How sweet the freedom we enjoy in America!
And how costly for those who died to secure it.
As well as for those who are putting their lives on the line right now to maintain it.
Will you take a moment to pray for those men and women who are serving in the armed forces on your behalf, and that of your family and your neighbors and your friends?
Ask God for His protection and guidance, for alertness and wisdom for soldiers and for officers.
Many of them face the possibility of death every day. Will you ask God to use the awareness of their mortality to prompt thoughts of eternity?
Would you pray for believers serving in the armed services to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, and to share Christ boldly with their fellow soldiers?
Will you pray for the family members left behind? They sacrifice long years of time with their loved ones.
Will you pray for fruitful ministry for the armed services chaplains?
Will you pray for the Commander-in-Chief to become a Christ-follower, and that he would have wisdom and discernment as he leads?
Freedom is meant to be enjoyed. What sane person would accept the freedoms paid for by the shedding of another’s blood, only to cast it carelessly aside, requesting that her shackles be refastened and her cell door locked once more?
And if she did, what would that say about her esteem for the one who had paid so dearly for something she cast aside so casually?
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:36
If you’ve accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sins, you are free.
Just let that sink in for a minute.
You.
Are.
Free.
Free from the penalty of sin in eternity (Acts 13:38-39).
Free from the power of sin right now (Romans 8:2).
Free from the bondage of the law (Galatians 5:1).
Free to not indulge your sinful nature (Galatians 5:13-14).
Free from enslaving habits (I Corinthians 6:12).
Free to approach God with confidence (Ephesians 3:12).
Are you being true to who you are?
Jesus thought our freedom was worth dying for. I wonder whether we’re conducting our thoughts and our words and our actions like He’s worth living for.
Oh, dear sister, 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!
Written by Jennifer Clarke