Genesis 18:22 (Intercessory Prayer)

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB).

"While the two men walked on farther toward Sodom, the Lord remained standing before Abraham." Genesis 18:22

Rich's Reflections: Throughout my day I am often given unexpected opportunities to pray: waiting for a traffic light to change, waiting in line at a store, waiting for a doctor's appointment, etc. Instead of getting frustrated, I gain greater peace by taking these opportunities to talk with God. After all, Christ may have purposely caused my busy life to pause so that I may be with Him in prayer. In today's reading, the Lord stayed behind with Abraham to give him an opportunity to intercede for the inhabitants of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham eventually caught on and asked the Lord to spare the cities. The Lord said "yes" to everything that Abraham asked of Him, but when Abraham stopped interceding, the cities were destroyed. This reading stresses the importance and power of intercessory prayer; the praying on behalf of others. Lord, give me the courage and compassion to pray for others. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Seek out opportunities each day to pray for others, especially the unborn and their families.

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

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.

Feast Day: St. Cyril of Alexandria

Faith Quote: "Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still." ~ E.M. Bounds

Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22

* 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.

John 8:11 (Put Down the Stone)

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (website, Facebook).

"Then Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.'" John 8:11 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: I often find myself quick to condemn others when I feel that they have wronged me in some way. When my temper is short, I find that I want to immediately react and let them know how much they have hurt me. As Jesus pointed out in today's Gospel to the scribes and Pharisees, none of us are immune from sin. When our anger gets the better of us, we need to put down the stone and exercise our powers of empathy and compassion, for we are all sinners. Pray for patience and understanding, and remember that we all struggle with sin and need forgiveness. Lord, forgive us our trespassers as we forgive those who trespass against us. Amen.

Faith Challenge: The next time you become angered by another, put down the stone of condemnation and pick up Christ's example of compassion and forgiveness.

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

* Budget deal keeps PP funding, guts D.C. abortions

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.

Feast Day: St. Stanislaus

Faith Quote: "Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again." - St. Augustine

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

James 1:22

* 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.

Matthew 9:37 (evangelism)

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

The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few. Matthew 9:37 (full readings)

Rich's thoughts: A major problem with evangelism today is a lack of motivation. What motivated Jesus to save others? What motivated Mother Teresa to help the poorest of poor? The answer I believe is compassion. In today's Gospel we read how Jesus was moved with pity at the sight of the crowds, because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. So how do we develop this Christ-like compassion? To love people, we need to get to know them. Avoid complacency by not avoiding people. Like Jesus, we need to not be afraid to be around those who are in need. Lord, may the example of Your son, Jesus Christ, the true Word of God, whose compassion moved Him to save us, burn in our hearts until we too are moved by compassion. Amen.

Faith challenge: Get to know those who are in need in your community and show them the love of Christ.

Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life.
* Planned Parenthood: 4th of July Speeches OK, Abortions on Military Bases Better

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together, and close to God. Prayer to end abortion. Peters family (JP).

Feast Day: St. Maria Goretti

Faith Quote: "The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose." --C. S. Lewis

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

James 1:22

Mark 6:2-4 (Recognizing Jesus in Others)

Let's welcome God today by reflecting on this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (website, 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

"Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him...Is he not the carpenter...?" And they took offense at him. Mark 6:2-4 (full readings)

Living Faith Snippets: "I have often thought these words are among the saddest in the Gospel. For thousands of years the world awaits a savior, and when he comes, he doesn't look like they expected; he doesn't act like they expected; he's too vulnerable for their liking; his family origins aren't lofty enough. And they take offense at him." by Sr. Charleen Hug, S.N.D.

Steve's Thoughts: I've often heard it said that a person is most misunderstood in their own home town. Even Jesus experienced this pain and slight from those who knew him his entire life. Even Jesus knew Homelessness...When I was in college I had the opportunity to serve for a week at a homeless shelter on the south side of Chicago called the Port and Mantle. It was started by a Franciscan priest who simply heard Jesus say to him while he was waiting on a corner in that neighborhood to "feed my poor." He had nothing and no resources to begin this inspired mission, but he obeyed. Soon he was serving soup out of alley. His ministry became a ministry of listening - he recognized those who have been completely alienated by our culture ~ the homeless and destitute. How often have we walked by someone, neglected an urge to share a kind word, or walked the other way when we felt compelled to speak for fear of what others would think of us? I can only imagine how Jesus felt when he knew he had to first face his own and what their reaction would be...Lord, please give me your eyes that I may see as you see today.

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding a devotion to others or by using the Facebook Group "invite people to join" link. Steve, Rich, or Pat will gladly add others to the email list.
* NEW (AGAIN): Let's glorify Christ by helping others stay warm/healthy (physically, mentally, spiritually) through the winter.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, 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!

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas in footnote below.
* Prayer to end abortion, Peters family (JP), Haitian earthquake victims, Rich Reich (Carolyn's cancer battle), Bobby Aborn (health issues), Joe/Anne Hourigan (lost their 14 wk old unborn child)

* NEW: Carol Nesbitt (for Sydney Jones who passed away Thurs from a pulmonary embolism), (for Nancy Wheeler who passed away...former speech/drama teacher...her patience and encouraging words changed many lives for the better!)

