Have you ever thought about the fact that you have an obligation to defend our nation’s freedoms? You live in the Land of the Free; your contributions are needed. We all have a role.

Joshua 1:9 commands us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Sure, maybe you’re not a Navy SEAL. Maybe you don’t fly supersonic jets in combat. You never served in the military. Most citizens haven’t, and won’t.

But that doesn’t mean we can sit on our hands and not participate.

Your gift and contribution might be instilling values in your children. Or you might be in the medical field, helping keep folks healthy. Maybe you’ve been entrusted by the Lord to be a pastor, protecting your congregation from spiritual dangers.

Many things have joined forces to make America a place millions want to come, to improve their lives. It takes a lot of effort and many moving parts.

Many of our ancestors moved through New York Harbor and shielded their eyes from the sun so they could see the Statue of Liberty. Each of them made the choice to be a piece of a large quilt that makes up our nation.

It is up to us to be courageous and continue the tradition. Our freedom depends on it.

Let’s pray.

Lord, we acknowledge those who came before us. We take up our own responsibility to do our part. Amen.

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America does celebration very well. As a rich and varied nation, we have the resources frankly to host great celebrations. Our veterans are honored, which they very much deserve.

We glory in our past and look forward to the future. Flags fly and flap in the breeze that sweeps across the land. The recent Memorial Day recalled our nation’s fallen, those who willingly went into the danger zone and gave the ultimate sacrifice.

It’s interesting that as our nation grew up, we as a people came to a more realistic view of war and sacrifice. When the Civil War began, citizens actually camped out above the battlefields, hosting picnics as they watched the armies do battle.

When World War 1 broke out, parades were held in every city and town as our soldiers boarded ships for Europe.

But then the blood and tragedy of war hit us in the face. We began to turn to the only One that can save us.

Psalm 115:1 tells us, “Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

Human efforts can only go so far. We can’t save ourselves. But our Creator wants to do that, and it is to Him we owe our honor and glory.

Let’s pray.

Lord, your sacrifice was the one that will one day end all wars and strife in our world. We thank you for Jesus, and we give you the honor and glory you deserve. Amen.

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Our nation’s leaders have always acknowledged God, even if some of them haven’t always been model Christians. For one thing, no one can occupy the Oval Office and not lay aside some pride.

And if our nation’s spiritual health has sometimes been less-than-desired, there is a unity that we all enjoy. This community spirit has made America a very interesting experiment.

Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

We are now more than 200 years into our story. Even the harshest critics would be hard-pressed to prove that God hasn’t blessed this country. Wars and economic upheavals and scandals have not phased God in His ability to keep us upright.

History tells us nations that acknowledge God enjoy blessings that others don’t. In His mercy, God has been for us -- especially when it counted most.

And do you know the best part? A success story like that couldn’t have been possible without thousands of individuals who wanted nothing more than to be in God’s will.

They make up our family, and together we look to the future. Being in God’s will for the generations to come.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you hold our future in Your hands. The ancients understood that You are the Creator and the shaper of everything that is good. Help us remember that in our time. Amen.

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In every generation, it falls to believers to spend time in defending our worldview as Christians. Honestly, it’s not the nicest part of the gig, but it’s necessary. Usually, it involves simply explaining what your faith is all about.

Followers of other religions do the same thing, but for us, we are sharing the person of Christ with those who don’t know Him. That makes it a big deal.

Jude 1:3 says, “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people.”

It’s exciting that God has entrusted this to us. It’s a privilege. Even if you find yourself in an adversarial conversation, remember the main thing: you get to share your faith and see someone else find freedom in Christ!

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you that you allow us to tell others about you. Help us always be ready to give an answer when asked about our faith. Amen.

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It’s interesting watching the outcomes of people who refuse to give in to fear.

Many years ago, while America was going through a severe economic Depression and a world war, President Roosevelt told Americans that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Those listening over the radio said later that they felt a great sense of relief just from his words!

Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Our country emerged from a very scary time to become a people determined to embrace the future. Those who survived those dark days were known as The Greatest Generation. They were because they decided giving in to fear was not an option. It was a simple choice, honestly. They gritted their teeth and went to work.

And prayed like never before.

As individuals we face their own depression, and our own wars. Any of us can be overwhelmed by the life-altering decisions we must make. Doing all of that living in fear can’t be sustained.

The Psalmist clearly understood that God would rescue him; the words he wrote about it were words of life.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are great, the greatest, and your love for us is the only thing that should overwhelm us. Amen.

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