Thursday, June 27, 2013

Standing in the Gap - June 27, 2013

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. ~Proverbs 24:11
 
 
 



Drew, Esther and I arrived at the abortuary at 9:30 am.  Pastor Dale was already there and one of the workers was there as was a client.   Dale said the women had been there yesterday with her 18-20 year old daughter and the mother told him she was bringing her daughter for birth control; but being back again early this morning, Dale said it was an abortion.
 
Jillian and Hannah arrived.  Jillian had purchased a wonderful little microphone/amplification unit.  She strapped it on and walked the sidewalk in front of the clinic sharing God’s word and human development/abortion facts.  
 


 
A couple more workers arrived as did Marty, the abortionist, which was earlier than usual.  He stopped to tell Jillian there was a bubble law and she was not allowed to block the entrance to the clinic, which there isn’t in Ohio and she wasn’t anyway.  As he pulled in the drive he gave us his usual smug smile and blessing (middle finger) and drove around to park in the back.
 
Another car pulled in; and as the ladies were entering we tried to give them information and tell them we knew people who would adopt an unwanted child.  They looked at the posters for a minute and kept walking.  Jillian pleaded with them, but they went in.
 
The first lady, who had brought her daughter, came out.  Jillian handed her a “First 9 Months” book and she sat in the car and read it.  While she was in the car, Jillian walked over near the parking lot and began speaking to her with the amp unit.  The woman was becoming visibly upset and was shaking her head and raising her voice to someone on the phone. Eventually she drove away. Jillian proceeded back to the front door to continue sharing scripture and pregnancy/abortion facts.
 
 
 

 
Two more clients arrived but neither took the information.  As two of them were coming back out Achtse called out to them and they started screaming obscenities at her.  It was very sad to see them be abusive to this dear sweet, gentle older lady.
 
Esther handed out 12 tracts today to people passing by.  One of them actually drove up to speak to us about what we were doing.  They wanted to let us know they supported it and gave Dale a couple bucks, which he gave to Jillian for gasoline since she travels over an hour one way to speak for the unborn.  

 
 
 
 
A man on a bicycle riding past stopped to talk to Achtse and Dale; and he was shocked by the posters and knowing what was going on in the building. He took pictures to show his friends and rode by a little later with another guy to show him the posters.
 

 
 
 
This is a day care center in the building attached to the abortion mill where they regularly slaughter children.  Murding children in one part of the building, caring for them in the other.  How disturbing is that?
 

 
 

It was a really strange day today. Only four clients came in; Praise God!!  Unfortunately we are fairly certain the first one was a partial birth abortion. They were there early and when they left out the back door the woman was moving slowly and then was lying down in the passenger seat. It was very sad .
 
On a bright note, Pastor Dale said that the last people in last Thursday, came out shortly after we left at Noon.  It was a woman and man that had come in separate cars.  We had given them information, but they went in anyway.  Dale said they were not in long enough to have seen Marty and they came out the front door, while those who have abortions exit through the back.  He said the two hugged in the parking lot.  The man drove away and the woman got in her car.  Dale offered her more info and said, “I hope you don’t come back here.”  She took the info, smiled at him and drove away.   Perhaps a save!!!  Praying she does not return.
 
Please continue to pray that this evil will be abolished and please get involved.  Pray that Marty and his staff will REPENT of their evil deeds and believe in Jesus.  Pray for those who led their children to slaughter today that God would work in their hearts and bring them to repentance, faith and forgiveness. 

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him uof whom they have never heard?And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. ~Romans 10:13-17
 
What will you do to get involved?   Men and women are committing murder in the name of "choice" and need to be warned of the wrath to come.  The unborn have no voice of their own.  We must speak on their behalf. 
 
Standing in the Gap,
 
Laura
A//A
 
 

 
 
Rescue the Perishing | Frances J. Crosby
 
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
 
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.
Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.

Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Standing in the Gap - June 25, 2013

 
Planned Parenthood – Bedford





Big storms were forecasted today as I headed out to the abortion mill in Bedford.  It looked ominous and began to sprinkle a bit as I arrived, but then stopped.   As I was coming out of Burger King with my bottle of water, Jillian and her children were arriving. 

We walked across the street and took our place in front of the mill and I continued praying as I had been on the drive over.  There were many cars in the parking lot when we arrived; some were workers and some clients.  As the first cars pulled in they continued to the back of the parking lot.  It was frustrating to not be able to talk to them or give them the info, but we tried. 






Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. ~James 1:27

Bob, the lawyer, showed up; and as we continued to watch cars pull in and pull to the back, Jillian’s daughter (15 years old) said, “Let’s go around the back.”  That meant going down the driveway of the apartment complex that sits behind the Planned Parenthood.   Bob, Hannah and I went behind and tried to give pre-abortion packets to the women entering.  None of them would talk to us, but a woman who came out to smoke started yelling at us and telling us that sex was good and that we shouldn’t be ashamed of sex and that we should focus on birth control for women so they didn’t end up here for abortions.  I agreed with her that sex is good because God created it to be good and explained that if women respected themselves and did what God says and had sex within the bounds of marriage they wouldn’t need to come here for abortions.   She threw her cigarette on the ground and went back in.  We tried to give pre-abortion packets to others who were arriving, but most could not find a space and just drove out of the parking lot.
 
Shortly after, a worker from PP came out and told us we had to get off the property.  I told her we were not on PP property and just wanted to give info. She said we could not be on that property and she was calling the police. I told her that if the owner of the building came out and told us to get off the property, I would, but that she had no authority to tell me to leave; and that if they would quit killing babies I wouldn’t have to be there at all. She said again she was calling the police. She obviously called the property manager because shortly after she went back in, a man from the apartments on a golf cart came driving up and said we couldn’t be there.   Bob told him he was a lawyer representing us and we talked to him for a while and found out his name is Rich Blessing.  Crazy, right?    Bob asked him if he was pro-life and he said he wouldn’t answer  and asked us to leave, so we did.   Just as we were walking back down the driveway to the get to the sidewalk again Jillian came and said the police had just pulled in and were circling the parking lot. I'm not sure what they could have done as I was never on PP property and left the other when asked. I wasn’t worried. The sad thing is several police kept driving up and down the road and two sat at opposite ends of the road and watched us. We were not doing anything illegal, so again wasn’t concerned. I just found it really sad that they are worried about us giving out information to women and sharing the gospel with them, but not concerned that the people inside are murdering children. What a totally upside down world we live in. God, help us.

 
"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!" ~Isaiah 5:20  

We handed out tracts to many people walking past and, at one point, a man named Lamar stopped to voice his disapproval of the posters of aborted babies.   He was getting a little heated talking to one of the other men; so I walked over and introduced myself.  I told him I overheard what he was saying and that I am totally disgusted by the pictures of aborted babies and that they make me feel sick and I cry knowing that this is happening in the building behind ust and that people need to know.  He said he understands but that he didn’t want to have to see them and explain to his kids about stuff like this.  I explained to him that I didn’t want my kids to see pictures like this either or to have to explain that people think it’s ok to murder babies, but that is the sad reality of our culture.  I told him that God says we are not to kill and asked him if he would have been upset at the abolitionists that showed what was happening to slaves or those who exposed the horrors of the Nazis by showing pictures of what happened in concentration camps.  He didn’t really know what to say to that.  He continued to be distressed by the pictures and I assured him I am distressed by them as well, but until they stop murdering babies inside that building the pictures are necessary to show people the truth.  He said he was pro-life and appreciated what we were trying to do though he didn’t agree with the pictures.  He wouldn’t let me give him a tract, but please pray for Lamar.  He is another “pro-life” person who doesn’t want to be confronted by the truth of abortion.




 


A lady walked down the driveway of PP towards us and crossed in front of us on the sidewalk.  She was middle-aged and stopped to look at our signs and said, “You got any information I can have?”  I said, “Yes, Maam, I surely do,” and gave her the pre-abortion packet that includes many good resources on human development, abortion, adoption and the gospel.   Jillian and I were in shock.  We’ve never had anyone ASK us for information!   That made me smile.


Another lady walking down the street stopped to talk to one of the men and he was giving her a gospel tract and speaking with her.  She gave a big thumbs up for what we were doing.  I introduced myself and asked her for her name and if I could take a picture of her smiling and giving thumbs-up since most people are yelling at us and being unkind.  She was so sweet and was concerned about how she looked, but I assured her she looked beautiful and made me smile.  She was in a hurry to get somewhere but we had a quick discussion about birth control and she said she didn’t know some of the facts we shared with her.  Please pray for Janice.



