What Shall I Render to the Lord?

Psalm 116:12-17 - What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? 

   I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. 

   I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all His people. 

Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints. 

   O LORD, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds. 

   I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

What does all this mean? As I read this this morning I thought of all the people who have gone before the Lord and received their salvation. They have met with God, recognized Him, called upon Him, chosen His free gift of salvation and now serve Him.

What happens when this free gift is received? The main thing is outright acknowledgement of God our Father, Creator, Redeemer. We recognize Him as sovereign over all. We see His hand in all things. Our hearts and minds change through Him. We grow in the knowledge of our Lord. We begin to know truth. Yesssss. We recognize how flawed our thoughts and hearts once were. And this is all good.

We will pay our vows...we will bring to Him a heart of thankfulness for what He has done in us. We will rejoice in our salvation, which only comes from Him. In this world we can be successful, but it ends when our lives end. Salvation through Christ brings a different, lasting type of success. Wise Solomon came to this conclusion:  “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?” Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3,13-14)

There truly is nothing more important in this life than to walk with God. Only one who has chosen this course can understand this. 

At first it seemed curious the statement: Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. In the context of the other verses, I see this as the rejoicing that God and the angels do when one comes to Christ. We are now His saints and we have given up our old lives, the old man has now become new. We have died to ourselves and have become alive in Christ. This is precious to Him. 

I am reminded of the one stray sheep Jesus referred to:

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!" I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:4-7)

I imagine He leaves that sheepfold daily for that one lost sheep. That prodigal son or daughter. That one Saul who would be made Paul. He knows them all by name. 

When we give in to His calls, His outstretched hand, He loosens the bonds of this world and its lies and death. As the song goes: 

All I once held dear, built my life upon

All this world reveres and wars to own

All I once thought gain I have counted loss

Spent and worthless now compared to this...

Knowing You, Jesus

We become His! The price of His death was paid for us. Can we even fully understand this? God Himself came down from the throne of heaven to live on this earth that He might die for all mankind...all who would seek and serve Him. Who does that? This is hard: He is God to those who do seek Him. If one does not, He is not their God and we are not His child. He died for all, but not all will receive. Not all will give up that old life for a new, sure, everlasting life. 

So, He continues daily to call. Daily He reveals Himself. He works to break hard hearts, that none would perish. He longs to hear the call of the seeking heart and the final words of joyful thanksgiving for the free gift, His salvation. Will you render your life to the Lord? To render means to give up and yield, break down. Will you render to the Lord for the benefits He offers you? His gift. His life. Freedom in Christ. Everlasting life.

Psalm 107:8-11 - Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons—because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High...

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)

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.

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.

Healing the Captives

Isaiah 1:1, Luke 4:18 - “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to  those who are bound."  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed..."

In Sunday school yesterday morning it was brought up that when we come to a place of absolute need, absolute helplessness the best thing we can do is go to God. We find the time to sit quietly and wait for Him. We may not be able to speak, but He already knows what we need. All we need to do is sit in His presence and allow Him the opportunity to speak to us, letting Him bathe us in His love, comfort, even wisdom or discipline (for our own good) in whatever we are going through.

Unless one has done this it is nearly impossible to express what happens. If we give whatever troubles us to Him, lay it at His feet and tell Him we just don't know what to do or how to get through the situation, THEN He is able to get to work. He might even be thinking, At last...you're finally going to let Me handle it. It's what I've been waiting for for so long. But we sometimes cling to something all the while fretting about the fact we aren't able to do anything about it. Sometimes we give it to God just to take it back because we don't see changes. We AREN'T always able to do something ourselves and God's timing IS always perfect. It's still, and always will be, all about trusting in His perfect ways. Abraham and Sarah learned the hard way and so often we all will in something.

Then the sermon was not really a sermon but a testimony that fit so well with what was discussed in Sunday school. I love how God does that! Bob and Audrey Meisner explained to us about God's love even during a time of infidelity and betrayal in their marriage. They showed us how God didn't take them out of the hurts but guided them through and taught them many things during their trial. It took perseverance, faith and trust in God. It no doubt meant countless hours before Him.

As a preview to Sunday our pastor sent a link to view so we would have a feel for this couple. I watched it and wept. It did not relate to anything in my marriage but it just showed so clearly what the right things were to do and how when we just do what we know to be right God can turn bad into good, mourning can turn into joy, and despair into hope. It's part of humbling ourselves.

It's not always going to be easy but, as Bob said, we might be told we need to grow up. It's not about what we want or our feelings, but what God wants to do in us and then through us. The two work hand in hand. And if we are going to be stubborn about it, He may have to humble us in the process (and tell us to grow up).

