Isaiah 56:1 (The Checklist of our hearts)

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

"Thus says the LORD: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed." ~ Isaiah 56:1 (full readings)

Rosemary's Reflections: As I wrap up my first semester of grad school, I've been counting down the days until I get to come home for the holidays and spend quality time with loved ones. Before I can do that, there's a to-do list I must go through: make flight plans, pack my suitcases, clean my fridge, the list goes on and on. Though tedious, I know these tasks must be done in order for me to truly enjoy my time with family and friends. This is similar to what the season of Advent does for us--we must prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior. We must clean out the inn of our hearts to make room for Him. One way to do that is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which helps clean us of the stains sin leaves. If we also "observe what is right" and "do what is just," we can be ready to accept God's salvation for us in the form of a small child born in a stable.

Faith Challenge: As we rush around to decorate our homes, bake cookies, and finish (or start) Christmas shopping, set aside some time to pray and reflect on the real reason of Christmas. There's a reason why Christ is in the word Christmas.

Sr. Francelle's Devotion: Christmas

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

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

Feast Day: Blessed Honoratus Kozminski

Faith Quote: "It is very helpful to confess with a certain regularity. It is true our sins are always the same; but we clean our homes, our rooms, at least once a week even if the dirt is always the same, in order to live in cleanliness, in order to start again. Otherwise, the dirt might not be seen, but it builds up." ~ Pope Benedict XVI

Through Christ Our Lord,
Rosemary

2 Tim 4:7

* 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.

Luke 8:18 (Hearing Aids)

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

"Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away." ~ Luke 8:18 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: Yesterday, you most likely heard the Word of God at church. Did you prepare yourself to receive God's Word? Today's Gospel says, "take care, then, how you hear." As Christians, we have the responsibility to prepare ourselves to hear the Word of God so that we may internalize it and become a light to others. Here are ten tips on how to prepare ourselves to listen to the Word of God. 1) Pray to God before church that He will grant you a receptive heart. 2) Meditate on the readings the night before church. 3) Purify your mind by turning away from worldly entertainment. 4) Trust in the truth that you already have. 5) Rest long enough Saturday night to be alert and hopeful Sunday morning. 6) Make peace with those around you and forgive them. 7) Be meek and teachable when you come to church. 8) Be still as you enter church and focus your mind's attention and heart's affection on God. 9) Think earnestly about what is sung, prayed, and preached. 10) Desire the Truth of God's Word more than you desire riches or food. Lord, prepare my heart to hear Your Word so that I may be a light to others. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Prepare yourself to hear God's Word for every Sabbath Day.

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

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: Saint Januarius.

Faith Quote: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" ~ Mark 4:9

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 (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.

Matthew 25:12 (Unprepared)

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

"Amen, I say to you, I do not know you." ~ Matthew 25:12 (full readings)

Steve's Reflections: Today's Gospel is the parable of the 10 virgins; 5 wise and 5 foolish. The wise virgins are prepared with enough oil when the bridegroom is late. Their reward is the wedding feast. The other five are literally left out in the cold. It is human nature to take each day for granted and to put off until tomorrow what could be done today. The spiritual life on the other hand is meant to be sought after like a hunter - ever alert and watchful. Each day is a gift and there is no guarantee for tomorrow. As I arise in the morning and go to bed each night I spiritually "pack my bags" or in context of the parable, buy my oil. This entails honestly evaluating the sin in my life and handing over all that I am to God. James tells us to draw close to the Lord, and he will draw close to you (James 4:8) - don't forget to pack you spiritual bags each day.

Faith Challenge: Are you prepared for the wedding feast? Be like the 5 wise virgins ever prepared for the coming of the bridegroom (Jesus).

Sr. Francelle's Devotion: Children Need Cheerleaders

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. >

Feast Day: St. Alexander of Bergamo (d. 303)

Faith Quote: "God is taking care of your family. He's in charge - but he needs you, which might mean you need to change. He will make you the kind of parent you need to be, if you only ask Him. Don't try to do it alone." ~ Sr. Francelle Clarke, Children Need Cheerleaders

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.

Luke 1:59-60 (Prepare the Way of the Lord)

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

"When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, 'No. He will be called John.'" Luke 1:59-60 (full readings)

Bobby’s Reflections: In today’s reading, just two days away from the celebration of Christmas, we hear the Word or God proclaiming the birth of John the Baptist. The prophet Malachi tells us of John’s purpose to be a messenger to prepare the way of the Lord. This good news should fill our hearts with joy in anticipation of the arrival of the infant child. What struck me most though was the subtlety of Luke’s reference to the eighth day. While the importance of presenting John for circumcision would have been of normal practice to the Jewish people according to the law, this reference to the eighth day has an even greater significance to us as Christians. The Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph 349 refers to the “eighth day” as the day of the new creation. With the birth of Christ the “eighth day” dawns the new creation which culminates in the greater work of redemption (cf. CCC 349). It is on this day that Christ’s reign begins in the lowliest of places, a manger.

Faith Challenge: Let’s us look model to the humility of God who comes to us in the form of a child. While deserving of all glory and praise, He chose to become like us in all things but sin. What areas in our lives is the Lord challenging us to grow in greater humility?

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

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). View, add, update Prayers on our website. Let’s pray now.

Feast Day: St. John of Kanty

Faith Quote: “The heavenly babe suffers and cries in the crib so that for us suffering would be sweet, meritorious and accepted. He deprives himself of everything, in order that we may learn from him the renunciation of worldly goods and comforts” - St. Padre Pio

Through Christ Our Lord,
Bobby Aborn
John 16:33

* 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.

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Luke 12:37 (prepare the way of the Lord)

Let's welcome God this 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

Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Luke 12:37 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Just as parents arriving home from a vacation do not want to find their teenager hosting a raging party, Jesus doesn't want to return to a disrespectful mess either. How will he feel if he comes back to collect his beloved people, the ones he gave his life for, only to discover that we have let our families and churches fall apart, made idols of money and worldly success, and allowed sin to pollute us? Like the parents of the teenager, I imagine he will not be amused." by Kristin Armstrong

Rich's comments: Only a few times during my 12 year marriage have I ever been left home alone while my wife was away on a trip. Although I embrace the rules of our household, I tend to slack a bit during these periods and let the chores slide. I usually wait until the day before she comes home to catch up on cleaning the house and doing yard work. Similarly, I sometimes slack a bit on maintaining my spiritual life and striving towards holiness. The only difference is that Jesus is not away on a trip. He is always present with us. Lord, help me be vigilant. Amen.

Faith Challenges: Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (>240 of God's children).
* NEW: Don't be discouraged if you periodically fall during your path to holiness. A Christian always picks themselves up and continues the race.

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 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, refugees, addictions, persecuted believers, Peters family (JP in hospital), Lynn Bishara (for son Alex), Joyce Trunk (friend w/brain cancer)

Feast Day: St. Paul of the Cross

Faith Quote: "Give me chastity and continence, but not yet." - St. Augustine

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

James 1:22

* 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 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).