How do you know if someone is really saved?

 

 "I have read the Bible. I go to church....

I know morally what I am doing is right. If a woman doesn't want to be a mother, she shouldn't have to be."

 "I have no shame in what I do. I enjoy what I do. I'm happy with what I do

and I'm going to do it until somebody makes me stop."

~ James Scott Pendergraft, abortionist and clinic owner

 

Nearly every hour that we witness at Pendergraft's late-term abortion clinic, Orlando Women's Center, we meet professing Christians who are killing babies. Bridget & Lorinda are clinic workers. They attend local churches and say that they are Christians. These women play worship music on their way in to murder the little ones who are made in the image of God. At least two of the abortionists say they believe in God and go to church. "Scotty" Pendergraft said the quote above. One of his hired abortionists, Randy Whitney (who has been killing babies since before abortion was legal), assured me that he was a Christian, explaining; "Patte, the only difference between me and you is that you are a pre-modern Christian and I am a post-modern Christian." We just met a 28 year old 'Christian' mother named Marian who aborted for the eighth time on Valentine's Day. Javier is a well-respected member of a local Pentecostal church raped his 17 year old step-daughter Judith on the living room floor. He was very unhappy when he discovered that his step-daughter had become pregnant from the rape. Javier certainly didn't want his wife to find out so he put a wad of money in young Judith's hands and drove her to the clinic to have a labor-and-delivery abortion at six months. Javier sported a Z88 (Christian radio station) bumper sticker on the tailgate of his truck. 'Leeanne' is another professing Christian. She told me a chilling story of how her pastor provided her with a seaside memorial service after she murdered her baby by abortion. Leeanne described how 'beautiful' the ceremony was. The next time Leeanne became pregnant, with the guidance and support of her pastor and a 'Christian' counselor, she killed that baby by abortion too. A few weeks ago we met a woman named 'Whitney' at the abortion clinic. She lavished praise on her pastor and her church. Whitney had come to kill her baby at 4 months of pregnancy by labor-and-delivery. When three women from her church came to take her away from the killing place, Whitney stubbornly refused to speak with them. She wanted her baby dead. Yesterday I met Theresa. She had come to kill her late-term baby. Theresa explained: "I am a Christian. I know that it is murder. I know that it is wrong. I know that I should not do it". I offered Theresa my personal help in choosing a loving adoptive home for her son or daughter. Theresa said: "I would never give my baby away." Yet, Theresa was willing to give her her poor little infant into the toilet of the clinic ... and she did.

Bridget, Lorinda, Scotty, Randy, Marian, Marian, Javier, Leeanne, Whitney, Theresa. I could go on and on ... but I am certain that you don't have the stomach for it any more than I do.

How can you tell if a person is a true Christian?

Who are His disciples indeed?

 

Is the regenerate person the one who calls Jesus 'Lord, Lord'? 

"Not everyone who comes to Me saying; 'Lord, Lord!'will enter the kingdom of heaven, ... & I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matthew 7:21-23)  see also Matthew 25:41 Luke 13:27  Psalm 6:8

 

Is it the one who believes in God always truly saved?

'You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.' James 2:19

One remarkable way that Jesus answered the question of who is a true follower is through the challenge of whether or not their faith endures.

 

"You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved."

Matthew 10:22

 

"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved."

Matthew 24:13     

 

Jesus contrasts those who are true converts with those who DO NOT endure:

" ... and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble." Mark 4:17

 

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

II Tim 4:3

 

Only the people who follow  and obey the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ actually abide in Him and endure to the end. They are His disciples indeed.   

  

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed."

John 8:31  

 

For this reason I endure all things 

II Tim 2:10  

 

Matthew Henry:

2:8-13 Let suffering saints remember, and look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of their faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despised the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God. We must not think it strange if the best men meet with the worst treatment; but this is cheering, that the word of God is not bound. Here we see the real and true cause of the apostle's suffering trouble in, or for, the sake of the gospel. If we are dead to this world, its pleasures, profits, and honours, we shall be for ever with Christ in a better world. He is faithful to his threatenings, and faithful to his promises. This truth makes sure the unbeliever's condemnation, and the believer's salvation.

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

II Tim 4:5

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

Heb 12:7

Indeed we count them blessed who endure.

James 5:11

And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure

I Corinthians 4:12

but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.

I Corinthians 9:12

 

for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,

II Thess 1:4

 

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ ... If we endure, We shall also reign with [Him]. If we deny [Him], He also will deny us.

II Tim 2:3, 12

His seed also I will make to endure forever, And His throne as the days of heaven ... His seed shall endure forever, And His throne as the sun before Me;

Ps 89:29;36         

 

They will perish, but You will endure;

Ps 102:26

 

Endurance is a gift of God's grace!

... They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.

... This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own free-will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; the abiding of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them; and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

~ excerpt from Westminster Confession, CHAPTER XVII Of The Perseverance of the Saints

----------

Other scriptural signs to compare & contrast true & false converts

 

 

According to the Bible, who else reveals by their life actions that they are NOT genuine Christians?

 

Those who commit sin, practice sin, live lawlessly, are evil-doers, those who work inquity will be cast into a devil's hell.

 

"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

Matthew 7:23

People's New Testament

7:23 I never knew you. I never knew you must be accepted in its deeper signification of recognizing the disciples. Augustine says that for Christ to say, I never knew you, is only another way of saying, You never knew me.

Depart from me, ye that work iniquity. In spite of all their professions they had been evil doers. Their religion expended itself in professions and prayers. Hence, in that day they are commanded to depart. What it is to so depart we may learn from Mt 25:41. It is evident from this passage that many are self-deceived.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

7:21-29 Christ here shows that it will not be enough to own him for our Master, only in word and tongue. It is necessary to our happiness that we believe in Christ, that we repent of sin, that we live a holy life, that we love one another. This is his will, even our sanctification. Let us take heed of resting in outward privileges and doings, lest we deceive ourselves, and perish eternally, as multitudes do, with a lie in our right hand. Let every one that names the name of Christ, depart from all sin. There are others, whose religion rests in bare hearing, and it goes no further; their heads are filled with empty notions. These two sorts of hearers are represented as two builders. This parable teaches us to hear and do the sayings of the Lord Jesus: some may seem hard to flesh and blood, but they must be done. Christ is laid for a foundation, and every thing besides Christ is sand. Some build their hopes upon worldly prosperity; others upon an outward profession of religion. Upon these they venture; but they are all sand, too weak to bear such a fabric as our hopes of heaven. There is a storm coming that will try every man's work. When God takes away the soul, where is the hope of the hypocrite? The house fell in the storm, when the builder had most need of it, and expected it would be a shelter to him. It fell when it was too late to build another. May the Lord make us wise builders for eternity. Then nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ Jesus. The multitudes were astonished at the wisdom and power of Christ's doctrine. And this sermon, ever so often read over, is always new. Every word proves its Author to be Divine. Let us be more and more decided and earnest, making some one or other of these blessednesses and Christian graces the main subject of our thoughts, even for weeks together. Let us not rest in general and confused desires after them, whereby we grasp at all, but catch nothing.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

23. And then will I profess unto them-or, openly proclaim-tearing off the mask.

I never knew you-What they claimed-intimacy with Christ-is just what He repudiates, and with a certain scornful dignity. "Our acquaintance was not broken off-there never was any."

depart from me-(Compare Mt 25:41). The connection here gives these words an awful significance. They claimed intimacy with Christ, and in the corresponding passage, Lu 13:26, are represented as having gone out and in with Him on familiar terms. "So much the worse for you," He replies: "I bore with that long enough; but now-begone!"

ye that work iniquity-not "that wrought iniquity"; for they are represented as fresh from the scenes and acts of it as they stand before the Judge. (See on the almost identical, but even more vivid and awful, description of the scene in Lu 13:24-27). That the apostle alludes to these very words in 2Ti 2:19 there can hardly be any doubt-"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

----

God is not impressed with an outward show of religion without a genuine holy life of faith. Ceremony can be form without substance. Clouds without water. Formalism does not please God.

Against formalism:

Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies-- I cannot endureiniquity and the sacred meeting.

Is 1:13

 

----

Those who truly love & follow Jesus Christ can and will and do have assurance of their salvation.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation.

I. Although hypocrites, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions: of being in the favor of God and estate of salvation; which hope of theirs shall perish: yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in a state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God: which hope shall never make them ashamed.

II. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probably persuasion, grounded upon a fallible hope; but an infallible assurance of faith, founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation, the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made, the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God; which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption.

----

 

What will happen to those who refuse and resist the call to repentance from sin & faith toward Jesus Christ?

                         
                                  

See what comes of refusing the gospel.

Those who will not hear the messengers of peace, shall be made to hear the messengers of war...

When we look forward to the eternity of misery that is before the obstinate refusers of Christ and his gospel, we may truly say,

The greatest earthly judgments are but the beginning of sorrows.

 

~ Matthew Henry

 

 

Patte Smith

Sanctuary Ministries

www.sanctuaryministries.blogspot.com

Remember Baby Rowan

http://abortionno.org/video_flash/911_Calls_The_Forerunner_Epoc_Clinic_Pendergraft%20_ch01.swf

 

The Lord hates hands that shed innocent blood

"These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren" (Proverbs 6:16-19).

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3). 

The whole world is polluted, drenched with innocent blood. How are people with blood on their hands to be punished? How can evil be overcome?

In 2001 on September 11th terrorist suicide bombers flew hijacked passenger planes into buildings in New York City and Washington DC killing more than three-thousand people (2657 at the World Trade Center, 266 on the four planes and 125 at the Pentagon).

The world was rightly horrified by this atrocity.

God hates hands that shed innocent blood, and He shows no partiality.

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3).

Much innocent blood is shed that brings no tears, that is never reported in the newspapers.

Every day in US hospitals an average of 3560 innocent children die at the hands of hired killers. During 2000 one million three-hundred thousand children were killed in this way. In each case they were taken by their own mothers to be killed. They call it abortion.

In other words, a terrorist attack equivalent to what was done on September 11th, 2001 would have to be carried out every day, week in week out, year in year out, to kill as many innocent people as are killed routinely in US hospitals by abortion.

From 1973 (when abortion was legalized in the US) until the end of 2001, more than forty million babies were killed in the US. World-wide, about forty million babies are exterminated by abortion each year.

Where are the tears? Where is the outrage? Where is the media coverage?

What blood could be more innocent than the blood of an unborn child? What crime could be more heinous than a mother killing her own child, unless it is a doctor who gets money for killing babies?

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20). 

God is keeping track of each precious one. He takes each child that was rejected and killed by its mother into His loving arms. And He will see that justice is done.

How are people with blood on their hands punished?

God will punish them on the day of judgment unless they repent, and He uses governments to punish them now and to punish one another.

He brought destruction on His people Israel because they sacrificed their children to idols. "They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons, and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood" (Psalm 106:37,38).

God used Nebachadnezzar, whom He called 'my servant' to punish Israel for her sins (Jeremiah 25:9; 27:6; 43:10). But Babylon was so violent and evil herself that she was later punished as well (Jeremiah 25:12; 50:18).

People who shed innocent blood separate themselves from God.

"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity. No one calls for justice, nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; they conceive evil and bring forth iniquity. They hatch vipers' eggs and weave the spider's web; he who eats of their eggs dies, and from that which is crushed a viper breaks out. Their webs will not become garments, nor will they cover themselves with their works; their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace" (Isaiah 59:2-8). 

People with blood on their hands, and countries that are polluted with the blood of innocents, need not expect help from God. "When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood" (Isaiah 1:15). 

We must repent and choose good rather than evil. Only then will we survive the judgments that are coming upon the world. "But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil" (Deuteronomy 30:14,15). 

All people will stand before the judgment seat of God to give account for what they have done.

"Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation" (John 5:28,29). 

God will punish those who perpetrate atrocities. "For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14). 

Governments have been appointed by God as ministers of wrath to punish evil-doers: "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil" (Romans 13:1-4). 

The governing authorities have been appointed as God's ministers, avengers, to execute wrath on those who practice evil. Christians should submit to their governments up to the point where they are told to do something that is contrary to the revealed will of God. Then what Peter told the Jewish rulers applies: "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

How can evil be overcome?

This is the special task of Christians. Evil must be punished, yes. God turns evil against evil to punish evil. But overcoming evil,conquering evil can only be accomplished by good. It can only be accomplished by the blood of Christ that atones for the sins of the world (John 1:29).

Christians are not ministers of God's wrath, as are governments. Christians are ministers of reconciliation: "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:18- 20).

We do not interfere with the government as God's minister of wrath to punish evil-doers. But neither do we participate in that task because we have a more exalted commission. We are a special task force, not to punish evil, but to conquer evil. We have been appointed as God's ministers of reconciliation. We are commanded: "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. 'Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:17-21). "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:44,45). "See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all" (1 Thessalonians 5:15). "Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good" (Romans 12:9).

As commissioners of God, we call men to turn away from evil and to do good.

"Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth" (Psalm 34:12-16). 

"Do they not go astray who devise evil? but mercy and truth belong to those who devise good" (Proverbs 14:22). 

"Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell forevermore" (Psalm 37:27). 

"He who diligently seeks good finds favor, but trouble will come to him who seeks evil" (Proverbs 11:27).

The whole world is polluted, drenched with innocent blood. God will punish evil on the day of judgment, and He uses governments to punish evil now. Christians are God's special task force to conquer evil, calling men to repentance and overcoming evil with good.

"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For 'He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil''' (1 Peter 3:8-12). 

"Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God" (3 John 11). 

Roy Davison

 

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/goodevil.html

Hey, it's St Patrick's Day!

Make the highest & best use of this holiday by sharing some great information with the lost

about how God used St Patrick to influence the course of HIStory. Go to World Net Daily and read this GREAT article by Bill Federer:

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?pageId=59126

 

Carney O'Donnell, six weeks old when this photo was taken, is held by his mother, Cindy. 

 

His parents chose the name Carney because it means "victorious fighter" in a combination of Irish and Scottish.

"Our little victorious fighter," Kyle O'Donnell said. "He lived up to his name."

 

Overcoming great odds, this darling boy is an inspiration for us to keep fighting for our dear babies!

 

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080307/NEWS/803070391&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

 

 

Let us all remember Baby Rowan!

 

http://abortionno.org/video_flash/911_Calls_The_Forerunner_Epoc_Clinic_Pendergraft%20_ch01.swf

 

Together for Life & Eternity,

Patte Smith

Sanctuary Ministries

Where's the Justice?

