Happy 4th of July!
If you are a God-fearing person you probably took time this morning to pray for our Nation. I know I did. Celebrating our freedom in 2013 has taken on a completely different meaning now from when I was a child. Perhaps that is because I am more informed, more aware of what is going on in different arenas of our Nation and its culture; or maybe I am thinking of my grandchildren and praying for the America they are inheriting.
But before we go negative on America and what I perceive to be the dangerous direction we have taken in many areas, could we stop a minute and think...is it as bad as it's being portrayed? Are we headed for our worst days? Could we possibly be headed for our best days?
I realize the answer could vary according to our worldview or our personality type. Are you an optimist or pessimist? But beyond that, seriously - when I look at the shape of the nations of the earth in biblical times, even in the time of Christ and the apostles - is America in any worse shape than those societies? At the time of Christ's birth, the king ordered all male babies to be murdered! I know abortion has surpassed that in numbers of babies killed, but thank God our President has not decreed a search and kill mission against all male babies under age two!
Call me weird, but when I read the great testimonies of God's miraculous power being released throughout scripture, from Abraham to the Apostle Paul, I see cultures that were barbarian, lewd, wretched, and anti-Christ. But God! God always raised up a people called by His name! He always used His people to speak to the culture, to go against the stream, to uphold His righteousness!
I am so happy to celebrate freedom today on a whole different level! Freedom in the Holy Ghost! Whether my Nation writes laws that uphold my Christ-centered values, or whether they tear down everything I believe in, I AM PART OF THE PEOPLE CALLED BY HIS NAME! I will continue to pray, to believe for miracles, and to snatch people out of the grip of sin and degradation!
My effectiveness in the Kingdom of God will not be determined by the sway of the culture around me! With the love and power of God, I plan to sway my culture. Jesus didn't wait on the "Supreme Court" to pass laws in His favor before He began His ministry. Our Savior didn't lead a special interest group to dethrone Pilate. But He did change the course of humanity. Forever.
He did it right in the middle of a perverse generation.
I say our best days are ahead! America, America, God shed His grace on thee!
