A Time For Compassion And Prayer

By now, you are aware of the historic ruling by the Supreme Court overturning the 50-year-old Roe vs. Wade law that legalized abortion. The justices split 6-3 on the ruling. Like many of you, I’m gratified with the decision. I’ve prayed to end abortion. I’ve given money, signed petitions and supported the work of the local Pregnancy Care Center. I believe the Author of life is the only one who can determine when life should end. My conviction is not only about abortion but “end of life” decisions and capital punishment. I believe it is naïve to think that people on the “Right to Choose” side of the issue have evil intent. I believe most are concerned about women who find themselves in a kaleidoscope of issues when they discover they are pregnant. The issues can be overwhelming. I disagree with their conclusion about the best course of action to help women. I refuse to take a gloating posture at the court’s ruling. I will not brag about winning or taunt others as having lost. The court’s ruling will have a significant ripple effect on American culture. It will further alienate parties. Families will fracture over the issue. On the last day that Jesus entered Jerusalem, he stopped at a spot overlooking the city. As he looked over the city he prayed and wept. “As he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:41–42 (NLT) Jesus’ response to the condition of the world was compassion and prayer. I believe that is the correct attitude and response of Jesus’ followers, who are “keeping in step with the Spirit.” “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” Galatians 5:25–26 (NLT) The needs of humanity require every follower to respond in compassion and prayer.

How To Pray For Families

There is a scripture from the Old Testament I have been using as a point of prayer. Malachi was the last prophet who spoke for God in the Old Testament period. The next 400 years were a period of silence. No prophet spoke and no angel visited Israel. Malachi prophesied about a coming day when the preaching of God’s messenger would “turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” For years, I have prayed for families, specifically fathers and parents, from this passage. I believe that Malachi’s prophesy reveals the heart of God towards families. God desires that the hearts of fathers and mothers turn towards their children and the hearts of children towards their parents. The health of a family is affected by the hearts the parents have towards each other and towards their children. Family health is also affected by the children’s hearts towards their parents. When family members no longer have a heart for each other, the family can’t help but be dysfunctional. When fracturing occurs, people no longer talk to each other, or care about the welfare of their family members. The complexity of individuals makes family relationships complicated. People disappoint each other, say unkind things, and make assumptions and judgements. Every new person that is added to the family adds to the complication. They each have unique personalities. Each family member has their own hurts, history, unforgiveness, and repeated offenses. The diversity compounds the complexity. The answer to fractured families and broken relationships is found in “turn the hearts.” The Apostle Paul described the attributes of love in 1 Corinthians 13. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT) The love Paul describes is the love of Malachi’s “turned hearts” and the first place it should be found is in families. This Father’s Day weekend, would you join me and pray for families across our country? Pray that God will turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the hearts of children towards their parents. If you and I pray, our hearts will be changed and the “turning” could begin with us.

Find Shelter In The Midst Of Life's Storms

Multiple storms are converging on the world. Their winds are creating levels of uncertainty. The clouds of racial, economic, political, mental illness, drug abuse, violence, war, family breakdown, and moral division are unleashing rain from every direction. In a storm, there is no better place to be than in the “shelter of the Most High.” Unfortunately, there is no avoiding the storms of life. Storms will wreak havoc on everyone. The big question is, “Where will you find shelter?” David included in the Psalms a song from Moses about sheltering in a storm. “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty … He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings…. His faithful promises are your armor and protection … If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter … he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. The LORD says, ‘I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.’” Psalms 91 (NLT) God never promised a life without storms. He promised, “I will be with them in trouble.” Never go through a storm alone. Run into the shelter of the Most High. God will “shelter you with his wings” and “His faithful promises will be your armor and protection.” When the winds of financial uncertainty blow your way, run to the Lord. When winds of health struggles approach, snuggle under God’s wings. “Jesus, I can’t face this storm alone. I don’t want to face this storm alone, HELP! Jesus loves that kind of prayer!

There Is A Reason To Hope

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about death and life after death. He quoted the Old Testament Jewish prophets Isaiah and Hosea. For centuries, believers have gained comfort from Paul’s words. “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (NLT) At first glance, someone could assume that death should not be painful or “sting.” The assumption could also be made that grieving, depression, crying and even weeping should not be part of a believer’s response to death. That somehow, death is no big deal. “Get over it” people advise. A close reading of Paul’s words contradicts the simple assumptions that result from careless reading. Paul wrote: “Our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. THEN, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, … ‘Death is swallowed up in victory… .” Paul wasn’t glossing over the pain caused by the death of a loved one. He wasn’t minimizing the brutal loneliness, paralyzing silence, and the loss of touch that the death of a loved one brings. Death hurts. Death stinks. Death is not fair. The stinger of death will ultimately be painless when temporary bodies are transformed into forever bodies. The final blow to death occurs when “dying bodies are transformed into bodies that will never die.” Then believers will declare, “Death is swallowed up in victory!” Paul was trying to breathe hope into believers. He told the church in Thessalonica, “Brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (NLT) Paul understood grieving. He experienced grief. He watched people grieve, who have no hope. He watched people grieve, who believed life on earth is all there is to someone’s existence. He saw what happens to people who have no hope of reuniting with loved ones after their earthly life was over. But Paul knew there is something more. There is a reason to hope. Those who die as followers of Jesus open a door and step into an eternal kingdom beyond EVERYONE’S wildest imagination. Once people have been to the eternal kingdom, no one thinks about coming back to earth.