Have you heard of Bible Study Fellowship? A friend told me about it and I joined a class this year. We are studying “People of the Promise: A Kingdom Divided.”
It is about Israel and how the kingdoms split into the Southern Kingdom (Judah) and the Northern Kingdom (Israel.)
It is pretty intense but I’m learning a lot. It is very similar to what is happening in our culture, as we are divided in many ways. Our society and world are broken because of sin and because we have turned our backs on God.
If my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
We see deterioration, division and decline all around us. Sin corrupts us and takes us down a destructive path, and we often ignore God’s calls to repentance and restoration. Rejecting God and choosing sin brings bitter consequences. We see this deterioration all around us. We see many lies and deceptions, calling what is good evil and what is evil good. Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. We see the confusion about gender. Genesis 1: 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. The lie that abortion is healthcare and not murder. Healthcare is saving lives and doing all we can to preserve life. Exodus 20:13 You shall not murder. Our choices have consequences. We see a culture in moral decay and turning away from God and choosing our own selfish pleasures. Unfaithfulness to God brings destruction. Only when we seek God can we truly flourish in this life. Israel’s history (His story), shows us that God blesses those who live obedient and faithful lives in relationship with Him. God always keeps his promises. Psalm 145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. His promises are true and right and good. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
What is the compass you use for your life? If you are a Christian, a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, you should have a Biblical Worldview and look at things through the lens of the Bible (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) and Jesus is in and over every part of your life. We choose to please God. John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
For Christians who are lukewarm or half hearted and God is not in every part of your life, this is what God’s Word has to say about this: Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. A divided heart brings painful consequences.
If you are believing all the lies of this culture then you are against God and need to repent from your wicked ways. John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
If you tell a lie long enough, often enough, and spend enough money on it, eventually people will begin to believe it is true.
The lie of separation of church & state comes to mind. This is a big one. Thomas Jefferson’s original intent was to keep Government out of the Church, not God out of the Government.
Sadly this is where we are as a society because we have turned our backs on God. God has the final judgement and I pray that we will repent individually and as a nation and that all will come to know Him as Lord & Savior and live their lives for Him and for His glory.
-Donna
Notes from the Sidewalk
7-9: Peggy and Cathy
Today during the 7-9 shift we were utilizing the site, BabyOlivia.com. We had only three people today going into PP. There was one young woman open to taking material and possibly viewing the video. The person accompanying her tried to block us at every turn. Jackie went to the window outside the reception area and began to chant “babyolivia.com.” Glynn came out and told us we were upsetting her. We started The Memorare and watched her enter through that door from Hell. Jesus, we trust in You.
9-11: Judy and Meredith
Today’s shift started with Marlene from St. James, Meredith from Covenant, Bill Harrison, Jim and Pastor Joe & Judy from Lincoln Place Nazarene. We were later joined by Matt from New Life Church.
Our shift started out rather quiet and then quite a few women came in the first half hour. It seemed like there were many appointments today. All of them adamantly refused any of our resource materials.
A young lady stopped by to encourage us. She shared that she has three daughters of her own and she is bringing them up, teaching them the value of marriage and life, and that there would be no place for abortion.
11-1: Lisa and Claudia
I am so thankful for today’s shift. We honestly are among some of the dearest and the best on that sidewalk. Thank you to Claudia, who filled in as my shift buddy, and to Ken, who accompanied us for the whole shift. Thank you also to Matt, and to Bob. Every one of them is a blessing.
I’d like to share three things today. Although one is actually from this past Tuesday, I feel it is still encouraging to share it now. As I prayed with my back toward the street on Tuesday, I vaguely heard someone call, “Ma’am!” I ignored it because I didn’t think it was being addressed to me. Then I heard it again, a little louder. “Ma’am!!” I turned around to see a woman driving a charter bus who had been stopped at the light. She kindly said, “I’m praying for you.” It was so endearing. Point is—people notice. And they pray. Beautiful.
Secondly, I had a thought today about the negative comments and actions we encounter. It’s probably not a new thought to many of you, but I found it so interesting that the people inside PP are the ones in the business of killing, and yet their clients trust them. We, however, stand
outside and peacefully pray for an END to the killing, and we are met at times with hatred and scorn. It made me wonder…. how could passersby POSSIBLY not know that we are ”the good guys?” It really struck me. Then again, the enemy is good at deception.
Lastly, I wanted to share an amazing thing that I experienced today. Two young men walked by me, and I gave them a little smile. The man closest to me suddenly barked out while looking directly at me, “F— YOU.” I responded with a quiet “Have a good day.” Now why was that
amazing? Because I couldn’t believe how obvious it was to me…. He had hatred toward someone he didn’t even know….. and I can only describe this as a supernatural response I had….. but I was made aware that what I was doing was pleasing to the Lord. That I was doing the RIGHT THING—otherwise I would not have been met with such hatred! I couldn’t believe it, but I actually considered this MIGHT have been a small taste of what it must have been like for the apostles in the early church, who “rejoiced because they had been found worthy to suffer
dishonor for the sake of the name.” (Acts 5:41) How amazing. That was something that ONLY God could have done. I say all of this to ENCOURAGE. We are doing what is RIGHT and GOOD and GODLY. Don’t ever be ashamed of that.
1-3: Cecilia, Fr. Jim, and Joyce
Fr. Jim and Joyce prayed the four mysteries of the rosary. It was so nice to have the prayers going on while I tried getting material out to those passing by. Many were receptive. Was able to engage with a few. One young lady who exited willingly accepted a Resources for Women flyer and hopped in a car parked by the bookstore. She was in a hurry.
There were several who went in and out of PP. Told a couple abortion workers we could help them find another job. A woman stopped, took material and talked for a while. She knows all about the evils of abortion, PP, Margaret Sanger, our liberal government. She tries to share that with those around her, praise God!
3-5: Pete and Mary
From Pete: Mary and I prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet at the start of our shift, offering it for those who have committed, and/or will commit, the sin of abortion. We also prayed the Luminous Mysteries while Mary offered materials to those who passed by. Most passersby seemed indifferent (although a lot of them, especially young people, seemed intrigued by the baby models), while there were a few that made snarky comments, and then there were others who thanked and/or encouraged us in what we’re doing. God is good to provide that consolation whether we think we need it or not. Also, who knows, maybe some who thanked us will find the courage to join us because of our presence.
From Mary: Our 3-5 shift was mostly uneventful, just a few people came out with the brown bag while we were there. We prayed a Divine Mercy chaplet and rosary and received few negative, mostly positive comments and encouragement. We noticed that some of the boys with the football- playing school kids went into PP and came right out with a small package which we guessed to be condoms. Most likely PP had visited their school and encouraged the students to come by. PP isn’t satisfied with just ending innocent lives, they also extend their work to corrupting children.
5-7: Larry and Catholic Men’s Fellowship members
Lisa, what a beautiful blog and thank you for telling us about your experience on the sidewalk this past Tuesday! Your response is so encouraging and inspiring!
That’s very kind, Nikki. To God be all the glory!