Acts 16:30-33 (faith & works)

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

Then [the jailer] said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And [Paul and Silas] said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus..." He took them in at that hour of the night and bathed their wounds; then he and all his family were baptized at once. Acts 16:30-33 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "His belief showed itself first in his active compassion for Paul and Silas; he welcomed them into his home and "bathed their wounds." That's his first response; the second is to be baptized. In other words, an authentic, adult faith in Christ is inseparable from active charity and participation in the Sacramental life of the faith community." by Mitch Finley

Pat nuggets:

* Regarding today's snippets, our good works are the response (natural) to a genuine faith life (supernatural)...our way of being a real part of God's team. With God, our ordinary acts of love become extraordinary...because they have eternal meaning! This past weekend, Angi and I planted bushes, a tree and a garden...reminding me of this important verse. "I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters are equals, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor. For we are God's co-workers; you are God's field, God's building." 1 Cor 3:6-9

* Stephanie Kemp shared: Isn't it awesome and humbling...to know that we have the assurance of The Good Shepherd's Truth and Life and Love when the world -and its temptation's- does everything it can to snatch us away? All we have to do is let go and extend our hand to His... to accept His great gift and say, "Yes. Thank you, Jesus." "I will not forget you. See I have carved you on the palms of my hand." Isaiah 49:15

* Music: You are Mine by David Haas

Faith Sharing: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding devotions or using the Facebook "invite people" link.

* NEW: Why are good works an essential part of our faith life? Please consider sharing comments (or "like" button) on the Facebook page, to encourage many...thank you!

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, Vatican, American Family Association, Priests for Life
* Reality of abortion (images), #1 cause of death (23% of pregnancies). Expose this unjust peace, setting unborn/parents free.
* NEW: Manhattan Declaration.

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together, and close to God (footnotes). Peters family (JP), Prayer to end abortion, Rich Reich (Erica's swollen inner ear & job search)

* NEW: Ann Schaefbauer (repose of the soul of mother in law Becky, strength for family)

Faith Quote: "We become what we think about." by Earl Nightingale (shared by Aaron Ferrie)

Through Christ our Lord,
Pat

Phil 4:13