1 Thessalonians 2:7 (love not work)

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

We were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Can one be passionate, vibrantly alive, and still be spiritually gentle? Yes. Killian Mooney was one of the gentlest persons I ever met. His way with the people taught me much about gentleness. This virtue does not mean being passive, wimpy or submissive. Father Mooney's presence helped me see that a spirituality of gentleness comes out of strong respect for others. This virtue is fostered by an attitude of nonjudgment and a conviction that each person is worthy of dignity and acceptance." by Sr. Joyce Rupp

Rich's comments: I enjoy helping out at church and serving others, but sometimes I can get bogged down by the task at hand and my service becomes work and not love. We often say that we are doing "God's work", but we need to remember that we are called to love one another. Once our service lacks love, we are no longer serving God.

Faith Challenge: Let's invite others to join our LIFE Group (>215 Christians).

* NEW: Evaluate why you serve others. Is your heart in it, or are you doing it for recognition?

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 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, Rich Reich (friend Carolyn battling cancer), Peters family (JP in hospital), Stephanie Spader (healthy pregnancy), Steve/Tina Castle (sell their home).

Feast Day: St. Louis of France and St. Joseph Calasanz

Faith Quote: "If you judge people, you have no time to love them." - Mother Teresa

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.