Dear Ones,
Happy Fourth of July! Hope you have time to enjoy this Holiday and some time to relax! We are going to the lake this morning and stopping to see a friend on the way. We will spend 2 nights at the cabin and hope to have some hot scrabble games and fun time with relatives.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Today I had a devotional all set to send out but as I thought about this 4th of July holiday, it’s more than just gathering with families, picnics, setting off fireworks; it’s all about freedom. Of course, the greatest freedom is knowing Jesus for He has set us free and as it says in Gal 5:1, “It is for freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Today is a day to give thanks to the Lord and also to give thanks to the brave ones who left everything behind to come to America to be free to worship our Creator God. Later our founding fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence based on godly principles, that we probably all at one time studied in school. So instead, I will share this short prayer with you by Lynette Kittle as we celebrate today.

Dear Father,
Today and every day, we celebrate the freedom You give us and how it laid the foundation for our nation to be free. Thank You for the freedom You give to us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Because of You, true freedom is possible and stirs the hearts of Americans and people around the world. Let Your name be glorified in our celebrations. Help us celebrate in ways that bring You praise and honor. Remind Americans how You divinely led Christians to set sail and settle this land for Your glory. Show us, too, O Lord, how to be grateful and respectful to the men and women who came before us, sacrificing their lives and futures, braving and suffering hardship, to establish this land for Your glory so future generations could live free.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

May we never take freedom for granted but give thanks.
Challenge for today: Spend some time in prayer in thankfulness for your freedom.
Blessings on this day and prayers and love, Judy