Friday, July 6, 2018
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
USE YOUR FREEDOM OF WORSHIP-- USE GOD'S WORD
As Lutheran Christians we should be in the forefront of those giving thanks to God for the blessings which are ours as Americans. We know that without God's Word we would not know and trust in Jesus our Savior. As we move from July 4th celebrations during this week to another Sunday celebration of God's Word, take a moment to consider the Independence Day words of a man (C. F. W. Walther) who came to this country in 1838 because here he would have the freedom to practice his faith. Then use your freedom to practice yours.
"O blessed day -- the day which witnessed the laying of the foundation for a nation in which freedom of religion and liberty of conscience were made a principle of its fundamental law! O blessed land in which we are permitted to enjoy this freedom! Even as our country guarantees that freedom to the exercise of religion, so may religion bring heavenly blessings to this land!
"But let us not be satisfied to enjoy this freedom of religion. God will demand a heavy reckoning from us for the manner in which we have employed this inexpressible benefit. Therefore, let us as citizens of this country labor for the preservation of its freedom, manfully fight for it, and if necessary, willingly shed our blood for it. Let us be ready to do all this, particularly also for the preservation of this golden crown of its free institutions-- religious liberty. Let us do on our part everything that it may remain a refuge for all who are persecuted by reason of their religion among all nations of the earth.
"May the Lord of Nations, who to the present day has evidently watched over our land, has governed and blessed it, continue to make His face shine benignly over these free United States of North America. May He bring to naught all the schemes of her enemies that are being plotted against our land and its liberties! May He train unto Himself a pious, free, and happy people and ever place at its head virtuous men of wise counsel and of courageous actions!"
