The Whirlwind of the LORD

Jeremiah‬ ‭30:3‬ ‭- “For behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah," says the LORD. "And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.

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I say this often: I'm so thankful I know the God of this universe who has a plan for the lives of those who know Him. His plans are not for evil but for peace, hope and a future. Praise God!

We His people may go through trials, but if we continue to look up, He will be beside us. He will walk through the storm and be our comfort. No man or woman can do this, i.e., government leader. Our future is secure if we know Him no matter what.

I like what the LORD God later tells Jeremiah the prophet. This is for believers. By the way, believers can be considered as Israel in the Old Testament days...His children, His people. But because of their repeated rebellion against God, He allowed them to be captured, as a means to draw them back to Him. Perhaps with the election we are facing, God may be wanting yet more to stop their rebelliousness against Him. And why couldn't He use our government to do the same? We could be heading into a captivity of our own. It's just so not about a man or woman, especially ones who do not look to God for guidance.

“For it shall come to pass in that day," says the LORD of hosts, "That I will break his yoke from your neck, and will burst your bonds; foreigners shall no more enslave them.

Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob," says the LORD, "Nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, and no one shall make him afraid.
"For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds," says the LORD, "Because they called you an outcast saying: 'This is Zion; no one seeks her.'

"You shall be My people, and I will be your God. Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goes forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind; it will fall violently on the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of the LORD will not return until He has done it, and until He has performed the intents of His heart. In the latter days you will consider it.” (‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭30:8,10,17,22-24‬)

In the end God will judge. He will prove what was wrong and right in the world. His people will endure to the end. How do we know we really are not in the last days? Evil is rampant at all levels. The enemy is appearing to drag down as many as he can. This is why it is important to know Jesus, know the truth outlined in His Word. In the beginning God created...in the end He will return to judge those who have taken Him and His Word lightly. 

The election that lies ahead will be what it will be. God knows. Either candidate could be the impetus for many to receive Christ. I am standing on the truth of God's Word that He can heal anyone not just of disease or illness but of the rebelliousness of sin and not believing in Him. Man's sometimes empty promises are not the promises from a God who desires all men come to Him and believe in Him. His promises are true...and just.

Lord, have mercy on this nation, on those who do not know You, that they might choose You. You can heal anyone, even enemies. If it be Your will... Thank You for Your grace and mercy to us who have chosen to follow You and who put their trust in You. Let us be lights and endure with the Gospel when darkness closes in. 

The Bible tells us that in the last days what we are seeing in the world TODAY will be rampant. Lovers of self, evil, all doing their own thing, immorality and things opposing what God says is good, right, true. We need to know the God who knows the beginning from the end. 

It's never too late to receive the God who has created all things, who loves more than we can wrap our heads around, even those who do evil. Yet in the end, only those who seek Him will receive the best end to this life. It will be a struggle but...God...

Psalm ‭107:19-21‬ ‭- ...they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

Take Out the Kinks in Thinking!

John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

I've been having trouble with my neck for which I'm seeing a chiropractor and getting an occasional massage. Yesterday I had that appointment with the massage therapist. 

Let's back up a little. I was so exhausted the night before I thought for sure I'd sleep good. I did, sort of, until 3:00. By 4:30 I was making coffee. I had a full, active day and by 4:15 in the afternoon I was writing this blog. Wide awake, after my massage. 

I was energized, not exhausted. My whole attitude was different. There were so many things I wanted to accomplish. But most of all I wanted to read an article, a pamphlet on heaven (which I plan to scrutinize when I get to it) and a couple Christian newspapers.

The article I read was The Truth About Truth written by my pastor, Terry Fischer. And somewhere in the middle of it I realized how awake I was...rarin' to go. Like all the kinks were out of my thinking! 

So where did I stop? Right after Pastor Terry penned these words: ...the very thing we must understand about truth is that it is more than fact, it is a person by the name of Jesus Christ. ... If truth is rejected, Christ is rejected. If truth is exalted, Christ is exalted. Since Jesus is also the word of God (John 1:14) and the word of God is truth, you therefore cannot reject the truth of the word and still claim that you accept the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is my story and I stick with it...always. This is the very important one thing we all should learn and understand. And maybe the more I write about it, one day it might be just the words that will speak to someone. I know Jesus would want that. It's all about Him, after all.

Maybe more people need to get the kinks out of their thinking. Jesus would approve. He would love for more people to know Him and His truth. It makes a big difference in our kinky thinking! 

There's been a conglomeration of thoughts in my own head about current events and I'm so very thankful I know Jesus Christ and am in relationship with Him. I stopped reading the article and thanked Him for what I hope is a turnaround in my energy level...and hopefully, some better nights' sleeping. I do know I awoke with something bothering me. As the day wore on, I was reminded that when all else fails or disappoints, He is all that matters. (This had nothing to do with the current news.)

Anyway, what Pastor says is true, because it comes right out of the Word of God, spoken by the Word who is Jesus. If we claim to love God but deny the truth of His Word, we do, essentially, reject Jesus. 

There's another point. In order to know what the truth is, we first have to receive Christ into our lives that He might, through His Spirit, give us a more well-defined understanding of His Word. Then the Word will become truth. As Pastor also quoted, And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

In this world we see a lot of things that make us uncomfortable. The news is replete with stories of violence, deceit or disgust, all evil. I can say without a doubt that it doesn't bother me like it used to (but I have to keep it in check!). I know that Jesus has told us these things, and many more, must happen...and then the end shall come. To me that is very freeing. The return of Christ. If not in my lifetime, I know that after my passing, there is freedom also. Freedom from hell.

