Blessings, Family!
Independence Day just around the corner and we are looking forward to our sixth year of ministering to our community during our 4th of July in the Park celebration. We’ve learned over the years not to worry about who will come and what we will say. God has taught us that all that is required of us is to show up and trust in His leading. The Holy Spirit has never failed to give us the knowledge and the words, and it is quite exciting watch Him work. We treasure your prayers this year as always for this chance to bless our community.
This Independence Day, I hope all Christians are celebrating the great answer to prayer our nation has received. Many of us have been seeking the Lord’s forgiveness for the blatant disregard the U.S. has shown toward the beautiful gift of life, in some misguided belief that some lives are more deserving of freedom than others. But this year Heaven rejoices with us that our humble pleas for forgiveness have been heard, and our Father has moved on our behalf. I have no doubt that among those celebrating in Heaven are the billions of babies who didn’t get a chance to feel a mother’s embrace or play in the sunshine.
As we all know, this is only the beginning of restoring God’s favor to our nation. Let us continue to lift up in prayer those states who continue to deny the unborn the right to life. Let us intercede on their behalf, asking for God’s forgiveness and praying for Godly leaders in those states. But mostly, let us pray for forgiveness and healing for the mothers who have fallen for Satan’s lies and now suffer the consequences. And for the mothers who are considering killing their babies, that the Holy Spirit would move with compassion in their hearts, and that God would put people in their paths that would encourage and support them in choosing life.
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”
Psalm 127:3-5 NIV
It is my hope and prayer that one day all Americans, born and unborn, will enjoy the freedom that so many men and women fought and died for. It’s hard for me to believe that any human being could think murdering a defenseless child should be their “right.” Yet so many people are expressing their rage that this so called “right” has been taken away from them by the US Supreme Court.
Beloved, I can’t stress enough that we must not return anger for anger, insult for insult. This is not a war of the flesh, and it cannot be won in the flesh. This is a spiritual war, and must be fought in the spirit realm, with prayer and humility. Remember, God has destroyed every nation (including Israel) that practiced child sacrifice, and that is exactly what abortion is, sacrificing one life, so another can live according to their own best interest.
“They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to false gods. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.” Psalm 106:38 NIV
But this isn’t just a nation that is at stake.
“You shall not commit murder (unjustified, deliberate homicide).”
Exodus 20:13 AMP
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
Mark 10:18-19 NIV
Jesus did not make murder okay when He died on the Cross and rose three days later, anymore than He made gossip, adultery, or homosexuality okay. All human beings are created in the likeness and image of God, regardless of their stage of development, and we are created for His pleasure and glory alone. Those who do not subscribe to this truth are not exempt from the responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves. That should come naturally to any human being, and though it’s not the way of today’s culture, it never went out of style in the eyes of God.
“We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.”
1 Timothy 1:8-11 AMP
“All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.” – Romans 2:12 NIV
God’s people have an even higher calling. Not only to pray against the spirit of abortion and repent on behalf of those who perform, receive, and support abortion, but to support political Pro-Life candidates, and if possible, financially support organizations that affirm life, such as Save the Storks or a local help center. This is more important now than ever. As God moves on our behalf in the heavenlies. We must secure the territory He opens up on earth. The battle in the heavenlies is ongoing and will continue until our Savior’s return. The enemy of God does not operate for an hour or two, two or three days a week. The demonic realm is single-minded in its determination, and they work at their objective (to steal, kill, and destroy) 24/7. We must be even more determined. Resting on our laurels just won’t cut it.
“Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the Lord detests them both.”
Proverbs 17:15 NIV
“Shall I leave their innocent blood unavenged? No, I will not.”
Joel 3:21 NIV
I pray this Independence Day, that all of God’s people not only celebrate the victory God has given us but seek Him with all our hearts for His wisdom and power. For new strategies to drive back the enemy from our door, that we might once again enjoy the blessings and prosperity only God can bring.
Happy Independence Day!
Rebecca
