Matthew 1:20 (Do your Faith)

Let's welcome God by reflecting on this short Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (website, Facebook), 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

The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid..." Matthew 1:20 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Matthew holds up Joseph as a model for believers-Joseph who is ready to believe an angel in a dream, right here, right now. Do not be afraid to act. Act on your faith and your loving friendship with the Lord, Mathew's Gospel declares. That's what it's all about." - Mitch Finley

Rich's comments: Earlier this year, I rediscovered James 1:22 (Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.) and adopted it as my Life Verse. Every morning during prayer I recommit myself to put my Faith into action that day. I find that working on one day at a time is more practical for me than taking on one entire Advent season or year. Throughout the day I will take mental notes on how I could have acted differently in situations to be a better portrayal of Christ's presence to others, and then the next day I recommit myself to Jesus again. Lord Jesus, help me to act on my Faith daily. Amen.

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share our LIFE Group by forwarding a devotion to others or by using the "invite people to join" link on the Facebook Group. Steve, Rich, or Pat will gladly add others to the email list.

* NEW: Be like Joseph, and don't be afraid to act on your Faith today. You can do it!

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 (23% of pregnancies). Let's courageously share ProLife Truth to create social tension for exposing abortion's unjust peace, rebuilding a Culture of Life for setting the unborn (and parents) 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, politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, refugees, addictions, persecuted believers, Peters family (JP, Rebekah), Health care reform bill, Scott Casmer (Helene Couchon, accident recovery), Joe Hourigan (Anne Hourigan's intense pregnancy nausea).

* NEW: Tammy Kimball (Jim and family; Jim's mother passed away unexpectedly last Tuesday)

Faith quote: "It is spiritually impossible to apply the Word week after week and remain the same. As listeners with committed minds, we become productive, maturing children of God." - Charles Stanley, How to Listen to God

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).