Got a bug running around in our neck of the woods, been wrestling with something the past couple of days and Steven is sick and down today.  Rarely does he get ill, but he is and it caused him to miss church this morning which is even rarer.

We will be fine, it just isn’t fun.

Fixin’ some chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, creamed corn, and biscuits for lunch with a cherry cobbler for desert.  I should be able to eat, Steven is still down – but there are always leftovers.

Getting’ hungry.  But, Carla is just now getting off and I promised her that it would be about 1400 for lunch.

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Hebrews 9:26-28  KJV  “ For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

²⁷ And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

²⁸ So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

In today’s age I am finding more and more people who do not ‘need’ to accept God as the Creator, the All Knowing, the Savior.

There has always been a resistance by humanity to acknowledge their need of a Savior.

“I am a good person, I do XYZ, if I make mistakes and I am sorry, that should be enough – if God is as loving as you claim then He will forgive me and if there is a heaven, let me in.”

“Why should I burden myself with the travails of a ‘religious life?’  The self-proclaimed Christians I know are always miserable, afraid they will offend God by committing a sin, rather than enjoying life.”

Then of course now the current sentiments are that to discuss Christ is being offensive to everyone who doesn’t believe in Him – or don’t want to be called out for their sins.

The Christian is being figuratively clapped into irons with a band on their mouth by laws and accusations of hatred that continued to be drawn tighter for those that want to share His love and Word with others.

Some governments within the United States are trying to get power over even the preacher in his pulpit proclaiming God’s Word to those that believe in a like manner.

Trying to explain that all will go before the judgment seat of God to someone that doesn’t want to listen has become more difficult – but it has always been that way from one degree to another.

We know that Christians have been persecuted, incarcerated, tortured and killed because of their proclamations for centuries.  And, of course, we know that in many countries throughout our world today Christians are still undergoing these conditions created by their government.

It would appear that America may not be far behind.  The laws that have been passed by man that make sins legal and proclaiming God’s Word offensive makes it difficult to help the sinner understand that just because something is lawful doesn’t mean it is not sinful.

But it falls on deaf ears. 

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

   Still, we have an obligation to God to share His Gospel.  Because it may be difficult doesn’t relieve us of that responsibility. 

    Christ’s churches are growing and thriving in some of the most oppressive countries in the world.  God moves because Christians pray, know the Word and share it with others.

    It is amazing, when you allow the Holy Spirit to direct your path, how many opportunities we have of sharing God’s love with others; allowing the Holy Spirit to use us in reaching even the most difficult people.

    It can be difficult to testify, and even discouraging when in doing so it seems to be on deaf ears, but we never know how those words and actions are going to affect the person down the road – nor how the Holy Spirit is reaching them.

    We may be the first person that shares Jesus’ love with them, we may be somewhere in the middle, or we may be the last – where we are is not as important as obeying God as He directs us.

    We are not responsible for the results, only the obedience to God.   He will do the rest.

    We just have to remember, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

    And show our genuine concern and love.

Later, Art (-: