FIRST ON FOX: Even with the issues we’ve got on this nation proper now, “we’re nonetheless a blessed nation,” Ed Vitagliano, government vp of the American Household Affiliation, advised Fox Information Digital this week as Individuals take time to rejoice the Fourth of July on Thursday and all through the vacation weekend.
Based mostly in Tupelo, Mississippi, Vitagliano, additionally an ordained minister who pastors a church in northeast Mississippi, famous, “Numerous thousands and thousands are struggling all over the world in a myriad of how, not the least of that are in lives lived below dictatorship and oppression.”
So “as we keep in mind the blessings of liberty” through the vacation, he mentioned, “allow us to additionally keep in mind our obligations to keep up our personal freedoms.”
“In a agency reliance on Almighty God, allow us to obey the Lord, love each other and work to free our neighbors that each one may prosper.”
A number of different religion leaders, pastors and authors who work within the religion and tradition area shared ideas for July 4th this 12 months because the nation celebrates its 248th birthday.
“This July 4, I’m in Alaska with wounded veterans and their spouses as part of Samaritan’s Purse Operation Heal Our Patriots,” Rev. Franklin Graham advised Fox Information Digital in an emailed message simply forward of the Fourth.
“It’s all the time a privilege to commemorate our Independence Day with these tried and examined warriors who, together with their households, have sacrificed a lot for our freedoms,” he mentioned.
“I thank God for them and for individuals who serve at present to guard this nation.”
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He additionally famous, “As we rejoice Independence Day, we should additionally keep in mind the place our freedom comes from: It comes from God.”
“I thank Him for this nice nation and our freedom from tyranny — and for His hand of mercy and blessing on it by way of the years,” mentioned the North Carolina-based religion chief.
“My prayer this July 4 is that we might flip to Him slightly than flip farther away from Him.”
Alex McFarland, a faith and tradition professional and director of Christian Worldview and Apologetics at North Greenville College in North Carolina, advised Fox Information Digital, “The gorgeous factor concerning the Framers of our nation is that they have been so well-read, literate — and sure, godly principled folks.”
He added, “They knew what true justice was — not social justice as [today’s] woke, on-line influences would outline it — however justice because the legal guidelines that conduct the character of God.”
He added, “Let’s thank God for our nation this week and rejoice the truth that we stay on this stunning United States of America.”
Katy Talento, based mostly in Washington, D.C., is government director of the Alliance of Well being Care Sharing Ministries. She served as prime well being adviser on the White Home Home Coverage Council.
For July 4th this 12 months, she expressed concern concerning the state of Individuals’ well being, each bodily and psychological.
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“America has by no means been sicker, fatter, extra anxious and depressed in our historical past,” she mentioned in emailed feedback. “Half of all kids have a minimum of one persistent situation,” she added.
“Not coincidentally, a relationship to a better energy and spiritual affiliation is at document lows,” she mentioned.
“As we rejoice July 4th this 12 months, it is time to foment a brand new revolution towards the company overlords who’re destroying our our bodies and souls.
“Most necessary, we should pray for a season of revival of our nation’s non secular dependence on God — the true root of American greatness.”
Tim Clinton, president of the American Affiliation of Christian Counselors based mostly in Lynchburg, Virginia, advised Fox Information Digital, “As we mirror on Independence Day, Christians should always remember the biblical foundations that America was constructed upon and ‘deal with the longer term’ with a view to guarantee these foundations by no means develop into misplaced.”
Clinton mentioned, “It is a second we can’t overlook. The nation’s decline in faith has far-reaching results, not solely on the way forward for the church, but in addition on the make-up of the American household and the way forward for America because it pertains to politics, lifestyle, biblical morals, and so forth.
“America is at a crossroads, and the combat for religion, household and future shouldn’t be non-obligatory,” he mentioned. “We can’t miss the chance to step into the combat for our household, religion and freedoms. We will — and, I imagine, will — win this combat, one household, one mother, one dad, at some point at a time.”
The Fourth of July, mentioned Pastor Jesse Bradley of Auburn, Washington, “is a time of celebration and reflection for our nation. Sincerely and wholeheartedly, we thank God for His safety and provision.”
He additionally mentioned, “We’re grateful for everybody who serves our nation, sacrifices and dangers their very own security for the sake of others.”
God, mentioned the writer and pastor of Grace Neighborhood Church, “has showered His blessings, grace and persistence on America. As fireworks fill the sky, we don’t take the kindness and mercy of God with no consideration.”
On the similar time, “we mirror on our previous, assess our current situation and stay up for the longer term with recent hope and imaginative and prescient.”
On this latter level, he mentioned, “we have to make some adjustments in America. We have to come residence and return to God.”
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Stated Bradley, “God is trustworthy with all of His guarantees. The phrase of God stands ceaselessly. Are you able to hear His mild voice, beckoning to us? Whoever has ears to listen to, allow them to hear. The Good Shepherd cares about the soul of our nation and every of us individually (Revelation 3:20).”
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He additionally shared ideas concerning the notion of liberty on this vacation.
“Independence was a significant step ahead for our nation that we are going to all the time keep in mind. The beginning of our nation included an escape and rescue from injustice.”
At the moment, he mentioned, “we’ve got the unimaginable freedom to worship God and stay the plentiful life that Jesus gives.”
However “actual liberty contains breaking freed from patterns of sin and adverse pondering,” he mentioned.
“Actual liberty contains caring for orphans and offering a ceaselessly household.”
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And “actual liberty contains ending human trafficking. Actual liberty contains repentance and shifting from darkness to mild.”
He added, “Jesus has the facility to ship us from the depths of despair, the deceitfulness of false educating and harmful selfishness.”
“There is pleasure in God‘s presence and within the freedom that Jesus completed by way of His demise and resurrection (Eph. 4:2-6).”
