Freedom and Faith

Wednesday, December 7, 2022 Good Morning, Lord Verse of the Day: Galatians 5:1 ►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. Memory verse: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Readings: DANIEL 5-7 2 JOHN 1 Freedom and Faith As a child, it was a simple thing. There were just a few special days to remember. Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, New year's day-then government holidays-it was more than a little child's mind wanted to keep up with. Sixty years later I open my calendar on my iphone and every month-almost every week has holidays from all over the world. Obviously, to me a minister of the gospel, the special days associated with Jesus Christ are the most important ones and these should be celebrated daily in our hearts. December 7 is another kind of day. It is a day when we remember an attack on our country's navy at Pearl Harbor. Once there were over 3000 mothers who grieved; over 3000 groups of friends and families who suffered losses-an entire nation shocked and enraged. An entire nation grieved and felt the urge to strike back. That was the beginning of the 'Great War' where the whole world grieved. There are few still alive who remember the actual day it all started but the effects are written by history. There are forces at work who would have us forget why so many died and why the fight continues. They would have us lose the meaning of duty, honor, country, and God. You may be one who does not care much for holidays and that is your choice. But, do not lose the gravity behind those days. Out of the pain comes victory. We must see the victory for which all those men died and those mother's grieved. The victory is our freedom but we must never let our guard down. Galatians 5:1 ►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.

There was a mother named Mary whose son was killed by the same voices who hate freedom. These are the voices of death. Our Father is the voice of Life who raised Jesus from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 John 5:4 because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith

Remember this day, the tragedy, the victory-pray for those who still grieve. Pray for those who continue the fight. Thank God for your faith and your freedom. Never forget as we approach the Christmas season and that it is the birth of the one who died for all our freedom-one died for all-

...to proclaim good news to the poor-to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free-the words of Christ Jesus himself(Luke 4:18) who came to seek and save that which was lost.(Luke 19:10) We are blessed...we are free...in Christ Jesus ...because He loves us... Father in Heaven, Forgive me for forgetting the real reason we celebrate these days. Thank You for my faith and my freedom in You. Merciful, loving Father! In the name of Christ Jesus Amen