Notes from this week's podcast: Before Freedom There Was Fire

Reflect on what the day means, remember how the day came about, remember how Father God was involved in bringing it about -- that we would have a nation, that we would be free to worship Him. 

Use it as a lesson going forward to meet some of the needs -- the desperation -- our nation has today. 

Remember all the things that happened in the physical -- the battles, the commitment -- to fight for independence. 

Remember the things that happened in the the spiritual -- not just so we could be independent of a British nation but so that (being independent from them) we were totally free to be dependent upon the Almighty God. 

Are we living in the fullness of the Independence Day? Are we celebrating that our nation is living in total dependency upon the Almighty God?

Before the fireworks, there was a fire of the Holy Spirit that moved across our nation. It was the Spirit of the living God that was moving among men through leaders, everyday Christians, through preachers. 

But for God, it would have been impossible. 

In this spiritual movement that preceded Independence Day, July 4th, we can look back and see what happened by the move of the Holy Spirit to see how we need to pray moving forward for today. 

(1) We need a spiritual movement. (2) We need miracles to take place (the supernatural involvement of God). (3) We need to live in such a way to protect our independence (living in dependence on God, not just talk). 

Pray in the fire of the Holy Spirit. How did they do it? 

(1) There was much preaching. (2) There was much prayer. (3) There was much proclaiming the miracles that came through the name of the Lord that they looked to. 

God always uses judgment to restore righteousness. 

* This Declaration of Independence comes from the laws of nature and of nature's God. >> The Holy Spirit of God preceded the writing of the Declaration of Independence. 

* We held these truths to be self-evident. >> The Truth of God is what sets you free. 

* That all men are created equal. >> It didn't matter what sect they were from. 

* That they are endowed >> by our Creator God

* ... With certain inalienable rights >> born to be free, pursuant to the will of God, to proclaim the Gospel, that people would be reconciled back to God

*... Rights among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness >> These rights didn't come from a king but from God 

* This government would secure these rights. >> from the consent of the governed 

* For the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence >> They looked to the Almighty God; they were relying upon Him for the protection of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness 

What preceded the physical price (of our freedom)? A spiritual movement

Many people paid the price - to get on their face and pray and fast: for the state of their union and be unified, for God to move quickly showing their dependence upon God, for the name of the Lord to be proclaimed because of the miracles that happened. 

Pray Psalm 102:15 and 118:26a: 

May nations fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth fear Your glory. May we be blessed in the name of the Lord our God. 

When you see the fireworks, let it be a reminder to pray for the fire of the Holy Spirit to be unleashed among us, around us, and throughout our nation. 

Scripture for further study: 2 Corinthians 3:17, Genesis 1:27, Psalm 102:15, Psalm 118:11, 26a