Tuesday, July 4, 2017

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Today is the day we give thanks for our freedoms.  Freedom to live our lives they way we choose to, freedom to come and go as we please, freedom to believe the way we wish.

Many of our freedoms come from our forefathers, who established our country. They used the Word of God, the Christian-Judeo beliefs, as their basis when creating our land and our government.  They knew that the goodness of those beliefs would endure, and create a place to live that would honor all peoples, and all beliefs.

So, in essence, ALL of our freedoms come from our God, the Father.  He is the real forefather. He and only He can guarantee freedoms.  He and only He can ensure our safety.  He and only He can and will guarantee our successes.  He is God and He is our independence.

Our pastor this past Sunday taught on John 8.  The actual text is in verse 1. Simple conversation between Jesus and His disciples, which is actually a power packed message of how to live and live free!

"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, 'If you will abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' "

Imagine Jesus speaking to you, these very words!  What would you walk away from that conversation with?  I pray it would be the realization that the only true freedom in this old wicked world is through your relationship with Christ. He holds the key to everything that affects us, day in and day out.  Therefore, He is the only One who has the power to bring us true freedom, freedom of the spirit. When we abide in Him, we are with Him.  

The apostle Paul was the perfect example of a human being living in total freedom.  Even when imprisoned, in chains and guarded every minute, he knew he was free.  Why? Because he knew his soul was free.  He knew no man could take from him what Jesus had given.  Freedom of the spirit is inside of us, once we have made the choice to follow Jesus.  And what resides inside cannot be removed, ever. 

So today give thanks to all those in our past who have made our freedoms secure, here in the good old U. S. of A.  But also remember that God is the real giver of our freedoms, even those that are given by our country.  Without Him, without His love and His grace, we would have no freedom.  Praise Him for loving us this much, to make us free, even as we serve Him, and willingly so.

Enjoy your family and friends, and your day, but remember to enjoy your Savior most of all!

Blessings!

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