AuthorTerry R Baughman is Lead Pastor for LifeChurch in Gilbert, AZ. See his complete bio at trbaughman.com Archives
March 2024
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Prayer that gets God's Attention1/14/2024 Prayer that gets God's Attention
GO DEEP! Terry R. Baughman “Confess and acknowledge how you have offended one another and then pray for one another to be instantly healed, for tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer!” (James 5:16 TPT). Effective prayers are not from a multitude of words or repetitious phrases. Some of the most powerful prayers are brief utterances expressed in haste, filled with urgency, and spoken in faith. These prayers are not just words of hope-so or maybe-so, but heartfelt passionate expressions of the believer’s heart. Jesus encountered a father who shared his deep concern for his son, unable to speak and possessed of a spirit that frequently seized him, causing him to fall into water or fire. The man must have been hopeful, but skeptical when he said, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” (Mark 9:22 NIV). It was a plea of desperation, but short on faith. Jesus pointed this out in His response, “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23 NIV). The depths of the man’s pain was revealed in that moment, “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’” (Mark 9:24 NKJ). The man was moved beyond desperation to faith-filled passion, and Jesus responded by immediately casting out the oppressive spirit and freeing the child. The prayer of faith is an effective prayer that gets God’s attention. Jesus said, “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24 NKJ). The prayer of fervency also contributes to the effectiveness of obtaining God’s favor. James wrote, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16 NKJ). When we become earnest in our petition and focused with sincerity, prayer becomes powerful. This is noted in the text above, "Tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer!" (James 5:16 TPT). Fervent prayer is not necessarily loud and demanding, but intentional and wholehearted. It is amazing how serious we get about prayer, when it’s something serious. A bad report at the doctor’s office, a phone call to hear of a tragedy, or an ominous change in the weather can cause us to suddenly become intentional about prayer. The more dire the emergency or imminent the threat, the more fervent our prayers become. Something powerful happens when we feel the pain of another. We become moved with compassion. This is the same visceral reaction Jesus experienced when He saw the great multitude who came out in the wilderness to reach Him, “He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14 NKJ). Jesus is moved to respond when He sees our fervent need expressed in heartfelt faith. Another key to gaining God’s attention is when we pray in the power of His name. The prayer of authority is effective when we call on the name of Jesus! Following the commission to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel,” Jesus promised that believers would experience great miracles. He said, “In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15; 17-18 NKJ). We can expect God’s anointing, power, and presence, when we call on the name of Jesus! The lame man at the beautiful gate was miraculously healed when Peter and John spoke with authority, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6 NKJ). The answer was immediate and the lame man leaped for the first time in his life. It caused a great stir in the city as people gathered around, looking at Peter and John as though they had done something great. Peter was quick to give the glory to Jesus. He said that it was, “His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all” (Acts 4:16 NKJ). God responds to prayers given through faith, fervency, and in the authority of the name of Jesus. Theme passage: “Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life” (Ephesians 3:17 TPT).
