I am very...

I am very much “ pro-life” and I found it very interesting that a “pro-choice” President was invited to Notre Dame University, which holds to the Catholic stance on “pro-life.” Of course, there was controversy and even protests. I will say that I believe the President was very brave going into a somewhat hostile environment to speak. However, in reading about the incident I read about one of the pro-abort ladies who was there was quoted as saying, "If women don't have a right to decide if they have a child, women aren't free," she said. "We need to expand abortion access and abortion rights and lift the stigma. Fetuses are not babies and women are not incubators."

Now this is where it gets all over me,” Fetuses are not babies.” Then I guess God was wrong when He told Jeremiah that He knew him before he was ever born but “fetuses are not babies”. I guess the writer of Psalm 139 was wrong when he said God knit him in his mother’s womb. Since God is the creator and He gave humans the ability to reproduce his own kind, who by the way is created in the image of God, man has a great moral responsibility. But we don’t take responsibility anymore, we just do what we feel like doing or do whatever we desire to do and the heck with anybody else. I have always stood up for the unborn as long as I can remember. I have also helped in establishing a Center to help unwed mothers, been active in adoption, and even today we are associated with a home for teenage mothers. I have protested in front of abortion clinics and march in “pro-life” rallies.

I was reminded of one of the pastors I served with who believed in abortion and his rational was that it was better for the child to be aborted than to suffer abuse in his later years. What rational? Needless to say we did not agree on this issue. You see I look at it as a moral issue and not political. Not until people’s hearts are changed through the power of Jesus Christ will this and other issues ever be seen in a different light. There has to be a heart change. There have to be eyes that see things through the eyes of Christ. By the way , this is not an issue in the Muslim countries for they are reproducing at an alarming rate. It is not an issue in atheistic China for they do abort babies because of their one child policy. Most are girls because they want the boys. Where do you think that massive army of the East is coming from to invade Israel? It is an issue in the “post-Christian” US where values, morality have been swept away and replaced with relativism and all of the other “ism.”

God help us!

 

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The Power of the Word of God

2 Kings 22:11 (HCSB)
^“ When the king( Josiah) heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.”

When this king heard the word of God his heart was pierced and he was convicted, But after he was convicted he did something about it,

2 Kings 23:2-3 (HCSB)
^“ Then the king went to the Lord’s temple with all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets—all the people from the youngest to the oldest. As they listened, he read all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the Lord’s temple. Next, the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant in the presence of the Lord to follow the Lord and to keep His commands, His decrees, and His statutes with all his mind and with all his heart, and to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book; all the people agreed to the covenant.”

Josiah began to destroy the horrible temples and altars of Baal in his country. He moved with great haste to bring about reformation to Judah. I would say they had a revival that resulted in a reformation. However there is a note of sadness to this story.

2 Kings 23:26-27 (HCSB)
^“ In spite of all that, the Lord did not turn from the fury of His great burning anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had provoked Him with. For the Lord had said, “I will also remove Judah from My sight just as I have removed Israel. I will reject this city Jerusalem, that I have chosen, and the temple about which I said, ‘My name will be there.’”

Even though sins are forgiven and restoration has been made there are consequences to sin thatcan result after the forgiveness. Back in the 70’s when a lot of drugs were taken some of the drugs were cut(diluted) with talcum powder. Some of those who took these drugs later repented and came to Jesus Christ but that talcum powder was in their system. Talc does not dissolve and therefore in some cases it found its way into the capillaries of the eyes which resulted in blindness. The consequences of their sin resulted in permanent blindness. Were they forgiven? Yes! Were they saved? Yes! But they were blind. Sin is serious. There are those who have engage in indiscriminate sex and today they have an STD. Are they forgiven? Yes, if they have asked for forgiveness but they carry within their bodies the consequence of that sinful act.

We all sin! We have all done stupid things in our past and I hope we have asked for forgiveness. If you have asked for forgiven God has forgiven you.(1 John1:9) However, we do carry the scars of these sins on our souls as a reminder that God does forgive and heals.

 

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This morning as I got up and sat on my front porch here in Livingston, I began my morning devotional. I have over the years tried to read through the Bible at least once a year and this morning the place fell on the life of the great prophet Elisha. I identify with him in some ways particularly in the area of little hair. You should read the story of the taunting youth and the two she-bears.(2 kings 2:23-25). It is not a good idea to make fun of the Lord's anointed.

However, the part I love the most is when the army of Syria surrounds the house of Elisha and his servant panics.(2 Kings 6:23). we would do the same if we went outside our home and a massive army was encamped around us. Fear and panic seems to have seized many these days and yet, all has been prophesized. If you haven't read the Owner's Manual, the Bible, God takes care of His children. Well, this servant of Elisha ask him, "What are we going to do?" I am sure he wanted to flee at this point but escaping was not an option. Elisha answered," Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." I know this servant by now was thinking,"Oh, sure, they are." However, Elisha had spiritual eyes to see and the servant could only see through physical eyes. The next verse Elisha prayed and said," Lord, I pray open his eyes that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and he saw. This is what we call a WOW moment. A moment when there is spiritual illumination or inspiration. The the verse goes on to say," And behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

Those who know the Lord, those who trust in the Lord, those who wait upon the Lord have the confidence and the faith that all is in His hand. We can trust Him to take care of us, at all times. Now, I must warn you that this taking care may not be the way you think it should be. We in the Western world think that God's blessing or favor is abundance of things and comfort. While two-thirds of the world know that God provision means security in knowing Him and an eternal home with Him. I was talking with someone recently about all that is happening in our world and particularly the slide of the US into the abyss of godlessness and moral depravity. He was lamenting about all that was happening and I commented that I see this through spiritual eyes and church history. I believe God brought this about so people will lift up their eyes and seek Him. I pray that this flu situation will do the same in Mexico. I pray for a spiritual breakthrough, a revival and then a reformation of Biblical and moral living.

Look up my brothers and sisters in Christ," for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 

God bless you,

Pastor Lynn and Sandra Sasser

 

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