I imagine many of you have already begun your INDEPENDENCE DAY celebration. Over on our side of town, folks began shooting fireworks at the beginning of this week!

Over these last 250 years, GOD has richly blessed these United States of America. When it comes to this nation, “GOD shed His grace on thee,” as boldly proclaimed in the song AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL, is an understatement!

One of the ways GOD has blessed this nation is by giving us many great leaders at just the right time when they were most needed. The year I was born, John F. Kennedy stepped into the office of President. One of the most important and often quoted statements he made was from his Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961. Near the conclusion of that speech he said: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country.” Rather than acting as passive recipients of government benefits, or harsh critics, he challenged ordinary Americans to commit themselves to the success and progress of the nation. It was not a completely original concept.

Thousands of years earlier GOD gave that command to HIS people. It is recorded in Jeremiah chapter 29. I’m praying you’ll join us as we give thanks to GOD for HIS blessing on our nation and humbly ask HIM for more. We’ll also look to HIS word to discover the role HE has assigned if we truly want to see HIS future blessings come on our nation!

Pastor Joe Still