Pray for U.S.
Terry R. Baughman

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV).

In any recent election it has become impossible to find political candidates who completely speak to our values. While we may agree with their position on social justice, we may disagree with their views on abortion. Candidates may say the right things about religious liberty, but hold unbiblical views on marriage and family issues. We face a quandary of who to vote for as we mark our ballots. 

If we fail to vote, then we abandon our opportunity to support the views we consider sacred. At times we may vote for a political platform rather than the individuals running for office. What values are held by a particular party, or what is the most important issues for which we feel most passionate about, becomes the guiding principle to mark our vote. 

In a polarized country of such divergent views and values there may be one candidate with which we can most agree when it comes to casting our ballot. It is vital that we make our voices heard through our values vote. If enough people will stand up for their moral principles and vote accordingly there is greater potential for positive changes. 

We will never be able to find a perfect candidate or a party that holds to all of our values. The legislative, judicial, or executive branches of government will never pass enough laws, make enough executive actions, or define enough rules to institute a world of peace and create a moral society. However, we are instructed to pray for all those who have authority. Paul further instructed Titus, “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone” (Titus 3:1-2 NIV). This is good advice in our political firestorm and gives direction for believers regardless of the outcome of an election. 



Theme passage:
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people” (Proverbs 14:34 NIV).

Speak for the Unborn 
Pray for U.S.
Terry R. Baughman

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed” (Proverbs 31:8 NLT).

Injustice in any form should stir each of us to action. All around are those who are oppressed, unheard, and mistreated. None are more ignored and crushed than the unborn. Believers in God have a moral obligation to speak out and stand up for the millions who have been denied the right to live. 

In our present political climate there is plenty of voices speaking for “reproductive rights” and a woman’s right to choose whether or not to give birth to their child. There hasn't been many voices defending the rights of the child who is still in the womb. Through the years since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 there have been more than 63 million abortions. The practice is so ingrained in our culture that the outcry of anger falsely claimed that abortion was a “constitutional right” after the overthrow of that Supreme Court decision in 2022.

The Scripture gives value to every life and validates the life of the unborn. God spoke to Jeremiah and said, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV). Before birth God has a plan for life and a purpose for existence. 

It is time for the church to arise and defend those who have no voice, to speak for the life of the unborn, and stand for those who are crushed without a defender. It is also our duty to show mercy on those who feel trapped in their situation and unable to provide for their children. The need is great; the cause is just; let us arise and speak for those who need our voice. 



Theme passage:
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people” (Proverbs 14:34 NIV).

Sin Condemns 
Pray for U.S.
Terry R. Baughman

“… They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 NIV).

Even without the voice of a preacher or reading a single verse of Scripture, there is something within the heart that speaks condemnation when a person choses to sin. The pang of guilt strikes the heart and some will freely admit to being a sinner, even when they have little instruction about what is right or wrong. God has placed with us a conscience and an awareness of sin. We don’t have to convince someone that they are a sinner, rather our job is to convince them they are worth saving; that Jesus loves them and He has a desire to redeem them from a life of sin.  

Paul stated, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” but on the other side he acknowledged that, “all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24 NIV). That is the hope of every sinner, every person born in this world. Jesus came to save us from our sins! Again, Paul wrote, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NIV). The end result of a life of sin is death and eternal punishment, but God is not willing to let us go without the opportunity to find salvation. 


Theme passage:
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people” (Proverbs 14:34 NIV).

Pray for U.S.
Terry R. Baughman

“The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations” (Psalm 98:2 NIV).

God’s plan for humanity is fulfilled in His creation. All of nature testifies to His glory and reveals the expanse of His infinite power. Significantly, God has further spoken to us through the prophets and proclaimed His divine acts through their words. Peter stated, “Beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days” (Acts 3:24 NIV). Later He wrote, “That no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21 NIV).

Besides the vocal witnesses, God has also used groups of people, even nations to show the path of righteousness and the value of walking under His guidance. His chosen people Israel had a particular destiny, to demonstrate the glory of the name of the Lord. Moses said, “The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you” (Deuteronomy 28:9-10 NIV).

Unfortunately, Israel frequently failed to keep God’s laws and sought fulfillment in the practices of other nations. They embraced their pagan idols and abandoned the God of the Covenant. The prophets called the people of Israel to repent of their transgressions and return to their God. At times there was true repentance and renewed commitment to God, however, it was usually short-lived.  

