O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture? Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed– Mount Zion, where you dwelt. Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary. Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs. They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees. They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets. They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name. They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land (NIV).
Reading: Psalm 74 A maskil of Asaph. (Verses 1-8)
Reflection This is a psalm that was born in a time of disaster and distress. The enemies of the people of God had triumphed. In reality Psalm 74 begins as a lament as the psalmist calls out to God with these words. Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.
Foreign armies had invaded the land. Not only had they attacked the people of God, they had desecrated God’s sanctuary. They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
It may be hard for many of us to imagine the destruction of war and the invasion of our country by foreign forces. But on the spiritual level our land has already been invaded and the attacks on the sanctuaries of God are unrelenting.
Take a walk or a drive about any large city in Canada or Europe and you will see abandoned church buildings. Some have been turned into concert halls or night clubs. Today this statement describes our present reality. Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs.
Sadly, in many places the standard of the cross has been replaced by standards of hedonism and human pride. This would be easier to fathom if this was the work of some sinister foreign power, but in reality our own people have turned their backs on God and have instead embraced the gods of this world. God have mercy on our land.
Response: LORD God, help us to become agents of change in our land. We want people throughout this country to turn to you in repentance and faith. Open their eyes to their need and your reality. Amen.
Your Turn: What will it take to awaken your nation to God? What conditions bring about renewal?
It is not merely
the rest of the world that cannot make head or tails of GOD’S Word, but many
Christians as well. You can read His Word until the cows come home, and rather
than enjoy it, you may hate it, find it confusing, or refuse to accept the
Truth. There is a reason why it all sounds like gibberish to you, and it all
has to do with the Holy Ghost.
Many people find
the Bible to be a book of just stories, while others see it as a set of rigid
rules to control people. I would not be able to count the number of times I
have personally heard a person using Scripture straight out of context to prove
how ridiculous and archaic the Bible is. Two particular Scriptures come to mind
when speaking about GOD’S Word, and they are 1 Corinthians 2:14 and 2 Timothy
3:16.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of GOD: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:14
All Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 3:16
The Word of GOD has
to be spiritually discerned, and if you do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling
within you, then it’s all going to be a bunch of hogwash to you, it might even
make you angry just listening to it! Once you believe in Jesus and confess Him
with a sincere heart (you can fool man, but you cannot fool GOD), you will
receive the Holy Spirit. It is He who will begin to show you the truths of
Scripture, the incredible knowledge contained in the life-giving words. It does
not come all in one go, so do not expect to understand everything in your
lifetime, but He shows what you need to know for the plans He has for you
(Jeremiah 11:29).
One of the main
excuses I hear concerning the validity of GOD’S Word is that it was written by
man, translated dozens of times, and thus cannot be trusted. While there are
some translations that we should avoid, it is ludicrous to nullify GOD’S Word
based on the assumption that because it was written by man, it cannot be
trusted. Even if GOD had personally penned the entire Bible Himself, people
still would have found a reason to doubt it! The Apostle Paul must have been
dealing with such people when he wrote to Timothy, telling him that all
Scripture is GOD-breathed. It is the Holy Spirit who put those words in those
men’ hearts, they could not have come up with such profound knowledge on their
own. We, humans, are a nutcase much of the time, thinking that we are wise
when, in fact, we are fools (Romans 1:22). 1 Corinthians 1:21 tells us that
this belief of His wisdom being seen as foolish is pleasing to GOD because it
saves those that believe.
Now, if you do not
understand all that I have written or the Scriptures given, you are either a
non-believer, a Christian by name only and yet do not live according to GOD’S
Word, or a true Christian who needs to ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and
revelation concerning GOD’S Word. The wonderful fact of GOD’S mercy and grace
is that you have the opportunity to know Him and His Word, but it is for you to
decide that you are willing to commit yourself to Him. You have free will, you
cannot be forced to accept Him, but your very life is at stake. The life we
live in the flesh is fleeting, there is still eternity to consider, thus I
would choose wisely.
The Equality Act, a bill that is said to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in the workplace, public accommodations, and various other settings, was just passed on Friday 17th May 2019.
The reasoning for
this bill is that there are no federal laws explicitly protecting LGBTQ people
from discrimination, but what is the real story behind this?
The person behind
pushing this act, Nancy Pelosi, is a leftist- I could say case closed at this
point, but I’ll carry on! It is called ‘The Equality Act’, but is it not really
a diabolical way to force a homosexual and transgender ideology on every person
in America and eventually the world?
With the way that
America (and other Western countries) is going, is there not already an
acceptance and promotion of transgenderism? It is not acceptance that they
want, but control and free reign to do as they want wherever they want to do
it.
