Independence (1 Peter 2:16)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “independence.”  Today we celebrate the 237^th birthday of this great nation. I love this day, with all the bbqs, swimming, baseball and the like. But what I love the most is remembering why we are in existence as the USA.  For a couple hundred years now we have been a beacon of light in this crazy world.  And even though there are a ton of peeps out there that do not like us.. we continue to help and protect others. The Bible talks about independence and freedom. In fact, that entire book is written so that we might understand what it means to be a free people.

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

~1 Peter 2:16

Living as free people does not mean that we are completely void of law. In fact, God continually lets his people know that true freedom is obedience and a giving of the self (Rom. 6:16-23). Yet as Christians we live to show that true independence is a belief and trust in God. My question is: does your life represent that of one where people would seek to be free as you are? People will only understand the love of God if we continually live under that grace and independence. My prayer is that we invite people, through our actions, to live as truly free people. Let us celebrate today as a reminder that we are free, through the power of Jesus.

Praying for you,

mo

Liberty (Luke 4:18-19)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “liberty.” At this point in Jesus’ ministry he was a pretty popular guy. What is funny is that when he went back to his hometown is when he started to receive some scrutiny. Nevertheless, when Jesus read from the Old Testament scrolls in this instance he deliberately proclaimed the good stuff that God had in store, and left out the vengeance part. Jesus was proclaiming the kingdom and the liberty that comes with it. That particular reading should have encouraged all who heard the words that Jesus said.

“God’s Spirit is on me; he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, “This is God’s year to act!”

~Luke 4:18-19

My question is: do you understand the intensity of God's goodness in your life? I hope they were encouraged by the words in this passage and realize that God has good things in store for you. It's when we least expect it that God reminds us of the liberty he gives through his only son. My prayer is that you continue to live in the freedom that God has given you through Christ. Now is the time to act on your faith and show God through your actions that you believe and trust in him.

Praying for you,

Mo