Breathing Babies Tossed in the Garbage Dumpster. It's Been In The News..More Than Once. Even Full Term and Born Babies Get Killed Now. It's still Murder. Factoid: Planned Parenthood's founder, Margaret Sanger, was not a hero at all. She was seeking to control who reproduced, sterilizing or segregating the "Unfit."

Would you pray something like:  God have mercy and forgive us in America -- we repent of the pleasure seeking and sin. Turn us back to You and Your Word. Pour out Your Spirit, restore.. send another awakening.

I'm told I can't talk about this cuz I'm a guy, but you and I were both privileged to be born.. so why can't I? 

You were taught that you have a right to abort, but what about his or her rights.. inside you? The Bible doesn't specifically address the issue of abortion directly per se. However, there are numerous teachings in Scripture that make it abundantly clear what God’s view of abortion is. In Jeremiah 1:5, it tells us that God knows us individually before our birth—He knits us in the womb. 

What does God think about this? See Psalm 139:13-16. It speaks of God’s active role in our creation and formation inside our mother’s womb. Exodus 21:22-25 prescribes the same penalty for someone who causes the death of a baby in the womb as the penalty for someone who commits murder. This clearly indicates that God considers a baby in the womb just as much of a human being as a full-grown adult. For a real Christian (and many who claim to be are not), abortion is not a matter of a woman’s right to choose. It is a matter of the life or death of a human being made in the very image of God’s (see Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6). 

Think!..this is a full term baby here. 

Prior to the 1973 court decision that allowed abortion on demand, developing embryos were considered unborn persons. Today, even a fetus that could survive on its own outside its mother's womb could be aborted (murdered), under certain medical circumstances. Science teaches us that human life begins at the time of conception. Yes, from the moment fertilization takes place, the child's genetic makeup is already complete. Its gender has already been determined, along with its height… along with its hair, eye and skin color. The only thing the embryo needs to become a fully-functioning being is the time to grow and develop. More importantly, God reveals to us in His Word that not only does life begin at conception, but He knows about us even before that time (Jeremiah 1:5). King David said this about God's role in our conception: "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb....Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them" (Ps. 139:13, 16). 

Society continually seeks to devalue the lives of the unborn and elderly today, creating its own definitions of humanity based on distorted views of morality. But the undeniable fact is that life begins at creation, and a human is created as soon as it is conceived.

*Note: It’s interesting to me that most of the people that I talk to who are against all forms of Capital Punishment; are also the ones who are for abortion (even late term or even after the birthed baby has survived). They audaciously think that I am the one being contradictory in standing against abortion and yet being for Capital Punishment (in serious criminal cases) and think that they are the ones being non-contradictory in their opposite stance from mine. 

Hey, we all just need to get back to the Bible to see what God has to say about these subjects and back to Him. It's because both my opinions, yours and theirs aren’t worth more than the next guy’s. 

The Bible.. God's Word is authoritative and He should always have the last say in these matters. What’s interesting is that they want to see the very innocent people die (babies with an eternal soul), and want to protect the heinously guilty people who are deserving of expedited judgment… when I want to see the heinously guilty people—guilty of living for self, pleasure and convenience at the expense of others—properly judged (so that others will be both warned and protected from their homicidal habits)… and I want to see all the innocent people protected. 

Perhaps guilty people can relate well to the very guilty innately knowing that they too deserve God’s judgment (as I have also deserved it), when they should simply turn in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ, asking for His free forgiveness... and then act like the people who have recieved it should. Yes Christ already paid for it on the cross for all individuals (for all have sinned - see Rom. 3:23). They want me to speak out in defense for those on death row who can still speak out (and do in many ways), but my question is this: Who will speak out for those who cannot speak out… and never could? On average, there are 46,000,000 innocent babies who are killed worldwide each year. We know much more on this now and we've seen the pain babies feel in the womb. THIS MUST STOP -- WE MUST DO SOMETHING …but never something foolishly wrong that would go against what the Scriptures teach ..as some have sadly done. Ask, cuz God gives wisdom for us stopping all this killing, and for each of us rightly applying His Scriptures. 

