What Freedom Means Part I

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing;  it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 Life Question: What does having freedom mean? WOW! It's been too long since I've posted! Hope everyone's summer has been going along swimmingly! For me, it's gone far too quickly. I, however, digress and get back to the question at hand, "What does having freedom mean?" Before jumping in and answering however, let's look at its three definitions: 1) The power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. 2) The absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government. 3) The state of not being imprisoned or enslaved. The first definition of freedom is one we as a nation have enjoyed, and in some ways, taken advantage of and not really given thought or thanks to the men and women of our armed services who've paid the price for the freedoms we have today. We must acknowledge them and their families not just on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, but anytime we see a soldier. We need to thank them always and we need also to thank God for having them in His service to protect us. Some of us whine that we may not have this or that, forgetting about the second and third definitions of freedom that our Christian brothers and sisters and human rights lawyers and advocates in restricted and hostile nations suffer everyday, must keep them in our thoughts and prayers always. We must be thankful to God for what we have and how blessed as a nation that we are in comparison to those around the world. We must also remember the other freedom that we all have.....freedom in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! You say, "But what freedom does the Lord provide??" *Jesus gives us freedom from sin and death *Jesus gives us freedom from loneliness because in the scriptures he tells us "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." *Jesus gives us freedom from worry because in the scriptures he tells us that whatever we need, he will provide. We only to trust in plan and purpose for us.....and *Jesus gives us freedom from deception, because HE IS TRUTH AND HIS WORD IS TRUTH! I would LOVE elaborate on this more, but I'm going to make you all wait until next Sunday(heeheehee)! Keep your eyes peeled for Part Two of 'What Freedom Means' Blessings, Liz Ciccone