How did we get to this?

I have read many posts about the recent decision in NY. and personally ask myself, 

"How did we get to this?"

Why do we fight for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness while fighting for the right to take life, remove individual rights and eliminate the pursuit of happiness?  It is insanity.  We are living life upside down giving more rights and protection to animals than we do our unborn babies!

If we were to look at the argument from the outside, we have group 1 condemning  group 2 for wanting to end life up to the point of birth and is calling for them to repent, while group 1 is perfectly fine with ending life up to 8 weeks in the womb.

In either case, we as a culture, are ending more than 880,000 lives in the womb every year, which makes abortion the LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH in the US! 😢. 

This is a LOW estimate because California, Maryland and New Hampshire do not report abortions to the CDC.  For perspective, "we the people" have successfully taken the lives of more than 61 million Americans since 1973 - that is nearly the population of California and Texas and far more than we have lost in war since the American Revolution! (which makes the greatest war for life in the womb)

Take a look at this site for a reality check by the numbers: Abortion Counter

But what about rape and incest?  They account for less than one percent of all abortions.source

But what about the mother's right to choose? She chose intimacy with a man (eighty-six percent of the time outside of marriage).  As a result, the mother has a responsibility for her choice. source. Unfortunately, we assist in eliminating her responsibility for a mere $480.

Fifty-four percent of women having abortions identify themselves as protestant and catholic!  So, there are more women declaring their faith in God AND killing the unborn than those who do not acknowledge God at all.  Unbelievable.

Honestly, where do you believe God, the creator of EVERY life, stands on abortion?
"You shall not murder" (intentionally taking the life of another). Exodus 20:13

At what point will we stand with the One in whom we claim faith?
When will our hearts be broken for the lives that are taken EVERY day?
When will our hearts be compassionate toward those who are blinded to the truth, sharing with them the forgiveness and love offered through Jesus Christ?

"always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15

What tools do I use?

So, you have joined me on the New Testament Challenge 2019. SUPER!

If not, here is the reading plan: www.bit.ly/NTChallenge2019

The goal is not to READ God’s word for completion, but to SPEND TIME WITH GOD in His word for transformation.  Each Sunday sermon will be based on something we read that week, and will facilitate meaningful religious conversations around our dinner tables, in Sunday school, with friends, etc... over the same scriptures (old and young alike).

You can access the sermons here: www.bit.ly/StevesSermonsOnline

Now that you are spending time in God’s word, what tools are available to dig deeper in your study?  You can purchase books or computer programs - or you can use something FREE! Preference? I thought so. A free tool that is available online and as an app is www.Biblehub.com.

I like this tool for a couple of reasons. First, it provides multiple translations for the same verse. I was told years ago that if you studied King James, New American Standard and New International Version together, you would have a pretty good idea of the original intent of the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. So, this site provides that availability.

Second, it provides an interlinear Hebrew and Greek source. This source shows the original Hebrew or Greek word, it’s grammatical form and it’s meaning. From there, we can gain a greater understanding of the intended meaning of the passage.

As an example... go now and read John 21:15-17.  For real. Go read it and come back.

(If you did not, shame on you!)

Forgetting any sermon you may have heard on this passage, what is happening here? Jesus is asking Peter if he loves Him three times, Peter responds and actually gets a little upset at the repeated question - as if Jesus did not believe him.

What do YOU love? Jesus, spouse, children, family, pizza, a good steak, dessert, the beach, golf, etc...

Do you find it odd that we use the exact word for our love of food as we do our love for Jesus? So, reading this passage, regardless of how much time we meditate on it - we will NEVER understand its intended meaning without looking at the original language. Therefore, we assume meaning and insert our thoughts.  “Jesus must have asked Peter three times because Peter denied Him three times.” There is nowhere in Scripture that states that!

By looking at the interlinear Greek source, we see the difference.  Jesus asked twice, “Do you agapao me?” Peter answered, “I phileo you.”  Defining those words will bring a deeper meaning to the conversation.

Agapao - showing love through obedience by God’s power and direction. It is an expression of loyalty and devotion.

Phileo - to love like a brother. It is an expression of emotion.

“Peter, do you follow me in obedience more than the other disciples do?”

“Jesus, I love you like a brother.”

Now we begin to see what is going on here. Jesus was asking for an expression of loyalty to accompany Peter’s expression of affection.

In verses 15 and 16, Jesus asked the same question. In verse 17, Jesus matched Peter’s word for love in His question. In each verse, Jesus commanded an action (Greek imperative) as an expression of love.

MY take away.  It is not sufficient to simply SAY I love Jesus. My love for Him is expressed when I do what He says to do in His word.

What is He teaching me in His word through personal devotion, Sunday school, discipleship and worship?

As an act of love and loyalty to my Lord and Savior, am I doing what He taught me?