Valentine's Day Blessings

Valentine's Day Blessing

Update
Thursday, February 14, 2008

Our friend Judy Greer is a missionary outside killing places in Tampa. On Valentine's Day she spoke to & plead with each of the aborting moms at the slaughterhouse of abortionist James 'Scottie' Pendergraft (Women's Center of Hyde Park) as they came to murder their babies. That night Judy received the following e mail from one of the women she had engaged with the truth:
Today i found myself at the Women's Center of Hyde Park. I am hoping you are the person I spoke with this morning before entering the clinic. I thought about what we spoke about the hours i waited inside, before I spoke with the doctor. I was hoping in some way that the doctor would be as sympathic to the procedure as I was. instead of answering my questions or counseling me in the regretable decsion I was about to make, he offered no kind words. Everything we spoke about this morning stuck in my mind. I felt the tears fall from my eyes and wondered why I felt so weak. Maam, I love my children. I love them so very much. For me even to walk through those doors at the center was trial enough for my soul. I try in every way to be a good mother. I work full time and I do not live off welfare. I strive to be independent especially with the father out of the home. I was scared to fail them. I was scared to fail myself. But I know today made me stronger. I decided to keep my baby and do the best I can. And I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for being at the right place at the right time. Maybe the baby is a blessing. Maybe you are my blessing too. This is my email address if you like to reply. I will be calling the pregnancy center in Brandon tomorrow to make an appointment. Once again, thank you!


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Sanctuary Ministries Update
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Orlando Women's Center killing place
8:15-9:45am

When the doctor puts in the suction your body always moves some . Its kind of like vacuuming out your car.
The doctor has to make sure he has it all or you could get an infection.
~ Kara, after multiple abortions & formerly working at an abortion clinic

Spring counted 66 people who came to kill this morning. There were so many mothers & daughters. Several of the clinic workers arrived with worship music playing in their cars. The staff opened the doors earlier than usual, at 8:30am. It was horrible. I will confess that I struggled with discouragement, but the Lord was at work.

Spring sensed the Spirit rise up in her & gave her a beautiful scripture to read about the wide & narrow gate. It was powerful. Here is what Spring wrote about how the Lord used her:

"Do to others as you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.
But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it."
Matthew 7:13-4

I was led by the Holy Spirit to read this scripture out loud on the frontlines as I watched the doors to 1103 Lucerne Terrace open and close. I caught a glimpse of the men and women lined up shoulder to shoulder as they prepared to slaughter their children. All I could envision was the broad gate to hell....and the promised destruction on this path. However, we stand, calling from the narrow path, pleading for God's lost sheep to return to the correct sheep pen, His safe pasture. That is a DIFFICULT path, but the only one that leads to everlasting peace.

May we never forget and cling to to the truth of our Savior:
'The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought LIGHT to everyone.
The LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness CAN NEVER EXTINGUISH IT.'
John 1:5

What a sorrowful mission God has called us to, yet we take comfort because we share more in the life of Christ. I can think of none other than Christ who grieved so much for His lost flock. It is a privilege to share in the sorrows of Christ. I am reminded of this when I am tempted to feel anger towards the aborting mothers and all the others who provide what their itching ears want to hear. Instead of bitterness, I feel peace in our Lord. I am so thankful He would choose to use us as His instrument and that His word will never return void. Praise God!

Spring

Listen to this excerpt from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 1:1-5: The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, seems to be, that as our words explain our minds to others, so was the Son of God sent in order to reveal His Father's mind to the world ... The light of reason, as well as the life of sense, is derived from Him, and depends upon Him. This eternal Word, this true Light shines, but the darkness comprehends it not.

Gina, too, was full of the Holy Spirit. She had heard a teaching based on I Corinthians 3:12-15 about how when we build our home here on earth we could end up walking the streets of heaven but never find a dwelling house there. We have nothing but ashes to show for our life.

If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is,
because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
—1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NIV

Gina arrived at the killing place with glad-hearted obedience to the Great Commission. She wanted to make use of her life, spending it giving God's message of life & eternity while she still had breath in her lungs & the strength to go to her perishing neighbors.

Scott spoke firmly to a Haitian man named Morris who had reluctantly brought his wife to kill their little baby. He challenged Morris to do everything he could to keep his child from any harm. Scott could see that Morris was humbled by the Law of God and very ashamed of bringing his wife there. When Morris tried to get his wife to relent of her plan to destroy their son she became angry & insistent & began to argue with him. She wanted the abortion. Morris's wife literally grabbed him & PULLED HIM ALONG BACK INSIDE THE CLINIC! The Orlando Police Officer who provides security for Orlando Women's Center asked the two of them to leave because of the scene they were creating in the waiting room. We were thankful to hear that after we left Mark & Sue were able to continue to minister to Morris & his wife & thanks be to God, their baby received a stay of execution. What a blessing to have Mark & Sue as our holy replacements on the sidewalk. Morris's wife spoke no English, only Creole. It was complicated, but Mark relied on Morris to translate everything. It has been a source of sadness to us that in 15 years of ministry we have never found a Haitian Christian willing to minister with us in spite of the fact that we meet Haitians nearly every time we go to the killing place.

