Skip to main content

Let Freedom Ring!

Happy 4th of July! This is a time of great celebration for all Americans. It's a time of remembering and looking forward with both gratitude and expectation.
 
I'm so thankful for the freedoms we enjoy here in America. I'm not so naïve as to believe we live in a perfect nation but I do believe America is an amazing place to live. A nation worth the effort of every resident to preserve and exercise their freedom with kindness and compassion. Never turning a blind eye to injustice, but speaking out and standing against it. Seeing the value in every person, desiring their good, doing good to them, and never tearing them down with our words or actions.

Many have paid a high price for the right of all Americans to choose. And one of the greatest choices we're free to make is to whom or what we will assign first place in our lives. We must choose wisely because to whomever or whatever we assign the greatest value will determine every other choice we make.

Which brings me to what I consider the greatest freedom of all. Freedom from sin. It too was bought at a great price. Life is in the blood. Sin brings death. Death and sin were conquered by blood; the blood of Jesus Christ, God's promised Messiah. Only through His life, death, and resurrection do we attain freedom from sin and eternal death. Through relationship with Him, we're given abundant life that begins now and extends into eternity. (Leviticus 17:11, John 3:16, John 10:10, & Galatians 5:1)

Abundant life includes freedom. Freedom to live by grace and with no condemnation! Full tilt living that allows us to say “no” to the things that enslave us and “yes” to the things that bring benefit to us and others. (2 Corinthians 12:9 & Romans 8:1)

That's real freedom! No obligation to think, say, or do what society or others dictate or expect. Freedom to act with love, experience joy, live at peace with God and sow peace into the lives of others, wait with a happy heart, be kind, do good, faithfully choose what's right, never have an exaggerated idea of our own importance, and exercise self-control; at all times, in all circumstances, and with all people. There is no law against any of these freedoms! (Galatians 5:22-23)

Our freedom also includes the amazing privilege of coming into the very presence of God Almighty, our Creator, the Maker of heaven and earth. The freedom to confidently approach His throne and ask for His mercy and grace; for ourselves and others, for our enemies, those who persecute us, and those who do not believe He is who He says He is or can do what He says He can do. We can ask His freedom for all who are enslaved. We can be sure He wants to give it because His word assures us He does. He desires freedom from sin and eternal death for all people!

So whenever we are in need,
we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God.
There we will be treated with undeserved kindness,
and we will find help.
Hebrews 4:16 (CEV)

LORD, may each one of us who are privileged to live in America be good stewards of the blessings and responsibilities of living here. May those of us who are in Christ faithfully exercise our freedom to live for You and be Your light in the world. May the Freedom of Christ ring out with clarity and be heard around the world! God bless America! 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Surgery Needed!

I’ve spent years wanting to write words that will bring life and encouragement into the lives of others.   I’ve not written for fear of writing the wrong words or being misunderstood.   I’ve lived a life of disobedience.   I’ve used other “good things” to procrastinate and justify myself.   I’ve allowed dead works to fill my days and ease my conscience, but… Last weekend, I read a verse that caused me to pray a prayer that has rocked my world.   It turned me upside down and has shaken me so hard that everything of no value has been exposed.   Just this morning I was given the reminder that I was delivered and called to a life of holiness for God’s purposes and not my own (2 Timothy 1:9).   So, I’m guessing you want to know what Saturday’s verse was.   Here goes… The verse was Acts 3:26.   So it is to you first that God has sent His servant who He has raised up, so that He might bless you by turning each one of you from your evil ways. ...
3 comments
Read more

2 Peter 1:2 - May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

I've been away, but I've not been idle. I've been healing and learning. Healing from all the grief our family has experienced in these last few years, and learning from the LORD during the healing process. No! I didn't quit life, but I did spend most of my time in our Heavenly Father's lap surrounded by His love and comfort. The problem was, I was a hot mess whenever I crawled out and tried to get back to living life as usual. Believe me when I tell you I've cried a lot of tears, but God was there to capture each one and continued to love and comfort me. He was also there to pick up the pieces when I unexplectedly boiled over like oatmeal. Believe me, it was just as messy and just as hard to clean up.  Please don't misunderstand, it wasn't because the people in my life weren't there for me, but many of them were grieving too. Each death brought more grief, bringing me to a place where I finally realized I needed someone to help me see my way forward....
2 comments
Read more

In The Garden...Tools

Spring beckons us outdoors and invites us to stroll around our gardens.  We see the new growth and we take stock of what needs to be done to keep all our plants as healthy as possible.   For the next few weeks, I want to compare the work of tending our garden to tending the garden of our hearts.   Gardening requires tools , and those tools must be taken care of properly.  They must be cleaned and many must be sharpened.  Items needed will vary by tool, but we all need rags, alcohol, and oil.  Some of you sharpen your own tools which adds sharpening devices and knowledge of angles to the list of things you need.  Other tools need things like electrical cords and batteries.   Not everyone would agree, but I consider gloves and sunglasses as must-have garden tools.  Gloves protect my hands and ensure a firm grip.  S unglasses keep me from squinting against the glare, and help me see what I'm doing.  I don't want to lop off the...
2 comments
Read more