3 Jul, 2009
Happy 4th of July!
As we celebrate America’s birthday this weekend, it is easy to get caught up in the greatness of our nation and forget the One who made it great. We are blessed to live in what many say is the greatest country which means we should be overwhelmingly thankful for God’s grace and mercy and for those men and women who have sacrificed so much to keep our country free.
In this day of “political correctness” and an increasing push to remove God from our culture, I think the words of a few of our great leaders are an excellent reminder that God has done far more than our founding Fathers ever imagined.
- "It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible." -George Washington
- It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here."-Patrick Henry, Patriot 1776
- We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come."
- Samuel Adams, 1776 (at the signing of the Declaration of Independence) - Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him, who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust, in the best way, all our present difficulty.”- Abraham Lincoln
- “The secret of my success? It is simple. It is found in the Bible', "In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths."-George Washington Carver, inventor 1939
- The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God."-John F. Kennedy
- I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land."-Martin Luther King, 1968
Micah 6:8
“He has shown me what is good and what is required of me; to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.”
What does today's story & God's Story Scripture teach us about justice & mercy?
Justice, mercy, and humility seem to be characteristics of many of the leaders that God has placed in leadership not just in our country but around the world. Perhaps because no matter where you live or what your circumstances, God has called us to be people who pursue justice, who are merciful and who remain humble knowing that all we have is only because of God’s goodness.
I love the Fourth of July and the celebration of our nation. It is a perfect day to thank those around you who have sacrificed for our freedom and it is an even better day to remember the sacrifice Jesus made so that we could have freedom in Christ.
How can I apply God's Story Scripture to my own life?
- Take a moment this weekend to reflect on God’s faithfulness to you and thank him for it. Then thank him for the blessings he has bestowed on our nation. Ask God to show you ways to pursue justice and to be more merciful and humble.
- If you know someone who has served in the military, be sure to thank them for their service and ask them what they think it means to “do justice”.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story Scripture & my story to our friend's story?
As you sit and watch fireworks with family and friends ask them about ways they see justice and mercy and humility in people around them.
- February 2012 [5]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [21]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
