Independence Day USA 2014 (Ephes. 5:13-14, John 8:31-32, Acts 13:38-39, Romans 3:21-24, Romans 6:22, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 8:20-21, 2 Cor. 3:17, Galatians 5:1, 13-14, Ephesians 3:12, Col. 1:21-23, 1 Peter 2:16)

"Through Christ we are set free : )"
USA 4th of July since 1776
National Independence Day

Whenever I think of freedom, the words, "With freedom comes responsibility," always come to mind.  No man is an island that doesn't affect others.  There is only one God and one Savior.  If we accept God's Son as our Savior, we are set free.  The more we study the Bible, the closer we come to God.  Our nation is going through a lot of struggles right now.  We look forward to new elections and have faith that God will supply our needs.  Some of us might just wear out the knees in our blue jeans praying : )  America's not done yet.  And neither is the Lord!  His eye is on the nations.

13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is 
why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
(Ephesians 5:13-14 NIV)

Here's some verses that describe how we can be free.

John 8:31-32
³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Acts 13:38-39
³⁸ "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. ³⁹ Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.

Romans 3:21-24
²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. ²² This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:22
²² But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

Romans 8:1-4
¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful humanity to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in human flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:20-21
²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

2 Corinthians 3:17
¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Galatians 5:1
¹ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:13-14
¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Ephesians 3:12
¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Colossians 1:21-23
²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation- ²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

1 Peter 2:16
¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves.

Dear Heavenly Father I thank You and praise You for all Your great works.  When our world seems impossible You bless and keep us.  It is hard for us to see Your glorious light at work.  Thank You for this most awesome gift of faith and Your constant care.  Father I lift up Israel to You.  I pray You will send encouragement and hope.  They are still Your chosen ones and we will not forget.  I pray You will send them encouragement and safety.  Please grant peace and protection to Jordan and a strong alliance for Israel.
In Jesus Name, Amen.