Feast Day: St. Blaise

Faith Quote: "What if Jesus comes back like that? Where will he find out hearts are at? Will he let us in or turn his back?...Will he cry when he sees where our hearts are at? Will he let us in or turn his back?" by Collin Raye

Through Christ our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:12

* 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).

Psalm 103:13 (compassionate parent)

Let's welcome God every morning by reflecting on this short Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which is 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

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him... Psalm 103:13 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "God's compassion is the story of our salvation. The Christ Child in the manger is a powerful reminder that God sent his Son to earth to take our place and remove our sins. Knowing we are all weak, sinful and unable to handle salvation by our own merits, God sent Jesus--from the manger to the cross--to suffer in our stead. That's what a loving parent does. We have only to accept it."

Rich's comments: Lord, may I never forget the sacrifice that You have made for me. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Show God's compassion to another by placing their needs before yours.

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!

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas in footnote below.
* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, addictions, for our 10 LIFE Runners who are training to defend the unborn at the Twin Cities Marathon on Respect Life Sunday (4 Oct).

Faith Quote: "The language of love is sacrifice." - unknown author

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* 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)!

Acts 20:35 (invest in humanity)

Let's welcome God every morning before 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

... keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "It would be a wonderful commentary on human nature if prosperity would lead one to generosity, but that often is not the case. The sick, hungry and homeless all cry out for assistance in our day as in the days when Jesus walked the earth. A gift of money, materials or volunteer physical work produces two blessings: one to the person who receives it and one to the person who gives it. When we give we feel uplifted, knowing we are doing something good. We are investing in humanity and supporting a cause much bigger than ourselves." by Fr. James McKarns

Rich's comments: Hunger is not a supply problem. There is enough food produced in the world to feed every man, woman, and child. The limited resource is compassion. Lord, help me to be a good steward of Your gifts and care for Your children. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Follow Mother Teresa's words, "live simply so that others may simply live." Identify ways that you can live your life simpler so that you have more of God's resources available to share with others.

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, natural disasters, addictions, Rich (Jim Russell who is battling cancer), Rich (Jack Myers, tumor in esophagus)

* NEW: Pray for the sick, hungry and homeless.

Feast Day: St. Augustine of Canterbury

Faith Quote: "If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one." - Mother Teresa

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* 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)!

Psalm 34:7 (eternal perspective)

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 (livingfaith.com). All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress saved him. Psalm 34:7

Living Faith snippets: "I am grateful for God's consolation in times of sorrow and for his supportive grace in times of weakness. As I grow older, it becomes clearer that I could not have gotten through these difficulties without God's generous, compassionate help." by Fr. Kenneth Grabner, C.S.C.

Rich's comments: My grandmother died late Sunday night in Oregon on December 14th. Although I was not with her during her final moments, I am happy that my family was there to surround her with God's love and compassion. The natural response for humans this side of eternity is to be sorrowful and scared with the passing of a loved one. We don't understand death, and we fear what we don't understand. To overcome this fear of death we need to change our point of view to an eternal perspective. Many more people have died and now live than those who are presently on earth. Due to the victory of our Lord over death, we can say, “Where there’s death, there’s hope." Although it may seem difficult and contradictory to our emotions, as Christians we should rejoice when our loved ones die, because they are reunited and living with Jesus for eternity.

God our Father,

Your power brings us to birth,

Your providence guides our lives,

and by Your command we return to dust.

Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,

their lives change but do not end.

I pray in hope for my family,

relatives and friends,

and for all the dead known to You alone.

In company with Christ,

Who died and now lives,

may they rejoice in Your kingdom,

where all our tears are wiped away.

Unite us together again in one family,

to sing Your praise forever and ever.

Amen.

Jesus' Christmas list: This is how we give Jesus a Christmas (birthday) gift..."whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matt 25:40). The true meaning of Christmas is to share our gifts (time, talent, treasure, faith, hope, love) with those lacking in "daily bread" and love. Who is in dire need of our Christmas gifts?

ProLife news: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ & http://www.priestsforlife.org/
* Let's pray for courage to communicate the ProLife message through Christ to those around us (John 14:6)...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16).

Our Prayers: Prayer to End Abortion, chastity, our enemies, our troops, natural disasters, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, loss of loved ones, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, John Peak (parent's health & his deployment), Pat Castle (Kathy Ayers recovering from brain surgery, Mike Castle eye infection), Liz Curry (friend Bill recovering from heart surgery), Jason Peters (health of son JP, http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jppeters), Carolyn McKissack (granddaughter Bailee with Crohn's), Rob Ouellette (Sally, Jim, Kevin, Joe, Carla & two Mary's)

Faith Quote: "We are told that Christ was killed for us, that His death has washed out our sins, and that by dying He has disabled death itself. That is the formula. That is Christianity. That is what has to be believed." by C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Through Christ Our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* Today's Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml. Reflection on readings at http://www.daily-meditations.org/index2.html
* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson lyrics, “When God's people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven, and miracles you can't explain await!” 'If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead & see Him.'
* Fasting: Let's fast from things that takes our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, bitterness, being so critical, impatience, judgment, 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 lie 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 live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!