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DIVE IN1/7/2024 Dive In
GO DEEP! Terry R. Baughman “He measured off another thousand; it was now a river over my head, which I was unable to swim across. It was a deep swollen river—a river no one could cross” (Ezekiel 47:5 TPT). With great trepidation the novice swimmer steps into the stream. He stays in the safe shallows with feet firmly planted on the secure rocks. Only after much coaxing and baby steps he finally gets deep enough to splash around in the refreshing waters, still very much anchored near enough to the shore where he could dash out before a wave or a prankster pushes him out too deep. He watches with envy when others dive off the dock and swim with long smooth strokes, effortlessly gliding through the surface of the water. Fear sometimes holds us back from attempting what may seem simple for others. We paddle in shallow shores while longing for more. More courage to attempt the depths. More skill to be able to safely move through the deep, surrounded by darker waters, yet unwilling to take the necessary risks to learn greater skills and experience larger challenges. Baby steps are only good if we move forward at the same time. They are not tiny steps while remaining in the same place, but progressive movement to the next step, deeper waters, and greater opportunities. Our challenge is to continually move forward into deeper places. The prophet Ezekiel saw a vision of such a setting. He saw a stream flowing from beneath the Temple threshold. A shining man brought out a measuring line. He measured about 1700 feet (1000 cubits). Ezekiel said the water was ankle deep. Another measuring of the same distance revealed that the stream was now knee deep. After another segment of measure the water was now waist deep. Finally, the next measure brought him to a river that was too deep to cross. While every nuance of the prophecy may not be understood, there is a yearning to experience something deeper, something more vast than our ability to contain or cross over. What God is doing in this generation is beyond anything we have ever experienced. Our challenge is to prepare for greater things than ever before, miracles we cannot comprehend. The outpouring of God’s Spirit will be greater than what any other generation has seen. It will be beyond our control and more than our buildings can contain. The latter rain of revival will be similar to the beginning when it was so great the believers met in the Temple and in their homes, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47 NKJ). Paul said that he taught believers, “publicly and from house to house” (Acts 20:20 NKJ). When there is no room to grow more, we will move outdoors! We may dabble in the supernatural and have an occasional miracle. An occasional baptism may be sufficient to excite the congregation and an evangelist may stir us to new commitments, but God has so much more planned for the last generation. What He desires far exceed anything we can imagine. When the waters are troubled and the storms arise, we will see the incredible manifestation of God’s power and the resulting conversion of millions. It’s not time for a tremor of spiritual movement; it’s time for an earthquake of renewal. It’s time for the accumulation of many miracles to become an avalanche of revelation when the world sees the powerful name of Jesus on full display. The time has come when there’s no other option than to just DIVE IN. Yes, it’s over our heads and deeper than we can comprehend, but we will see the glory of God in ways we could never imagine. Paul wrote, “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV). This is God’s desire, His purpose, and His plan. We might as well get ready, and DIVE IN! Theme passage: “Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life” (Ephesians 3:17 TPT).
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You are the Light12/31/2023 You are the Light
Light in the Night! Terry R. Baughman “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house” (Matthew 5:14-15 NIV). The theme of light is seen frequently in the Gospel of John. From the witness of the messenger who prepared the way for Jesus to His bold self-revealing “I AM” statements, the mission and deity of Jesus was proclaimed. The Apostle introduced John, the baptizer, as the witness of the light that was coming into the world. Jesus confirmed that mission when He said, “John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light” (John 5:35 NIV). However, the light was greater than John. Among numerous other “I AM” statements in the Gospel, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 NIV). From the beginning, the Apostle John established that John the Baptist wasn’t the source of light, but testified of its coming. He wrote, “He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:8-9 NIV). John was very careful to reserve the identity of the light to be the one and only Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus revealed Himself to be the light of the world, but only as long as He was present with them. Jesus said, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5 NIV). He indicated that a change was coming when darkness would come upon the world, and it would seem that the light had been extinguished. However, John also gave us the assurance that the darkness could not quench the light. He said, “This Light never fails to shine through darkness—Light that darkness could not overcome!” (John 1:5 TPT). In the Sermon on the Mount, another facet of Jesus’ purpose was revealed. Jesus taught, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14 NIV). Followers of Christ were expected to become bearers of the light. They would further reflect the light of Christ to the world that others might see and believe. Not only was John the baptizer a witness of the light, we also are to declare the light of the world! Jesus revealed a progression from “I AM” to “You are.” Yes, He is the eternal I AM, but He has also shared His mission with every believer when He stated, “You are ….” Paul wrote, “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV). We are not the light, but the reflected image of the glory of God through Jesus Christ. We are to be a city on a hill, a lamp placed in a prominent location, to show the light of the Gospel in a darkened world. We should not take our lamp and hide it in an obscure place. Jesus taught, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:15 NIV). Paul warned, “If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 4:3 NIV). May we receive the light and shine it in this generation, “You are the light of the world!” Theme passage: “A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness—Light that darkness could not overcome! (John 1:4-5 TPT).
