1 Tim. 6:11-12 (Stand in the Gap)

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Guest Authors schedule. LIFE Minute radio.

"But you man of God avoid all of this.  Instead pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called..." ~ 1 Tim. 6:11-12  (full readings)

Steve's Reflections:  This past weekend I had the honor to spend 4 days in a forest walking beside men with axes, fishing poles, and orienteering gear.  God stuff!  On my way "up the mountain", as I traveled to The King's Men "Into the Wild" retreat in Pennsylvania, a good friend shared, "Men don't know what they have!"  This resonated with me for the entire weekend.  I believe he is right.  Grace builds upon nature and something special occurs when we realize who we are in Christ.  While in the wild I stood shoulder to shoulder not only with my brother Pat (pictured with me praying at the Tomb of the Unborn Child on the campus of the Franciscan University of Steubenville), but 100 other men as we learned about becoming leaders, protectors and providers created from God's perfect mold - his own son Jesus.  At the root of the crisis facing our culture through the evils of abortion, pornography and all sins that defile the dignity of the human person is a crisis in authentic masculinity.  Men have stopped being men.  We have stopped spiritually leading our homes, churches, and communities.  Our dignity has been compromised and emasculated by popular culture.  Our current culture teaches men to lead through displays of strength yet Christ led through the ultimate display of worldly weakness - he gave his life without so much as a whimper.  We need only gaze upon the cross to see true, authentic manhood after the image of the invisible God - sacrifice rooted in true love.  As leaders, protectors, and providers we are called to "stand in the gap" and take the place of those who can not do for themselves what is needed in the same way Jesus stood in the ultimate gap - the sin gap - and took our place on the cross.  Today's scripture speaks well to the calling placed upon the heart of every man, "Compete well for the faith.  Lay hold of of eternal life..."

Faith Challenge:  Do you know what you have?  Are you competing for the faith?  While gazing on Christ crucified contemplate how can you "stand in the gap" for your family, church and community.

Sr. Francelle's Devotion: Attention: Mothers!

Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA, Vatican, Project Rachel. &gt

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, LIFE Runners, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now. >

Saint of the Day: St. Cyprian (d. 258)

Faith Quote: “You cannot have God for your Father if you do not have the Church for your mother.... God is one and Christ is one, and his Church is one; one is the faith, and one is the people cemented together by harmony into the strong unity of a body...." ~ St. Cyprian

Through Christ Our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:2 .

* 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 (22% 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.