1 Samuel 1:28 (Merry Christmas!)

Welcome God every morning before your 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

Now I, in turn, give him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:28

Living Faith snippets: "Wonderful and mysterious things happen when we are willing to hold lightly what God has given to us. Although Hannah has longed for a child, she did not cling to Samuel, but consecrates the child she has so ardently prayed for to the Lord. Each of us has something that we long for with all our hearts. While our desires are not bad in themselves, we can become obsessed and lose our freedom if we make this desire the center of our universe." by Terri Mifek

* Let's pray that our desires are in check with the first commandment (God is #1), embracing God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as the center of our universe!

Christmas:

* My Mom (Kathy Castle) shared this powerful 5 min video, click O Holy Night. This short video has clips from The Nativity Story, showing the true meaning of Christmas. Our Savior Jesus Christ is born!

ProLife news: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ & http://www.priestsforlife.org/

* Let's pray for courage to communicate the ProLife message through Christ to those around us (John 14:6)...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16).

Our Prayers: Prayer to End Abortion, chastity, our enemies, our troops, natural disasters, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, loss of loved ones, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, Kathy Ayers brain surgery, Mike Castle (Rachelle/Isaac, eye infection), Jason Peters (health of son JP), Carolyn McKissack (Bailee with Crohn's), Joe Levisky (medical issues), Rob Ouellette (St. Patrick's prayer list), Pat Castle (Mom's sinus infection), Rich Reich (Granny's health problems), Liz Curry (friend Bill, Julie/family)

Faith Quote: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Wishing our LIFE Group a most holy and merry Christmas!

Through Christ for ProLife,

Pat

Phil 4:13

* 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.'
* Fasting: Let's fast from things that takes our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, bitterness, being so critical, impatience, judgment, gossip, excessive video games, etc) and take on things that fix our eyes on Jesus (selflessness, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, patience, understanding, caring, helping, listening).

* 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 lie as you wish' Blessed Mother Teresa.
* Evangelization: Let's make room for unbelievers (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)!