This wasn't said but I'm guessing part of what we experience when we are in the middle of something we'd rather not be is to show us a glimpse, just a glimpse, of what Jesus endured for us. Endured... We just won't ever fully understand what He has done for us. He was humble all His life and endured a lot of rejection. Who are we to say we shouldn't ever have to suffer?

Now just because this was a married couple talking about the biggest trial so far in their marriage didn't mean there wasn't a message for all people. We all have feelings at times of insecurity, guilt, shame, whatever, that holds us captive to lies against who Christ says we are. We allow the lies of the enemy to tear us down. Any thought that takes us back to any incident that caused us harm or doubt about who we were before we were in Christ has us captive to satan.

Bob explained the story of blind Bartimaeus. He sat at the gate begging for alms. He wore a coat showing he was allowed to be there for that reason. When he heard that Jesus was in town and could hear the commotion of His nearing and the throngs of people gathering to see Him, perhaps be healed, Bartimaeus rose to his feet and cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy upon me." He was bound and determined to be healed, ignoring the people around him wanting him to silence himself. He threw this very coat that labeled him blind to the ground as he began to grope through the crowd. Jesus saw him and asked him what He wanted Him to do. Bartimaeus said he wanted sight. Jesus told him to go his way, that his faith (to the point of tossing off his coat?) had made him well. And his sight was restored.

No need to explain further how he praised and worshiped God. When He heals, it IS a reason to shout.

Audrey experienced guilt and shame. When we have done something thoughtless and wrong and realize our mistake, the last thing we want to do is admit it; yet that guilt will only fester unless it is revealed. Bob experienced betrayal, anger and probably worst of all, transference of blame. Neither knew how they were going to get through this. They were, in essence, blinded by their feelings (and sin) but with God's grace and mercy and His Holy Spirit to strengthen them, they worked out their differences and today are proof that humbling, perseverance, forgiveness and love CAN heal. They had both been held captive. Only God could bring perfect healing.

What coat(s) are we still wearing that need to be thrown down or laid at Jesus' feet that we might be healed? What lies are we still believing despite the promises and declarations of who we are now that we are in Christ? Let's think about this. Let us go to God and sit quietly listening to His Spirit connect with ours. There is a scripture that just came to mind: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1).

Are we going to persevere in our walk with God or are we going to allow the enemy to throw his fiery darts at us? We can see and read about endless testimonies of God's faithfulness. Are we going to take the time to diligently listen to our God or listen to lies? He can heal all wounds, He can heal all relationships, He can handle all those situations where you have finally given up. We must be willing to cast aside what causes us to remain captive to the enemies lies. We must take the time to sit at His feet and be encouraged remembering who He says we are in Christ.

Colossians 2:6-10 - As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

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.

Romans 1:18-19 - The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

Okay, another hard word. Another word of truth. One year ago would you have believed:

• The Fed would monetize our debt after telling us they wouldn't
• Europe would be on the brink of disaster and there would be riots in the streets
• Getting on to an airplane would require getting felt up by invasive pat downs or sent through scanners taking pictures of your naked body while being told those pictures would not get on the internet
• A Russian company that would sell uranium to Iran would also be given control of 50% of US uranium output in Wyoming
• The current administration would bypass congress in order to pass new broadcast rules that make net neutrality, a regulation they are going around congress and courts to get, look like child's play
• Federal law enforcement agencies are putting GPS units under people's cars without a warrant
• American credit card transactions are being tracked in real time without a warrant

These are just a few things Glenn Beck mentioned on one of his programs. He shared a headline from the New York Times from early December: Mounting Debts by States Stoke Fears of Crisis. He's not making this up. Are we aware of these things? Are we concerned? Is this type of information being brought out in the open on mainstream media? Do we have our heads buried in sand? Or do we think this will just all blow over?

Do we believe such things can happen to us? We are, after all, America. This reminds me of the scripture regarding the last days when we as a country will experience pains similar to birth. Can we even imagine what our country will look like in another year if all this has happened on one year? Will we recognize it? 

Little by little things are eroding. There are some who only want to be told what to think and what to do. Thankfully some are speaking out against what we see happening and, of course, that's bringing opposition and a lot of criticism for those who see a country that once stood for freedom and democracy suddenly heading to socialism. Do we really want the government to control us? When will we say "enough?"

God is allowing us to do as we wish. He is a God who has told us long ago that He would leave us to our own desires if we choose to replace Him as our center with the ideas and plans of a society bent on becoming successful in their own way. Romans 1:28-31 - since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

Is our government (both party lines) really being honest? Are they looking to the Constitution which was based on a Divine Creator? Or have they given in to the depraved minds mentioned above? Oh, not all are evil or God-haters. There are a few who only want what God would want for us. But this seems to be a dying breed...in government and this society. God just is not important anymore...and He showed us this would occur.

