by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Patriotism
A Vigilant Nation Lives In a Healthy Fear of the Lord
Psalm 33:12,18 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord… the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him.”
A God fearing people can make a powerful difference in God’s dealings with a nation. The Bible gives us powerful truths worth clinging to, “The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:11)
The obvious question is, What is fear of the Lord? The fear of the Lord ranges from terror, (Daniel 5:6) to an awe or reverence (Malachi 2:5) which induces love or worship rather than terror. This is the very awe that every God fearing man should have before the Lord if he is going to be among the remnant that is going to be used of the Lord to maintain a lasting foundation for America. Solomon writes about the practical application of this fear, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13) True Christianity produces a fear that induces a love for keeping the Lord’s commands and laws. Deuteronomy 5:29 says, “Oh that their hearts would be inclined to fear Me and keep all My commands always, so that it might go well for them and their children.” Moses, led of the Holy Spirit writes just how a person can walk in reverent fear, “Assemble the people-men, women, and children, and the aliens living in the towns, so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 31:12)
2 Chronicles 26 records the reign of King Uzziah and we see he was a man who can accept instructions from a man of God named Zechariah. The Bible says, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 26:4) Uzziah prospered in civilian and battle pursuits, including building and farming projects. He became a great military leader regaining land taken by hostile nations and he was able to hold off enemy attacks. Uzziah’s reign as king underscored the connection between a king’s and nation’s success with walking in fear of the Lord.
A vigilant nation has men, women and children who fear the Lord!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Patriotism
Medicine for America
Titus 2:14 says, “[Christ] …gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” The King James Bible says the Lord will purify unto Himself a “peculiar people.”
“Peculiar people” (periousios) are God’s chosen people in whom He has a special interest. The phrase can be translated as “His treasured people.” (The Complete Word Study of the Bible) The Holy Spirit so powerfully expounds this truth in 1 Peter 2:9-10, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
The term “chosen people” which used to apply only to Israel now in this dispensation of grace is applied to all both Christian Jews and Christian Gentiles. The term “belonging to God” is literally “obtaining or preserving” a people called to do service unto the King of kings. The ultimate price paid upon the Cross of Calvary by Jesus Christ purchased for God a people who will give praise to Him, do good works for the glory of Christ and enables Christians to offer their bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:15-16; Romans 12:1)
These “peculiar people” are obedient to the exhortation of the Apostle Paul, “I urge… that prayer, intercession …be made for kings and all those in authority…” (1 Timothy 2:14) True Christians are a chosen people, called by the Name of the Lord that have authority in Christ’s name to stand before the throne of grace and petition the Lord to bring a spiritual healing for America, but they must petition the Lord on the basis of confession and with a heart of repentance. All true servants of the Lord in their relationship with God and Christ Jesus are to be consecrated to the Lord’s work of prayer. Medicine for America begins with a peculiar people, Christians who will intercede on behalf of the glory of Christ and God’s will to be done in this nation.
“Are you one of God’s Peculiar People?”
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Christian Living Truth's
Resolutions
Now comes that time of the year when many people make New Year’s resolutions.
There are three powerful enemies that often work together to keep us from fulfilling resolutions: 1.) The flesh, that sinful nature. Paul specifically describes its power, “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” We inherited this sinful nature from Adam and Eve and it controls all unbelievers; 2.) The world, or this world’s system, has a lot to draw us away from what is good and right—that is to worship God with all our lives; 3.) The devil. He was cast out of heaven for pride and rebellion, and he led other angelic beings to rebel with him. Peter warns us, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5: 8).
With these three adversaries constantly opposing us, it is easy to understand how most people fail to achieve or accomplish their resolutions and fulfill commitments. Jesus warns us that apart from Him we can do nothing good. Instead, people do what is right in their own eyes bringing grief, disappointment and destruction into their own lives and the lives of their families.
The apostle Paul wrote about struggling with sin and how to overcome it. Sin is overcome only by being born-again, allowing God’s Holy Spirit to live in us and surrendering to Him (Rom. 8: 9). Paul described it best when he wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). These words are true for every man, woman and child.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is able to sympathize with your weaknesses. He has been tempted in every way, just as you are, yet He was without sin. Jesus is able to help you overcome sin and set you free from the bondage of sin. Jesus said, “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” However, He also said, “If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.” (John 8:34,36).
