Let's welcome God today by reflecting on this 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
You came against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I came against you in the name of the Lord of hosts..." 1 Samuel 17:45 (full readings)
Living Faith snippets: "When faced with Goliath, I doubt David said, "Hey, I'm pretty good with a slingshot. I'll take a shot at this guy." Instead I suspect he somehow found within himself evidence of God's protection He might have remembered past experiences of God's care. Maybe when Samuel anointed him, David became assured of God's presence within him." by Julia DiSalvo
Steve's comments: This is one of my favorite images in the Old Testament - David a scrawny kid, going up against a giant of a man. Saul, the proud king, placing his trust and the lives of his people in this scrawny kids hands. I find the following exchange prior to David stepping out of the crowd to face Goliath...
You came against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I came against you in the name of the Lord of hosts..." 1 Samuel 17:45 (full readings)
Living Faith snippets: "When faced with Goliath, I doubt David said, "Hey, I'm pretty good with a slingshot. I'll take a shot at this guy." Instead I suspect he somehow found within himself evidence of God's protection He might have remembered past experiences of God's care. Maybe when Samuel anointed him, David became assured of God's presence within him." by Julia DiSalvo
Steve's comments: This is one of my favorite images in the Old Testament - David a scrawny kid, going up against a giant of a man. Saul, the proud king, placing his trust and the lives of his people in this scrawny kids hands. I find the following exchange prior to David stepping out of the crowd to face Goliath...
"David spoke to Saul: “Let your majesty not lose courage. I am at your
service to go and fight this Philistine.” But Saul answered David,“You cannot go
up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while
he has been a warrior from his youth.” David continued: “The LORD, who delivered
me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe from the
clutches of this Philistine.” Saul answered David, “Go! the LORD will be with
you."
As a man of God this strikes me like a scene out of Braveheart ("I am William Wallace!") or the movie Gladiator. Who is our "Goliath"? What strikes fear in us and holds us back from living more deeply in God's love and providential care for us? Finally, what "5 stones" do we have prepared to face this Goliath in our life? Here are some of my stones:
- The name of Jesus to which every knee shall bend...
- The Blood Christ shed for us on the cross for our salvation
- Prayer
- Eucharist (we become what we eat, Jesus)
- What would you put here???
Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding a devotion to others or by using the Facebook Group "invite people to join" link to invite your friends. Steve, Rich, or Pat will gladly add others to the email list.
* NEW: What are you five stones that you place in your spiritual satchel each day to face your Goliath(s)?
Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, Vatican, 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 (protect the unborn), Haitian earthquake victims.
* NEW: What are you five stones that you place in your spiritual satchel each day to face your Goliath(s)?
Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, Vatican, 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 (protect the unborn), Haitian earthquake victims.
* NEW: James Ramesbothom (peace for his dying Grandma), Pat Castle (Chris Wyckoff & other military deployers)
Faith Quote: “The Jewish people, ever since David slew Goliath, have never considered youth as a barrier to leadership.” John F. Kennedy
Through Christ our Lord,
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).
Faith Quote: “The Jewish people, ever since David slew Goliath, have never considered youth as a barrier to leadership.” John F. Kennedy
Through Christ our Lord,
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).
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