As I reflect on the day, I am overwhelmed by the number of cars that drove in, which was 30-40.  I lost count with the steady flow.    The parking lot was so full that cars were leaving and looking for other places to park.  We tried to share God’s word and the pre-abortion packs with people but with not much success.


Thank you so much for those of you who partner with us through prayers and resources.  Your support means so much to us.  We know the battle is the Lord's. 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."  ~Ephesians 6:10

Joyful in Jesus,

Laura


  1. Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
    Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
    Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
    Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

     Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
    Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
  2. Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
    Waiting the penitent child to receive;
    Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
    He will forgive if they only believe.
  3. Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
    Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
    Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
    Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.
  4. Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
    Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
    Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
    Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.

    Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
    Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.



  

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Standing in the Gap - June 20, 2013

"Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter." ~Proverbs 24:11
 
Women’s Medical Center- Cleveland



I stopped in to Faith Wellness and Pregnancy Center (a ministry of Faith Baptist Church) today to talk to the director of the clinic before heading to the mill.  She wasn’t expecting me that early, but was going to be gathering brochures for us to use at the mills, since several CPC’s do not want to support what we are doing.    She wasn’t there due to a meeting and I ended up being a little later to the killing place than I intended.  When I arrived, Jillian, her daughter and Pastor Dale were already there.  Dale was talking to a city worker whose crew was working to beautify the neighborhood, including the abortion mill.
L  Jillian was visibly upset.  Here’s Jillian's account of what happened.


  • “Dale was talking to two ladies who were heading in to the killing place.  The lady who was coming for the abortion was getting in Dale's face and swearing as I was walking up to our tree where we stand. He motioned me to come over and I asked to talk to them. They listened as I said they would be making a mistake; but the abortion-minded mom went in as I continued to talk to her friend. Her friend said she understood what an abortion was as she has two children. I told her about a recent study showing that babies in the womb feel pain five times the amount as we do. I explained that they would be ripping off the child's arms and legs and that babies have been shown on an ultrasound to be sucking their thumbs and then trying to move away from the painful sucking instruments. I told her that if her friend was in a difficult situation I could house her, help her get to a pregnancy center, or adopt the baby myself. I gave her a packet of info and told her about my crisis pregnancy situation when I was nineteen. She walked into the building to meet her friend and I started to cry. Then, I began to weep uncontrollably and dropped to the ground. I cried and prayed aloud: "Lord, God, help this baby, please. Don't let my tears be in vain today. Please, God" Then, my daughter, Hannah, came beside me and held me as I cried. We cried together for about five minutes. Then Dale said the battle wasn't mine, but the Lord's and that I shouldn't stress it so much.”


A city service crew was working on the property as part of a city beautification effort.  When I pulled up Dale had the crew chief engaged asking him why they were beautifying the lot of an abortionist for free.  The man owns three Mercedes, so he can certainly pay for upkeep on his property.   The crew continued to do their work and a little later Jillian spoke to the crew chief.  He walked over and I said hello to him and introduced myself.  He told me his name is Ozell.  He told me he knows Jesus.  We spoke of repentance and faith in Christ alone.  He told me he is a member of Bethany Christian Church and said they have programs to try to help kids not end up at the abortion mills, he but seemed reluctant to tell women that they should not go in once they made the “choice.”   He invited me to service and I told him I may just show up some day. J
A white van pulled in and Dale recognized that they were here last week.  He said it is either her appointment for the abortion or for the follow-up after abortion.  We tried to speak to her and her companion but they wouldn’t talk to us.

More cars pulled in.  Each time we tried to speak with the moms and their companions.  We were able to give out pre-abortion packs to five people.  One of the men who drove his friend took the info.  He said he doesn’t agree with abortion but supports his friend.  How often we hear that.  We explained that the driver is as guilty of the abortion as is the driver of the get-away-car in a bank robbery. 

The abortionist pulled in driving one of his Mercedes and smiled and flipped us off as always.  Pray for Marty.  He must be so hardened to smile and laugh and kill babies.

Another woman who came back today said that she had the pre-abortion pack from last week, but that she was here to have the “procedure”... aka murder her child.  It was very sad that she was so matter-of-fact about it after having been given the information and knowing fetal development and that there were other options. 