This act pretty
much says that it would be illegal to prevent a man who wants to identify as a
woman from doing anything he wants to do. Would this mean that women’s sports
could come to an end? Think about it: the anatomy of a woman and a man is
entirely different, it is no secret that men fare better in sports than women,
that is why they are separated. But if a transgender person were to come along
and demand to be in, say, a weightlifting competition, no one would be able to
say no, right? And when he wins, no one could say that he had an unfair
advantage or they would risk legal action.
Taking it a step
further, what is there to stop a transgender person from gaining access to
women’s restrooms, locker rooms, showers… I don’t know about anyone else
reading this, but I’m not comfortable with a man being in the same restroom as
me just because he decided that he wanted to be identified as a woman.
Churches and
ministries would have to accept them into the pulpit or roles of leadership,
wouldn’t they? Personally, I don’t know why they would want to even be in a
church, but you never know, do you? I see our freedom of worshipping GOD
according to His Word being thrown out of the window here. If a church decides
to deny access to a transgender person, they are going to face some problems
because the Religious Freedom Restoration Act is not about to protect anyone
who refuses to comply with this bill.
As a parent, you’re
not going to be able to oppose this ideology being taught in schools, you
cannot stop your child from being forced to learn about it, and no hospitals or
doctors can refuse to perform sex change operations.
There is this
misconception that Christians hate the LGBTQ community, but that is not true.
We are to hate sin, not the person. Homosexuality is a sin, that is our belief
as Christians because GOD has condemned it. I have never ill-treated someone
who identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual etc. or had terrible thoughts towards
them. I have never spoken hateful words to them or offensively spoken of them.
However, I am firm in my beliefs and stand by them, knowing that it is GOD whom
I shall answer to at the appointed time.
A photo of Lovie Hope Duncan reaching out to touch Tubman’s hand in the mural has already racked up nearly 12,000 likes and has been shared about 4,000 times on Twitter, where journalist Yashar Ali shared it May 18. The original photo was posted on Instagram by the account Maiden Maryland.
Sometimes the simple things in life mean so much as evidenced by a child high-fiving a mural depicting the freedom fighter. Awesome.
In the photo, the young girl, named Lovie, can be seen high-fiving Tubman’s extended hand in the painting.
According to the 3-year-old’s grandmother Tracy Kilgore Lynndee, Duncan was captivated by the painting after going on a walk with her grandmother.
Amazing photo
A little girl touches Harriet Tubman’s hand
This is a new mural on the side of the Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center.
The original photo was captured by Lovie’s grandma, Tracy Kilgore Lynndee, at a recent visit to the new mural, which was painted outside the Harriet Tubman Museum & Education Center, Cambridge, MD.
“Lovie is only 3. She loves to walk around town with us on pretty days to look and explore,” Kilgore Lynndee told a local NBC station in an interview this week. “When she saw the mural it startled her for a moment because she wasn’t expecting it.”
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) was one of hundreds on Twitter who celebrated the photo.
Such a powerful photo of 3-year-old Lovie Hope Duncan at the Harriet Tubman mural in Cambridge. Can’t wait to visit and see Maryland artist, Michael Rosato’s artwork. Now, let’s make sure we also honor this great American hero by putting Tubman’s image on the $20 bill. pic.twitter.com/FP1OjreZAH– Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) May 21, 2019
In an interview with a viewer, Rosato talked about what he is trying to convey through this mural.
“The inspiration comes from that moment when a slave has to make a decision to go. This incredibly strong and compassionate woman is about to offer that hand for that freedom. And I thought, how do I capture that moment where it all happens, when the risk was taken to run from the slave owner, to a woman taking a risk to bring you through to the other side. This is that special moment when the hand is being offered. She has to be compassionate, but has to assert a certain authority.”
The mural was commissioned by the Dorchester Center for the Arts for the 50th Anniversary of the Maryland State Arts Council. It is a partnership project between Dorchester Center for the Arts, Alpha Genesis CDC, The Maryland State Arts Council, and the Harriet Tubman Organization, with additional support from Downtown Cambridge. As public art it represents a gift to the people of Cambridge, Dorchester County, and beyond.
The Tubman Museum & Educational Center, located at 424 Race Street in Cambridge, MD, is run by volunteers who have been working to share Tubman’s legacy for decades. The museum includes exhibits about Tubman and the Underground Railroad. . The museum is also the site of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Conference, coming up May 31-June 1.
I was rescued by God. There’s a song out right now, “He’s my rescuer.” What does it mean to be rescued, and what does it take? Here’s a part of my story……….