The only New Year’s resolution that can withstand the flesh, the world and the devil, is to resolve to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. He is waiting to set you free!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Christian Living Truth's
Resolve to Be Holy
Be Holy: We have just entered into the year 2015. God clearly gives instructions to His children about what they are to focus on this coming year. The Holy Spirit inspired the apostle Peter to write to God’s elect–those who are chosen by God through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:1-2). The goal God has set before Christians is high, yet attainable. “…Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given when Jesus is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ ” (1 Peter 1:13-15)
The writer of the Book of Hebrews, while warning against falling away from the faith, rebuked his readers for still being spiritual infants. Many Christians continually need someone to remind them of the elementary truths of God’s Word. Messages on forgiveness and salvation are most certainly Biblical, however they alone won’t mature a believer in Christ. Christians must find teaching that will take them from milk on up to the meat of God’s Word. Solid food is for those who want to mature and diligently train themselves to distinguish what is truly worthwhile spiritually from what is only a lethargic form of godliness.
The purpose of the church is not to make people feel good about themselves but to give God’s children an opportunity to become increasingly holy. In our day of social Christianity, the newest fads and latest programs have produced carnal Christians. If the apostle Paul were alive, his letters to many churches today would mirror his epistle rebuking the first century worldly Corinthian church.
“Holy,” “saint,” “sanctification”–all three of these words have been translated from one Greek word that is difficult to translate into English. Its gist, however, is easy to grasp—it means to be separated, set apart or different from. Morally, it means to be striving heartily after God’s purity and righteousness instead of seeking after the ways of the world and the things in it. A Christian who is set apart for the Lord lives his life in a way that pleases God. He uses his talents and the things that God has given him to glorify Jesus Christ, not himself or the church he attends.
People are often guilty of perceiving “church” to be just another club in town competing for numbers or a building where lots of programs are held. Rather, they should come to know that “church” is people who have received Christ into their hearts and who are being changed into His image through the illumination of the Holy Spirit and the written Word of God. Jesus is the Head, the church is His Body.
The Bible instructs Christians to always conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel (Php. 1:27). Paul wrote, “Count yourself dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus…Sin is not to be your master.” (Rom. 6:11,14)
As a Christian, you are purchased by the very blood of Christ and your New Year Resolution for 2015 is a mandate from God, “Be holy.” The Bible teaches that if you love the Lord, then you will obey His commands (1 John 5:3). And you have God’s promise, He will faithfully empower you to live out what He calls you to—an abundant life of holiness.
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Love
God’s Idea
I want to share with you something that is no big revelation, but a simple truth that should always be in the fore thought of our minds, “The world has changed, and it is going to keep changing.” (Marriage, From Surviving to Thriving) While change is certain, the marriage that thrives in uncertain times has a man and wife who set their spiritual hearts on the unchanging truths found in God’s Word.
These truths are: One: the heart of humanity has not changed. Two: the Lord’s will for marriage hasn’t changed. Three: the marriage dedicated to Jesus Christ enjoys God’s faithfulness and compassion. Four: God’s truths revealed in the Word of God will always remain unchanged.
A truth worth grasping in regard to marriage, it is God’s idea, not man’s. The Bible holds a powerful truth written by Moses, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” (Genesis 2:24-25) Regarding the Christian marriage, the Apostle Paul quoted this passage of Scripture in his exhortation to husbands and wives in his letter to the church in Ephesus. (Ephesians 5:31) Jesus said during His teaching on marriage, “Haven’t you read, …that at the beginning the Creator `made them male and female.’ …`For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Matthew 19:4-5)
These very words should draw all of us to a heart desire to be in prayer for those wonderful couples who choose to obey the Lord’s command and make a public profession of their marriage covenant (Malachi 2:14) for one another which is to last “Till Death Do They Part.”
Yes, the world has changed and is going to continue to change. However, God has unchanging truths found in His word that protects the marriage that is under the Lordship of Christ. His protecting and guiding hand is only available to those couples who truly seek His ways. You must choose to search out the teachings of God’s Word, so the Lord can make His ways clear through the trials, temptations, and hardships that arise in the wonderful God ordained institution of marriage. There are essential elements of marriage and you must find Christ’s appointed teachers who can teach you how to apply them.
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