The women that went in earlier, who had been swearing at Dale and talking with Jillian, came out for a smoke.  As they walked past us we asked them to talk to us and not go back in.  They stood by the car smoking and we kept pleading with them not to go back in.  We offered to find them help and told them of Faith Baptist Wellness and Pregnancy Center, which is about two miles from the mill. The pregnant woman said some things that were inaudible to us, but they basically laughed and smoked and eventually went back in. A man joined them.  As they were entering the building, Jillian called out to them one last time and the man smiled and did a little fist pump. 

An older woman from the neighborhood named Jamie was walking by and stopped to chat with us and was given a tract.  She said she doesn’t believe in abortion but, “People gonna do what they gonna do.”  Again, we hear that so often, but it doesn’t make it right and doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to stop them by sharing the truth of abortion and God’s word with them.   She seemed to want to take the "personally prolife but won’t tell others it’s wrong" approach, which is ludicrous.  You can’t say, “I don’t believe in murder, but I’m not going to tell someone else what to do.”   Please pray for her, as she has been recovering from illness and pray that she will repent and believe the gospel and come out and speak up
for the pre-born.

When I left today, twelve women had gone in to murder their babies, 8 black and 4 white.  

Please pray for those who killed their babies today.  They need to know Jesus and they need healing and forgiveness.   Please consider how you can be involved in rescuing women and children from physical and spiritual death.  

Joyfully serving,


Laura

  1. Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
    Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
    Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
    Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
    • Refrain:
      Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
      Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
  2. Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
    Waiting the penitent child to receive;
    Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
    He will forgive if they only believe.
  3. Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
    Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
    Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
    Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.
  4. Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
    Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
    Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
    Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.

    Refrain:
    Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
    Jesus is merciful, JESUS WILL SAVE!

Standing in the Gap - June 18, 2013





Today was my first time at an actual Planned Parenthood abortion mill located in Bedford. It is a behemoth and just gave me the chills. It’s surrounded by an iron fence and just looks ominous. 

 
 
 
 






I arrived and shortly thereafter Jillian and her children arrived.  We were parked across the street in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant.  Next to that is a gas station where a few city workers were getting in and out of a large truck.  They greeted me, so I took that as my cue to return the greeting with a million dollar tract wrapped around a 180 card for each of them.  They graciously accepted and thanked me. 

We went across the street to the PP and waited for people to arrive.  The first car that pulled in pulled to the back where it is difficult to reach out to them; so I went around the back and tried to speak to them.  Unfortunately I am just too slow,
not as young as I used to be; so they made it in.  Unbeknownst to me another car had pulled in next to them and I spoke to the man and gave him the information thinking they were the first car. 

One car with three people in it drove in to the parking lot and then turned around and left.
J

We were joined by several more abolitionists, twelve of us in all and continued to try to reach out to abortion-minded moms.  It was difficult to get information to any, but Jillian and Sanny (pronounced like Johnny) put on yellow vests and waved cars down at the drive way to try to give them info. 
 
 
 
 
 
They did succeed a few times.  One time Jillian handed the driver a packet while Sanny  dropped a tract through the open passenger window. 

While I was there, about ten women went in to the killing place.  Gospel tracts went out to several people passing by.  Before leaving, the group got together and prayed over the building that it would be shut down.  Please pray along with us.


Please consider getting involved in speaking up for the pre-born and rescuing their mothers from a terrible decision.   We are to care for widows and orphans in their distress.  I can't think of anything more distressing than being taken to slaughter.  If you think you can't do it, please pray and ask God to guide you.  There was a time I didn't think I would know what to say or do; but there are many who can guide you, and I always pray that God will give me the words He wants me to say.  

Joyful in Jesus,

Laura


Rescue the Perishing- Francis J. Crosby

  1. Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
    Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
    Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
    Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
    • Refrain:
      Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
      Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
  2. Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
    Waiting the penitent child to receive;
    Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
    He will forgive if they only believe.
  3. Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
    Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
    Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
    Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.
  4. Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
    Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
    Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
    Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.

    Refrain:
    Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
    Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Standing in the Gap - June 13, 2013





Isaiah 55:11

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.



Shaker Medical Center, Cleveland





It's another cold, rainy day in NE Ohio; not quite the weather we like in June, but it is still spring after all.

 

There were five of us today pleading for babies' lives at the killing place today. Thirteen women went in for abortions... 11 black and 2 white.   Statistically, blacks are aborted at three times the rate of whites; but today it was more like five times!  :(


 



 
 
 
 
 

One abortion-minded woman and her companion got out of the car. As I approached them with information the pregnant woman put her fingers in her ears and started saying, “I’m not going to listen to you.  I don’t want to hear it. Lalalalala.”  I continued to try to speak with her and give her information, but she kept repeating those phrases and wouldn’t even look at me.  Her companion listened as we walked and took the info; but they went in and as far as I know they did not come out. I couldn't help but cry that she was so hard-hearted that she wouldn't even listen to what I had to say or take the pre-abortion pack and get all the facts.  Dale reminded me that the battle is the Lord's; and while I know that, I can't help but cry.

