Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Wisdom 6:2 (The voice of many...)


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. 3:17

Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude..." Wisdom 6:2 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Some of us are masters at throwing our weight around and getting our way in even the smallest spheres of authority. Today's word that "the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be put to the test" (Wisdom 6:6) might well spur us to consider other people's preferences and needs a little more carefully." by Kevin Perrotta

Steve's Snippets: "In today's political climate and the war waging for life on Capital Hill it is often tempting to feel small or insignificant. What difference can our voice make? We are powerless to the political forces and modern rulers in power over us...or are we? The US Bishops stood at the tip of the spear for Life in a closed door meeting with House Majority Leader, Nancy Pelosi. No doubt they have heard the many small voices of the unborn and the faithful who combined have erupted in a mighty outcry to our God for justice. They are paying the price, too. Rep. Lynn Woolsey had this to say in her article, IRS should scrutinize Bishops, "I expect political hardball on any legislation as important as the health care bill. I just didn't expect it from the United States Council [sic] of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Who elected them to Congress? ... [They] managed to bully members of Congress to vote for added restrictions on a perfectly legal surgical procedure." Please stay ever vigilant in prayer and continue to let your voice be heard by contacting your Senator about this issue. Dear Jesus, we cry out for the unborn and ask that mercy rain down on all abortionists, all pro-choice political advocates, and all women who have been hurt by this horrific crime - make their hearts unto your heart, Jesus.

Faith Challenges: Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (~250 of God's children).

* NEW: Contact your Senator today and let them know how you feel about the issue of Life and Health care. We have won an important battle; let us not grow complacent.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, American Family Association, Priests for Life
* 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 (and parents) free!
* New: Stupak amendment could be short-lived...let's not loose our sense of urgency with this issue. Our Senators will need to hear from us!

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), Joe Hourigan (for brother Mike), Doug Young (special intention), Pat Castle (victims/families at Ft. Hood, health care reform bill), Joe Levisky (daughter's pregnancy), that people care for all creation. Stephanie Spader (daughter Rebekah in ICU for pneumonia/H1N1, for 24 wk pregnancy check up) , Brenda Alvine (for her father, Dennis Rolfson, in the ICU)

Feast Day: St. Martin of Tours (402) - patron of soldiers

Faith Quote: ""My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and to be faithful to him, and not to spoil his work by our shortcomings." - St. Isaac Jogues


Through Christ our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:2


* 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).

No comments: