Year after year millions across America celebrate the Fourth of July, a day of Independence for our nation. However, freedom for a nation doesn’t come cheap. Many brave men and women throughout history have given their lives so we can experience the freedom we have today. Sad to say the price for American’s freedom is never paid in full. Payment is still being made as our service men and women continue to fight so we can be free. Having traveled to other countries I am so thankful for the freedom we have in the United States of America.
Two things that come to mind when I think of the word Freedom. The first thing is the Statue of Liberty.
The statue was a gift to the United States from the people of France and has become an icon of freedom for our nation. She stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor with her torch raised to the sky, a tablet evoking the law in her hand, (with the inscription of the date declaring our nations Independence, July 4, 1776) and a broken chain lying at her feet. A constant reminder of freedom, for all who see her.
The second thing that comes to mind when I think of the word Freedom is the Cross Jesus died on.
Many brave men and women have given their lives because they love our country. Jesus gave his life because he loves the world. The freedom He offers is freedom for our soul and it didn’t come cheap either.
When reading about the Statue of Liberty a few things stood out to me.
1) She was offered as a gift ~ Paid for by someone else.
Jesus has offered us the best gift ever...the gift of eternal live.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2) She holds a torch ~ Lighting the way.
David said in Psalm 119:105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
God has given us His Word to show us the way to eternal freedom as we walk this journey of life.
3) She holds a tablet ~ Evoking the law.
We read about another tablet in the book of Exodus. Two tablets of stone inscribed by the very finger of God. These two tablets held the ten commandments ... God’s laws for mankind. It doesn’t take long .... We don’t have to look hard to see what has happened to our world because these ten, simple commands have been broken, do we?
4) Broken chains lie at her feet ~ Freeing the bound.
When a person is held in bondage they are often chained around their ankles. Why? So they can't run.
For those who have received the gift of God, we celebrate the day we receive Jesus as our second Independence Day.
Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
There is a song we sing at church:
“All the chains are broken and I have been set free.” The choirs says: “I am free to run. I am free to dance. I am free to live for You. I am free!”
Unlike American’s Freedom which is never paid in full, Christ’s death on the cross pain the full price for our sin. Nothing more is need! Oh, that is such great news!
1 Peter 3:18 tells us “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit...”
As I thought about this Independence day, there is a song I just can’t seem go to get out of my mind. I would love to share that song with you. It is called “The Statue of Liberty”. If you would like to hear the song just go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kCcpmGcm3g
I pray you have experienced your second, and most important Independence Day. If you haven’t and would like to it’s so easy. Just start by talking to God. Tell him the things you have done that have broken His laws and ask Him to forgive you. Then turn from those things. Start reading the manual He gave for freedom. You will soon find yourself singing.... “I am free to run. I am free to dance. I am free to live for You. I am FREE!”
1 Peter 2:16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
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For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Isaiah 55:1,2,4,6 “Come all you who are thirsty...Listen, listen to me and eat what is good...See I have made him a witness to the peoples...Seek the Lord while He may be found.”
Father God in Heaven, there may be some who have tried to come to You in the past and for some reason have not felt Your presence. You have promised that those who seek You will find You, if they seek You with all their heart. Be with each one who reads this blog. Let them feel Your presence in a personal way and find HOPE that can only come from You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen! 
Year after year millions across America celebrate the Fourth of July, a day of Independence for our nation. However, freedom for a nation doesn’t come cheap. Many brave men and women throughout history have given their lives so we can experience the freedom we have today. Sad to say the price for American’s freedom is never paid in full. Payment is still being made as our service men and women continue to fight so we can be free. Having traveled to other countries I am so thankful for the freedom we have in the United States of America. 
