MERRY CHRISTMAS from all of us at In Our Midst Ministries, Inc.!
May your holiday be blessed in every way and so that our God may receive the glory!
"...for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Luke 2: 11-14 NASB
 I highly recommend the book "Why Prolife" by Randy Alcorn. It's an awesome book for anyone who would like to learn more about the abortion/pro-life issue or to reinforce what you already know about why we should be totally pro-life without exceptions. This book is very short but packed with great information. Click here to view a copy and purchase this book from Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). EPM is a great place to find other books and links on pro-life issues.
Great work Randy and a thumbs up from me!
Anita Dost,
VP - Project Development
"Then I heard a voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here I am Lord, send me! He said, Go and tell this people; be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving." Isaiah 6 8-9
"…If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand." Vs. 7:9
As you may know, this is one of my favorite verses. How often do we pray and we ask the Lord to use us? But when He places us in a situation where we can lift someone up and give the glory and honor to God are we always obedient? Or do we run the other way?
In verse 7 it says stand firm in your faith. If we just trust Him, He will do the rest and work through us to comfort others and to be an encouragement to others. I have had many people in my life these past two years encouraging me -- some I knew and some I did not. I am so grateful that God sent them my way -- each one saying just what I needed for that moment.
I don't think we can ever be prepared enough for the curves that will come our way in this life. It is so important to stay grounded in God’s Word -- His plan may be to use us that day and if we're not obedient to Him we’ve robbed ourselves of the blessing He had for us. Yes, encouraging others is a gift -- if we miss that mark we are missing something BIG God has for us. So, stand firm in your faith and pray to the Lord to keep you grounded and to send you where you need to go to be an encouragement to others.
I pray you all have a blessed day. Stay warm, thank the Lord for heat! Encourage someone in the name of Jesus today.
Love,
Tracy
He Allowed the Consequences; Yet the People are in Denial: (v. 25)
25 So He poured out on him the heat of His anger
And the fierceness of battle;
And it set him aflame all around,
Yet he did not recognize it;
And it burned him, but he paid no attention.
God has already allowed the consequences to affect those that have chosen abortion. He has convicted many of them of their sin. Sadly, because most people are not aware how abortion affects those it touches (post-abortion syndrome), they do not always connect the consequences with the sin. Many times, the only way they have been able to survive this tragedy in their lives is to deny that there is anything wrong with it or that it hurt them in any way. They have been set aflame in their innermost being, but have not recognized it. They have been burned to the core of their being, but they have been unable or unwilling to pay heed to it.
When someone goes to the doctor with vague, nondescript symptoms, they may be shocked to receive a diagnosis of cancer. This is sometimes true of those that have been hurt by abortion. They know on some level that something is wrong, but they can’t put their finger on it. But when they learn that it is their abortion that has been the cause of their pain or destructive behaviors, many times they are relieved and can then begin the healing process.
Isaiah 43 (verses 7, 10, 12, and 25) go on to tell us that WE are His witnesses, created for His glory, and we have a job to do. Who will join with us in standing in the gap for those in our midst that have been plundered and imprisoned (and are suffering silently) because of a past abortion? Our responsibility is to take the knowledge we have and ask, "What would Jesus do?" Then go and do likewise. What a transformation will be brought about in our churches and in our world as we step out in faith and obedience and walk through the healing process with these fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to the glory of our Father in Heaven.
Who will stand with us and say, “GIVE THEM BACK!”?
For more information about how you can stand with us in this ministry, contact us at staff@inourmidst.com.
Today is the day I've been waiting for! The day we get to look at Isaiah 42:22 and the three words that resonate within me and those like me with a passion to help those hurt by abortion to find healing in Jesus Christ: Give Them Back!
God’s People: Plundered….: (v. 22)
22 But this is a people plundered and despoiled;
All of them are trapped in caves,
Or are hidden away in prisons;
They have become a prey with none to deliver them,
And a spoil, with none to say, "Give them back!"
God’s people within the Church have been plundered by the moral code of the secular world. As a result, we have been trapped in deep, dark caverns of shame and guilt. Our people have hidden this part of their lives away so no one will see; so no one will know. Our people within the Church have become prey to abortion and to the enemy of God that entices them then condemns them for doing it. But we at In Our Midst are here to say, "It's time to GIVE THEM BACK!"
Who Among YOU ...?: (v. 23)
23 Who among you will give ear to this?
Who will give heed and listen hereafter?
Again I ask, will you listen? Will you give heed…?
They Sinned Against God, Not Us!: (v. 24)
24 Who gave Jacob up for spoil, and Israel to plunderers?
Was it not the LORD, against whom we have sinned,
And in whose ways they were not willing to walk,
And whose law they did not obey?
Those of us that have never been involved in the abortion decision may find it difficult to be compassionate toward those that have. We are often hard-pressed to understand how they could make such a choice. We don’t understand. And often, as a result, we are tempted to judge them harshly or condemn them quickly.
I will be the last person to say their choice was not sin. It was sin. But it was a sin against God – not against us. (See Psalm 51:4) Ours is not to judge, but to love and restore them gently. (Galatians 6:1,2) It was His law they broke; our responsibility is not to be judge and jury but to be the hands and feet of our loving and merciful Savior. We have been called to love them like Jesus, and to stand against the enemy on their behalf and demand, "Give them back!"
Very few have had anyone to stand for them in that way over the past 33 years. But now we know they are suffering silently in our midst. Who of you will stand with us?
Join us tomorrow for the conclusion of this series.
Today our focus on Isaiah 42 brings us to the servants of God. Take a look below to see what God has to say to those of us who serve in His name:
We are His Servant, His Remnant (re: the Post-Abortive): (v. 19)
19 Who is blind but My servant,
Or so deaf as My messenger whom I send?
Who is so blind as he that is at peace with Me,
Or so blind as the servant of the LORD?
Who among us -- the servants of the Lord -- are still blind to the truth of how abortion is affecting those in our midst? Have we heard their cries of agony? How could we when they continue to suffer in silence out of fear of being judged? Out of overwhelming feelings of shame and guilt? We have been blind to the fact that abortion doesn’t just end the life of an unborn child; it devastates the lives of everyone it touches! And Christians most of all! We have been deaf to their cries. We have served God the best we knew how with the knowledge and understanding we possessed; but now we know more. God has lifted the silence in the Church and now it is our responsibility to look, listen, take notice, and act.
The Wake-Up Call to the Church!: (v. 20)
20 You have seen many things, but you do not observe them;
Your ears are open, but none hears.
Are we willing to hear and see? Now that we know, will we embrace this new knowledge, roll up our sleeves and get to work?
Those of us who now know are without excuse. Abortion recovery is not political, it's personal. The wounds left by abortion affect every area of the post-abortive person's life -- their relationship with God, their relationships with others (spouse, children, friends, co-workers, etc.), their service to God, their view and treatment of themselves. It affects the choices they make and the way they live.
Now that we know, what will we do to help them? How can we not help them?
Join us tomorrow for part IV of this series.
Yesterday we began looking at Isaiah 42 and how it applies to our work within the Church on behalf of the abortion-affected. Read on for more fascinating parallels to challenge and empower us to answer God's call to this unique mission field.
The Blindness of the People (Due to His Silence): (v. 14-15)
14 "I have kept silent for a long time,
I have kept still and restrained Myself.
Now like a woman in labor I will groan,
I will both gasp and pant.
15 "I will lay waste the mountains and hills
And wither all their vegetation;
I will make the rivers into coastlands
And dry up the ponds.
God has been silent in the Church where the abortion-affected are concerned. Our churches are suffering, its people limping along in atrophied service to Him because their wounds are not healed. Christians in this country are struggling to survive: our marriages are falling prey to divorce at the same rate as non-Christians; approximately 50% of our men and teen boys are addicted to pornography; our women and teenaged girls are oppressed by eating disorders and other addictive behaviors. Depression among Christians knows no gender preference. Our people are wounded, imprisoned, and the growth of our fellowships (not just in numbers but in productivity and influence) has suffered. Each of these destructive issues can be attributed to a past abortion. We are undone! Even so, God has promised not to leave us in that condition.
