Ezekiel 18:21 (God's Power to Transform)

Let's welcome God today with this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (archive, 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

But if the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Ezekiel 18:21 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Consistently doing what is right and just is no easy task, and we may feel overwhelmed by the difficulty at times. But we are not alone in the struggle. One of the great messages of holy Scripture is that God is always with us in our struggles. The more we open our hearts to God's power, the more successful we become in doing what is right and just. The power of God is always within us, helping us to do those things that will bring peace both to ourselves and to others. Lord, may I never forget that your transforming power is always within me." by Fr. Kenneth Grabner, C.S.C.

Rich's comments: Words from a song I heard on the radio Monday morning have resonated with me this whole week. The song is Sweet Holy Spirit by Newworldson and the words are "If pride is my prison, then Grace be my key." Reflecting on these words I have realized that it is my own pride that turns me away from God and prevents me from doing what is right. Pride prevents me from denying myself. It prevents me from opening my heart fully to God's transforming Grace. Lord, may I surrender myself to You today and to the guidance of Your sweet Holy Spirit. Amen.

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding a devotion or using our Facebook Group "invite people to join" link.
* NEW: Do you remember a moment when you allowed God to transform your life? Consider commenting on the Facebook Group page.
* NEW: Read Sr. Francelle's devotion (Habits) and learn how to rely on God's transforming power during Lent...to change your bad habits to good ones.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, 40 Days for Life, 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!
* NEW: Priests for Life President Calls for Respectful Burial of Frozen Fetuses

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together, and close to God (footnotes). Peters family (JP). Prayer to end abortion. Helene Couchon (healing from severe car accident), Liz Curry (for Linda's chemotherapy, for Kim's cancer surgery recovery), Rose Beizer (faith perspective for Adam).
* NEW: Lisa Riess (Kimberly Schallert died Tuesday; please keep her family in your prayers)

Feast Day: St. Caesarius of Nazianzen

Faith Quote: "Pride is weighing me down. It’s choking my heart. I’m chained up and bound. If pride is my prison, then Grace be my key. Sweet Holy Spirit, come rescue me." - Newworldson

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).