A Growing Spirit

Heading to the abortion mill this morning to encourage abortion-minded women to let their babies live. Prayer warriors: Prepare for battle. I really can't wait to see what God will do, whose hearts He will soften, what miracles I will be privileged to be a part of. It is strange the joy that I set forth with to such a terrible place. But it is joy to see evil turned back, hear the Gospel spoken for 3 hours by godly men and women alongside me, and share the delight when a baby who was destined to die is suddenly transformed in the mother's eyes to a cherished little person. The baby always was of course...but the mother denied it. Sometimes, all it takes is a gentle reminder from a sidewalk counselor or a convicted friend that the miracle the woman carries within her is already imbued with a soul of inestimable value. Most of the time, they already knew that, but other forces such as hard circumstances, selfishness, or fear took precedence over truth and righteousness. At some level, we have all been there, victims of rationalization.

Sometimes the work of the Holy Spirit is manifest, and sometimes it is not, but it is always going on. At times it is like hair growing....you know it is real and it is happening but you rarely observe it in action till one day you look in the mirror and it is down to your shoulders. Other days, the Spirit moves so suddenly and so powerfully that you blink and wonder at being so fully in the presence of God. Those are the moments I most long for as I drive to the mill, praying.

Yesterday, I saw a miracle. One of the women I counseled who chose life for her baby lost her living arrangement. She was suddenly in need of a place to stay, at least till the baby was born. No one would hire her at 5 months pregnant, despite her willingness to work, so she could not afford rent. I gave her a list of community resources to call. I called several myself. The community resources we could reach were all full. She sounded increasingly discouraged. I put out a plea to the cities4life network. Within the day, I had two people offer their homes to this sweet girl! If that isn't the body of Christ in action, I don't know what is. I am humbled and blessed beyond belief. It is a rare honor to work with people who talk the talk and walk the walk so self-sacrificially.

I pray the Holy Spirit is evident in abundance this morning as well, turning the hearts of women to the Creator, that they would honor and love His creation more clearly. May we all be empowered to speak words of truth that give others a glimpse of the kingdom of God and may we all have the heart to offer refuge to those who seek shelter from the storm.

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for more info on this ministry, go to charlotte.cities4life.org
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John 14:26 

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Acts 2:38 

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Romans 8:26 

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

1 Corinthians 6:19 

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

John 14:15-17 

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.