I'm not afraid because I know the Truth who is Jesus. If He says He will return, I believe He will. I will not fear because He has said if we know Him, there is nothing to fear. His truth, His promises give me peace. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

We can all know this truth. That's what's so amazing. Jesus loves us all. He doesn't give more to one than another. He plays no favorites. If one's heart is set on Him, His heart is set back on them. In fact, He loves us before we first love Him. Want to know absolute truth? Try Jesus. Be at peace. Know freedom. It can remove the kinks in your thinking.

Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

Freedom

Galatians‬ ‭5:1‬ ‭- Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.‭‭

What does freedom mean to you? 

This is Memorial Day weekend. Many men have fought and many have died that we would have freedom. Sometimes war is necessary to keep the enemy at bay. It's not always an agreeable topic but I don't think it can be denied. We are called to love our enemies but when our lives are at stake a just war is acceptable. 

Freedom is often not free. Someone has to pay the price. Those who benefit from the battle ensued have received momentary freedom.

There was one Man who died 2000 years ago that we might have our freedom. His name is Jesus Christ. Here, too, He paid the price with His death, but for we who choose to receive Him it is a free gift. Unlike the men who died in battle, however, Jesus rose again from the day that we may have life and that we may have it abundantly. This freedom is not momentary but eternal. 

This is not to say our life will be free from difficulty. We still suffer illness or hardship. We suffer persecution, whether at the hands of terrorists who hate Christians, or in lesser ways, believers being chided for their beliefs. Despite what we go through, believers still have freedom in Christ.

Someone from my church posted about all the verses to our National Anthem. We all know the first one but the other three are not generally sung. He said his favorite was verse four. I agree. 

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,

Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land

Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

My freedom comes first from the Lord. This is freedom I can trust confidently. Man will fail in this world but Jesus will not. To know Him is the ultimate freedom. I am thankful for the men and women who have fought or will fight against our enemies, whether here or abroad. It is necessary. We see enemies arising. We need to protect our freedom whether in our neighborhood, city, country…or world. But even if, or when, we lose it, my strength and hope are in the Lord. 

In God I trust. We all can. The spiritual battle is all His if we call on Him, if we trust in Him. I'm thankful for the peace He brings. My life, though it will end someday, has an eternal consequence.  It happened as a result of a particular action. That action was receiving Christ. Trusting in Him for my life and freedom--through Him. It's not physical, it's spiritual. That's what I look forward to. 

John‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭- Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Refusing to Enter

Exodus 14:4 - So they said to one another, "Let us select a leader and return to Egypt."

More on the Promised Land!

In Numbers 13 and 14 Moses and the Israelites had come to the land of Canaan where a group of men, one each of the twelve tribes of Israel, were sent to spy on the land. When they returned it was deemed that this land truly flowed with milk and honey and the fruit of the land was rich and abundant. But they countered this with more news. According to ten of the twelve spies, the people and cities were strong, imposing people. They felt threatened. 

One of the two remaining spies, Caleb, spoke up suggesting they take this land because he felt they had the strength to do it. The ten were adamant that the people were too big, too strong, that they were like giants to grasshoppers. And they complained and made the suggestion above. They whined that if they had to die, why send them on this journey to die when they could have died in Egypt where "life was better" (as slaves).

How often have we heard the Gospel preached, or urgings made by others, to come, to listen, to enter in? We see the Promised Land that God brings as good on one hand and restrictive on the other. Oh, that we could live in the world and do what we wish (Egypt) but have the good of the land that God gives. What the world has to offer is nothing compared to what God has to offer. But a decision must be made. Do we want control of our lives or do we want to give God, who created us and knows all about us, the control? Hard decision, isn't it? We cannot, will not, have both. In one place is life, in the other death.

We do not know what God has for each of us but if we choose to follow Him we can know one thing, He will provide what we need. It won't always be easy, nor will it always be what we think it should be (this is my struggle), we will have our problems and trials, like the rest of the world, but if we endure to the end, the reward will be greater than we can imagine. This is called faith. It's trusting God with our lives, not trusting self or man. The ultimate reward is eternal life. Just as Jesus came to this world to die for our sins, He rose again. If we give our lives to Him we die to self and at the end of our life we rise again spiritually to eternal life with Christ. 

God took His beloved people, Israel, out of their life of bondage, not without struggles, listened to their complaining, but continued to provide for them. They could not let go of what they knew for something they would have to trust Him for. Oh, that people would see this! It's a step of faith that when taken will bring about a glorious end. 

We can enter into this new life, new land. It is our Promised Land. Life looks different. We see through the eyes of God not self or man. There is a better understanding of why there is so much evil in the world. Even politics looks different! We see what is meaningless...and what is truly meaningful. There is hope, joy and peace in the midst of what goes on around us.

The second spy who believed this land of Canaan, the Promised Land, was worth entering into was Joshua. Here is what he and Caleb had to say. It is a statement just as good for us today. Like today it was not met with much enthusiasm. In fact the others wanted to stone them. That is how the Gospel message is met quite frequently! We can fight entering into His rest. If we stop fighting He will delight in us. 

Numbers‬ ‭14:6-9‬ ‭- But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.”

