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. 3:17But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem. What will happen to me there I do not know... Acts 20:22 (full readings)
Living Faith snippets: "Currently, it is my daughter, who is researching colleges intently, determined to find the "perfect" place and convinced that if she makes the wrong choice, her life will be thrown off course. What she doesn't understand, but will eventually, is that while it's true that some situations are better than others for us, God is with us in all of them. We do our part to discern and decide--"compelled by the Spirit," as Paul was--but the truth is, just like Paul, we just don't know what will happen to us when we arrive. And also like Paul, in all of those places, we find peace, not in where we are, but in who's with us--always. Lord, I don't know what the future holds, but I'm joyful that you'll be with me there." by Amy Welborn
Rich's comments: In the Air Force they tell you not to worry about your next assignment, but to do your best at your current assignment. This is true. I find that in making the most of my current situations I have thoroughly enjoyed every assignment I have had in the Air Force so far. It would be too easy to constantly worry about the things that you have no control over, while neglecting the things that you do have control over, like caring for the people around you. As a natural planner, I need to be careful that I do not set myself up for dissapointment with high expectations of the future. I need to trust in God that although I do not know all of the details of His plans for me, that the important thing is that He is with me always.
Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Identify any worries that you currently have about the future and pray about them.
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)
Feast Day: St. Philip Neri
Faith Quote: "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
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)!
