Revelations 12:7 (Turn down Pride)

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

War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. Revelations 12:7 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Pride is the beginning of all sins and faults... The Fathers of the Church believed that the fall of the angels was caused by pride. They speculated that it was the pride of the angels which caused them to refuse to acknowledge the divinity of the second person of the Blessed Trinity when they foreknew that he was to become a creature of this earth. They simply could not endure that the Son of God would be a weak and limited human being." by Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel

Rich's comments: A man was driving around Pittsburgh trying to find Mercy Hospital. Finally his frustration peaked and he decided to stop and ask for help from a gentleman on the side of the road. The gentleman said in response, "Oh you're almost there. Just turn down Pride and you will find Mercy." After turning left onto Pride Street, the driver was amazed to find Mercy Hospital straight ahead. These directions seem so simple, but why do we so frequently find ourselves lost in life. We need to turn down our Pride before we can receive God's Mercy. Lord, give me the strength and courage to put my pride aside and follow You. Amen.

Faith Challenges: Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (>235 ProLife Christians).
* NEW: Stop, turn down your Pride, and ask God for directions!

Pro-Life News: The LIFE Runners (Dave, Jason, Doug, Rich, John, Jim, Steve, Pat, Tammy, Brenda/Aaron/Trevor) will be running the Twin-Cities Marathon (26.2 miles) on Respect Life Sunday (October 4th) to raise money for an ultrasound for A Woman's Answer Medical Center in Gainesville, FL. Please consider sponsoring our team by donating $/mile. Please make checks payable to "Knights of Columbus" and mail them to PO Box 14044, Gainesville, FL 32604.

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, Peters family (JP in hospital), Lynn Bishara (for son Alex), Pat Castle (for cousin Michael), Stephanie Spader (for peace/healthy pregnancy), Kay Castle (Nancy Wheeler, Sheri Daniels, Sr. Joan Luke), Maureen Rogers (her pain).

Feast Day: (Angels St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael) St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, be with me today. Protect me from whatever could cause spiritual or physical harm. Help me be faithful to Jesus and a good communicator of his divine love. Amen.

Faith Quote: "It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels." by St. Augustine

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 a 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 (Matt 28:19).