Florida Supreme Court rules in two abortion cases; Evangelicals lean conservative, survey says; Malcolm Yarnell shares joys of Jesus’ resurrection

A six-week abortion ban with exceptions will be implemented in Florida, but voters will also have the option of enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution in November.

The changes flow from two Florida Supreme Court rulings April 1. The first, which upheld a 15-week ban, also means that Florida will be able to implement a six-week ban that Gov. Ron DeSantis has already signed into law. The ban most supportive of life also includes exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. Both the 15-week and six-week bans were on hold awaiting the court’s decision.

In its second April 1 ruling, the court allowed a proposed amendment to be included on Florida’s Nov. 5th ballot to enshrine abortion rights in Florida’s constitution.

With the court’s ruling, Florida becomes the second state – behind Maryland – to include on the November ballot a challenge to the right to life that would enshrine abortion rights in the respective state’s constitution.

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More than a third of evangelicals describe themselves as politically moderate or liberal, a new study found, but most across the evangelical spectrum profess the same bible-based beliefs and practices.

63 percent of evangelicals described themselves as politically conservative in the study,” 24 percent described themselves as “in the middle” or moderate, 13 percent describe themselves as liberal according to a Grey Matters Research and Infinity Concepts study.

Evangelicals also believe pastors and churches should be publicly engaged in various politically connected issues that overlap with biblical values.

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Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.

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Though we are days away from Easter Sunday, the power of the resurrection is still as strong as ever. Malcolm Yarnell says there are multiple reasons for joy related to Christ’s resurrection. Here are three:

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Jesus promised that he would give the Holy Spirit, the third Person of God in the Holy Trinity, to indwell his followers (John 7:39). After he arose from the dead, he gave the Holy Spirit to bring forgiveness to those who believe in him and to empower their proclamation of his good news (John 20:21-23). The powerful working of the Holy Spirit also demonstrates that Jesus is Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36).

Powerful Works: Jesus Christ promised his disciples that we might do even greater works than he did during his human ministry on earth. However, the only way we can do any good work on earth happens only when we ask Christ to do that work from his eternal throne (John 14:12-14).

Access to God: The resurrection of Jesus and His ascension to the right hand of the Father show that God has given Jesus Christ total rule over the present age and over the age to come (Ephesians 1:20-23).