Let's welcome God today 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. 3:17When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I can do this?" "Yes, Lord," they said to him. Matthew 9:28 (full readings)
Living Faith snippets: ""What is it that you have believed?" I asked. "That God is faithful," he replied. "And merciful, and full of forgiveness. That's why I need grace," he explained. "The grace that our friends [young married couple experiencing infidelity] can accept these qualities of God and that he can show them these gifts through our words and actions." Lord, I do believe that you can do this. Jesus, live your life out loud in mine." by Claire King
Rich's comments: Actual grace is a divine push from God. I can usually sense this supernatural kick in the pants when my conscience tells me to do something that I really don't want to do, or something that I don't feel that I have the ability to do, but I know that I should, because it is in line with God's will.
In March 2009 during the kickoff of 40 Days for Life, I attended Eucharistic Adoration, and felt a strong urge (grace) to pray for 6 hours focusing on the presence of Jesus Christ. I asked Jesus that He would use me in some way to protect the unborn. After I was done praying, I was not clear what He wanted me to do, but I felt an inner peace. At my Knights of Columbus meeting that very same day, Deacon Henry informed my council about the ultrasound grant program that provides ultrasound machines for crisis pregnancy centers. I sensed God's grace that this was what He wanted me to do. Nine months later, I am thrilled to announce that over $10K has been raised (thanks to many donors like you) and that our ultrasound grant application has been approved. The ultrasound machine will be presented to A Womans Answer Medical Center on Jan 22, 2010 (37th anniversary of Roe v Wade). Lord, may I always yield to Your grace. Amen.
In March 2009 during the kickoff of 40 Days for Life, I attended Eucharistic Adoration, and felt a strong urge (grace) to pray for 6 hours focusing on the presence of Jesus Christ. I asked Jesus that He would use me in some way to protect the unborn. After I was done praying, I was not clear what He wanted me to do, but I felt an inner peace. At my Knights of Columbus meeting that very same day, Deacon Henry informed my council about the ultrasound grant program that provides ultrasound machines for crisis pregnancy centers. I sensed God's grace that this was what He wanted me to do. Nine months later, I am thrilled to announce that over $10K has been raised (thanks to many donors like you) and that our ultrasound grant application has been approved. The ultrasound machine will be presented to A Womans Answer Medical Center on Jan 22, 2010 (37th anniversary of Roe v Wade). Lord, may I always yield to Your grace. Amen.
Faith Challenges:
* Let's share the LIFE Group with others. Simply forward a devotion to friends/family with an invite and the archive link: life-devotions.blogspot.com. Steve, Rich, or Pat will gladly add others to the email list and Facebook Group. Welcome to our newest member Kelli Ann Smith.
* Let's share the LIFE Group with others. Simply forward a devotion to friends/family with an invite and the archive link: life-devotions.blogspot.com. Steve, Rich, or Pat will gladly add others to the email list and Facebook Group. Welcome to our newest member Kelli Ann Smith.
* NEW: Pray for God's grace and be open to receive it.
* NEW: Sr. Francelle's devotion: What is a "white" martyr?
* 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 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), Joe (brother Mike), Aaron Ferrie (special intention), Health care reform bill, Angi/Pat Castle (Doug Hansens recovery from hip surgery), Brenda Alvine's father (pancreatitis).
* NEW: Mandy Tetinger (Please pray for my family as my Uncle Mark (my mom's brother) passed away suddenly on Saturday night from a massive heart attack. And my best friend Kelli's dad, who they rushed to the hospital Thursday morning due to his heart also... May the Grace of God give them peace to get through these hard times.)
Feast Day: St. John of Damascus
Faith Quote: "Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too." - unknown author
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).
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