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P.S. - After Israel's disobedience God swore those who opposed going in would never enter. He allowed them to wander for forty years in that wilderness. That took care of the disobedient generation and raised up one who only saw God's power, strength and provision. Those were allowed to cross over. 

Seek God

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Another blog from 2009! 

Seek God.  These words came over and over not long ago when I first decided I needed to more actively seek God through more avidly reading His Word and listening to Him speak...sitting at His feet.  The words came through sermons, reading and a Bible study I was doing.  It was something our church was doing at the beginning of the year, seeking God for our lives, our families, our relationship with the Lord and for our nation.  It made so much sense when I'd put all the various thoughts together.  It was time.

In a Bible study we discussed something which is not new, that the whole reason God created us was to fellowship with us.  I got to thinking, somewhere along the way over hundreds of years we have forgotten this.  We've gone our own way and left the most important part of our life out.  I was reading a book last night before going to bed about how our nation has done the same thing.  We're slowly taking the most important Person out of the very life of this country.  Or should I say the very life of this country is being sucked out because we are attempting to remove all semblance of a Divine Creator?

In his book What in the World is Going On? David Jeremiah makes a reference to something George Washington had said:  "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."  There were other quotes by other presidents saying pretty much the same thing.  And then  David Jeremiah wrote:  "...when America turns from its position of being under God, we can no longer expect His blessings on this nation to continue."  

I wasn't planning on going in this direction!  But I just did.  It seems it fits both situations--personally and as a nation.  My original thoughts were that I cannot take for granted my salvation.  It is a gift from God.  He called me.  I did not search for Him.  I thought the knowledge I had of Him was all I needed.  He tugged until I responded.  He justified me in His eyes.  He blessed me with this gift of salvation.  But it's up to me to actively seek Him now.

How does this fit with our nation?  I believe God gave us this country.  It was His gift to us.  It provided us the freedom we desired (salvation) to worship Him, just like the Israelites and the exodus from captivity in Egypt.  So we should not be taking it for granted.  Now it seems like a melting pot of disasters.  As long as we seek Him for this nation, we will be blessed.  That blessing may be dwindling.  If as a nation we change our attitudes and return to seeking Him He will bless us accordingly.  However, we are living in troubling times.  Our nation faces an unknown future.  As Christians we are not to worry about anything, not about our lives and what we will eat, drink, our bodies, or clothing.  God takes care of all things and aren't we more important than all things?  We shouldn't worry about what may transpire.  If I seek God first...if we seek God first...He will provide all our needs.  I am worried about those who do not know the Lord and do not have that provision for their lives.

I thank God that He never gives up.  I thank Him that He gets into a season of our 

lives and relentlessly taps our shoulders to get our attention.  He speaks so we will listen and capture our hearts. Seek God for our own lives and for this nation.  He will provide the answers, the encouragement, the understanding and the wisdom.  

Matthew 6:30-32 - Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?" For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 

Lord God,  I sometimes think I sound like a broken record.  I still am thinking about and thanking You for never giving up on us.  I thank You that all You ask is that we seek You first...first in the morning, first in our time of need, grief or trouble.  And then when our needs are met it is important that we thank You.  You know our needs.  You know the desires of our hearts.  You know the beginning from the end of any situation and we just need to trust You with all things in our lives.  If we are not to worry about our needs for every day,  why should we even worry about those things we would like to see happen in the world, our nation, our families, and our lives.  As long as we seek You, You will provide.  

Bondage and Sin

Mark 5:5 - And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

This might be a controversial subject! Oh well. There was a man named Legion. A fitting name for one who had a legion--many--demons within him. This man was forced to live in mountainous tombs to distance him from others. An attempt to chain him proved futile because these demons were too strong. The chains were no match for them. 

We see Legion cried out, no doubt in torment because of these demons. And he cut himself. Yet he could not, on his own, live without them. He was in bondage. Chained.

I think about the people who can't help but cut themselves. Could there be something demonic controlling them? Demonic may seem a strong word, but I believe it is a true one. Our thoughts can be manipulated by these demons. What else could it be? We are told our minds are a battlefield. ...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬) If the enemy can control our mind, things like what Legion lived through can happen. 

Modern medicine or psychology might help for awhile but is unable to do what a powerful God can do. Legion recognized Jesus, knew His power, and worshiped Him, yet I believe was worried by what He might do. Jesus, knowing his situation, called for the unclean spirit to come out. He had to already have known it wasn't just one residing within this man. Still this man implored Jesus not to remove these demons from the country. A mind so controlled by them... 

Counseling today may not treat the real root cause because it doesn't understand the real reason. Jesus told us this: “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭43-45‬)

What a sobering thought. This is what Legion might have gone through. This may be what many today go through. All avenues of treatment are tried and perhaps momentary solutions obtained. Some may work, some not. But I wonder if with each new occurrence and added treatment if more wicked spirits enter? 

I would say, like with the account of Legion, an encounter with Jesus would be the only solution. An uncommon thought, however. A facility with doctors is tangible. But Jesus is not, to the unbeliever. When all else fails, calling on the Lord, the Great Physician, is always viable. Legion may eventually have had to change his name! He was delivered by Jesus of all his demons! 

