Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD (Psalm 33:12a)
I want to say a few words today as we celebrate in America the birth of our nation. We have been a people who have been blessed by our God and he has shed his grace upon us. I am fortunate to live in a nation that was founded by men and women of extreme courage and dedication. I am grateful for all those who are in service to America and who risk their lives so that we may live and worship in freedom . We can never truly thank them enough. I pray God’s blessings and favor upon them all.
With all that said, as we watch as darkness and evil fill this earth, the question still remains “Are you truly set free?“. The bondage of sin can cause havoc and destruction in your life no matter where you live and how much money and power you have. Each day I watch with sadness as people choose to live their life in the chains of the enemy who has blinded them to the fact that they are perishing as they walk the path of death. They are not free. They are deceived! Without Christ, there is no freedom for your life. You can have all you think is good but you will never be truly happy because your hope to be victorious in this world comes only in being surrendered to Christ! He is the one who sets the prisoners free so that we no longer have to be held captive in the trap of sin. Christ is our power over the darkness and our hope when we come to the end of ourselves and have nowhere else to turn. There is always a way for God to help you. You can never fall too far that his grace cannot lift you.
What does it serve you to live in a worldly freedom when you come to the end of your life? It is only when your life is in Christ that you can have peace no matter what you face. He has conquered all of your enemies and death no longer has any power over you. Money, fame and even earthly freedom can never give you that!
I want to include a few quotes from our Founding Fathers that show the heart of those who once led this country with truth. Read them over and ponder how far we have come from this once ideal.
“And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.” Thomas Jefferson, Signer and Principal Author of the Declaration of Independence; Third President of the United States.
“Is it not that in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? – that it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?” John Quincy Adams: Statesman; Diplomat; Sixth President of the United States.
“One of the beautiful boast of our municipal jurisprudence is that Christianity is part of the Common Law…there never has been a period in which the Common Law did not recognize Christianity as lying at its foundations… I verily believe Christianity necessary to the support of civil society.” Joseph Story: U.S. Supreme Court Justice; “Father of American Jurisprudence,” Placed on the Court by President James Madison.
” We are a Christian people…not because the law demands it, not to gain exclusive benefits or to avoid legal disabilities, but from choice and education; and in a land thus universally Christian, what is to be expected, what desired, but that we shall pay due regard to Christianity?” Senate Judiciary Committee Report, January 19, 1853
Who is fighting for those ideals now? Too many people are being deceived by the enemy. My friends, our freedom has been bought at a price of the blood of Jesus Christ. All that we have and the future with hope that we aspire to has been given to us by Him. You can make a choice today to have real freedom that releases you from the bonds of every pain, addiction and trouble that the earth sends your way. This world is passing away. Only those things that stand the test of fire shall live on. Only that which we surrender to Christ can we keep. Be blessed this day. You no longer have to be sold out to the enemy and live as a puppet of his schemes. You have a choice. Choose to live in the freedom of Christ. No one can take you from his hands or rob you of the destiny he planned for you. That is a freedom you can celebrate!
Dear Father, I lift up to you those who are struggling to be free. I pray for those who are suffering in trials of every kind and who need to know that you can meet them in any situation and that you have the power to take them to victory no matter how impossible their situation seems. Give them your peace this day, dear Jesus. Let them understand that your love is enough and that you will never fail them.
I pray also for those are in restricted nations where to be a Christian is a death sentence. I pray for you to touch those who are persecuted, tortured and imprisoned for their faith. I pray that you will reach them with a joy that surpasses their understanding. May they know that you are with them to the end.
Lord Jesus, show those who come to this site what real freedom in you can mean. Amen
29 comments
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July 4, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Michael
Very well said my sister!
I marvel at those who shout that America was not founded upon Christian principles. “There is none so blind as he who WILL NOT see” – Ray Stevens.
July 4, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Larry Who
After the Constitution was signed, Benjamin Franklin was asked, “What type of government will we have?” Franklin quickly replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
Sadly, it looks like we could only keep it as a republic until our nation allowed it slip into a form of democracy. Now our nation blows here and there with the whims of every wind of doctrine thought up by humans.
Like Pogo said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”
July 4, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Larry, always nice when you stop by. Who would have thought that Pogo would be so right on? And you are right about our being a wherever the wind blows form of a democracy that is obviously not working. Sad.
July 4, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Michael, thanks for stopping and commenting. Unfortunately, there are so many who choose to live with blinders on in this great country. Only God can save us from imminent self-destruction.
