Saturday, March 16, 2024

Witnessing - Telling What We Believe and Why


Etching: The Stoning of Stephen, by Rembrandt von Rinj
The William M. Ladd Collection, Gift of Herschel V. Jones, 1916
Minneapolis Museum of Art

While there are members visiting those in the hospital or home ill, and Sunday School teachers reaching out to new people visiting, as well as speaking to neighbors and sharing brochures, our church holds a monthly Outreach program. It has a few differences from the first list of contacting people, but does cover some of the same areas.

There have been as many as 35 people, and as few as a dozen attendees. We divide up into two specifics groups - those who will head out, usually two-by-two, to visit people from specific lists; and those (usually elderly women and a few others), who write letters inviting those moving into the community, and sending cards to those ill and shut-ins.

Those who go to visit go prepared to witness to others. A Christian's witness covers a wide number of subjects, but there are two examples in the book of Acts. I've been thinking about them as I prepare for next week's Sunday School lesson in Acts 7, where Luke recorded the stoning of Stephen.

Chapter 6 covers Stephen's ministry. Early in the chapter, the disciples approached the congregation witih a problem, and requested volunteers to help them. Those chosen to do so were:

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: (Acts 6:5 KJV)

Stephen quickly fulfilled their request:

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. (Acts 6:8 KJV)

But that created new problems within those who were trying to erase Jesus' name from their history:

Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, (Acts 6:9-12 KJV)

That's when I wondered how closely Stephen's witness before the rulers followed that of Paul in Acts 26. There were differences - Paul spent sometime explaining his personal Jewish heritage, specifically explaining how he persecuted Christians. Until he met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus:

At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. (Acts 26:13-15 KJV)

They both spoke of Abraham and the faithful through the judges, kings, and prophets. They spoke of their following Christ. Paul had years to witness to others before the sentence of death was carried out. Stephen's was much quicker:

Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:57-60 KJV)

See the name Saul in that paragraph? Christians know that he changed his name to Paul. He had seen, been a witness to, Stephen's death. I doubt that the thought of becoming a Christian crossed his mind as he kept the clothes free of the blood of an innocent man. However, he changed. He became a witness for Christ.

Every Christian is a witness to others of their belief. It's done by their attendance in a Christian congregation, gathering to worship and learn more about God and His work in Christian lives. However, Matthew 25:31-46 shows us that showing up in a congregation is insufficient.

We must live our faith, know upon what it is based, and witness to others what following Christ has been like in our lives. To do that, we must know what we believe and the base of our belief. For me, it is aa combination of personal experiences with prayers and their answers, knowing the source of my reason for praying as well as the God to whom I pray. I learn more about Him every single day as the days grow closer when I will meet Him.

We all die. It has been that way since time began and there are few stories of  specific people who were close enough to God not to experience death. I prefer to be able to explain to those who will listen why I believe Paul's witness:

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 
(Hebrews 12:2-3 KJV)

Christians, will you share your witness here that others might know that:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV)

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Change is Necessary

 

I had no experience with live oaks. Didn’t have a clue as to its age until we lost big limbs out of the middle. The man who cleaned up the tree so the damage would not attract damaging insects or cause greater damage verified the age. It has a 65 foot long canopy and is a candidate for Live Oak Society membership. I have the form all filled out, but haven’t come up with a name. Feel free to suggest one!

These trees stay leaf-filled all winter, standing in stark contrast to the empty limbs of other trees. I did not know that they shed their leaves only as new growth came in March (here) and was totally unprepared for the leaves to die (see above.) Those that didn’t simply folded in, hanging limply. I focused on them and not the fresh green grown along the brown limbs. The yard had more leaves than it did in the fall.

Three weeks from now the full canopy will be fresh green and acorns will be forming for the deer to eat next fall. That’s a cycle, which reminded me of another:

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:42-47 KJV)

That’s not the “milk” of new Christians. That is the “meat” that Paul speaks of in:

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (1 Corinthians 3:2 KJV)

I do think/write more of the beginning, where we consider becoming followers of Christ and why it’s important. However, at my age I’m becoming more and more interested in what is waiting for me that makes me different from those who have not thought of Christ at all. Resurrection.

