“For you were called to freedom, brothers (and sisters).  Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”  Galatians 5:13

The 250^th anniversary of our country is just ahead.  What an opportunity to count the blessings of the USA and our citizenship!  This summer we don’t have to leave our borders to vacation in the created beauty of America.  We are blessed with freedoms and liberties that many throughout our world are denied.  We Americans have every reason to sing about how God has “shed His grace” on us all for these man years!

It’s important for us to remember our many blessings because we can so easily take them for granted or use them selfishly.  What we do with what we have is a reflection of the kind of people we are.  God doesn’t give us all of these good things just to serve our own needs and wants.  We are to use them for the good of others.

God in His Word reminds us that we are called to freedom.  Jesus lived for us, died in our place, rose again from the dead, and sends His Holy Spirit so that through faith we are freed from guilt, sin and death.  We are freed from self-serving life to serve our families, our neighbors, our community in the name of Jesus.  May we who have been freed from sin and death be the servants of others, blessed to be Christ’s blessing!  Have a wonderful 4^th of July! 

Love in Jesus, Pastor Craig