We live in a physical world yet there is a very real, while unseen, spiritual world all around us. We do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers and rulers and spiritual hosts of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). Some might laugh at this, but we see the proof in scripture. Thankfully, in and through Christ, we are able to overcome these spirits. HE removes the chains of bondage to such things. Any form of self-mutilation is a sin (Leviticus 19:28). Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave [bondage] of sin." (‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭34) But Jesus came to remove all our sins. Only Jesus saves. Seek Him, seek freedom, seek healing. 

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; with long life I will 
satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” (‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭1,3,9-10,16)

Light and Darkness

Exodus 14:19-20 - And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. 

I praise God for being a light in this dark world. I am able to see the darkness around me but know that I don't need to be consumed by it. I know what God's Word says about the darkness and know that  in these days it will only get worse. While I praise Him for His light, I pray that more would see it. 

Israel was set free from captivity in Egypt and set out following God to their Promised Land. It would be a longer journey than necessary, but some would eventually arrive. He went before and behind them as their protection. As long as they had His protection they had life. Remember, Pharaoh's army was out to kill them. While Israel crossed the dry sea bed and probably marveled at how the water could stand straight up on either side of them, in one fell swoop, God was able to kill Israel's enemy. 

I loved these scriptures for this reason: In the same way God guided and protected Israel, He becomes our guide and protection, but only when we set our hearts upon Him and seek Him.  He plants Himself between our enemies and us. He can be the cloud behind us that we might not be seen, yet be the light to our feet before us to light the path He has for us. 

There are other verses that show that He surrounds those whom He calls His children, those who have received Him to themselves and are in relationship with Him.

Psalm 34:7 - The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. 

Psalm 125:2 - As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever. 

Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭8 - And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.

Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. 
There are many more illustrative scriptures like this. Many...all promises Of God for those who walk with Him.

Jesus is the light of the world and the world is in darkness until they know Him. They do not see the need for Him...they are in darkness. They do not follow after Him...they are in darkness. The truth of His word is offensive...they are in darkness. We all start out like that. I was a good example of stubbornness against seriously seeking Him. But He became a light in my life.

When our enemy comes chasing after us, whether it be real, emotional, mental, whatever that sly devil wishes to do to steal, kill and/or destroy us, if we know Jesus all we need to do is call on the name of the Lord and be saved. That's also what He wants us to do to come into right relationship with Him. Call on His name with a sincere heart and receive true life. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬)

John 8:12 - Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” 

That They May Believe

John 11:41-46

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." 

Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." And he who had died came bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."

Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 


I'm sure no one could have known what was about to transpire. People were filled with grief for and comforting Martha and Mary. Jesus had been late in arriving. Lazarus was dead and buried four days already. If only He had gotten there sooner...

But it was the Father's will. It was His will to bring about an even greater understanding and belief that this Man who said He was the Son of God. They needed more proof. All part of the Father's will. That we all might believe.

What more proof do we need? Today Jesus still brings life. We are all covered in grave clothes until we are awakened to who this Man is. We walk with our hands and feet bound, and our heads wrapped that we might not see. But when Jesus becomes a true reality to us, those cloths are are loosed and we are set free. He asks us all to come forth. Free to see, to believe, to begin a new life, in Christ through Christ alone. And part of that purpose for our own freedom is that others may believe.

Jesus will not be a one time thing in my life. He is a forever blessing. If I believe what He says, I have been set free of my own grave clothes. I have been resurrected spiritually. And He longs to do this with each of us. Jesus says it better than I can:

John 8:36 - Therefore if the Son makes you free, you are free indeed.

That's What He Does

John 4:11-26

The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?"

Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,' for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly." 

The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship."

Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He."

More than one thought going through my head. Of course!

How Jesus reveals Himself to us is amazing. Here the Samaritan woman was standing before Jesus, knowing of Him and telling Him that when He comes He will tell her all things! She does not recognize Him. Then He reveals Himself to her.

One day we might be staring right at Him or hearing from Him but we might not recognize Him. Then one day He might say "I who speak to you am He." Your eyes are opened and you recognize Him. Now I'm not suggesting He will be physically standing in front of you or audibly speaking to you, but it can happen in an instant in your spirit. Words you've heard and didn't understand, or rejected, will one day come to life. Those words may have been repeated many times just so one day will make an impact: Oh, now I get it!  I remember being bombarded by little instances before I was saved. Then one day I recognized He had been setting the stage for my salvation. He's an awesome God.

Yesterday in church our pastor reminded us that God seeks us. Some think we seek Him, but He's seeking us first. It always starts with Him. He created us with the desire in our hearts. He puts the emptiness and need for more there too. Always starts with Him. Some just choose not to heed His call.

Psalm 14:2-3 tells us He looks down from heaven looking for anyone who might seek Him...but there are none! But when He reveals Himself then our seeking can begin. He seeks because of what John 3:16 tells us: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus testifies of and personifies this. He is the a God who loves. He is the Son who gave His life that whosoever believes can have eternal life.

While whosoever includes all people, only some respond. To those who do not, He exacts His judgment...have to clarify that. He loves all, but will place judgment on those who do not accept His call.

He is the living water. He knows all we need and He can satisfy with greater things than what we think we need. When something, or someone, doesn't satisfy anymore, don't we look for something, or someone, new only to find out we still need more? He so loves the world He wants to give us what will satisfy.  That's what He does.

The Samaritan woman didn't understand the feeling of emptiness she had. She thought she had what would satisfy...many husbands. Jesus began to open up her understanding. When Jesus offered living water that she would no longer thirst she misunderstood. She talked of this well she was at providing water in the physical sense. It met part of her physical needs. Jesus offered her more. More.

