Acts 16:25 (loving God despite the suffering)

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

Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened ... Acts 16:25 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "There was a time in my life when I believed I had to go looking for suffering in order to be closer to Jesus. I thought that pain would teach me about the cross, so I sought it out. Now I understand that we all suffer. The challenge is to accept the suffering that inevitably comes to us with as much grace as we can. I think our task is to be a good sport about our suffering and to remain grateful to God in spite of it." by Karla Manternach

Rich's comments: Every gardener knows that pruning is necessary to encourage new growth. This is what I try to remember when I am in the middle of a period of suffering in my life; that I am being pruned for new growth. Also what helps considerably is praying. I run an inventory through my mind of all of the things that God has blessed me with and I thank Him and I tell Him that I love Him. I then begin to pray for others, which helps me to lose focus on my own suffering. Lord, no matter how difficult my life seems to be, may I always remember that You paid the ultimate price for me. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.

* NEW: Offer to pray for others who are suffering and do it.

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)

Faith Quote: "We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, ''Blessed are they that mourn."'' by C.S. Lewis

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)!