Saturday, June 28, 2014

The Sanctity of Human Life

Image from www.sbclife.net


Scripture:

Genesis 1:27 -
So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Job 31:15 -
Did not he who made me in the womb make them?
    Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?

Psalm 24:1-2 -
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it;
 for he founded it on the seas
    and established it on the waters.


Psalm 139:13 -
For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.


Isaiah 49:1, 16 -
Listen to me, you islands;
    hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the Lord called me;
from my mother's womb he has spoken my name.
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.

Statistics/Quotes:

"The second your egg is fertilized by a sperm, it contains the plans for every detail of the baby's development, including sex, hair and eye color, and height. [On week 3], the brain, spinal chord, and nervous system develop. 8 weeks after conception, baby has fingerprints and responds when touched. [At just 9 weeks], the body is nearly complete. Internal organs are present and functioning. Changes after the ninth week are primarily changes in size, rather than appearance."
Making an Informed Decision About Pregnancy Pamphlet

"The baby has a heart beat 18 days after conception. Brain waves are detected after 40 days. All organs are in place and functioning at 8 weeks."
- Sav-a-Life Women's Resource Center

"A scientific textbook called Basics of Biology gives five characteristics of living things; these five criteria are found in all modern elementary scientific textbooks:
1. Living things are highly organized.
2. All living things have an ability to acquire materials and energy.
3. All living things have an ability to respond to their environment.
4. All living things have an ability to reproduce.
5. All living things have an ability to adapt.
According to this elementary definition of life, life begins at fertilization, when a sperm unites with an oocyte. From this moment, the being is highly organized, has the ability to acquire materials and energy, has the ability to respond to his or her environment, has the ability to adapt, and has the ability to reproduce (the cells divide, then divide again, etc., and barring pathology and pending reproductive maturity has the potential to reproduce other members of the species). Non-living things do not do these things. Even before the mother is aware that she is pregnant, a distinct, unique life has begun his or her existence inside her."
- Association of Pro-Life Physicians

Abortion: What Does God Say About The Issue?

Image from www.dcxposed.com
Scripture:

Exodus 4:11 -
The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?

Exodus 23:7 -
Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.

Deuteronomy 24:16 -
Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life.

Psalm 24:1-2 -
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters. 

Psalm 31:8-9 
Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

Psalm 82:3-4 
Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 106:37-45 -
They sacrificed their sons
 and their daughters to false gods.
   the blood of their sons and daughters,
whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan,
 and the land was desecrated by their blood.
They defiled themselves by what they did;
 by their deeds they prostituted themselves.
Therefore the Lord was angry with his people and abhorred his inheritance.
He gave them into the hands of the nations,
and their foes ruled over them.
Their enemies oppressed them
and subjected them to their power.
Many times he delivered them,
but they were bent on rebellion
and they wasted away in their sin.
Yet he took note of their distress
when he heard their cry;
for their sake he remembered his covenant
and out of his great love he relented.
God has a plan for us from the moment of conception.
Psalm 139:13-16 -
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed. 

Jeremiah 1:5 -

I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.

Ezekiel 18:4 - 
For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.

Matthew 18:5-6 (Jesus speaking)-
"And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."

Matthew 18:10, 14 -
See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Romans 9:20-21 - 
But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

Statistics/Quotes:

"Only 1% of abortions are done for cases of rape, and less than half of 1% for incest."
Speak for the Little Ones 

"The risk of miscarriage is greater for women who abort their first pregnancy."
Before You Decide Pamphlet

"27 studies have linked induced abortion with breast cancer."
Unpregnant is Not a Word Pamphlet

Side effects of induced abortion include, but are not limited to, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- (Paraphrased) Before You Decide Pamphlet

"Complications may happen in as many as 1 out of every 100 early abortions and in about 1 out of every 50 later abortions. Such complications include heavy bleeding, infection, incomplete abortion, allergic reaction to drugs, tearing of the cervix, scarring of the uterine lining, perforation of the uterus, damage to internal organs, death."
Before You Decide Pamphlet

"Abortion wounds a mother and kills a baby. No mother wants to abort her baby. She does it because she feels in her circumstances she has no other choice."
- Sav-a-Life Women's Resource Center

Resources:

To find a pregnancy center near you, call 1-800-395-HELP (courtesy of Care Net).
Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer
Bethany Christian Services (1-800-bethany)

Post-Abortion: Finding Healing & Restoration through the Cross

Image from www.hrfl.org
Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 -
To every thing there is a season, a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, a time to die, a time  to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal, a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

Psalms 22:24   -
For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one, He has not hidden His face from him   but has listened to his cry for help.

Psalm 23:4 -
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. 
For you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.

Psalm 25:16-18  -
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged. bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my afflictions and my trouble, and forgive my sins.

Psalms 30:5b -
Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 31:9-10 -
Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;
    my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
    my soul and body with grief.
My life is consumed by anguish
    and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction,
    and my bones grow weak.


