Chaplain Joel Britton – The Price of Freedom

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The Price of Freedom

Acts 22:27-28 “Then the chief captain came, and said unto him Tell me, are thou a Roman?  He said, Yea.  And the chief captain answered, with a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.”

In our passage, the chief captain was about to scourge Paul, but it was unlawful for a Roman citizen to be scourged.  The chief captain asked if he was a Roman citizen and Paul says yes.  At this point in history, Roman citizenship could be purchased and the chief priest said that he obtained his Roman citizenship by paying a great price.  Paul said I obtained my citizenship freely.  However, someone had purchased and paid a high price for Paul’s freedom as well.  The price of freedom is not cheap and it has never been an easy purchase.    

There was a great price paid to purchase the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy today.  Of course one of the greatest statements of all time given by Patrick Henry, “Give me Liberty or give me death”, was a statement of conviction.  The conviction that obtaining freedom and liberty is worth the highest cost a person can pay.  The signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776 drafted by Thomas Jefferson was the document that declared the freedoms we enjoy today.  We enjoy the freedom to choose how we live and who or what we serve.  We also enjoy the Liberty to pursue a life of happiness and purpose.

Everyone that was born in the United States of America was free born to the freedom and liberty that embodies our nation.  Many times we don’t think about the price it cost to live in
the Land of the Free.  The cost continues to increase with each generation.  American Soldiers are paying the high price for the freedom and liberties that everyone in America is enjoying today.  I am continually amazed by the effort, work and service that the American Soldier gives each day.  As a volunteer and without the desire to be known or rewarded our Soldiers go to bed worn out, and energetically get up the next morning to do their part in defending our freedoms.  They have become part of the history of men and women who have honorably served and sacrificed for our Nations freedoms.  There is not a greater group of Individuals to have been entrusted to defend the Liberty and Freedom that was declared back in 1776.  Just as important and as high a price are the costs that the families pay that are faithfully serving at home.   The sacrifice on the home front doesn’t go unnoticed. 

Let us also remember the freedom that comes from knowing Christ.  As an Army Chaplain, I have been called by God and have the total freedom to share the Gospel message.   This message of freedom that comes through Christ was purchased at a greater price.  Therefore, Paul said in Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”   We can’t even fathom giving up the freedom and liberty we enjoy in America.  However, we continually give up the freedoms and liberties we enjoy In Christ.   There is liberty and freedom to love, serve and support God and each other.  We don’t have to be in bondage to depression, bitterness or anger.  Come to Christ and stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ can make you free…

Grace From Above!

Airborne!

CH (CPT) Joel Britton

Bro. Todd Caudle – How shall they hear without a preacher?

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I am so grateful for the men of God, the Lord has used to bring me to Christ.

The first preacher would be my Dad – John Caudle. A veteran missionary with tremendous zeal and a heart for souls. He’s my hero. The second was an old fashioned preacher named – Roy Goodson. Bro. Roy was a fiery preacher of the gospel, whose face would always turn ‘beet red’ when he was preaching. The third preacher would be the pastor of my childhood – Dr. Harold B. Sightler. I have never known a preacher with more gravity. He was preaching the evening service, the night I was born again! What if one of these great men of God had not answered the call or been faithful to the call, to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ? I wonder where I’d be today. Perhaps, still lost in sin. Maybe, already in a devil’s hell. May we never take our calling lightly. Precious lost souls hang in the balance. Press on, my dear brother! It’s worth the fight! We are preaching the gospel of peace to a hopeless world, and bringing glad tidings of good things! And don’t forget, there’s a crown of glory waiting for us at the end, from the chief Shepherd. Praise the Lord!

Bro. Todd Caudle

New Missionary Family – The Barnes

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We at APBM are pleased to announce that as of February, Steven and Sherry Barnes have been approved for service with All Points Baptist Mission in the field of Guam.
The Barnes are sent out of Bethel Baptist Church, in Walls, MS. They are currently on deputation and anticipate being on the field as soon as the Lord allows.
Please pray for the Barnes Family as they seek to serve the Lord in the field of Guam.
You may find out more about the Barnes and their ministry by clicking here to view their Church’s website.

Bro. Ed Bauman – God Gave The Increase:

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God gave the increase:

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
As missionaries on deputation to San Juan, Puerto Rico, we have been to many churches to share our burden for the precious souls in PR. People treat far better than we deserve because we have surrendered to go to the mission field. And while we have a tremendous responsibility to share the Gospel, the fact remains that at the end of the day, regardless of the role we have, it is God that does the work! We don’t all have the same role, and one isn’t more important than the other. APBM Missionaries and churches should be striving for the same goal, to glorify God, and see people saved! Society wants to elevate people and positions. However, Paul reminds us in these two verses that anything he accomplished was because of God, not him. Why do we do what we do? Why do we support missions? To receive credit, or to see God do a great work?!
Bro. Ed Bauman