Monday, June 27, 2016

All Lives Matter

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  John 10:10

Heavenly Father, You are life.  You are the One who created all life.  You alone are the giver of life.  Lord, all things life-giving are of You.  Lord, we ask for You to fan a flame of life-culture in our nation. Lord, may each of us value and cherish life as You do, all lives.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

One common misconception of pro-lifers is that we only care about the life inside the womb.  This, my friends, is a grievous mistake.  To truly be pro-life is to be pro-all lives.  All lives matter.

I was in Orlando last week when the horrific attack happened that took the lives of 49 people.  In the same week while we were there, a two year old's life was tragically ended when an alligator snatched him from a Disney beach, a beach our own children had walked on many times without a care or concern.

After we returned home, I received news that my dear great-aunt, who had been more like a grandmother to me, passed away.  She was 92, but full of life and this turn for the worse was rather sudden.  She was gone.

To value life is a beautiful gift.  God breathes life into his unique and special creation formed and hand-made in His image.  No other creation on earth is as precious to the Lord than His children created in His likeness. All His children, whether in the womb, in a night club, barely beginning their lives with toes in the sand, or in a hospital bed nearing the end of days are highly valued and priceless.  In fact, He values each of our lives to such an extent that He sent Jesus to purchase our lives.  We need only believe in Him.

Truly, every life matters.  Every life is valuable.  Every life is deeply treasured by our Creator.  This is the truth of pro-life.

God is a God of life.  He is all about life.  Jesus came to give us life.  God says for us to choose life in Deuteronomy 30:19.   I pray that as a nation, our hearts will be grieved over the loss of all life and that our hearts would be awakened to the truth that all lives matter.  Let us pray again for those who lost loved ones in the recent attacks and pray for our nation to value life.

Our hearts ache over the tragic loss in Orlando and our hearts ache with every loss.  Lord, we cry out to ask for you to comfort those who are hurting over the loss of family members and friends.  Lord, we ask for protection over our country and we ask you to protect us from the evil one.  Lord, we ask for all the schemes and plans of the enemy to be exposed and canceled in Jesus' Name.  Lord, we ask for what Satan meant for evil, for you to turn around and use somehow for good.  We ask for you to comfort us as a nation and as a people.  We need you Lord.  Father, we pray for all to value life, every life.  In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Is Everyone Called to Share Their Testimony

"When your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgements which the Lord our God has commanded you?' Then you will say to your son; 'We were slaves of Pharoah in Egypt, and the Lord brought us up out of Egypt with a mighty hand.'" Deuteronomy 6:20-21

Father, I pray for those who have been healed and set free to find courage and find their voice to share how they were once slaves but now are free, to tell others of your forgiveness and grace and help others find freedom as well.  Lord, I pray they would share for the generations that follow to know the truth.  In Jesus' Name amen.

There was a time when if you had asked me if I thought everyone was called to share their story, I would have said no.  In fact, I did tell someone exactly that answer.

In 2008, I shared my testimony of healing from my abortion at my home church.  Afterwards, a friend came up to me timidly and confided in me that she too was post-abortive. With fear in her eyes, she asked me if I thought she had to share her story.  I told her I didn't think everyone was called to share their story.  Now, I hold a different view.

Will everyone be called to speak in front of a church or to a large group of people?  Perhaps not.  However, there will come a time, I believe, when God asks you to give testimony to the healing you have received in order to help someone else become free.  See, when God heals, it is not only for you.  Yes, it is most definitely for you, but it is also His desire for you to show others the path to freedom in Him.The enemy would like nothing more than for God's daughters and sons to remain silent.

I completely understand not wanting to share.  It is hard to share the darkest and most difficult times of our lives.  However, if you will oblige me, can I ask you a question?  Why?  What is your reason for keeping your healing to yourself?  Did God tell you to?  Has the Holy Spirit not prompted you to share?  That could very well be the case.  God has perfect timing.  But, if the reason is rooted in fear--fear of man--fear of what will people think, then I think you need to really seek the Lord and follow Him in whatever He leads you to do.  Fear is never a good reason to keep silent.  In fact, if you discover it is fear holding your tongue, I would strongly encourage you to find a safe friend and share what the Lord has done to free you!

One thing I know--"We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony."  If we aren't free to share, we need to share to be free!

In the movie, "The Heart of the Sea", the story of Moby Dick that came out recently, there was a line that brought my spirit to attention when it hit my ears:

"The devil loves unspoken secrets.  Especially those that fester in a man's soul."

The enemy would love nothing more than for God's daughters and sons to remain silent.

People need to hear our stories.  Those considering abortion need to hear the truth.  Those still suffering  in silent shame need to know there is healing, freedom and hope.

The next generation needs to hear our stories.  Our children need to hear of the glory of God.  If we remain silent, our stories die and glory fades.  Silence risks breeding the repetition of. slavery.

In the verse above, we are asked a question, "What is the meaning of the testimonies?"  Or in my words, "Why do we share our stories?"

The answer is simple and found in the following verse.  We share because:

Once we were slaves, but now we are free!  The Lord has brought us out with a might hand!!

Let's shout it from the mountain tops!