One Day Till the Fourth of July

I'm thinking about freedom today. Freedom means so many different things to people. To some, it just means setting off some fireworks on the Fourth of July. To others, it means being able to do anything they want, any time they want, any way they want. Is that really freedom, though, or is it selfishness in disguise?

Let me tell you what I think freedom isn't:

• it isn't a license to do whatever you want regardless of the consequences or who gets hurt
• it isn't just a slogan
• it isn't just for Americans, although it certainly is for us
• it isn't to be treated lightly

Freedom is:

• a priceless treasure that costs a great deal, in time as well as in the lives of the men and women who fight to protect it
• a chance to do the right thing because you want to, not because you have to
• a chance to become whatever you have the desire to become
• not a right, but a privilege

The ultimate freedom is spiritual freedom, and the chance to live forever. That freedom was purchased on a hill just outside the gates of Jerusalem a couple of thousand years ago. Unlike the freedom of the United States, a person isn't just born into that freedom. You have to choose whether to accept that freedom. It won't cost you anything, but it cost Jesus everything. If you'll let Him, He'll give you a freedom that surpasses anything you've ever known. Just put your trust in Him. Be free this Fourth of July!

Where's the Fire?

This morning, after my workout, I put my veggie sausage in its little skillet to start cooking. I always put it on before the eggs, because it takes longer to cook. This morning, however, I wasn't paying attention, or I was still too caught up in the morning's activities. When I turned on the egg skillet, I still didn't notice anything was wrong. However, when I put a slice of bread in the toaster, that's when it came to me. My sausage wasn't cooking. I had put it into the skillet, but I'd forgotten to turn on the stove. I remedied that by turning up the heat higher than I normally do.

It made me think, though. Just putting the sausage in the skillet won't cook it. You have to turn on the fire. Church is like that, too. You can go to church all you like, and sit there, and listen, maybe even sing, but unless you have the fire of the Holy Spirit living in you, you just aren't cookin'. Check your heart. See if you have the fire turned on. If not, it's so easy to get turned on to the real power of the Universe. Just ask Yeshua (Jesus) to come into your heart. Then you'll be cookin' for real, and not just sitting there thinking you're on fire when you aren't.