Dear Friend of Life:
When you’re out sidewalk counseling and a woman chooses life, who gets the credit?
The prayer volunteer who has been praying intently for 3 hours at the site?
The group of ladies praying the Psalms together for 10 minutes?
The home-bound grandmother down the street, praying for an end to abortion?
The man across the world who has been praying and fasting for his local abortion facility to close?
The Sidewalk Advocate (or sidewalk counselor) who initially spoke with her?
Or the Sidewalk Advocate (or sidewalk counselor) who “sealed the deal” and was able to walk her over to the pregnancy resource center?
Funny enough, Christians have been asking questions like this since the early days of ministry and outreach. And here was Paul’s answer to that…
“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” – 1 Cor 3:5-11
In short, Paul tells us that we are God’s co-workers — but it is He that works the miracle in the hearts of those who are willing to receive it. We are told — literally, in John 15 — that “apart from Him, we can do nothing.”
But we also believe that it all counts and works together for good, yielding great fruit that moves the hearts of these mothers-in-crisis to consider changing their minds, literally saving their children from death and sparing them from a lifetime of regret. Paul once again tells us…
“All things work for good for those who love God.” — Romans 8:28
“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for we will reap the harvest in due season if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
I always note that my biggest miracles on the sidewalk took place when I was focused on prayer, when I sought to “get out of the way,” and when I shared His love with that mother-in-need.
It wasn’t Lauren who made the young woman jump out of the car and agree in great joy to a sonogram …it wasn’t Lauren who was able to fill the needs of many couples at the abortion facility, such that they said yes to the help at the pregnancy resource center …it wasn’t Lauren who caused many tears to spring up in the eyes of young women-in-need, stirring their hearts to thankfully accept the support available…
…I can honestly tell you that it wasn’t me. I don’t have that kind of power.
No doubt, God used my gifts, talents, background, education, training and experiences in life that He gave me to help move the hearts of many — just as He uses yours. But again, in each conversation, I just pointed to the law that was already written on her heart (otherwise known as “the Natural Law”) — the truth of life and love that she is equipped to recognize simply by virtue of being made in the image and likeness of God Almighty. And for that, I can’t take credit …for that, I am grateful!
So, the next time you’re at the abortion center and you witness a miracle, let’s give credit where credit is due — let’s praise God for working through us, but give the glory to Him! It’s His grace that makes this all possible!
Let’s remember that, “…with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible…” (Matthew 19:26).
One more reminder before we close!
Don’t forget! Applications to bring Sidewalk Advocacy to your local community will be open November 1-30!
If your town or city would be blessed by Sidewalk Advocacy training, tools and support, we would LOVE to be a blessing to you and help you save as many lives as possible through God’s grace!
APPLY HERE: www.sidewalkadvocates.org/
Questions about the program? Feel free to email us at info@sidewalkadvocates.org!
Friends, thank you for supporting us in this work to save lives, transform hearts and end abortion through the grace of God!
Cheryl leads the local Sidewalk Advocacy program through Sidewalk Advocates for Life in Buffalo, NY!
After their most recent training a couple weeks ago, she gave us a beautiful praise report!
“Wonderful fruits from our second quarter training! The feedback from our participants has been wonderful, and more importantly, our sidewalk counselors feel better equipped to handle the ever-changing-things we face being out there.”
Cheryl also shared dynamic feedback from a clergy member in the Diocese who is involved now as a trained Sidewalk Advocate…
“Deacon Mike, one of our participants said, ‘Just a note of thanks for conducting the Sidewalk Advocacy Training in the Diocese of Buffalo. The program you used is based on solid Christian principles and provides wonderful practical and specific tips for those called to serve in this ministry. God Bless for all that you do!'”
We look forward to hearing more wonderful news from Buffalo, NY as they continue to put into practice the training, tools and support they’ve received!
Thank you, Cheryl!
WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL (NOVEMBER 2-8, 2014): “LOVING MORE COMPLETELY”
by Jenna Scott, Program Assistant, Sidewalk Advocates for Life
Verse(s): “‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.’” — Matthew 22:36-40
Reflection: It seems so easy, right? Yet, to love God with all your heart, mind and soul means to put Him first, even when difficult. Even the apostle Peter struggled with this and denied Jesus three times. We must realize that true love requires sacrifice. That may mean losing friends because you are pro-life — or in some parts of the world, it literally can mean losing your life. But to love God means we put Him first, no matter what.
The other part — love your neighbor as yourself — is often misunderstood. First, notice how we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves — not more than yourself, not less than yourself, but as yourself. That means you want the best for that person, as you would want for yourself. Hate has no place in this equation; also, it doesn’t mean we condone all they do. We must show our neighbor the kind of love that helps them become more of who God wants them to be.
Faith Challenge: First, spend time in prayer and ask — what is blocking you from a greater relationship with God? Are you loving Him with all your heart, mind, and soul? Pray for help and take steps to put Him first so you can become more of the person He wants you to be and more fully put on the armor of God while defending the unborn. Second, look at how you treat others: Are you loving others as He has commanded? How do you treat the woman-in-crisis and her companions while on the sidewalk? Clinic workers? We are commanded to reach out with His love and hope (while not condoning what they do). Remember: you never know how much your love is changing someone’s heart!