John 8:36 (NKJV)
36Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Today our nation celebrates Independence Day. The New Webster’s Dictionary defines independence this way, “complete exemption from control ”.
Jesus says He alone brings freedom. You see independence and freedom are two very different things. The freedom our Lord brings is freedom from the bondage of sin and death, the opening of prison doors in our hearts that we may come freely to receive His grace and mercy.
Choose today to let Jesus set you truly free. Because it is not about independence, it is about freedom to be dependent day by day on the One Who loves you more than you can possibly imagine.
Pastor Dave Fitzgerald
Calvary Chapel of Saint Louis County
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/l/o/glorfree.htm
Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters;
Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain.
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
Refrain
Glorious freedom! Wonderful freedom!
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator—
Now and forever He shall be mine.
Freedom from all the carnal affections;
Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;
Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions;
Freedom from all that saddened my life!
Refrain
Freedom from pride and all sinful follies;
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil temper and anger;
Glorious freedom, rapture untold!
Refrain
Freedom from fear with all of its torments;
Freedom from care with all of its pain;
Freedom in Christ, my blessèd Redeemer—
He Who has rent my fetters in twain.
—Haldor Lillenas, 1917
Pro 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Luk 8:21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Luk 11:28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Eph 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
1Pe 1:23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
Rev 19:13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/w/owordgod.htm
O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky:
We praise You for the radiance that from the hallowed page,
A Lantern to our footsteps, shines on from age to age.
The Church from You, our Savior, received the Gift divine,
And still that Light is lifted over all the earth to shine.
It is the sacred Vessel where gems of truth are stored;
It is the heaven drawn Picture of Christ, the living Word.
The Scripture is a banner before God’s host unfurled;
It is a shining Beacon above the darkling world.
It is the Chart and Compass that over life’s surging tide,
Mid mists and rocks and quicksands, to You, O Christ, will guide.
O make your Church, dear Savior, a lamp of purest gold,
To bear before the nations Your true light as of old.
O teach your wandering pilgrims by this their path to trace,
Till, clouds and darkness ended, they see You face to face.
— William W. How, 1867.
OH LORD JESUS, may we see you in your Word today.
Bear us up by your Holy Spirit.
Lead us in the Way Everlasting.
Psa 43:3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
Amen.