Independence Day

2 Corinthians 3:17 - "For the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (NLT)

It's a wonderful blessing to live in a country where we have so much freedom. One in which such freedom should not be taken for granted, or taken lightly. All over our country tonight, fireworks will explode in colorful displays of wonder. Men and women will rally in massive groups; complete strangers standing shoulder to shoulder. To gaze up in the sky for 30 minutes to an hour as explosive blasts of color light up the night. Tonight independence will mean many things for many people.

But what is true freedom? Is Independence Day just a 4th of July thing? Is it just a throwback to American history?

As many as there are in crowds of hundreds gathering as I type this; to watch fireworks explode in the sky, there are those who are alone, hopeless, and hurting. For some independence and freedom are fantasies, not realities. There is a silent cry echoing in the expanse of darkness waiting for the rays of light called hope. If that is you, your freedom is on its way. Don't give up!

You see, independence is found in the heart of your Father, who's love for you is endlessly immense! Turmoil has a way of convincing us that nothing in our life will ever change or be any better than it is right now. The potency of depression exists in the amount of focus we give it. Depression would have us dig the very grave it intends to put us in. And the lie of hopelessness is a fierce enemy. It is relentless and merciless. But...

But.

The love of God for you is beyond comprehension. Give Him your pain, broken pieces, and let Him rebuild what has seemed long destroyed. Your old ashes are all He needs to make a beautiful and new future for you. An open heart and an extended hand are all He needs. Whatever speck of hope you have left in you, reach through the impossible by the cry of your heart, and know He will grab hold of you.

Desperation draws His miraculous love more than any other thing. The forces of darkness may advance in its own desperation to prevent you from gaining ground. Know this! It's when the fight is most intense that the greatest victory is at hand. Exert all of your mind, will, and emotion into taking hold of His hand. And in that moment, everything will begin to change. There is more than a better tomorrow! There is greater than a better future! There is hope beyond all hope! On the other side of adversity lies victory. Today is your Independence Day! Today is the day for freedom! Tell the "yuck" in your life "no more". Take your life back, take your dreams back, and dive head first into the love of God.

His Name Is Freedom!

Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufqyz5XYhzk