Many years ago, I was not saved, not serving God, and I married this man that I thought was the love of my life. He promised to get rid of his drugs, become a family man, and a life of happiness-ever-after. I know a lot of religious folks do not believe this, but every person that stands in front of a justice of the peace or a seedy wedding place in Reno, is not “Joined by God,” in a holy marriage.
I didn’t know that then, because I believe every time a person said, “Let it be so,” then it was so.
For sixteen years of my life I took abuse. My story is detailed in my book “Grace to the Rescue.“
This is a story of believing for something to change, and he did not wish to change. It’s a story (that is all true) of a guy who said he got saved, but was just giving lip-service to God. It’s a story of having Faith without asking God what to ask Faith for, because of assumptions taught by the church.
Fear is a liar! Satan is not afrad to use our faith against us. We must know, and find out for ourselves what is going on, and not just blindly follow people who say they know “the way” out of our problems. Here’s what happened to me, about to commit suicide, I finally said “I HAVE TO KNOW” Father “I have to know,” some answers to the questions that go unanswered.
He answered me.
God wants us to know for ourselves, hear for ourselves, see for ourselves, and be led by his Spirit! There is no other way! I am here to be your cheerleader and say, those words in your bible “the Lord is your Shepherd,” He will “lead you,” (It’s all true!).
God saved me, rescued me, restored me, saved me from death multiple times, and he continues to work miracles in my life, but let me tell you something, if you want a Testimony with God, you will have to pass the test.
Part of that test is being willing to walk with him alone, just like Abraham did. Are you willing?
“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; 2 look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many. Isaiah 51:1-2 NKJV
Do things feel hard? Are you facing a massive situation that seems impossible? Does it seem like you will never get what God has promised you? Joshua 6 tells the story about how the odds were stacked against Joshua and the people of Israel. They were standing at the massive unbreachable wall of Jericho that many thought was not penetrable.
As he was standing before the walls and gates of the city, many around him didn’t think his future was too bright. But Joshua had something others overlooked; he had the promise
of Almighty God. Joshua had faith because He knew God was on His side, and God had already promised the victory. Sure enough, just as God promised, the people marched around the city for six days, and on the seventh day, they shouted the victory and the walls
came tumbling down!
Today, don’t look at the walls in your life; look at the promises of God. He is for you, and if God is for you, nothing can stand against you. Get a vision of victory and don’t
let it go. Keep moving forward in faith and obedience knowing that when you do, the Most High God is on your side! Hallelujah!
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31, NIV)
Pray With Me Yahweh, thank You for Your favour, grace and victory in my life. Father, I choose to trust You. I choose to follow Your leading. I choose to be faithful. I choose to believe in Your promises, because You are faithful to me. God, please tear down the walls and the trials that seem impossible in my life. I love You and bless You, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
I hate waiting. Nowadays there seems to be queues everywhere. What are you waiting for God to do in your life? One thing I’ve learned is that waiting should not be a passive thing. When we’re waiting, we’re on the lookout, we have expectation. We speak what we are expecting from God. We act like it’s going to happen. We spend time making preparations.
When you’re expecting someone special for dinner; you don’t wait till they show up before you decide to start cooking. Most likely you start early in the day. You make sure the house is clean, you go to the grocery store, and maybe you buy some flowers for the table. You make preparations because you’re expecting someone. Staying focused as you wait with excited expectation.
Today, the attitude we need to have while we’re waiting for God’s promises to come to pass, and our prayers to be answered, is one of excited expectation and preparation. Put your faith to work as you prepare for God’s answer to come. Keep standing, keep believing, and keep hoping because your answer is on the way!
“”¦faith without works is dead.”
(James 2:20, NKJV)?
Pray With Me Yahweh, I choose to put actions behind my faith today. Father, I trust that You are working in my life as I wait for Your promises to come to pass. God, I will wait the right way – with expectancy and without complaining and worrying, knowing that my faith in You opens the door for Your hand to move in my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
The “KUWTK” couple reveals their newborn son’s name one week after Kim announced his arrival.
A Keeping Up With the Kardashians source told PEOPLE that the couple “had a name in mind, but wanted to meet the baby before they decided.”
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were apparently biblically inspired when it was time to name their fourth child.
Here’s a hint: “Psalm” means song in Hebrew
Why Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s 4th Baby Name Is Perfect for Their Family
The couple’s new baby, Psalm, will be the little brother of North, South and Chicago West.
“The inspiration was the Book of Psalms in the Bible,” Jenner told ET Onlineof her daughter Kim Kardashian West and son-in-law Kanye West‘s choice of moniker for their fourth child. “I think it’s just a wonderful way to celebrate how they feel. And he’s such a blessing, so it’s perfect.”
The couple’s newest child was born May 10 via a surrogate, but they waited a week before announcing on Twitter that their baby boy’s name was “Psalm.”
If you’re not up on theology, a psalm is a sacred song or hymn and is also the title of a book in the Bible.
Fan reactions to the name Psalm West have been mixed
As you might expect, the new name inspired strong reactions from social media users. Some despise it and some loved it with one fan writing,
“The book of Psalm was created by King David to give praises to God. This name is perfect for where you and Kanye are in your lives right now. You are publicly giving God praise for the world to see.”
Another fan wrote,
“It’s actually pretty perfect. ”
Despite often criticised over lifestyle choices, the couple have both been open about their Christian faith.
Kanye West has recently shared videos from a church gathering he has been hosting which includes much gospel music.
God is our Creator and the Creator of everything that you can see. So…why is it so hard for people to understand that He wants the best for you? Is it because we can’t see Him like we can see a friend or our spouse? Possibly. But according to God’s Word, He has always been available to us through prayer and by reading of His Word.
I think that the reason that so many people are hesitant or unwilling to follow God and the few rules which He put into place is that it is too simple. Salvation is so simple that a child can understand it and yet when we become “educated” adults we can’t believe that it is that simple. What we should understand is the same thing that the thief on the cross understood, it is our belief in Jesus which saves us. It is not the church or a preacher or a certain ritual which we have to do in order to be saved.
Just believe in Jesus and what He did for you. Do this in the faith which God has granted you and then walk in that faith so that you will be a reflection of Jesus in your life. Because you may be the only Jesus some people may ever see before the end of their life or yours. Your life has an expiration date and it is only known by God, thankfully. But during the time which we have even the small things which we do that people notice because they know that we profess to be Christians can have an impact.
You may not think that a “Thank you” or a blessing said at McDonald’s over your food could have an impact but it can. You may not know about it before you get to Heaven but someone will let you know that it was that word or deed or some small thing that prompted them to seek out what made you different.
God is understanding and loving toward all of His children even though there are many who are hurting and struggling and it doesn’t look like He even cares, but He does. God is awesome because He created all of this universe and we have been studying it for hundreds of years and we’ve only scratched the surface. We have explored our own planet for thousands of years and scientists are still finding creatures which are new to science.
Why did God make this universe so complex? Because of His power and majesty but also because He wanted us to look at all of the beauty and the awesome size and diversity that is out there and wonder about Him. We would look at the intricate complexity of cells and bacteria and whales and humanity and even into the cosmos and realize that this couldn’t have come into being because of some accidental gathering of dirt and goo. There had to be a Supreme Intelligence behind every atom and molecule and His name is God.
Just shake it off, that dust from your feet. Simply shake it off. This concept, from a familiar passage of Scripture, was illuminated by God for me through a Bible Study I am doing with a small group The Scripture is:
12 Greet a household when you enter it,13 and if the household is worthy, let your peace be on it. But if it is unworthy, let your peace return to you.14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town.
(Matt. 10:14-15 HCSB)?
Its context is the sending out of the 70 disciples. The author went on to share how that dust of rejection, if not shaken off, can cling to you and really affect how you walk.
“To be given authorization to shake off rejection and disesteem is no small thing, it helps rescue the servant of Christ from a victim mentality. I get to choose whether or not this rejection accompanies me down the road. I refuse it the right to cling to my feet and affect how I walk. Rejection will not be my co traveler. I’m leaving it right where I found it.”
(Beth Moore, THE QUEST, pg 119)?
Jesus knew His disciples would encounter tough things out on the road. They would either be accepted or rejected. He was sending them out as sheep among wolves, as is stated a little further down in the Scripture passage.
Well, things haven’t changed much over two thousand years later. We are still finding ourselves as sheep among wolves and that dust is still mercilessly clinging to our feet. The dust gets caught in the grooves of our sandals and hardens into hard lumps, causing us to walk unsteady and twist our spiritual ankles. God has me in a fantastic group of believers where I am learning to share freely, just exactly where I am, what kind of dust is still clinging to my feet, and how, by the Grace of God, to shake it off. If you are not in a group like that, find one. If you need help finding one, leave a reply and I will tell you which ministry I am a part of for that purpose. Let’s pray together about freedom from the rejection we all encounter on our dusty trails.
Dearest Lord Jesus, I have twisted my spiritual ankles many times from all the rejection and misunderstandings I have experienced. I also know that I have caused others to twist their precious ankles, due to my lack of sensitivity to where they are at times. You are still speaking those words to us who follow You today.
