The 4th of July

It's a bit of a strange holiday. Most people don't see it as a "Religious Holiday" ( for lack of a better word, relationship trumps religion, I know... I know...), but it is in every way. On the 4th of July we celebrate our freedom from Great Britain, but who made that happen? We celebrate all of the freedoms and natural rights that we are given, but who allowed those to happen? We celebrate all of our country's leaders, but who gave those people their power? Certainly no human could do this, it was our wonderful God. We are blessed beyond measure to be able to freely worship and serve our God with out severe persecution. In some countries if you are caught praising God or carrying a bible, you could be thrown in prison, beaten, or even killed. It is always encouraging and a little convicting to think about this. Would I be brave enough to carry a bible and share the gospel in a country like this? I'd like to think the answer is yes, but I have never been in a situation like that. It would definitely be the ultimate test of faith. So, today as you grill out with your families, or go camping, or set off fireworks, or light huge bonfires with like six hay bails and two containers of gasoline (...Gregory...), keep in mind who provided you with this wonderful country, our abundant freedoms, and our leaders.