Heavenly Father, I praise You today that You decided to place me in a family and community within the United States of America. I do not take this lightly, for I could have grown up anywhere in the world, but You put me here. I praise You for the lessons You have taught me about freedom and liberty, and for the responsibilities I have to myself and fellow citizens to continue seeing these values as part of my country. I have learned much from history, and I am saddened at how easily people abuse or neglect these responsibilities. Help me today to take command of my day and capture my thoughts so that I shake the evil from it and not sin against You.
Throughout the Bible, we are told how 12 stone altars were left to mark significant places where You did something for the children of Israel. Also, in Proverbs, Solomon tells us not to remove a marker placed by our ancestors or parents so that we can remember. As we near the 4th of July, I am reminded how much Your hand was involved in helping my country become a country. We were founded on Christian
ethics, even if this generation wants to deny that or try to revise history. Freedom does allow, but should not have abuses done in its name. Liberty is gained by allowances for fellow citizens. I laugh at the absurdity of people who cry for tolerance when they have such contempt for my beliefs. Tolerance must be a two-way street, and it does not mean agreement. Just as Christ did not agree with the sin of the woman found in adultery, he did not cast a stone either. Forgiveness and sin no more was His path. As a human, I am not God, and I will not judge, but I also understand what sin is and the penalty of eternity involved with it. Help me to live as Christ and to die within His will, not my own. Help me to live a life that does not give into the flesh but relies on the Spirit.
The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and
hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter