Today's Scripture for New Life's worship starts with these words:  ¹²Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. (Psalm 33:12 NIV) The Psalmist was referring to Israel when he wrote those words, but from the time Jesus came to the planet to die on the cross of all of us, to pay the penalty for our sin, the blessings of God extend to any person AND any nation who trust and follow Him.

For the mathematically inclined among us, we find two "equations" today's Scripture:  Blessed=the Nation,  Whose God=the Lord.  Any nation, any person, any family, any local congregation IS blessed when the God of the universe IS their Lord.  So here's the $64,000 question:  WHO IS YOUR Lord?  Who runs your life, because that's what a lord does?  Is it the Lord?  Or are you the Lord?  Or your spouse, your parents, your children, your boss?  Who IS the Lord of your life at this moment?  The answer to those questions determines the focus of your life right now---and for eternity!

The only lord who offers blessing for individuals and nations is THE Lord, the God of the universe who revealed Himself to us in Jesus Christ.  If He isn't your Lord and mine, then our lives cannot receive the fullest blessing possible.  If He isn't your Lord and mine, then we cannot live our lives in the abundance Jesus promised.  So right here and now, take a moment and ask yourself this question:  Is Jesus Christ truly Lord in my life?  Answer the question honestly.  If the answer is, "Yes," then PRAISE THE LORD!  If the answer is, "No," then make this Independence Day Weekend, just that--the weekend you gain independence from sin and death and become fully dependent on God as your Lord!

The process of transferring ownership is simple--not easy--but simple.  Admit that Jesus hasn't been the Lord, the owner, the boss of your life.  Confess the sins--the things you have done against Him, mainly by letting yourself or someone else be lord in your life.  Receive the reality of His Lordship in your life by transferring ownership.  Say something like, "Jesus, I am yours.  Come into my life and live as Lord.  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit (Jesus' living presence), and take charge."   The exact words you say aren't as important as giving Jesus control, giving Him the right to be your Lord.  Because as God's word reminds us:  Blessed is the nation (or the person!) whose God is the Lord!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, thank You for being the one, true and living God, and the only one worthy of lordship in our lives.  Thank You for sending Jesus to free us from sin and death.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may live boldly and confidently as Your children and servants today and always.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.