Matthew 15:28 (Zealful Faith)

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

O women, great is your faith! Matthew 15:28 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "But what little faith the women had, she put to use. She shouted at Jesus in the street, to get his attention...Hers was a real in-your-face faith. And that's what Jesus liked about it. He liked that face-to-face confrontation with her. Undoubtedly, he'd like that kind of face-to-face confrontation with you and me, too." by Kevin Perrotta.

Steve's Thoughts: Faith begets miracles...miracles do not beget faith. It is interesting to note that this story of healing (this women was begging for the life of her demon-possessed daughter) is immediately before the feeding of the 4000 one of the greatest miracles Jesus performed. She was a Canaanite and knew she was unworthy to even ask...What were the words to Jesus to invoke such a blessing upon herself and her daughter? "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters table." Lord, please help me to always know my humble place in this world and please send a few crumbs along the way! Amen.

Faith Challenge: Let's invite others to join the LIFE Group (~200 Christians).

* NEW: Challenge a friend, a co-worker, a family member or even a stranger in their faith today.

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!

Feast Day: Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome...This feast commemorates the miracle of the snowfall that occurred during the night of August 4-5 in the year 358 on the site where the basilica now stands.

Faith Quote: You may be the only bible the people you meet today will ever read. ~Unknown

Through Christ our Lord,

Steve Castle

Ephesians 6:10-18

* 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.