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Today as we ponder the situation in our nation concerning 50 years of abortion, and now radical abortion legislation in SA and NSW, we listen to the words of Jesus as we read John 8:1-16.
We learn a lot about human nature, and His way of releasing truth to bring forgiveness and restore life.

Listen to Jesus

Then at dawn Jesus appeared in the temple courts again, and soon all the people gathered around to listen to His words, so He sat down and taught them.
~ John 8:2.

… Then in the middle of His teaching, the religious scholars and the Pharisees broke through the crowd and brought a woman who had been caught in the act of committing adultery and made her stand in the middle of everyone.
~ John 8:3

They were there hoping to trap Jesus with His own words and accuse Him of breaking the law of Moses, and then they were able to stone Him to death. They dragged a woman (but not the man caught with her), shaming her with the intention of putting her to death.

Silence Speaks Loudly and Wisdom speaks up at the right time with the right words.

But Jesus didn’t answer them. Instead he simply bent down and wrote in the dust with his finger. Angry, they kept insisting that he answer their question, so Jesus stood up and looked at them and said, “Let’s have the man who has never had a sinful desire throw the first stone at her.” And then he bent over again and wrote some more words in the dust.
~ John 8:6-8

Upon hearing that, her accusers slowly left the crowd one at a time, beginning with the oldest to the youngest, with a convicted conscience. Until finally, Jesus was left alone with the woman still standing there in front of him. So he stood back up and said to her, “Dear woman, where are your accusers? Is there no one here to condemn you?”

Looking around, she replied, “I see no one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.”
~ John 8:9-11 TPT

Jesus, the Light of the World, causes immediate offence to some

Then Jesus said, “I am light to the world and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness.”

The Pharisees were immediately offended and said, “You’re just boasting about yourself! Since we only have your word on this, it makes your testimony invalid!”

Jesus responded, “Just because I am the one making these claims doesn’t mean they’re invalid. For I absolutely know who I am, where I’ve come from, and where I’m going. But you Pharisees have no idea about what I’m saying. For you’ve set yourselves up as judges of others based on outward appearances, but I certainly never judge others in that way. For I discern the truth. And I am not alone in my judgments, for my Father and I have the same understanding in all things, and He has sent me to you.
~ John 8:12-16

As we read this account of Jesus handling an angry group of leaders that were out to entrap Him to destroy Him, we discover Jesus addresses the whole issue without argument or responding angrily. He seemingly ignores their accusation and questioning at first, and then stood up and looked at them and used truth to challenge their hypocrisy. They cannot refute truth and all the woman’s accusers left her. Jesus releases her to be free to live her life without sin. He is not condoning or agreeing with her behaviour, but also does not condemn or shame her like the others. Jesus goes on teaching and immediately the Pharisees are offended by what He says. Jesus again speaks truth that seems so out of their understanding and remains confident in His identity, His calling and His destination. He was able to stand firm and discern truth, and said He and His Father have the same understanding in all things.

Prayer: Our heavenly Father, there has never been a more crucial time for Your people in Australia to have such confidence in our identity in You, and for the calling on our lives to stand up and discern truth in every situation we face.
Lord Jesus, You went to the Father to send the spirit of Truth to be with us.
Holy Spirit, give each one of your people clear understanding of the things we need to know. Help us to bring truth into the abortion debates and meetings with others.
Like you, Lord, help us to discern the traps of the enemy and not speak into them. We ask for Your grace to trust in You with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. Cause those who want to shame others and judge on outward appearances to be sent back with a knowledge of their own need for forgiveness and mercy.
In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

Worship:

Prayer Points:

• Pray for women who have had abortions to not remain in condemnation and shame, but be released to live a life with the freedom only the cross of Jesus can bring.
• That the Upper House in NSW raise a majority to defeat the bill and turn the tide of full-term abortion.
• That those ‘reforming’ the Abortion Bill in SA come under conviction of the gravity of these actions.
• That the Ecclesia rise in prayer and unity to represent Christ in triumph over this darkness.
• That we come under the spirit of understanding that Jesus had as He walked on earth, according to Isaiah 11:2, and have the mind of Christ in every situation (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Spend time today listening to the Lord and Pray what is on His Heart.

FAST + PRAY = LIFE

Today as we stand together ‘as one’ in prayer and fasting may the Lord:

STOP the proposed Abortion Reform Bill in South Australia – “Statutes Amendment (Abortion Law Reform) Bill.”

STOP the New South Wales Abortion Bill – “The Reproductive Healthcare Reform Bill 2019”

Push Back and eventually STOP Abortion in every state and territory in Australia!

SHIFT the culture of this Nation to Mercy, Peace, Righteousness and Justice

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NOTE: The Canberra Declaration will post daily Devotions from Ann Browne every day for the 31-Day Period and on the Canberra Declaration Facebook. Please share the links and send out to your friends. Thank you.

[Image credit: LDS]