Happy Monday

Alone???
As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.
--1 Thessalonians 2:6-8

From 1986 to 1990, Frank Reed was held hostage in a Lebanon cell. For months at a time, he was blindfolded, living in complete darkness, and chained to a wall, kept in absolute silence.

Reed was beaten, made ill, and tormented, but he felt the most hopeless because it seemed that no one cared. He said in an interview with Time magazine, "Nothing I did mattered to anyone. I began to realize how withering it is to exist with not a single expression of caring around [me]....I learned one overriding fact: caring is a powerful force. If no one cares, you are truly alone."

Christians are never truly alone because we are fortunate to have God's gracious watch care over our lives, as well as that of the Church. This type of caring can provide the strength needed for a believer to endure anything.

Do you know someone who feels as though no one cares for them? Can you think of a few people right now who are living in loneliness? We have been called as believers to minister to those who are lonely. And in turn, we never have to be lonely because there are other believers who will care for us.

Remember the promise of Jesus: "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open the doors of opportunity for you to pour out love, care, and concern for someone who needs it, just as Jesus did.

No Never Alone

I’ve seen the lightning flashing, I’ve heard the thunder roll.
I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, which almost conquered my soul.
I’ve heard the voice of my Savior, bidding me still to fight on.
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!

Refrain

     No, never alone, no never alone,
     He promised never to leave me,
     He’ll claim me for His own;
     No, never alone, no never alone.
     He promised never to leave me,
     Never to leave me alone.

The world’s fierce winds are blowing, temptation sharp and keen.
I have a peace in knowing my Savior stands between—
He stands to shield me from danger when my friends are all gone.
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!

Refrain

When in affliction’s valley I tread the road of care,
My Savior helps me carry the cross so heavy to bear;
Though all around me is darkness, earthly joys all flown;
My Savior whispers His promise, never to leave me alone!
Refrain

He died on Calvary’s mountain, for me they piercèd His side.
For me He opened that fountain, the crimson, cleansing tide.
For me He waiteth in glory, seated upon His throne.
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!

Refrain

Daily Smile:
A preacher was walking down the street when he notices a little boy trying to ring the doorbell but it's just out of his reach. He watches his efforts for some time and walks over to press the the bell. After he pressed it he leveled down to the boy and asked' "Now what?" to which the boy turned and shouted, "NOW WE RUN!!"

In The News:

52,000 Letters En Route to Iran for Imprisoned American Pastor

More than 52,000 letters have been written to American pastor Saeed Abedini, commending him for his strong demonstration of faith as he languishes in an Iranian prison, Baptist Press reports. The Web-based campaign was launched by the American Center for Law and Justice ahead of Abedini's 33rd birthday on May 7. The ACLJ, which is representing Abedini's wife and children in the United States, reported that 52,501 letters have been written to the pastor, a U.S. citizen of Iranian descent who has been sentenced to eight years in prison for converting to Christianity. "These letters show the impact Pastor Saeed's case is having on people's lives," the ACLJ said. "One letter reads: 'Your message of forgiveness is an amazing testimony and actually helped us realize there was someone in our life we needed to forgive. Thank you.'" The large number of letters also serves to let Iranian officials know that the international community is still fighting for Pastor Saeed's release, said Tiffany Barrans, international legal director of the ACLJ. The ACLJ said it is printing out and delivering each letter through intermediaries to Evin Prison in Tehran; more letters can still be written at SaveSaeed.org. 

Gosnell Jury Begins Second Week of Deliberations

The jurors deliberating Kermit Gosnell's fate have been at work for a week now, sifting through hundreds of hours of testimony to determine whether the Philadelphia abortionist is guilty of murder, WORLD reports. Gosnell faces four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of infants prosecutors say survived late-term abortions. He also faces one count of third-degree murder in the death of a patient who overdosed on anesthesia. Additional charges include racketeering, performing illegal abortions after 24 weeks, failing to observe the 24-hour waiting period, and endangering a child's welfare for employing a 15-year-old in the procedure area. The multiplicity of charges could explain why jurors are taking their time to review the evidence. Thursday morning, jurors requested to review the testimony of former Gosnell assistant Adrienne Moton, who testified to "snipping" the spines of 10 babies born alive during abortion procedures. Late Tuesday, the jury asked to review testimony given by Moton's coworker, Lynda Williams, who said she saw Gosnell use scissors to slice through the spinal cords of at least 30 babies after they were born.

Texas Judge Rules Cheerleaders Can Make Bible Banners

A judge has ruled that cheerleaders at a southeast Texas high school can display banners emblazoned with Bible verses at football games -- a decision that supporters are calling a victory for religions freedom, Todd Starnes reports. State District Judge Steve Thomas ruled Wednesday that the Kountze High School cheerleaders' banners were constitutionally permissible, and determined that no law "prohibits cheerleaders from using religious-themed banners at school sporting events." High school and middle school cheerleaders in Kountze had painted Bible verses on the large paper banners they created for the football players to run through at the start of games, but after the Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a complaint, the school district banned the messages. Last October, Judge Thomas granted a temporary injunction that allowed the cheerleaders to continue displaying the banners. Roger Byron, an attorney with the Liberty Institute, said: "The court's order today that the cheerleaders' run-through banners are constitutionally permissible vindicates our clients' rights and brings this case to a successful end. This is a great victory, not only for these cheerleaders, but for religious liberty of student leaders across the country."

Pro-Life Senator Loses Bid to Examine Country's Abortion Policies

A Senate resolution aimed at examining the policies that led to the practices of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell's "House of Horrors" clinic was blocked Monday evening, WORLD reports. On Monday, Utah Sen. Mike Lee introduced the resolution, co-signed by 11 other senators, calling for the Senate to "investigate and correct abusive, unsanitary and illegal abortion practices." Lee tried to speed the resolution's passage on Monday night to try to quicken a response, but one unknown senator thwarted a unanimous vote. Lee said he did not understand why someone would object to his non-binding resolution asking Congress to examine what allows Gosnell-like clinics to operate with little scrutiny. "With numerous reports of similar instances surfacing around the country, the need for greater regulatory oversight of these so-called clinics is so plainly obvious," Lee said. "It strains the limits of disbelief to think all members of the Senate would not agree."