As we celebrate America's 250th birthday, I hope and pray, that we will remember those who have gone before us and fought the rigorous battle for freedom, for us to be able to live in this magnificent country. Some marched for miles on end and without food, starving to death in the cold, dark, night. They dodged bullets and cannons while protecting their brothers in arms or commanding officers. Some were wounded and some succumbed to their injuries, dying upon the battlefield. Even though they probably had families of their own, they went to battle nonetheless and fought for freedom and for the future of our great country. We do not know all of their names, but if we remember and carry with us the ideas of freedom for all, then their sacrifices were not in vain. We wave Old Glory to remember or place a wreath on a strangers gravesite. We marvel at the fireworks display overhead, as patriotic songs blast forth and we bask in our freedom to be here for another year. The Star Bangled Banner brings tears to our eyes and a nudge at our hearts, as we hear the words, "Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming...."

Still, there are many that have fought for freedom, that live today, and have been forgotten. They continue to fight a different kind of battle. Within their minds a daily battle continues, to pursue life as it was before war while fighting against a sometimes flawed American people. Some remember Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and maybe even WWII. There are some service members that cannot escape the haunting memories of what they have seen, only to be disregarded by those that have no idea what self-sacrifice means. I recently thanked an Army veteran after seeing his service related hat. He had been in Vietnam, and said he came back home only to be spit on and called ugly names. I told him that I was thankful for him and appreciated his service but was sorry that others treated him that way. He said how thankful he was for a loving wife who takes great care of him. She treats him with kindness and cares for him. There are a multitude of stories about service members who have been disrespected or mistreated, yet they still served our country knowing that some would return their sacrifice with meanness and ungrateful hearts.

I am sure that some are thinking..."Hey Holly, July 4th is a celebration not Memorial Day or Veteran's Day". But I do not want to miss an opportunity to remember those that made our freedom possible. I wish that this Independence Day, Americans could put aside their political views, when it comes to these great heroes and freedom fighters. Many people today, are so engulfed in their own lives, that they do not see how others have contributed to them and enabled them to be free. They keep us safe, even in the late watches of the night, while we are snuggled up and happy in our beds. Thank you to all who have served our country and are serving today. Thank you Sam, my son for protecting us, even in the shadows. 

I am reminded of a King, but a perfect and fully good King, one who has never sinned and who watches over us still. He left his home and his throne to fight against an enemy so great, that it destined souls to eternal death. The cross of salvation and freedom from sin and death, is his banner that waves. He became the substitution for our sin while suffering on the cross, so that, when the Father sees us, we are accepted as His children. How can a world, full of flawed people, be accepted by a Holy God? When the Father looks at those, who have accepted this King, He sees the King. He sees King Jesus. If we are in Christ, we are no longer bound by the chains of sin but free. But how did our bondage to sin come to be in the first place? 

If you are a Christian, then you know the story already. But I am sure, that there is someone out there that may not know how us humans have become ensnared by sin. And our freedom, to do what is right in God's eyes, had been stripped away. It almost seems that sin became part of our DNA, and that there is not one that escapes it. Well, the serpent was craftier than any other beast, and when he tempted Eve and Adam they did not resist. "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her and he ate," Genesis 3:6. It all goes back to that moment in the garden, when freedom was compromised by sin. Adam and Eve were sent away, from the Garden of Eden, and God placed restrictions on them. No longer would they walk with God in the middle of the Garden, their home that He had created for them. But in His love, he still fashioned clothes for them. But most importantly, He announced that one day, sin would be taken care of. God had a plan.   

2,000 years ago, the King of heaven and of earth willingly laid down his life that we might live. Let that sink in... 

A perfect God in all ways, did not fight death, but instead, he sacrificed his life so that we can have salvation in Him. With Him as our Lord, we do not need to fear the arrows that fly by day, if we know Him. We do not have to fear the thought (which has popped into my mind), that maybe one day, we will not live in a free country. Most of all, we do not have to fear death, if we know Him. He freely gives the gift of salvation and a way out from sin, and death. He wants to have a relationship with you today. He can release us from the bondage of depression, hatred, addictions, unforgiving hearts, loneliness, and unworthiness. There is no end to the goodness of God. The Holy Spirit gives us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. (Galatians 5:22-23a) To rid ourselves, of feeling worthless or unloved, to break free, is something that only God can do. And when he sets us free, he replaces the negative with his good gifts from the Holy Spirit. What a wonderful Savior! Will we still struggle sometimes, of course. But, "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths". Proverbs 3:5-6

On July 4th, we will celebrate our Independence from Great Britain, and when the Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago. What a celebration it will be! But greater still, is the Declaration that Jesus made, when He rose from the grave, to save us from sin and give us new life and freedom in him. He is alive! He has conquered death, so that, one day we will be with Him in eternity. If you have never trusted in Him, you can come to Him today.

Each of us have sinned and are deserving of death. We must recognize our sin, but we do not have to continue in it. Repentance isn't something that is talked about much these days, but it is necessary to come to salvation in Jesus. "My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise." Psalm 51:17 (NIV) We have all have sinned in one way or another, and just one sin condemns us and is punishable to an eternal death, apart from the love of Jesus. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

But Jesus went to the cross, so that, we might spend eternity with Him and live a life on this earth that brings honor to Him. On the third day, he raised up from the grave, so that we can have life with Him. A relationship with Jesus today! We do not have to wait another moment to accept His freedom from death and sin. "...that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures," 1 Corinthians 15:3

 If you have already received Jesus, then praise Him this Independence Day. "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2

And yet another reason to praise the Lord, we are a part of His family. "But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12

Praise God! We are called to be different in our freedom, not boastful or the even the opposite, casual about life or sin. Do not take for granted the freedom that has given to us. "What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!" Romans 6:15

Romans 8:1-4 "There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." Thank you Jesus for defeating death and transforming us into new creations, people that love you and delight in your ways. 

This Independence Day, remember those who fought and died, to make America what it is today. Remember what you were taught in History class, or if you can't remember that far back (like myself), break out and read some old books or go to the library. Search the web to find out more about our great nation and our founding fathers. But also, open up the greatest book, the Bible, and spend some time with the One who created you, loves you, and brings freedom to you and all who receive Him.