'Freedom does not mean the absence of constraints or moral absolutes. Suppose a skydiver at 10,000 feet announces to the rest of the group, "I'm not using a parachute this time. I want freedem!"
The fact is that a skydiver is constrained by a greater law--the law of gravity. But when the skydiver chooses the "constraint" of the parachute, she is free to enjoy the exhilaration.
God's moral laws act the same way: They restrain, but they are absolutely necessary to enjoy the exhilaration of real freedom. ~~~~ By: Colin Campbell (Law, Obedience)
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
An Arab chief tells the story of a spy captured and sentenced to death by a general in the Persian army. The general had the strange custom of giving condemned criminals a choice between the firing squad and "the big, black door."
The moment for execution drew near, and guards brought the spy to the Persian general. "What will it be," asked the general, "the firing squad or 'the big, black door'?"
The spy hesitated for a long time. Finally he chose the firing squad.
A few minutes later; hearing the shots ring out confirming the spy's execution, the general turned to his aide and said, "They always prefer the known to the unknown. People fear what they don't know. Yet, we gave him a choice."
"What lies beyond the big door?" asked the aide.
"Freedom," replied the general. "I've known only a few brave enough to take that door."
The best opportunities in our lives stand behind the forbidding door of the great unknown. ~
---By: Don McCullough (Courage, Freedom)
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
“As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God” (I Peter 2:16).
We who live in what the song writer called the “sweet land of liberty” have a great responsibility to preserve that freedom which our forefathers obtained for us at great cost over two centuries ago. At the same time, we must not turn liberty into license. It would surely hurt those brave and godly men if they could see how we now use “freedom of choice” to justify murdering multitudes of innocent children before they are born and how we use “freedom of speech” to warrant fouling the eyes and ears of our children with widespread pornography and to promote all kinds of immoral behavior in our society in general. No nation can remain free very long after such practices become widely accepted by its citizens. We need to pray for revival!
The same warning applies to the abuse of our spiritual freedom in Christ. As the Apostle Paul said and repeated: “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient” (I Corinthians 6:12; also I Corinthians 10:23, where he added that “all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not”).
As Peter says in our text, even though we are “free” and have real “liberty,” we are nevertheless “servants of God,” where the Greek word doulos actually connotes “bond servants,” or even “slaves.” Our liberty in Christ is not freedom to sin whenever we so choose, but rather freedom from our former bondage to sin. “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:18).
Although our nation is rapidly becoming anti-Christian in belief and practice, we Christians can still best serve our nation and our Savior by practicing and proclaiming Christ’s wonderful saving gospel of free salvation from sin and regeneration unto righteousness. -ICR/HMM
--IN GOD WE TRUST! --GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
-Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America / By: Red Skelton (a great comedian)- -January 14, 1969-(48 states at that time)
FREEDOM/Liberty/ 'Love for Country' /,.... @2:14 "..And to the Republic for which it stands..." A state in which Sovereign power is invested in Representatives chosen by the people to Govern. And Government is 'THE PEOPLE', and it's from the people to the leaders, NOT from the leaders to the people.'
--(please be sure to listen to the end,...) "One Nation Under God"
-Now recite: "The Pledge of Allegiance"-- "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
-- -We will celebrate the 4th of July, Independence Day, next Wednesday, so let's get this one moving onward for our loved ones and friends. "May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You." (Psalm 33:22) NIV. -IN GOD WE TRUST! GOD BLESS AMERICA! [Star Spangled Banner/ Whitney Houston]
Sorry, that the previous video/youtube was having some problems. So let's try to post another from youtube with less viewers.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
