July 4th is the day that we as a nation celebrate the Declaration of Independence from the tyranny of Great Britain.  The signing of this declaration by fifty-six men set forth a nation down the road of freedom.  

Down the road of freedom many people fought and gave their lives so that we can remain free.  

For 246 years now we are a nation that is still free and it would do us good to remember that freedom is never free, it comes with a great price.  

We are free means that men and women down through the ages paid a great price and sacrificed for generations of people that they would never know.  

We should never forget about what one man, Jesus Christ did for us, some 2,000 years ago, on Calvary’s cross to set us free from sin and shame.  The sacrifice of His life, His death, His burial, His resurrection paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  

Bill Gaither penned these words to a song, “Let freedom ring down through the ages from a hill called Calvary, let freedom ring wherever minds know what it means to be in chains, let freedom ring wherever hearts know pain, let freedom echo through the lonely streets where prisons have no key, we can be free and we can sing, let freedom ring.”

So, because of Jesus Christ, let freedom ring!  

God never promised an easy life or days without troubles, trials, difficulties, and temptations.  He never promised that life will be perfect.  He does not call His children to a playground, but to a battleground.

Be like the apostle Paul and say, “None of these things move me.”  Few men suffered as Paul did, yet he learned to live above his circumstances, even in a prison cell. You can do the same.  Refuse to allow circumstances to get you down.  The Bible says in Colossians 3:15; “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be thankful.

Believe it or not, being thankful is the path to peace.  Paul said, in Philippians 3:6-7; “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  

Taking the attitude of thankfulness in all of life’s circumstances will help you react as old Matthew Henry did when he was mugged.  He wrote in his diary, “Let me be thankful first because I was never robbed before; second, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”  

Can you have that kind of thankful attitude that brings such peace?  

Pastor Hatter

Paul writes to the church in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 5:17; “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new. 

The decree from Paul is one of hope and excitement, old things are passed away and all things become new. Every single day we have the opportunity to start something new and to pass away old things. To become new is to end old things. To end old things is to start fresh anew. If we are to be a new creature we have to set aside the old way of doing things. It’s a change of mind, it’s a change of doing things the way we used to. In order for you to become new, you have to make a decision to start anew. 

As we start a new month of the year, let us endeavor to start something new. Better than that, let’s start something new for Christ, because what is done for Christ will last. Let us start a new prayer life. Let us begin to live a life that is pleasing to Christ. The old way, you feel, may have been working for you, but it wasn’t working for Christ. Christ must increase, but I must decrease. 

I want to be a new creature and do the things that will bring me in to Christ. The start of something new is always exciting, but I must continue in Christ to fulfill His purpose for my new life.

Will you be a new creature in Christ?

Pastor Hatter

If there is one Scripture that prevails when you begin to look into the birth of revivals it is always this one. . .2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV; “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

This verse is contingent on God’s people doing something.  If we humble, pray, seek and turn, we change who we are.  If we want a refreshing, a renewal, a revival, we need to resolve to change our lives.  

 If these requirements are fulfilled then God will begin to shift things in the spiritual world.  He will hear, forgive, and heal. 

We all want to be heard.  We all a want to be forgiven.  We all want to be healed and healthy.  We know if we do the things necessary to make our lives better we need to make certain changes. 

Many now are in need of our prayers dealing with different challenges of life.  

Just knowing what God will do if we will do our part, ought to make every one of us seek to pray and deepen our spiritual life. 

Spiritual awakening has always found its roots when the Church found its place of prayer. 

It all starts with prayer!  

Pastor Hatter