If you've been following the Trailhead series, you've already made three stops along the path. Trail post 1 was about baptism.Trail post 2 was about God's Word. Trail post 3 was about prayer. Now, we are at trail post 4 which is about disciple making.
This post is based on my pastor's sermon. It is part of the Trailhead Series.
A disciple is one who follows the teachings of another. Discipleship is the act of teaching others to follow the teachings of another. Discipleship could be described as one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.
The main text for this particular topic of disciple making is John, chapter 4. This is the story of the woman at the well.
Many others believed in Jesus because of the testimony of the woman at the well. The woman believed Jesus. Then, her purpose was to tell others about him.
When we choose to follow Jesus, things we thought were important before aren't so important to us anymore. The woman left her water pot behind to go tell others who she had seen. In another story, a woman who washed Jesus' feet poured valuable perfume onto His feet. The value of the perfume is estimated to cost about a year's salary. When you choose to follow Jesus, you will be asked to leave something behind.
Why do you suppose the woman came to the well at noon? It is said that it was customary for the women to go to the well early in the morning before the heat of the sun became too hot, but this woman came at noon in the heat of the day. Some believe she came at noon to avoid the other women. Perhaps she was embarrassed by her lifestyle. Jesus told her that she had had many husbands and the man she was currently with was not her husband. Perhaps she was afraid of what the other women might say or what they would think of her. After she realized who Jesus was, she must have forgotten all about her fear as she ran to tell others who she had just seen.
Do you have a fear to overcome?
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. - 1 John 4:18
The woman overcame her fear. What if you overcome your fear so that you can tell others your story?
From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” - John 4:39
3 Story Tools
1. Jesus' Story: Tell others about Jesus.
2. Your Story: If you are a follower of Jesus, you have a story. Tell it. Do you think your story isn't exciting enough? People with bad stories need people with good stories so tell it.
3. Fresh Stories: God is always doing something in your life. Tell it. The woman invited people to "come and see." What if you invite people to "come and see?" What if you invite people to church? If your neighbor is starving, would you give him bread? Tell your story (bread) so others won't starve to death. You have bread to give. Find your purpose. Give your life to Jesus. Pray for boldness.
You'll find all posts in the Trailhead series here.
Unplanned . . . I'm not sure where to begin with this review so I'll just start typing. I went to see this movie knowing it would not be two hours of entertainment. I knew it would be a difficult movie to watch, but not because I have had an abortion. I have not had an abortion, but I did deliver a 15 week baby. The doctor said my baby probably died at about 13 weeks. Either way, I was straddling the line between my first and second trimester when I delivered my sweet little baby boy. I know first hand how well developed these babies are at the earliest stages of pregnancy. I studied my baby carefully and I have never forgotten those images. They are etched into my heart and mind forever. I am compelled to tell my story and I will do that, but first I must share Abby Johnson's story with you.
Unplanned Movie
Abby Johnson has become one of my new heroines. She must be one of the bravest women who has ever walked this earth. She made an enemy of Planned Parenthood and that is not to be taken lightly. Planned Parenthood is one of the most powerful organizations in the Untied States and yet Abby Johnson is courageously exposing them for who they really are and she is not backing down. Abby Johnson is a warrior voice for the unborn and that is who you will meet in this film.
Abby Johnson is a woman who began her young life as an advocate for women. Her desire to help women in need is what initially led her to Planned Parenthood where she spent 8 years. Abby started out as a clinic volunteer but quickly rose through the ranks to become the youngest Planned Parenthood director in the organization's history. Abby began her volunteer streak at Planned Parenthood because she believed their goal was to reduce the number of abortions, but in time she bought into the daily practice of selling as many abortions as possible to feed the greed of the organization's billion dollar appetite.
Eventually Abby was awarded the Planned Parenthood Employee of the Year award.
But then . . . she saw something that changed everything.
As a volunteer and eventually the clinic director, Abby had remained on the clerical side of the business. She had endured two abortions of her own but she had never seen any of the ultrasounds, not even her own. Planned Parenthood never lets the mothers see the ultrasounds because if they do, the mothers might realize that what they are about to do is to kill a baby.
One particular day, about 5 months after Abby received her Employee of the Year award, she was called into a procedure room to hold an ultrasound probe in place during an abortion procedure. As the doctor inserted the vacuum tube, Abby turned to see the ultrasound monitor. She saw the baby move away from the tube. Then the baby began to frantically fight for survival. Abby watched as the baby was torn limb by limb and then the head was finally sucked into the tube. There was a black space left where the baby had been only seconds before.
It was that experience that changed Abby's mind and resulted in her decision to leave Planned Parenthood. She is now one of the most outspoken pro-life advocates in the world.
Unplanned tells her story. It is not an easy story to tell but Abby tells it because she is called to save the lives of babies. She is called to tell the truth. She is called to expose the lies told to woman after woman - to girl after girl.
