Daily Devotional

Fireworks and Kentucky Fried Chicken

by Jon Hathorn on July 04, 2022

"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24

BOOM, SIZZLE, POP, CRACKLE - THEN OH and AHH

Those are the noises at a fireworks display.  The colors are blue, white, and red. Some of them are really big, some squirrely, some repetitive and every once in a while there is a dud with no light. It is a fun thing to do, to watch the fireworks.

When I was growing up, we used to walk about 7 blocks to a park and put out a blanket, and then we would wait for the fireworks.  I was excited, and I mean excited.  I couldn't sit still, and I just would get anxious and enthusiastic, making a nuisance of myself to everyone near us. And then it would happen, I would start to calm down, until I saw some family with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.  My enthusiasm and restlessness would grow and then I would once again be disruptive and passionately irritating.  I was jealous and wondered why we didn't have any KFC on our blanket.

Whenever I think of the Fourth of July, I think of Fireworks and Kentucky Fried Chicken.  BUT.  When I think about it as Independence Day, I think about my freedom as a citizen of America, and then I think about the freedom I have in Jesus Christ.  Jesus fought for my freedom from sin.  He died and set me free from the bondage of guilt - and that is something I should celebrate.

Today, I am making a choice to celebrate.  Since it is July 4th, I am going to take the time to thank Him for 4 incredible freedoms.

  1. FREEDOM FROM GUILT - Taking my guilt on the cross.
  2. FREEDOM TO PEACE - Giving me a peace that surpasses all understanding.
  3. FREEDOM TO WORSHIP - Because of His actions, I can approach the throne of God in prayer and praise.
  4. FREEDOM FROM CONSEQUENCES - I deserve separation from God, and because of His actions - I am no longer bound to those negative consequences.

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