1. How can I experience healing and recovery after an abortion?

2. Why should I not have an abortion?

3. What does the Bible say about abortion?

4. If aborted babies go to heaven, why is abortion wrong?

5. Is abortion murder?

6. If God hates abortion, why does He allow miscarriages?

7. Is Numbers 5:11-31 referring to God causing an abortion? What was the jealousy offering?

8. Why are Christians pro-life when it comes to abortion while at the same time in favor of the death penalty and supportive of war?

9. How should a Christian view Planned Parenthood?

10. Is it possible to be Christian and pro-choice at the same time?

11. How should a Christian view the Roe vs. Wade decision?

12. Does the Bible teach that life begins at conception?

Like Joseph, do you need to forgive someone who hurt or rejected you? Perhaps you need to receive forgiveness? God is near and He can help you!

Take Hold Of The Grace To Let It Go! 

OUTLINE: Genesis (origins) by content is comprised of two basic sections: 1) Primitive history (Gen. 1–11) and 2) Patriarchal history (Gen. 12–50). Primitive history records 4 major events: 1) Creation (Gen. 1, 2); 2) the Fall (Gen. 3–5); 3) the Flood (Gen. 6–9); and 4) the Dispersion (Gen. 10, 11). Patriarchal history spotlights 4 great men: 1) Abraham (Gen. 12:1–25:8); 2) Isaac (Gen. 21:1–35:29); 3) Jacob (Gen. 25:21–50:14); and 4) Joseph (Gen. 30:22–50:26). God’s blesses who he will. Multiple times the first born in Genesis is passed over through Ephraim and Manasseh.

God delights to bless us, but also wants us to stay blessable in His will as we follow Jesus. ~ kv

He wants to bless us.. not so that blessing would merely terminate upon on us, but in order to make us a blessing to others. Yes, a blessing to cities the nations..but starting at home. He told us to go share the Gospel. You and I have a part in helping to bring others to Him -- in helping to bring closure with His Great Commission! 

D. JOSEPH (the suffering and glory), Chapters 37-50

1. Jacob dwells in Canaan — Joseph sold into slavery, Gen 37

2. Sin and shame of Judah, Gen 38

3. Humiliation in Egypt, Gen 39, 40

a. Overseer in house of Potiphar — tempted then framed by wife of Potiphar — imprisoned, Gen 39

b. Joseph in prison interprets dreams of baker and butler, Gen 40

4. Exaltation in Egypt, Gen 41-48

a. Joseph interprets dreams of Pharaoh — made overseer of Egypt — marries Asenath — birth of Manasseh and Ephraim (tribes that became more blessed than the tribes of Jacob's sons?), Gen 41

b. Jacob sends 10 sons to Egypt for corn — they gain an audience with Joseph — they leave Simeon there as hostage — then return home to Canaan with corn (wheat) and refunded money to them, Gen 42

God is on the throne – hasn’t fallen off. Won’t ever fall off, and nothing surprises Him. You know nothing ever catches Him off-guard. You know He hasn't forgotten you or your situation. God hasn't abandoned me. And I indeed can have confidence. You can too. But the cry (of Genesis 42:36), "All things are against me" (looked like that to Jacob, but ) this was a false cry based upon fragmentary knowledge (We should never measure the problem by that which we can see outwardly). The Bible tells us that "all things are working together FOR good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). All things against us? No. What do "all things" include? "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Famine, persecution, nakedness, peril, sword? Nay, in all these things" (Romans 8:35).

