Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (website, Facebook).
"He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon Him to touch Him. And whenever unclean spirits saw Him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God." Mark 3:10-11 (full readings)
Pastor Don's Reflections: Have you ever witnessed Christ's power in your life? On one level or another, I experience it everyday. Just last week one of our parishioners, who has been going through chemotherapy for cancer, was told that the cancer was no where to be found! The doctor was amazed and had only seen this a handful of times in his long career. I've seen it in marriages that have been restored and lives that have been transformed. The passage from Mark reminds us of Christ's power over the darkness that exists around us and within us. Mark reminds us of Jesus' mission: to proclaim the good news that God wants to have a personal relationship with us and that He has come to confront Satan and strip him of his power. Jesus serves notice that God has shown up, and evil no longer has reign in peoples' lives. He demonstrates this not only in His power to heal and cast out demons, but in His desire to reclaim His territory! When Jesus is Lord of our lives, He works on our behalf to reclaim the darkest parts of our lives. As His disciples, we promise to allow Him to work through us to reclaim the dark corners of our world - the street corners where drugs are sold, the bridges where the homeless sleep, the abortion clinics where children are dying and mothers are drowning in their own spiritual brokenness, and the homes where abuse and neglect run rampant. We serve a God who has already claimed those places as HIS. In what ways is He calling you to partner with Him to reclaim the dark areas of your community? He has already proven victorious and the darkness will give way to His light!
"He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon Him to touch Him. And whenever unclean spirits saw Him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God." Mark 3:10-11 (full readings)
Pastor Don's Reflections: Have you ever witnessed Christ's power in your life? On one level or another, I experience it everyday. Just last week one of our parishioners, who has been going through chemotherapy for cancer, was told that the cancer was no where to be found! The doctor was amazed and had only seen this a handful of times in his long career. I've seen it in marriages that have been restored and lives that have been transformed. The passage from Mark reminds us of Christ's power over the darkness that exists around us and within us. Mark reminds us of Jesus' mission: to proclaim the good news that God wants to have a personal relationship with us and that He has come to confront Satan and strip him of his power. Jesus serves notice that God has shown up, and evil no longer has reign in peoples' lives. He demonstrates this not only in His power to heal and cast out demons, but in His desire to reclaim His territory! When Jesus is Lord of our lives, He works on our behalf to reclaim the darkest parts of our lives. As His disciples, we promise to allow Him to work through us to reclaim the dark corners of our world - the street corners where drugs are sold, the bridges where the homeless sleep, the abortion clinics where children are dying and mothers are drowning in their own spiritual brokenness, and the homes where abuse and neglect run rampant. We serve a God who has already claimed those places as HIS. In what ways is He calling you to partner with Him to reclaim the dark areas of your community? He has already proven victorious and the darkness will give way to His light!
Faith Challenge: Be the light, take a stand, reclaim the dark territory for Jesus - Satan has been a squatter for way too long!
Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action
Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, running, etc. Let’s pray now.
* The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally celebrated every year from 18 to 25 January.
Feast Day: St. Sebastian (martyr)
* The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally celebrated every year from 18 to 25 January.
Feast Day: St. Sebastian (martyr)
Faith Quote: "Ad majorem Dei gloriam" ("for the greater glory of God")
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Through Christ Our Lord,
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Through Christ Our Lord,
* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (& family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (23% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 & Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa
* Evangelize:Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.
Comments? To subscribe/unsubscribe to the emails, go to LIFE Group Devotions or LIFE Runners Updates.
* Save Unborn (& family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (23% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 & Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa
* Evangelize:Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.
Comments? To subscribe/unsubscribe to the emails, go to LIFE Group Devotions or LIFE Runners Updates.
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