Memorial Day is a hollowed day in the United States of America. On the last Monday of May, we honor the memory of the individuals who sacrificed their lives while serving in the military and fighting for our freedom. In 1868, historians have pinpointed the original observance of this holiday as a Decoration Day after the American Civil War. It was a day set aside to decorate the graves of the deceased soldiers with beautiful flower arrangements.
Today, I am grateful for all those who have served in the Armed Forces of America. I am thankful for those who have fought in combat, for those who have traveled overseas, for those who have been wounded, for those in administrative positions, for those struggling with loneliness during their service, for those battling illnesses from their service, for those who have be critically injured, for those piloting the aircrafts, for those steering the submarines, for those who have been tortured, for those who have witnessed their comrades die, for the medical staff mending the wounds, and for each soldier who has sacrificed their life so I could enjoy the wonderful liberties of an American citizen. I will never forget the sacrificial love of each soldier. Thank you for your service!
Each soldier reminds me of the words of Jesus Christ in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Every Memorial Day I am not only reminded of the sacrifice of the soldiers in the American infantry, but I’m also reminded of the greatest sacrifice our world has ever observed when Jesus Christ demonstrated His marvelous, compassionate, lovingkindness towards mankind by dying on the cross of Calvary.
Today, I am eternally grateful for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrificial love towards me. I am thankful for Christ dying on the cross for my sins. I am thankful for Christ’s blood that has covered all my sins. I am thankful for Christ’s body that was broken for me. I am thankful that Christ conquered death, hell and the grave by His glorious resurrection. I am thankful that Christ has forgiven me of my sins and bestowed upon me eternal life. I am thankful that heaven is now my eternal home. I am thankful for the sinless, spotless, sacrificial Lamb of God who can radically transform lives today.
From the great lakes of Minnesota to the rolling hills of Tennessee. From the great plains of Texas, and from sea to shining sea. From the city of Detroit down to Houston, and from New York to L.A. It’s time that we courageously stand and compassionately say: I am thankful to be a Christian where at least I know I’m eternally free. I will never forget the Christ who died and gave that right to me! I will gladly stand up and defend His Word still today because there is no doubt I love the Lord. May God richly bless the United States of America!
Pastor Bryan, all you are thankful for, I am also. I would add that I am thankful for the love of a wonderful husband and our children and grandchildren. The Lord has certainly blessed me with keeping my husband safe during his military service in the Army and our son during his service in the Navy. They both served over 22 years each. Bless you for bringing this wonderful message to us. I have shared it with my husband.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and for your reply, Sherry! May God bless you and your family!
Beautifully written…words that convey a heart for our country, those who served and those who gave all. But, most of all I see a man who loves our Lord and is committed to serve Him. Blessings on you Bryan for being unafraid to speak Gods truth directly from His Word. Your message reminds all who read it of Gods great love for us. God bless you and all that you do to serve our Holy God.
Thank you for your kind words, Connie! May God bless you this Memorial Day!
Wonderful words. My heart is blessed by you and the Word of God.
Thank you, Sister Lester! Thank you for taking the time to read the post. May God’s blessings be upon you and your family!
My husband has PTSD from the Vietnam war and his days are challenging. Never forget!
Thank you for sharing, Gracie! I’ll certainly be praying for your husband. May God bless you and your family this Memorial Day!
Pastor
Thank you for this powerful post. We are blessed for the men and women who have served in order for us to have the freedom to worship.
Thank you Bryan for your messages and preaching God’s word.
We certainly are blessed, Doris! Thank you for reading my post. May God’s blessings be upon you and your family!
No truer words have ever been spoken. Amen.
Thank you, Karen! God bless you!
Excellent words, Pastor! God has given us freedom through the sacrifice of His Son. Let us also be eternally grateful to those men and women and their families who have preserved our nation’s freedom. May He continue to bless you as you relay His message to the Church.
Very true, Chris! Thank you for reading my post and sharing your thoughts. God bless you this Memorial Day!
Pastor Bryan…I repeat, you are a Blessing from God. Kerry and I are discussing you as I enter my comments. His comment was. ” he is a gift from God and he is ours!” I couldn’t have said it better. We love you and pray God continues to use you as his vessel to teach us. Kerry and Carol Perdue
Thank you for your kind words, Carol! May God continue to richly bless you and your family!
Beautifully written!!!
Thank you taking to read my post, Pam! God bless you!
Amen
Thank you for taking the time to read my post, Matt! God bless you and your family!
Beautiful, I too I’m thankful. Thankful that God sent His son Jesus to give his life for my sins so that I may forever be free! Also I am right across from parris island ! So blessed that those fellas over there with their short cut hair , allow me to live the life I live because of the sacrifice that they give! My brother and n law was killed in the beruit bombing October 23-1983. They came in peace! We have church outside from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Felt so safe as we were listening to the speaker looking out knowing semper fi was right across the water!may the angels guard their way!!!!!
Thank your for reading my post, Nancy! I am deeply sorry to hear about your relatives who passed away while serving our country. We enjoy our freedom because of soldiers like them. May God richly bless you and your family!
One of my favorite songs ” More Than A Name On The Wall”. To go to any National Cemetery during this time takes to an appreciation of our Country and to our Lord and Savior.
Can you even begin to imagine our soldiers last thoughts during intense battle. I would venture to say that God, Family and Country was at the forefront. Never served but my appreciation for active, deceased and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice makes me proud to be an American and a Christian.
Continue to inspire with your words Pastor and always leave it open to think beyond your powerful words. Love you Bryan.
Amen to that, Uncle Vance! I hope to visit the National Cemetery one day soon. Love you too!
I wish more people felt the need to appreciate our soldiers and what they have sacrificed for us all. I always get choked up when hearing patriot music because I feel each note represents a soldier who died giving me freedom. Christ’s love is sacrificial love and am eternal grateful for His love.