Other times God used Israel to bring judgment on nations that were more wicked. The hand of judgment against their adversary was not a commendation of Israel, but was rather a condemnation against a nation whom God sought to correct. Moses cautioned the people of Israel against pride when the residents of Canaan were driven out before them. He said, “It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations” (Deuteronomy 9:5 NIV).

Our nation has enjoyed prosperity, growth, and political power in the world. When we go back to the foundation of this nation we find people that sought a place in the world where they could be free from tyranny and oppression, a place where they could worship freely and without government intrusion. Though we may not consider them all of our founding fathers to be Christian, many were believers in the God of the Bible, and they were united in the desire to create a safe place to exercise their faith and honor God in their pursuits.

There is no doubt we have been propelled to a place of power in the world to show forth the blessing of God when people treat others with respect, provide opportunities to follow their dreams, and make room for God in our public displays. We have reached a point in history where that is all being threatened by leaders who have no respect for moral values and biblical guidance. Now is the time to arise and to encourage others to return to God, repent of our failures and seek His favor. 

The ancient scripture still rings true, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV). It is time for a return to righteousness, and an opportunity to experience God’s blessings again!

Theme passage:
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people” (Proverbs 14:34 NIV).

Faith IS!
Terry R. Baughman

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16 NKJ).

The value of faith cannot be overstated in our relationship with God. The reality of His very existence to us is predicated on our ability to believe in Him. Our faith does not determine His existence, but rather informs our understanding of God. The development of our relationship with Him is utterly dependent upon our belief in Him. The writer of Hebrews stated, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is …” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJ).

 All spiritual experience is based on our faith in God. Mark emphasized the importance of faith when He said, “… he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16 NKJ). As we have seen faith provides access into a spiritual understanding of God. Faith gives us confidence to believe in God’s forgiveness of sins, the covering of His blood, and the provision of His Spirit living within us. 

John declared, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NKJ). Repentance is made possible through our faith in Christ, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Forgiveness comes as confession for sins is made knowing that He is faithful to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

The cleansing of the remission of sins comes through faith in the blood of Jesus and the obedience to God’s Word in being baptized in His name. The name of Jesus holds power to forgive sins, heal the sick, and cleanse us from our disobedient past. Baptism through His name is identity with Christ and His burial. Paul stated, “Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4 NKJ).

The new life of the Spirit is also activated by faith. It is through our faith that the Holy Spirit is poured out. As we open up our hands and hearts to the wonderful touch of the Spirit of God we are baptized with His presence. The sign of this renewal is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. By faith we receive His Spirit and the new birth is confirmed by this spiritual gift. 

The gift of the Spirit was the promise of the Father. Jesus instructed His followers, “to wait for the Promise of the Father,” and that they would, “be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5 NKJ). The final promise of Jesus was given just before He ascended into heaven, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJ).

Faith grants access into the presence of the Spirit. It is the assurance of salvation through the New Birth experience, of repentance, water baptism, and the gift of the Holy Spirit filling and transforming our lives. Faith is … Salvation! 

Theme passage:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 NKJ).

Faith IS!
Terry R. Baughman

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2 NKJ).

Faith in Jesus brings us into a right standing with God, and brings us into His glorious grace, granting access to receive all that God has in store for us. Faith is a powerful force opening the door into God’s miraculous possibilities. Jesus said, “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23 NKJ). 

Faith is a prominent theme in the book of Hebrews. The writer also revealed that Jesus, as the Son of God, fulfilled the role of our high priest and ascended on high. We now have even more confidence to “hold fast our confession,” and “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14; 16 NKJ). 

As the Good Shepherd, Jesus is also the access for the sheep to enter into the fold. He said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9 NKJ). Faith in Jesus brings us access to salvation. 

Jesus also declared, “I am the way,” another expression of access into relationship with God, and He added, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJ). Faith brings us into relationship with Jesus and He is our access into all God has in store for those who believe in Him. 

Theme passage:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 NKJ).

Faith IS!
Terry R. Baughman

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJ).

The currency of the Kingdom of God operates on the faith exchange. Believing produces incredible returns while a lack of faith produces spiritual bankruptcy. Faith is that essential ingredient in our relationship with God that makes all things possible, and without it, nothing is possible.

Great faith produces amazing results. Numerous times in the Gospels Jesus commented on the great faith of some individuals and scolded others (often His disciples) for having no faith. The apparent lesson is that great faith is possible and attainable, and a shortage of faith currency should be avoided. 
Coming into Capernaum, Jesus met a centurion who intreated Him to heal his servant. Jesus agreed to come to his house and heal the servant. However, the Centurion asked only that Jesus would speak the word of authority and he believed the healing would be done. Jesus marveled at this confession of faith and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Matthew 8:10 NKJ). The great faith of the Centurion was commended by the Lord. 