On the other hand and in a more positive light, Beck has revealed on his program groups of people whose hearts are set on doing the good and right things, like those in Wilmington, Ohio. I would suppose to the those who oppose Beck, the exposure of these people may seem sappy.                                                                ...suppose...those...oppose...expose???

The tides have turned. Maybe we've seen our best days. What lies ahead? A friend and I were discussing how we sure would like to see the Lord return quickly. But I think we still have some things to accomplish here on earth. And the Lord will tarry as long as necessary to receive more people into the Kingdom. Our work...His work...is not yet done. These things we see if we have our eyes open may be the envelope that is pushed to change the world, not just our country, because if our country fails, I believe the world fails. Where do we look for the peace we all desire? Jesus is that peace. 

I don't want to see this happening. I don't want to be experiencing difficult times. But it might be the only way others will see that our peace and our hope comes from a Source other than what lies right before us, the things we can hold on to or see in this world, the things the Bible says will rust and which things moths can eat. Just what will it take to realize this and what will we need to let go of? Will we be able to or will we cling to our stuff? We've been blessed as it were, but have we done the right things with our blessing or did we hang on to it for our own profit? 

Everything we have has been given to us by God. He has created us. He has given us wisdom. He has given us the opportunity to know what He requires. He also knows what we truly are doing with what He has allowed us to have and be good stewards of. Do we feel we are privileged to "have?" There's a fine line. 

We should not rely entirely on our government. If we do we will crash and burn. Like I wrote before, there will be, and probably is, a sifting going on in the world. If we cling to the good things of God we will be secure. If we do not, what was sifted out will be blown away in the wind. Do we want to feel so secure in our riches? What makes us think it couldn't be taken away at any minute by our government?

We who are believers need to be here to share where our hope lies. We need to share the fact that it's not about our stuff but about Who supplies our everyday needs. I still have visions of Black Friday and the materialism. As Beck described on one of his programs, the mortar that holds our lives together is materialism. What would we do without it? Who would we turn to? 

Lord God, let Your glory shine in the lives and hearts of simple men who believe in You. Let the name of the Lord be praised. Let Your Spirit pour out on all the people of this world that they might know You and where exactly their hope can come from if they just pay attention. Make blind eyes to see, deaf ears to hear, hearts to soften and minds to change. Let the truth be known.

Just as Glenn Beck tells us to take a stand and make a choice in this country, we need to do the same with God. It's even a more important stand and choice to make. There is such a parallel because God either is, or is not, involved in every aspect of our lives, depending on which choice we make.

I read the editor's review of Glenn Beck's book, Broke: In the words of Harvard historian Niall Ferguson, the United States is “an empire on the edge of chaos.” Why? Glenn Beck thinks the answer is pretty simple: Because we’ve turned our backs on the Constitution. Yes, our country is financially broke, but that’s just a side effect of our broken spirit, our broken faith in government, the broken promises by our leaders, and a broken political system that has centralized power at the expense of individual rights.

I was struck by the use of the words turned our backs, spirit, faith, promises...words that parallel the Bible's words. This country's Constitution was founded on godly principles. Belief and trust in God were their foundation. They acknowledged their need for Him. They thanked Him for a chance to live in a land free from the slavery of the English rule. But our government has turned its back. He has been cast aside for personal control, power and corruption. It's important to realize we can't rely on anyone else or ourselves and we must return to the One who raises our spirits, who is our faith and who does not break His promises. God tells us as individuals: seek Me, let Me free you from bondage in this world. Trust in Me. If you do I will provide your every need. But if you turn your backs on me, I will leave you to your own devices and you will flounder and fail.

If we are in Christ and trust in Him, are in relationship with Him, our future, no matter what it holds in store, is secure. There is no greater security than that which we get from a God who wants nothing more than relationship with Him, trusting in Him and not the world. It's the same message--always. Without an Almighty influence in our lives we are nothing. If only the government would go back to its own roots.

This should be the most positive, peaceful thought and the best solution we could consider: Jesus is the way, truth and LIFE. Not our government, not any man. But it's a choice we each have to make on our own. We must make the wise choice. The solution is spiritual not political. 

When you know the truth it will set you free. Again the truth, the answer to all our problems and needs lies in the Man, Jesus Christ. Seek for yourself. He tells us that if we seek Him He will make Himself known. But you must seek with all your heart. It is the only truth worth looking for. As Beck stated: God is not on our side. It is our choice to make to be on His side. It is up to us to choose God...Jesus. 

Jeremiah 29:13-14 - And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity...