Let's welcome God every 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. 3:17I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 (full readings)
Living Faith snippets: "Paul the Apostle. Teresa of Avila. John of the Cross. Francis of Assisi. Elizabeth Seton. John Paul II. Mother Teresa. These individuals not only ran "the race," they believed that it was the only race worth running: the race laid out by the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. It is marked out by his life and culminates in the mystery of his--and our--death and resurrection." by Sr. Kathryn James Hermes
One Bread One Body: "In many countries throughout the world, today is a holy day. This means that today is very special, and God wants to do something very special in our lives. In today's first Scripture reading, Peter is miraculously freed from jail (Acts 12:7ff). Today can be our day of liberation from our prisons of sin, fear, compulsive behavior, and self-hatred. Even if we have been in these prisons for most of our lives, Jesus can set us free today. In today's Gospel reading, Jesus asks the question: "Who do you say that I am?" (Mt 16:15) If by faith we acknowledge Jesus as Messiah, Son of God, Lord, and Savior, today will be not only the day of liberation, but also "the day of salvation" (2 Cor 6:2). Paul said: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on a merited crown awaits me" (2 Tm 4:7-8). Like Paul, a few readers of this devotion are on the threshold of dying, going to
heaven, and seeing Jesus face to face. Today could be their "Day of the Lord," the last on earth, the first in heaven. Today is a holy day, an unforgettable day, a day of liberation, salvation, death, and life. "This is the day the Lord has made" (Ps 118:24)."
heaven, and seeing Jesus face to face. Today could be their "Day of the Lord," the last on earth, the first in heaven. Today is a holy day, an unforgettable day, a day of liberation, salvation, death, and life. "This is the day the Lord has made" (Ps 118:24)."
Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Whom do you know who is racing on the way of Christ Jesus? How can you support them? Urge them on? Applaud them?
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!
* 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 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, addictions, Carla Neal (Jonathan Barlow, Margaret Solms, Dan, Joe and Becky).
* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, addictions, Carla Neal (Jonathan Barlow, Margaret Solms, Dan, Joe and Becky).
Feast Day: St. Peter and St. Paul
Faith Quote: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." - St. Paul
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)!
* 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)!
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