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One Holy Night12/24/2023 One Holy Night
Light in the Night! Terry R. Baughman “While he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, 'God with us’” (Matthew 1:20-23 NKJ). After centuries without the voice of a prophet or visiting angels, several unusual events began to take place. First, an aging couple who had never had children were promised a special son. They were instructed by an angel to name him John. As a sign of the authority of the angel to deliver this message, Zechariah was unable to speak until the day his son was born and was named. He wrote on a tablet, “His name is John,” and he immediately began talking and praising God (Luke 1:63 NIV). While Elisabeth was pregnant with John, her young niece Mary was visited by the same angel. Gabriel appeared to her, bringing great news from the presence of God. She was highly favored and had been chosen to give birth to the coming Messiah. Since she was a virgin preparing for marriage, she did not know how this would happen. The angel explained, “The Holy Spirit will come on 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” (Luke 1:35 NIV). This was to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, “A virgin will be pregnant, she will give birth to a Son, and he will be known as ‘Emmanuel,’ which means in Hebrew, ‘God became one of us’” (Matthew 1:23 TPT). Joseph, engaged to be the husband of Mary, sure needed a miracle as well to help him understand what was happening to his plans for marriage. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21 NIV). Everything about these events were miraculous. That wasn’t the last miracle or the last visitation of an angel. Shepherds were addressed by an angel, then witnessed a heavenly host to announce the arrival of the Christ Child. Magi were led from distant lands by a guiding star, and warned by an angel to return home a different way. Angels warned the young parents to flee to Egypt to escape the wrath of the king, and were directed when they should return. All of humanity would be affected by the events that unfolded in the months surrounding the birth of Jesus on that one holy night! History is charted on the advent of the life of Jesus. The most common numbering of years is BC (Before Christ) or AD (in the year of our Lord) from the Latin Anno Domini. One night in Bethlehem altered the course of history and has given hope for the future. God is still speaking and His Good News is proclaimed around the world. This is the season of optimism, hope, and joy! He came to change everything … one holy night! Theme passage: “A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness—Light that darkness could not overcome! (John 1:4-5 TPT).
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One Bright Star12/17/2023 One Bright Star
Light in the Night! Terry R. Baughman “Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” … And behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy” (Matthew 2:1–2; 9–10 NKJ). Another miracle surrounding the Nativity was the appearance of wisemen, or Magi, from the East. Though they have been referred to as kings, they were more likely astrologers or priests who studied the stars and ancient prophecies for some sign in the heavens. When they saw an unusual, unidentified star or comet in the skies, they concluded that it was the announcement of a great leader that was foretold in ancient prophecy. They immediately made plans to follow the path of the star’s passing. The Magi traveled toward Jerusalem, assuming such an important leader would be known in the capital city. King Herod received the guests from the East and was curious to know more of their story, but more concerned that a rival king had been born in his territory that could pose a threat to his reign. He called for the Chief Priests and teachers of the Law to inquire of them where the Messiah was to be born. Knowing the Scripture, they immediately responded, “In Bethlehem in Judea, … for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel’” (Matthew 2:5–6 NIV, quoting Micah 5:2). Herod continued to ask about the time of the appearance of the star, hoping to learn more about this child that had been born. He asked under the pretext of a desire to also worship Him. It is later revealed that the evil intent in his heart was to destroy the child. After leaving King Herod, while on the road to Bethlehem, the Magi again saw the star appear that they had seen in their home country. According to Matthew, “On their way to Bethlehem, the same star they had seen in the East suddenly reappeared! Amazed, they watched as it went ahead of them and stopped directly over the place where the child was. And when they saw the star, they were so ecstatic that they shouted and celebrated with unrestrained joy” (Matthew 2:9–10 TPT). This bright star drew them to Bethlehem, “until it stopped over the place where the child was” (Matthew 2:9 NIV). They rejoiced in the divine guidance that directed their journey and they celebrated the birth of the child by delivering their treasure, gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. One bright star pointed the way to the Bright Morning Star! The shining light guided the seekers to The Light of the World! In John’s prophecy, Jesus was revealed as, “the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16 NIV). As the Bright Morning Star, the coming of Jesus signals the end of darkness and the dawn of a brand new day. Jesus is the Light of the world! We have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him! Theme passage: “A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness—Light that darkness could not overcome! (John 1:4-5 TPT).
