MEMORIAL DAY

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

MEMORIAL DAY

(Deu 8:18)  "And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…

Memorial Day is a United States holiday observed on the last Monday of May.  Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I.  Many observe this holiday by flying the flag and visiting cemeteries and memorials.   Volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at National Cemeteries.  In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also used as a time for picnics, barbecues, and gatherings with family and friends.  Memorial Day is also viewed as the unofficial beginning of summer (with Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season.)

Freedom comes at a price.  How important it is to remember the sacrifices of others who have made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we have today.  I like to see the flag’s colors as…Red:  The blood of the slain.  White:  The purity of the sacrifice made for others.  Blue:  The heaven we enjoy because of that soldier’s sacrifice.  We have a lot of problems in our country but we do have immense advantages and most of all we are free!  And it’s because of the soldiers sacrifice of history as well as those securing our freedoms today by the giving of their lives.  You can be pro or con for the current wars we wage but let’s not forget that soldier’s sacrifice!

And as believers in Christ let’s remember all the Lord has done for us and our nation.  God has been good to us and we have been so undeserving.  It has been He who has given us the power to gain the wealth and prosperity we have.  God warned Israel to not forget His blessings but what did they do?  They forgot the Lord and took His blessings for granted.  They soon degraded into a pagan nation and then suffered the consequences under the correcting hand of God.  Isn’t that a pattern for any nation or individual who steps outside the will of God and becomes ungrateful?  

- (Psa 100:4)  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

- (Rom 1:21)  because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

- (Col 3:15)  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Everyday should be a memorial day.  Rising up in the morning and counting our blessings.  What a great way to start the day!  And then thinking that all we have is because someone made it possible.  It comes from the hand of God and those who gave up something for somebody else.  What an inspiration for us to live our lives sacrificially:  (Heb 13:16)  But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.  

And don’t forget the greatest sacrifice of all.  Jesus died on the cross to make us free from sin and destruction!  His blood is red for cleansing which makes us white as snow, so we can live in the blue of heaven forever!  Let’s take some time today to thank God for the sacrifices that have made us free!!

Louie