Jesus says we can only receive from Him, the One who is greater. No other person can offer us what He has. We worship what we do not know. Anything greater than God is a god or an idol. We can go to a banker, an instructor, friend or spouse, food, our job, children, another lover, a doctor, psychiatrist, pastor, priest or rabbi, but none can offer what Jesus can. He frees us from believing all these other things satisfy. We go directly to Him because He knows us.

When we recognize God (meaning we have received Him and know Him) we can begin to worship Him in spirit and in truth. We recognize we've been looking for things that never fully satisfied. Those who know Him can worship in spirit and truth. He seeks us first that we might in return seek and worship Him, and He will give us the living water. Praise God He does that. Praise God for those who respond.

Exodus 20:1-3 - And God spoke all these words, saying: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt [dryness, want], out of the house of bondage. “You shall have no other gods before Me."

Thanksgiving

Psalm 107:21-22 - Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing.

When one becomes a born again Christian one looks at life differently. While I am thankful for the freedoms we have had in the United States, I realize they can be taken away...which we are seeing. I'm still thankful for what we have left. If we live to see more erosion, will we still have something to be thankful for? If life becomes harder for whatever reason, will we still have something to be thankful for? If we call ourselves Christians, disciples of Christ, we should.

So what is my view of Thanksgiving? For some Thanksgiving is just another day off work, food, drink, football and family. Others will celebrate this year and truly will be thankful for God's goodness toward them. A very good friend of mine will testify to this through her waiting on God without any inkling of what she would be facing. And for some, her in particular, He has proven what trusting in Him is all about. (I may post this testimony in time!) I am thankful most of all for God's love, grace and mercy to me. Without Him there is no hope. In Him I have a freedom that cannot be taken away at someone else's whim.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness. Thanksgiving is thanking the Lord...that He chose me, redeemed me, guides me...and it is He I can put my trust in.

I recently found out that Thanksgiving as we may know it didn't really happen the way we think. If you are interested in what it might have been, you can research yourself. It was not as Christian a day as we all believe it to be, sad to say. It may have been thanksgiving for lives saved, but not so much for the way of life they lived.

Putting the real story aside, and coming to what we can truly be thankful for...we can thank God today for the physical blessings He has given us. But it's so much more than the physical blessings, or possessions. The biggest thanks we can have is the thanks for our salvation. Two verses prior to the ones above say this: Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Not a new story as far as my posts! When we come to the end of ourselves, can't possibly imagine how we will get through something, we CAN cry out to the Lord and He will heal and deliver through His Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. We can be thankful, truly thankful, if we have received Christ.

He offers the greatest blessing of all time. If we have called on Him for forgiveness of our sins and have continued to follow Him and trust in Him, we can lift up our voices in the most amazing thanksgiving. It's not always about the possessions we have or our freedoms but our spiritual condition, our rightness with God or relationship with Christ. Nothing is more important to God than that.

I am thankful for His sacrificial love for all of us. None of us deserve eternal life. But He offered up His life anyway so that all men who would call on His name, receive Him and wait on and trust in Him would have this eternal life. He gave His life for us. How can we not be thankful for that? When we are at the place where we can thank Him for this, then His hand will be upon us. But how do we live that out? By loving Him first, or what the world believes is important? Think about it...

Oswald Chambers wrote this: The religion of Jesus Christ is a religion of personal relationship to God and has NOTHING to do with possessions. Professional Christianity is a religion of possessions that are devoted to God. The disciple realizes that his life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses, because what we possess often possesses us; we are possessed by possession.

Look at it this way, though. If we have Christ we have the greatest possession. He is the greatest treasure. He will not leave or forsake anyone who claims this possession. Matthew 6 tells us Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

There are many verses on thanks and thanksgiving to God. He is a great and awesome God who gives generously to those who trust Him. Sometimes what He gives isn't in ways we would expect. We might not even be able to put a finger on what He gives; sometimes it's just in the peace and contentment we feel. Then at other times, because He knows what we have need of (not want of) He provides. And He knows each one of us has need of a Savior. We should be thankful He provided His Son to be that Savior. We should be thankful for the freedom we have in Christ. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36) Do you know this freedom?

Psalm 100: Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. - A Psalm of Thanksgiving

Our New Covenant

Galatians 5:1 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Happy Fourth of July! I'm sure we will all be celebrating our independence day in some way. Perhaps it is a good day to take a close look at our liberties and be thankful we still have them (although they are eroding). There's one freedom that cannot be taken away, however...

We have laws. They are here to show us right from wrong. We have a choice to obey them. If we haven't there could be consequences for disobeying. Whether we are caught or not, whether we argue our intentions or not, try to justify our actions, we are guilty. You have to admit that.

If we are caught and must stand before a judge we are deemed either guilty or not. It is not up to us to make that decision. We can get angry or we can accept the charge, pay the fine, do our time to make amends.

God has laws too. And we are all guilty of breaking them. One sin to Him is not greater than another. Sin is sin. Like real life, we will all stand before the Judge and have to account for those sins. It will be the most important trial of our life. If we thought a speeding ticket was uncalled for or some time in the slammer was outrageous, if we have murdered or stolen and it was our choice to do so, it will be nothing compared to the outcome of this coming judgment. You'd better have a good Lawyer/Mediator between you and the Judge.

