Independence Day

This morning as I sit down to write this, our nation celebrates our Independence Day. A country born on the ideals of freedom for all. I might suggest it is an ideal we still strive to achieve.

This 4th of July is a bit different than most. To the south of us loomes a tropical system. It brings wind and massive amounts of rain with it. As it passes over the Carribean Islands we pray for the people who call those islands home. We ask for their safety from harm and the impacts of this storm.

Independence Day is a celebration of a bond of an oppressor broken. The Monarchy in England strived to take care of itself at the expense of the colonies in the Americas. As our forefathers signed the Declaration of Indepence, they announced that those they represented were free from this bondage of oppression.

The ideal of freedom is realized only through Christ. At our baptism, we make a similar statement as our country's forefathers did. We declare Jesus as Lord and announce our freedom from the bondage of our oppressor.

Galations 3:26-27 tells us, “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Do you know that wonderful feeling of taking off your old dirty clothes after doing yard work, taking a shower, and putting on new clothes? I feel refreshed. I was tired and didn’t like the way I felt. But after, I feel renewed. Our baptism demonstrates the freedom from our old dirty self into a child of God.

As we walk with Jesus, each day is our Independence Day. Sure a storm looms. Through Jesus we have become about something greater than any threat a storm could pose in our life. Our freedom by no means will result in us never experiencing a storm. It changes the impact the storm has on us. Our Savior has broken the bonds of the enemy. We can now have joy in the storm. James 1:2 says we should “count it as pure Joy” when we face a storm. These storms help us grow and become firm in our faith.There is no storm that is larger than the independence from guilt, fear, anxiety, and other tools of the enemy which God provides to us through Jesus.

Take time this week to consider the freedom God has given all of us through Jesus. No matter what storm may be approaching or going through this week, remain filled with Joy. God is celebrating Independence Day with you.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Matt

Comments

Anchor House Week 31 - NAMMA

The first week of August, I had the chance to attend the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) Conference. NAMMA is an ecumenical, Christian association of individuals and affiliated organizations involved in maritime ministry throughout North America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. I had the privilege of attending the conference with our summer intern, Gabe. For both of us it was the first time we had the chance to be a part of the conference. I enjoyed getting to meet so many individuals who serve the Lord across the globe. Each of us serves at different ports and in unique ways. The exchange of ideas was both enjoyable and informative, especially for me as the new guy. Each of the people I met had a heart for the seafarer and the challenges they face. Their hearts poured out to show the love of Jesus to the men and women aboard the vessels that visit their respective ports. One of the highlights of the trip was meeting one

Anchor House Week12: Constant

I've gotten almost a week behind on my reflections from Anchor House. It seems there just isn't enough time in the day. The way these blogs come together is different from week to week. Some weeks God puts a message clearly on my heart. Others it feels like a struggle to put "pen to paper". This week was one of those that I knew exactly what I'd write about. However, each day passed and I missed the opportunity. You see, I write best in the mornings. Not sure if it's the limited distractions, a product of my habit of practicing my spiritual disciplines in the morning, or something else entirely. Most of my afternoon writing is intelligible and requires numerous edits. In the AM, however, they seem to make more sense. What's funny is that as I am writing, I am feeling God moving. He's moving from what I thought I was to write about to what He wants me to share. These shifts and changes are a part of the shipping industry. Things hap

King of the Jews

Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped Him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.” The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus g

Matthew TwoSix:ThreeNine

Search This Blog