July 2010
Independence Day is July 4th!!!!
Like millions of Americans this month, our minds are on the Fourth of July holiday and
what it represents: our freedom as a nation. This freedom is a precious thing, bought
with the sweat, toil and blood of countless Americans who initially fought to obtain it
(Revolutionary War), as well as those who have fought to protect it in the centuries
since that fateful day in 1776.
Gratitude and appreciation wells up in my heart when I consider the brave men and
women of the American military who, this Fourth of July, will be fighting in Iraq and
Afghanistan to prevent the domination of terrorism. These soldiers stand in the chain of
noble warriors who fought in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, two World Wars, Korea,
Vietnam as well as the first Gulf War. Each of these conflicts, while unique in and of
themselves, shared the common goal of protecting America’s freedom. There is no
difference in the battles fought today.
Even as we revere our freedom as Americans, I can only pray that we are moved to
consider a greater freedom. Yes, you and me both admire and can thank God for our
freedom in Christ! This is the freedom that comes with being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
“If you abide in My word,” our Lord declares, “you are truly My disciples, and you will
know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). Jesus continues to point
them beyond any national, social or religious freedom they might enjoy to the freedom
that comes through His person and work. He says in John 8:34, 36, “Truly, truly, I say to
you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin … so if the Son sets you free, you will be
free indeed.” Contrary to what Jesus’ listeners probably thought, they were in bondage
to sin and subject to the oppression of it.
Even as Christians, we all fall victim to the temptation to trust in other things for our
freedom from the rule of sin; such as: status, money, good works, associations, etc.
However, the true disciple finds freedom in Christ and in Christ alone.
The Fourth of July is a magnificent time to consider our freedom as Americans as well as
Christians. Our national freedom is precious, but our freedom in Christ is of infinite
worth. The saving truth that Jesus spoke of in John 8:32 brings ultimate freedom from
sin, death and the devil; freedom from a life of ineffectiveness and an eternity of wrath.
We have a freedom from the oppression of hate, cruelty and bitterness. We have the
freedom to love God and our neighbor.
May this “Declaration of Independence” be on our lips and in our hearts this Fourth of
July (“...and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free”).
Pass the Salt, Turn on the Light
2 Timothy 2:3
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
The greatest life that one could live is the Christian life. Why? God takes a life that was
empty, trampled on, torn and, worst of all, headed for complete separation from Him
and turns it around and transforms it. He forgives us of all our sin, even the ones that
we think do not deserve forgiving; He removes our guilt, and literally takes residence
inside of us through the Holy Spirit. Now, we can truly be in this world – but not of this
world.
The Christian life is not a playground. It is a battleground. Yes, we do struggle. “Our
struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).” Some people might say that it’s a tug-of-war match.
Then again, these days, Christianity has an image problem. Those who say they are
Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind. Our lives are to show the world
what God is like. You’ve heard it said, “You may be the only Jesus some people will ever
know. Are you showing a good example? Not only is there a God who loves you and
me, but He has a plan for our lives. There is also a devil that hates you and opposes all
of God's plans for our lives. That’s the tug-of-war part. Then we are the rope – who’s
going to win?
We need to accept responsibility and be “the light of the world.” Being the ‘light of the
world is pointing people to yield or mending their life. Also, we are to be the “salt of the
earth.” Salt preserves. Then, lastly, we are “a city on a hill.” If you've ever attended a
candlelight service, you have seen what happens when a single candle spreads its light
to hundreds of others. When we join our light to that of other believers, we become
that city set on a hill. Light, like salt, affects its environment by being distinctive and by
changing it. The salt preserves, cures, flavors, and makes fire burn with intensity. Light
dispels darkness! Light casts out fear! Lastly, it points the way to safe refuge!
You are the salt of the earth. By beginning with us, Jesus emphasizes to the disciples
that they have both the responsibility and the calling to be influencers in the world.
Salt has a number of effects: As a seasoning agent, it improves the taste of the food that
it comes into contact with, and so as we come into contact with society (the world), our
Christian values should improve the nature of society.
Also, salt makes people thirsty. As Christians, we seek to create a thirst in people's lives
that can only be satisfied by Jesus, who said: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me
and drink (John 7:37).” Salt is used to thaw ice on roads. It can have the effect of
warming hearts that have hardened against the Gospel. Over time, the saltiness of
Christians can bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Then again, as a preservative; salt gives food an improved length of life. Therefore, with
enough salt, those of us who do know and those who come know Jesus, and
acknowledge Him as their Lord and Savior will have eternal life.
The essence of the Christian life is knowing and walking with God and being all three of
those examples listed above. It is about sticking with Him when the sky is blue and also
when it is filled with ominous-looking clouds. It is about pressing on – persevering.
Jesus made it clear that storms will enter every life. But as we seek to know and follow
Christ, we will find happiness as the end result!
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this
world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Hide & Seek
Jeremiah 29:13
“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”
Light shines on dark things and exposes what is there. This is a call to the church to
challenge evil within our society, however uncomfortable this may be. Having humility
and servant-hood within our character does not make us toothless or wishy-washy.
The light that we bring, is not our own light - it is not who we are in ourselves, but rather
the light of God shining through our lives as the Holy Spirit works through us. This
doesn't mean that we have to refer to God in every other sentence, but when the
opportunity arises, we can share with another person the light that God has given to us.
Don't hide your light. We end up hiding our light when we stay silent in the face of
discussion which is contrary to that which we believe. We hide our light when we fail to
accept and conform to behaviors that are not in line with the teachings of Jesus. If we
let the light of the Holy Spirit at work in us shine through, then we bring glory to God.
There can be no greater joy than being able to give glory to the Father as we go through
our daily lives.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will
be given to you as well.
Matthew 7:7
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the
door will be opened to you.
Upcoming Events
Event:
"OPEN” A Night of Praise and Worship
Location:
Daphne United Methodist Church/2401 Main St, Daphne, AL 36526
Date:
Saturday, June 26th 2010
Time:
4:30 pm
Presented by:
The Shoulder Alumni Association
Special Guests: Richard Hebert, The Brighter, and Liberty.
This is a FREE Event!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event:
"Grid Iron Men's Conference"
Location:
Coleman Coliseum @ University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa/ 719 University
Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Date:
Friday & Saturday, July 30th - 31st
Time:
5:30 pm on Fri.//8:30 am on Sat.
Presented by:
Phil Waldrep Ministries
Special Guests:
Lou Holtz, Dennis Swanberg, Gary Smalley, Charles Billingsley, and Rick
Burgess
Enjoy two days of Biblical insights and strong spiritual impact all in a championship
setting.
Tickets:
For more information or to Register go to: www.gridironmen.org
or call 1-800-374-1550
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event:
Summer Serenade
Location:
St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church/3200 N. 12th Avenue
Dates:
Wednesday, July 7, 14, 21, 28th 2010
Time:
6:30 – 9:00 pm
Presented by:
St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church
Concert will be held on South Lawn of the church on Anderson Street. Bring lawn chair,
blanket, snacks or beverages. There will be a concession stand for a bag lunch, candy,
ice cream or drinks.
Life Signs: Contemporary without Compromise