That's what Jesus is all about. In some miraculous way He has already taken on all, and I mean all, the sins of the world upon Him. The Judge is His Father and the Judge will listen to His Son plead your case, no matter what your sin.

Jesus can be our Mediator. IN and through Him our disobedience is forgiven. We are set free. And when we confess those sins to Him He forgives as far as the east is to the west. Picture Him on the cross, arms outstretched. That's how much He loves you.

Christ brought about a new covenant, one by which we could be set free from the laws/sins/infractions we either cannot or will not keep. Not that we continue to sin when we receive the knowledge that Christ sets us free. We will make mistakes; we always will. But He is there to accept our confession. HE is there, not anyone else. And He is quick to forgive, where mankind isn't always so willing to do that.

You want to be sure you have a good lawyer in this earthly life. You should also want to have a good one for your spiritual life. Today, even, you have the choice. Eternal freedom or eternal captivity. Jesus is the Son of the Judge. If you choose the Son, He will set you free. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)

We celebrate liberty today. Take one more step to perfect liberty, that which only Christ can give. That is the new covenant...freedom from the laws of performing rituals and sacrifices like for atonement for our sins. Jesus became our new covenant whereby He gives us the gift of salvation and the rituals and sacrifices cease. It's called grace. We give only ourselves to Him by confessing our sins to Him and receiving what He has to offer...forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

I heard something last night that I knew but tend to forget. When we receive Christ He doesn't give us just part of our righteousness, He gives it all to us. He IS our righteousness and if we have Him we have every right to claim total righteousness...as arrogant as that might sound to some. I'm thankful for the liberty I have, the true freedom in Christ to have all righteousness upon me. As was said last night, the right to BE right. This is a day to celebrate freedom. Why not ask Him today and have the best, lifelong freedom ever.

1John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I Am the LORD Your God

Leviticus 26:13 - I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright.

Oh, people, how this so is what Jesus does for us. If Egypt is a type of the world and we walk in this world's ways, He brings us out that we will no longer remain in captivity of all that is wrong in the world.

When we are in confinement we feel oppressed. Jesus breaks the yoke that we might be free. When we are free our entire outlook is different, there is a lilt in our step, we can walk upright. There may be those around us burdened by the things of the world (even those who don't realize they are burdened) but we have no need to feel that way again.

Here's a story of freedom!! Granted it's not what you might expect, but I believe even in the everyday things we can see glimpses of God and what He will do for us if we keep our hearts, minds and eyes focused on Him. So, the story: A friend was telling me I should journal about something recently. Then I read this scripture and eventually related it to what she said.

We had two cats. One had to be put down. So that the remaining cat, Wilson, would have a companion  we decided to get another cat. We had been trying to observe the "rules" for introducing a new cat into the home. One rule is to have a separate room for the newbie for a time so both can become acquainted through sounds and smells under the door!?

The new little girl, Treo, did not like being confined (in jail as my husband says). I really can't blame her but it holds back the growling and hissing from the 10 year old. In an attempt to promote a little better opportunity to see and smell I opened the door about an inch and put heavy objects at the door to hold it in that position.

One morning I went to get her out of her "cell" and noticed immediately that the door was no longer only one inch wide. Oops. She escaped. She had full range of the entire house all night. She was as happy as a clam. As my friend chuckled about this I could see no humor in it at the time. Not when I was the one in the midst of all the hissing!! Well, the damage was done, no point locking her up anymore.

She was confined and felt oppressed. Now she runs when we approach for what I believe is fear she will become confined again. Her yoke was broken in her escape and she DOES have a lilt to her step now. She walks upright. Wilson may be burdened for a time, but she is not! He too will escape that burden when he realizes how good it is to have her around! Ahem. (Not amen but ahem!)

I pray that when my enemy approaches I will run from his grasp and that I will be reminded of all that Christ did for me, for who I am in Christ, that I now have the mind of Christ, am being made daily into the likeness of He who redeemed and saved me. He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world.

Just as God was the one who took His people out of the land of Egypt and into the land He promised, Jesus will do the same for anyone interested today. He is the same today as He was in the past and will always be. This world changes, but He never will. He will give us all good things (not necessarily things we can hold in our hands but an even more special gift, that of Himself and His strength, peace, hope and more) if we just believe in Him and are obedient. His desire is that all be removed from their burdens of guilt and shame brought about by sin. His desire is to break the yoke of slavery to sin. His desire is for us, that He can give us great things, treasures. The greatest gift He offers is His Son, Jesus.

Ephesians 1:3-6 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly  places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,  having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself,  according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

And Then

Numbers 11:20b - "'...because you have despised the Lord who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying,  “Why did we ever come up out of Egypt?”’”

Oh, Egypt. Israel was in captivity there for many years before Moses arrived and demanded Pharaoh let God's people go, not without a struggle.

Israel saw the miracles, experienced God's hand of protection upon them and were grateful for their release from slavery to the Egyptians. For awhile, anyway.

Israel, God's people. Egypt, the world. I've written many times about this. Us and them! How is it we, like Israel, forget so easily all that God has done for us...from Genesis to Revelation?

Here we have Israel being led by Moses, who is being led by the LORD, from a land of slavery to a land of promise and their freedom. The thought of that alone should have been exciting. Their journey an adventure knowing that the cloud that protected them during the day and the pillar of fire at night was their God. His presence was with them 24/7. But that excitement and knowledge seemed to have waned after a time. They arose and went when God's presence moved and they stopped when He stopped.

