Matt 7:24 (Remain in Me) by Kristi McClintock

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

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who build his house on rock." ~ Matt 7:24 (full readings)

Kristi's Reflections: This verse is at the end of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Therefore, when he says, "Everyone who listens to these words of mine..." it is safe to assume 'these words' refer to His entire 'words' proclaimed in the few chapters before. It is quite convicting to consider ourselves as possibly being the ones who hear the words but do not act on them. Or to consider the reality that we could be convicted of saying "Lord, Lord" but not doing the will of the Father. All of this reminds me of the importance of Jesus' words "Remain in Me"...to know the Father's will is to remain close to Him. The last few years I've been pondering this mysterious saying, "Remain in Me" and grappling with what it means and how to do it in my daily life. How do I remain in Him? In the midst of this pondering, I found this reflection by Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, "Remain in Me, not for a few moments, a few hours which must pass away, but remain, permanently, habitually, Remain in Me, pray in Me, adore in Me, love in Me, suffer in Me, work and act in Me. Remain in Me so that you may be able to encounter anyone or anything; penetrate further still into these depths. This is truly the solitude into which God wants to allure the soul that He may speak to it, as the prophet sang." May we begin to respond to the Father's will by allowing Him to teach us how to remain in Him throughout all our activities today.

* Kristi McClintock grew up in Texas. Kristi is now the Youth Conference Programming Manager for the Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH.

Faith Challenge: Take some time to reflect on Matthew Chapters 5-7 in quiet prayer...allow God the opportunity to speak something new to you today.

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

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed and Patron Saint. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.

Feast Day: St. Edmund Campion.

Faith Quote: “Let nothing trouble you; let nothing frighten you; all things elapse. God never changes; patience attains everything. He who has God is never in want. Only God matters.” ~ St. Teresa of Avila

Through Christ our Lord,
Kristi
1 John 4:19

* 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.