Luke 10:2 (call to service)

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

The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Luke 10:2 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "By identifying with all the consequences of our sins and taking the suffering of the whole humanity into himself, Christ descended into that state of consciousness that corresponds to hell... To participate in that kind of absence or alienation from God is the most powerful and mature identity with Jesus that one can come to in the Christian life." by Fr. Thomas Keating

Rich's comments: When I taught chemistry at the Air Force Academy, I would often find cadets going to class ill-prepared for the day's lesson expecting to be entertained by the instructor. What the cadets didn't realize was that they were responsible for their own learning. They were called to be laborers of their own education. Similarly, you can often find Christians attending church expecting the pastor to entertain them and provide for their needs. We need to realize though, that every baptized Christian has been called by Christ to work the harvest (to shepherd His people), and not just the pastors. There are many in our society dying of hunger for the Lord without anyone to feed them. Every Christian has a responsibility to bring Jesus Christ to these people.

Faith Challenges: Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (>235 ProLife Christians).

* NEW: Don't be greedy with Christ, share Him with others.

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: St. Therese of Lisieux

Faith Quote: "Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be - and becoming that person." by St. Therese of Lisieux

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).