I highly encourage you to see the movie. Don't take your younger children, but I strongly encourage you to take your teen girls. Take your teen boys too. The movie is rated R so the theaters should not be letting anyone under age 17 in to see it without a parent, but I know some theaters don't really enforce that. In my personal opinion, every male and every female 14 years and older should see this movie. 12 and 13 year olds should see it only after their parents have seen it first and then decide for themselves if it is appropriate for their 12 or 13 year old. Parents should be prepared to have some hard discussions with their teens before and after this movie. Abby states below in her interview with Glenn Beck that her youngest patient was age 10 and her oldest was age 52. This movie doesn't mess around. It doesn't sugar coat anything and neither should we. We should treat this topic as serious as it is.
Some things you should know:
1. You will see the vacuum abortion that Abby saw (or one like it). It is one of the hardest things I have ever watched. I can't unsee it and neither can you. It is important so please don't let that stop you from seeing the movie. You'll have time to look away if you can't handle it.
2. There are a couple of bloody scenes. Abby has had two abortions of her own. One of those abortions was chemically induced. This movie exposes the truth about how a chemically induced abortion works. In the movie, the process takes place at Abby's home and is much more intense than she had been told. She is in agonizing pain. You'll see clumps and blood fall into her bathtub. The scene ends with her lying on her bathroom floor with blood all around her. It's pretty graphic, but again, something this film needed to include. Abby tells in the interview below that her experience was much worse in real life.
There is another scene where a young girl nearly bleeds to death due to a perforated uterus. By the way, Planned Parenthood never told the girl's family that she nearly died that day. Covering up those instances is a norm at Planned Parenthood.
3. There are a few words used in the film that parents wouldn't want their children to say (and shouldn't say themselves) but nothing shocking.
Watch the official movie trailer here.
Go see the movie! Please take your teenage girls and boys.
Abby's bravery is evident every time I see and listen to her speak. She tells it like it is. She is honest about her college life style which led to two unplanned pregnancies resulting in two abortions (before she knew the truth). She is honest about what those abortions were like. She is honest about the true nature of the Planned Parenthood empire.
I want to share a few other resources with you. Glenn Beck recently hosted an interview podcast with Abby Johnson. He didn't make it easy for her. He asked her some hard questions. This podcast is a little bit lengthy but I believe it is an important supplement to the Unplanned movie. Here you will get to know more about the real Abby Johnson as she answers hard questions. She answers them directly and truthfully. You NEED to watch and listen to this interview. There is SO MUCH in here that you need to know. Much of what Abby exposes will make your stomach turn. I thought about summarizing this interview but I think it is more important for you to watch the interview and hear those horrible things from the lips of someone who has been there. Listen to Abby. Please.
Here is another video showing Abby's tenacity as she testifies in favor of Kentucky's version of the Heartbeat Bill, SB 9. In her testimony, she destroys the arguments of those in favor of abortion.
A Word for Abortion Workers
Abby Johnson not only works to save the lives of babies, but she also works to help abortion clinic workers leave the abortion industry. Her organization is called "And Then There Were None." If you are in the abortion industry but you want out, please contact her organization here.
A Word for Those Who Have Had An Abortions
If you have had an abortion, you need to know that you can find healing and forgiveness. First, I want to personally tell you that you can find forgiveness and healing in Jesus. We all sin and we all need Jesus. I invite you to learn more about Jesus and how to invite him into your life as your Lord here.
Secondly, Abby Johnson's organization can help you heal and find forgiveness and peace. She has resources for you here.
One of the resources available is a devotional called Planned from the Start by Lorraine Marie Varela.
*Images used in this post were obtained from Pixabay and from the downloadable page at UnplannedFilm.com.
This past Sunday, our pastor was out of town so an associate pastor delivered the sermon. Trail Post 1 was on the topic of baptism. Today, we covered the next two posts on the trail. Trail Post 2 is God's Word and Trail Post 3 is Prayer.
The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. You are invited to worship with us here.
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:8-9
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - Matthew 6:33
Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6
Trail Post 3: Prayer
What if your prayers seem unanswered? When you think your prayers have gone unanswered, here are some things you can do.
1. Look to yourself.
Is it your manner of living? Are you living in unconfessed sin?
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear.But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. - Isaiah 59:1-2
What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. - James 4:1-3
You might be praying for an increase in your salary, but you are not receiving it because you are not honoring God with the salary you already have.
3. Look to your prayers.
Are your prayers "according to God's will?"
This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. - 1 John 5:14-15
Our prayers must be in line with the Word of God. 4. Look at your God. Sometimes God answers our prayers differently. Remember that His ways are not our ways. Sometimes God answers our prayers delayed. Sometimes God answers prayers later so that He can answer them better.
The last few minutes of the video, our pastor talks about salvation. Do you know Jesus? If you want to know more about how to be saved, click here.
You'll find all posts in the Trailhead series here.