Some time into their journey came the dissatisfaction. They were no longer content with the routine of not knowing their next step and collecting manna each day. Their whining showed how they, might I use the same strong language as in Numbers, detested or abhorred God. ...because you have despised the Lord who is among you... Among you...

This was a true test in trusting God and following Him. Not knowing what each day held. For us it is the self-sufficiency of which we must let go. This is difficult sometimes. We as humans think we always know what is best, giving no thought to what God might think. Don't we believe He knows what's best? We are a rebellious lot...we cling to our Egypt and remember the good old days when we thought we had it better.

Israel whined about the good food they had despite their being slaves. Somehow they forgot about the treatment they received and could only think about their physical hunger and physical needs.

This past week as we listened to Jeremy Prochazka preach at The Church in Wisconsin on The Yoke Shall Be Destroyed Because of the Anointing, he brought up an "and then" statement. It was referring to Elijah's mantle of prophet being given to Elisha. It happens to us also. We are asked by God to do something, first to follow, then act. It must happen at the proper time. Elisha said to Elijah in 1Kings 19:20: And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said,  “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.”

Like some, Elisha didn't hesitate. The anointing of God was upon him. He immediately turned from Elijah and sought to do as he said, which included giving up all that was seemingly important, and then returned to follow. It reminds me of times when men wanted to follow Jesus but only after they had said their goodbyes to family. Elisha did as he had said he would. Others go back to family and never return because the comfort level was greater there.

Elisha had twelve yoke of oxen. He was a prosperous man and he was being asked to leave it all behind because an anointing was upon his life. We have to free ourselves from any yoke that is upon us that interferes with God's will for us. The yoke is always a worldly thing, whether physical, mental or emotional. We know that each of us is part of the body of Christ, each with a gift that God has given us. I look at that as His anointing, whether great or small.

If God has asked you to move to another level in Him, to seek Him over the things of Egypt, He has also provided the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome...but sometimes you must make the first move...which is to just let everything go and follow. Is our Egypt too great; does it have too much to offer, so we think? Are the things we hold so dear just that, too dear? Might we ask ourselves why we left Egypt?

If we have been called to follow we will be called to make sacrifices, to let things go. It might not always be easy but what is on the other side of obedience will be. As Jeremy stated: the anointing will change us but it will also empower us to make changes. We must be willing to change, to let go of the yoke that holds us captive.

Jesus' yoke, He exerted, was easy and His burden light. He is the one who gives peace that passes all understanding. He is the one who makes us lie in green pastures. He is the tower we run into when our strength fails us. He is the cleft in the rock where we seek refuge in times of trouble. It is His hands which hold us, which have us engraved in them.

Which yoke do we want, the world's or His? Do we want to carry the burdensome yoke or allow His to carry us?

Isaiah 10:27 - It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.

Freedom

John 8:32, 36 - And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. 

Happy Fourth of July! It is a day for many to celebrate the freedom we have in this country. Let's never forget why we celebrate this holiday. Let's never let the idea of our freedom grow cold. We must hang on to it.

There is another freedom, too. Once this freedom is attained it enhances the idea of our country's freedom. But we cannot grow complacent about this freedom either.

Freedom in Christ. Freedom from the sins that we were born into. Freedom to have access at any time to God. This freedom in Christ only comes through faith in Him.

There is a whole chapter in the Book of Hebrews dedicated to faith. It comes when we receive Christ and then believe that He is who He says He is and that He can do all things ...and that He is bigger than any our problems. This is freedom at it's best. In faith we do not need to see the outcome now; we don't need to concern ourselves about situations in life that seem too great for us to handle. We are free to allow God to deal with our problems, even our messes.

When we yield to the One in authority, we have freedom. When we trust God has all the answers and we let go of our struggles to work something out, we have freedom. We have faith in the things we cannot see being fulfilled. God's ways are not like ours. His timing is perfect, as are His ways. And speaking of ways, it is His Way that He sent to bring this freedom to us. He is the Truth we are to seek out. His Truth goes beyond comprehension.

Freedom: Christ died to make men holy...let us live to make men free. Christ died so that we might have a freedom that is indescribable. Those who have chosen Christ must also live that others might see Him and live...and be given the opportunity to share in the freedom.

It's sad to think this Freedom Road is narrow. It's sad to think many believe they are free without first coming to Christ. It's sad to think they don't know the joys of this different kind of freedom.

There are just so many ways to describe the freedom we have in Christ. Unless the Holy Spirit of God opens the deaf ears and blind eyes, one will not fully grasp the enormity and delight of it all...the freedom to know no matter what lies ahead in this life we are secure in Him. Doesn't it just sound freeing to know our future is secure, even in death?

This freedom is for all who receive it. It does not stop at any one denomination or any one color a person might be, and especially not how good a person is. As far as God is concerned we all wear the same rags until we choose Christ and receive spiritual robes of righteousness. It's not about us or what we have been taught by men, but what He tells us in His Word.

We are also free to choose. Choose this day life or death. Choose the freedom a life in Christ alone brings. 

Our country was founded on this same type of freedom and on the principles God laid out for us. A man or woman without Christ will be in bondage. But here's the good news: Jesus came to exchange those chains and yokes of slavery for His peace and freedom in Him.