On another occasion a Canaanite woman (a Gentile) requested healing for her daughter who was severely demon-possessed. Jesus stated that His purpose was to come to the lost sheep of Israel, but in her humility and faith she captured the attention of Jesus and gained the miracle she sought. Jesus said, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire” (Matthew 15:28 NKJ).

On the other hand, Jesus condemned those who refused to believe or were lacking in faith. He addressed the people who should have believed Him as being a “faithless and perverse generation” (Matthew 17:17 NKJ). Even His disciples were scorned when they were fearful of losing their lives in the storm on a boat. They awakened Jesus in desperation and He asked them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26 NKJ). 

The implication is that faith is essential, we must have it. A lack of faith should be avoided and our intent should be to seek more faith. The potential is there, the possibilities are endless, and the promises are unchanging. We know faith is available, so seize the moment and grow our faith in the one who moves mountains, raises the dead to life, and calms the troublesome storms. All things are possible in Him.

It is not that God is placing an impossible challenge before us. Rather, He has given to everyone a measure of faith. It’s not something to be earned or anything difficult to achieve, but readily available and given when we simply accept His Word and believe His promises. It is His desire to give us the kingdom … all we must do is believe and approach Him in confident faith. 

Theme passage:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 NKJ).

Faith IS!
Terry R. Baughman

“Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. This testimony of faith is what previous generations were commended for. Faith empowers us to see that the universe was created and beautifully coordinated by the power of God’s words! He spoke and the invisible realm gave birth to all that is seen” (Hebrews 11:1-3 TPT).

Faith sees what is impossible to see, and accepts for reality the invisible realm of the Spirit. Faith defies logic and the laws of nature, creating material from immaterial, producing something physical where there was only imagination, revealing tangible evidence for what was wistfully dreamed. 

Faith moves God to act in response to our hopes and confident prayers spoken in childlike simplicity. Jesus said, “Everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:8 NKJ). As much as a father delights in meeting the needs of his children, even so our Heavenly Father loves to respond to our requests. Jesus made that comparison, and then stated, “How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11 NKJ).

What we can imagine God doing often becomes the substance of our expectations and the blueprint of God’s design. As Paul wrote, “He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination!” (Ephesians 3:20 TPT). 

If we can dream it, God can speak it, and in His Word is creative power. The writer of Hebrews said that He is, “sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Hebrews 1:3 NIV). Another translation said, “He holds the universe together and expands it by the mighty power of his spoken word” (Hebrews 1:3 TPT). There is forward movement and active momentum through His creative Word. 

The Psalmist penned, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth” (Psalm 33:6 NKJ). Paul expressed the power of Christ and said, “For in him was created the universe of things, both in the heavenly realm and on the earth, all that is seen and all that is unseen.” He went on to reveal that, “He existed before anything was made, and now everything finds completion in him” (Colossians 1:16-17 TPT).

Faith in God’s works provides all the proof needed as evidence of His reality. All of creation testifies of His existence. Paul wrote, “… from the creation of the world, the invisible qualities of God’s nature have been made visible, such as his eternal power and transcendence. He has made his wonderful attributes easily perceived, for seeing the visible makes us understand the invisible” (Romans 1:20 TPT). Only by denying what is visible all around us in nature can we deny the power of God’s presence, and only a fool can deny what is clearly seen in creation. 

“Faith empowers us to see that the universe was created and beautifully coordinated by the power of God’s words!” By faith we understand His existence. That’s all the evidence we need!
​
Theme passage:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 NKJ).

Possibilities 
Faith IS!
Terry R. Baughman

“Jesus said to him, ‘What do you mean—if? If you are able to believe, all things are possible to the believer’” (Mark 9:23 TPT).

There are endless possibilities through faith in God. As a matter of fact, Luke wrote, “For with God nothing will be impossible!” (Luke 1:37 NKJ). That is an amazing concept, just to think that there are no limits to God’s ability and nothing He does not have the power to do. Paul said we can pray with the assurance that God is able to do, “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV).

We often categorize things that are easy, hard, more difficult, and some that are impossible to accomplish. Within our own power those distinctions are definitely warranted. However, we err when we place the same restrictions on God’s activity in earth. There is just one category with God … POSSIBLE! Headache? Healing possible! Disappointed? Encouragement possible! Back pain? Relief possible! Marriage conflict? reconciliation possible! 

