Annie's 4th of July Page

In the United States, Independence Day is celebrated on July 4th.
On that day in 1776, the Continental Congress
adopted the Declaration of Independence.

What does the Bible say about Freedom and Independence?
There are no verses with "Freedom" or "Independence" in them.
What about verses with the word "free"? There are 58 verses in the KJV.

1 Peter 2:16 "As free, and not using [your] liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God."

Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

What about the Christians who are being persecuted
and killed for their faith?

As American Christians we take so much for granted. We have freedom of speech. We have freedom to worship. We can attend the Church of our choice. Most of us have more then one Bible in our home. Some of us don't even read the Bible we have.

We as Christians and Americans can't even comprehend what is going on in the world. There is more Persecution of Christians in the world now then there has ever been. Some Christians have been arrested for having Bibles. There is a bill that is being considered in Israel that would also make it possible to arrest a Christian for having any material that would try to convert a Jew to Christianity. Some Christians were recently arrested for attending a Bible study.

There are so many things happening today in Christian news that we just don't hear about on the National or Local news. But rest assured there is much persecution of Christians all over the world.

How would you be able to deal with being in prison for your faith?
Would there be enough evidence to arrest you as a Christian?
Can people "see" your faith?

We are told in the Bible that if Christ suffered we should expect nothing less. The early Christians were in an underground. They had secret codes. Like the Icathus, symbol. (see this page of mine for an explanation)

The New Testament Christians were arrested, imprisoned and even killed for their faith and witness for the Lord.

What if your Bible were confiscated?
Do you know any verses by memory?
Are you willing to DIE for your FAITH?

With so much persecution in the world............we may not experience such freedom for ever.

Can you say the verses below and mean every word from deep within you?

"For the which cause I also suffer these things: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day." 2 Timothy 1:12

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me an my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

If you are not a Christian..........visit the Campus Crusade "Four Spiritual Laws" site and make your decision today. With all the things happening in the world you can't afford to wait. Nuclear weapons, tornadoes, fires, shootings and more.

If you are a Christian..........you have a choice to make right now.
Are you prepared and ready to die for your faith?
What is holding you back from letting the Lord be the Lord of your life?

"And Jesus said unto him, no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back , is fit for the kingdom of God."

Luke 14: 26-27 & 33 "If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."

Luke 9:62 "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Here is what the Bible tells us to do under persecution.........

Flee from.............Mat 10:23 "But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come."
Rejoice in................................Mat 5:12 "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
Be patient under...........1 Cor 4:12 "And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:"
Glorify God in................1 Peter 4:16 "Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."
Pray during.......Mat 5:44 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

"And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father but by Him." Colossians 3:17

"Jesus said If the world hate your, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you ; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me." John 15: 18-21

Comfort yourselves with these words .........
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.' So that we may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me'."......Hebrews 13:5-6