Friday, August 21, 2020

#3114 (8/21) "2 Reports Buttress Trump Policies Banning Abortion Funding Abroad, Fetal Tissue Research at Home"

ATTENTION SCROLL DOWN  to get TODAY'S article entitled in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. PLEASE be sure to note the various PRAYER REQUESTS listed BEFORE and AFTER the posted article. (NOTE the list of DAILY prayer requests for the persecuted church.)  They ALL deserve  your intercession.
PRAYER ALERT:
URGENT
 *That the Corona Virus outbreak may finally be contained and it's victims effectively treated. [P.S. - YOUR BLOOD can help someone specifically recovering from the cornavirus. Please consider donating blood as I have!today's Happy Thots (: First time in history we can save the human race by laying in front of the TV and doing nothing. Let's NOT mess this up!  //  You know the world is upside down when you go to the bank and someone wearing a mask and gloves isn't tackled by security. // I never thought the comment, "I wouldn't touch you with a 6-foot pole" would become a national policy, but here we are!
*That the ongoing riots in America's cities will  not lead to people being hurt and businesses - esp. those recovering from the pandemic - to not be destroyed by agitators.
*Pray for U.S. Pastor David Lin in China (see "Something Serious Is Happening In That Dark Place" -  Tony Perkins, Washington Watch, April 09, 2019; https://www.frc.org/updatearticle/20190409/something-serious)
*Pray for Leah Sharibu is a courageous Nigerian Christian teen girl held captive by Boko Haram. The Islamic militia is threatening to kill or enslave her because she won't renounce Jesus Christ. Pray that the UN will intervene in her release. [2/13/19 – This day marked ONE YEAR since her kidnapping.
6/9 Thank you for your prayers for my co-worker, Brandon. He surprised me by showing up for 2 long work shifts this past weekend. He looked great though he said he's still on the mend (8 months after his horrific motorcycle accident.

ATTENTION!

PERSONAL UPDATE: 7/15 Note my latest entry in the JOURNAL section on the right side of this page. 

Jacob Velazquez Audition on America's Got Talent 6-30-20;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?=tEyFevaOoAs4

8/21 - PRAY for the President and others in leadership (1 Tim. 2:1-3)
Heavenly Father,
 I pray that you will guide President Trump to seek YOU with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength. May he act with wisdom and strength against those whose actions would bring harm to this nation and the world now and for generations to come. I pray that you would strengthen his marriage and deepen the love he and his wife Melania share. Pray that you give them wisdom to speak into the life of their son Barron. Please protect him and his family and others in our leadership from physical harm that any might seek to do against them. May all that our President does bring honor and glory to YOU and cause him to draw in closer relationship with you. I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen. P.S. - I highly recommend your reading "The Faith of Donald J. Trump." The copy I read is in my public library. It really helps us understand our 45th President better.
The above is a picture of the First Family on Mother's Day. 
Can you believe how Barron has grown? Wow!
*For President Trump to have discernment as he works on the challenges facing the country.
*For President Trump as he speaks to a conservative organization in Virgina that believes in limited government, traditional values, and a strong national defense.
*For the Lord to be with those in law enforcement, protecting them and giving them strength as they serve.
*For healing and recovery for those who are ill and for an end to the COVID-19 outbreak.
*For wisdom for the Coronavirus Task Force as they work to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
*For wisdom for the president and administration officials as they continue to lead in the midst of the pandemic and the ongoing economic impact that comes as a result.
*For God to be at work through the president as he focuses on issues of national importance.
*For guidance for President Trump  as he works on a variety of issues, that God’s will would be accomplished through him.
*For God’s will to be accomplished  and for His name to be glorified and honored. 

DECLARATION FOR LIFE: Please be sure to sign this at:  https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life
     BE Prepared TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION 
(...because ALL Babies Matter! - http://www.lifenews.com/2017/03/01/why-do-unborn-babies-matter-just-because-they-are/ : Go to: LIFE Training Institute - http://prolifetraining.com/resources/five-minute-11/  
Be Prepared TO ENGAGE WITH THE PC CULTURE:Go to:"Tactics" - 
http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2016/04/29/tactics-n2154983
"Don't Argue the Exceptions - Beating Bad Arguments For Abortion and Transgenderism" - by John Stonestreet, Breakpoint.org, May 25, 2017;
 http://breakpoint.org/2017/05/breakpoint-dont-argue-exceptions/

