by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Patriotism
Intercession for Our Armed Forces
Psalm 33:16-18 says “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love.”
The great preacher Charles Spurgeon wrote, “The strongest battalions melt like snowflakes when God is against them.” America has been blessed with great and powerful military forces, yet Americans must understand that the Lord is not on the side of those who have the biggest war heads and largest armies. His eyes watch out for those who look to Him as Lord and who fully understand that victory only comes from Him.
The Word of God lays out a format which can be followed in battling the 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 and there are those who are commissioned to pray.
This is so 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 Israelites 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 Amalekites army with the sword.”
In Exodus 17:9 we read of Moses telling Joshua that he would be holding the staff of God in his hand. This staff of God was a way of appeal to the Lord. Our appeal today is to enter the throne of grace in the name of Jesus Christ. Christians are not only to be light upon a hill, but intercessors as well. Our nation is fighting an enemy right now and Christians are to be quick and steadfast in prayer as Moses, Aaron and Hur. Our armed forces need God’s intervention as much as Joshua’s army did.
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Patriotism
Statesmen Who Fear God
The children of God can most certainly desire godly leaders and call out to the Lord for those who walk in the fear of the Lord. The last words of King David in 2 Samuel give us this truth, “The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.’” (2 Samuel 23:3-4)
Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, gave some great advice that we as Christians need to heed, “…select capable men from all the people–men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain–and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens… If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” (Exodus. 18:21,23)
Our founding fathers knew the truth in these Scriptures. Noah Webster wrote, “When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public offices let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose as rulers men who rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect this duty and place unprincipled men in office the government will soon be corrupted.”
God has raised up at least two colleges that are prayerfully training Christian men and women to become national leaders who will have an influence on our culture with timeless Biblical values. They are Patrick Henry College and Focus On the Family Institute.
Exercise Your Biblical Rights. Pray for Statesmen Who Fear God!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 20, 2016 | Patriotism
Pray for Those In Authority
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… This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
Our key text today instructs us to pray particularly for those in authority. Those in authority are there because God put them there. In Daniel 2:21 we read that God “…changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Romans 13:1 says; “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
The Holy Spirit had given Daniel understanding, it is the God of providence, by whom kings reign and princes decree justice. It is the inspiration of the Almighty God that gives men understanding, He enables them to acquire knowledge and use that knowledge in a right and humble manner.
This truth is so powerfully displayed as we take time to consider the purpose of the writings of First and Second Kings. These two Books of Scripture record the history of kingdom rulers, some were of noble God fearing character, most misruled and expressed a willful unrepentant heart in their failure to follow God’s commandments.
Obedience is met with blessing, and disobedience with punishment and chastening. Throughout the times of the kings and judges when God wanted to bless His people He raised up righteous leaders. On the other hand, when God wanted to bring chastisements, He raised up a wicked leader, either from among His people or from another nation to take them into oppression.
Christian intercessors, with the same illumination as Daniel, will ask the Lord to raise up leaders like Hezekiah. This leader, “trusted the Lord… he kept the commands of the Lord. …the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.” (2 Kings 18:5-7) Pray for those in Authority!
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
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!
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