In you O Lord, I put my trust, lead me and guide me. Lord, I am in your presence this morning, and I have heard your voice in your words spoken to me so clearly, “I will instruct you in the way you should go. Do not be like the horse or mule which have no understanding, which must be harnessed and bridled, else they will not come near you.” Lord, you understand this morning, that I needed direction in the way I should go, and I am waiting on you Lord for you to guide me, I will not be stubborn, nor speak out of time, I will not walk out of your way, but I will wait patiently on you to lead me in the way I should go. Thank you, Lord!

Lord, we lift you up this morning, because you are worthy, we give you all the honor and praise due your name. Lord, if it was not for your goodness and your mercy, we would not be able to enjoy this new day, and we are thankful for your mercy and your love towards us. Lord, this day, we will look to you for help for you are our Jehovah Jireh, our provider, you are our father who knows how to give us good gifts, things we do not deserve or earn, you give to us, therefore, our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name!

Many of us know of the story of the prodigal son who wasted all his possessions with prodigal living, but Scripture said, when he came to himself, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough to spare and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son, make me one of your hired servants.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, are you a prodigal son or daughter who longs to come home? What is holding you back, is it shame, or is it your foolish pride? Humble yourself before the Lord your God, repent of your transgressions, come to Jesus, he will not turn you away. Like the prodigal son who came home, he will wash you white as snow and adorn you in the finest clothes and rejoice over you, for you were lost but now you are found.” Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Praise the Lord!

My brothers and sisters in Christ, seek the Lord while he may be found. Come, let us return to the Lord, and acknowledge our offenses before him, for he has torn but he will heal us, he has stricken but he will bind us up. For too long, we have walked in our own willfulness, we have followed too much the desires of our own hearts, we have not been true to Christ, it’s time to render our hearts and return to the Lord, for he is merciful. His will is not for us to suffer, but that all who come to him might be saved.

Many of us are able to bring comfort to others in times of trouble, but in our own times of trouble we become weak. My brothers and sisters in Christ, this is not always a bad thing, for if we present ourselves at all times as strong, how then could we win those who are weak? We should be imitators of Christ, in that he became weak to win the souls of many. When we experience weak moments, we become vulnerable, and our vulnerability weakens us, but should not weaken our faith, but make us humble, so that we could allow others to see that even though we are weak, that we are strong in the faith, and if we do not lose heart in our tribulations, God will sustain us so that we could comfort others  even when we are weak; and others will come to believe and to understand the blessings of God, the Father of all mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our tribulations, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort we ourselves are comforted by God. Let the weak say this morning, “No matter what I am going through, I am weak, but I am strong in the Lord.”

Have you noticed that some people never seem to move beyond where you have been, even though you have long since moved on? That’s ok, as long as you do not allow yourself to go back to where you have been, but step out in faith to where God wants you to be, and continually show others that the old things in your life have passed away and you are born again; that you are a new creation, born of God; that your past is not an indication of where you are going, but a symbol to remind you of how far you have come by faith, and by faith you will go farther. God has a plan for your life and mine. God works in mysterious ways to bring it to pass. God said he will make every crooked path straight in your life and mine, because he knew beforehand, that the road we may have to travel will not always be straight, so, you keep pressing on with faith believing, walk worthy of the calling to which you were called, do not allow negative thoughts or negative people to keep you from experiencing the good things God has ordained for you, for while man is looking at your outward appearance, God is looking at your heart. Praise the Lord!

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness and having your feet shod in the preparation of the gospel of peace, and above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one, and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God, praying always with prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end, with all perseverance. Ephesians 6: 12-18

Today is America’s Independence Day celebration with parades and music and fireworks and food, but my prayer this day, is for every one of us to celebrate God in this manner. Many are ashamed to stand up for Jesus. They will not parade for God because they are afraid. They do not celebrate God with gladness in music and food. They are quiet worshipers instead of being on fire for God, so that others will be able to join in their celebration, to let others know that because of God’s grace, they are free, that it’s ok to depend on God and to celebrate Him with parades, music, fireworks and food. Today is your day to celebrate God in a big way, and thank Him for freedom from sin and the evil way, and to invite others to join in your celebration, for today’s celebration is only one day, but celebrating GOD should be every day.

Heavenly Father, we come into your presence this morning, not only because we have needs, but in thanksgiving for the signs and miracles that you reveal to us. Lord, help us each day to make time for you, to spend time with you in prayer, so that we could hear and understand your will for us. Lord, many have started this journey with you but have fallen along the way, and we ask that you turn them around Lord, set them on the right path. Only you Lord, could order our unruly minds, only you have the power to forgive and renew, so therefore, be merciful unto us, create in us clean hearts and renew right spirits within us for Jesus Christ sake we pray. Amen!