Diane Musil is a special friend of this ministry. Here is a picture of Diane with "Pup". I asked Diane how long she has been a Christian, and she responded, "I was saved 7/7/1977 (30 years ago). That is when I first became saved and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord!!!!" She is a women of faith and a powerful prayer warrior. Diane loves the Lord with all of her heart and has a deep abiding relationship with Him, born out of life's struggles. Since the beginning of this ministry, Diane has been an encouragement to Rhonda and me. Recently, we asked Diane if she would be willing to write devotionals, which we could add to this website, so that other people would be encouraged too. Diane said, "Yes,". Diane is Deaf and legally blind, caused by being born almost three months premature. Many years ago, Diane was visiting at the Retreat Center here and preparing to share in chapel. Diane was in the kitchen and I happened to walk in on her as she was reading her Bible and praying. Diane had her Bible within three inches of her eyes as she diligently, slowly, was reading the Word of God. I backed out of the kitchen. That image of Diane reading her Bible has spurred me on to be faithful in reading the precious Word of God. Rhonda and I pray that God will encourage you as you read Diane's devotionals (this is the second devotional). Diane has lived in the Chicago area her entire life. May God encourage and bless you, Gary

This Month's Devotional - TRUE LIBERTY!

Webster's Dictionary reads: "Liberty: Quality of being free."

 

BIBLE VERSES

Romans 7:21-25 (New Life Version) In these verses, Paul is speaking to me, to you and to the Church. "This has become my way of life: When I want to do what is right, I always do what is wrong. My mind and heart agree with the Law of God. But there is a different law at work deep inside of me that fights with my mind. This law of sin holds me in its power because sin is still in me. There is no happiness in me! Who can set me free from my sinful old self? God's Law has power over my mind, but sin still has power over my sinful old self. I thank God I can be free through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

 

• In our "flesh" we cannot defeat sin. Evil is too powerful for our "flesh".
• Yet, as Christians we want/wish/desire to obey the Lord God and do good.
• Through Christ's atoning work on the cross--sin is broken and the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set us FREE from the law of sin and death. Hallelujah!

 

STORY: THE AMERICAN FLAG

 

Betsy Ross is a cherished person in American History as she sewed the first American Flag. She was a widow, and her life story is one of triumph through adversity. Every detail of the American Flag has special meaning. If you are interested in reading more about our American Flag you can go to http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/

 

The part of our Flag that I want to focus on is the stripes. The red stripes separated by the white stripes signify that our Nation was separating from England. We know that no flag (of itself) can really bring us freedom. But our American Flag is a "picture" to remind us that we did separate from England a long, long time ago.

 

But are we really free? We all struggle in our mind, in our flesh. Our sinful nature wars within us and cries out "FREEDOM, FREEDOM". How many times we want to do what is right but end up doing what is wrong. What can we do? We return to the truth of the Word of God. In John 8:36, " So if the Son (Jesus) sets you free, you will be free indeed" (English Standard Version).

By receiving Jesus Christ in our heart--life--we experience FREEDOM. The FREEDOM was purchased for us by or Lord and Savior on the cross. Jesus died on the cross and rose again. Just as the red and white stripes reminded the early settlers, "we are separated from England"; we look at the cross and see the price Jesus paid to separate us from our old life and give us a new life. As we kneel daily at the cross in prayer before our Savior, we experience the FREEDOM that He gives us. Jesus, indeed, gives us TRUE LIBERTY!

 

As we celebrate our Nation's 231st birthday, we study the "Stars and Stripes" remember this quote from Thomas Jefferson, "The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time."

 

 

SONG

 

"Thank You, Lord"

(for saving my soul)

Words and Music by Mr. and Mrs. Seth Sykes (Seth Sykes 1892-1959)

 

Inspiration from: 1 Timothy 2:5-6

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,

the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all ... "

 

VERSE ONE:

Some thank the Lord for friends and home,

For mercies sure and sweet;

But I would praise Him for His grace

In prayer I would repeat:

 

Chorus

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul,

Thank you, Lord, for making me whole;

Thank you, Lord, for giving to me

Thy great salvation so rich and free.

 

VERSE TWO:

Some thank Him for the flow'rs that grow,

Some for the stars that shine;

My heart is filled with joy and praise,

Because I know He's mine.

 

Chorus

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul,

Thank you, Lord, for making me whole;

Thank you, Lord, for giving to me

Thy great salvation so rich and free.

 

VERSE THREE

I trust in Him from day to day,

I prove His saving grace;

I'll sing this song of praise to Him

Until I see His face.

 

Chorus

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul,

Thank you, Lord, for making me whole;

Thank you, Lord, for giving to me

Thy great salvation so rich and free.

 

 

PRAYER

 

Dear OUR Father in Heaven:

As we celebrate our Nation's birthday, remembering the flag, may we look inward to You, Jesus-- our Redeemer, our Truth, our Freedom--that "only" comes from You alone. May we cherish You more and more. In Jesus Name I pray. AMEN.