God’s Word: Knowledge that leads to Wisdom
We have almost endured the 40 days of this Lenten 40 Days For Life campaign. Praise God for His love, strength, courage and endurance that He has blessed us with. We may never know the fruits of our labor, but God does. Our hearts break because of the lives lost at 933 Liberty Avenue. We cry out to God on their behalf. We grieve and our hearts are broken as lives are lost and many are lost themselves and don’t know our Lord and Savior. We thank God for His Word and truth that gives us knowledge and wisdom to navigate these times we living in. My husband and I continue to listen to the Pastor from our daughter’s church in Wisconsin. They are preaching in the book of James, and Pastor Shane’s sermon last Sunday was so profound. He preached from the book of James 3:13-18. It was about Wisdom, the three characteristics of the wisdom of the world; which is demonic (the Devil’s wisdom,) and the nine characteristics of God’s Wisdom. We have to ask ourselves this question. Whose wisdom is most influencing our lives?
Devil’s wisdom:
1) harbors bitter envy–robs us of experiencing what God wants us to do in life, victim mentality
2) harbors selfish ambition, a desire to be significant
3) calls a lie the truth, read the blog from last Thursday, there are many lies and deception out there
James 3:14 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
God’s Wisdom
1) It’s Humble. Philippians 2:3-4
2) It’s Pure.
3) It’s Peace-Loving.
4) It’s Considerate.
5) It’s Submissive.
6) It’s Full of Mercy. (full of forgiveness) Luke 6: 37-38
7) It’s Full of Good Fruit.
8) It’s Impartial.
9) It’s Sincere.
James 3:17-18 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
The Wisdom of God is to be full of mercy. Lord, I have witnessed this on the sidewalk from those who fervently pray and reach out to those going in and out of PP. Your faithful people who are selflessly serving You and truly offering help to anyone in need. Thank you, Lord, for our 40 Days For Life Family!
Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary in dong good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Almighty God and Father, we praise you for our 40 Days For Life Family and all those standing for the sanctity of life. Lord, we thank you that our freedom is found only in Christ Jesus. Lord, as we come upon Holy Week, we thank you for Jesus’ obedience and willingness to suffer for ALL He created in His image. He endured the cross so that our sins would be forgiven. We praise you for the resurrection of Jesus on the third day and because of His resurrection You have promised us eternal life. We thank you for your Holy Spirit that lives in us and gives us the resurrection power from Jesus. Holy Spirit, help us to do the works Jesus has called us to do. We cannot earn your grace by good works as we know faith without works is dead. We know that salvation is a free gift, given, for all who call on the name of Jesus will be saved. We are so grateful for the best gift ever given to the world. Lord, we repent for any wicked ways in us and for anytime we have fallen for the enemy’s wisdom and not God’s wisdom. Forgive us, Lord, and create in us a clean and contrite heart, and renew a right spirit within us. Lord we ask your help to persevere in this battle for life. Let us not grow weary in doing good, because your Word says we will reap if we do not give up. Lord, once again we pray that you bind the enemy. Foil his plans. Cause chaos and confusion among all those plotting evil against your people. Lord, what the enemy plans for your people, Lord, let it fall back on those planning the evil deeds. Bring about a divine wealth transfer from tax money or any money going to PP to be given to all Pregnancy Resource Centers, Lord. We praise you and give you all glory, Lord. We ask all this in the most precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, our Rock, Redeemer, Defender, Protector and Friend on who we can always depend. Amen ~Donna
7-9 Conrad & Peggy
We did not see any clients going into PP from 7 to 9, just a lot of abortion workers. In attendance: Conrad, Peggy, Pete, and Barbara and Richard from Christ our Savior Parish.
We spoke with a lot of people on the sidewalk going by.
9-11 Judy & Lincoln Place Church of The Nazarene
Our shift started with Pastor Joe and Judy, Lori and Chuck from Lincoln Place Nazarene. Pete was here when we arrived, and we were joined by Karen from Cross Point and Meredith from Covenant. We were also joined by Thomas, Christoph, and Jarek from St. Paul’s Seminary.
Very few people were going in to PP today. YAY! The couple of people who did go in were not receptive to receiving any resource materials.
On another note, we want to make sure everyone knows about and is encouraged to attend the first service and prayer walk of the season for The Church at Magee on Sunday, April 23rd, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at Zulema Parklet across from the Panera near Magee Hospital.
11-1 Beth Ann
It was a much quieter day than last week at PP and we were truly grateful for that! There seemed to be an increased police presence in the city which most likely helped keep things calm. Most passersby were giving us the thumbs up and thanking us for our witness and prayers. In fact, at the end of our shift, people stopped to join us in praying for an end to abortion. It was so beautiful to witness and a blessing from God to thank us for sticking it out in the cold.
Speaking of cold, Pete, may God bless him, stood an extra hour with Nancy and me since we were alone for the first hour. He had been at the clinic since 7 am. We bear a couple of hours of cold, but he truly sacrificed his warmth and comfort all morning just to help us fight for the lives of those who have no voice.
Bob stopped by to pray as usual. It is always nice to see him stop and pray! Maggie joined us around lunchtime and Joyce came shortly afterward. Sean also stopped by and told us he comes during his lunch hour some days each week. All of these prayers help, even if we never directly see how the help materializes. God speaks through us in ways we may never know, but He is so glad to use us as His instruments!
1-3 Cecilia, Carolyn & Guardian Angels Parish
Many interactions on the sidewalk.
The good… Many took flyers, cards and booklets. They seemed to like the “Just for Guys”/”Just for Girls” booklets. I was glad to clear out some of my extras.
The not so… A lady who works at PennDot was at the bus stop and was having a seizure. Everyone around her ignored her except one man. Our security guard went down and had him call 911. A fire truck came. She made her way back into PennDot.
A man who had his hand on the door to PP turned and spit near me as I tried to hand him material.
3-5 Nikki, Pete & Christ the King Parish
God gave us a beautiful gift during the 3 to 5 shift today. I have to admit that I was feeling very tired after work today and really did not want to go to the sidewalk. By this time in the 40 days I am ready for it to be over. But it was a beautiful blue sky, and even though the temperatures were chilly and breezy, we had a wonderful group from Christ the King parish, and it was a blessing to pray nonstop with them. After we had finished praying, a woman walked up and asked me if I was the one who had been there 11 years ago when she came to get an abortion. She said that I looked just like her. I told her that I have been here for 12 years or so and she said it must’ve been me. She said that when she came for the abortion she was crying and I talked to her and encouraged her to not get the abortion. Her name is Courtney, which does sound familiar. She said her little girl’s name is Mary (how appropriate!) and that she is now 11 years old. She said how glad she is that she did not have the abortion and asked if she could give me a hug. This was my gift that I asked for this morning from Jesus. Today is my 10th anniversary of receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist for the first time. March 30, 2013, I became Catholic. I asked Jesus this morning to give me the anniversary gift of a life saved today. I don’t know if there was a baby saved today, but to find out that a baby was saved 11 years ago was my gift. God is so good! Praise him!
Lost & Found US Grace Force Combat Rosary & Coat
Reminder: The Church at Magee on Sunday, April 23rd, 4:00-5:30pm
On another note, we want to make sure everyone knows about and is encouraged to attend the first service and prayer walk of the season for The Church at Magee on Sunday, April 23rd, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at Zulema Parklet across from the Panera near Magee Hospital.
Thank you Nikki for sharing that gift from 11 years ago! We need more positive stories like that. So good to see Ann and Mary Catherine at the vigil. Long time super pro life soldiers! God Bless them.