July 2014

Pray For Peace

Reba McEntire’s new song, “Pray For Peace“, is reaching people everywhere. Recently the music video had 5,629,031 likes.

I think most of us would agree with this call to action to pray for leaders and families, to pray for wisdom and understanding. Our hearts should be broken that the world is in so much conflict and innocent people are suffering.

Let’s join Reba and her plea, but let’s add to that a prayer that the true answer to all of man-kind’s problems will be ushered in. That the transforming power of the Love of God will enter hearts and light up minds with the Truth that leads to real peace. That people everywhere will embrace the two most important commandments according to Jesus in Matthew 22:37-39; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Amen.

Let Sacrifice Ring

Sacrifice:
(noun) offering, as in “an offering”
(verb) forfeit, relinquish

The first word that would come to mind on the 4th of July for most people in America would probably be the word “freedom”, and with good reason. Freedom was the key issue motivating our Founding Fathers as they penned The Declaration of Independence. To this day, if there is a signature word describing the foundation and tenets of America, it would be the word “freedom”.

On this 4th of July, 2014, in honor of those American heros who authored that precious and brilliant document, I would like to submit another word as being equally important…the word “sacrifice”.

Without sacrifice there would be no freedom.

Take the time to research the suffering many of our Founding Fathers endured in upholding their pledge to this country and the beliefs in what America could be. They risked their own position and possessions in order to secure a better future for all people. They knew that if we lived by the words they had written and stayed truthful to them that we would truly be a society free of tyranny and oppression. These men are an astounding example of the kind of bravery, strength, faith and especially sacrifice required to gain and maintain freedom.

According to Webster’s Dictionary the noun for “sacrifice” is the word “offering”, as in “an offering”. The word “offering” is then described as “a present or gift.” (I am a dictionary junkie by the way!)

These beautiful words are a reminder of the greatest gift (sacrifice) of all, not only to Americans, but to people of all nations.

The Bible tells us in the book of Ephesians, chapter 5 verse 2, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God left His position in heaven, laid down His life and gave Himself to all of us “as an offering and a sacrifice.” Christ made this ultimate sacrifice that we might be made free from the slavery and oppression of sin. Jesus tells us that if we live by His Word and truly believe, that we would then know the truth and the truth would make us free.

As we gather together in celebration of our nation’s freedom, let’s remember to celebrate true freedom in Jesus Christ. God Bless America!

Song: The Truth Shall Make You Free (John 8: 31-36) Wonderfully Made Album