A VETERAN’S DAY ANALOGY

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…”
(Galatians 5:1)

Today (November 11th) is Veterans Day.  This is the day our country honors those men and women who have served in our Armed Forces over the years to protect our liberties and freedoms.

We are indeed grateful for the service and sacrifice of our veterans.  You have given up years of your life to serve our country.  You have put careers and families and dreams on hold.  You have left the comfort and security of home to serve around the world.  Many have fought in horrific wars and witnessed terrible tragedy and death.  Some have been shot and maimed and injured.  Some have suffered emotionally.  And others have been called on to pay the ultimate sacrifice for freedom – their own lives.  To all the men and women who have served to protect our freedom; we say a simple but heartfelt, “Thank-you!”

This day reminds me of another person who paid the ultimate price for freedom.  Jesus fought a spiritual war in Gethsemane and on Calvary against the enemy of our souls.  He paid the ultimate price for you and me. He sacrificed His life for our freedom.  Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we have…

• freedom from sin & Satan
• freedom from condemnation
• freedom from spiritual death
• freedom from an eternity in hell
• freedom to love and serve God with all our heart

Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice on the cross.  Praise God for our freedom in Christ!

 Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the men and women
who have fought for our freedom in America.
Thank you that Jesus gave His life
to free my soul from sin and condemnation.
May I now use my freedom to freely love and serve You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…”
(Psalm 33:12)

This weekend, we celebrate Independence Day.  It was 233 years ago – July 4^th, 1776 – that our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and declared our freedom from British rule.  Today, there is some debate whether America is a “Christian” nation or not.  But, it is an undeniable fact that our founding fathers believed in God and America was founded on Christian principles.  Take a look at a few quotes from some of the men who signed our Declaration of Independence… 

• “God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever….”  (Thomas Jefferson, author) 
• “Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. … Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.” (John Hancock, first signer) 
• “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”   (John Adams, signer) 
• “Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped. (Benjamin Franklin, signer) 
• “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Patrick Henry, signer) 

Of course, we are all familiar with the words in the opening of the Declaration of Independence itself, but take a look at the closing words, as well… 

• “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  (beginning) 
• And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”  (closing)

The first President of the United States was a Christian, as well.  His words are a good reminder for all of us…

• “While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.” (George Washington, first President.)

Clearly, our founding fathers believed in God.  Clearly, America was founded on Christian principles.  As you celebrate the “fourth” this weekend; celebrate our Christian heritage, as well.  May God bless America!

 Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this great nation in which we live,
and for Your many blessings on America over the past 233 years.
We pray for revival in our nation!
May Your Holy Spirit draw us back to Yourself!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.