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A Piercing Light12/10/2023 A Piercing Light
Light in the Night! Terry R. Baughman “For this prophetic message is like a piercing light shining in a gloomy place until the dawning of a new day, when the Morning Star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19 TPT). The Word is like a piercing light shining in the darkness, awaiting the dawn of truth and understanding. John, the Apostle, declared that the eternal, light-bearing, Word of God was given to mankind to bring life to a world of darkness and death. He prefaced his Gospel with, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1 NKJ). John revealed, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory” (John 1:14 NKJ). Jesus was born as a baby in Bethlehem with a divine destiny, “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:9 NIV). John wrote, “A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness” (John 1:4-5 TPT). The prophets predicted that Messiah would come to bring light. It would be fulfilled in His appearance and His message. Matthew quoted the prophet Isaiah who proclaimed, “You who spend your days shrouded in darkness can now say, ‘We have seen a brilliant Light.’ And those who live in the dark shadow land of death can now say, ‘The Dawning Light arises on us’” (Matthew 4:7 TPT). Jesus was the very revelation of God in a dark world. Peter, James, and John retreated to the mountain for some time alone. It was in this solitary place they saw Jesus transfigured before them, “Jesus’ appearance was dramatically altered. A radiant light as bright as the sun poured from his face. And his clothing became luminescent—dazzling like lightning” (Matthew 17:2 TPT). There was no doubt that Jesus was the Christ, the anointed of God! Peter referenced this event as he confirmed the words of the prophets. He wrote, “We have been given the prophetic word—the written message of the prophets, made more reliable and fully validated by the confirming voice of God on the Mount of Transfiguration.” He continued to illustrate the power of this sure word of prophecy and declared, “For this prophetic message is like a piercing light shining in a gloomy place until the dawning of a new day, when the Morning Star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19 TPT). This light was celebrated in the Psalms. David rejoiced in the revelation, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1 NIV) Again, David sang, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light” (Psalm 36:9 NIV). This revelation began before the foundation of the world, but was progressively revealed, first through the prophets, and then in His incarnation, but ultimately in the consummation of all things, the Revelation of Jesus Christ! John wrote of that heavenly city to come and noted, “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” (Revelation 21:23 NIV). This luminescent Lamb was the same Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world, and was also the resurrected Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (See Revelation 13:8, and John 1:29.) His piercing light of revelation continues to shine in the gloomy places as we wait for the dawning of a new day, when we will see the Lamb, face to face! Theme passage: “A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness—Light that darkness could not overcome! (John 1:4-5 TPT).
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Darkness cannot Overcome12/3/2023 Darkness cannot Overcome
Light in the Night! Terry R. Baughman “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:4-5 NLT). From the first act of Creation, God spoke light into existence and divided the light from the darkness. From that moment there has never been a mixing of the two. Light appears, and darkness is dispelled. Darkness cannot remain where light shines. The Scripture began, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light” (Genesis 1:1-3 NKJ). Into the world of darkness, and a formless, emptiness, God began speaking. John said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … All things were made through Him” (John 1:1, 3 NKJ). Light was priority. It was the first thing God spoke into the world. He said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3 NKJ). The sun, moon, and the stars all made their appearance on day four. Before they were created to shine or to reflect light, God made the very essence of light! The original light was the natural light that is displayed in the heavenly bodies. In the Gospel of John we are introduced to another light, the light that came into the world to bring life, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4 NKJ). This was the spiritual light that Jesus brought into the world. No wonder the shepherds were astonished when, “An angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them” (Luke 2:9 NKJ). It was a bright star that drew the wisemen from the far East, seeking the One who bore the light. It was Jesus who said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12 NKJ). There is no diminishing of the light, regardless of the intensity of the darkness. The darkness cannot understand the light, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5 NKJ). The New Life Version stated, “The darkness has never been able to put out the Light,” and the New Century Version said, “The darkness has not overpowered it,” while the New Living Translation declared, “The darkness can never extinguish it.” The Message, called it the Life-Light and explained, “Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out” (John 1:3-5 The Message). Several translations used the phrase, “The darkness has not overcome it.” Darkness is defeated by the Light of Life that Jesus brought into the world. As dark and ominous as the world seems, with the prevalence of evil and wickedness in every corner of the globe, the light still shines. The dark is powerless to prevail against the light which Christ has brought into the world. Through the light of God’s truth and righteousness, evil will be overcome, defeated, and destroyed. Ultimately, death itself will be destroyed. Jesus will bring an end to death and the Light of Life will prevail, “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For ‘He has put all things under His feet’” (1 Corinthians 15:26-27 NKJ). Theme passage: “A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness—Light that darkness could not overcome! (John 1:4-5 TPT).