Mark Hall shared the following:
On the side of sorrows, first we witnessed over a hundred mommies over these eleven days... go in and kill their children behind close doors. Of those, two of them this week were mommies we did ultrasound on ... and they still aborted.
-----

20 weeks gestation

Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Orlando Women's Center killing place
Late Term Labor-and-delivery abortion day (16-40 weeks gestation)
6:15-7:30am


What a blessing for Scott & I to have our middle son Jeremiah & his girlfriend Sarah with us as we engaged the mothers & the abortion clinic workers. They live in Boston & it was their first time ministering at an abortion clinic. We set up our fetal models & stood hand-in-hand to pray in the dark before the moms arrived. We met two aborting mothers & their companions. One of them drove in a mini-van with the words SOCCER MOM in big letters across the back window. I had a very good talk with one of the clinic workers I'll call Sandra. She had asked for one of our pre-abortion packets on Saturday & I had been praying that she didn't throw it away but would give it to an aborting mom. Sandra came over to tell me that she had given the packet to a couple in hopes that they wouldn't kill their baby. She was very frustrated, & I would say, disgusted, at the couple's excuses for murdering their infant. Sandra said; "I have three children. It isn't easy, but you find a way to make it work." Sandra is a pleasant woman and very easy to talk to. She appears to be a lovely, soft-spoken & thoughtful person. I was able to speak plainly & kindly to Sandra about her own guiltly complicity in the shedding of innocent blood. I explained that Deuteronomy warns that there is a curse upon the one who takes a reward to slay an innocent person. She listened. She really listened. I even gave Sandra The Good Christian Test, which she promised to take time to read. (I have attached it for you to read as well.) I gave Sandra the last two of my business cards in my satchel. They have my cell number & e mail address on them. I told Sandra to feel free to give them to any mother who needs help. I told her that I would like to hear her thoughts on The Good Christian Test when I return to minister again on Saturday. Please pray for Sandra. Pray that the Word of God falls on good soil. I really care about this woman & as I told her, I don't want her to continue to dishonor the Lord & store up wrath against herself in the day of wrath. Jesus blesses us with so much love for those we meet. Sometimes I wonder if our hearts can bear the fullness.

Perhaps you would be willing to sacrifice a morning a week to join us & allow your heart to be taken up in the privilege of advancing the cause of Christ in a dark & dying world. Many missionary opportunities & divine appointments are waiting for Christians who are willing to deny themselves & take up their cross & go to Orlando Women's Center Saturday from 8:15-9:30am, Tuesday from 11:15am - 1pm, Wednesday from 6:15-7:30am & 9:15-10:30am, Thursday & Friday from 8:15-9:30am. Surely you can spare ONE of those times a week.

Together for Life & Eternity,
Patte Smith
Sanctuary Ministries
www.sanctuaryministries.blogspot.com
www.abortionNO.org

Burn Down The Barracks!!!

Do you feel ordinary? Does your life seem insignificant? Do you sense your own commonness? Has your church-driven life become routine? Good! That makes you a candidate for the transforming grace, power and influence of a mighty Savior!

What is the single most important ingredient for a life of spiritual power and authority to be used by God to change your community and the world? Is it seminary training? Raising support as a "missionary"? Impressive church programs? A polished presentation? An attractive building? Brilliant marketing schemes? Starbucks coffee? Is it all about "you"? Is it all about your church? No, I tell you! Even the spiritually bankrupt Sanhedrin (like a council of today's seminary graduates and "professional Christian" leaders who hold degrees in theology and church studies and lead and control the visible church) perceived the true source of genuine spiritual power! In Acts 4:13 the religious elite marveled over the boldness of Peter and John, who, unlike themselves, were "uneducated and untrained men" They drew a very insightful conclusion. They recognized the key to the tremendous holy influence of the humble fishers of men;
"And they realized that they had been with Jesus."

Beloved, notice that the scriptures don't say "And they realized that they had been to church" or "And they realized that they had been to seminary" or "And they realized that they had been to a retreat " or "And they realized that they had been to a Christian conference? or "And they realized they had been to a crusade? or even "And they realized that they seemed like nice and decent synogogue-going fellows" . What first brought the lost to any observations of the disciples in the first place was their behavior. Were they struck by the fact that the disciples gathered together from house-to-house? Were they impressed that the Christians worshipped pleasantly and in tune? Were the community leaders impressed by their fellowshipping? By their bible studies? Were the unregenerate taken aback by the fact that the disciples were taking the Lord's supper? Were the lost bowled over by the zeal of the disciples psalm-singing? Were they discussing the prayers of the followers of Christ? Were they abuzz that they had just filled a Coliseum? No, dear brothers and sisters. To be sure, all of that behavior could have been for the glory of God and the benefit and spiritual nourishment and preparation of the disciples --- but what the Lord used in the lives of the lost community was the behavior of Christians on the street. The children of the devil were impressed by the courage and ready witness of these humble fisherman as they intentionally came face-to-face to engage a hostile (and religious) world with the eternal words of the gospel:
"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out!"

Being with Jesus is the origin and the destiny of all of those who have been redeemed and are being sanctified by the Truth. We have reason to be confident and courageous! Don't stay in your church pews and pot-luck suppers! There is a battle going on! Our church services and myriad fellowship and bible studies are to be like bootcamp, preparing us to embark on our mission as ambassadors for Jesus Christ to our own Jerusalem, our own lost cities. The church buildings are the barracks, but as Catherine Booth, co-founder of the Salvation Army said: "A barracks is meant to be a place where real soldiers were to be fed and equiped for war not a place to settle down in or a comfortable snuggery in which to enjoy ourselves. I hope that if they, our soldiers, do settle down God will burn their barracks over their heads!"

The souls of countless millions of lost neighbors hangs in the balance! The means that God has chosen to awaken those who are dead in their trespasses and sins is the spoken gospel of Law and Grace through the instruments of His own redeemed sons and daughters. Jesus deserves, indeed our King COMMANDS to be visibly, verbally glorified outside the four walls of our church, seminaries, Christian colleges, bible studies, singles, youth and old-folk ministries. Our culture is full of sin, death and wickedness. Amen?!

Beloved, it is a moral and spiritual disgrace that babies are methodically slaughtered at abortuaries in Orlando through all nine months of pregnancy in the shadow of a thousand church steeples. Our city and our world sorely needs to be invaded by men and women who have been with Jesus. How long must we feather the nests and stroke our beards in the comfort and safety of the local church? When will we have enough of "retreats" and "advance"? Our Savior has already, once and for all, given us the Great Commission to "Go!" (Mark 16:15). I'm afraid that by-and-large those who attend church intentionally spurn Jesus' command. In the sin of the Great Omission we have insisted on obeying the whisper of the world, the flesh and Satan himself to "Stay!"

How many sermons must we hear before we "Go!"? Is there a magic number? How many Sunday School classes must we attend before we "Go!"? How many worship songs must we sing, how many bible studies, how many home fellowships must we attend, how many retreats and conferences, how many biblical degrees must we obtain before we obey the command of the Master and "Go!"?

