Reading through this morning’s devotionals about the topic of freedom, I was thinking about my freedom. I know that the freedom I enjoy as a citizen of the United States of America was paid for with a tremendous amount of sacrifice, human sacrifice. My father served in the Air Force for 30 years, and both my husbands served in the Navy, one for 4 years and one for 20 years. There are many, many others who have served our great country throughout our nation’s history. And there are also many, many others who both served and gave their lives so that I could enjoy the freedom I have to celebrate today.

Many other people and nations do not have the freedoms that we so often take for granted. I know that for many people this is just not the way of life for them. They lack the basic freedoms we enjoy in this country. Our first amendment gives us freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom to petition the government if we have a grievance. We should be thankful for freedom we enjoy in the United States.

However, as a Christ follower, I received a more precious freedom when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior.  I have freedom from sin, because of Jesus Christ. Romans 8:2 states: For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Nothing I do can free me from my sins. Only choosing to follow Jesus with all my heart, soul, mind and strength has freed me. How truly free are you today?

Blessings on this 4th of July 2017,

Boo and Nick