16 “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.
(Matthew 10:16)
We need You, dearest King, to teach us how to walk amid wolves, while avoiding becoming one ourselves. Teach us what it means to be shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves. Keep us close to You, gazing at You and following You step by Step. Thank you for the promise that You, who have begun this good work in each one of us, will be faithful to complete it. (Phil. 1:6) Amen
As the Chaplain of a Christian School, often I see more potential in the students than they see in themselves. When you speak vision into your youth, when you tell them what they can become, you can help set the direction for their life. Your words have the power to push people into their divine destiny.
I believe that the reason some youth are not living at their full potential, is because no one has ever spoken faith into them. No one has taken the time to say, “hey, you’re great at this. You’ve got a gift here. You’re going to do something amazing.” I believe that one of our assignments in life is to call out the seeds of greatness in our youth.
Today, look at the young people God has placed in your life. They’re not there by accident. Take time to study them. See what they’re good at. What are their gifts? What do they excel at? Don’t just think about it, speak into their lives vision and greatness. Tell them what they can become. Let your encouragement ignite greatness on the inside of them. Help them rise up in confidence, so they can be all God has called them to be!
“”¦God”¦calls those things which do not exist as though they did.”
(Romans 4:17, NKJV)?
Pray With Me Yahweh, thank You for the young people You’ve placed in my life. Father, I want to be faithful to our youth, give me the power, despite their behaviour, to speak life and call forth greatness in them. God, thank You for putting them on my mind today, and for bringing them to new levels by faith, as we help them rise higher. Please divorce them from the enemy, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
When baby birds are ready to eat, they open their mouths wide, believing they will be fed. They expect it. They look for it. They are ready for it. It should be the same way with us. We need to keep our spiritual mouths wide open, expecting God to fill it and satisfy us.
Do you have your mouth open wide? Are you expecting God to fill you and increase you beyond measure? Are you ready for Him to satisfy your needs and desires with good things? Are you ready for new dreams and a divine breakthrough? Pray hard, trust God’s Word, open wide and position yourself for your blessing.
Some of us have spiritually closed mouths. Negative thinking is like closing your mouth. A closed mouth can’t be filled. But Jesus is saying today, “why don’t you take the limits off?” Why don’t you trust and believe Him for supernatural opportunities, and allow Him to fill you?
Today, be like that little bird waiting for food. It isn’t concerned about where the mother is going to get it from. It isn’t concerned about how she’s going to dig it up. No, that bird just opens its mouth wide, trusting and waiting. Why don’t you do the same today? Trust God, open your mouth wide. You won’t be disappointed. God is faithful to His Word, and He will fill you and satisfy you when you put your total trust in Him!
“”¦Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it”¦”
(Psalm 81:10, NLT)?
Pray With Me Yahweh, I come to You today thanking You for sustaining me, and asking You to continue to fill me. Father, I choose to open my mouth wide like a bird, trusting that You Father, will fill me with blessings and opportunities. Even when I don’t understand how everything is going to work out God, I know that You are a good God with a good plan for my life. Fill me with Your peace and patience, as I humbly wait on You, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Whiles laws governing abortion continue to be debated in many parts of the world, heated conversations around the issue of abortion has increased in recent months as countries have continued to pass “heartbeat bills” and other laws restricting abortions.
Voters in Ireland removed a 35-year-old constitutional ban on abortion, one of the strictest in Europe.
And in Poland, politicians are making a renewed push to restrict abortion.
From relief to regret: Readers’ experiences of abortion
Celebrities around the world have weighed in on the matter through sharing personal antidotal stories of relief to regret rallying for boycotts, and starting movements championing for and against change on social media.
Children’s lives outside the womb matter just as much as those inside. I won’t pretend I’m fully educated on the policy nuances or women’s experiences. I just don’t seem to hear the voices crying against the murder of children inside the womb, that are crying about those outside the womb.
Lecrae Devaughn Moore
Recently, Christian rapper Lecrae Devaughn Moore took to Twitter Social Media to share his conventions about what it means to be pro-life, arguing that children’s lives inside the womb matter just as much as those outside which prompted ‘amens’ and ‘hallelujahs’ in support across Twitter
Lecrae also admitted that he paid for an abortion in the past which went from being a relief to a lifetime of regret. Lacrae also said:
“I found a photo of the girlfriend I asked to abort my baby and I ‘just broke down”.
Lecrae Devaughn Moore
Lecrae’s public message sparked a wide range of responses, both from those who agree and disagree and felt the comment was completely out of line.
