the most of your time, because the days are evil.
For the New Year of 2009, would you consider signing a “Mental Declaration of Independence” even though July the 4th is 7 months away!
For the sake of greater things that lie ahead, join me today and let’s place our names on the line, pledging ourselves with firm resolve to Independence from the Control and Manipulation of Human Mandates, much like those brave men did on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia when they signed the Declaration of Independence.
Just a side note, before you sign on the dotted line … I recently discovered, through my personal studies, that of the fifty-six courageous men who signed that original document in Philadelphia, many did not survive the war that followed? Five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Nine others died in the Revolutionary War, either from its hardships or its bullets. Twelve had their homes sacked, looted, burned, or occupied by the enemy. Two lost their sons in battle. One had two sons captured.
In other words, the price of being the FIRST to solidify the Foundation necessary to secure Personal Freedom and Liberty was high indeed for those men. But then again (as some of your have experienced in the last few years) deciding to be free, to think and live independently and to soar above the masses is always a costly decision.
In today's vernacular, committed individuals “live with shallow tent pegs”. They may own things, but nothing owns them. They have a mind that is open to anything - but attached to nothing. They have come to terms with the Merchandise of Man Made Religion and its price tag and have opted for commitment to values that are priceless. For them – traditions of men, current popularity, the applause of others and the support of former peers is no longer important, in fact, it isn’t even considered a Worthy Pursuit. For they have discovered that no amount of money, fame or ease is worth the price of compromising your soul and the Principles that you have discovered to be valid and true for your own life.
You see, submission, loyalty and the devotion of denying oneself is not to be equated with losing one's uniqueness, personal identity or allowing another to debase your particular giftings as being of no value to the Groups Best Interests. There have been great people in each generation who modeled self-denial as they made significant contributions to humankind. And many times those acts of change were considered by others to be defiant, non-traditional and even to verge as heretical by the populace who had become satisfied with the status quo. I recently made the statement, “Sometimes the only difference between a heretic and a prophet is 20 years.” Remember, that our nation was founded by those considered at the time to be traitors, dis-loyal and heretics.
In fact, my former religious affiliation was created in 1945 by a group of men who left another organization because they were not allowed to express the fresh, new revelations that God was giving them. They left as heretics over a current truth to form an organization where personal identities, new ideas and diversity could be celebrated. How quickly we forget were we come from and the freedoms that we sacrificed for!
Yet, chief among those who model an historical record of sacrifice for the furtherance of current revelation and much needed change to a structure of man made control is Jesus Christ Himself. He is our champion of self-denial and yet one who would not be denied nor compromise a fresh revelation of God to a current generation in relative terms! Christ is the One to whom we look for guidance and strength for such a great task as standing for Liberty. And might I also tell you that there is a great confidence in knowing that He is the King who has already determined what it will take to encounter and triumph over life's enemies.
But, the question for you as we set our gaze upon 2009 as the sunset of 2008 sighs and slowly disappears is, “What will it take?” The answer is:
- A few strong, quality-minded champions whose commitment to freedom and liberty is solid as stone; who have an understanding that the cost will be great – but the rewards will be even greater!
Fellow believer, may you “Shine in 2009” as you continue to be a Light for Freedom and Liberty through the Finished Work of the Cross and the Blood of Jesus Christ!
