Separation

 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Romans 8:38-39

There are so many things we can take from this verse.
Today, I want to focus on two things: thankfulness and trust.  
Thankfulness: always, no matter what your circumstances, be thankful.
No matter how down you feel, things could be worse, and there is always someone that is facing more difficultly, more trials. 
You are not alone, ever. 
Be thankful. 
Trust: you will never be in control of your life circumstances, but if you fully trust in Him you will find yourself more relaxed, more at peace. 
Oddly enough, this verse says nothing about thankfulness or trust. 
Read it again. 
Nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. 
In this be thankful and trust that He will keep you safe. 

Comfort

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
- John 14:27

Life can be pretty stressful at times, problems can be many and overwhelming. 
Where do you turn? 
On whom do you lean? 
Some people look for peace in their friends or family, they immerse themselves in their work. 
But they don’t find peace there. 
Jesus is the peace you seek.
Song reference!

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

You can have all this world

Just give me Jesus

When I am alone

When I am alone

Oh, when I am alone

Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

You can have all this world

Just give me Jesus

Jesus

Give me Jesus

When I come to die

When I come to die

Oh, when I come to die

Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

You can have all this world

Just give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

You can have all this world

You can have all this world

You can have all this world

Just give me Jesus

Jesus

All you have to do is trust Him. 

Only Jesus can give real pace and comfort.

Only Jesus can take away fear. 

What are you waiting for?

Turn to Jesus. 

Time to rest

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
- Matthew 11:28

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been going pretty much non-stop for about three months now.
Between work, board meetings, volunteer events, raising money for charity (CMNH), church events and family fun, I haven’t had a day to just be. 
Song reference!!
Alarm clock screaming bare feet hit the floor
It's off to the races everybody out the door
I'm feeling like I'm falling behind, it's a crazy life
Ninety miles an hour going fast as I can
Trying to push a little harder trying to get the upper hand
So much to do in so little time, it's a crazy life
It’s ready, set, go it's another wild day
When the stress is on the rise in my heart I feel you say just
Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe
Third cup of joe just to get me through the day
Want to make the most of time but I feel it slip away
I wonder if there's something more to this crazy life
I’m busy, busy, busy, and it's no surprise to see
That I only have time for me, me, me
There’s gotta be something more to this crazy life
I’m hanging on tight to another wild day
When it starts to fall apart in my heart I hear you say just
Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to take it in, fill your lungs
The peace of God that overcomes
Just breathe (just breathe)
let your weary spirit rest
Lay down what's good and find what's best
Just breathe (just breathe)
Just breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe
Just breathe
I’m ready for a break, to just be. 
I’m so thankful that the Father gives me the rest I need. 
Have a blessed day. 

Happy Independence Day!

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

- John 8:36

Another song reference, and it may not make sense at first but as you read through it (or sing it in your head), it will all come together:

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love,
Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love,
Amazing grace

My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love,
Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine, will be forever mine
You are forever mine

I am not sure how much clearer this can be – through His amazing grace, all of our chains are broken, we are free.

The chains of sin, the chains of slavery to “things”, the chains of hate, the chains of despair, the chains of sorrow.

We come broken to Him, shackled and held back by our chains (that is another song), but His love, His sacrifice has set us free.

Let me say that once more:

Through His amazing grace, all of our chains are broken, we are free.

freedom does not cover evil

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom to cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

- 1 Peter 2:16

Just because you have a voice, does not mean that you should speak.

Just because you have arms, does not mean that you should fight.

Just because you have ears, does not mean you can hear.

Just because you have eyes, does not mean that you truly see.  

Just because you have been given freedom, does not mean that you have the right to take freedom away from others.

We are given freedom, but we are expected to live as servants of God.

This means speaking His word, and standing up for those who cannot speak.

This means not fighting against each other, but fighting for those who cannot fight, fighting with those who struggle against the evils of this world.

This means listening to His word, and hearing others cry for help.

This means seeing when He shows you where you can make a difference.

Live free, live as a servant to the one true King.

free & confident

In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

- Ephesians 3:12

I simply cannot let this week go without this song reference:

Through You the blind will see
Through You the mute will sing
Through You the dead will rise
Through You all hearts will praise
Through You the darkness flees
Through You my heart screams
You are free
I am free to run
(I am free to run)
I am free to dance
(I am free to dance)
I am free to live for You
(I am free to live for You)
I am free
(I am free)

Everywhere we go, we need permission to do certain things, we do not, however, need permission to enter the throne room of our King.

We are free to bring Him every worry, every fear, every joy that we have, and all He asks in return is that we serve Him.

I am not talking serve Him like the wait staff at your favorite restaurant, I am talking about serving Him by putting aside your own wants and needs and truly doing His work.

This week as we celebrate the freedom of being in the good ol’ USA, remember that true freedom starts with Him.

Freedom

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 5:1

Freedom.

Merriam-Webster defines freedom as:

1: the quality or state of being free: such as

a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action

b: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another :INDEPENDENCE

c: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous freedom from care

d: unrestricted use gave him the freedom of their home

e: EASE, FACILITY spoke the language with freedom

f: the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken answered with freedom

g: improper familiarity

h: boldness of conception or execution

2     a: a political right

b: FRANCHISE, PRIVILEGE

But what is freedom, really?

When we break from the past and follow Jesus, we let go of our sin – freedom.

Even when life is not going well, even when we have a sordid past, we have a future, and that future is in Christ Jesus.

True freedom, my friends, can be found in Him.

Freedom in Christ.