These things may include famine. They may include nakedness. They may include peril. They may include sword. But if I have to endure these kinds of afflictions, whatever comes it's working together for good because I love God and they cannot separate me from the love of God. For "in all these things I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. For I am persuaded, that neither depth, nor height, nor principalities, nor angels, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor any other creature, is able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:37-39).

c. Jacob sends sons (Benjamin included--didn't feel like sending) back again to Egypt — they were entertained in Joseph’s home (Joe doesn't reveal his identity to em), Gen 43

d. Joseph sends his brothers home — arrested by steward — cup found in Benjamin’s sack, — Judah (becoming a great man now) really pleads for Benjamin, Gen 44 (chaps. 42–45 are all about how God worked in setting up this family reunion)

--(Gen 44:1-5) Why did Joseph put the money in his brothers’ bags again?

a. As soon as the morning dawned, the men were sent away: The brothers left Egypt in high spirits. They were treated well, had their sacks full of grain, and Simeon was out of prison. Their father Jacob’s fear of something horrible happening would not be fulfilled.

b. Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money: As before, the grain sacks of the brothers are topped off by the money they paid for the grain, but this time, Joseph has his special silver cup put in the sack of Benjamin.

c. Why have you repaid evil for good? Some wrongly think that Joseph did this simply to use his position of power to torment his brothers in revenge for their cruelty towards him. Yet knowing the character of Joseph, this wasn’t the case. Guided by the hand of God, Joseph tested the hearts of his brothers and brought them to complete repentance.

d. He indeed practices divination: We know from other sources that ancients did use sacred cups as divination devices. It is possible Joseph did also, because there was not yet specific revelation from God that such a practice was forbidden. Yet, it was not Joseph who said he used the cup for divination, but his servant, who may have wrongly assumed Joseph’s spiritual insight and wisdom were more due to this cup than to his relationship with the living God.

--(Gen 44:6-10) The brothers claim they are innocent of theft and they were of this, but guilty of so much more--selling their bro into slavery. They’d sure weren’t honest with their brokenhearted dad. 

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “conspiracy”? 

Do you think of some kind of evil scheme, born from an inner grudge, jealousy, or of pure treachery, greed and hate? 

Well, these Genesis passages deal with a conspiracy of selfishness and hate indeed (coming from the brothers towards Joseph), and these passages also deal with a very different kind of conspiracy: A conspiracy of selfless love masterminded by God together with Joseph.. that was toward his brothers. 

We believers tend to ask precise diagnostic questions when witnessing. Wanna know.. is this person a believer, or unbeliever? Are they hardhearted-nominal or lukewarm spiritually, or carnally minded, or worldly..or spiritually dead inside? 

There were some diagnostic questions and negotiations of sorts with Joe as well.. just to find out where his brother's hearts were at when they met up in Egypt. Did they still have those proud hard-hearts with that grudge? Where they self-seeking and covering their sins, or bitterness with unbelief and treachery? Were they now this way towards their brother Benjamin? 

Joe so hoped they had change, and become right inside -- he longed to help and bless them! Really didn't want to get in God's way. We all reap what we sow..and can learn, know and grow. Joe didn't want to act as some co-dependent enabler just blocking (instructive) consequences that could lead to true repentance.. if zero change had happened there. He earnestly hoped they could together one day have that joyous family reunion! He SO missed his dad who had also been sinned against by them. What lessons did Joe and his big bros learn? So intriguing was this conspiracy of hate by the bros, as well as this conspiracy of love by Joseph! 

--(Gen 44:11-13) The cup is found in Benjamin’s sack.

--(Gen 44:14-17) Judah commits himself and all the brothers to stick with Benjamin, even as slaves in Egypt.

Makes me consider brother Reuben with Bilhah (Gen. 35:21-22, 49:1). Reuben was Jacob's first born, and one who covered his sin, but Judah was different. He didn't cover his sin, but judged himself and God made Him into a great man. Jesus came from Judah. The Bible says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

--(Gen 44:18-32) Judah tells Joseph the whole recent story from the beginning (I LOVE HOW JUDAH SELFLESSLY INTERCEDES FOR BENJAMIN).

--When he Jacob sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die: Think about it, 20 years before Joseph’s brothers showed a callous disregard of their father when they reported Joseph’s supposed death (Genesis 37:31-33). Judah showed they were now greatly concerned for the feelings and welfare of their father. This was more evidence of a change of heart.