Five women took information from us. The last one in and her companions took information from us but still went in. A little while later they came out of the clinic. Pastor Dale said, "I hope we don't see you back here." She didn't say anything, but she smiled at him and left.  Pastor Dale said she wouldn't have had time for any procedures since they are seen in the order they arrive. We are hoping and praying that was a save. I guess only the Lord knows, but we were there and told them the truth.  

Several tracts were given to passersby.  Please pray that God will use them to draw people to Himself.

Joyful in Jesus,
Laura :)




Rescue the Perishing by Francis J. Crosby

  1. Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
    Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
    Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
    Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

    • Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
      Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
  2. Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
    Waiting the penitent child to receive;
    Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
    He will forgive if they only believe.
  3. Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
    Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
    Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
    Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.
  4. Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
    Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
    Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
    Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.




Friday, June 7, 2013

Standing in the Gap - June 6, 2013

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. ~Proverbs 24:11 ESV
It was a cold, rainy day for June; and due to heavier than usual traffic, I was running very late to the abortuary.  Jillian, her daughter and Pastor Dale were already there when I arrived and this is Jillian’s account of what happened before I arrived.

“When I arrived, Dale said there were already about 3-4 women in there and the abortionist was surprisingly early, as he was there before Dale.  He thinks maybe he was starting a partial birth abortion process.

Two women arrived with a male driver. They got out swearing and yelling before they even reached the sidewalk in front of the mill: "I don't even want to @#*&^ hear it from you"  "Go out and get a <bleeping> job" "Mind your <bleeping> business" she said as Dale tried to ask her "What did the baby do to deserve this?" Her friend (the lady who I talked to in the car) swore in our faces as she asked Dale and me "How many &%^$@! babies have we adopted?" Dale tried to change the subject every time to about the abortion and I said that my husband and I tried to adopt through the state and we waited 2 1/2 years with no child. She then said: "Why would this child want to sit in the system for its whole life?" "What kind of life was that?"  I told her that at least it would be better than being dead; that I knew plenty of foster kids in the system that I had gone to school with that were happy. Before I could even explain that a "private" adoption would be easier and the child wouldn't have to be in the system, she swore and went inside.  I eventually coaxed the driver of the two women to come out and talk. He didn't want to at first cause he said he had a really bad headache from a hangover and he was in his pajamas. I told him: "Oh, come on; it's in style to wear your pj's in public these days, I see people at Wal-Mart all the time."  So, he came over and I handed him the pre-abortion packet.  I asked him to take it to his friend.  He said he tried to talk her out of it for three days. He said they were from Akron. When I asked why he didn't just go to the mill there, he said the doctor there was a butcher of a doctor.  Really? You went from one butcher to the NEXT?!  Dale told him that this abortionist was just as bad, just didn't have any lawsuits, yet.  Dale told him how he has seen women in ambulances taken out. He didn't want to hear any more so went back to his car to lie down.

Another woman came in that I walked to the building. She raced faster than my umbrella could go over her and refused to listen or take materials. Dale reached the final woman of the day (outside of the workers), who had left two children in the car while she went inside for over an hour and a half.”

This is where I come in.  I arrived and shortly after more workers arrived.  Then more mothers who were about to kill their children.  Each time we would try to speak with them, but they wouldn’t listen or take the pre-abortion packets.

Jillian and Pastor Dale relayed the story to me that I recounted for you above.  The driver of the two women who were swearing was sitting in the car and it looked like he may have been reading the materials, so I tried to make eye contact with him and I prayed God would prick his conscience.  He kept looking over at me and nervously looking away.  Finally he laid his seat back.  

There was one car with a very small child in it and another person.  We couldn't make out if the other person was an adult or child, but they were there with one of the women who went in early and were still there when I left almost two hours later. 

A taxi pulled up to pick up a women from the abortuary, so Jillian walked over and paid the driver to give the women the information we had.  He said he would, but then he called her back over and gave her the info and money back saying that the ride had been cancelled.  Then he drove away.

