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 Lord] judges the world with justice; He governs the peoples with equity. Psalm 9:9 (full readings)
Living Faith snippets: "Thank God...and really, thank God...that God is unchanging in love, mercy, and justice and will never become indifferent to the realities of my life. I can count on God to attend to the Truth of my life and never brush me off because He's got something better to do. Perhaps in my gratitude, I could learn something. Dear God, hear the pleading of my heart." Amy Welborn
Pat nuggets: Steve Castle shared, "Why curse the darkness when we can light a candle?" Praying at an abortion mill lights a candle at the foot of the cross. Let's schedule even just one hour for prayer at a local abortion mill in unified support for ProLife with the 40 Days for Life campaign (through 1 Nov). 'Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don't stand back and let them die' (Prov 24:11).
* For those who have never done this literally life changing ministry, here are some words of encouragement from David Bereit, the director of 40 Days for Life: "Going out to stand and pray in front of an abortion facility is not exactly an appealing proposition. It isn't easy, especially if it's something you've never done before. The first time I went to pray outside an abortion facility I was very worried about what could happen and who might see me there. But when you make the commitment, God will provide every ounce of grace that you'll need to answer His call. Hopefully, these first-timer notes will encourage you to step out in faith. "It was powerful to pray there for the end to abortion and the conversion of the doctor." "This issue has been close to my heart for a long time, but to be honest, participating has put this front and center in my heart now." "I wish there was a way I could bottle the experience and send a copy to each of you so you could experience it fully right from the comfort of your living room, but this is something you'll simply need to experience for yourself." "I believe that when we go to the sidewalk and pray to end abortion...we can better address the issue.""
Sr. Francelle's devotion: Your Secret Weapon. Her devotion further highlights, "Why curse the darkness when we can light a candle?"
Faith Challenges:
* NEW members include Becky (Loving) Gregory...welcome! Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (>240 of God's children).
* NEW: Rather than cursing the darkness, let's show God our gratitude by lighting a candle today (respond to evil with goodness). Sue Peters literally lit a candle and prayed for ProLife while the LIFE Runners did the TC Marathon this past Sunday.
* 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!
* NEW: Stephanie Spader shared..."Focus on the Family Action has launched a petition urging that any healthcare reform proposal respect the rights of the preborn, health care professionals and our families. Focus Action wants to deliver petitions to Congress. Please go here to sign the petition: http://www.focuspetitions.com/215/petition.asp?PID=22360886&NID=1"
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)
* NEW: Kathy Castle (Vicki Miller in hospice)
Feast Day: St. Denis and Companions
Faith Quotes: Aaron Ferrie shared this quote by Marianne Williamson: "As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." Steve Castle replied with: "Why curse the darkness when we can light a candle?"
Through Christ our Lord,
Pat
Pat
Phil 4:13
* 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).
* 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).
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