The title of our lesson yesterday was "Free" which is a great title for this week. With July 4th coming in two days, it's a time for us to reflect on the freedoms and liberties we enjoy living in this great nation.
But the "freedom" we looked at yesterday has to do with the liberty the Holy Spirit gives us.
Like a GPS, the Holy Spirit is the guiding force for Christians. It corrects our course when we lose our way. And if we listen closely, it will tell us what we should do.
On the night that Jesus was to be arrested, He told his disciples that He must leave for the Holy Spirit to come. The Holy Spirit would dwell within them and with all Christians through time.
The best illustration I could come up with was from the movie, "The Bear". Here's the clip we watched:
When he could fight no more, the little bear roars his pathetic roar at the mountain lion. The mountain lion doesn't fear the little cub's roar, but fled when he saw and heard Daddy bear's roar. That's how it is with us. Our power is nothing compared to what the Holy Spirit can accomplish.
Pray, spend time in God's Word, listen for Him to speak--those are the ways you can harness the power of the Holy Spirit. He'll do great things through you if you will let Him.
One final prayer request: You may have missed a story about an airplane crash in South Dakota. Why would this touch us? Follow me for just a minute. The plane was from the 145th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Still wondering the connection? The planes of the 145th are the responsibility of my brother-in-law, my wife's sister's husband. His job is to get the planes ready to do anything from deliver troops and supplies in Afghanistan to fighting fires in South Dakota.
The plane that crashed was a C-130. It flies with a crew of six. The names of those killed won't been released until their families have been notified.
This plane crash happening just before July 4th got me to thinking.
I want to take a moment to thank those serving in our National Guards and Reserves. These are the true "citizen soldiers" who personify those who took up arms for our freedom 236 years ago. They work hard at their "real" jobs and then give a weekend each month and a week each summer to train.
They are the first ones called when a natural disaster hits domestically. They stand in the breach overseas fighting our wars. They work down the hall from you. They chose the Guard or Reserve for different reasons. And their choice brings consequences they may not have foreseen. But they do it anyway.
The loss of these airmen will be felt by their family and friends. But the actions those airmen took while alive will also be felt. Ours is the responsibility to support those left behind. There's a son who'll never get to play catch with his dad again; a daughter who won't have her dad to walk her down the aisle. We must not marginalize the families of those who paid the ultimate price.
I know some may say it is more noble to perish in combat than dying while fighting fires. I disagree. In both cases, the mission is the same: "Protect Americans". Whether overseas or around the corner, that is what the Guard and Reserves are tasked to do.
In closing, I honor those who gave their lives fighting fires in South Dakota. I pray for their families and friends. I pray that God gives them comfort and the Holy Spirit is with them. Join me by doing the same.
Thank you for your time. Make it a great week.
Loyally yours,
Darren Bayne
“The end result of your life here on earth will always be
the sum total of the choices you made while you were here.” Dr. Shad Helmstetter
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