The labor pains have begun. The groanings of restoration and recovery are subtle now, but the more people I talk with the more convinced I am God is doing a new thing in the Church! So many people within the Church are beginning to see the neglect the post-abortive have suffered in the Church, and their hearts are pounding with a desire to help them.
His Promise of Guidance for “the Remnant” and Deliverance for “the Undone:” (v. 16)
16 "I will lead the blind by a way they do not know,
In paths they do not know I will guide them
I will make darkness into light before them
And rugged places into plains
These are the things I will do,
And I will not leave them undone."
Every day the realization becomes more profound: We are breaking new ground. We are carving a new path. But God has promised to lead us on this new path of unexplored territory. We do not go alone! This is His ministry and we are His hands and feet, the "Jesus with skin on" to carry out the task to which He has called us. He has promised to lead us, to go with us, and to bring light into the darkness (i.e. bring awareness to the Church of the abortion-affected in her midst) and He will not leave us undone (i.e. that includes both those of us in abortion recovery ministry and those suffering silently within the Church). He is the One upon whom we must depend for every step we take on this journey. His promises are sure. How faithful is our God...!
Join us tomorrow for Part III in this series.
Every now and then God shows me something in Scripture that makes my heart beat a little faster and the adrenaline certainly began to flow fast and furious when I read Isaiah 42 a few days ago. Over the course of this week we will examine this passage of verses.
The entire chapter of Isaiah 42 is awesome, but I will highlight only a few verses and passages from the whole (all emphases mine). We will begin today in verse 6:
God's Call on Our Lives: (verses 6-7)
6"I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness,
I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You,
And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the nations,
7 To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the dungeon
And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.
He has called US to be the people of His promise through Christ, to be a light to the nations, to open the eyes of those who do not see; to bring out the prisoners (that He has freed!) and those who dwell in darkness. But His call is not for us to simply go out on our own and do it; He has said He will “hold us by the hand and watch over” us. He will not leave us to our own devices. He has appointed us as a covenant – a promise – to His people… A light to the nations to open blind eyes and bring out prisoners. But He will go with us and work through us. First Thessalonians 5:24 supports this promise: Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
Those Christians that have been wounded by abortion fit this description so perfectly! They are free in Christ, but they are still living in the dungeon of despair, guilt, and shame. They live under the cover of the secret in their own little prisons…in the darkness of their shame…suffering in silence, alone yet in our midst….
His Promise to Do It: (v. 13)
13 The LORD will go forth like a warrior,
He will arouse His zeal like a man of war
He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry
He will prevail against His enemies.
Bringing abortion recovery to evangelical churches in the U.S. is an uphill battle all the way. The stigmas and misconceptions about abortion that have taken root within the Church make for a nearly impenetrable wall in some circumstances. But God promises to make the way before us as a mighty warrior whose war cry can be heard above the roar of the battle! The time of His silence is over…. And He will prevail! For over 30 years of legalized abortion God has been silent within the Church (for the most part) where the plight of the post-abortive is concerned. Abortion is the last great sin issue to come out of the proverbial closet. We are the "zeal" He will "arouse." Now is the time. Listen for the war cry and prepare, for our God will prevail!
Join us tomorrow for as we continue to look at the next few verses in Isaiah 42.
When the Decision to Abort Was Not Their Choice
We have talked a lot over the past few years about how abortion doesn't just hurt the mother. We know now that abortion hurts the father as well as everyone in the family, close friends, and those involved in carrying out the abortion at clinics and hospitals. While the mother's pain is unique and set apart from the wounds others around her experience, those others are no less significant.
What we haven't talked about is how those others are affected. As I've examined their stories, I've realized how widely varied the responses to abortion can be, even for those close to the abortive parents. For example, having been an accomplice, I experienced some of the same symptoms of post-abortion syndrome as a post-abortive mother. As a result, I have a great deal of compassion toward those that have made the choice to abort. However, those that were close to the mother (or those that became doctors and nurses to save lives) but were not allowed to be involved in the decision-making process often feel some very different emotions.