Oh, yes, I’ve mentioned His. It’s basic in Paul’s longer witness to the changes in his life. Between Acts 26:1 and 26:28 Paul says:

Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:22-23 KJV)

Paul was witnessing to everyone that Christ suffered, died, and was the first one to rise from the deal simply to show light to people. That is what Christian’s do, tell everyone who will listen how Christ affects their life. The primary goal is to speak of what happens after we die, as well as who provides the goals in our lives. Jesus’ appearance was to give Paul a specific goal:

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:16-18 KJV)

Paul spent the rest of his life to that purpose, leaving a wealth of information for those following him in time. This body, containing our soul and spirit, will be gone – of none importance:

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:54 KJV)

The Bible tells us all souls belong to God":

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. (Ezekiel 18:4 KJV)

And, at sometime, God requires those souls to return:

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  (Luke 12:20 KJV)

I cannot give my soul to God – it belongs to Him from the beginning. I have given my body, my spirit, my life, through faith in Him, as He appears as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever more.

What’s your decision about your life and God?


Monday, March 11, 2024

A Little History and Some Genealogy

 

It was October 2009 I read the article on CNN that Yahoo! was shutting down GeoCities. I wrote about it 27 October 2009:

In 1997, GeoCities hosted my first website – a copy of the genealogy workbook I was creating. I found several excellent sources, filled in pedigree and family sheets in a well-designed program then posted photos from more than a century before to share with family members.

I moved then to a site called Multiply, which also shut down and I had to move to Yahoo!360, which - as you may guess – shut down. By then, I had started this Bible Study blog, so I added a tab at the top with some information and requests for more about my family’s history.

Mine isn’t newsworthy.However, this week I received an e-mail from a genealogy site with the information that I have several tenth cousins – some once removed, some more than that, others  were closer, others further away.

None are really important, because by the time we get ten generations back, tens of thousands of people can track the same relationship, and hundreds of thousands couldn’t care less. I find history interesting, but I admire my listed cousin Elizabeth II much more interesting for her lifetime history than for any distant relationship.

However, in some instances, such as Matthew 1:1-16, Joseph’s genealogy is very important. Jesus is shown to descend in a manner very important to Judaism – as the Pulpit Commentary explains:

As St. Matthew was writing only for Jews, and they, by reason of their Old Testament prophecies, looked for the Messiah to be born of a certain family, he begins his Gospel with a pedigree of Jesus. In this he mentions, by way of introduction, the two points to which his countrymen would have special regard—the descent of Jesus from David, the founder of the royal line, him in whose descendants the Ruler of Israel must necessarily (2 Samuel 7:13-16) be looked for; and also from Abraham, who was the head of the covenant nation, and to whom the promise had been given that in his seed all the nations of the earth should bless themselves (Genesis 22:18; Genesis 12:3).

But the genealogy given in Luke 3:23-38 gives the genealogy from a different perspective. Mary’s genealogy is different, yet similar to Joseph’s, and again the Pulpit Commentary gives an explanation of Luke’s written genealogy:

His work was evidently most carefully and skillfully arranged upon the lines of formal history. Up to this point the story was mainly concerned with other personages—with the parents of the great forerunner John, with Mary the Virgin and Joseph, with the angels, with the shepherds, with Simeon and with Anna, and especially with the work of John the Baptist. But from henceforth all the minor persons of the Divine story pass into the background. There is now one central figure upon whom the whole interest of the Divine drama centers—Jesus. This, the moment of his real introduction on the world's stage, was, as St. Luke rightly judged it, the time to give the formal table of his earthly ancestry.

Both gospel authors saw the importance of Jesus being created by God as all men have been, descended from Abraham as a Hebrew, descended from David  - perceptively through both parents, and lived among mankind as a slightly different kind of man.

The other two gospels are not interested at all in genealogy. Their fellow followers of Christ covered it well through God’s inspiration. With the question being of the lineage of David – important to prophesy – all four move on to what Jesus came to show, and tell, mankind about Himself, God’s relationship, and God’s love for His created.

There is no value for me in any relationship to any ruler of England. There is, however, an eternal relationship for me and you as the adopted children of God:

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:14-17 KJV)

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Galatians 4:4-7 KJV)

How would you describe the spirit of adoption?


Friday, March 1, 2024

I Am An Evangelical - Are You?

 


In their own words defining evangelicals: "Lifeway Christian Resources is an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention, a collection of like-minded churches who share a common bond of basic biblical beliefs and a commitment to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in every nation."

The National Association of Evangelicals puts it this way: 'Evangelicals take the Bible seriously and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The term “evangelical” comes from the Greek word euangelion, meaning “the good news” or the “gospel.” Thus, the evangelical faith focuses on the “good news” of salvation brought to sinners by Jesus Christ.'

