Skip to main content

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

Popular posts from this blog

Bold Like Stephen

I've always admired people who aren't afraid to be bold in their convictions.  It is the kind of boldness that allows them to stand out in the crowd. There is just something different about how these people view and engage the world around them.  The movie “Hacksaw Ridge” portrays a man that exemplifies what I mean by bold.  He was drafted to serve in World War II but refused to bear arms because of religious reasons. Yet, he still managed to receive the Congressional Medal of honor. Without a weapon in his hand, he saved 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite his objection to violence, he still served his country. Despite his objection to war he found a way to love his neighbor. He was bold.  When I think of bold in the Bible, I think of Stephen. Acts 6:8 says, "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Stephen faced opposition to his teachings. Those that opposed his teachings couldn't ...

Do the Work

Sometimes I sit down to write and it just seems like I am trying to write with a pen without ink. There is simply nothing productive coming from the activity. Other times, God just pours it out on me. The ideas flow and the message comes together with ease. More often than not it's the former rather than the latter. It seems God likes to make us work for it. The ones I have to work a bit harder on become the ones I like the most. I think we appreciate the things we have to work for more than the things that come easy. Our LifeGroup recently read about the Miraculous Catch of Fish. You know the story where Peter and his buddies have been out fishing all night and came back to shore completely empty handed. That next morning, Jesus asks them to take him out in the boat. Once out on the water, He has them put the nets back down and they bring in loads and loads of fish. So many fish that two boats almost sank.  I guess Jesus could have just made the fish jump into th...

Welcome Children

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. And He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." - Matthew 18:1‭-‬5 NIV This past Sunday was simply life-giving at Westside Christian Church. The energy and excitement were palatable. My daughter couldn't wait to get to church. She was excited to worship with her friends and have fun together afterwards.   With the VBS takeover, the church was packed! Sure there were a few seats open, but there was a line of people standing in the back. It is safe to say it was "standing room only". Fitting with the story of Zacchaeus that Pastor Russ shared.   Jes...