June 28, 2015
Heavenly Father,
Since this week is Independence Day for the United States of America, I have been planning lessons and activities to celebrate America’s birthday. I’ve gathered up maps and flags to color, songs to sing, history to read, parade and decorations. It’s a great blessing to live in this country where we have freedom to choose our own leaders, vote on laws, worship, speak out…Our freedom is so very precious. It has been fought for, protected, and died for. It has come at a very high cost starting with those who fought to establish this country to all those citizens who have left their mark up until now. One of my teaching goals for the week is to help children see how they can be good citizens so they can help make an even better nation.
However, as proud as I am to be American, I am even more blessed by my eternal citizenship in Your Kingdom, Lord! Someday, it won’t matter that I am an American with certain rights guaranteed by our constitution. That’s OK! Nothing can take away my citizenship in Your kingdom because it’s been paid for and guaranteed by the blood of Jesus Christ…and it is an eternal citizenship. There are no citizenship tests to take. It doesn’t recognize earthly borders or ethnic groups. Everyone is invited to be a part of Your family, Your kingdom. Sadly, many are not ready to accept.
I recall coming back from a trip to another country where the government was unstable. As much as I enjoyed the experience, I was so happy to be back in the USA, my homeland, where I knew I had certain rights. Yet even being an American is not a secure thing. But my citizenship in Your kingdom is an eternal security. The day will come when I will take my last breath as an American and step into my eternal Homeland!! I am just passing through this country til I get to my true Home. My Home is with You, Lord! My heart belongs to You! May I live my life so all will know where my citizenship truly lies.
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“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11-12
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” Philippians 3:20-4:1
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22