The Fourth of July, known also as Independence Day in the United States, is a celebration of the nation's independence from British rule, a monumental event that many believe was guided by divine providence. There is an inherent connection between this celebration and the concept of God, as the country's founding fathers were largely guided by religious principles. The Declaration of Independence itself, a vital document in American history, asserts that all individuals are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights." This phrase underscores the belief that freedom and human dignity originate from a higher power.

The biblical scripture, Galatians 5:13, affirms this link, saying: "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Freedom, as a divine gift, carries with it a certain level of responsibility. It urges individuals to use their liberty not for selfish or destructive purposes, but to serve others in love, reflecting the compassion and altruism that God teaches. This message resonates deeply with the founding principles of the United States, as the nation was created with an aim of providing its citizens the freedom to serve, grow, and prosper.

Therefore, as Americans celebrate the Fourth of July, they are not only commemorating a historic event, but also acknowledging a spiritual legacy. The fireworks, parades, and speeches symbolize not only the victory over a physical oppressor, but also the triumph of an idea — that all men and women are born with rights that come from God. This concept, deeply rooted in faith, has shaped the United States since its inception and continues to inspire its citizens to uphold the values of freedom, equality, and service to others. So, while the Fourth of July is a time of joyous celebration, it is also a time of reflection and gratitude for the divine guidance that has led to the liberties enjoyed today.

Just a thought,

PSS

In the Bible, there is an ongoing theme of demonstrating faithfulness in little things, with the assurance that such faithfulness will be rewarded with greater responsibilities and blessings. Jesus speaks of this in Luke 16:10: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." This scripture implies that God assesses our reliability and commitment not based on grand and spectacular accomplishments, but on our daily, ordinary responsibilities. Whether it's our relationships, our occupations, or our talents, we are expected to handle them with integrity, diligence, and faithfulness. Then, we can look forward to God entrusting us with more.

The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 vividly illustrates this concept. In this parable, a man going on a journey entrusts his property to his servants according to their abilities. Upon his return, the servants who were faithful and productive with their talents were commended and given more, while the servant who did nothing with his talent was severely reprimanded. God expects us to use our God-given abilities, resources, and opportunities effectively and for His glory. As we do so, we prepare ourselves for more blessings and responsibilities.

In addition to material or tangible resources, the Bible also encourages us to be faithful with spiritual gifts and the truths we have been entrusted with. Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:20, "Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care." Similarly, we are stewards of the spiritual gifts God has given us, and we are called to use them faithfully in serving others and building up the church. Being faithful in such matters not only brings glory to God but also brings us into a deeper relationship with Him. As we prove faithful with what we have been given, we can expect God to entrust us with even more.

Just a thought,

PSS

C.S. Lewis wrote, “According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil; Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.”

Self-focus:

It is no wonder that God detests pride and opposes the proud. It is pride that leads man to believe he can live without God. God wants us to stay close to Him and far from sin. Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall (Proverbs 16:18 NLT). Pride is when we are self-willed, not God-willed. It makes us focus on ourselves instead of on God.

Poison:

Pride makes you small. But He gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble (James 4:6 NLT). Pride is a poison to the mind, soul, and heart of man. It ruins everything it touches. It actually believes it knows better than God.

Humility:

So, what must we do? We must all humble ourselves, recognizing that God knows best, that His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). Pride goes before destruction; it goes before damage, something that cannot be repaired. Haughtiness is when someone thinks they are better than someone else — they become arrogant — this comes before the fall, ruin, failure.

So, let’s all make sure we keep a humble (teachable) heart and mind, and be doers of God’s word in every area of our lives. 

Just a thought,

PSS

Our level of disappointment is directly proportionate to our level of appreciation.

Unspoken expectations:

We all need to live life with great expectations. But our expectations need to be reasonable ones. Some of us have unspoken expectations. We expect things from others that were never agreed upon or spoken about. We expect something of someone or something that was never discussed. It’s these expectations that get us.

Realistic expectations:

We expect so much from God, even when His word doesn’t say what we expect. When this happens, we get disappointed. Disappointment is defined as the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations. We will hear people say things like, “I thought you meant this,” or “I thought you said this.” We really need to govern our expectations with reality — the reality of what has been said or agreed to.

Godly expectations:

Especially when it comes to God, people so often accuse Him of not caring because He didn’t meet their expectation at the time. But what they expected wasn’t based on fact or in the core truth. Let’s find out what the word of God actually says, then adjust our expectations to what has actually been said or agreed upon.

What we will find is that we won’t experience as much disappointment in our lives.

Just a thought,

PSS

The Bible teaches us that living peacefully with others is not just a good thing to do — it's something that God wants for all of us. There's a quote in Romans 12:18 that says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men." This quote encourages us to try to get along with everyone. It reminds us that peace isn't something that just happens — it's something we have to actively work toward. To live in peace, we need to be mindful of our actions, our words, and even our thoughts, to help create a peaceful and friendly atmosphere.

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." This is an encouragement to be a peacemaker, to be a person who actively creates peace. The term "peacemaker" comes from the Greek word "eirenopoios," which means "one who makes peace." So, being a peacemaker is not just about living peacefully ourselves, but it's about helping others to do the same. They are the ones who step in to calm down disagreements and foster understanding among people. According to Jesus, peacemakers are as special as God's own children, highlighting how important it is to work toward peace.

The Bible also offers a comforting message about finding peace within ourselves. In Philippians 4:6-7, it says, "Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." These words remind us that we can experience a profound sense of peace when we place our trust in God. This type of peace is so deep and powerful that it's beyond our full understanding. It can help us stay calm and feel secure, even when we're facing difficult situations. So, the peace that the Bible talks about isn't just about living harmoniously with others, but also about experiencing a deep sense of calm and certainty within ourselves because of our faith in God.

Just a thought,
PSS