----- Original Message ----- From: "Donnie Parrett" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, July 03, 2009 12:13 AM Subject: DAILY DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY JULY 3
> Independence > > "So if the Son [Jesus, the Son of God] sets you free, > you will be free indeed."1 > > Tomorrow in the U.S.A. is Independence Day, the day > Americans celebrate the birthday of the United States > of America. Founded July 4th, 1776, with the signing > of the Declaration of Independence, America is > celebrating its 233rd birthday this year (2009). > > "The American Revolution ended a couple of centuries > of British rule over most of the North American > colonies and laid the foundation of the present United > States of America. After the Revolution, the > constitution of the United States of America was > drafted and ratified. On the anniversary of that day, > the new nation declared its citizens rights to 'Life, > Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.'"2 > > Sad to say, however, so many people worldwide don't > enjoy the freedoms that many of us do, not only in the > U.S.A., but also in other free lands around the world. > > Today, let those of us who live in free lands > especially remember our brothers and sisters who live > in lands where there is no freedom and great > persecution--especially for Christians and those who > reject the religion of their state. > > I am also reminded today of the words written on the > wall of a Nazi prison during the Holocaust. > > I believe in the sun > even when it isn't shining. > I believe in love > even when I am alone. > I believe in God > even when he is silent. > > And let us thank God that, no matter where we live, > while men may be able to control our external reality, > they have no power to control our inner reality--our > faith, our beliefs, nor the destiny of our soul. That > alone is our choice. However, may we who have chosen > to trust in God through Jesus Christ our Savior do all > in our power to share God's great news of salvation to > all people--everywhere. And let us pray that every > person in the world will hear or read the gospel that, > via the electronic media, can reach into many places > where preaching the gospel and message of Jesus Christ > is forbidden. > > And in hearing the gospel, may God grant that every > person in the world will at least have the opportunity > to celebrate independence in their heart. > > Suggested prayer: "Dear God, today I especially pray > for my brothers and sisters in lands that are not > free, where they are being persecuted for their > faith--or their lack of faith in the coerced religion > of their land. Grant that they will know independence > in their heart and the greatest freedom of all in > knowing Jesus as their Lord and Savior. And thank you > forever for the fact that somebody shared the gospel > with me and that I thus had the opportunity to place > my trust in you. Thank you for hearing and answering > my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen." > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
