1 Thessalonians 5:5 (Do the Word)

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

All of you are children of the light. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "The townsfolk of Capernaum are filled with awe and wonder as Jesus casts out the unclean demon. His words accomplish things! In the midst of all our problems, whatever they may be, this gives us hope: Jesus cares for each of us as if we were his very own self. God cannot but love us." - Sr. Kathryn James Hermes

OBOB snippets: "Knowing God's word demands doing His word. On Judgment Day, the Lord will not ask us what we know of His word, but how we've lived it. "For it is not those who hear the law who are just in the sight of God; it is those who keep it who will be declared just" (Rm 2:13). Jesus promised: "Anyone who hears My words and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on rock" (Mt 7:24). "He is no forgetful listener, but one who carries out the law in practice. Blest will this man be in whatever he does" (Jas 1:25). Jesus also promised: "My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and act upon it"
(Lk 8:21)." So to put it simply, do the word.

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

* NEW: It is useful to know God's words by heart, but it is powerful to put them into practice. "Do the word."

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), Kay Castle (Sr. Joan Luke, breast cancer), persecuted Chinese and India believers.

* NEW: Adrian (sister Angelica battling cancer); Lisa (Susie Blanchet in hospital for gall bladder).

Faith Quote: "Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves." - James 1:22

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

James 1:22

* 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.