1 John 1:1 (The Word of Life)

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

"What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life-- for the life was made visible;" 1 John 1:1 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: The life-giving Word of God became flesh as our Lord Jesus Christ so that we may know Him and have a relationship with Him. As humans, we are sensory beings and God knows that, because He created us so. That is why He makes Himself present to us in ways that we can relate to Him. After Christ's Ascension, He sent the Holy Spirit to give birth to His body, the Church. It is through the Church that we can feel the presence of Jesus in the love that we share with others. Through the Church's book, the Bible, we can hear the voice of Jesus and communicate with Him in prayer. We can see God's presence in His creations, in nature around us, and also imprinted on our very own bodies. It is in life, that we see the Word of life -- Jesus, our Lord, because Jesus is life. Lord, open my my eyes so that I may see Your presence. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Prayerfully reflect on the presence of Christ around you and share this with others.

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

* Victory at the food court; As the year 2010 was winding to an end, something marvelous happened at a food court in a Canadian shopping mall. Suddenly, the patrons came to life and began to sing, to sing beautifully, to sing the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel’s Messiah.

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 was one of the first apostles to witness the risen Christ (John 20:8) and is one of the major contributors of the New Testament. He was able to write the word of God, because he so intimately knew the Word of God, Jesus.

Faith Quote: "The Word who found a dwelling in Mary’s womb comes to knock on the heart of every person with singular intensity this Christmas." - Pope John Paul II

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.

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John 15:11 (sharing joy)

Let's welcome God today with this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (archive, Facebook), based on Living Faith. Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers. James 1:22

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. John 15:11 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "The joy of friendship grows when people share the values that make them who they are. The greater the sharing, the greater the joy. It was a joy for Jesus to share his word with the people of his time, just as it is a joy for him to do so with us. We hear his word through the Scriptures and through his Spirit that speaks in our hearts. Jesus' love prompts him to share his values with us, and if we make them a part of our lives, we begin to resemble the mind and heart of Jesus. What a cause for joy!" by Fr. Kenneth Grabner

Rich's comments: As I am nearing the end of my PhD program at the University of Florida, I have the incredible urge to share with others in my research group tips on how to survive grad school. I don't think that I gain anything for myself by sharing this information (except that I don't like to watch people struggle or suffer), but I have this inner desire to pass on these "pearls of wisdom" in hopes that my colleagues gain a greater sense of joy during their grueling ordeal of writing a 200-page dissertation. Jesus knows and understands our struggles and sufferings. Jesus has been through it all and He wants to share His Truth with us, because it brings Him great joy and He loves us. Lord, thank You for sharing Yourself with me, and thank You for my ability to bring You joy through my acceptance of Your word. Amen.
* NEW: Discover the joy that forgiveness brings by reading Sr. Francelle's devotion on Forgiveness.

Faith Sharing: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding devotions or using the Facebook "invite people" link.
* NEW: How might you bring the joy of Christ to others? Please consider sharing faith comments (or "like" button) on the Facebook page, to encourage many...thank you!

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, Vatican, American Family Association, Priests for Life
* Reality of abortion (images), #1 cause of death (23% of pregnancies). Expose this unjust peace, setting unborn/parents free.
* NEW: Oklahoma Ultrasound Law Temporarily Suspended: "The abortion industry would like to hide the truth from women about their unborn children." "We believe the ultrasound bill will provide much needed information to women in advance of an irrevocable, lethal decision, and that both she and her baby will benefit from her having that information."

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together, and close to God (footnotes). Peters family (JP), Prayer to end abortion.
* NEW: Rich (Erica's swollen inner ear & job search)

Faith Quote: "He loves each one of us as though there were only one of us." - St. Augustine

Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22

Deut 4:9 (Remembering God's Love for Us)

Let's welcome God today with this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (archive, Facebook), based on Living Faith. Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers. James 1:22

However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live ... Deuteronomy 4:9 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Sometimes we have trouble remembering things. In most cases, a little forgetfulness is no big deal. But in extreme cases, such as Alzheimer's, it is a very big deal. To forget how to do simple daily tasks, to forget your family and friends, to forget who you are is truly tragic. But there is another kind of tragic forgetfulness: to forget God's love and care for us, and to forget God's commandments, which call us to love others as God loves us. This memory loss can have disastrous consequences on individuals and on the human community: dishonesty, infidelity, greed, lust, poverty, violence, revenge and isolationism, to name a few. God of love, help me to remember what's really important in life: your unconditional love for me and your command for me to love others as you love me." by Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.