In church yesterday, our Associate Pastor, Andy Horn, told us how as a people who chose to come to this country to have freedom from England's control, some could not live without that yoke of bondage. They couldn't get used to the idea of freedom. And like during the Civil War, some slaves chose to go back to being slaves because they didn't know how to live in freedom. Even when Israel was released from the captivity of Egypt they murmured about what they perceived were things they had to give up instead of looking forward and up and trusting God's guidance. As my friend sitting next to me whispered: Sounds like people today.

Happy Freedom in Christ!

Heavenly Father, we see the days ahead. We see the very possibility of instability of them. A day will come when the only hope at all will be in You. The only change we will realize is if we dedicate our lives to You and receive the freedom and peace in knowing You as Lord and Savior. What will it take for that to happen? What will open the blind eyes and deaf ears? I pray for a manifestation of Your Spirit in this land. I pray for hearts to desire the freedom You provide because it is the greatest freedom we can have. Reveal Your Son to this world.

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (2Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 5:1)

America, Blessed by God

Psalm 33:12 - Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. 

I love this portion of Psalm 33. I had chosen this verse for a time to add to the end my emails. We are entering into a time of celebration for the freedom this country has fought for...the freedom we still need to fight for. And yesterday our church celebrated America. We had an early celebration of our nation, honoring the servicemen and women from our church with a presentation of the flags of their respective branches of military. And we thanked God for His hand in giving us this country. This nation has been gloriously blessed by God. 

Our Pastor, Rory Grooters, spoke on our development. He said something that I had a miniscule thought on earlier in the week about patriotism without God. Only I couldn't quite put my thoughts into words until he spoke them: there is a secular patriotism and a sacred one...political ideas and ideology should not lead us away from God. 

He talked about George Washington. This nation truly was founded on biblical principles. It's why we have survived 235 years of success because God's blessing has been upon us. Other empires have not put their sole foundation on the God of all creation and they have crumbled. Look at Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, the USSR. Where was God? It can be a worry sometimes to think that if God is successfully removed from this country what will happen to us. And yet...if there remains a remnant of true believers, we could see continued blessing.

There was a great group of people who left the confines of Great Britain that they might have freedom from oppression. They left that the freedom to worship God unhindered would be attained. They were under God's protective care as they set off for America and later fought to continue this freedom...because they humbled themselves to our Lord and Maker.

George Washington was a man of prayer. Hear the heart of a humble man who knew that only God could sustain:

       O eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before thy Divine majesty, beseeching thee to accept of my humble and hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thy great goodness to keep and preserve me the night past from all the dangers poor mortals are subject to, and has given me sweet and pleasant sleep, whereby I find my body refreshed and comforted for performing the duties of this day, in which I beseech thee to defend me from all perils of body and soul....

       Increase my faith in the sweet promises of the gospel; give me repentance from dead works; pardon my wanderings, and direct my thoughts unto thyself, the God of my salvation; teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in thy service, and ever to run in the ways of thy commandments; make me always watchful over my heart, that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties, the love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may cast me into a spiritual slumber, but daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life bless my family, friends, and kindred.

This man knew the importance of Divine guidance. Some, but not all, presidents have or have had this same humbleness of nature and dependence upon a awe inspiring, faithful, powerful God. 

Washington wrote years after the war: “The man must be bad indeed who can look upon the events of the American Revolution without feeling the warmest gratitude toward the great Author of the Universe whose divine interposition was so frequently manifested in our behalf.” Benjamin Franklin, who was somewhat skeptical of a Divine Creator, spoke these words: “I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men.” Hallelujah!

Zechariah 4:6 is a perfect example of the beliefs spoken by these two men: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the LORD of hosts. Our God is a powerful God. This nation has truly been blessed because of the freedom we have today to worship Him as we wish, and because of His love for us...because we have devoted ourselves to the worship of an Almighty God. Psalm 33:4-5 - ...all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice.

We also honored our servicemen and women, as we always do around this time of year. It's always a heartwarming thing to see the flags of the branches of service presented in church by those who are serving and have served. These men and women serve, like Jesus served, for our freedom. They fight the enemies of our nation for our freedom. Jesus fights for the enemy of our soul that we might have spiritual freedom in Christ. 

However, the freedom we can have in Christ is not temporary. The Words of the Lord are true: He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. His mercies are extended to those who receive Him. We can be part of His chosen people. We can be forgiven and set free of the things  of this world that do not last forever. The only true freedom is in the Lord Jesus Christ. With Him by our side we need nothing else. He is our all in all. 

Let the cry of our hearts be that our Lord would rise up in our hearts and especially in the hearts of those who aren't familiar with His lovingkindness. Just as this nation was founded on the principles of God, let our lives have the same foundational principles. Without God, without Jesus, without His Holy Spirit, we are helpless, lost individuals. We are without a true Hope. Psalm 112: 1 -  Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who delights greatly in His commandments. We all need a Savior and He is there for the asking. He will meet you just where you are. Take Him up on the invitation to meet with Him.

Oh, Lord, that You would provide additional proof today of our sovereignty on this earth. How You do preserve those who are in relationship with You, how You do give us pleasant sleep, refreshment and strength to carry on each day. How a person could survive without this assurance is a difficult thing to imagine. We praise You, Lord, for your Divine mercies, mercies which are new every morning. Release Your power into the hearts of the people of this nation.

Psalm 33:22 - Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You.