A little wordier than the SBC, but with the same meaning when it comes to characteristics, from NAE evangelicals have:

  • A serious approach to the Bible
  • A focus on the "good news" of salvation brought to sinners by Jesus Christ
  • An emphasis on the authority of the Bible
  • A relationship with Jesus Christ
  • Conversion
  • A belief in the necessity of being born again
  • An emphasis on the importance of evangelism
  • Affirmation of traditional Protestant teachings on the authority and historicity of the Bible
Lifeway's list is a bit shorter, but hold the same characteristics:
  • The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe.
  • It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior.
  • Jesus Christ's death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin.
  • Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God's free gift of eternal salvation.

I was baptized into a Southern Baptist associated church following my profession of faith, and remained a member through marriage and the birth of three children. Some physical moves resulted in our visiting a number of churches, some not Baptist, until we ended up closed to an evangelically active Baptist church identifying itself as Fundamental and Independent, basics of the early New Testament churches set up in specific cities. I did not, and still do not, find doctrinal issues - except in the divisiveness within the SBC. 

They are no different, though, than the schisms in any other Christian denomination. Half of America's Christians are excepting into their congregations members living in situations sinful as defined in the Bible. Note that when I started my blog, I began my beliefs with:

"I believe the Bible is Holy, the divinely inspired and preserved Word of God, the final authority for all faith and life. I place this belief first, not because it is the most important, but because it explains and provides answers for so much of the following. Without the Bible, there is not a foundation for believing ...", and then I go further into specific beliefs, including explanatory scriptures. I know what I believe, why I believe it, and have expectations based on scripture. 

As to having sinful people in the congregation, we all sin. Often people respond with scripture:

Judge not, that ye be not judged. (Matthew 7:1 KJV)

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:37 KJV)

Never accept single scripture without context. Matthew 7:1 leads into verses 2 through 6, which explains we are to work with the person being judged after we work through our own sinful nature. Lots of scripture available to help us do that. As for Luke 6:37, you will need verses 38 through 45 - and maybe 46 would be helpful, too. Scriptures were not originally written with verses - those were added years later for reference purposes.  While I love and appreciate them, I won't single out a verse without studying what's next to it.

Now - bottom line: Are you an evangelical? Do you believe the God who inspired the Bible exists, 
- that the Bible carries His truth, 
- that it is historically accurate, 
- that Jesus is God Son and eternal life is through Him,
- that Jesus' life is the gospel, the good news,
- and that He, Himself, asks us to to tells His story, to join us in eternity?

If so, you, too can be an evangelical by sharing that message. Is there any reason you do not wish to do so? Why?

To encourage readers - and those they speak with about Jesus - I write this blog with my own thoughts after Bible reading. If you have a moment, would you leave a comment (anonymously if you wish) stating your thoughts about evangelicals, and about your interest in reading your Bible.


Monday, February 26, 2024

I Don't Belong to a Church

 


This may seem off topic as I begin with David before he became king, hiding in a cave from the anointed king, Saul. We know what was on David's mind because he wrote it down in what we call Psalm 142 - Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.

I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. (Psalms 142:1-2 KJV)

That Psalm does not end with a miraculous intervention by God to keep David from feeling such aloneness. Instead David offers a bargain:

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. (Psalms 142:7 KJV)

That was part of a sermon our pastor gave in January of 2021. I take notes during the service in a spiral notebook, creating my own short Bible lessons. We joined this particular church after visiting in 1999. We remain active members - but we don't "belong" to the church, though we consider ourselves a part of it. My reasoning goes back to Paul:

For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:4-7 KJV)

I firmly believe God's word that God does give the increase. We are not saved by the name of any preacher, church, denomination, according to the Bible:

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12 KJV)

Peter's sermon in answer to healing a man not only explains that what happened was due to his belief in Jesus as God's son, but the whole world was included in God's salvation story. Peter and the disciples were given the Holy Spirit to continue God's work:

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (Acts 4:8-10 KJV)

Jesus' resurrection was included as proof as to how the man was healed. Jesus' resurrection is the reason there is none other name whereby we must be saved. Many had died for their belief in God. One was prophesized and fulfilled. Through God's planning, this is how we are saved from our sinfulness:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV)

God provides the salvation with works - not belonging to one church in this world, but by becoming a part of believers in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the propitiation of our sins.  Paul, at the end of a list of what we should not do, mentions the price tag for our salvation:

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV)

As believers of the biblical history of Jesus, God's promised Messiah, we belong to God. God is not defined nor confined by mankind, but by how He describes Himself by inspiring His written word:

From Moses' doubt and God's answer:

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. (Exodus 4:14-16 KJV)

Through Jesus' response to Satan's temptation:

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:3-4 KJV)

To His descriiption in Revelation:

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:15-16 KJV)

We need to study what God has said, to whom it was said, why it was said, and what we are to do about what God said. Pick up a Bible and start, right now.



