Approximately 1,370,000 abortions occur annually in the U.S.
88% of those abortions occur during the first 6 to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
60% of abortions are performed on women who already have one or more children.
47% of abortions are performed on women who have already had one or more abortions.
63% of abortion patients are white, however, black women are more than 3 times as likely to have an abortion, and Hispanic women are 2.5 times as likely.
Religion - 43% of women getting an abortion claimed they were Protestant, while 27% claimed they were Catholic.
Here are the words to a song by the McKameys. It says, "Sin is all around, but we don’t think this world is as bad as it seems.We just close our eyes to what is going on.Christian lives are wrecked by sin and we blame it on the world we’re in.We say there is nothing we can do.Instead of being a shining light, we’re just doing right in our own eyes.As Christians, we’re not doing our part.We’re just getting used to the dark.We’re not praying to change any hearts, we’re just getting used to the dark." As a matter of fact, I believe that we've become so comfortable with the dark that we can't even worship God with the lights on anymore.
I was working my way through the tiny book of Titus when I came upon this verse in Titus 1:9 which says, Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. I began meditating on the phase holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught and it got me to thinking about change. Proverbs 24:21 says, My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: As a matter of fact, the Bible speaks profusely about change and how that it is not always good.
The Bible also warns us against being so quick to withdraw ourselves from our past. II Thessalonians 2:15 says, Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Jeremiah 6:16 says, Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Unfortunately, as I reflect upon my nineteen years of ministry, we are a people who insist upon change.
I've come to the conclusion that we are too quick to want change today. Don't get me wrong. I certainly do not advocate that we return to the dark ages. I do enjoy being able to write these thoughts on a computer, in a climate controlled environment under the warm glow of incandescent lighting! No, I'm not talking about that kind of change. I'm talking about change when it comes to the things of God and the house of God. Now maybe I'm getting a little older and I've already been there, bought the T-Shirt and back again, but I've learned and observed a few things over the years that concern me.
As I reflect upon many of these changes, I simply do not see the fruit of them. The end result today is that the average church member is lost. George Barna concludes that six out of ten in the evangelical church in America is lost today. Dr. R. Albert Mohler is his studies of Southern Baptist life concludes that fifty percent of his denomination is not saved.I’m afraid that we have lost something in our rush to change things.
In Numbers 19, God gives instructions to Moses about the ashes of the red heifer.Moses is told that the heifer must meet several specifications.First, it to be perfect in that there is no spot or blemish to be found in it.Second, it must not have more than two hairs of any color.Thirdly, it must not have ever had a yoke upon her neck.
Finally, the heifer was to be taken outside of the camp and slaughtered with a knife and its body burned to ashes before the high priest on cedar wood.It was then to be mixed with hyssop, scarlet, and running water to be stored in a stone pot for the purpose of purification; most importantly the purification of the temple, its implements, and priests.
The significance of the red heifer is important today as that before the third temple can be rebuilt as prophesied in Scripture and the priesthood restored, the ashes of the red heifer must be reestablished for the purification of the temple, its implements, and priests.
This is where some disagreement arises.The disagreement is as to whether simply raising another red heifer that meets the specifications is sufficient while others believe that the original ashes from the ninth red heifer from Moses must first be found and added to the new before it is acceptable.
This is exciting as that Jewish tradition teaches that upon the establishment of the tenth red heifer, the Messiah will come!
In response to some of your questions, I just added a new category called "Writings". The first paper I placed in it is called "Three Views of the Rapture" that I wrote in 2005. It deals with the three views in regards to the timing of the Rapture of the Church.
I was reviewing this with my class today. These are the ten stages of a Jewish wedding and their significance to the Church.
1. Betrothal - This often took place when the couple was still yet children. The agreement was made between the parents. Application: The Bible says that we are betrothed to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2).
2. Visit with the Father of the Bride - Once the groom was ready for marriage, he would leave his father's home and go and visit with the bride's father to express his intentions and request permission. Application: Jesus left his Father's home to visit with us and express his intentions (Matthew 11:28).
3. It was at this time that a dowry or a purchase price was agreed to. Application: Jesus paid the purchase price for us (1 Corinthians 6:20).
4. The groom would then return to his father's house and begin making preparations for when his bride arrived. Application: Jesus has returned to the Father were he is currently making preparations for our arrival (John 14:2-3).
5. In the meantime, the bride never knew the date of the grooms arrival and was therefore required to live in anticipation. Application: We do not know the day nor the hour of Christ's return, so we much be ready (Matthew 25:13).
6. On the appointed day, the groom would go and get his bride and bring her to his father's house for the wedding ceremony. Application: Jesus will return for us in the Rapture and we will be taken to the Father's house for the ceremony (Matthew 25:13).
7. The marriage would then be consummated. Application: As the marriage was consummated and the proof of virginity presented, so too, we will experience the Judgment Seat of Christ at which time our faithfulness will be presented (2 Corinthians 5:10).
8. The wedding feast would begin. Application: At that time, we will sit down to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).
9. The bride stayed in her bridal chamber for seven days. Application: The Church will be hidden away for seven years while the Tribulation is taking place on Earth (Revelation 3:10).
10. She would then be allowed to come out of the bridal chamber. Application: After seven years, the Church will come out of her bridal chamber and appear with Christ at the Second Coming (Revelation 19:7).
There are many more references than those given. Look them up for yourself. I know that you'll be blessed.
