Sunday, December 8, 2013

US and Italy

I haven't posted much lately.  I think of things to write, but at inopportune times.  Then, when I can sit down to write I don't remember what I wanted to say.

Trying to raise up friends to support a mission, selling off most of my things, depending on God for how needs will be met…AKA:  Fundraising … is a tough experience.  I'm sure if the funds came easily I might not realize the money is coming by the grace of God.  The funds and commitments are growing … little by little, bit by bit.  So close, yet so far. (If people plan on giving when I go, please let me know so the amount being committed can be recorded.)

People are starting to see the need of the Italians.  A need that shouldn't be there, but is.  Didn't they have the apostle Paul, Aquilla and Pricilla in the first century.  The Gospel spread throughout Italy and beyond.  Why do so few there know Him now?  Just 5% are devout believers in God.  That number drops down in Verona.

I believe it is like here in the US, but they are just a few decades ahead of us.  The US was built on Christian values and principles.  But, we started tolerating differences for the few who didn't believe in God.  'You don't want to offend anyone!'  Really?  How did the Pharisees like being called a 'brood of vipers' by Jesus?  They didn't like it at all.  They were offended.  But, Jesus was calling them out for their hypocrisy.  Hold onto Godly principles and the Truth.

The Italians had Christianity, but then they started allowing Satan's lies to deceive them.  A loved one died…someone who hadn't lived right.  God wouldn't want him to go to hell, would He?  No!  So Satan lured them into a sense of being able to pay for the sins of those who went before them.  Slowly their beliefs changed to the point of 'why do we need God anyway?'  All we need is the money to buy our way into heaven.  To finally, 'why pay for heaven?  Life is just the here and now anyway.'  Jesus is the Way to the Father in heaven, He is the Truth.

With God, all things are possible, right?  I'm not saying I should just sit back and twiddle my thumbs, but I need to do my part so God can work on the hearts of the people in the US to send me as well as the people I will share with in the future in Italy.