Independence Day Prayer

Yesterday was Independence Day in America, here is a prayer I found.

“Dear Lord,

There is no greater feeling of liberty than to experience freedom from sin and death that you provided for me through Jesus Christ. Today my heart and my soul are free to praise you. For this, I am very thankful.

On this Independence Day, I am reminded of all those who have sacrificed for my freedom, following the example of your Son, Jesus Christ. Let me not take my freedom, both physical and spiritual, for granted. May I always remember that a very high price was paid for my freedom. My freedom cost others their very lives.

Lord, today, bless those who have served and continue to give their lives for my freedom. With favor and bounty, meet their needs and watch over their families.

Dear Father, I am so thankful for this nation. For all the sacrifices others have made to build and defend this country, I am grateful. Thank you for the opportunities and freedoms we have in the United States of America. Help me never to take these blessings for granted.

Help me to live my life in a way that glorifies you, Lord. Give me the strength to be a blessing in someone’s life today, and grant me the opportunity to lead others into the freedom that can be found in knowing Jesus Christ.

In your name, I pray.

Amen.”

Source and Other Prayers for Independence Day:
https://www.learnreligions.com/independence-day-prayers-699929

Daily Bible Readings:

Monday – 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12-19

Tuesday – Psalm 24

Wednesday – Ephesians 1:3-14

Thursday – Mark 6:14-29

Prayer For The Nation

I think it is important this week to offer a prayer for our nation.

Lord I want to first pray for all those affected by the violence at the Capitol, it was horrible, horrific and avoidable.

I also want to pray for those affected by the violence that has occurred throughout the year in this country.

This nation has faced tragedy after tragedy this year. I pray that we overcome, that people’s hearts are healed and their needs are met.

I want to offer prayer as we go through a transition of power in this nation. Many are hurt and angry, some are excited, others relieved.

I think it is an important reminder we must not trust in man but God.

You God, sit on a throne that is greater than any throne made by the hands of man.

I also want to call for repentance of this nation. This is not about one party or group this is about the nation as a whole. Everyone in this country should go to the Lord humbly.

The truth is we have lived very comfortably so long Lord, help us Lord to be humble and remember our brothers and sisters throughout the world who have suffered so much.

We must turn back to you and live our lives by Your will not ours and by Your Word not ours.

Thank you Lord for your continued blessings, have mercy on us God and help us return to you.
.
Amen.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (English Standard Version)

14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Links:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+7%3A14&version=ESV

True Freedom Means Dependence On God.

This past Saturday we in American celebrated Independence Day. A day where we celebrate our freedom but the truth is many in this country and in the world are not free no matter what type of country they live in or what type of government they have.

In reality true freedom comes from God.

Only He provides you with true freedom.

Freedom from sin and destruction.

Freedom from this world that hates what is good and loves what is evil.

Freedom from all your past mistakes.

Freedom from those chains that hold you down.

Freedom from the darkness in your life.

Freedom from the lies of this world.

God is the truth and the truth can set you free.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

God in Modern America

God is everywhere in America. Christianity is the number one religion, there are thousands of churches. He is mentioned in America’s most important documents, God’s word shaped our laws and foundation. Even “In God We Trust”, is on our money.

But unfortunately God is not in the hearts of many Americans.

The truth is Christians helped mold this nation more than any other group.

I highly suggest watching the PBS documentary, “God in America”, which is available here…https://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/view/

If you watch that series truly you will see how involved Christianity was in America throughout its history.

One point people always bring up to argue against having God’s influence on the nation is the separation of church and state but what many don’t realize is that law was put in place to protect the church from the government interfering and discriminating against churches. The law was based on a letter written by Thomas Jefferson.

Now groups are using the constitution to attack the church and force them to follow their beliefs.

The government is supposed to be neutral to religion not force them to follow secular views and laws.

For those who wish to read the letter here is a copy of the original letter written by Thomas Jefferson

“To messers. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.

Gentlemen

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

Th Jefferson
Jan. 1. 1802.”

Lord I pray for the spiritual revival of this nation. We see more darkness in this country than ever before. Guide us God to be the light of the world as You asked to be. In Jesus name I pray for Your will to be done.

Amen.

Have a blessed week,

Chris.

Sources:
https://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html

Freedom

Independence Day is this Thursday. We celebrate being free.

But while many celebrate being free they truly aren’t.

The only way to true freedom is through God and the sacrifice of His Son Jesus.

Those who are not followers of the Way are still ensnared and enslaved by their sins and ultimately death. Some are ignorant to this while others don’t seem to care.

But God freed us from our sins and death.

The new culture and society teaches us to love self, get as much money and pleasure as you can. YOLO (You Only Live Once) is the motto.

But our souls are eternal, we can have ever lasting life through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Or we can refuse and accept an eternity separated from God.

I’ve heard some say Christianity is restricting and they left the faith because they always felt guilty and judged after making mistakes.

How sad is that?

That is not what God expects.

It’s society that expects perfection. Your always judged on your looks, your money, what you own, what you do. Society pretends to build you up but they can’t wait for your first mistake to tear you down.

If perfection was possible in God’s eyes Jesus wouldn’t have had to sacrifice Himself on the cross for us.

God loves you no matter what.

The Lord died for your sins because He chose to accept you as your imperfect self.

All He asks is for you to love Him back.

How freeing is that?

So let’s show the world what it is like to truly be free. Praise God in both the good and the bad times, show how He has positively influenced your life in every way.

There is nothing more free than being a child of God.

That is something to be celebrated every day of the year.

Have a blessed week,

Chris

 

Thomas Jefferson-Freedom of Religion

This is going to be a short post. I have seen many comments from Atheists that love using Thomas Jefferson as an example for their argument to keep Religion out of the State. Many even point out the “Freedom of Religion” letter. However they probably have never read it, they couldn’t have. Because it is actually written to the Danbury Baptists in order to show them that the government would never infringe on their Christianity. That was Jefferson’s beliefs, to ensure to government to stay out of the Church, not to get the Church out of the government. I am putting the famed letter in this post…

 

Letter to the Danbury Baptists

January 1, 1802

To messers. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.

Gentlemen

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

Th. Jefferson

 

http://www.heritage.org/initiatives/first-principles/primary-sources/jefferson-s-letter-to-the-danbury-baptists