“Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”  Psalm 127:1

This week we celebrated Independence Day in America.  July 4 was a significant event in the life of our nation.  The Declaration of Independence was signed 245 years ago giving us liberty over King George III of Great Britain.  It’s usually celebrated as a happy family time with parades, bar-be-ques, firework displays and singing of patriotic songs.  Over the years, our nation has accomplished incredible things and led the world politically.  And yet, watching the news, we know that things are not going so well these days.  The name of Christ has little value in our Congress, there is little thought of God before their eyes.  Only a small number of our leaders give God honor or read His Word.  Those who do are put down and ridiculed.

Our nation was built on its people desiring freedom from England, but we are not free based on the ideas of our forefathers, we are free because Jesus died and rose from the dead!  We are free to worship a risen Savior!  We are free to worship God in our churches!  We are free from the tyranny of sin!  We are free to thank God for the freedoms we are guaranteed in this country!

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”  This is the beginning of the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence signed in 1776.  Looking at this from a Christian perspective, we live in a rich, blessed country, but many people do not enjoy “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

LIFE – Overall, suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all Americans, and the third leading cause of death for young people, aged 15-24.  Why?  Is their life full of violence, hatred and murder?  Many people suffer from extreme pain on a constant basis.  Could it be that lives are so full of drama, caused by alcohol and drugs that it’s too painful to go on living?  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10.  Drugs, alcohol, porn, pain, stress, worry, heartache, headaches, anger and depression will steal your life.  Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the LIFE!  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6. 

LIBERTY – Liberty is freedom.  Our forefathers appreciated freedom because of the religious persecution and bondage to a certain church they endured in Europe.  We live in a free enterprise system, a free market and give free will offerings, but many are not free!  The Apostle Paul said, “Stand fast in the freedom where Christ has set us free, and do not be bound again with the yoke of bondage,” Galatians 5:1.  If you go back to sin after you have been set free, you will find yourself in chains.  Only Jesus can break the chains of sin and death.

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS – What does the Bible say about happiness?  “The JOY of the Lord is your strength.”  “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord!”  Psalm 144:15.  “A cheerful heart is good medicine….” Proverbs 17:22.  “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” 1 Thess. 5:16-18.  I will say goodbye for now and let God’s Word speak for itself on the subject of “happiness!”

Your friend, Jean