Justina Updates

Major Updates in Justina Pelletier Case: Lawmakers Get Involved, Teen Will Not Be Transferred to Foster Care

The Constitution of the United States (cont.)

Article. VI. - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this
Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under
the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance
thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United
States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be
bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary
notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several
State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and
of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution;
but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public
Trust under the United States.

40 Days in the Word Week 6

40 Days in the Word - Interpreting a Bible Passage

Message by:
Pastor Terry Carwford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

Romans 8:31-38
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

SOME BASIC RULES OF BIBLE INTERPRETATION

1. Consider the historical context: WHO is being spoken to? WHY?

   
   Romans 1:1, 11-13
   Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God… 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.




2. Let the Scripture interpret the Scripture.




3. Read from the text, not into the text.

   
   Too often we come to the Bible with our own pre-conceived ideas. If we do that, we’ll eventually fall into the trap of trying to make the Scriptures say what we want them to say instead of drawing out from them what the author—and God—intended. The technical word for this error is eisegesis—reading into the text. What we want to do is the opposite, called exegesis, which means drawing out from the text what the author intended to communicate.




4. Look for the most obvious meaning.

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Conclusion:

Through Jesus, God has a loving and eternal plan for us.

I am not exempt from pain and trouble.

The boundless love of Christ gives us ultimate victory.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Pre-planned, called, justified and glorified - Jesus and us.

For more information, please visit: Covenant Church

40 Days in the Word Devotions

The Boston Children's Hospital Abomination

Please Take the time to read through these Stories. They are heart breaking, but we need to do what we can to keep the pressure on and help this family.

‘It’s Kidnapping’: Hospital Takes Custody of Teen Because Her Parents Were ‘Too Active in Pursuing’ Her Care

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/11/20/its-kidnapping-hospital-takes-custody-of-teen-because-her-parents-were-too-active-in-pursuing-her-care/

Hospital Holding Teen Against Parents’ Will Accused of Having a History of Doing it Before

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/11/25/hospital-holding-teen-against-parents-will-accused-of-having-a-history/

A Broken System Lets the Chronically Ill Slip Through The Medical Maze Cracks

http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/a-broken-system-lets-the-chronically-ill-slip-through-the-medical-maze-cracks/

Glenn Beck Explodes Over Latest Developments in Case of Boston Hospital Holding Teen Against Parents’ Will

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/12/06/glenn-beck-explodes-over-latest-developments-in-case-of-boston-hospital-holding-teen-against-parents-will/

One of the Best Hospitals in the Country Is Accused of Doing One of the Worst Things Imaginable to Families…Again

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/12/16/campaign-of-terror-one-of-the-best-hospitals-in-the-country-is-accused-of-doing-one-of-the-worst-things-imaginable-to-families-again/

Teen Girl Kept in Hospital Against Parents’ Will to Remain in State Custody, Judge Rules

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/12/21/teen-girl-kept-in-hospital-against-parents-will-to-remain-in-state-custody-judge-rules/

Report Says Teen Being Held Against Parents’ Will at Boston Hospital to Be Moved to Psych Facility: ‘Justice Maybe Prevailed’

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/01/10/report-says-teen-being-held-against-parents-will-at-boston-hospital-to-be-moved-to-psych-facility-justice-maybe-prevailed/

The Latest From the Parents of Teen Held by Hospital Against Their Will Doesn’t Look Good: ‘It’s Scary’

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/04/the-latest-from-the-parents-of-teen-held-by-hospital-against-their-will-doesnt-look-good-its-scary/

Father So Heartbroken About Daughter Held at Hospital Against His Will He Just Defied a Judge’s Order to Talk to Us: ‘I Want to Have All My Guns Blazing’

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/17/ready-jon-father-so-heartbroken-about-daughter-held-at-hospital-against-his-will-he-just-defied-a-judges-order-to-talk-to-us-i-want-to-have-all-my-guns-blazing/

Beck Begs Listeners to Help Family of 15-Year-Old at the Center of Boston Children’s Controversy Before She ‘Wastes Away and Dies’

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/18/beck-begs-listeners-to-help-family-of-15-year-old-at-the-center-of-boston-childrens-controversy-before-she-wastes-away-and-dies/

Contempt Charges Filed Against Dad Who Defied Gag Order to Tell Daughter’s Heartbreaking Story

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/19/child-services-files-contempt-charges-against-father-who-broke-gag-order-to-tell-story-of-daughter-kept-in-hospital-against-parents-will-source/

‘Wake Up, America!’: Beck Delivers One of the Most Passionate Rants of the Year

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/19/wake-up-america-beck-delivers-one-of-the-most-passionate-rants-of-the-year/

Thousands Demanding Teen Be Released to Her Parents Sends #FreeJustina Trending on Twitter

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/19/thousands-demanding-teen-be-released-to-her-parents-sends-freejustina-trending-on-twitter/

The Constitution of the United States (cont.)

Article. V. - Amendment

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose
Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds
of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either
Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified
by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three
fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the
Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One
thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses
in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be
deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

40 Days in the Word Week 5

40 Days in the Word - How to Study a Bible Passage

Message by:
Pastor Terry Carwford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

The key to Bible Study is asking good questions like…

1. What does it say?
2. What does it mean?
3. What other verses explain it?
4. What will I do about it?

Philippians 2:19-30
But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.

God wants us to get something out of His Word.

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

1. Observation: What does it say?

Paul intended to send 2 men to the church at Philippi.

