The speed at which I'm getting texts/emails/calls now-a-days from people whose lives are being impacted negatively by immorality has escalated into warp speed.
I dare not even read a news agency blog/post/article at all.
Romans chapter 1 is all around us it seems...

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

It's certainly a time to take stock in what path we're on and offer sincere pray for divine guidance while we're walking. We stand no chance alone.

Blessings,
Mark

Agreed..."We stand no chance alone". I really feel for the young growing up in todays world and the "norms" of society that goes directly against Gods way.

Maybe it's just me but seems things have really gone upside down in just the last few years....at Mach speed.

Agree Mark. Thanks

Had read that 2 times to grasp the meaning.
Yep...., thanks Mark.

Yep

Our pastor just started in on Romans

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man , whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. Rom:2-1
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst,give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Rom 12: 20-21
Blessings
Rich
What a sad existence it must be to choose to sin and deny God over eternal life. Lots of prayer, all things are possible with the Big Guy!

Truth Mark, I agree 100%.

I have always taken from that part of Romans is that we are experiencing a judgement from God due to us not following God; particularly in our leadership whom we have elected (chosen).
All this evil and wickedness we see in this country is Judgement. Having read the Old Testament many times, it makes sense to me.

We so called Christians are the problem. We don't try to fix it or stand up to it. We just continue to go along to get along and b##ch and gripe about the evilness, yet we do nothing. We may humble ourselves before God Almighty, many of us pray, but turning from our wickedness is the hard part.

In Chronicles, God says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

God ain't talking to the atheist, or the agnostic, or the satanist, He is talking to US Christians. How do we convince modern mainstream Christianity (ourselves) to turn from our wicked ways? That is the rub, and I am 100% guilty of it. I am finding it increasingly nearly impossible to try raise children in this world to know and understand the Word of God and also teach them how to survive in this world. I don't see how we can do that without becoming isolationists; which is what we are to do I know. But its dang hard to make a living and provide for your family as an isolationist. I am wretched because I want to have my cake and eat it too.

The battle against Sin and Evil is a constant one. As a solder of Christ may I be found faithful.

Chancey,
Good post and we are always challenged with the temptation of trading our souls for stuff here in the land of plenty. The comment, "I think it'd be hard to be a Christian in America," by those who visit our land from other regions of the world kinda spells out what you're referring to (I think).

Perhaps we should do well to remember that yes, Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.... and that now in our Church Age (of God's divine Plan).... salvation is through grace by faith alone in Christ alone, but God's Word doesn't say his Plan is to save some and judge the rest, so the redeemed should isolate from all those around them. That's the enemy's plan..... isolationism. Sorry to toss it out, but it's not of God. God calls His people, Christ redeems them, and the Spirit seals them for what? To share the good news with other broken people (remember who we once were, right?) until such time as we're called to be with Him. To live among the world. In it. With it. The West is far too deep in Salvific theology and that diminishes all Jesus died for. Wrath, yes. Death, yes. But how about we all try and be that testimony to the heavens (the enemy's side) that Paul references in Ephesians? The reason the Church was started. I don't need no church we "believers" clamor! Ok, then why was the Church started? I ask followers that. I usually get an answer about how people are hard to be with, live with, get along with. I say, "Yep, people like "us." You see, it's a look in the mirror issue as much as it's a them vs. me issue.

Is the world goofed up? Yep. Always has been, and sometimes it seems more than most. Maybe now is those times? Maybe not. Regardless, be the lantern on the table and lead a virtuous life EVEN when people mock, scoff, disparage, and abandon you because immorality is a human nature default. What disappoints me is when I see people who call themselves followers of Christ disparage another believer. I have my thoughts about such things but they won't be typed here. Reproof, sure. Correct, yes, but always done after running it by other witnesses. Teach, for sure. Edify, whenever we can.

I teach my children, who are now all raising our grandchildren, that the world has much to teach them all. So does God. They are free to choose.... until such time as God decides who's really boss.
Keep the faith as they say Chauncey, although I'm of the camp that we don't lose what God initiates in the first place. He won't let go.

Blessings,
Mark