Many times we, as Christ followers or even simply as citizens, wonder if involving ourselves in the public arena, especially in the political arena, has any positive affect. I would like to share with you an article from the Wisconsin Right to Life Newsletter for Richland County that demonstrates it does make a difference.

A PROUD DAY FOR PRO-LIFERS
On Feb. 27, a hearing was held on Senate bill 398 to repeal Wisconsin’s long-standing abortion ban (s940.04). Over 500 right-to-lifers flocked to the capital to take a stand for the unborn. Planned Parenthood knows that when Roe v. Wade is overturned, s. 940.04 will shut down WI abortion mills! The fact that they are backing legislation to repeal this ban shows how fearful they are of this becoming a reality. Our Richland County chapter organized over 50 people to attend this event and what a blessing it was to all involved! Concerned pro-lifers from all over the state joined together to fill 3 conference rooms! The side of truth greatly outnumbered those representing Planned Parenthood and its allies. Perhaps the most memorable moment was seeing the great number of young people who came to represent their generation. Teens testified, wore pro-life t-shirts, and shared in the fellowship of this historic day. Of the 7 committee members, there were 3 votes for and 3 votes against SB 398. Sen. Kathleen Vinehout decieded that she would vote against, giving us 4 votes needed to defeat the bill in committee. Barbara Lyons, Executive Director of WRTL, credits the 500 plus people who showed up to the hearing as the influencing factor for Sen. Vinehout. To God be the glory! (reprinted by permission)

You can and do make a difference. I would encourage you, at the very least, make sure you vote!

I am a follower of Jesus Christ, are you? As a follower of Jesus Christ there are certain expectations placed upon my conduct in reference to the gospel message. John MacArthur, in his book “MacArthur’s Quick Reference Guide to the Bible” provides a list of the conduct, as it relates to the gospel, of those who call themselves followers of Christ. I would like to share that list with you now.

Proclaim it
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 4:23).

Defend it
“I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3b).

Demonstrate it
“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians).

Share it
“I thank my God…for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3a, 5).

Suffer for it
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:8).

Do not hinder it
“Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:12b).

Do not be ashamed of it
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16a).

Preach it
“For it I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16).

Be empowered by it
“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake” (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

Guard it
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-8).

I have struggled recently, in our church planting efforts. I suppose this is true of all church planters but it is reality for me at this time. That said, I have been very encouraged in the last 3 days. I have received emails from people that I have not met who are praying for Heartland Church. I have been in contact with people in other states who have a desire to assist us here. My director of missions has listened and encouraged me. Today I received an email from a missionary friend who shared about prayer.

Prayer, to me, is one of the most difficult of the spiritual disciplines but also one of the most, if not the most important. I pray the thoughts below will encourage you as they have me. When you finish please say a prayer for Heartland Church and its vision to begin a church that plants other churches:

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”Matthew 9:37-38We have talked often about these verses, but as I was rereading Matthew this week, I noticed something that had previously escaped my attention. In the preceeding verse, we find Jesus “seeing the multitudes” and feeling “compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd.”

Who saw the need? Jesus.

Who pointed it out to the disciples? Jesus.

Who is the one who sends out workers? Jesus.

What did he tell the disciples to do? ASK Him to send out workers!

Does that strike you as odd? Jesus was the one who observed the need AND He is the one who can meet the need. Why, then, would He bother to point it out to the disciples and ask them to pray? Why not simply start calling out workers without the “middle-man” of the praying disciples? All I can figure out is the He really wants us to be involved through prayer!! Could we even dare suggest that He may wait on our prayer involvment before He calls out workers?