This week will be our Nation's 249th birthday. We were given and have the freedom to celebrate the holiday in the way we choose. There may be parades, picnics, ball games, fireworks, family and friend’s get-togethers and outings.
This great country was founded on the idea that men and women should be free and should have some basic rights and freedoms. Like freedom from other governments, freedom from the tyranny of our government and freedom of religion. Men and women fought and died so we could have these freedoms.
In addition, our US troops are in various parts of the world today trying to preserve and protect our freedoms and the freedoms of others. Please let us not forget them! May we take time to enjoy, be thankful as we celebrate our country's birthday.
I personally feel like our country and all the elected officials, congress and our president need our prayers.
1 Timothy 2:1-6 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
I am also reminded of an even greater freedom that was made available to us many years ago when Christ gave His life for us, ( John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.;
Romans 5:8 ... but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
This was so we could have forgiveness from our sins, ( Acts 10:43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.; Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,...) and the hope of a new life and a new future, ( Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.; see also Hebrews 10:16-23).
Let us remember these two great events this holiday and the people that made these freedoms available to us.
See you in Church next Sunday.