“Haven’t seen the same support for the marginalized communities I’ve served in for 15 years. Most of my friends in urban ministry lack support. They are dealing with the families and societal injustices AFTER the kids are born.”
Many were surprised and grateful when they saw the video clip from Passion Life Ministries on January 9th described as “A conversation with Lecrae, John Piper, and John Ensor on the story behind Good, Bad, Ugly, the remorse of abortion, and the healing of the gospel of Christ.
Lecrae is seen by millions as a relevant leader with a voice worth listening to. John Piper and John Ensor are powerful leaders as well. Both Christian ministers have faithfully spoken out against abortion for years.
In the video, Lecrae shares the meaning behind the lyrics of his song “Good, Bad and Ugly,” which shares his personal experience with abortion. Live Action wrote about this song when it was first released. Lecrae goes even deeper in this new video clip, sharing details of the pain he suffered years after the abortion of his child. Lecrae tells of the time he found a picture of his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his aborted child.
NFL tight end Benjamin Watson also joined in on the conversation and said in response to Lecrae’s comment:
here I am bruh “In the womb, outside the womb, conception to grave count me in. Standing for life does not have to be a mutually exclusive event.”
Benjamin Watson
Watson has also been a vocal opponent of abortion and spoke at the 2017 March for Life.
As a husband and father of seven children (two currently in the womb), the NFL star explained that men should “step up and lead,” which could “eradicate” many of the abortions occurring today.
He added that abortion is “the ultimate form of sexism against women.”
“And that’s a challenge to myself, that’s a challenge to all men who are listening, that’s a challenge to men everywhere to step up and be men.
“A lot of the issues that we face in our country, whether it’s the abortion issue, or education, or whatever it may be, sometimes incarceration, whatever it may be, if men were doing their job, these things would be eradicated.
“My message to men is a lot of times, me looking in the mirror and encouraging myself as a father, as a husband, to do what it takes to stand in the gap, to step out, and to lead, because manhood is really falling by the wayside.
“The crazy thing is that abortion itself is really the ultimate form of sexism against women. And if men were standing up doing what they were supposed to do, much of this would be eradicated.”
The battle between life and choice is being fought one story at a time.
Abortion facts:
Abortion i`s the #1 cause of death for African-Americans. Abortion disproportionally targets minority babies. Whatever the intent of the abortion industry may be, by functional standards, abortion is a racist institution. In the United States, black children are aborted at 5 times the rate of white children and Hispanic children don’t fare much better. Abortion is the leading cause of death among black Americans. We can debate the racial intent of Planned Parenthood past and present, but we cannot debate the results. Abortion is by no means an equal opportunity killer.
Every new life begins at conception. This is an irrefutable fact of biology. It is true for animals and true for humans. When considered alongside the law of biogenesis — that every species reproduces after its own kind — we can draw only one conclusion in regard to abortion: every single abortion ends the life of an innocent human being.
Abortion is more dangerous than childbirth. Among the physical risks of abortion are infection, perforation of the uterus, hemorrhage, cervical incompetence, cancer, and even death. Among the psychological risks are depression, nervous disorders, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, child neglect or abuse, divorce or chronic relationship problems, and suicide. The Elliot Institute. “Research on the Psychological and Physical Effects of Abortion.” Accessed October 17, 2013.
The 8 week+ unborn baby feels real physical pain during an abortion. Yes, every abortion kills an innocent human being. Even more alarming is the fact that beginning at the 8th week of development, an unborn baby that is aborted feels pain during the abortion. The baby feels both psychological and real physical, organic pain. Let that sink in. Of course, whether or not abortion is a painful experience to the unborn child being aborted, the child is left no less dead as a result. In talking about the question of fetal pain, we must remember that it ultimately has no bearing on the morality of abortion.
70,000 women world-wide die each year from back-street abortions.One in three women in the UK have an abortion in their lifetime.
Abortion has become a form of gendercide, shrinking the global female population at an alarming rate. On top of the fact that every abortion kills an innocent human being, abortion has also become the driving force in eliminating females around the globe. Estimates put the global gender gap somewhere between 100 and 200 million people. Abortion has become the most effective means of sexism ever devised, ridding the world of multitudes of unwanted females.
Around 180,000 abortions a year take place in England. About 10,000 are on women from other parts of the UK including Ireland, where it is illegal. 10,000 are performed in Scotland. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
Women between 20- and 24-years-old are the largest users of abortion services. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
Since being legalised under the 1967 Abortion Act, on average around one fifth of all pregnancies in the UK have ended in abortion.
