by Terry Laughlin | Apr 12, 2016 | Patriotism
Beseeching for a Spiritual Awakening
Unlike the spiritual and political leaders of Israel, a nation that is vigilant has Christians and leaders who are not blinded by their sin. People who have a Biblical understanding about the heart of mankind find joy in what the prophet Joel wrote, “Even now, declares the Lord, return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning… Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” (Joel 2:12-13)
The phrase, “Return to the Lord your God” was well known to Israel and is illuminated in the heart of the born again Christian. This phrase testifies to a conventional relationship between God and mankind whom have come to God in Christ’s name in a heart of repentance. True repentance leads a people and a nation to enjoying the graciousness and compassion of the Lord, which enables a vigilant nation to rest in the abounding love of God.
A vigilant nation has leaders like Abraham Lincoln who designated Thursday, April 30, 1863 as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer. He wrote, “It is the duty of nations as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth announced in Holy Scriptures and proven in all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord. The awful calamity of the Civil War that now desolates the land may be but punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to bring us to a needful national reformation as a whole people. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity to pray and too proud to pray to the God who made us. It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves, before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and prayer for clemency and forgiveness.”
Americans Become Vigilant
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 12, 2016 | Prayer Guides
Under-girded in Prayer
A nation that is vigilant has Christians who take to heart 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I urge, then, first of all, that request, prayers, intersession 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.” The Apostle Paul used the word “urge” (parakaleo) meaning to exhort with urgency. He wrote “first of all” meaning that prayer for those in leadership is of primary importance in the church, a very essential part of public worship.
Christians are to pray for those in leadership positions. Republicans are to be praying for Democrats and democrats are to be praying for Republicans. The heart of God is not for Republicans to be praying for more Republicans and Democrats praying for more Democrats, but that Christians pray for Statesmen who have the heart of prayer that our Founding Fathers had.
When this nation has been attacked, in great danger or in times of making key choices about the direction of her future, the Lord has raised up men of faith in Christ who were men of prayer. A vigilant nation desires leaders like George Washington who prayed, “Bless O lord the whole race of mankind, and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son, Jesus Christ.” Leaders like Abraham Lincoln who served our nation in its bloodiest war, his prayer, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go to and my own wisdom… seemed insufficient for the day.”
The Pentecostal Evangel ran the story of Eliza Gurney whom had Holy Spirit compassion for President Lincoln. She had long prayed for the opportunity to meet President Lincoln and pray with him personally. In October 1862 the Lord brought that visit about. This prayer opportunity was granted because her heart’s desire was not to correct or give the President advice, but only to pray for him. This prayer visit was recorded in Lincoln’s personal papers. Under-gird Our Leaders in Prayer!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 12, 2016 | Patriotism
Spiritual Truth In The Folding Of The American Flag
Have you ever taken time to watch the flag being folded and then handed to a loved one at the graveside of a military serviceman/woman who gave their life in service to this country. I have often wondered if there was any meaning to each fold. Research shows that there is no official nor required meaning that should be given as the American Flag is being folded. (TruthOrFiction.com; Snope.com) However, there is no shortage of scripts available that can be read aloud during a flag folding. There is a meaning of the 13 folds of the folding of the American Flag that is not without importance. This script has an unknown author, however reflects a spiritual heart that has a Biblical understand of the heart of God, the heart of mankind and truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This writing shows a Holy Spirit enlightenment of the whole of Scripture: The American Flag is Folded Thirteen Times
“The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His Divine guidance. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, ‘Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.’ The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded. The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. With the final fold the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation’s motto, ‘In God We Trust.'”
“Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” (Romans 13:7)
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 12, 2016 | Patriotism
Armed Forces Day is set aside for us to give recognition and appreciation to those who are presently serving in all the different branches of service. We need to get creative in showing our service men and women appreciation, Biblically we can intercede for them. The Word of God lays out a format which can be followed in battling enemies of a nation with a motto, “The People of God” or “In God We Trust.” There are those who are trained to go and fight, there are those who are commissioned to pray. This is clearly seen in Exodus 17:10-13. Exodus records the events of a battle commissioned by Moses and anointed by God to fight against the Amalekites who threatened the people of God. The warrior leading the Lord’s army was Joshua, whose name means “Yahweh is salvation.” The Bible says, “So Joshua fought the Amalekites… Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelite’s were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired… Aaron and Hur held up his hands… so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”
How should we pray for our service men and women?
- Pray that the families, relatives and friends of our military members may be strengthened in this time of concern and anxiety.
- Pray that the Lord may help families with men and women in the armed forces to cope with daily challenges in the absence of their loved ones.
- Pray for our brothers and sisters as they go forth with courage and determination to face the forces of violence, weapons of destruction and hearts filled with hate.
- Pray that in the midst of destruction, the Lord will guide our service men and women, that they may be reunited with families.
- Pray for faith, hope, and comfort for all who are waiting for their soldiers to come home.
- Pray that departing soldiers will come to Christ and that they may be faithful, daily as they trust Him in the land of danger.
- Pray that those who are married will seek the Lord for strength to be faithful to each other in this time of separation.
- Pray that the Lord will reveal His companionship, strength and wisdom to all serving our country.
Jesus said, there will be war until the end of time. (Matthew 24:16; Mark 13:7) Will you be like Moses, Aaron and Hur, prayer intercessors for those who answer the call to serve those you live in the United States of America. Will you place your mission to pray first this month for our Armed Forces?
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 12, 2016 | Patriotism
Armed Forces Day is time set aside to recognize members of the Armed Forces that are currently serving. In 1947, the Armed Forces of the US were united under one department which was renamed the Department of Defense in 1949. President Harry S. Truman supported the creation of the day for the nation to unite in support and recognition of our military members and their families.
In 1 Chronicles chapter 11: 10-47 we read of King David’s mighty men. There were the three and the thirty, warriors who protected David and fought in battles for the people of God. The Bible has “the list of David’s mighty warriors.” (1 Chronicles 11:11-47) In the battle against the Philistines, the Bible says, “[they] struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.” (1 Chronicles 11:14) In Genesis 14, we read of Abram taking 318 soldiers to fight the four kings who took Lot captive. After the defeat of the Kings, and the rescue of Lot and his possessions. We read of Melchizedek, a high priest saying, “Blessed be Abram, by God Most High, Creator of the heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” (Genesis 14:19-20) In the Book of Joshua we read, “So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his army, including all the best fighting men. The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not be afraid of them, I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.'” (Joshua 10:7-8)
America’s Founding father, John Jay, (1745-1829) was a strong Christian, serving as vice-president of the American Bible Society (1816-1821) and its president (1821-1827). In a series of letters, he expounds on the Biblical view of war. He writes: “Whether war of every description is prohibited by the gospel, is one of those questions on which the excitement of any of the passions can produce no light. An answer to it can result only from careful investigation and fair reasoning. I believe they are as lawful to the offending party in our days, as they were in the days of Abraham… If wars of every kind and description are prohibited by the moral law, I see no way of reconciling such a [restriction] with those parts of Scripture which record institutions, declarations, and interposition’s of the Almighty which manifestly [prove] the contrary. If every war is sinful, how did it happen that the sin of waging any war is not specified among the numerous sins and offenses which are mentioned and reproved in both the Testaments?” (Wall Builders, David Barton; Presenting America’s Forgotten History)
It appears in Scripture, in the rising up and protection of the United States of America, war seems to have its necessity. There are Biblical and governmental truths for us live by in regard to Armed Forces.
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