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. 3:17This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Mark 4:26-27 (full readings)
Living Faith snippets: "This gospel message assures me that God really does have the rest covered. However, instead of fussing about how fast things are growing and whose plants are bigger, I'd best examine what kinds of seeds I choose to scatter, when and where I choose to plant these seeds and in what kind of soil. I don't need time-lapse photography to show me just how slowly and imperceptibly spiritual growth happens. I just have to leave it to my Master Gardener." by Claire J. King
Rich's comments: Do you trust the seed? Because the seed can seem like nothing. The farmer in Jesus' parable scatters his seed and then seems to go about his business oblivious of how anything works. This farmer trusts the seed, and while he couldn't begin to tell you how it happens, he harvests a life sustaining crop. The reign of God, Jesus says, is like that. If the seed is good, a crop will emerge. What we need to do is trust the seed and plant it. The seed is not nothing, but nothing happens until it is planted. Lord, may we understand that the growth of Your kingdom here on earth is in Your hand's, not ours. May we trust in the seed of Your Kingdom and plant it. Amen.
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: Please read Sr. Francelle's devotion (Underground Churches) and read how Christians around the world continue to grow in their faith in Christ despite opposition from government.
* NEW: Plant some seeds of faith today; spread the Word of God.
* 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, Chris Wyckoff (for family during his deployment)
* NEW: Rich Reich (Carolyn who is fighting cancer and undergoing extensive radiation treatment).
Faith Quote: "Start small and let God do it all." - 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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