Never Alone

So many time we all go through circumstances where we ask "God where are you?" It many be during a time of grief over a loved one, lost of a job, or maybe a series of unfortunate events that happen to many of us in our lives. As I go about my daily work as a pastor I often have the opportunity to speak with people as they face these difficult circumstances. All to often I hear the statement "I feel so alone."

As I was studying this past week, God has revealed to me that even though I may think I am alone, He never does leave me. In Matthew 28:20 Jesus promise "I am with you always" (HCSB). Why don't I feel that? So many times my problem is that I get so busy looking at my situation or task at hand that I forget to look for God.

Have you ever noticed that when a person purchase a new or "new to you" car, that out of the blue they begin to see that make or model much more on the road. Why? Because we begin to look for them, or we pay more attention to that style because it is what we drive. The same concept works when we daily ask God to show us what He is doing. When we begin to focus on looking for God we will begin to see more clearly what He is doing around us.

I know it is hard, but the next time you are feeling all alone. Try it, ask God to show you what He is doing and look for Him. It is amazing that the feeling of loneliness seems to disappear when we read His Word and seek Him everyday. You see we're not alone! God is there, we just have to look harder sometimes.

Freedom isn't free

As my wife and I try to explain what the 4th of July means to our boys, I began to realize that it is more than just words when we say "freedom isn't free". We explained to them that for us to have the freedoms that we have there were hundreds of thousands of men and women who have died for our country, not only to stay free, but to establish the freedom we all enjoy. Those that to often we forget.

Actually most of my day was spent watching the History channel. They had a great series on today about "The Revolution" which helped me to remember the sacrifice that our founding fathers made. The sacrifice they thought of as their duty to give for us to have the freedoms we have today. What amazed me the number of unsung heros that gave all they had, their homes, money, and lives for the cause.

Then I also began to think about another person that sacrificed all to give us freedom that we do not deserve, that being Jesus, God Son, who gave up heaven to come to earth, to live a sinless life, to be persecuted, and then to give His life for our sins so that we could be forgiven. All this just so that God could have a relationship us, because He loved us. If that is not freedom at a great cost I don't know what is.

So as you celebrate our nations freedom and the significance of this day, don't forget to say thank you to the Son of God for giving His life for our ultimate freedom from the bonds of sin.

To all of those who have faught for our freedoms and their families THANK YOU!