Independence Day

                                                in·de·pend·ence

  

                                                            noun

1.

Also, independency. the state or quality of being independent.

2.

freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others.

Independence was very important to our country in the late 1700's and still is very dear to the hearts of many Americans; it certainly was to Patrick Henry when he said his famous words "... Give me liberty or give me death!"    

...Freedom from the control of others...   This world is so enslaved to sin, humanly speaking we have no INDEPENDENCE to sin. There is NO way that you can be "good enough" to go to heaven; there is NO way that you can do enough "good" things to go to heaven,
Jesus rose from the dead victorious and now sits at the right hand of the Father and some day soon He is coming back to gather to Himself His own, there is no second chance, no "I was going to believe tomorrow..." The time is now, become INDEPENDENT to sin and DEPENDENT upon God.  

John 3:36 "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

This Independence Day I pray that you may learn INDEPENDENCE from sin and true     DEPENDENCE upon God. 

              Isaiah 64:6-7

All of us have become like one who is unclean,

    and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;

we all shrivel up like a leaf,

  and like the wind our sins sweep us away.         

God is SO Holy that any sin at all can not stand in His sight and it is humanly impossible for man to be holy. 

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

so we are all destined to Hell... Hell- the place of mourning and weeping and gnashing of teeth, of pain, of death.

God knows that it is impossible for man to be holy, and being a loving and merciful God,  He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins.

John 3:16

for God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that WHOEVER, believes in Him SHALL be SAVED.

 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.

Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father. Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, confess your sins and ask Him for forgiveness, thank Him for dying on the cross,  ask Him to be LORD over your life. 

Hebrews 11:6

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. For he who comes to God must believe He exists, and rewards those who diligently seek Him.

1. Through FAITH you have been saved not "feelings", sometimes you may "feel" close to God and sometimes you may not "feel" close to God. "We live by faith, not by sight [or feelings]" (2 Corinthians 5:7)

2. You might  doubt at times if you are "really saved" it is common for the Devil to try to tempt believers "you aren't really saved." "nothing really happened to you" "you aren't any different now then before"

remember...                                                                                                                                                                    "If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).

3. you are forgiven of all your sins. 
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
4. You aren't and can't be perfect, you are FORGIVEN, trust me, you will sin, but Jesus has washed that sin away with His blood that HE shed on the cross, God will correct you and lead you in His ways.
 "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1)
5. you are a new creation, the old has passed away behold the new has come! 
"Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).  God will work in you and change you and grow you closer to Him and make you more like Him.
6. you have God's promise of eternal life in Heaven with Him. You must also KEEP living for Him, not just when it is easy. was it easy for Jesus to hang on the cross?
7. Pray and read your Bible daily, go to Church to be with and be encouraged by other believers.
8. The Bible says to be baptized (which is immersion in water) Repent and be baptized, every one of you..." (Acts 2:38)
9.  Walk in God's ways, when you read in the Bible "do good to those who hurt you," that means... DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HURT YOU. it is not easy but through Christ you can do ALL things. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
10. Share your faith with others! Whoever acknowledges me before others,  I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown before my Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33).
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” MATTHEW 28:19-20