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Witness of the Light11/26/2023 Witness of the Light
Light in the Night! Terry R. Baughman “Suddenly a man appeared who was sent from God, a messenger named John. For he came as a witness, to point the way to the Light of Life, and to help everyone believe” (John 1:6–7 TPT). Many self-proclaimed messiahs came before Jesus was born. They all had a military agenda, to overthrow the Roman oppressors. Their view of prophecy was that when Messiah came He would sit upon the throne of David and once again reign as king of Israel. Surely, they would find deliverance from their adversaries, establish an independent rule, and enjoy another era of peace and prosperity that was long in their past. So pervasive was this view of the prophets that even among the disciples there was a question of when the kingdom would be returned to Israel. That was also the last question they asked after His resurrection and before His ascension, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6 NKJ). God’s plan for peace and prosperity was quite different. Indeed, Jesus came to set captives free and deliver the people from bondage, but it was not in the way they imagined. Jesus came to establish another type of Kingdom, a spiritual Kingdom unlike any other. He explained to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36 NKJ). John the Baptist had insight from the Spirit as to the role of Jesus, the Messiah. He proclaimed Him to be, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NKJ). John recognized that Jesus would increase in the course of ministry while John would decrease. John was the forerunner, the one who prepared the way for Messiah. Through John’s preaching of repentance, hearts were convicted of sin and ready to embrace the coming Messiah in faith. Even John’s disciples would be introduced to Jesus and would leave to follow Him. The Apostle John wrote that the baptizer was truly sent from God, not to be the Messiah, but to be a witness of the One who was to come. Jesus was the Light of the world. John recognized that truth and became the “witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.” Jesus was, “the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world” (John 1:7,9 NKJ). The prophet Isaiah predicted the coming of the messenger calling out, “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3 NIV). John the Baptist was that messenger who prepared the way and bore witness of the Light. Isaiah also prophesied, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2 NIV). Matthew recognized that this was fulfilled in Jesus who began His ministry in Galilee of the Gentiles, preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17 NKJ). We, who have received the light of truth in our lives, now have the privilege and responsibility to also be witnesses of the Light. We know that Jesus, “the perfect Light of Truth was coming into the world,” and His purpose is to, “shine upon everyone” (John 1:9 TPT). Let Him shine, and let us be the witnesses of His glory! Theme passage: “A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Light never fails to shine through darkness—Light that darkness could not overcome! (John 1:4-5 TPT).
