2 Cor 9:6-7 (cheers!)

Welcome God today with this LIFE Group Devotion (archive, Facebook).

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully...[give] without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:6-7 (full readings)

Pat nuggets:

* Regarding today's verse, let's plant seeds of faith every day in ourselves and those near us (generous caring, merciful forgiveness, etc), not taking credit or blame because only God can enable growth (1 Cor 3:6-9). Let us serve God cheerfully...with JOY!

* I am almost finished reading "The Last Sin Eater" to daughters Paige (10) and Grace (7). This story is about a 10 yr old girl's journey to faith/forgiveness in the Smoky Mountains (1850's). Like "The Book of Eli" movie, the book is an insightful look at the serious consequences of a generational gap in faith (moral relativism, no God standard) and the great redemptive power of God's Words in the Bible (from the standpoint of good and evil). As with Eli, may we be able to end our lives with this verse, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim 4:7)

* Check out this inspirational music video with a father taking his special needs son through a full Iron Man race (definitely ProLife!). The father is the Body of Christ for his son...check out the verse the son types at the end (My Redeemer Lives - Team Hoyt). Daughter Grace (7) said, "I want to see it again." Daughter Paige (10) said, "good to watch this when you have a bad day." I never get tired of watching that demonstration of amazing grace (strength) and enduring love...with a great praise song! LIFE Runners updates: Marathons for ProLife blogsite and FB page.

* This powerful song ends with a humble prayer: Lead Me by Sanctus Real. The song reminds me of a saying that I saw spray painted in giant letters on a broken down billboard in the middle of Nevada..."Real Men Love Jesus."

Faith Challenge: Read the Bible...and books that bring the Bible to life for you. If you have family, include them. Suggestions: The Last Sin Eater, Joshua (modern day parable), Mere Christianity, More than a Carpenter. Other books?

Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life.

* Pro-Life 101: "How Dare You Call me Pro-Abortion?! I'm Pro-Choice!"

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. Peters family (JP, special intention), Rich Reich (Cousin Tom's chemotherapy).

Feast Day of St. Lawrence: Martyr.

Faith Quote: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary." Isaiah 40:31

Through Christ Our Lord,

Pat

Phil 4:13

Isaiah 50:7 (our Cursebreaker...)

Welcome God every morning before your work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:7

Living Faith snippets: "He was willing to suffer wrongs and to be despised, and do you dare to complain of anything? Christ had many adversaries and backbiters; do you wish to have all men as your friends and benefactors? How shall your patience win its crown, if no adversity befall you? If you are not willing to suffer opposition, how will you be a friend of Christ? Bear up with Christ and for Christ, if you desire to reign with Christ." by Thomas Kempis (The Imitation of Christ)

Pat nuggets:

* May Holy Week prepare us to chase Satan (snake) right back up that tree in the Garden of Eden...like the rabbit in this amazing 1 min video: rabbit vs snake.

* While flying to St. Louis a few weeks ago, I sat next to Nancy Wentz, author of Cursebreaker, who was traveling to IL to give an interview about her great book. I agree with what my Mom had this to say about Cursebreaker. "She's a very good writer. Easy read. Entertaining. It's fictional in nature...about the battle that goes on between good and evil." Nancy is now a member of our LIFE Group. Read more about Nancy and her book here. When Christ died on the cross for our sins (see Station below), He willingly became our original sin Cursebreaker, chasing Satan (snake) right back up that tree!

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News. Suggestions?
* NEW: Let's take a moment and genuinely consider answers to the questions posed in the Living Faith snippets (above).

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, American Family Association, Priests for Life
* Let's never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images)...#1 cause of death in America. Let's courageously share ProLife Truth (John 14:6) to create social tension for exposing abortion's unjust peace...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16) and setting the unborn free!

ProLife Station #12 (Jesus Dies on the Cross): "Our Lord died. So many of His children have died with Him. His passion is re-lived with every abortion, one every twenty seconds in our country. We only know a fraction of the horror of this act in the sight of God. We only know a fraction of the horror of Christ's crucifixion. May all our brothers and sisters killed by abortion rest in Christ's peace and be saved by His cross." by Fr. Frank Pavone (Priests for Life)

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas below.
* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, Maureen Rogers (pain)

Faith Quote: "Courage is fear that has said its prayers." Ruth Fishel (shared by Aaron Ferrie)

Through Christ for ProLife,

Pat

Phil 4:13

* 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, bitterness, being so critical, 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 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.
Let's joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group...Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!