Let's welcome God today by reflecting on this short Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which is based on Living Faith. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17Like a weaned child on its mother's lap, so is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2 (full readings)
Living Faith snippets: "As I get older, I find myself more and more secure in the relationship between my soul and my God, for I feel increasingly like this weaned child, satisfied and secure but still growing, safe in the arms of God, the source of my sustenance and life." by Steve Givens
Rich's comments: Today's devotion reminded me of Toby Mac's song, "Lose My Soul," in which he sings "I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul." This line appears to be derived from Mark 8:36, "What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?" In this Gospel, Jesus defines the conditions of discipleship, "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it." We need only to read the headlines of the Hollywood tabloids in the checkout aisle to realize that fame and fortune cannot buy us happiness. Jesus, may we realize that You alone are the source of our sustenance and life. Amen.
Faith Challenges: Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (~250 of God's children).
* Don't get caught up in the self-serving philosophies of our culture (i.e., individualism, hedonism, and materialism); true happiness comes from serving others.
* Let's never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images)...#1 cause of death in America. Let's courageously share ProLife Truth to create social tension for exposing abortion's unjust peace...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16) and setting the unborn free!
Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas in footnote below.
* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, refugees, addictions, persecuted believers, Peters family (JP in hospital), Lynn Bishara (for son Alex), Joe Hourigan (for brother Mike), Doug Young (special intention).
* NEW: Shannon Bohannon (parishioner - emergency brain surgery last week; Dennis O'Connor - hospitalized with pneumonia & suffering from congestive heart failure; Aurora White - 20 month old niece, broke her leg & is in a half body cast; and pray for the caregivers & family of each of these people).
Feast Day: St. Martin de Porres
Faith Quote: "Love is the beauty of the soul." by St. Augustine
Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22
* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. 'If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn't, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead.'
* Fasting: Let's fast from things that take our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, pornography, bitterness, criticalness, impatience, 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 live as you wish' (Blessed Mother Teresa).
* Evangelization: Let's make room for unbelievers (be a friend, make a friend, lead a 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 (Matt 28:19).
* Fasting: Let's fast from things that take our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, pornography, bitterness, criticalness, impatience, 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 live as you wish' (Blessed Mother Teresa).
* Evangelization: Let's make room for unbelievers (be a friend, make a friend, lead a 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 (Matt 28:19).
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