“If the Son, therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV).

As Americans we have the privilege of enjoying more freedom than any nation in history. We have the freedom to get an education. We have the freedom to live where we want, to travel where we want, to work at whatever occupation we want and achieve whatever we want. Most importantly, we have the freedom to Worship God as our conscious dictates. America provides us with more opportunities than any nation anywhere. These freedoms are guaranteed by our Constitution. But as the Educator Thomas Sowell once said: “We are guaranteed equal opportunities. We are not guaranteed equal outcomes.”

Our freedoms were purchased at great cost! It cost the lives of men and women in the founding of our nation. Those freedoms have been preserved at great cost through our present day. The lesson each generation must learn is that Freedom is not free!
Someone must pay the price for it.

However, if we only have the freedom as an American citizen, we are still not free!

For the ultimate freedom, the freedom from sin and death, can only be found in Christ!

This freedom was purchased at great cost! It cost the life of the Son of God, Jesus Christ! But through His death and His Mighty resurrection, the power of sin was broken! And all who receive Him as their Redeemer are set free from the power and the penalty of sin (Romans 6: 6-7)! And although the gift is free (Eph. 2:8-9) the price of that gift was costly! And like our freedom as American citizens, let us also cherish the freedom we have in Christ. May we never take it for granted!

Rev. James Black

Forgiveness is the one thing that all of the redeemed have experienced. The most powerful word that we can hear from the Holy One is the word: FORGIVEN! All of us needed it! And all who have accepted Christ as their Savior have received it! That is the good news of the gospel.

But in Matthew 6: 14-15 Jesus reveals what forgiveness does. Forgiveness brings us into right standing with God (Colossians 1: 13-14). But forgiveness also brings us into right standing with others. All human relationships (including Christian relationships) requires forgiveness. All of us have been wounded at one time or another. And if we are honest, there have been times that we have wounded others.

In order to grow and mature as followers of Christ, we must actively engage in forgiveness. We cannot afford to harbor offenses in our lives. If not dealt with quickly, they will take root and produce resentment, anger and bitterness in our soul. And the joy of Christ in our life will be diminished.

What is even more important to realize is that if we do not freely and willingly forgive others, it can hinder God’s forgiveness toward us. It is one thing to not be right with others. It i another thing to not be right with God. We have a tendency to compartmentalize forgiveness. God does not. The Lord says that if we have not forgiven others, if we have not made things right with others, we are not right with Him. And that is serious stuff!

Rev. James Black

In Isaiah 54:17, the Lord makes a promise to Israel and to all who serve Him and honor Him. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…”. That is a powerful promise. The evil one will always seek to come against the people of God. He will fashion all kinds of weapons of lies and deceit to frustrate, discourage, intimidate and destroy the advancement of God’s Kingdom. But regardless of what the evil one attempts to do, the Lord’s people and His Kingdom will continue to advance until everything is fully and completely consummated in Him. (Colossians 1: 16-18).

Just like when Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land, there will be battles to fight. Those battles will require faithfulness and perseverance. But be assured of this one thing, a victorious outcome is certain. (Revelation 1:18).

So let us, the Redeemed of God, rise up, stand up, speak up and live up to our calling in this darkened world; empowered and equipped by the Power of the Holy Spirit. The evil one will come against us, but he will not be successful! Because if God is for us (and He is) then who can stand against us! (Romans 8:31).

Rev. James Black

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.” (Psalm 33:18 KJV).

What a comforting thought to realize that the Holy One is constantly watching over those who belong to Him. The Lord sees and knows everything about everyone, including the unbeliever. But He especially watches over those who have surrendered their lives unto Him and have become a part of His eternal family.

The Lord knows where you are right now. He sees what you are going through. He understands exactly what you need. Nothing has escaped Him. And not only does He see you, He also cares deeply for you. You re His own! You belong to Him! Your are valuable and precious to Him! And He will not allow the circumstances of life or the onslaught of the evil one to overcome you.

He will use everything, even the hard and difficult things, to strengthen you and deepen your faith in Him. Therefore, continue to walk with Him and trust Him, even when you do not see Him. For it is not as important that we see Him as it is that He sees us! And we have the absolute assurance of His Word that He does!

James W. Black

“…thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people and nation.” (Rev. 5:9 KJV).

The value of an item is determined by its cost. And the cost is ultimately determined by what an individual is willing to pay. The cost of our redemption was far greater than we can possibly imagine. And yet the Father’s love for us was so great that He was willing to pay the price!

We often do not think of what it cost the Father to redeem us. The shedding of the blood of Jesus was one of the most horrific events in all of human history. The One who is totally innocent took the full punishment of all of us who are totally guilty! The Father’s holiness required Him to pour out the fullness of His wrath upon His Son. The Father was required to judge Him (Jesus) just as if He was judging us! He could hold nothing back! (Isaiah 53: 10-11). The horror and the wonder of that is beyond our comprehension. The finite human mind struggles to grasp the depth and the magnitude of that. Only in the infinite mind of God can it be fully understood.

But what we can understand is this. The Father’s infinite love for us moved Him to do whatever was necessary to bring us into complete fellowship with Him! For the Father and the Son, it was worth the price! Only the precious blood of Jesus redeems us in the sight of God! That blood is on the Mercy Seat before the Throne of God! That blood is applied to our hearts the instant we believe and receive Jesus as our Savior. That blood makes us righteous in His sight! And that blood is available to all people of all nations for all time! That blood is pure! That blood is precious! That blood is holy! That blood is priceless! May we ever treasure this great salvation. May we never take it for granted.

James W. Black