Several Articles of Interest

Sorry Or Repentant?
Being sorry and being repentant are different.  All of us have witnessed a child sorry for the way things have turned out.  The same parent's reaction is completely different to the child who comes to them with a repentant heart  -  sorry for the outcome and for their part in creating the outcome.

You might remember when the Israelites went to conquer the land that was promised to them.  In Numbers 14:39, we read that the Israelites were "overcome with grief" because of the word of judgment Moses had  brought to them declaring they would not enter the promised land because of their actions.  This word created quite a reaction!

They were sorry because of the way things turned out  -  they were not repentant for their stubborn hearts that caused the outcome.  They wanted to receive their portion of the promised land.  This lack of a repentant heart caused them to go in the opposite direction the Lord desired.  They were clearly instructed in 14:25 to retreat toward the Red Sea in order for them to get their hearts right.  Instead, they mustered up their strength and with the wrong heart pursued God's promises.  The result was they were routed and did not enter the promised land.

Repentance positions us to receive God's promises!  Being sorry for how things have turned out and then implementing our fixes with our strength will have a disastrous outcome.  Let us pray that the Church will move beyond being sorry for where our country is and move into repentance for the conditions of our hearts.

Revival is the only hope for our nation. Repentance is the key to revival.
    (David Kabal, President and CEO, Intercessors for America)

States Going Pro-Life
While the Repubican-controlled U.S. House passes strong pro-life bills only to have them die in the Democrat-controlled Senate, many states continue to enact more laws honoring the sanctity of life.  At least 42 states have passed or introduced legislation to protect innocent pre-born human beings from being killed by abortion.  Some states want to stop every abortion of a baby with a beating heart (which can be detected at 12 weeks).  Others focus on 20 weeks as a pain-threshold.  The very liberal 9th Circuit court has overturned at least three of these fetal-pain laws, paving the way for a Supreme Court showdown.  Let us continue to pray, knowing God is listening and caring.
   (RueutersNewsServiceForLife, 7/13)

Religious Convictions Denied
In 2006, Elaine Huguenin, co-owner with her husband of Elaine Photography (Albaquerque, NM), declined to take photos of a lesbian "commitment" ceremony, as she was unable to reconcile the ceremony with her religious convictions.  She helped the women find another photographer, but stated she could not participate in the event without violating her beliefs about marriage.  Not satisfied, the women brought a complaint before the New Mexico Human Rights Commission, which found Mrs. Huguenin engaged in "sexual orientation" discrimination prohibited under state law, and ordered Elaine Photography to pay the plaintiffs' attorney fees.

Fast forward to August 2013 when, following the approval of an intermediate appellate court, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that Mrs. Huguenin violated the state's Human Rights Act, despite the fact that to comply would have compelled her to act contrary to her Christian faith.  Many analysts have been warning of the adverse effects same-sex "marriage" could have on religious liberty.  Now, as exemplified by the NM Supreme Court's decision in May, these fears are being realized.  The Alliance Defense Fund will represent the Huguenins' appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Concerned Christians are alerted to follow closely and pray much into what will no doubt be a landmark decision, and not just about photography.
   (Alliance Defending Freedom, 8/22/2013)

All the above articles from Inttercessors For American, www.IFAPray.org)