Rich's comments: In the Air Force, every organization periodically undergoes an Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI), which assesses the practices of the organization for fulfilling its mission. God has given us our mission: to love one another as God has loved us (John 13:34). Unless this mission is put into practice, the words can be easily forgotten. Lent is our ORI. It is a period of self-assessment to determine if our practices as Christians are in line with God's mission. Be doers of God's Word and not merely listeners (James 1:22); for by doing His Word, you will not forget it, because you will be living in it.

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding a devotion or using the Facebook "invite people to join" link.
* NEW: What has helped you this Lent to remember God's love for us? How have you shared God's love with others? Comments on the Facebook page can be appreciated by many.

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 expose abortion's unjust peace, rebuilding a Culture of Life for setting the unborn (and parents) free!
* NEW: Unbelievable Coincidence Saves Baby from Abortion in Indianapolis: read how a woman intending on calling Planned Parenthood for an abortion was led without her knowledge by the Holy Spirit to call 40 Days for Life in Indianapolis.
* NEW: A woman and her daughter in Jacksonville, Florida spent about an hour in the parking lot at the abortion center, entering and leaving the business several times. Finally, they drove out of the lot. The young woman rolled down her window and said, "I am not going to have an abortion." "We were there at the critical time," said Trudy in Jacksonville. "We were there at the entrance of the driveway, offering her hope in her desperate situation. She saw strangers praying for her; she saw signs that gave her options; she experienced the ultimate, unconditional love from people whom she may never see again in this world. And her miraculous decision gave us peace and joy this world can not give!" Consider giving an hour of prayer in front of your local abortuary in support of 40 Days for Life (until 28 March, 209 babies saved so far).

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

Faith Quote: "Do this in memory of me." - Jesus Christ (Luke 22:19)

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, 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).

Luke 8:21 (family)

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

My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it. Luke 8:21 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "So Jesus' words, rather than offending us, can give us comfort that the periodic alienation we feel from our families is something he has experienced and understands. Let us call on him in our difficult moments to expand our hearts to love what we can't comprehend in our families." by Aileen O'Donoghue

Rich's comments: In the Gospel reading today, Jesus makes clear that His family is not consituted by physical relationship with Him, but by obedience to the word of God. I grew up in a very small family; just my mom, dad, and I. I take pleasure in knowing that God's definition of family goes beyond physical relationships. I have many brothers and sisters in Christ. I am not alone. Please pray for me today as I begin leading a small family of 7 Christians in a faith sharing group who will gather weekly in my home to reflect on our spiritual lives and put our faith into action. (James 1:22)

Faith Challenges:

* NEW: Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group family (>225 ProLife Christians).

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, 40 Days for Life (begins 23 Sep), 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!

* NEW: Please read letter from Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of Americans United for Life Action (AULA), addressing the concerns about abortion in health care. STAY INFORMED!

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), Kay Castle (special intentions), Pat Castle (for cousin Michael).

* NEW: Kathy Castle (friend's husband Matt's kidney transplant), Stephanie Spader (for peace/healthy pregnancy)

Faith Quote: "As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live." - Pope John Paul II

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).

Acts 17:27 (Groping for God)

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

...so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:27 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "In our journeys of faith, we sometimes experience "dark nights of the soul" when God seems nowhere to be found, and darkness masks any sense of light, hope or joy. But the mystery and majesty of our relationship with Christ is that he is, in fact, always near, standing close by and awaiting our groping hands to reach out to him in prayer, yearning for his touch." by Steve Givens

Rich's comments: Faith is like a lit candle. The flickering flame needs to be protected or the elements of the World will snuff it out. Your faith needs to be constantly nourished by the Word of God and prayer. There will be times in our life when our flame may go out, but hopefully there will be others near us whose light is shining brightly and can help relight our candle. Jesus, see me in the darkness. Show me your light.

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Keep your faith shining brightly so that you may be there to relight the faith of others.

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 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)

Feast Day: St. Bernadine

Faith Quote: "To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible." by St. Thomas Aquinas

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)!