Scripture Reading
“So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. They answered Him, We are Abraham’s offspring (descendants) and have never been in bondage to anybody. What do You mean by saying, You will be set free? Jesus answered them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Whoever commits and practices sin is the slave of sin. Now a slave does not remain in a household permanently (forever); the son [of the house] does remain forever. So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.”
John 8:31-36 (AMPC)
Introductory Remarks:
At this time of the year, we take time out to celebrate the emancipation and independence of our country and people. There will be lots of talk of freedom. Certainly, everyone hungers for freedom from lack, from illness, from fear, and from bondage to any and all circumstances over which we have no control. However, we miss the real Truth if our thinking stays there, as there are no limitations or lack in Truth, or in God. Limitations are in the human experience. True freedom or independence is in the mind and many who have paved the way before us recognized this, connected to it, and forged the way for the freedom we have available to us today. While we may no longer be in physical chains, the quality of life we experience today depends on our own individual soul awakening to be our highest expression, and the ability to connect the dots in our life.
Major Points:
There is a connection between the quality of life we experience and our level of independence.
- There was no independence for anyone who did anything to break the status quo, improve their lives, or live at the top of their game without them seeing a glimpse of the perfect pattern – the starting point – The God of my Birth.
- Every connection that stems from the perfect pattern leads to a higher understanding of self and a greater demonstration of independence.
Quote
Before God and all mankind, I pledge the love and loyalty of my heart, the wisdom, and courage of my mind, the strength and vigor of my body in the service of my fellow citizens, I promise to stand up for Justice, Brotherhood, and Peace, to work diligently and creatively, to think generously and honestly, so that Jamaica may, under God, increase in beauty, fellowship, and prosperity, and play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race.
The Jamaica National Pledge
Assignment
Repeat the National Pledge daily for the next 30 days as part of your daily morning devotion and as you go through your daily activities and interactions remind yourself of your pledge to live in the land of our birth – the land of love, loyalty, courage, strength, justice, brotherhood, peace, diligence, creativity, generosity and honesty. If you recognize you have missed or fallen short in your daily thoughts or actions, just acknowledge it, forgive yourself, recommit, and accept your true default citizenship as a child of God.
Affirmative Songs
Me and the God of my Birth
Me and the God of my birth;
Me and the God of my birth.
This is my nature, my true nature,
Me and the God of my birth.
Dem Goals
Dem goals, dem goals, dem life* goals
Dem goals, dem goals, dem life goals
Now hear the word of the L.A.W (Life, Affairs, World)
*(Health, or any other Spiritual Idea)
Your life goal’s connected to your God goal,
And your God goal’s connected to your belief goal
Your belief goal’s connected to your thought goal,
So, hear the word of the L.A.W
Your thought goal’s connected to your feeling goal,
And your feeling goal’s connected to your word goal
Your word goal’s connected to your action goal,
So, hear the word of the L.A.W
Your action goal’s connected to your reaction goal,
And your reaction goal’s connected to your life goal
Your life goal’s connected to your God goal,
So, hear the word of the L.A.W