Gratitude
"Come, let’s sing for joy to the Lord, Let’s shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let’s come before His presence with a song of thanksgiving, Let’s shout joyfully to Him in songs with instruments. For the Lord is a great God And a great King above all gods,..." - Psalms 95:1-3
On this, Independence Day weekend, we regale the long fought battles that brought about the birth of our nation. While things aren't always as good as we would like them to be, we get to enjoy a relatively good existence here in the USA. We live in a polarizing time, where we have become more sectarian and it has brought about rougher relations and divisiveness amongst neighbors, friends and even family. While I am grateful to be here in the United States and have a long heritage here in this country, this isn't my home.
Now, I am not saying that I don't live here and I am not saying that my family and those before us aren't also from here; I mean this isn't my home. We were meant for so much more and I look forward to an eternity with Jesus. While on the earth we are to live for Christ; be salt and light every where we go, demonstrating the love of Christ with our whole lives, and yet, this earth isn't our home.
We have this freedom, not because we are Americans, but because we are in Christ. When we look at the scriptures, we see that the early church recognized their freedom in Christ, despite living under oppressive regimes and empires. In fact, some of those who suffered the most were the most content and filled with life. Instead of looking at our plight here on the earth and complaining because things aren't as easy as we'd hoped or as extravagant as we'd like, let us look toward heaven and be filled with gratitude for the life God has given to us.
"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:28-29
We have far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. Let's not be consumed by the materialism that plagues our age, look to heaven, live in awe and wonder of God! We are invited into a life of freedom in Christ, therefore let's live praising His name for who He is and all He has done.
"Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." - Hebrews 13:15-16
On this, Independence Day weekend, we regale the long fought battles that brought about the birth of our nation. While things aren't always as good as we would like them to be, we get to enjoy a relatively good existence here in the USA. We live in a polarizing time, where we have become more sectarian and it has brought about rougher relations and divisiveness amongst neighbors, friends and even family. While I am grateful to be here in the United States and have a long heritage here in this country, this isn't my home.
Now, I am not saying that I don't live here and I am not saying that my family and those before us aren't also from here; I mean this isn't my home. We were meant for so much more and I look forward to an eternity with Jesus. While on the earth we are to live for Christ; be salt and light every where we go, demonstrating the love of Christ with our whole lives, and yet, this earth isn't our home.
We have this freedom, not because we are Americans, but because we are in Christ. When we look at the scriptures, we see that the early church recognized their freedom in Christ, despite living under oppressive regimes and empires. In fact, some of those who suffered the most were the most content and filled with life. Instead of looking at our plight here on the earth and complaining because things aren't as easy as we'd hoped or as extravagant as we'd like, let us look toward heaven and be filled with gratitude for the life God has given to us.
"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:28-29
We have far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. Let's not be consumed by the materialism that plagues our age, look to heaven, live in awe and wonder of God! We are invited into a life of freedom in Christ, therefore let's live praising His name for who He is and all He has done.
"Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." - Hebrews 13:15-16
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