Christian Reflection and Prayer

Dear Lord,

There is no greater feeling of liberation than to experience
this freedom from sin and death that you have provided for
me through Jesus Christ. Today my heart and my soul are
free to praise you. For this I am very thankful.

On this Independence Day I am reminded of all those
who have sacrificed for my freedom, following the example
of your Son, Jesus Christ. Let me not take my freedom, both
physical and spiritual, for granted. May I always remember
that my freedom was purchases with a very high price.
My freedom cost others their very lives.

Lord, today, bless those who have served and continue
to give their lives for my freedom. With favor and bounty
meet their needs and watch over their families.

Help me to live my life in a way that glorifies you, Lord.
Give me the strength to be a blessing in someone else's
life today, and grant me the opportunity to lead others
into the freedom that can be found in knowing Christ.

Amen

Scripture:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
as you trust in Him." (Romans 15:14)

Reflection:

Well its that time again. Its time to pick your
candidate. I have always been astounded at
the quality of political speech making that goes on
now.. Like the word peace. Never do I hear that
word use so much as I hear it from our political
candidates. The problem is of course political
peace is certainly elusive and fragile. However
we should be very aware that there is a spiritual
peace that comes from knowing and loving God.
The peace that has and is between God and
humanity is sealed by Jesus Christ. Martin
Luther explains what that peace means in our
daily lives.
" Those who rejoice in God are satisfied with
their peace in Him. They bravely endure
tribulation and do not desire the peace which
reason calls for: removal of the evil. They stand
firm and await internal strength through faith.
Neither do they think and worry what the end will be but
always place that matter in the hands of God.
They are not fretting to know when, how, or where
their trouble will be ended. This is why God, in turn,
grants them grace and prepares for an end for their
evil- and end which shows benefits so great as to
exceed all expectations and desires.
Behold, this is the peace of the Cross, the peace of
God, the peace of conscience, CHRISTIAN PEACE.
Reason connot comprehend how we can have peace
in th midst of strife. Nor can reason accomplish
this. It is the work of God that is known only to
the person who has experienced it." (Martin Luther)

You see as a person of faith, a Christian, Christ
Himself is my peace. " He came and preached
peace to you who were far away and peace to
those who were near" (Ephesians 2:14-15, 17)
Isn't it really time for you to learn what peace is
all about?

Prayer:

Thank you God that in Your embrace I find
my salvation and my peace.

Quote:

Peace cannot be achieved through violence,it can
only be attained through understanding.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Scripture:

"I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in
Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
Acts 21: 13

Reflection:

One of the greatest and most well known missionary was
Dr. David Livingstone. He was especially admired for his
sacrifice for his savior. Listen to what he said about
sacrifice.
"People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so
much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice
which is simply acknowledging a great debt we owe to
God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice which
brings its own reward in healthful activity, the consciousness
of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a
glorious destiny? It is emphatically no sacrifice. Rather
it is a privilege. (Later on he said) I never made a sacrifice.
Of this we ought not to talk, when we remember the great
sacrifice which he made who left His Father's throne on
high to Himself for us."

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will
not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

You know Jesus Christ did not consider it to be to
big of a sacrifice to die on the cross for all of us.
He did it because He loves us. Why should I
think it to big of a sacrifice to spread God's love
right now, today. You really don't have to be a
missionary like the apostle Paul or Dr. Livingstone.
You don't need to be sent to some remote mission
field. Your mission field may be your neighbor,
your co worker, a family member. You see we all
need to hear that our Father God had only one
Son, and He gave that one Son to us, so that we
are forgiven, yes you and I and our neighbor are
forgiven. We are a forgiven people, our sins are
forgiven, all our sins are forgiven. And we have
eternal life. We have to do only one thing, and
that is to believe this and to believe in the love of
God. This is indeed a privilege

Prayer of Acceptance:

"Lord Jesus Your word has convinced me that
You are the Son of God- the Savior of the
world. Today, as best I know how, I receive You
into my heart by faith, asking You to forgive my
sins and become my Guide through life.
I realize that an almost faith is really no faith at
all. And so I hold nothing back from You. Lord
I am persuaded. Thank You that my life has been
invaded by Your loving presence. In Jesus Name
AMEN!