Good morning all-
Today we celebrate the 4th of July in America. It's a day to remember our Independence from England and it's a time to remember the brave men and women that serve our country and provide that freedom to us. I always like to reflect, maybe because I was a History major but I love to think about what was and how we got to now. It's powerful. The Boston Tea Party and the events that followed are a corner stone to who we are today.
Reading articles about the Middle East make me wonder what is to come. Israel is looking at the events as they occur because it will impact their nation. The world is looking at these events because there are those that hate anything Christian and then there is me wondering what God is doing in peoples lives as they live in this chaos. Men are fighting for liberty and women and children are caught in the battle. There is more to this unrest within nations. There is a mighty spiritual battle happening and it's our duty to pay attention and to pray. These men, women and children are all part of a greater plan and we should ask Jesus what our role is in their lives.
Our path was set long ago. We live where we live, we work where we work and we reside in the country God intended us to live in. Christ said that we were to spread the word to every nation and to every people group in the world. We have the tools to do so now but more importantly, we should be praying for every religion and every person. Sometimes, we choose to only talk about God with those that will accept our views. It's time that we use prayer and the unbelievable tools God has given us to speak, not just to those that will listen but to pray for those that would never listen. Many will turn towards God. It's hard to think that a person who has grown up as a Muslim can change to worshiping Christ but it happens. It's hard to think that a murderer would find the peace of the Holy Spirit and yet they do. It's hard to think that evil people can change to righteous ones but they do. Only God knows who will be chosen and why. We are here to pray and to petition to God to show the world His light. He has given us His spirit to love and honor Him.
The journey for many is tough right now. There are countries where men are fighting a bloody war. There are students that died to have the right to say what they feel and there are innocents that die everywhere because of hate. As women, we have an incredible opportunity to be there for those that we don't know. We can come together and pray as one for the Lord to move in the lives of the lost. We have power even in our own homes. What are you going to do with your power?
My heart goes out to the men and women that have fought for freedom. There are spouses and children that have lost loved ones. We should honor them by not closing our eyes. We need to be praying that the Lord would be with them and that He would make us all strong and faithful. Take the cross seriously and know that God did not put you on this earth to be impartial. He put you on this earth to stand strong and to walk with Him through the roughest seas and through the deadly desert. He gave us life and then He gave us a commission to love His people. He didn't say to just love the ones that were loveable. We are to love everyone and see how God moves. Independence whether it be a nation or a person is a wonderful thing. Freedom always comes at a price. Our freedom does too. Christ gave His life so that we might have eternal life. It's time we take our head out of the sand and be one with Him. Our power comes through Him, by Him and for Him. People all over the world need to know that Christ saves! Turmoil will continue. We will see more wars, more chaos and more death until our Lord chooses to come back. Until that time, let's take down the barriers of religion, of hate, and of misunderstanding and stand for what Christ did for you and me. Let's pass it on...
Romans 8:18 NIV:
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Ephesians 3:12 NIV:
In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Galatians 5:1 NIV:
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
My prayer today:
O, Lord I come before You today praying for the nations. Independence comes at a great price and You understand it better than anyone. You gave Your life for ours and we are indebted to you. As I think upon the chaos in the Middle East, I ask that the turmoil would be changed into something more powerful, more lasting and more true. I pray that the people in the nations that are under fire would find You. I pray that the word would spread and that we as followers of You would be faithful and true. My hope resides in my Father and not in man. We are weak vessels, vacillating with the tide but You are strong and faithful. Please help us to stand on the rock of salvation. We need You Lord to penetrate the hearts of men, women and children all over the world. We live for our own comfort, for possessions and for power. Our sins are in the billions and yet, You love us anyway. Forgive us of our sins and right our path as we seek You. Hold onto Your faithful and give us a passion for the Word you left behind. Take off the blinders and give people wisdom so that they will know the truth. I come before you this morning to pray for those that You love. You are mighty in power and in majesty and we are humbled to be Your servants. Continue to grow all of us and give us Your heart, Your mind and Your spirit. Without You, we are nothing but with You we are strong. May today be a day to celebrate the lives that were sacrificed for freedom and to remember that our freedom always comes with a price. You Lord gave the greatest sacrifice to remind us that love remains the truest form of hope. May You bless the nations today, help the people in countries that are lost and give the women that read this blog a sense of purpose today. We unite in Your Holy Name for the good of mankind and for the gift You gave to us. In Jesus Name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
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