he gave up His life on the Roman cross. The Jews of His day intentionally and wrongfully condemned Him to death; the Romans carried out their dreadful crucifixion; but it was our sins—theirs, yours and mine—that fashioned the nails. The final curtain fell. Jesus was dead. But, the great “Play” doesn’t end there.
For three days, all heaven held its breath. Then the Father cried, “ARISE, MY SON!”
Jesus is not dead! He rose again to life everlasting and lives today in heaven in the place of honor at the right hand of God the Father! And you too can you live forever with Him because Jesus says in His Word, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die…”
As the “Drama” now continues, what role will you play? At the end of it all, where will you be found?
Scripture says, “Today is the day of salvation.” Don’t delay. I urge you to receive Christ into your heart! Live for Christ every day of the year! Anticipate spending an eternity with Christ! He desires you to be with Him. After all, He died so that you could serve and live for Him. He has Spiritual Gifts for you so you can sacrificially serve others as he served and loved other.
by Terry Laughlin | Nov 14, 2016 | Thanksgiving messages
List of Holy Spirit Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:4 says, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
Spiritual gifts are best understood as being Holy Spirit enabled to serve the Lord, the Body of Christ and those in this world for the glory of Jesus Christ. The church is not a building, denomination, or fellowship. The church is the Body of Christ, sinners saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (Ephesians 2:8) Born again Christians have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of Christ, (Ephesians 2:22) thus, they are equipped by Him to do service for the building of the Kingdom of God. When we express gratitude to those who are exercising their Spiritual gifts through sacrificial love, (1 Corinthians 12-14) we are in fact expressing gratitude to God who created (Isaiah 45:12) and called the person to Christ, (John 6:44) expressing gratitude to Christ who purchased sinners by giving His life (Revelation 5:9) and expressing gratitude to the Holy Spirit who gives the gifts as He chooses. (1 Corinthians 12:11)
Here is a list of some very key Spiritual gifts that are worthy of expressions of gratitude (this is not a full exposition on Holy Spirit gifts or how they are to function in the Body of Christ). To help you get a grasp on these gifts I am placing them in three categories, 1.) Service Gifts, 2.) Sign Gifts, and 3.) Spiritual Support Gifts. (Please note: You may write a note, give a card or even speak personally to the servant of the Lord exercising any of these gifts.)
Service Gifts:
Administration – Romans 12:8 speaks of the gift of administration or leadership. There are those who have on different occasions given direction, directed or governed some key spiritual ministry opportunity for the glory of Christ. Take time to thank those who you have seen administer this gift in some way. Be specific. Example: “I want to thank you for taking the time to oversee the __________________ ministry.”
Encouragement – Romans 12:8 speaks of the gift of encouragement. Often there is someone who has been in the same circumstance that you are in. Through the counsel of God’s Word and testimony that glorifies the Lord, this encourager spoke a word that kept you on the course God had set you on. Be specific. Example: “I want to thank you for the encouragement the Lord gave me when you shared __________________.”
Contributing – Romans 12:8 speaks of those who have the gift of giving to the work of the Lord. This gift is an enabling of the Holy Spirit to give beyond the tithe. These Christians have given repeatedly to the work of the Lord and to meeting the needs of the people. When appropriate, thank that person for a specific gift and share how it was used of the Lord.
Helps or Serving – Romans 12:7 speaks of those who are known as being Christians or people who express a life of helping others. When you hear of a practical need, it does not surprise you to hear that those who have this gift are right at hand to meet the need again and again and again. When you are aware of the person exercising this gift, take time to thank that person. Being specific takes the expression of appreciation right to the heart.
Mercy – Romans 12:8 speaks of the gift of mercy. When people are hurting, especially because of choosing to live outside of God’s perfect will, there are Christians whom the Lord uses to express His mercy. This mercy enables the backslid, the misguided and the lost to look to God for mercy with an expectation it may be enjoyed in due season. Think of the time when the Lord brought such a person into your life. Make time to thank that person for exercising this gift and share (when appropriate) the Lord’s goodness regarding the matter.
Sign Gifts:
Distinguishing Between Spirits – In 1 Corinthians 12:10 we read of Holy Spirit led Christians who have the gift of distinguishing between spirits. Satan persistently tries to counterfeit the work of the Holy Spirit, therefore, God has gifted His servants with the ability to discern spiritual things. There are those who are not confused with a critical spirit in the natural, thus they are able to discern the heart of God in spiritual matters. These Christians are very faithful in disciplined prayer and have great knowledge of the Word of God. Every church that has true disciplined times of prayer has servants of the Lord whom you can trust to discern spiritual matters. Think of that person who has proven faithful in long seasons of prayer and deep study of God’s Word. That is the person you can show appreciation to, because distinguishing between spirits is a much needed gift in the Body of Christ.
Healing – There are those in the Body of Christ, as the Lord chooses and in His time who are given a word to speak forth healing through prayer. (1 Corinthians 12:9) Take time to think of those who prayed with you in faith and the Lord granted the healing you sought. Make time to thank them for praying with or for you. God is the great physician, whether He chooses to use modern medicine or to bring healing at the moment when the prayer is offered. It is God who gives His servants the faith to pray in a manner that honors Christ.
Spiritual Support Gifts:
Word of Knowledge – This gift is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8 and 14:6. This is that word that was spoken to you dealing with a factual matter coming from a trusted brother in Christ who had no knowledge of the circumstance at hand. It was given with the perfect timing uncontrolled by you or anyone else. As the Holy Spirit reminds you of a time when you enjoyed this gift, make time to show appreciation to the vessel from whom it was exercised.
Word of Wisdom – This gift is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8. This is a word given through the Holy Spirit to you through a trusted brother giving you wisdom on how to apply a truth or accomplish the task set before you. As the Lord reveals to you a person whom He has used to give you this wisdom, make time to express appreciation to that person.
Prophesying – Romans 12:6 speaks of those who have the gift of “prophesying” which is “…not primarily prediction but communication of revealed truth that will both convict and build up the hearers.” (The Expositors Bible Commentary) It is a special gift that enables the preachers (Ephesians 4:11) to expound the Holy Scriptures. (Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon) This gift of the Holy Spirit enables the proclaimer of God’s Word to declare the Lord’s purpose, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the hurting and afflicted. (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon; The Pulpit Commentary) This gift enables the preacher to make known the will of God, which is designed to influence men. (Barnes Notes) There are different people who have exercised this gift by denying themselves certain privileges so they can be prepared to preach and teach the Word of God. The Bible says that people are unworthy of those who exercise this gift. Make time to express appreciation to those who have a proven faithful to the Lord and to you through exhortation by exercising this gift.
Faith – 1 Corinthians 12:9 speaks of the Holy Spirit giving members of the church a faith that enables them to see through to completion that which God calls them to do. The Holy Spirit using the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, gives such an enlightenment of a truth that it causes Christians to live a life of pleasing faith to God. There is someone whom you know is a Holy Spirit enlightened, Word-minded Christian who expresses a genuine faith to God. Take time to thank them for exhibiting Biblical faith.
Song Service Teams – 1 Chronicles 25 speaks of those having people trained and skilled for music in the house of the Lord. Make time to thank those who weekly exercise their gift to the church.
Again this is not a exhaustive Biblical teaching on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, however, there is enough truth presented here to equip you to show appreciation for those who exercise their Holy Spirit gifts for the common good of Christians and those who do not know Christ.
Praying the Lord’s best as you prayerfully consider how you may enjoy, “A Full Measure of Thanksgiving.”
by Terry Laughlin | Aug 20, 2016 | Christian Living Truth's
The Consequences of Not Wanting To Hear From God
The Bible says, “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.” (Ecclesiastes 5:1)
There is common phrase that is often heard from people who have attended weddings, baby dedications and other religious ceremonies, “That was short and sweet, just like I like it.” Could this attitude be an reflection of a heart that is not hungry to know what God desire’s in regard to:
Marriage: Yes, it is true that all weddings belong to the couple being married, the sin is having wedding ceremonies asking for God’s blessings without being hungry to hear: 1.) What a marriage covenant really is from God’s prospective. 2.) Not having a Christ centered focus in regard to making marriage vows that express serving each other as you were serving Jesus. 3.) Reminding all who attend the ceremony, they are their brother’s keeper. Everyone who bears witness to wedding ceremony are to do their part in praying for, watching over and protecting the marriage covenant as God’s plan for man and woman. The liking of short and sweet has kept many ignorant about marriage being God’s plan from the very beginning, not the conjecture of mankind. Civil Unions are for those who have no desire to guard their steps in touching the holy institution of marriage, one man, one woman, until death do you part. Jesus makes it very clear, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6) Obedience to God’s plan for marriage and the desire to seek His moral precepts for men and women is the foundation to guarding your step in touching Holy Matrimony.
Baby Dedications: The conjecture of man in regard to baby dedications are over shadowing God’s truths to dedicating a child unto the Lord’s intercession, protection and guidance. Many baby dedications have become a service to show off the parents babies in their sweetest outfits, rather than a service preparing parent’s and congregations to seek God’s perfect will. One pastor wrote, “Our baby dedication services have become an interruption to the theme of the service, rather than the whole service having the theme of dedicating children unto the Lord.” (Merrill, D., & Shelley, M. (Eds.). (1984). Fresh ideas for families, youth & children (p. 121). Carol Stream, IL; Waco, TX: Christianity Today; Word Books.) There is a famine of wanting to hear God’s truths. Today, most parents want short and sweet, leaving them ignorant to God’s truths: 1.) Children are God’s gift, what that really involves. (Psalm 127:3) 2.) The challenge, “Will you, by God’s help, guidance, and intercession provide a God-fearing, Word filled knowledge home. (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6) 3.) Be Biblically equipped to pray for their children. A quality ministry has a complete prayer guide for intercession for children. (Peterson, E. H., & Miller, C. (1987). Weddings, funerals, & special events (Vol. 10, p. 135). Carol Stream, IL; Waco, TX: Christianity Today, Inc.; Word Books.; http://standatthecrossroads.com/prayer-guide-children/)
Regarding your step in approaching all religious ceremonies, weddings, baby dedications, baptisms, the Lord’s supper (communion), etc. involves having a listening spirit so you are not ignorant in the holy things of God, enabling you to have ceremonies that are pleasing to Him.
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