Matthew 23:26 (integrity)

* Welcome God every morning before work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith (livingfaith.com). All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Cleanse first the inside of the cup... Matthew 23:26

Living Faith snippets: "Integrity means living honest lives. As Christians, we strive to live authentically according to the values that we profess. While all of us are plagued by human weakness, with God's grace we strive to be faithful. Today we might identify one unredeemed aspect of our lives, a little "hypocrisy" in us, and commit ourselves to change. Integrity was important in Jesus' day. It remains important in ours." by Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti

Rich's comments: I am always shocked when the media exposes professional dishonesty in a religious leader. I am not surprised by the display of human weakness, but the fact that the individual was ashamed enough of their behavior that they were willing to sacrifice integrity to hide it from their followers. Why? Were they more afraid of the judgement of man than God's. A Christian leader should know well, that they can't hide anything from God. "The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord is safe." (Proverbs 29:25)

ProLife news: http://www.lifenews.com/.

Our Prayers: Abortion, chastity, our enemies/our troops, natural disasters, depression/ despair, dementia, cancer, prisoners, integrity of our leaders

Faith quote: "Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. We must constantly strive to keep our integrity intact. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost." by Billy Graham

Through Christ Our Lord,

Rich
Romans 12:12

* Today's Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml. Reflection on readings at http://www.daily-meditations.org/index2.html

* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson lyrics, “When God's people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven, and miracles you can't explain await!” "If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead & see Him."

* Defend the unborn: 'Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die' (Prov 24:11). 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you' (Jer 1:5). 'It is a great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish' Blessed Mother Teresa. Prayer to End Abortion. Ask Blessed Margaret of Castello for her prayers to end abortion.

* Evangelization: Let's make room for non-believers (be a friend, make a friend, lead friend to Christ) and perpetual re-evangelization of self and those near us, by way of daily prayer (relationship) and following Christ's example of selfless love, mercy, and service.

Let's joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!