Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God,

Yesterday was the celebration of our nation’s independence from England. I am sure many people set off fireworks, watched parades, and had barbecues, which are common ways we celebrate the nation’s declaration of independence. However, have you ever thought about which other nations fought for their freedom?

There are many countries around the world that celebrate their Independence Day. Among them are Canada, Pakistan, South Korea, and Mexico, just to name a few. The youngest nation in the world is South Sudan, which is located in East Africa and declared its independence on July 9, 2011. It is difficult to define the oldest nation in the world; however, some countries frequently recognized as the oldest are Egypt, Iran, and China. Most nations often come to war and fight for their independence, but Australia did not fight a war for independence. This 124-year-old nation transitioned to independence by evolving from self-governing colonies to a federation and achieved independence on January 1, 1901, through legal and political changes. Israel became a nation on May 14, 1948, and their declaration was quickly followed by a war with the Arab nations, which is known as the Israeli War of Independence. The war lasted approximately one and a half years and ended with a ceasefire on January 7, 1949. Unfortunately, Israel has been at war from the beginning and will continue to be at war until the end.

We have a fight for independence, ourselves, which is not of flesh and bone, but of spiritual powers of evil (Ephesians 6:12). It is our sinful ways that oppress us like nations that have oppressed other nations. It is the darkness of evil that convinces us that we have nothing, no hope, and no future.  The evil lies because he is the master manipulator of all lies. There is hope, and there is a future. Like nations, and like our nation, we must take the first step and declare our independence from sin. Make that statement of faith and believe that your true Commander-in-Chief, the Lord God Almighty, and the great I AM, is the way you want to live. This announces to Satan that you are choosing God, and you will be against those who are against God.

You have the opportunity to be free from the pressure of guilt and shame that comes from your sins, by confessing that Christ Jesus is Lord and that he is the Messiah who was sent to save man, the one who has fallen by sin. Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, Peter says (Acts 2:38). We are to surrender our lives to Christ so that we can be set free and independent. We no longer need to depend on the Laws of the Old Covenant, but can put our faith in Christ with the New Covenant.

As you continue this weekend or even this week, reflecting on the birth of this nation, I encourage you to also reflect on the new birth in which you have received or will receive when you announce your Declaration of Independence.

Last week, the little lambs learned about the tabernacle, a place in which God wanted so He could dwell with His children. Of course, the tabernacle became the temple, and after the fall of the second temple, no other temple has been erected in its place. However, Jesus says our body is the temple and therefore God, or the Holy Spirit, can dwell in our heart, soul, and mind. This week, we will be talking about how the Israelites declared their independence from Egypt through God, and later their spiritual independence through Christ.  

I look forward to worshiping our true Spiritual leader with you tomorrow with songs of praise and dancing before the Lord.. If, for whatever reason, I do not see you, may God bless you with joy, peace, and love, and may He guide you, comfort you, and heal you when you need it.

God bless you,

Your brother in Christ,

Michael (aka Mr. Michael)