etang

Freedom is often described as "the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved." With regard to our great Nation's history, freedom has been called living without fear of tyranny, and oppression. Whatever your definition, Freedom is a valuable commodity in life, and as it pertains to those who follow Christ, even in death. God created man, and all the rest of creation with the sole purpose to please and worship Him.

Genesis 2:15-17, “15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Memorial Day is always commemorated in the U.S. on the last Monday in May. In 2024, Memorial Day is on Monday, May 27th. The holiday of remembering our fallen soldiers goes all the way back to the Civil War. The idea for a specific holiday began in 1868. It was named national “Decoration Day” to be observed on May 30th by decorating the tombs of Union soldiers. Following World War 1, its scope included all who died in any war or military action. Later, the name “Memorial Day” became common after World War 2, and in 1967, it was declared the official name by Federal Law.

We have all heard the words. Those four-letter words used in almost every movie in Hollywood. Of all the words that sicken me the most are the ones that use the Name of God in them or use the Name of Jesus in an improper manner. Such language comes from the realm of the kingdom of darkness. With that in mind, if we are to shun the things of the dark kingdom, shouldn’t we gravitate toward the principles of the Kingdom of the Most High?

Very interesting for your meditation and mine is that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was accomplished without one eye on earth seeing it happen. Unless one of the tomb-guarding soldiers was peeking, which, out of their sheer terror and the Bible’s description of the soldiers’ distraction, I seriously doubt. No one saw the stone being rolled away and Jesus walking out of the tomb, except angels.

In the Old Testament Book of 1 Samuel, there is an account of young Samuel being called by God. This is a remarkable story that holds some valuable lessons for those who read it. Eli was a man of prayer and a priest who had two wicked sons of his own. The story is as relevant today as it was to those who lived it. Samuel grew up as a young boy who had been prayed for by his parents and was dedicated to the service of the Lord.

The Word of God is an endless ocean of knowledge and understanding. In the first chapter of Genesis, we see the perfect design of God, unfolding His plan through His creation. In this passage of scripture, there is a great deal we can learn from the context in which God has given. There are four observations that I would like to point out, based on the God-given leadership potential we have within all of us.

Can you remember those days of your engagement? You had fallen in love with the dream of your life. And what was even better? They had fallen in love with you, too. There came a time when you decided to ask them to marry you. AND THEY AGREED!

I would dare venture to say that you have probably done this sometime throughout your days, whether they are short or quite lengthy. Probably more times than you can remember, you've been told to “say thank you,” or, to “be grateful for what you have.”