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

"2 REPORTS BUTRESS TRUMP POLICIES BANNING ABORTION FUNDING ABROAD, FETAL TISSUE RESEARCH AT HOME"Fred Lucas / @FredLucasWH / August 18, 2020 / https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/08/18/2-reports-buttress-trump-policies-banning-abortion-funding-abroad-fetal-tissue-research-at-home
     The government issues two reports evaluating the Trump administration’s pro-life policies curbing taxpayer funding for abortion-related matters here and abroad. Pictured: A pro-life activist holds a sign during a demonstration in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 29. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

     The government issued two reports Tuesday evaluating the Trump administration’s pro-life policies that curb taxpayer funding for abortion-related matters here and abroad. 
   The State Department issued a status report early Tuesday on the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy, which requires foreign nongovernmental organizations getting U.S. taxpayer funding to agree not to perform or actively promote abortion
   Then, late Tuesday afternoon, the administration released recommendations by an ethics advisory board to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar on alternatives to research using fetal tissue from abortions. 
   The restriction on federal funding of abortions by foreign entities applies to the State Department, the Defense Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID. The new status report found no disruptions to providing health care abroad, with only eight of the 1,340 prime grantees declining to take federal funding with the conditions attached. The two largest of the eight were the International Planned Parenthood Federation and Marie Stopes International. “The government worked quickly to transition activity to new partners in order to prevent and resolve any delays or gaps in health care being delivered around the world,” a senior Trump administration official told reporters Tuesday. 
   That’s contrary, the official added, “to the narrative sometimes pushed by the left that pro-life policies sometimes stand in the way of women’s health and wellness.” 

Fetal Tissue Research Funding Ban
   In June 2019, the Trump administration announced it would curtail the use of taxpayer dollars to fund research using fetal tissue from aborted fetuses.  On Tuesday, the independent ethics advisory board submitted its report to Azar, advising him on how best to handle pending research proposals seeking federal funding to conduct research on fetal tissue derived from abortions, according to the senior administration official. Azar appointed the panel, made up of health ethics experts outside of the HHS, six months ago.

   The government had been funding human fetal tissue research since President Bill Clinton lifted the funding moratorium in 1993 on the 20th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion across the nation. “Clinton told the country that research could lead to treatment for Parkinson’s [and] Alzheimer’s [diseases],” the senior Trump administration official said. “Now we know, 27 years on, none of that has happened—and [we’re] standing up for the unborn by preventing their bodies from being used as lab material for research purposes.” 

   Under federal statute, if the HHS secretary has ethical concerns about proposed research, those proposed projects can be reviewed by an ethics boardThe ethics advisory board considered 14 proposals from research scientists, and examined the “nature of informed consent,” “justification,” and “possible alternatives,” the senior administration official said. “Its report, when it’s released, we believe, will really demonstrate that the board carefully considered the ethical implications of all the research proposals and gave independent individual consideration to each research proposal,” the senior administration official said ahead of the release.

[italics and colored emphasis mine]


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


PRAYER MATTERS:

"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against 
the disorder of the world Karl Barth
"Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is  one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer."- Stan
----------------------------------------------------------------------
“INTERCESSORS ARE THE RUDDER” – A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT - Wanda Alger, June 28th, 2017; https://www.getamericapraying.com/blog/I was recently given a word by my good friend, Bill Yount. His word greatly encouraged me as an intercessor. Working for Intercessors for America, I soon realized it was not just a word for me, but for all who have been praying for our nation, wondering if their prayers are truly making any difference. Bill told me, “I kept seeing you as a small rudder on a huge ship. Hidden, but giving guidance. Although it seemed slow it was turning the whole ship. Patience was needed to see the impact of your…ministry. I sense the Lord saying, ‘Don’t jump ship! I’ve made you the rudder!’ ” I was immediately touched in my spirit by this encouragement, knowing that our seemingly small place in prayer was having a great impact.
James 3:4 talks about the power of a small rudder to steer a large ship. In this scripture about the power of our tongue, consider the power of prophetic intercession! In the Forerunner Commentary on this verse we read, “…rudders manipulate the course of immense ocean vessels with a slight movement of a pilot’s hand. Since it is underwater and aft, the rudder of a ship does its work UNSEEN. A passenger is ignorant of its movements most of the time. Yet, when it is in proper working order, the rudder holds more power over the ship than the wind. The wind will blow, toss, even destroy the ship’s rigging, but the rudder guides the ship exactly where it directs.”
This is God’s promise to the intercessors in this hour of national turbulence. Don’t stop praying! Your prayers have great power to turn the ship! Continue praying, interceding, and discerning the workings and movements of the Holy Spirit, being faithful to God’s commands. As we come together to declare God’s faithfulness, this nation will, once again, head in the direction that God intends. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Regardless of the winds of adversity and the fires of the enemy, God’s people have a power that cannot be matched. Let us join in faith and continue to pray and speak of God’s faithfulness in order to bring God’s people and this nation into the fullness of God’s plans. Note this additional encouragement from God’s word:
Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (ESV). 
Psalm 33:8-11 – “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” 
Wanda Alger, IFA Field Correspondent

PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14) Short of that, we should not be saying "God Bless America"but instead "God be merciful towards America!"
PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS 1) Pray for President Trump and his advisers, that they would select Godly leaders at the federal level who will be accountable to do an excellent job (or be fired!) ; that he would seek God's wisdom and be enabled to lead our country effectively in the years ahead; and 2) Pray our leaders at every level of government will Spirit-filled, leading us with Godly wisdom and integrity; that they will  only pass legislation and enact policies that will benefit Americans today as well as future generations and NOT do any lasting harm.
SUPREME COURT: PRAY that the justices will only hand down decisions that are Constitutionally sound and in the best interests of our country now and for future generations.

World-Wide Prayer Requests:

 PRAISE GOD for the continuing recent successes against ISIS! P
ray that coalition forces will be able to  fully destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS.
*For believers in Syria and in this region as they navigate so much uncertainty. May they remain faithful to God through these most difficult times as He sustains them with peace and His Spirit's strength.
------------------------------------------------------------
Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
Eunji: A brave NORTH KOREAn - North Korean women who have escaped to China are growing in their maturity and faith in Christ, thanks to the grace of God and the prayers and gifts of supporters like you. Eunji* is one such refugee who came to know Christ in a women’s ministry supported by Open Doors and attended a Bible study regularly, eventually becoming a co-leader. Last August, Eunji was arrested by Chinese officials and was at risk to be sent back to North Korea and imprisoned. Many around the world prayed for her release. We recently heard from Eunji that her deportation process has been delayed—she has been released from detention and reunited with her husband and son! She says, “Thank you for your prayer support and love in Christ!”
August 21 Pray that Christian refugees repatriated and imprisoned in North Korea would sense God’s presence.
*Representative name or photo used to protect identity.


STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM - OpenDoorsUSA.org
 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.- 2 Tim. 4:16                                     
SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO SUFFER
The Apostle Paul knew exactly what it was like to be alone, to be deserted by all who called themselves “brothers” and “sisters.” A former colleague who has done considerable travel among the persecuted says, “It is hard to believe that Christians are the largest persecuted group in the world today. But it is even more difficult to believe that this is so seldom mentioned in our gatherings and church services. More Christians know the names of their favorite actors than their fellow believers who are in prison.”
He continues, “With every trip something in my heart breaks as I hear the echoes of suffering:
I remember the echoes of an Egyptian mother as she shared how her young boy was stuck in a haystack because she refused to deny Jesus.
I remember the sounds of weeping as fellow students in Indonesia shared how Sariman, their co-student, was hacked to death.
I remember the cries of anguish as we walked from church to church that was burned to the ground on the island of Lombok.
I remember the tears of Rebecca in Iran as she showed the picture of her father who was stabbed to death for sharing the gospel.
I remember the voice of Pastor Daniel in Vietnam as he shared how he was chained to the ground for six months.
I remember the fear of Grace from Sudan as she shared how her church was attacked and her friend was shot through the head.
Oh, I remember the cries of Caleb in Eritrea as he shared with tears how two dear friends were executed in front of him because of their faith.
And I remember the tears of Joy in the southern Philippines as she shared how her fiancé was shot to death in their church in Mindanao.
But, most all, I remember the deafening sounds of silence every time I return home.
RESPONSE
How can I be silent today? How can I not speak on behalf of those who suffer? How can I desert those that belong to the same body that I belong to and who desperately need the encouragement of my intervention?

No comments:

Post a Comment