Freedom and Suffering...

Acts 28:11-31
Paul Arrives and Preaches in Rome Under Guard
"Go and say to my people,
You will hear my words, but you will not understand;
you will see what I do, but you will not perceive its meaning.
For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes - so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them."

I read a blog today http://kevinincambodia.blogspot.com/2011/12/nov-update-someones-waiting-or-taking.html and I find today's passage very relevant. To fully hear God's cry, we have to open our hearts and hands to receive Him... those who don't want to hear His message will find every reason to falsify His word and love... I am reminded of the very society we live in... the aethesists and the claims for "freedom" of speech and thought... what about our right to pray and stand for what we believe.  For now, I feel like have no "religious freedom" to practice what I want to do...  I want to be able to openly pray for the people and children I work with... 

1 Peter 4:12- 5:7
Suffering for Being a Christian
"If you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you."

We must also humble ourselves under God and in his good time he will honour us. Give all our worries to him, for he will care what happens to us.

Today we completed our insemination procedure.  Prognosis doesn't look that promising since there is no telling if I will release more than 1 egg and my husband had less than the recommended minimum number of viable sperm... like I said before, it will only be with God's approval and divine intervention that we conceive.

Living for God

Acts 28:1-10
Paul on the Island of Malta
When they first met Paul, a snake attached itself to his hand.  Paul managed to shake off the snake and was not bitten.  The people first cried that this was justice, Paul was no good and God was punishing him.  But when the realized Paul was untouched, they decided God must love him.  Paul then healed the sick in Malta and the people believed...

1 Peter 4: 7-11
Living for God
Most importantly, show deep love for one another. Love covers sins. Share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. Manage God's gifts well so that He can work through us...

I do hear this passage speak out at me regarding sharing my dwelling and offering my friend a place to stay when she visits our country in a few weeks time.