Real Independence
 
On July 4th 1776 our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming freedom from England and our determination to be a free and sovereign nation.  Accordingly, we celebrate July 4th as Independence Day.
 
For 248 years the United States of America has stood as a symbol of freedom to oppressed peoples around the world. Moreover, we have repeatedly defended our freedom from oppressors, along with the freedom of other nations.
 
Unfortunately, we have experienced freedom for so long that many of us take it for granted. We would be wise to remember that our nation was not always free, that winning (and preserving) our independence has cost the lives of thousands of men and women. Moreover, there are no guarantees that our freedom will continue.
 
As meaningful as Independence Day is, it pales in comparison with the “Independence Day" that occurs when a sinner submits to Jesus as Lord. After publicly confessing Christ as God's Son (Matt. 10:32), repenting of sin (Acts 17:30) and being baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3), the blood of Jesus cleanses the sinner of all past sins (Acts 22:16). He is then free from the condemnation of sin (John 8:32, Romans 8:1).
 
Moreover, he is “delivered…from the power of darkness and conveyed…into the kingdom of the Son” (Col. 1:13). As long as he remains faithful to Christ, he is assured of eternal life in heaven (Romans 6:22; Revelation 2:10).
 
That is REAL independence. Have YOU been set free from your sins by the blood of Jesus Christ? If not, then why not obey the gospel today and throw off the heavy shackles of sin?
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

Stand Up for Jesus!
 
“For whoever is ASHAMED OF ME and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will ALSO BE ASHAMED OF HIM when He comes in the glory of the Father with the holy angels”  (Mark 8:38.)
 
In view of the above scripture, Christians should ask themselves, "Am I ever ashamed of Jesus Christ?” Before dismissing this possibility outright, ask yourself the following:
 

• Do I feel uneasy about letting on that I am a Christian in certain situations?
• Do I avoid the subject of my faith in Christ around certain people?
• Do I keep quiet concerning my commitment to Jesus rather than risk a possible confrontation?

• Do some of the people that I regularly encounter have little (or no) idea that Jesus Christ is my Lord and King?

 
It is not always easy to bring Jesus into a conversation, let alone stand up for Him if others demean Him or take His name in vain. Yet Jesus stated that if we are ashamed of Him or His teachings, he will be ashamed of us. Someone has observed, “If the devil cannot defeat our faith, he will convince us to hide it. Either way, he wins.”
 
Paul declared, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes...” (Rom. 1:16). Neither should we be ashamed. The gospel is God’s power to save us and those around us. If we are ashamed of it, woe to the world….and to us.
 
A preacher reportedly made the following announcement. “Whenever we sing, ‘Stand up, Stand Up for Jesus’, we ask everyone to rise. But there’s no challenge in standing up for Jesus among believers. It is what we do OUTSIDE THIS BUILDING that demonstrates courage. Beginning today we will only sing that hymn as we are DISMISSED TO LEAVE.”
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

FATHERS, WHERE ARE YOU?
 
“Children's children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.” (Pro. 17:6)
 
The biblical model of a family consisting of a father, mother and children is no longer the norm in our country. Newer textbooks refrain from depicting two-parent families because they are unknown to many children. In some schools It is reported that children with two parents are asked to invite only one to school functions. This is to mitigate the possibility of offending or confusing children with only one parent.
 
In 1960, only 7% of America’s children lacked both a father and mother at home. By 1980 the number had risen to 18%, and by 2000, 33%. That number now exceeds 40%. In the majority of one-parent families, the father is absent.
 
Rejecting biblical standards, hundreds of thousands of women (and men) consent to sexual relationships outside of marriage, frequently resulting in one-parent homes. Moreover, mothers (in most cases) are compelled to rear children alone. Some feminists assert that fathers are unnecessary in the home, thus they prefer raising children alone. Many lesbian couples insist that two women are more capable of raising emotionally stable children than heterosexual couples.
 
Are fathers unnecessary? Absolutely NOT! God’s plan for the home from the beginning was that of a father, mother and children. Ignoring God’s pattern is destroying America. A rap artist, murdered years ago, confessed, “I know for a fact that had I had a father, I’d have some discipline. Your mother cannot calm you down the way a man can. Your mother can’t assure you the way a man can. My mother couldn’t show me where my manhood was. You need a man to teach you how to be a man.”  Hundreds of thousands of prison felons are living proof of that. The Journal of Research on Adolescence confirms that children without fathers are much more likely to end up behind bars.
 
We NEED fathers. More importantly, we need CHRISTIAN fathers.
 
“The father shall make known Your truth to the children” (Isa. 38:19).
 
Live for the Lord in 2024!
 
Dennis

The Senseless Crash of Flight 401


On the evening of December 29 1972, Eastern Airlines flight 401 crashed into the Florida Everglades, instantly killing 101 people. What made the tragedy more horrific was that it was easily avoidable.


While preparing to land in Miami, the co-pilot noticed that a light bulb on the instrument panel was malfunctioning, and he tried to replace it. Noticing the problem, the pilot placed the aircraft on auto-pilot as he attempted to assist the co-pilot. As he reached over to do so, the auto-pilot was accidentally disengaged. The pilot and co-pilot, however, were so absorbed with the defective bulb that they apparently ignored the audible “disengage” warning. Nor did they note the rapid descent of the plane. By the time the audible “pull up” alarm sounded, it was too late. They crashed moments later.


Can you imagine? 101 people died because more attention was given to a defective light bulb than to safely landing a commercial jet. Yet as incomprehensible as that is, far worse mistakes are made every day.


For instance, some that are reading this article may unknowingly be experiencing a rapid spiritual descent. They might be so focused on worldly things that they frequently neglect worshipping God every first day of the week. Or they may be so occupied with their children’s extracurricular activities like sports, music, dance or prepping for college that Jesus no longer takes precedence. In addition, many Christians are so devoted to hobbies, gardens, entertainment and social media that daily Bible study and prayer are neglected. Tragically, far too many of these distracted souls are unaware of their spiritual decline until it is too late to “pull up”.


Brethren, don't get so caught up with the cares and riches of this world (Matt. 13:22) that you lose sight of spiritual priorities. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2).


Live for the Lord in 2024!


Dennis