From Hidden Battles: Episode #14- Unconditional Love And Protection Of The Innocent

“Hey everybody, I’m Anne-Marie Michaelis, a Christian author and coach. Welcome to the Hidden Battles Podcast, a weekly podcast about the hidden battles of spiritual warfare and the struggles that go on in our minds and hearts, and the truth to overcoming these hidden battles. My life was radically transformed during a supernatural encounter with Jesus.

God allowed my eyes to be spiritually opened long enough to see the truth of these hidden battles and to scare the rebellion against him right out of me. In each episode, I share a true story about a real life experience, a teaching, and a final takeaway. This podcast will reveal the hidden battles that lurk in our minds and hearts, and the way out.

Hidden Battles, revealing what the enemy does not want you to know. Please take a moment to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to my channel on YouTube, at GodDesign LLC. Podcasts are available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

For a free download of my memoir, visit my website at goddesign.org.”

Today, in this episode called “Unconditional Love And Protection Of The Innocent,” I’ll share a story of when I was presented with a recommendation to schedule the abortion of my first-born son.  How unfathomable to even think that this recommendation was presented to me and that I was made to even think of killing my unborn baby.  Then, talk about what God says about those who are the very most innocent, and end with reflections for us all to consider.

This is a story of my first pregnancy. I had done a tremendous amount of research as this was going to be my first pregnancy, first childbirth, and first baby.

The pregnancy was difficult right from the start in that my body was repulsed by most smells and foods (except ice cream of course, saltine crackers, and water).

I’d smell something like coffee or onions or really most foods early on and could not get to the bathroom fast enough to throw up. Over and over and over again. This went on for about 3-4 months before it subsided leaving me able to smell and eat as normal.

The pregnancy continued with no issues. I had the normal ultrasounds. Was super excited cherishing my ultrasound photos of my baby.

Then one day after another regularly scheduled ultrasounds, I receive a call from my doctor. She goes on to tell me that my baby was most likely going to be born with down syndrome and she suggested I think long and hard if I wanted to continue the pregnancy or abort. I was given limited time to make the decision.

So, I get off the phone and share what the doctor has said with my husband and then call my Dad.

I remember sitting on the couch, with my hand on my belly, feeling my baby moving wondering how the heck could someone tell me this. How could someone suggest I make a decision to kill my baby.

A few days passed and I receive another call from the doctor regarding if I had thought about what I’d like to do. I ask her questions, about how she knows for sure this is true. She provided very convincing evidence for the probability that my baby would be born with down syndrome. I told her I have not decided. Honestly, I didn’t even want to think about this, as I had been enjoying feeling my baby’s feet pushing out against my belly. I had been enjoying feeling my baby hiccup in my belly. I had been enjoying feeling my baby turn around and move- trying to get comfortable. I had been enjoying imagining my first baby boy.

So after sitting with this for awhile, I finally felt an overwhelming anger. Anger towards the doctor for even suggesting that my baby should be aborted because he may have down syndrome. I felt inside my heart that it didn’t matter. It just didn’t matter. I would love him no matter what.

My Dad called sometime that same day and asked what I was thinking. I told him “I will love this baby no matter what. I cannot kill my baby. Period.” His response? I am so happy to hear you say this. I agree totally. We will all love him no matter what!

I called my doctor and told her “I am not aborting my baby”.

Fast forward to the next scheduled ultrasound.

The results of that ultrasound? She had messed up. My baby was perfectly healthy. The ultrasound didn’t show whatever she had said was seen in the previous ultrasounds. On the one hand I was of course relieved. On the other hand … I have to say this … I wanted to punch her face in. As in severely punch her face in. How many females had a call like I did and chose to abort their baby?

What does God say about abortion? About babies before they are born? About protecting the innocent? About unconditional love? Let’s take a look.

Exodus 23:7 (AMP) Keep far away from a false charge or action, and do not condemn to death the innocent or the righteous, for I will not justify and acquit the guilty.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (AMP) These six things the Lord hates; Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him: A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that creates wicked plans, Feet that run swiftly to evil, A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths], And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.

Proverbs 24:11-12 (AMP) Rescue those who are being taken away to death,

And those who stagger to the slaughter, Oh hold them back [from their doom]! If you [claim ignorance and] say, “See, we did not know this,” Does He not consider it who weighs and examines the hearts and their motives? And does He not know it who guards your life and keeps your soul? And will He not repay [you and] every man according to his works?

Deuteronomy 27:25 (AMP) ‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to strike down an innocent person.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

Leviticus 24:17 (AMP) ‘If a man takes the life of any human being [unlawfully], he shall most certainly be put to death.

Exodus 20:13 (AMP)  “You shall not commit murder (unjustified, deliberate homicide).

The most innocent of humanity is the unborn baby in the womb.  But some will argue this creation in the womb is not a “baby” yet … well, let’s see what God says about that.

