“Blessed are you when
men hate you, and ostracize, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for
the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, and
behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers
used to treat the prophets.” (Luke 6:22-23).
Hey Gang: I am
writing this Morning Message in a beautiful apartment at Voice of Martyrs in
Bartlesville, Oklahoma where the temperature has been bouncing between ten
below and ten above since we arrived three weeks ago. I need to confess that
I seriously considered that the five hundredth blog would be my swan
song. How many know the ‘best
laid plans of mice and men’ tend to go by the boards, very rapidly.
Soon after my arrival
here a half of dozen folks informed me they start their day with the blogs and others,
over hearing the conversation, asked for cards so they could tune in. So,
here I am in blog number 502- but who is counting? I do need to confess
that my total source for writing these morning messages is from the Throne Room
of Heaven and l will know when to stop--- when He(Yeshua) no longer spoon
feeds me in what He would have me share with you.
A second reason I
feel the need to continue to send out these messages is we, my bride and I tend
to spend many hours seeking a deeper understanding of God’s final plans for
this world we live in and we need to share that information as watchmen. Now,
please understand, I do not believe we have any inside track about what
is happening, but we do have the time to seek and learn, as well as glean from
trusted teachers. As retired, very senior citizens, our working day is
restricted to bringing the wood in, keeping the drive way plowed and going to
the grocery store for vittles once in a while, except Here at VOM which is 8
hour work days.
As I mentioned we are
presently volunteering at Voice of Martyrs. It is one of the
very high points in our year and a tremendous blessing to be so used by our
heavenly Daddy to help the persecuted believers around the world. One of
the neat fringe benefits about being here is we blessed to hear from warriors
who have experienced persecution as a way of life. This helps to bring us up to
speed the way it really is, in a large portion of the world.
Tuesday is Chapel time – over 100 of us
together in worship and praise. Last week we were introduced to a ministry
sponsored by VOM in Nigeria to widows whose husbands have been martyred.
As I listened to the two ladies, who recently returned from Nigeria,
I wondered if I would have the courage, if someone with gun in hand gave me the
option to deny Christ or die, what would I do?
Since the 26th of
January more than 200 Christians have been killed by Boko Haram
terrorist. They have been known to surround a church while in
session, set it on fire and kill those who try to escape. Recently
Islamist terrorists attacked a church in Waga Chakawa Village and killed
22 Christian and another 26 as they were fleeing from their homes.
Soooo, I ask you,
could this happen in the United States of American, the home of the free and
the brave, founded on the principles of free speech and freedom to worships the
Lord anytime and anyplace? Are we seeing the doors beginning to close in
our nation on freedom to worship and share our God with all
people? What price are you willing to pay?
Blessings,
Gramps
PS From Gma: I’m sure
you are aware that this is already happening in our schools, public areas,
military and many Government offices.
One of the young high school volunteers from AR, who worked with me,
talked about his ‘persecution’ at school.
He has been sent to detention, over and over, and whatever is the next
level, and threatened for reading his Bible – even tho his work is completed
and they have free time; others are playing
computer games or whatever.
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