July 4, 2012 at 3:29 pm
annawood
Excellent, dear sister, simply excellent.
July 4, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Marianne Lordi
Thank you, Anna. I appreciate that you are always there for me!
July 4, 2012 at 4:45 pm
charles woodruff
Dear Marianne, bravo to you for this post. It says several things that I wanted to say myself. It is so true that our heritage in this country is connected with the gospel. Sadly, so few know this today. We Christians need to rally, not so much around the flag, but around the cross. Our only answer is still the same as ever, it is Jesus! I am going to talk with you soon, DV. I am still praying for you. Thanks!
July 4, 2012 at 7:39 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Charles, We do need to rally around the cross for it is the only way we can uphold the flag of this country. You can’t change things unless you have the pure truth of Christ. I pray that the eyes of those in our country will be opened to seeing that we will never succeed as a nation unless we hold Christ as our foundation.
Thanks always for keeping me in prayer, Charles. You are a real friend and brother for caring.
July 4, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Peter Kayongo
Dear Marianne,
I greet you in Jesus’s name.It is always my pleasure as me Peter Kayongo to reach my grate thanks and happiness for your contribution to pray for me and your contributions as well as encouragements you give to us through your blog.You are truely called by God for us especially for those who are lost.I would like to make some contributions on what you shared with us about true freedom,Jesus Christ spoke often of the freedom humankind would find through him. But exactly if we could all ask ourselves,what is the freedom that He promised His followers?
Christ came to free us from sin through His atoning sacrifice. Hebrews 2:14-15, tells us that Jesus “shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil-and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death”
God’s calling frees us from wrong spiritual concepts for sure. Galatians 4:3-7 says: “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might all receive the adoption as sons. And because we are sons and daughters, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore we are no longer a slave but a son and daughter, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
The Scriptures point out that God’s Spirit guides us to truth John 16:13. It helps us to understand the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:10-14]. This spiritual understanding leads to freedom.Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:17
, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”Everyone of us craves freedom, but we quickly realize that freedom has its price.In a human society, chaos results if we consider just our own interests. Laws are necessary to guarantee freedom. This is also true with the spiritual law of God. Psalm 119 is a beautiful tribute to the freedoms that come through obedience to God’s law.
Ultimately, I believe for sure that true freedom comes through the resurrection at Christ’s return. As Paul explains in Romans 8:21
, “the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
Be Blessed!
Peter
July 5, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Linden Wolfe
Your words, as always, are sobering but true. Thanks, Marianne. May your voice echo through the land and find a hearing home with those who are free in a civil, politcal, or physcial sense but in spiritaul bondage.May they listen and believe – “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free…For [Jesus] is the way the truth and the life. No one can come to [God] excpet through me.”
July 5, 2012 at 8:59 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Peter, I am glad you stopped back and shares some greater insights into the message on freedom in and through Christ. You were right on! God bless you, dear brother. I pray that you will stay strong in the battle and trust that God alwasy has a way to take you through it all. That is freedom!
July 5, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Marianne Lordi
Linden, it is so nice to hear from you again! Thanks for stopping by. I just enjoyed your last post, also. I pray that those who read this message will understand that there is a difference in what the world considers as “freedom” and what is truly freedom that comes from surrender to Christ. Big difference. It in only in a life with Christ that you can have victory over all things! God bless you , my brother.
July 6, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Minister Aiken
Hi Marianne.
Just checking in. I loved your 4th of July message. It was truly a message from heaven that is resoudning in the earth today.
We shall know the truth and the truth shall make us free.
Thanks for that powerful Word.
God bless and I love ya.
Debra
July 6, 2012 at 8:37 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Debra, Thank you for your kind words. I visit your site all the time and just marvel at how God uses you to proclaim his message of hope. You are an inspiration to me, Debra, and a friend and sister!
July 7, 2012 at 8:14 am
Mike
Was beginning to wonder if we had lost you. Glad that we haven’t. Your posts are among the few I look forward to reading.
This reminds me of something I wrote a couple of years ago; ‘We Must Be Born Again’. I concluding with the following:
It is sick today (sorry, I can’t think of a better word) to see how far we have veered. Unless more people literally get ‘born again’, from the common people to the leaders of our nation and churches, this nation, which was formed by men who did see His kingdom, will be stolen by men who do not. We must be born again.
It too was around the 4th and I had been reading some quotes of some of our founding fathers. I was impressed by their conviction that God’s principals was very sure ground and as a result of that conviction sought to elevate His ways.
Good to hear from you again.
July 7, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Marianne Lordi
HI Mike, it is always a good day when you visit! Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I look around at the darkness that is filling up this world and it breaks my heart that so many are deceived……..especially our leaders. But I still find joy with my brothers and sisters in Christ whose friendship I treasure! Thanks, Mike.
July 14, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Minister Aiken
Hi Marianne,
Just checking in on ya. Pray all is well.
God bless and I love ya.
Debra
July 14, 2012 at 8:44 pm
lifestreamsflow1
Loved this article of TRUTH, Marianne! I always rally around messages of SURRENDER, for it is one of the core messages I am compelled to give out myself! Wrote today a new blog on The Necessity of SEEKING THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART: a true definition of SURRENDER! It is nothing new…but my call in my later years is to “remind” God’s people of things they know…but may not be doing. And especially to simply “lay it out” for the “young ones” who are just coming up. I believe they are to “stand on our shoulders” as we “pass the baton” to them for their journey in these last days! I am 65 now…not finished…but mentoring and sharing with young ones as much as He releases me to impart. They need our encouragement, support, wisdom, and love! Keep PREACHING HIS WORD, Marianne! It is sowing GOOD SEED!
July 15, 2012 at 12:51 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Sandy, So glad that you stopped by and commented. You are right that we need to keep preaching the truth! This world is covered in darkness and so many are being deceived by the ways of evil. Just look around and see what is being accepted as good! It is appalling. But to those who stand firm until the end, God shall bless. Surrendering to Christ is the first step to being free! God bless you, dear sister.
July 15, 2012 at 7:55 am
John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet
You have related in wonderful words and formate exactly my beliefs and feelings in this vein. Thank you so much for sharing this with the WordPress family.
John
July 15, 2012 at 8:14 am
Marianne Lordi
Thank you for stopping by, John. I was just at your site and I really loved your last poem. You have quite a gift for touching the heart.
July 15, 2012 at 9:40 pm
John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet
And you Madam have a beautiful way of making one feel good about their writing. Have a wonderful evening full of deep rest and joyful dreams.
July 18, 2012 at 7:44 am
Minister Aiken
Hi Marianne,
Just checking in ya my sister.
Pray all is well.
God bless!
Debra
July 21, 2012 at 5:23 pm
charles woodruff
Hi Marianne
I have placed my profile shot here so that when I comment people can see who I am. Is this image too dark? If so, I can change to another pic. Remember, you are going to help me establish later. Ha Ha!! Still praying for you! Put a new article here. I can help if you like.
July 21, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Charles, it is not too dark when you click on it but if you have a lighter one, try it out. And yes, I am going to help you get your site here. You are an incredible bible teacher and I hope others will be able to see that also.
July 23, 2012 at 6:39 pm
Noel
This 4th of July, I was also reflecting on what freedom means. This country celebrates every year the independence that this country gained when they were liberated from the oppressive English government. But I question myself, do we still have this freedom? Is it the same kind of freedom? What is freedom? To me, freedom means being able to think independently without the fear of being judged, apprehended, judged, or singled out. Freedom to me is having the liberty to express feelings without being labeled as rebel or sinner. Freedom to me is growing and developing without the fear of being discouraged by those who disagree with my way of growing. Freedom to me is having the courage to speak my mind and feeling ok with it. It is finding meaning of life and the reason for being on this earth without the oppression of social media, government, or religion. Thanks for the opportunity to share.
July 31, 2012 at 8:34 am
breezespeaks
We may have been founded on christian principles, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but we are also guaranteed freedom of religion. One religion shall not hold sway over others, and there shall be no state religion. Some people seem to forget this in their zeal to remake America as a christian nation. We should all strive to do the right thing no matter what religion, if any, we follow. And what do you think of Romney for President? Should it matter that he is a Mormon?
July 31, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Marianne Lordi
I absolutely agree with you that there should never be a state religion nor should any religion be forced on you. America had men and women fight and die for our right to worship as we please. As for Romney being Mormon, I look for how he votes on the issues that I am most concerned over. I know you don’t agree with this, but I want someone who will rule without perverting the ways of God. Marriage is between a man and a woman. Abortion is murder. Will he stand for Israel? Can he do something about this Obama health care bill that is going to bankrupt this county!
August 1, 2012 at 9:38 am
mikebuckley
Thanks for that prayer Marianne.