Independence Day

As I wrote in the books I gave my grandchildren, some of the words (Besides “I love you!”) included “I am glad you are here.” “This is a day to celebrate freedom. Be all you can be. Experience freedom!”

Freedom is important. Without freedom how can you or I be all we were called to be. If we lived in a place like China or North Korea, what would be our “freedom experience”? I have been to foreign countries, had third world experiences. I have seen the devastation, the depression and the lack of freedoms. Freedom is better!

In our country we celebrate our day of Independence from harsh rules and laws. But at the end of the day what we were really saying was “I want to be who God created me to be.” I have been around history long enough to know what freedom is and what it isn’t. (If you want more on the freedoms we gained, my last year’s article on the Fourth Of July can be found here, complete with the Declaration Of Independence.) I know what we gained, what we sacrificed and what we became as the result of it.

Recently as I would talk to folks in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California each day, conversations often turn to what is happening on the border. I am concerned for the health and the welfare of all parties. Sickness and disease have been released. Only the hand of God will have the power to overturn and that will require people! But, is not the reason they are coming is for the freedom?

A few weeks ago I read a letter someone posted about our freedoms. They were talking about New Hampshire. They essentially said, “we vote down laws, businesses come and the region improves. Then the people who did not ‘pay’ the price, come and enjoy it and want to vote against the very thing that made us better!”

Was that not the very essence of the Old Testament? They wanted a king! They had freedoms and lots of it but they wanted a king. Their desire for “leadership” brought them to troubling places many times throughout their existence.

He, who the Son has made free, is free indeed.

Let me say this. God is not judging America. He is not the author of sickness and disease. He is letting the church make the decision and release His power and His authority It has been that way for a while. “Till all His enemies are made a footstool.” What are His enemies? What is or was His solution? What will you or I do?

I see people who are free walk with no freedom. If we talk about the “Declaration Of Independence” we will ultimately end up talking about the one who made the original “declaration of independence”. See, to be free you must be able to rely on something higher. I think we have worked so hard to be independent we forgot who we were dependent on. We saw and continue to see two things. One a people who are so “independent” they moved into isolation. And another group who never understood their independence (Country given or God given, though the first may have been an expression of the second…) and simply became dependent on anything or anyone. The less one’s freedoms shrink the more the opportunity for the need to be dependent on someone (A king.) or something (Addiction) arises. (Currently in the USA 78% of the people said this week they have seen shrinking freedoms.) The more we lose freedom the more we become dependent. The freer we are, well, the freer we are.

Last night I had a series of three dreams. In the first I was experiencing friendships and enjoying company. It shifted the second where I was beginning one of my three jobs I had in order to take care of my family. (I was not looking “forward” to them, but one was not sufficient, one was added cash and the other gave me peace.) The third dream I was walking down a long country road and two men suddenly appeared. One brandished a large knife and they both came running after me. I could not outrun them. Just as they grabbed me, I awoke. I felt the presence of God appear. “Many will not know family or freedom. Many will be burdened because they did not know freedom. And many will try to remove freedom.”

I was reminded of a vision where the Lord said “many are the ones who have not known freedom, experienced good times or enjoyed life as you have. This is your time to share what can be.” (There is a generation and a people who have not experienced the goodness we have experienced in this country.)

I was thinking of my birthday and the 4th of July and the good times I had. While drinking coffee and thinking about freedom I saw the following appear in my living room.

I saw a ton of people who never experienced freedom. They were subject to whatever they were told to do. (I heard the words “shoes for industry” from an old Firesign Theater recording.) They went where they went, they did what they were told. And then an angel appeared in my living room. And the scene changed. I saw the vision turn black and white. I saw the “insides” off people and I saw the corruption that caused them not to taste freedom. There was “chip” that had been introduced to their bodies. It programmed their existence for dependency and failure. The frequency of the chip changed and the people succumbed to depressions and fear. But, then the chip disappeared and their beings were free from the programming, but the scene remained dark and in fact got darker. People became more and more discouraged. Then a bright colored man appeared but they did not see him. In fact they turned away and shunned him. The angel looked at me. Quiet in the room as I looked at the scene. (Did you ever have one of those times where you were “pretty sure” you knew but raising your hand did not seem right? This was one of those.) I continued to watch. Soon many were bowed over, holding their stomachs. They looked sick. (I heard Mary Poppins singing “just a spoonful of sugar…”)The angel continued to look at me. Me, I am thinking, “hey this is your deal” or something equally as foolish perhaps. “I want color” I said. Immediately the room and the vision began to lighten and to change. “I want health” and people began to stand up. The angel unfolded its crossed arms. As the wings spread wide, I did not know what to think. I found myself looking down at the vision as color returned and health was restored. “I want freedom” I said. And the people began to look around like they had never seen each other. “I want relationship” I said and people began to move closer. There was more of these things I spoke and lives changed.

Now, I do not think I or anyone else is the “puppet master” nor am I suggesting that. But I do believe this that your speaking and mine are founded in truth. Our faith is settled in Him and His finished work on the cross, with the provision it has provided. And what we say is important. (For the next week you can purchase my book on declarations for only $2. Simply click this link and place this code. The code is: HE82P)

I do believe at 59 I have seen the goodness freedom brings and even some of the negatives, but I assure you freedom is far superior to the alternative. Today, I declare “Let freedom ring”

“Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” — Psalm 118:5

Today our nation celebrates the incredible freedom we have because of the sacrificial commitment of those who came before us. Perhaps no other freedom they secured is more important than freedom of religion, which allows you and me to worship and share Jesus openly without fear of persecution. Thank you!

There is something in America, as if we were hardwired for freedom. It is in our DNA.  It resonates in the earth.

Today let us remember that freedom was never freedom. Whether it was a war, the loss of life or the man who hung upon a tree.  For freedom you were made free.