Later the woman who had been swearing at Jillian and Pastor Dale came out of the building looking very “out of it.”  She had her head down trying to avoid us.  We tried to talk to her as we thought she may have been the one who aborted, but it wasn’t her it was the other friend who was still inside.  She got in the car with the man and they drove away.  They came back later very different.  We’re not sure if they were high or had been drinking, or both, but they were laughing it up.  They went and parked in another part of the parking lot, so Jillian walked down there and started sharing the God’s word with them.  I joined her and prayed for them.  They tried to roll up the window, but being smokers, that didn’t last long.  I know they heard what was being said because every once in a while I would hear the woman repeating what Jillian said and laughing.  It was so sad.  We prayed for them, but then it was time for us to leave. 

From the time the abortuary opened until we left at Noon, at least 10 women led their babies to slaughter.  It was a very discouraging day.   

One encouraging thing is that I was able to hand out tracts to people walking by.  They all accepted them and I watched as several of them read them as they were walking.   A lot of people driving by honked in support, including two police officers. 

As I was driving home, I was struck by the number of churches within a couple miles of the abortuary, yet there were only seven of us there.  I passed by three Baptist churches that I counted, along with numerous other denominations that were within a two minute drive of the abortuary.  I wonder how many are within a five mile area?  10 miles?  20 miles?  It must be hundreds.   Later today, I saw this post from Abolish Human Abortion, and I thought, "Sad and true." 








Please continue to pray and ask God how you can get involved.  Can you go to an abortuary in your neighborhood?  Some people drive great distances to minister.  If you can’t, can you contribute financially to help those of us who can?  We need materials for the pre-abortion packets we give to mothers as well as gospel tracts, signs, and baby items for baby blessing bags when women choose life.   If you are interesting in joining us in this ministry, please let us know.  We look forward to laboring with you.  The fields are white for harvest but the laborers truly are few.  Pray the Lord of the Harvest will send workers.

Joyfully serving,
Laura <3

Saturday, June 1, 2013

"Loving the lost"

                                             
                                                               Loving the lost
                                                                          
                       Do we love like Jesus does, without compromising Truth?

My truthful answer, "we could do better."

If you love the Lord and if you love others, as the greatest commandment of all tells us to do (Luke 10:27), you will also love the lost. It will be a natural by-product, produced only because of the Holy Spirit.

On 'loving the lost,' I have been focusing on Luke's gospel, chapter 16, verses 19-31 - specifically verse 28, in my recent studies. The tragic story of this rich man who lifted up his eyes in hell. There is a 'cry' within this chapter, that I believe more than just this rich man cried from hell.

We need to be reading God's Word, meditating on it, praying about it, else you will not hear this cry. If you're not opening yourself up to the means of hearing it, but apart from that, ultimately this hearing of the cry from hell is regulated and is equal, to your love as a Christian. It will be regulated by your love for the Lord. The more you love the Lord the more you will love the lost.

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ 27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead."

 I think about the word 'send', the rich man in hell said to Abraham: 'Abraham, send Lazarus, send, send him to my brothers'. In verse 28 the second word that I notice is the word 'lest'. The first word 'send' someone to my brothers, the second word 'lest' they come to this place of torment.

One thing I pray, is that the Holy Spirit would burn on my heart and your heart today those two words; for those two words, I believe, are the cry from hell from every unsaved person, who has ever ended up there, due to their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ and their sins against a Holy God.

                      
                        How do we love the lost like Jesus, without compromising Truth?
 

Matthew 5:46" For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?"

It takes the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer, to be able to love those who hate you and would spit upon your face. And the simple fact is the world is going to hate you for speaking the Truth; if not, I would question if you are doing something wrong. Now do not get me wrong, we should not go out of our way, to intentionally offend, but the Truth will offend. Everywhere the apostle Paul went, there was either a revival or the people wanted to kill him. It takes the Holy Spirit, to be able to "love your neighbor as yourself" and honor God, with your thoughts and actions towards unbelievers. To love the lost, you need to love them with Christ's heart.  Do we have any compassion? That compassion will outflow itself in what used to be called - 'travail' for souls, or 'agony'. An 'anguish' for souls.

Do judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24) all while "speaking the truth in love." (Ephesians 4:15).  People are already condemned to Hell, and while I cannot know the heart of people, we can examine their "fruits," and present the Law, to show them their need of the Savior Jesus (Galations 3:24).

