Ponderings of Faith on this Independence Weekend. Christ is King!

Happy Independence Folks!!

It’s hard to believe that our great country was founded 249 years ago this weekend. It is certainly a time to ponder our great accomplishments as a nation and to remember our Fallen Heroes who made freedom possible.

We also think about our active service members who continue to protect our freedom and our way of life, day in and day out.

In addition, it is a time to rejoice and be glad that the Lord has so richly blessed this Great Nation over the many decades since our Revolution.

I spent Independence Weekend like many of you. Surrounded by family while enjoying some delicious food, good conversations, having a few laughs and blowing things up.

When I say “blowing things up”, I mean my family brought a full arsenal of sparklers, firecrackers, smoke bombs, rockets, mortars, spinny things, you name it. All in the name of freedom, right!?!!

So after a very noisy hour or so of non-stop crackling, popping, banging and a few misfired rockets and mortars, we had a dramatic conclusion! The grand finale included three “multi-shot aerial repeaters” and completely stole the show with an absolute thrilling final minute and a half.

And then, just like that, it was over. Like many of the things around us, our firework show had a beginning, a middle, and then it had a dramatic and sudden conclusion. After a few straggling snaps and pops, it was over.

I say this because while it’s good to take pride in our country and to display that love in the form of BBQ’s or gatherings, it’s important to always remember how we got here, and more importantly, where it’s all going.

In the end, like everything else in this world, even the United States of America will cease to be. You can speculate on whether the end will come from whithin or from the outside or from the heaven’s above. But one thing is clear, the evidence is mounting all around us.

Think of the chaos and division we’ve witnessed through American politics in recent decades, especially with Trump's arrival on the scene. Think of the corruption and waste that has been discovered at all levels of government. Think of the massive debt we have accumulated. The recent flood of illegal immigration and the policies that allowed for it. Think about the MANY millions of unborn children who have been sacrificed at the alter of lifestyle and “freedom of choice”.

This is not God's design for America. This is a warped version of a once great Constitutional Republic that was founded on Judeo-Christian Values as "One Nation Under God".

Add to that now, wars that are being waged in Europe and the Middle East and the many proxy wars that are ongoing world-wide.

In the Book of Matthew, Jesus said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains." Matthew 4:4-8 (NIV)

I don't share these things to incite fear, but to share the much GREATER HOPE of what these world events and particularly the events here in the US signify.

That the return of Christ might be closer than many think.

I am an unashamed supporter of Donald J. Trump and I believe that our country is now moving in a profoundly more positive direction that looks to rollback some of the failed policies from the previous administration. However as they say, you can't legislate morality and true change to a country must begin with the individual.

For those that have read the Old Testament, we know what happened to the Israelites every time they turned away from God. He removed His blessing and allowed the enemies of Israel to overtake them, either bringing untimely death or forcing them into a life of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 reminds us,"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (NIV)

There was a reason Jesus didn't come to us as a political savior. That's because there is no such thing. All countries rise and fall. All political figures and regimes come and go. Trump and the US are no different.

We can be thankful that instead, Jesus came to us as a spiritual leader and instead of leading a rebellion against the Romans, He lead the lost away from their sin and showed them the gate to Heaven.

That means we must turn away from our idols (yes, especially our political ones) and turn back to our Heavenly Father who has blessed this great country for nearly a quarter-century.

Let us not decieve ourselves into thinking this country can't fail. Because it can and it most certainly will. However, there is one Kingdom that will NEVER fail and our Savior sits on the throne.

If you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, I invite you to get to know Him.

So while we wave the American Flag with pride this week, let's remember how we got here, and more importantly, where it’s all going.

Christ is King!

Be blessed.

Jeremy Kappell

Meteorologist, Writer, Journalist