Hi everyone! Hope you all have had a wonderful week and we’re able to enjoy celebrating the 4th! Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays and I am thankful to have spent it with my family, hamburgers, and fireworks!! This past Wednesday, Pastor Chris led us in beginning a new Bible study series on King David, who he was, and how his life reflected (and did not reflect) God’s own heart. This is going to be a super interesting series and if you’re able definitely stop by and join us!
This week I wanted to hop on here and talk about freedom, which has been on my mind with the 4th of July and all. America is a country like no other, with freedoms that are unfathomable to many countries even today. It is only because of the sacrifice that many men and women made for our country to defend its freedom and the grace of God that we are anything at all today. On July 4th, 1776 our founding fathers signed the declaration that we were our own country; with certain laws and rights that would be indisputable with the later ratification of the U.S. constitution. Because of our founding fathers creating a system of government that ensured our rights and freedoms, and later many courageous Americans fighting to defend that freedom is the reason we get to enjoy life as we know it today.
 But, sanctifying grace is another type of freedom that can only be found through the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. Sanctification means the separation of something from sin, to make something holy; it is through God’s grace that we are sanctified. Many people may think that they find more freedom or pleasure in their own sin rather than God’s saving grace, but it is through that separation from sin and grace that we are truly free. Romans 6:22 says it very well, when we live to serve God we will reap the benefits of holiness and eternal life in Christ. We are living in a world where so much sin is being validated and even applauded in some places, and Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death, affirmation of sin is not freedom. Now, more than ever, Christians need to speak freedom through the good news of Jesus. Matthew 9:37 tells us that the harvest is plenty, but workers are few. It is up to Christians to help plant a seed, which God can use to change a heart!
That’s all for now folks, and thank you to all veterans for your service! Hope everyone has a blessed week, see you next time!
Emma