Paul endorsed them as role models who deserve honor.

What does it mean to be like these men? What are they like?

2. Interpretation: What does it mean? A Godly man is…

Caring.
vs. 20-21 “takes a genuine interest”

Cooperative Trustworthy.
vs. 22 “has proved himself.”

Committed.
vs. 25 “my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier”

Courageous.
vs.27-30 “almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life

3. Correlation: What other verses explain it?

Philippians 4:14-18
Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

4. Application: What will I do about it?

S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S Questions
SIN TO CONFESS?
PROMISE TO CLAIM?
ATTITUDE TO CHANGE?
COMMAND TO KEEP?
EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW?
PRAYER TO PRAY?
ERROR TO AVOID?
TRUTH TO BELIEVE?
SOMETHING TO THANK GOD FOR?


For more information, please visit: Covenant Church

40 Days in the Word Devotions

The Constitution of the United States (cont.)

Article. IV. - The States

Section 1 - Each State to Honor all others

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial
Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the
Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect
thereof.

Section 2 - State citizens, Extradition

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in
the several States.

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from
Justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the
State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction
of the Crime.

(No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into
another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from
such Service or Labour, But shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such
Service or Labour may be due.) (This clause in parentheses is superseded by the 13th
Amendment.)

Section 3 - New States

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be
formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by
the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the
Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations
respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in
this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or
of any particular State.

Section 4 - Republican government

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of
Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the
Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against
domestic Violence.

40 Days in the Word Week 4

40 Days in the Word - SEEING WHAT GOD WANT’S ME TO SEE

Message by:
Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

ILLUMINATION: Letting the Holy Spirit show me the meaning of God’s Word and how it applies to my life.

John 14:26
“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:17 (NLT)
“He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.”

John 16:15
“…the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.”

Ephesians 1:17 (CEV)
“I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God.”

Ephesians 1:18-19
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD OPENS MY EYES?

1. I see the solution to my problem.

   
   Genesis 21:19
   “Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.”




2. I see the barrier to my progress.

   
   Numbers 22:31
   “Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.”
   
   

3. I see the defense for what’s attacking me.

   
   2 Kings 6:17
   “Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha!”
   
   

4. I see how God is walking with me.

   
   Luke 24:31
   “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.”

PREPARING TO SEE WHAT GOD WANTS ME TO SEE

1. I must begin a relationship with Jesus Christ.

   
   1 Corinthians 2:14
   “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
   
   John 3:3
   Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
   
   

2. I must ask God, in faith, to open my eyes.

   
   Psalm 119:18
   “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your Law!”
   
   James 1:5-6
   “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt.”
   
   Matthew 7:7
   "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
   
   Psalm 32:8
   “I WILL instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I WILL counsel you and watch over you.”




3. I come with a humble attitude.

   
   Psalm 25:9
   “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”
   
   Proverbs 3:5-6
   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”




4. I cleanse my heart of sin and conflict.

   
   Matthew 5:8
   “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
   
   1 John 2:11
   “Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.”
   
   

5. I commit, in advance, to do what God says.

   
   Psalm 119:33-34
   “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.”
   
   James 1:22
   “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO what it says!”

For more information, please visit: Covenant Church

40 Days in the Word Devotions

The Constitution of the United States (cont.)

Article III. - The Judicial Branch

Section 1 - Judicial powers

The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in
such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The
Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good
Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which
shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section 2 - Trial by Jury, Original Jurisdiction, Jury Trials

(The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this
Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made,
under their Authority; to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and
Consuls; to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction; to Controversies to which
the United States shall be a Party; to Controversies between two or more States; between
a State and Citizens of another State; between Citizens of different States; between
Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a
State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.) (This section in
parentheses is modified by the 11th Amendment.)

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in
which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the
other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both
as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress
shall make.

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial
shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not
committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress
may by Law have directed.

Section 3 - Treason

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in
adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of
Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on
Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of
Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the
Person attainted.

40 Days in the Word Week 3

40 Days in the Word - How the Bible Changes Us

Message by:
Pastor Terry Carwford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

John 6:63
Jesus: “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life!”

Hebrews 4:12
“The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

HOW DOES GOD’S WORD CHANGE ME?

1. It re-creates my life.

   
   James 1:18
   “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth …”
   
   1 Peter 1:23
   “You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.”




2. It eradicates my guilt.

   
   Ephesians 5:25-26
   “…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word.”
   
   John 15:3
   “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”




3. It activates my faith.

   
   Romans 10:17
   “ Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.”




4. It stimulates my growth

   
   Acts 20:32
   “I commit you to God and to the Word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
   
   2 Tim. 3:16-17
   “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”




5. It illuminate my mind

   
   Psalm 119:130 (CEV)
   “Understanding your Word brings light to the minds of ordinary people.”
   
   Psalm 119:105
   “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”




6. It elevates my mood.

   
   Rom. 15:4
   “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
   
   Psalm 119:114 (MSG)
   “You're my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.”




7. It liberates my potential.

   
   John 8:31-32 (NAS)
   “If you continue in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!”

HOW DO I GAIN THESE BENEFITS?

1. Learn the Word.

   
   Mark 12:24 (LB)
   Jesus: “Your trouble is that you don't know the Scriptures...”




2. Accept the Word.

   
   1 Thessalonians 2:13
   “When you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”




3. Act on the Word.

   
   John 13:17
   “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you DO them.”

For more information, please visit: Covenant Church

40 Days in the Word Devotions