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. 3:17
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side... Psalm 23:4 (full readings)
Living Faith snippets: "As we enter Advent, what is stirred up in us? For some, December is an exciting time. Others await Christmastime with apprehension, for it brings not joyful but painful associations. The "dark valley" might be the absence of one who is very dear. It might be the anger and despair of a family situation. Or it might be that the light of Christ, shining among us, at times is rejected in favor of false dawns." by Marry Marrocco
Steve's Thoughts: I was on a run with a new friend in Christ and he was sharing with me about a Tuesday morning prayer group he attends that is comprised of business leaders in the community from various Christian backgrounds. He shared that he felt called to challenge each member of the group to do 10 things this Advent Season that would make them step out in faith i.e. visit a shut in, volunteer at a soup kitchen, invite someone to Church who they know isn't attending regularly, invite someone to pray with them vs. promising to pray for them, share their testimony of what God has done in their life with a stranger, etc. He reasoned if this group of 10 could do 100 "uncomfortable" things it would go a long ways toward bringing Christmas "comfort" to others. O Lord, give me courage to step outside my faith boundaries to be Christ to someone this Advent. 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 me will gladly add others to the email list and Facebook Group.
* NEW: Let's bring Christmas "Comfort" to others by doing 10 things this Advent season that make us "uncomfortable"...
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 for setting the unborn (and parents) free!
* 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 hip surgery Thurs)
* 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 hip surgery Thurs)
* NEW: Brenda Alvine's father (pancreatitis)
Faith Quote: "Don't think that Love, to be true, has to be extraordinary. What is necessary is to continue to love." by Mother Teresa
Through Christ our Lord,
Steve
Steve
Romans 12:12
* 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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