--(Gen 44:33-34) Judah lays down his life for Benjamin and his father. You recall how Judah was the one who suggested selling Joseph 20 years earlier. (37:26-27)

i. Moses was willing to offer himself for the salvation of Israel (Exodus 32:31-32), and so was Paul (Romans 9:1-4). Sacrificial love is evidence of our transformation (John 13:34).

ii. Through this chapter there is remarkable evidence of the changed hearts of Joseph’s brothers.

· Playing favorites was not wise for Jacob, but the brothers did not resent it when Benjamin was given the favored portion (Genesis 43:34)

· They trusted each other, not accusing each other of wrong when accused of stealing the cup (Genesis 44:9)

· They stuck together when the silver cup was found. They did not abandon the favored son and allow him to be carried back to Egypt alone (Genesis 44:13)

· They completely humbled themselves for the sake of the favored son (Genesis 44:14)

· They knew their predicament was the result of their sin against Joseph (Genesis 44:16)

· They offered themselves as slaves to Egypt, not abandoning Benjamin, the favored son, their brother (Genesis 44:16)

· They showed due concern for how this might affect their father (Genesis 44:29-31)

· Judah was willing to be a substitutionary sacrifice for his brother out of love for his father and his brethren (Genesis 44:33). There are only two kinds of people these days -- Judah-types and Reuben-types. Those who confess and forsake their sins and those who refuse to, but instead cover them. (Read more on this. Lost or saved, hell bound or heaven bound) 

e. Joseph reveals identity — has a tender reunion with his brothers — invites his dad Jacob and all family members to Egypt, Gen 45 

Notice with Joseph’s forgiveness of his bros--there was a realistic appraisal of their sin. “You meant it evil against me..” No: “Aww, you guys, don’t worry about it. Just forget it--It was nothing.” Remember that cheap or flippant forgiveness is no forgiveness at all. And apologies don’t try to do the job that only repentance can do. A nicely worded slippery apology is merely a courtesy to civility--it can be an end run around true repentance. How easy it is to be flippant in forgiveness or even in receiving forgiveness. It’s been said, “Forgiveness is never any better than our ability to receive it.” Have you? )

Joseph had fully forgiven them and said, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. Therefore do not be afraid." Genesis 50:10-20 

"You planned evil against me", "you intended to harm", "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…”

f. Jacob with family (70) move to Egypt with Pharaohs help — Jacob and Joseph reunited, Gen 46

g. Jacob and the brothers dwell in Goshen — are presented to Pharaoh — famine forces Egyptians to sell their lands to Joseph for Pharaoh — Joseph swears he will bury Jacob in Canaan where he wanted to be. Jacob believed in the promise, Gen 47

h. Jacob on deathbed blesses Joseph’s sons, Gen 48

Joseph wanted a blessing from his dad, Jacob, for the oldest of his two boys. Remember Manasseh and Ephraim? Grandpa Jacob basically said, Well it’s time, so bring your boys to me Joseph.. bring them up here close so that I can bless them now. You know in the Hebrew tradition it’s normal for the father to bless the older son -- giving him the first blessing by placing his right hand upon his head, and then after that to bless the younger by placing his left hand upon his head. But what happened? To Joseph's surprise and astonishment his dad, Jacob, reaches out and blesses Ephraim with his right hand. What’s sup with that?

It’s pretty interesting all through this book. Yes, go check out how it went with the oldest sons in Genesis -- it didn't always go as the family members expect it to go. Seth is blessed instead of Cain. Shem is blessed instead of Japheth. Abram is blessed instead of Haran. Isaac is blessed instead of Ishmael. Jacob is blessed instead of Esau. And now...here it's younger Ephraim getting blessed instead of Manasseh the firstborn. God's blessing often does flow through natural family lines, but anytime God chooses He can bless whoever He will... cuz He is God and we the people are not.

5. Death and burial of Jacob and Joseph, Gen 49, 50

a. Jacob gives deathbed blessing and prophecy for 12 sons, Gen 49

b. Death and burial of Jacob in Canaan — death and burial of Joseph in Egypt, Gen 50
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