John 16:22 (finding joy)

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

I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. John 16:22 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "The good news of Jesus is not a promise of a perfectly joyful life in the here and now, absent of pain and filled with never-ending bliss. Christians face the same joyless times and moments of dissatisfaction and anger, as do those without faith. But, thankfully, there is more to this life of faith than meets the eye. For with Jesus come another life beyond this one, another chance at childlike joy that no one can take away. Jesus, fill me with the joy of your eternal life." by Steve Givens

Rich's comments: Although Christians face the same joyless times and moments of dissatisfaction and anger as do those without faith, Christians differ in the way we deal with these feelings by responding with a Christian attitude. Please read Sister Francelle's devotion on "Blessing those who curse you." (Matt 5:44) Jesus provides us the keys to experiencing peace in our hearts during times of trouble.

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Read Sister Francelle's devotion and practice blessing those who curse you.

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. Rita of Cascia

Faith Quote: "To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others." by Pope John Paul II

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)!