One gentleman we encountered recently was very bitter toward the post-abortive. You see, he had lost both a grandchild and a great-grandchild to abortion. He was powerless to prevent his daughter and granddaughter from going through with their abortions. And in the wake of the grief over those losses, his pain had turned to bitterness and contempt. There was no compassion in his voice as he expressed his outrage that they had committed what to him was an unthinkable crime. In his mind, not only had they committed a crime, but they had "gotten off Scott-free."
Another gentleman, a pastor I met a few years ago was in seminary when a fellow student and his wife found themselves facing an unexpected and ill-timed pregnancy just as he was preparing to begin working in the ministry. As desperately as this pastor tried to dissuade his friend from choosing abortion his arguments fell on deaf ears. This couple was afraid they wouldn't be able to follow God's call in the ministry with the added expenses of another child to feed and care for, so in essence they aborted their child for the sake of the ministry.
As I listened to this pastor retell his story, I was taken aback by his lack of compassion toward the post-abortive. Now, however, I understand more clearly where he was coming from. He was affected by that abortion, but not in a way that made him compassionate toward them. Instead of softening his heart toward the plight of the post-abortive, his heart was hardened, and understandably so.
If I had the opportunity to speak with this particular pastor again I would ask him if he knows where this couple is.... Are they still in the ministry? (I would be shocked if they were.) Are they even still married? (Again, upwards of 80% of married couples divorce following an abortion.) I would pray for words of wisdom from God to shed light on the incredibly deep wounds the post-abortive experience; illuminating how it affects every area of their life; how it holds them captive in a prison of unimaginable guilt, regret, and shame.... And I would pray that God would soften his heart toward them.
But my point in all this rambling is that we in this area of ministry are going to encounter all kinds of people affected in all kinds of ways by abortion. When we meet someone that is hardened toward the post-abortive we need to probe that person to discover why it is they feel as they do -- not in order to scold them for not being compassionate, but so that we can tend to their wounds as well. Anytime we carry feelings of unforgiveness or bitterness toward others it is evidence of a wound. Ours is not to pick and choose to whom we would offer to be Christ's hands and feet and heart. These people deserve the same lovingkindness, compassion, and understanding we are so quick to offer to those to whom the choice belonged.
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1,2 NASB
In addition to our new web site design, In Our Midst has also been blessed to hire our first full-time salaried employee. Kathy Gibson brings with her eight years of pregnancy center, abortion recovery, and abstinence education experience. Kathy has a wonderful heart for God and is passionate about helping those wounded by abortion to find peace and healing in Jesus Christ.
Due to the need for additional office space, we have also relocated our offices. We now have two spacious offices in an office complex not far from downtown Edmond. We will continue to use the post office box for receiving mail however, so our mailing address will remain the same until further notice.
Because of all these changes, it may be a bit more difficult to contact us for the next few days, so please be patient. Email is probably the best way to reach us until the phone lines are installed, which is scheduled for the early part of the week.
God has been so amazing to us. The growth we have experienced this year, and especially the past month or so, has been far beyond all we could ask or imagine. He has indeed been faithful to us as we continue to serve Him with our lives on behalf of those wounded by abortion.
Please continue to pray for us. We have many needs, not the least of which is office furniture, fixtures, and funds. :) Even so, we trust our God who knows what we need before we even ask to provide according to His perfect will. Still, if you would like to participate in what God is doing through In Our Midst, we welcome your prayers, your partnership, and your contributions. As always, we are set up to receive donations through PayPal for those who feel led to contribute.
Whatever the case, we glorify our God and praise Him for each of you. I pray He will continue the good work He has begun for His glory.
After several months of adjusting, editing, and reworking our website we are pleased to present our new and improved web design! Many thanks to Jason Zimdars at Element Fusion for doing a great job!
There are still some minor adjustments to be made, but we hope you enjoy our new and improved home on the web.
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