World-wide, around one quarter of pregnancies end in abortion – nearly half are illegal. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
Almost 90% of abortions take place in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
76% of adults in the UK are pro-choice. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
The NHS is not required by law to perform abortions. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
In England nearly a quarter of women pay for their abortions because NHS services are restricted. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
Abortion on request is the general rule in most European countries and in the US but not in the UK where the permission of two doctors is required. Source: Abortion Rights, UK
In a saline abortion, amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus and replaced with a saline solution, which the fetus swallows. The fetus is killed by salt poisoning, dehydration, brain hemorrhage and convulsions. Saline abortions, typically performed in the second and early third trimester, are rarely used today, due to the risk of particularly serious health complications to the woman. Clowes, Brian, PhD. The Facts of Life. Front Royal, VA: Human Life International, 2001.
Suction aspiration, the most common abortion method, is typically performed at 6-12 weeks gestation, but can be used up to 16 weeks. The cervix is dilated, and a hollow plastic tube with a sharp tip is inserted into the cervix and then into the uterus. An aspirator attached to the tube tears the body of the fetus apart and suctions the pieces through the tube. Willke, John, MD and Barbara Willke. Abortion: Questions & Answers. Cincinnati: Hayes, 2003.
Since the legalization of abortion in 1973, there have been approximately 56 million abortions performed in the United States. Guttmacher Institute. “Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States.” July 2013.
Science
* The average length of a full-term pregnancy is 38 weeks. Obstetricians normally use a figure of 40 weeks, but this is actually the time between the first day of the last menstrual period and childbirth. On average, the first day of the last menstrual period occurs 2 weeks before fertilization.[
* The following scientific facts about human development are organized according to the number of weeks since fertilization. The number of weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) are shown in parentheses.
Fertilization (2 Weeks Post-LMP)
* Fertilization normally takes place within one day of intercourse but can occur up to six days later.
* At fertilization, the genetic composition of humans is formed.[ This genetic information determines gender, eye color, hair color, and facial features. It also influences characteristics such as intelligence and personality.
* The medical textbook The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology states that “fertilization” creates “a new combination of chromosomes that is different from that in the cells of either of the parents,” and this “is the beginning of a new human being.”[
* The four defining characteristics of life are present at fertilization:[
growth
reproductioN
metabolism
response to stimulI
* Genetically speaking, with the exception of identical twins, once a woman conceives a preborn human, the odds against her conceiving the same one again are greater than 10600 to one.[ In comparison, there are roughly 1080 atoms in the known universe.
* Identical twins are biologically unique from each other due to epigenetic differences that affect the expression of their genes.[
3 Weeks After Fertilization (5 Weeks Post-LMP)
* The eyes and spinal cord are visible and the developing brain has two lobes.
4 Weeks After Fertilization (6 Weeks Post-LMP)
* The heart is beating and a circulatory system is in place.[ Specific brain components and internal organs such as the lungs are beginning to develop and can be identified.
7 Weeks After Fertilization (9 Weeks Post-LMP)
* Muscles and nerves begin working together. When the upper lip is tickled, the arms move backwards. The cerebrum has divided into hemispheres.
* More than 90% of the body structures found in a full-grown human are present. The medical classification changes from an embryo to a fetus. This dividing line was chosen by embryologists because from this point forward, most development involves growth in existing body structures instead of the formation of new ones. The preborn human moves body parts without any outside stimulation.
10 Weeks After Fertilization (12 Weeks Post-LMP)
* All parts of the brain and spinal cord are formed. The heart pumps blood to every part of the body. The whole body is sensitive to touch except for portions of the head. The preborn human makes facial expressions.[
11 Weeks After Fertilization (13 Weeks Post-LMP)
12 Weeks After Fertilization (14 Weeks Post-LMP)
* Electrical signals from the nervous system are measurable. After an abortion, efforts to suckle will sometimes be observed.
13 Weeks After Fertilization (15 Weeks Post-LMP)
14 Weeks After Fertilization (16 Weeks Post-LMP)
* The preborn human makes coordinated movements of the arms and legs.[
* The preborn human sleeps, awakes and can hear sounds.[
* For detailed facts about the capacity of humans to feel pain at this stage of development, read Just Facts’ article, “When Do Humans Begin to Feel Pain?”
* Up through approximately this point in time, according to the Supreme Court’s rulings in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a pregnant woman can abort at will. (More details in the section on Constitution and Law.)
24 Weeks After Fertilization (26 Weeks Post-LMP)
* The blink-startle reflex and taste buds are functional. The preborn human will swallow more amniotic fluid if a sweetener is added to it. The grip is strong enough to hold onto an object that is moving up and down.[ If born and given specialized care, the survival rate is more than 80%.