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Our Heritage11/19/2023 Our Heritage
Thanksgiving! Terry R. Baughman “For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name” (Psalm 61:5 NKJ). A heritage of faith is of great value and should be highly prized. No one has the choice of where they were born, or what their family is like. Some have been born in deplorable conditions and endured great suffering, while others have experienced a loving home and unmatched support through their lives. While we have no choice of our beginnings, many of us have had the opportunity to embrace faith and find a new and welcoming community of believers, that provide that shelter of support and embrace we may not have known previously. Some were born in Christian homes and raised to follow scriptural principles and enjoyed the blessings of the church community from childhood. Others have had no knowledge of God and may have even considered themselves atheists, having never been taught biblical stories, or the simple message of the Gospel. However, it is God’s plan that all people may have the opportunity to know Him and come to faith that will completely transform their lives. Peter said that God is long-suffering, One who keeps His promises, and He is, “Not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NKJ). Jesus came to earth to give Himself as a ransom for sin, so that, “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJ). He also stated, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJ). These truths that may be common to us are new to those who have never heard them. It is our desire to transmit the Gospel story in simplicity and in love to those who have never heard, so they too can come into a relationship with Jesus Christ and share in the born-again experience. Some of us were born in homes of faith where the Word of God was read, church attendance was practiced, and many opportunities were given to grow in faith and a personal experience of salvation was encouraged. Some Pentecostals today trace their heritage for seven or eight generations. This is an awesome lineage among families of faith. However, it is just as important that each generation come to a place of believing in Jesus Christ and experiencing the New Birth for themselves. No one inherits the Spirit or becomes a Christian by nativity. All must be born again! Jesus said, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5 NKJ). Every child of God is a first generation Christian. All must surrender their lives to Christ and choose to follow Him. Whether we have a family lineage or not, we have the opportunity to have, “the heritage of those who fear Your name” (Psalm 61:5 NKJ). Paul became a father in the Gospel to the young man Timothy. However, Paul recognized the value of his upbringing, and those who had helped to shape his life of faith. Paul wrote to Timothy, “I’m filled with joy as I think of your strong faith that was passed down through your family line. It began with your grandmother Lois, who passed it on to your dear mother, Eunice. And it’s clear that you too are following in the footsteps of their godly example” (2 Timothy 1:4–5 TPT). Let us be the beginning of a family that loves God, one who passes on the heritage of faith and becomes one who honors His great name! Theme passage: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NKJ).
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Practice Peace11/12/2023 Practice Peace
Rejoice in Jesus! Terry R. Baughman “Put into practice the example of all that you have heard from me or seen in my life and the God of peace will be with you in all things” (Philippians 4:9 TPT). Our series concludes with this instruction. Put the example into practice! Being a Christ follower is not a one and done deal. It requires discipline and continual practice. The things that we have heard, studied, and been taught, must be integrated into our lives, and applied in a practical way. Paul wrote to the young Timothy that he should, “Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14–15 NIV). We all learn from the example of others and should put those good lessons into practice. When we know the lives of our mentors we are confident to follow their teachings and their example. Paul’s example, and ours’ should be the same, allowing the God of peace to be shown in all that we do. It’s not just one lesson that we’ve learned and passed the quiz, but several life lessons that Paul leaves with us. He tells us to put all these examples into action in our Christian living. Paul demonstrated the principles that he taught and was unapologetic in his request for believers to follow him as he followed Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV.) In the NIV Paul is quoted, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” The NKJV used the word imitate in the passage, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” In the previous chapter of our text Paul wrote, “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do” (Philippians 3:17 NIV). These character qualities should be seen in the lives of all believers. That’s for our example, and to be an example to others who seek God’s path. Seek out those who are followers of Jesus, and follow those whose lives reflect His transformation. Sometimes we are reluctant to ask people to follow our lead and practice our example. It could be that we are not confident in our relationship with God, or that we are not being intentional about following biblical teaching. To ask someone to follow our example is not to presume perfection, or, a prideful arrogance, but to pledge integrity in our lifestyle, and a desire to fulfill His leading, and continue in His way. The result of those who put into practice Paul’s example are assured the peace of God will be with them in all things. What greater outcome could we expect or desire than the assurance of the peace of God to fill our lives. In a world of chaos and constant striving, it is a blessed promise to have the assurance of peace in our relationship with God. As we practice the spiritual and scriptural lessons we have learned, we will continue to experience the great peace of God. His peace is that, “peace of God, which transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7 NIV). Let us practice for peace! Theme passage: “My beloved ones, don’t ever limit your joy or fail to rejoice in the wonderful experience of knowing our Lord Jesus!” (Philippians 3:1 TPT). |