Psalm 46:1 -
God is our refuge and  strength, a very present help in times of trouble.

Psalm 55:22 -
Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 145:9 - 
The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.

Psalm 147:3 -
He heals the brokenhearted
    and bandages their wounds.


Proverbs 3:5-6 - 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding; 
in all your ways submit to him,  and he will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 49:13b -

For the Lord hath comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted.

Isaiah 66:13 -
As a mother comforts her child,
    so will I comfort you.

Jeremiah 31:13 -
I will turn their  mourning into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Matthew 5:4 -
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Matthew 11:28-30 -
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Luke 4:18-19 (see also Isaiah 61:1-2) -
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free, 
    to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."

John 11:33-35 -

When Jesus saw her weeping….He groaned in spirit and was troubled. “Where have you lain him?”  Jesus asked. They said unto Him, “Come and see.” Jesus wept.

John 14:18 -

No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm-I will come to you.

John 14:27 -
I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give is not fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.


John 16:33 - 

I have told you these things so that you will have peace of heart and mind, Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows, but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  -
What a wonderful God we have-He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.  And why does He doe this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.

2 Corinthians 5:1 - 
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Philippians 4:6-7 -
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 21:3-4 -
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”


Statistics/Quotes:

"Conservative estimates claim that 43% of women of childbearing age have experienced an abortion."
Surrendering the Secret Pamphlet

"Post-abortion syndrome is recognized as a type of post-traumatic stress disorder. It occurs when a women is prevented from going through a normal and healthy grieving process."
- Sav-a-Live Pamphlet

"Abortion wounds a mother and kills a baby. No mother wants to abort her baby. She does it because she feels in her circumstances she has no other choice. She is believing a lie, not the truth. Post-abortion grief, guilt and shame are real. The truth is that there is forgiveness."
- Sav-a-Life Women's Resource Center

Resources:

Surrendering the Secret (813-931-1804)

Grief Due to Infant Loss, Miscarriage & Post-Abortion Syndrome

Image from www.themonteoz.com

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 -
To every thing there is a season, a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, a time to die, a time  to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal, a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

Psalms 22:24   -
For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one, He has not hidden His face from him   but has listened to his cry for help.

Psalm 23:4 -
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. 
For you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.

Psalm 25:16-18  -
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged. bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my afflictions and my trouble, and forgive my sins.

Psalms 30:5b -
Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 31:9 -
Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;
    my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
    my soul and body with grief.
My life is consumed by anguish
    and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction,
    and my bones grow weak.


Psalm 46:1 -
God is our refuge and  strength, a very present help in times of trouble.

Psalm 55:22 -
Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 145:9 - 
The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.

Psalm 147:3 -
He heals the brokenhearted
    and bandages their wounds.


Proverbs 3:5-6 - 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding; 
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 49:13b -

For the Lord hath comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted.

Isaiah 66:13 -
As a mother comforts her child,
    so will I comfort you.

Jeremiah 31:13 -
I will turn their  mourning into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Matthew 5:4 -
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Matthew 11:28-30 -
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Luke 4:18-19 (see also Isaiah 61:1-2) -
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 

    to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."

John 11:33-35 -

When Jesus saw her weeping….He groaned in spirit and was troubled. “Where have you lain him?”  Jesus asked. They said unto Him, “Come and see.” Jesus wept.

John 14:18 -

No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm-I will come to you.

John 14:27 -

I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give is not fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.


John 16:33 - 
I have told you these things so that you will have peace of heart and mind, Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows, but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  -
What a wonderful God we have-He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.  And why does He doe this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.

2 Corinthians 5:1 - 
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Philippians 4:6-7 -
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 21:3-4 -
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Statistics/Quotes:

"Studies reveal that anywhere from 10-25% of all clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage. Chemical pregnancies may account for 50-75% of all miscarriages. This occurs when a pregnancy is lost shortly after implantation, resulting in bleeding that occurs around the time of her expected period."
-American Pregnancy Association

"A woman who has had a previous miscarriage has a 25% chance of having another (only a slightly elevated risk than for someone who has not had a previous miscarriage)."
- American Pregnancy Association

"An estimated 19% of the adult population has experienced the death of a child (this includes miscarriages through adult-aged children)."
- March of Dimes

"There are about 4.4 million confirmed pregnancies in the U.S. every year. 900,000 to 1 million of those end in pregnancy losses each year. Approximately 26,000 end in stillbirth (considered stillbirth after 20 weeks). Approximately 19,000 end in infant death during the first month. Approximately 39,000 end in infant death during the first year."
- March of Dimes

Resources:

March of Dimes: Dealing with Others as You Grieve
March of Dimes: Loss and Grief
My Angel Baby Foundation
National Memorial for the Unborn
Healing Hearts Ministries International