Do not be hypocritical in your speech. Speak one way, and act another way.
Matthew 7:4-5/ "Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

1 Peter 2:1-3/ "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."

Any form of name-calling is forbidden by God's Word. "Speak evil of no one" (Titus 3:2).

If we follow the pattern, after God's Word in just the few verses I have posted, we will Love the lost properly; not perfectly, but Christ will transform us to Love like HE does. To Love even those who hate us and hate the Truth.

                                             "..it hated Me before it hated you."

John 15:18-21  “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me."

 
Luke 18:10-14/  “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

I have heard it said, "If we truly have the Cross of Christ, engraved upon our heart, we will not be able to boast in how "wonderful" we are; only in Christ."  All other boasting is evil (James 4:16-17). Our heart should reflect that of Christ Jesus, such as in the example of tax collector and the sinner in Luke chapter 18. Who does God have mercy on? The one who humbles himself before God.

I have been recently grieved that we are not showing forth the heart of Christ to the lost.  I know there are no perfect churches, there will never be a perfect Church.
"If you ever find a perfect church, don’t let me join it, because it won’t be perfect anymore!" -unknown

"We don't believe in a feelings-based Christianity, may God deliver us from a feeling-less faith. Love is an action verb. Do we love the lost like Jesus?" -unknown


The battle today, for the Christian is the battle for the heart. Do you hear that cry from Hell? Is so, what are you going to do about it? Learn how to present the Gospel Biblically, with Love and Mercy, 'The Way of the Master'.

                                                       James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
                                                                “God resists the proud,
                                                          But gives grace to the humble.”
 
 
                                                              Grace Unmeasured
                                                   
                                                     "Grace unmeasured, vast and free
                                                        That knew me from eternity
                                                     That called me out before my birth
                                                     To bring You glory on this earth
                                                      Grace amazing, pure and deep
                                                         That saw me in my misery
                                              That took my curse and owned my blame
                                                 So I could bear Your righteous name

                                                           Grace paid for my sins
                                                           And brought me to life
                                                       Grace clothes me with power
                                                             To do what is right
                                                        Grace will lead me to heaven
                                                        Where I'll see Your face
                                                            And never cease
                                                         To thank You for Your grace

                                                      Grace abounding, strong and true
                                                      That makes me long to be like You
                                                      That turns me from my selfish pride
                                                      To love the cross on which You died
                                                      Grace unending all my days
                                                    You'll give me strength to run this race
                                                 And when my years on earth are through
                                                       The praise will all belong to You"
 
 
                                                    1 Timothy 1:15 ~ This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

I'm just a Sinner Saved By Grace. I'm no better than the "worst" person, on this planet. We're all under the same judgment, apart from Christ Jesus. Christians need to realize without God's Grace we aren't any "good." As Scripture proclaims, "there is none good, no not one." (Ro.3:10) We are just as filthy as everybody else. I'm not better then anybody else, but I'm infinitely better off. I am no longer under God's wrath, I am a child of God and nothing can separate me from the Love of the Father.

We should be as these two verses so wisely proclaims. James 1:26-27/" If anyone among you[ thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

When Christians say they are "righteous" and "holy," it is true (2 Cor.5:21) they often forget to mention, it is only because of what Jesus did on the Cross and His blood. If it were not for Christ and His resurrection, we wouldn't be pure and good. I deserve hell, without Jesus' Blood covering my sins; the only thing that makes me "good" and "right," is HIS blood, not of what I do, lest I boast in myself (Eph.2:8-9). All glory belongs to Jesus Christ alone.
That God would desire a relationship with us sinners, is mind-boggling.
 
                                                    photo credit: www.truthforlife.org

 
                                                Grace Is The Unearned, Undeserved Love
                                                               And Favor Of God 
                                      Christian, we should present this to a lost and dying world,
                                            only possible through the Lord Jesus Christ.           
                                       
                                       May we long to imitate Christ,
                and in doing so, we will "Love the
                lost" as HE does.
                             
                                                        
                                         Please check out:  "You are Loved!" from a friend and
                                                                    fellow blogger.
                                                      Want to find out  How to be saved?
                                                          http://seekandsavethelost.com/
                               
 
“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”
                                                         ― Charles H. Spurgeon
                                     
                                              Proverbs 11:30 "...he who wins souls is wise."
                                                
                                                     Can you hear that 'cry' from Hell?