Psalm 139:13-16 (AMP) For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was being formed in secret, And intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were appointed for me, When as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape]. 

Psalm 127:3 (AMP) Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the Lord, The fruit of the womb a reward.

God knows His children before they are born!

Jeremiah 1:5 (AMP) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

God values each person so much that He has reminded us how much He loves each person.

Isaiah 49:15-16. [The Lord answered] “Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I (the LORD) will not forget you.“Indeed, I have inscribed [a picture of] you on the palms of My hands; Your city walls [Zion] are continually before Me.

Now for reflections.

What do you believe about “abortion” and the choice of a woman to abort a baby?

God’s Word is crystal clear about abortion, as we saw in the previous scriptures.

If we call ourselves a Christian, we believe in God’s Word.  Period.  Otherwise, we are not genuinely Christian. We are pretend Christians.  Possibly “religious” Christians that don’t really have a relationship with Jesus and truly believe His word. Which is pretending to be Christians.

God’s Word tells us …

1 John 3:4 (AMP) Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness [ignoring God’s law by action or neglect or by tolerating wrongdoing- being unrestrained by His commands and His will].

Sitting on our hands “tolerating” sin (tolerating abortions, tolerating pro-choice, neglecting to speak out about abortions, neglecting to speak out about pro-choice) and not speaking up boldly to protect the innocent IS sin. WE are sinning by tolerating, neglecting, and ignoring God’s law to protect the innocent from slaughter.

In Ephesians 5:11 we are commanded to take no part in the darkness (sin) but instead expose it!  Do not ignore, tolerate, or turn a blind eye!

God says if we are neither HOT nor COLD, we are then LUKEWARM, and He will vomit us out of His mouth as we are useless. 

Revelation 3:15 (AMP) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust]. Because you say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and need nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [without hope and in great need],

Hot water is healing and therapeutic.  Cold water is invigorating and refreshing.  Lukewarm water is useless.  Lukewarm (neutral) Christians will be vomited out of His mouth.  Lukewarm Christians are not real Christians, and salvation is fleeting from them, and they don’t even know it—a state of being spiritually dead. 

When Jesus talked about the lukewarm Christians, He was talking to people in a church!  So, a lukewarm Christian can be sitting in church every single week!  If you’re “self-righteously complacent,” you are disgusting to God.

I don’t want you to be an unsaved lukewarm Christian! I want you to be either a hot (healing and therapeutic) Christian or a cold (invigorating and refreshing) Christian who is authentic and has salvation!  The enemy wants our mouths shut, tolerating the slaughter of the innocent.  Tolerating the sick and twisted gender confusion woke ideologies and twisted mutilation practices for reproductive freedom being spewed across the country targeting children.  His purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy.

Testing the Spirits (just a reminder to test if what is being spoken (even within the church or someone that calls themselves a Christian is of God or the antichrist / Satan – for examples Christian teachers approving of “sin”vs exposing … Christian teachers watering down God’s word and preaching partial half truths vs the complete truth thereby leading people astray and away from the Jesus taught in the Bible)  

1 John 4:1-4 (AMP) Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source]; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world. 4 Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind].

So, that is my question for you to consider.  What are you doing to “protect the innocent” from the “god” of this world and his agenda to steal (their innocence, their identity in Christ, their purpose in God), kill (their bodies), and destroy (their minds and hearts with woke idealogy)? 

Suppose you have actively participated in any way with abortion (a doctor, nurse, or someone who has had an abortion themselves) or participated in other ungodly things related to harming children through the woke ideology being taught nowadays and want forgiveness from God.  Jesus is your mediator and intercessor to God the Father.  You do not need a priest or other human to receive forgiveness—just Jesus.  Repent, ask for forgiveness with a repentant heart, and surrender to Him and His word.  Let Him be your teacher and counselor, not the world and man. He will forgive you and make you NEW. 

For those of you ready to surrender to Christ, let’s pray a prayer of salvation and begin your commitment to walk with Jesus and accept Him into your mind, heart, and every facet of your life!

Pray this prayer with me with all your mind and heart.

Heavenly Father, I come to you as a sinner in need of Your grace. I repent of my sins and confess openly with my lips that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I believe in my heart that He died and rose from the grave for my sins. Lord Jesus, I invite you into my life and ask for the Holy Spirit to dwell in my heart; to be my teacher, counselor, comforter, and helper in all areas of my life. May Your will be done in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer of salvation, it is a very good first step in beginning your walk with Jesus. Relationships take effort and communication. Keep the communication channel open with Jesus so you can start building your relationship and hear what He has in store for you.

Hey, friends, that wraps up today’s Hidden Battles Podcast. A transcript along with additional devotionals for this week’s podcast, as well as my memoir, are available for free download on my website at goddesign.org, or check out some of my other books that you may find helpful. If you liked this episode, please share with others.

Hidden Battles, revealing what the enemy does not want you to know. Never stop praying, never give up, and I’ll see you next week.”