Luke 11:40 (inside vs. outside)

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

Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? Luke 11:40 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "We are like the Pharisees when we become overly concerned with outside, that is, with appearance, apparel, titles and places of honor. But surely the part of us that is called to be holy, that is made in the image and likeness of God, is that internal dimension." by Heather Wilson

Rich's comments: Why are some people ashamed to pray in public before a meal, but they would be embarrassed if they were caught eating with dirty hands. It seems that most people are concerned about their outward appearance for fear of being judged. Man looks to appearances, but the Lord sees the heart. It seems like we spend a lot of our time, money, and energy trying to fit into the World. Shouldn't we prepare ourselves to allow God to fit into us?

Faith Challenges:
Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (>240 of God's children).
* NEW: We often have to choose between what society wants us to do and what we know in our hearts that God wants us to do. Choose wisely, but pray before you choose.

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 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, Peters family (JP in hospital), Lynn Bishara (for son Alex), Stephanie Spader (for pregnancy), Joyce Trunk (friend w/brain cancer), Kathy Castle (Vicki Miller in hospice).

Faith Quotes: "When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbors, because in them, we serve Jesus." - St. Rose of Lima

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).