​The Gruesome Truth and the End of the Story~Matthew

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As we sat in front of the abortion clinic this Monday with 40 Days for Life, it rained and rained. Yet it didn’t seem to stop those going in and out of the abortion clinic. As we prayed under our tent we watched a pastor who faithfully drives an hour and fifteen minutes to be a witness for life each Monday and offers to talk to each one who walks into the clinic. There was no visible response to his kind words. I contemplated the mercy that each person is being offered and yet they continue on their way. I know not all of them are completely numb to the decision they are making. I realize fear is leading some of them; fear of losing their boyfriends, fear that their lives will be wrecked, fear about someone finding out the true story. I feel like some are confused and feel like this is the only solution they have. There are many factors that play into each decision to have an abortion.

I say all this to say what I am about to. When you pray for the ending of abortion, standing in front of the clinic there are times that you have to come to grips with the evil that is actually in front of you. There is an ongoing practice of absolute wickedness, innocent lives are being taken, babies are being murdered there. Oh, to say that makes me cringe at those who may take that as insensitive or condemning. Please hear me, I know God would meet any patient from the clinic, any staff worker, even the doctors with mercy and help if they chose to turn to Him in repentance. There is an opportunity for a transformed life, forgiveness, healing, and peace in Jesus.  We stand in a spirit of mercy and compassion for all who are involved.  And, we stand knowing we need His mercy and forgiveness for any sin in our own lives as well. 

But there is a holocaust in our land and this is one of the death camps. There is a mass murder and this is one of the murder sites. There is a scheme of the enemy to kill the babies and it happens at the corner of State St. and Slaughter St. in Bristol, TN. Oh, it is like a ball of pain, grief, frustration, and anger that comes with knowing what is going on across the street from where we pray. It is a temptation to get bitter and angry in an unholy way. ABORTION IS WRONG: IT IS WRONG FOR THOSE WHO PERFORM THEM, FOR THOSE WHO ASSIST AND ENCOURGE ABORTION, AND FOR THOSE WHO GET THEM.  

Indeed, there is a call to the church in the Tri-Cities to do something about it. We pray, we fast, we hold signs, we offer sidewalk counseling, we talk about it, and we respond. We cannot be as ostriches who stick their heads in the sand over this issue. Where is the church who will labor to see this clinic close, to see the murder stop? To see those who have had abortions receive healing and wholeness? To see women in crisis receive help and hope? It’s now time to respond to God. If not now, when?

I want to offer a measure of comfort to those who seek justice in the face of wickedness, who pray for the ending of abortion. Psalm 37 says

Vs 1Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb……
 
Vs 7Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more….
 
Vs. 34
Wait on the Lord,
And keep His way,
And He shall exalt you to inherit the land;
When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power,
And spreading himself like a native green tree.
36 Yet he passed away,[a] and behold, he was no more;
Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.
 
Vs 39
But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
He is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the Lord shall help them and deliver them;
He shall deliver them from the wicked,
And save them,
Because they trust in Him.
 
We put our trust in the Lord to ultimately deal with the wickedness we witness, especially when the current laws and culture give allowances for it. We trust He will deal with those who do evil and those who practice abortion. The wickedness will be judged and those who have been involved in it will face His judgment, and we look to Jesus for His mercy towards them. He stands as the one who took on their punishment. Rest in Him as you labor against abortion. Trust in Him as you stand for LIFE.
 
We continue to stand for the rest of the 40 Days for Life looking to the One who actually created babies in the womb and appeal to Him to bring justice for them. He will sooner or later. We pray sooner…. Let abortion end in the Tri-Cities and all across our nation.

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