Saturday, February 24, 2024

From The Mouth of God

 

By de:Benutzer:Thetawave, Speck-Made - Image:Lippen.svg, CC BY-SA 3.0, 

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4 KJV)

No - God's mouth can't be diagramed as our is. The Bible was written by men - inspired by God:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV)

Paul included the "why" God inspired writers of the Bible:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:17 KJV)

What God gives us in His word will provide what we need to do the good works God wants us to do. Those works are not essential to salavation, they are a result of the turn around in our lives when we commit to doing God's will in our lives:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)

Agaiin - as he often does - Paul goes the next step and tells us "why":

Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:9-10 KJV)

"Not of works." Because it would not of God. The works we do as Christians are to come from God. The choices we may should glorify God, never mankind. Being omnipotent, God already knows how we will truly work for Him, and He has ordained specific work for us. Paul explains what we should do, what happens when we do it, and what happens if we don't:

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:9-15 KJV)

Like Paul's witness as to why he became a Christian (Acts 26), while inspired by God, these are Paul's own words learned at the feet of expert Pharisee teachers. His words contain his previous experiences in life as well as carry God's inspirational Spirit.

As usual, too, God's word repeats itself, as Jesus quoted scripture to Satan:

All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8:1-3 KJV)

Just as saved by faith is repeated:

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (Romans 4:16 KJV)

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15:11 KJV)

Isn't that simple?

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2 Corinthians 11:3-4 KJV)

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

I've Missed and Have Been Missed

It began two weeks before Christmas. I was already behind in posting, but then we became ill on a Saturday, and missed two Sundays. The following week we both had a new cardiologist appointment, and I received a prescription for new medication. Four side effects hit me - it caused changes to my eyesight (which meant no driving while I was taking it), added to my dizziness (thankfully, not full scale vertigo, though!), it added depression to my mind, and we won't discuss the fourt h(which caused the most discomfort.)

The medication was preparation for, and lasted a month before, a scheduled transesophageal cardioversion - that made no difference to my A-Fib. Apparently, my heart has a mind of its own. All I ended up having was a very painful jaw after three shocks, at least getting rid of the medication!!

My worship attendance came down to our church's YouTube live stream (fortunately you can also stream previous services!) But other activities were not comfortable for me.

That's basically my confession. I let my physical difficulties keep me from doing what I not only enjoy, but what I wanted to do. Paul's words became so very meaningful:

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (Romans 7:19 KJV)

When I do not respond to God's will, my own conscience will convict me. There is no happiness in doing going against God, and He has given many specifics. Non-believers may on their own do what God has laid out for believers, but Christians should understand the sinful nature, and always strive for the holiness working within God's will offers us.

No, I don't feel guilt over not attending worship services. I did get the messages through live streaming. I did feel sorrow over the missed fellowship with believers, the opportunity to welcome visitors, and the general compliance with:

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25 KJV)

I do miss that exhortation that comes with fellowshipping with Christians. I'll be doing that this coming Saturday with our Outreach program. I've mentioned it before - members will do a wide variety of contacting people new to our community, those who have visited, members who may be ill and unable to attend (yes, I was contacted by a number of members while home bound), with letters and personal visits.

Then Monday there will be a prayer time for submitted prayer requests. Those who are able will join in pray by physically attending or through Zoom connections. When I was ill, I knew my name was on people's lips and their lists. I have several that are on my prayer list - and more that come to mind as God places them on my heart.

We do it out of love. Especially our "salvation" lists - the names of people who have specifically stated they do not believe in God, or who question the need for salvation, or have questions about how to be saved, or those who do not understand much of the terminology Christians use.

If any reader has a need for prayer, feel free to place it here anonymously. The same for explanations of terminology, specific Bible verses, or general questions. No, I don't know it all, but you'd be surprised at the number of people in our congregation who are Bible scholars and don't mind requests. Feel free to join in at any time!