Today marked a day that the nation has set up in 1971 to recognize those men and women who gave their lives in our nations service to protect the freedom that we enjoy today in our great nation. Memorial day was first observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Both sets of my grandparents are buried at the Veteran's cemetary in Houston. If you have never been to this cemetary I urge you to pay a visit--it is a cemetary but it is important to remember those who chose to give their lives for us.
These men and women paid a price for our freedom and comfort. Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for our freedom. In Isaiah 61:1 it says The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, Did you know that we are held captive to our sin without the blood of Jesus?
Living in the United States today we do not give much thought to slavery but there was a time when it was a real issue here. In 1962 the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves however many were destitute so continued to work on plantations. As Christians, Christ freed us from our old sin nature according to 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Although we are a new creation in Christ Jesus we may choose to allow sin to weigh us down but Galatians 5:1 says It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. We must walk confidently in the knowledge that Christ made the sacrfice for our freedom and not allow satan to deceive us. Praise God each day for your freedom and the sacrifice that was made for you in Christ Jesus. Remember to thank those service men and women that you may come in contact with daily for the sacrifices they make to ensure your freedom.
Huge thank you to the men and women in the armed forces for your service and thank you to their families who make sacrifices daily with them away from home.