What about those really big, seemingly impossible, things? Kidney failure, terminal cancer, heart malfunction, and type one diabetes may all find a spot on our impossible list. However, with God nothing is on His impossible list. Nothing is more difficult than something else. All things are on His list of possibilities. 

Just because something is possible, doesn’t mean that it is also His purpose. Some miracles are planned for His purpose and His glory. Other times God says, “Wait,” or “Not yet,”  or “trust me!” That’s where we may find ourselves questioning, “Why?” Our greatest challenge is finding the difference between possibility and purpose, between faith and trust. We may have faith for a miracle, but can we trust Him when there is no miracle? We may have great expectation for what is possible, but struggle to discover His purpose when the possible is not performed. 

Trust, is believing in God even when the miracle doesn’t happen; knowing God can, even when He doesn’t. Jesus faced this very paradox in His most trying hour. As He spent the night in prayer before His arrest, trial and crucifixion. He prayed intensely that He might avoid this gruesome death, “if it were possible.” In humanity He prayed with the certain knowledge of God’s omnipotence, “Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:35-36 NKJ). Jesus knew all things were possible, but ultimately He surrendered to the Spirit’s purpose, “not what I will, but what You will.”

Can we pray the nevertheless prayer? We may voice our desire, but will we surrender to His divine purpose when we do not see the desired outcome. That is the ultimate faith, believing in One we cannot see and trusting in a plan we cannot know. As the classic Fanny J Crosby hymn, Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus, concludes, “O for grace to trust Him more!” 

The possibilities are limitless and we should have the conviction that God can do anything. Ultimately, we must simply trust that He does all things well and His purpose is greater than our wishlist prayer list. Faith is … trusting God through it all! 
​
Theme passage:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 NKJ).
​

Back to Worship!

Terry R. Baughman
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18-19 NIV).
Many Americans who feel they have been served an injustice by our legal department and wrongly convicted will seek a pardon from a Governor or perhaps even the President of the United States. Often it is one of the final acts of a leading public official before leaving office, to grant pardons to individuals in those cases that merit the attention of these leaders of state. By waiting until they are about to leave office, they avoid any negative political ramifications of granting such a pardon. An unpopular act could influence the outcome of their reelection. However, those who are on the receiving end of a pardon are especially grateful and will often write letters or send messages of great appreciation for their freedom and opportunity to be restored to home and family, sometimes after months or even years of incarceration. 
We may not feel that we have ever been guilty of such a crime that would cause us to be concerned about receiving a pardon. We are free to come and go whenever we choose. We have not been charged or sentenced with an unjust verdict. In reality, we are all guilty of sin and deserving of the death penalty according to God’s righteous judgment. Paul observed that, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NKJ). This highlights the fact that we all live under the condemnation of our sins, and we all need forgiveness and pardon. 
Fortunately, one outstanding quality of God is His everlasting mercy and great kindness. As Micah stated in the text, He is One who pardons sin, forgives transgressors, shows mercy, and has compassion. Only He can truly pardon our guilt and remove the condemnation of our sins. He will remove our sins “into the depths of the sea,” and banished them, “As far as the east is from the west” (Micah 7:19, Psalm 103:12 NIV). The extent of His mercy is a demonstration of His amazing grace. Paul said, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV).
When the pardoned persons are set free, they walk away from the guilt of the past and step into a new day of light and opportunity. It takes longer for other acquaintances to accept the freed people back into their lives, but according to the law, they can no longer be held responsible for the crimes committed or charged with guilt. 
Even for the person granted freedom, it takes time for the reality of a pardon to sink in. Perhaps there is the dread of a knock at the door revealing officers and a messenger to say there was a mistake. Maybe it’s the constant feeling of looking over the shoulder to catch the pursuer, or the nagging self-doubt of not being good enough to deserve a second chance. It takes time to adjust to new found freedom and experience the legal liberty granted. 
When it comes to our debt of sin, we know we were guilty. We deserved to die, but Christ took our place, dying on the cross to redeem us from sin. He is the only One who could grant freedom and declare us to be innocent. His sinless blood provides covering for our sins and clothes us in His righteousness. It was not our good deeds or hard work that makes us deserving of salvation. It is Christ alone, grace alone, and His sovereign act that assures us of pardon for all our sins. Paul wrote, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us” (Ephesians 1:7-8 NIV).
The freedom Jesus gives is permanent, we are never to return to repeat the paths of the past. Paul said, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1 NIV). God’s grace is not temporary or limited. He has unlimited ability to save and set free. Thankfully. our God is full of grace and, “… He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7 NKJ).
Theme passage:
“Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7 NKJ).