Freedom Forever

Memorial​​ Day​​ –​​ traditionally an American holiday honoring those who died in service to our country. ​​ It was first called Decoration Day because people placed flowers on the graves of those who gave their lives​​ as the ultimate sacrifice. ​​​​ This has given way to small American flags marking the grave of each fallen soldier.

Memorial Day is about freedom. ​​ Freedom comes with a cost. ​​​​ Sacrifice is involved,​​ a willingness to​​ put others before self, to give all for love of country.​​ ​​ We are blessed to live in the United States of America. ​​ We still have the freedom to worship God openly, to gather together, to own and read a Bible, to speak and write of our Savior. ​​ Today, we celebrate the freedom we have in this country.​​ ​​ Praise God for this​​ freedom because of those who were willing to die. ​​ 

However, there is an even greater freedom available​​ –​​ freedom​​ from the power and penalty of sin​​ –​​ the power of sin to control​​ us and the penalty of sin which separates us from God​​ now and forever. ​​​​ God sent His​​ only​​ Son Jesus to battle the enemy​​ and He did so victoriously yet at​​ the ultimate cost. ​​ Perfect yet choosing to suffer, ​​​​ Jesus conquered sin and death​​ to set us free. ​​ There is no greater​​ love.

Praise God for the freedom we have from the power of sin because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. ​​ Might we lose freedoms on earth? ​​ Perhaps, someday. ​​ However, if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your​​ eternal​​ freedom is secure. ​​ 

Yesterday, we​​ paid tribute to​​ the fallen heroes who​​ gave​​ all so that we might live free​​ on earth. ​​ Today and every​​ day, let us give honor and glory to God for the sacrifice of His Son so that we might live forever with Him.

Colossians​​ 1:13-14​​ For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,​​ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

This is​​ freedom.

Author: Sharyn Balogh

You know it's difficult to write about yourself. The most important fact I can disclose is that I'm saved by God's grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My desire is to live a life honoring to God in response for the gift of salvation I've been given. This is so much easier said than done! I struggle daily with right choices, right words, right thoughts, and right actions. My best and only defense against sin is the power of God in me and for that I am inexpressibly thankful. I have three amazing grown-up children who have responded to God's call in their lives along with their spouses. One of the great joys of my life is knowing my children and their families strive to serve and follow God. My grandchildren are another wonderful joy in my life! My husband and I are blessed with four beautiful grandchildren to date with another expected very soon on September 12th. We also are thankful for the comforting knowledge that an additional three of our grandchildren, a set of twins at three months gestation and a little boy, Isaac, at four and a half months gestation, are in our Savior's presence. I have attended the same church since the day my eyes were opened to Truth over thirty years ago. How fortunate it is to have been led by God’s hand immediately to a church body that follows the Bible, no man-made doctrines, just the Word clear and strong. My husband is my best friend, my confidant, my encourager, and I still can't believe how blessed I am by his example of love and generosity towards everyone around him. He is God-fearing, compassionate, and kind and I have learned so much from him. I am a daughter to my almost 92 year-old mother, sister to three brothers, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, neighbor and friend. That means, whomever is reading this, we probably have something in common! I love every unique role I have been placed in. I'm frequently stretched and sometimes feel like silly putty that wants to bounce right back into my comfort zone. My greatest ambition is to be a follower of Jesus; a light that shines for Him at all times, in all circumstances. So, there it is, a bit about me. I guess I was able to write about myself after all! However, my existence cannot be defined without Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior. His love has permeated my life to His glory and my eternal thankfulness.