ESTHER’S WARRIORS MINISTRY

As we begin the month of July we will be celebrating the commemoration of our country’s adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.  Let us remember that our independence and freedom rested then and continues to rest on the Lord and those willing to sacrifice to keep us free.  Today our military personnel risk all so we can be home and celebrate July 4 with parades and barbecues.  Let us not forget the price that they and their families pay for each and every one of us.

The United States of
America Declaration of Independence

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people whom He has chosen as His own inheritance.”  (Psalm 33:12)  Our Declaration of Independence begins with, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”  Most Americans are familiar with this opening statement.  Perhaps not as well known yet most powerful is the summary statement:  “For the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”  (Quotes are taken from In God We Still Trust, A 365-Day Devotional by Dr. Richard G. Lee)

Despite what we may be hearing in the media, our Nation was established on Christian principles.  Our Nation was established “…with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence….”  As followers of Christ we are called to love one another.  Today, do we love each other enough to “pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor?”

A Disciplined Disciple

As followers of Jesus we are present day disciples who learn His teachings and live them out in our life.  We often speak of ‘discipling’ new believers to teach them the way of Jesus.   As His current disciples on earth our mission is to bring the Kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven.  To be a disciple requires discipline.  Self-control and self-restraint are key to living a disciplined life for Christ.

Jesus clearly tells us, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”  (John 15:12)  This speaks to our relationship with other believers.  Re-read the summary statement in the Declaration of Independence and check your heart (it is always a heart issue).  Do you love others as Christ loves you?  Would you pledge your life, fortune, sacred honor for the greater good?  Love should be at the root of our Christianity.  Love is at the root of our Nation and is played out daily by our military that place love of country above their own personal comforts and desires.

As Christians we comprise ‘The Army of the Lord.’  We should be trained in His teachings.  We should be disciplined in expression of His love to others through us.  We should be loyal to others and live with integrity. Dissention destroys the fabric of any army and leaves all open to enemy attack.  What you allow that is not of God in your life directly affects the whole.  Think about that.  If we are to be true disciples, we are to be disciplined in our speech, in our actions, and most importantly, in our hearts.  This is not a dry run.  The life you live today is the life you will be held accountable for on judgment day.

The True Freedom

As we spend this week celebrating our Nation, let us remember what it means in today’s world to be free.  As Christians we know that Jesus tells us in John 8:36, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”  What we do not quote nearly as much is His statement in John 8:34, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave to sin.”  He has set us free.  It is our choice whether we decide to stay in bondage and remain a slave to sin.   On this Independence Day let us each seek the Holy Spirit’s help and wisdom in securing and maintaining the freedom we have in Him.

‘Pray the States’

Join us this week as we ‘pray the states’ toward the 2012 Presidential election.  We are praying for each state in the order of admission to the Union.  Please cover Arkansas admitted to the Union June 15, 1836, in prayer.  Pray for wisdom and discernment for the political leaders, pastors and church leaders, the people residing in Arkansas and for all in our Nation.  Each state is important in forming our United States of America.  We commit to pray for a different state each week so we not only provide prayer cover but also to make us aware that our country is bigger than the space we personally occupy in it. These are our United States. Let us pray that we will arise united ‘for such a time as this!’  Please repost and share.

A Prayer Request and
Personal Blessing

Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray.  Please keep our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety.  They are our frontline on the battlefield, let us be their frontline in the spirit.  Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives.  God bless all our military personnel and their families.   May God richly bless the United States of America and keep her safe.

As we continue to see the devastation of natural disasters across our land from the wildfires in the West to the severe conditions in the East, let us be diligent to pray for all affected by these calamities.  Millions are without power in extreme heat conditions, homes have been destroyed and many have lost their lives.  Prayerfully consider what you may be able to do to help whether through donation of time or money.  This is our country and we all need to pull together for the safety of all.

May God richly bless you this week and bring you to the fullness of the freedom that Jesus died to give you.  Amen and amen!