Happy Birthday, USA!!!

I love the 4^th of July.  It’s fun, festive and full of yummy food!  As most of my friends know, I’m always up for a party!  WOOHOO!

My favorite part of Independence Day is that it gives me a sense of freedom and pride that I live in such an amazing country.  Today is a day to revel in our liberties and to band together in a united celebration that declares, “We are Americans!”  YAY!

Independence is a funny thing because even though it’s great when it comes to the world’s countries, living independently from God is NOT wise.

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2Peter 3:17-18

Most of us think that we make our own success and seem to forget who made us, who gave us food to eat and who gave us air to breathe.

In fact, many people think that the world owes them something and that they are entitled to a fair share.

Unfortunately, we do not live in a world that is fair, equal or even close to either one.

The one thing for sure is that the Bible tells us we will face tribulations; therefore, don’t be surprised when trials come our way.

We are not independent of God, much less others.  We think we are.  We act like we are.  We would do well to make a change.

Although it seems as doing our own thing is freedom, we find true liberty when we obey Jesus Christ.

Submitting to God doesn’t make us weak.  It makes us smart.

But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. Exodus 23:22

The phrase “freedom in Christ” and it’s absolutely true.

When we do the right thing and make the right choices, our freedom from sin is immediate.  The guilt and fear that stain our hearts are wiped clean through repentance and redemption through Jesus death on the cross.

Jesus chose to be nailed on the cross so that we could be free from the death that comes along with sin.  He won’t force us to become dependent on Him, but we will never know genuine independence from the evils of the world unless we become HIS.

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! Psalm 40:3-4

I hope you enjoy our countries’ birthday celebration and remember who gives us genuine freedom.

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 4:23 – Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.