Luke 1:31 (The Moon)

Let's welcome God today with this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (archive, Facebook), based on Living Faith. Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers. James 1:22

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call him Jesus. Luke 1:31 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Mary asked it, but I can't help but ask it in another sense. How can this be? Who are we that Go loves us all - all of us - so?" by Amy Welborn

Steve's Thoughts: I once heard a beautiful analogy that I believe describes Our Blessed Mother Mary's role for all Christians. Mary is like the Moon; without the Sun we would not see her. She would remain clothed in darkness and obscurity. With the Sun (Jesus) her brilliance is revealed as she reflects the light of the Sun. Everything about the Moon points to something greater in the brilliance of the light it reflects. So, too, Mary is like the Moon reflecting the light of the Son and illuminating our lives as Christians. As Mary said to those at the wedding feast at Cana, "Do whatever he tells you." Dear Jesus, thank you for the gift of your Mother and her perfect example to all Christians of how to perfectly trust in your will for our lives. Amen.

Sr. Francelles's Devotion: Peace of Heart "Throughout the world, people are searching for peace of heart. We all like to be around a peaceful person. For me, the most important gift God gave us is peace. Consider the parting words of Jesus: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." If you choose to accept God's spirit of peace, then you will think peaceful thoughts, speak in peace and create serenity all around you."

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding devotions or using the Facebook "invite people" link.
* NEW: How can you learn from Mary's example of Trust made perfect in her eternal YES to God? Please consider sharing your devotion thoughts on the Facebook page, to be appreciated by many.

Counter-Culture News: 40 Days for Life, LifeSiteNews, Vatican, American Family Association, Priests for Life
* Let's never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images), #1 cause of death in America (23% of pregnancies). Let's courageously share ProLife Truth to expose abortion's unjust peace, rebuilding a Culture of Life for setting the unborn (and parents) free!

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together, and close to God (footnotes). Peters family (JP), Prayer to end abortion, Stephanie Kemp (special intention), Pat Castle (Uncle Jim Castle with blood clots).

Faith Quote: "Hail (Mary), full of grace, the Lord is with you..." - Luke 1:28

Through Christ our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:12

* 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, pornography, bitterness, criticalness, 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).