1. Existing fetal homicide laws make a man guilty of manslaughter if he kills the baby in a mother’s womb (except in the case of abortion).

2. Fetal surgery is performed on babies in the womb to save them while another child the same age is being legally destroyed.

3. Babies can sometimes survive on their own at 23 or 24 weeks, but abortion is still legal beyond this limit.

4. Living on its own is not the criterion of human personhood, as we know from the use of respirators and dialysis.

5. Size is irrelevant to human personhood, as we know from the difference between a one-week-old and a six-year-old.

6. Developed reasoning powers are not the criterion of personhood, as we know from the capacities of three-month-old babies.

7. Infants in the womb are human beings scientifically by virtue of their genetic make up.

8. Ultrasounds have given a stunning window on the womb that shows the unborn at eight weeks sucking his thumb, recoiling from pricking, and responding to sound. All the organs are present, the brain is functioning, the heart is pumping, the liver is making blood cells, the kidneys are cleaning fluids, and there is a fingerprint. Virtually all abortions happen later than this date.

9. Justice dictates that when two legitimate rights conflict, the limitation of rights that does the least harm is the most just. Bearing a child for adoption does less harm than killing him.

10. Justice dictates that when either of two people must be inconvenienced or hurt to alleviate their united predicament, the one who bore the greater responsibility for the predicament should bear more of the inconvenience or hurt to alleviate it.

11. Justice dictates that a person may not coerce harm on another person by threatening voluntary harm on themselves.

12. The outcast, the disadvantaged, and the exploited are to be cared for in a special way, especially those with no voice of their own.

13. What is happening in the womb is the unique person-nurturing work of God, who alone has the right to give and take life.

14. There are countless clinics that offer life and hope to both mother and child (and father and parents), with care of every kind lovingly provided by people who will meet every need they can.

15. Jesus Christ can forgive all sins and will give all who trust in him the help they need to do everything that life requires.

Such an important thought from the Apostle Paul who is, in fact, comparing and defending himself against those who say he’s not a true apostle—against those who question his authority and the validity of his ministry.

It’s comforting, I suppose, to know that first-century Christians (including Christian leaders & apostles) were comparing themselves to one another—because we are still guilty of doing the same thing today!

How often I look at the “mega” ministries of my peers and find mine lacking.  How often I look at the “smaller” ministries of other peers and puff mine up!  How ironic and unChristian!

May we always be satisfied with the ministry that God has given us… may we always be faithful to our calling!  For, to compare ourselves with others, lacks understanding!

Three things God uses to build/create/catalyze/start/begin something: (1) Knowledge; (2) Understanding; and (3) Wisdom.

• KNOWLEDGE: Embracing the facts, circumstances, context, and information.
• UNDERSTANDING: Grappling with the information; understanding how the information works; the implications of the information.
• WISDOM: Application of the information; making the right decisions with the facts and information to ensure the best possible outcome.

Proverbs 16:25 says “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

These proverbs remind us that we can rationalize just about anything… even fooling ourselves as to the thing’s righteousness.  Humans are masters of self-deception.  ”Motive” is the key.  We want something and then proceed as if God Himself wants it–like so many world leaders who have used religion to justify imperialism, war, or other self-promoting policies.

Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.”

Proverbs 16:9 says “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”

Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.”

Whatever you do, do it for the Lord and for other people, not just for yourself.  Consult adequate and godly counsel who can help you weigh your plans, your motives, and your ambitions, speaking truth into your life and holding you accountable to God’s ways.

I pray that you will take time this weekend to reflect upon the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Set aside time to read passages such as Matthew 28:1-5. Take a moment to pray for the resurrection to be made real in your life. Perhaps you can seize upon Easter as the opportunity to invite a friend or family member to church this weekend (I recently heard a statistic that 82% of Americans who do not attend church, would accept an invitation from a friend). And don’t forget to set aside time to worship the Lord this weekend.

Too often, we use this verse to justify being intrusive, nosey, or down-right rude.  ”I am telling you this because I love you,” is an oft quoted phrase–often quoted as an excuse to speak our mind to someone we want to “correct.”

Indeed, our words may actually be motivated by our love.   However, speaking the truth “because” we love is not the same as speaking the truth “in” love, as Ephesians 4:15 instructs.  We too often confuse this verse, and it’s application.

In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 the early Christian leader, Paul, explains that we can perform all kinds of acts of righteousness and spirituality, but if the acts come from a motivation other than love (agape), then they are useless.

If not love, what motivates you?

Jesus defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman, for life.  We cannot walk out on that teaching.  The Bible teaches us that the safest, healthiest environment for children to be raised is in a home where there is a mom and a dad who love God, who love each other, and who work together to nurture their family.  We cannot walk out on that teaching.  The Bible teaches that children are to be valued, that they are a gift from God, that God knits us together in our mother’s womb.  We are known by God to be unique human beings before our birth.  To walk out on any of the above teachings is to open our homes to serious threats and dangers.

I can’t imagine the tension and anticipation for the 1st century people in Israel.  They had read the prophecies.  They believed that God would send a Messiah to deliver them.  They were being oppressed and occupied by the Roman Empire.  They were looking for redemption.  They were waiting, hoping and praying, for God’s blessing–His gift of salvation.

Still, I can’t help but imagine that there were feelings of disappointment for those expecting a prince, but the Messiah was born as a peasant; feelings of frustration for those expecting an Heir, but the Messiah was born as a common man; feelings of anxiety for those expecting a grand entrance, but the Messiah was born to an innocent teenager in a shed on the side of a house in an obscure village called Bethlehem.  What might have been seen as a great disappointment, was, however, the greatest gift ever given!  John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son.  That whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

As you gather this Christmas, as you experience tension and anticipation, moments of joy and (probably some) moments of frustration, don’t forget that God works in every situation, every moment, every joy, and even in disappointments.  “Emmanuel” meansGod is with us.  Whether you find yourself filled with the Light of Life or in the Valley of Darkness, rejoice because God is with us!

There’s a lesson there, I think.