28 Weeks after Fertilization (30 weeks Post-LMP)
* If exposed to an 85 decibel noise while sleeping (about as loud as a blender), preborn humans exhibit the “motor behaviors that accompany the crying state.”Premature infants born at this time are more sensitive to pain than infants who are born at 38 weeks, and infants who are born at 38 weeks are more sensitive to pain than infants at 3—12 months after birth.[
* If born and given specialized care, the survival rate is more than 95%.[
32 Weeks After Fertilization (34 Weeks Post-LMP)
(Premature infant 3 days after birth)
38 Weeks After Fertilization (40 Weeks Post-LMP)
* Average point in time when humans are born. At birth, the medical classification changes from a fetus to a neonate.[
* At any point prior to birth, according to the Supreme Court’s rulings in Roe v. Wade, Doe v. Bolton, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a pregnant woman can abort to preserve her “health.” One example from Roe v. Wade of what may be considered harmful to a mother’s health is the work of caring for a child. (More details in the section on Constitution and Law.)
Around 36.5% of all American households own dogs – according to the American Veterinary Medical association – which just goes to show what an important part they are of daily life. If you love dogs and are also a Christian, you may have recently heard the news about Pope Francis stating that all dogs go to Heaven. He was consoling a grieving boy who had just lost his furry BFF, he said, by telling the boy that “Paradise is open to all of God’s creatures.” What a beautiful thought and how inspiring it is to the millions of people who consider dogs to be family.
Is the Bible Really Silent on Dogs?
There are very few references to dogs and pets in the Bible, with the word ‘dog’ often used in a symbolic/pejorative sense to describe negative actions of human beings. For instance, Philippians 3:2 says: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.” The passage does not refer to canines per se, evidently, but to those who look out for themselves, are aggressive, and do not show concern or humanity for others.
However, we can seek the inspiration we need to be better dog owners in other parts of the Bible. Genesis 1:21, for instance, says: “So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” This is just one of many passages in the Bible that highlight the innate goodness of animals, and indeed, of all sentient things.
The Benefits that Dogs Bring to Our Lives
“Ask the animals and they will teach you,” says Job 12:7. It is a powerful statement that hints at the many ways that dogs can enhance our health and happiness. Studies have shown that dogs lower stress levels in human beings, providing the kind of companionship and unconditional love that can be hard to find.
To celebrate these benefits, why not take part in Take Your Dog to Work Day, which will be celebrated across the globe on June 21? This special day is held for two important reasons: to encourage dog adoption, and to highlight the benefits that dogs can bring workers. These benefits include creating a calmer and happier environment, and encouraging social interaction between employees.
The Importance of Being a Good Pet Owner
Proverbs 12:10 states that “The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” It is a good reminder that pets have needs owners should cater to. These include food, veterinary visits, and of course, practical aspects of pet care – such as monthly flea and tick treatments, anti-worm treatments, nail trimming, etc. It is also important to ensure your pet gets at least two good walks a day. This is key both for their health and fitness, and their socialization skills. Dogs need to play and encounter other dogs since they are young so they learn to do so in a calm, non-aggressive relationship.
There is a good reason why dogs are used in therapy to heal so many conditions. They have a unique ability to lift the mood and battle stress in such a natural manner. The Bible says little about pets but when it does mention dogs in the literal sense, it is in a positive manner. Your faith can deepen the sense of appreciation you feel for your dog, but also inspire you to keep being the best, most responsible owner you can.
Over my years in church and having been the subject of much gossip, I have concluded that one of the tactics the devil employs is the negativity of other dream killers.
Question: have the negative opinions of others caused you to water down your dreams?
I had to learn that there will always be critics and naysayers in life. It’s not what’s said about you that affects your life, but what God has said, and what you say and believe about yourself.
The greatest thing I believe we must learn, is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life–you do. In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul is saying, “it doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” Remember, when God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass; it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to believe and follow the voice of God for yourself, and allow Him to order your steps.
Today, God sees the hidden treasures that He has buried on the inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality! As you get rid of negative people, defeated thoughts and dream killers, and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limitations off your dreams and goals, and live the abundant life God has in store for you!
“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?”
(Romans 3:3, NIV)?
Pray With Me Yahweh, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Father, thank You for the dreams and successes You have buried in me from the day I was conceived. I refuse to listen to the naysayers, critics and dream killers that the enemy has placed in my life. God, today I choose take off the limits in my mind and of the people around me, and embrace the dreams You’ve placed in my heart. I beg you God, to empower me by Your Spirit to fulfill Your plans for me, in Jesus’ Name! Amen
