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Raise A Godly
STANDARD
"When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God will raise a standard against him."
(Isaiah 59: 19)
The true meaning of the American flag was fully realized in December of 1860 when Major Robert Anderson moved the United States garrison from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. This is considered the "opening move" of the Civil War. It was also the time in which the flag became a symbol (standard) of American nationalism.
With the world changing so quickly, and our liberties disappearing day by day, I have to consciously "rein" myself in (no pun intended) when writing this newsletter. As a minister, I believe my specific calling is to teach biblical faith using horses, and not to be a political sounding board for current events, or turn my ministry into a bully-pulpit. And yet, I realize the critical importance of these unprecedented times we live in, and I am left with a simple truth. As ministers of the gospel, and as Christians, we no longer have the luxury to simply "specialize and compartmentalize" our calling. It was for such a time as this that you and I were born. And it is time for us to rise up and raise a Godly Standard as never before.
Will You Raise A
Godly Standard
"Raise a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations; prepare the nations for war against her, summon against her the kingdoms, Ararat, Minni and Ashkenaz: appoint a marshal against her, bring up horses like bristling locusts."
(Jeremiah 51: 27, NRS)
Horses are an important part of American liberty. Many wars have been fought on the back of this majestic animal. Note the reflection of the American flag in this rodeo horse's eye.
First things first - it is hard to raise a Godly Standard if we don't know what a Godly Standard is. A Godly Standard isn't a bunch of faith-stirring clichés, or popular quotes memorized from scripture. It goes much deeper. A Godly Standard is the unadulterated, unswaying, unchanging, and unapologetic Word of God. A Godly Standard is not bound by tradition or time, nor is it subject to change. It is constant in every season, and in every situation. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, able to divide the bone from the marrow, truth from lie, light from darkness. It is the measure by which everything else is judged. It is, in essence, the "standard" by which we are commanded to live. Having said all this, - we're left with only one question, and our answer to that question will determine our future. Are we living according to God's Standard (His Word)?
Have you ever noticed how the more enlightened a culture perceives itself, the more that culture attempts to change the original script of God's Standard (His Word)? Of course, that's understandable for the world, but it's a problem if you're a professing Christian. For example, we need not marvel if an unbeliever disregards the Bible's commandments or standards. But it is altogether a different thing when those who are professing Christians flagrantly disregard God's Standard. Don't be deceived. God's standards do not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His standards do not go in and out of style according to some mortal man's understanding and revelation of modern culture. The nature of culture is that it is always changing, and always up for popular vote. On the other hand, a true standard does not change or re-invent itself to appeal to the masses. It remains constant, even in the face of opposition. Such is the Word of God.
In The Face Of Opposition, we do not run, instead...
WE RAISE A STANDARD
The Ulysses S. Grant Memorial is a presidential memorial in Washington, D.C. It is in honor of American Civil War General and U.S. President, Ulysses Grant. Note the presence of "Old Glory" flying in the background. The Grant Memorial is considered the largest equestrian statue in the United States.
The first official U.S. flag was flown during battle on August 3, 1777, at Fort Schuyler during the siege at Fort Stanwix. Although it has undergone many numerous "make-overs" since then, one of the best visual symbols of our country is still the American Flag. In addition to the Union and Confederate flags that were present during the Civil War, it was the American Flag (the standard) which was at the center point of every unit. Not only was this flag a constant reminder of what the soldiers were fighting for, but it was an ever-present standard that went before them in every battle.
A Little Bit Of History...
On every American Civil War battlefield, there was a soldier known as the "color bearer". The color bearer's job was to carry the flag, and ensure that it was visible at all times to all of the men during the battle. During the battle, the color bearer was always surrounded by an army of approximately 50 soldiers known as the "color guard". The color guard's sole job was to protect the flag's color bearer (the standard-bearer) at all costs. If the color bearer was shot and killed while carrying the flag, a color guard soldier would immediately pick up the flag, raise it high for all to see, and continue the march forward. Upon picking up the flag (the standard), the color guard soldier was now the color bearer. His time had come.
Now consider this - the color bearer and the color guard knew that raising the flag (the standard) made them more visible to the enemy. They also knew that if the enemy captured their flag (the standard), the loss of morale amongst the soldiers would be disastrous and devastating. As a consequence, these soldiers knew that their lives were on the front line, and that they were literally holding the fate of tens of thousands of lives in their hands by simply "holding the flag" (the standard) high. It was a an enormous and profound responsibility, and in the face of the seemingly dire situation they faced, many men fainted with fear, while others deserted altogether. But for those who were willing to stand strong and continue to lift the banner high, a new nation soon emerged - a nation worth fighting for.
RAISING A GODLY STANDARD
A Costly Choice But The Only One That Snatches Victory From The Enemy
A picture of a vintage civil war flag at Fort Clinch. Raising a standard is always a costly choice for any nation, but it is the only thing that snatches victory away from the enemy, and keeps us free.
Seldom do nations (or people) ever stop to really consider the importance of the standards they uphold. In fact, if you were to ask most people what standards their nation upholds, they would merely shake your question off like an embarrassing bad rash, and try to change the subject. Why? They're not quite sure what a real standard is!. After all, it's hard to know, since the standards keep changing, right? Wrong! There is one standard that will never change. It is the standard of God's Word. Whatever the future brings, as Christians we are all called to raise a Godly Standard. Never forget that. To that purpose, it is my prayer that God will continue to watch over our nation, and that we who are called by His name will take up our position and be the true color bearers of this world.
Natural Horse
Faith-Man-Ship
(Teaching biblical faith using horses)
ARE YOU READY FOR THE FAITH RIDE OF
YOUR LIFE?
To Learn More...
EMAIL US
ksworldmin@aol.com
*Susan Klaudt Horse Ministry and Natural Horse Faith-Man-Ship are protected by exclusive copyright, and are outreaches of Kim and Susan Klaudt World Ministries, Inc., a 501 (C) (3) not for profit ministry.
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