Let us not be ashamed of the gospel. Press into the Savior today and I beg of you, do not stop there! Follow the example of Jesus! Go out with boldness sharing the Gospel, having confidence that like our uneducated, untrained brothers Peter and John, that Jesus, our Immanuel (which literally translates "God with us") will be with you still. For hath not Christ promised ...

Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Patte Smith
Sanctuary Ministries
____________________________________________________

WHY WAIT? Orlando Gospel Opportunities abound NOW!

Sanctuary Ministries: We have been providing a "ministry of presence" and witnessing to abortion-bound women and men (and abortionists and clinic workers as well) on the sidewalks outside Orlando killing places for over 13 years. Join us this week and every week as we engage those who are perishing outside our city's most notorious child-killing bu$ine$$:
Thursday 8:15am-10:30am (late-term labor-and-delivery abortion day)
Saturday 6:15-9:30am (biggest baby killing day of the week)
Many opportunities to serve, including online counseling ministry and follow-up gospel presentations. Contact Patte Smith at ProChristi@juno.com for information and to be added to e-mail updates.

The Great News Network: Christopher Owen Local Leader in Orlando has helped organize and leads several evangelism teams going out every week. Contact Chris at hlthyman@cnonline.net to be added to his e-mail updates. Go to his webpage at: WWW.thegreatnews.com/localleaders/US_FL_Orlando.html


Weekly College Campus Outreach: Scott Smith (also associated with The Great News Network) A team of local Christians meets and engages students through one-on-one witnessing and open-air preaching. Contact Scott at ProChristi@juno.com

Get equipped to share the gospel today!

Listen to The Fire & The Hammer radio program with Dr David Downs (pastor of Cornerstone Church in Oviedo) on 1520AM Mon-Fri @ 8:30 & Sat @ 8:30am on 950AM. Pastor Dave personally leads Christians out to witness to their neighbors door-to-door every Saturday morning. Visit Cornerstone for worship on Sunday at 10am. Call 407.568.2688 for directions to the church.

The Way of the Master: Go to www.wayofthemaster.com and watch episodes of the award-winning evangelism televsion program hosted by Ray Comfort & Kirk Cameron. Listen to Way of the Master radio online as well. See www.livingwaters.com to order tracts and listen to powerful teachings on evangelism such as "Hell's Best Kept Secret" and "True & False Conversions".







From Ordinary to Extraordinary

4/25/2006 2:54:12 PM--> God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise,
& God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
& the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen,
& the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
that no flesh should glory in His presence.
I Corinthians 1:27-29

... while the disciples were ordinary in one sense, they were also extraordinary in another sense. As far as their innate talents and their human backgrounds are concerned, they were genuinely ordinary, and deliberately so. It was only Christ’s work in the disciples’ lives that gave them such remarkable power and influence, so that what they became was something quite uncommon—and what they accomplished ("These who have turned the world upside down ..." Acts 17:6) was something truly extraordinary.
Most of them were unremarkable in and of themselves. They were ordinary, common, and in some cases shockingly low-caste — In each instance, what made them extraordinary was a memorable, life-changing encounter with the God of the universe.
In other words, all these ... ultimately became extraordinary not because of any natural qualities of their own, but because the one true God whom they worshiped is great, mighty, glorious, and awesome, and He refined them like silver. He redeemed them through the work of an extraordinary Savior—His own divine Son—and conformed them to His image (Rom. 8:29). In other words, the gracious work of God in their lives made each one of these ... truly extraordinary. They therefore stand as reminders of both our fallenness and our potential. Speaking together as one, they all point us to Christ. In every case, He was the One to whom they looked for salvation ... Every one of them therefore testifies to us about Christ. My prayer for you is that ... you will share their faith, imitate their faithfulness, and learn to love the Savior whose work in their lives made them truly extraordinary. Your life can be extraordinary, too, by His wonderful grace.
~ Above are excerpts taken from a recent article by John MacArthur, which together with the Word of God and Ray Comfort's book "How to Win Souls and Influence People" inspired me to write the article "Burn Down the Barracks!"