Matthew 7:21 (The Pebble) by Clark Sowers

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB).

"Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in Heaven." Matthew 7:21 (full readings)

Clark's Reflections: Anyone with a sense of history understands the ramification of Abram, Sarai and Hagar’s decision in regards to their infertility. It is similar to throwing a pebble into a pond and the ripples that go on across the water. Abram’s story is filled with great lessons formed from suffering and weakness, and I am comforted knowing that this great patriarch wasn't perfect. In January of 1995 our son Michael was critically injured when I ran over him. He suffered for several hours before death came. At one point my wife whispered into his ear the greatest words of trust I have witnessed: “Michael, if Jesus comes, you go to him.” During that time of repeating The Lord’s Prayer I couldn't get beyond, “Thy will be done.” What do you pray for at a time like that; a broken life or a peaceful death? “God’s Will” is the only answer. When death was announced to our little family it was then I offered, “We have always given thanks for our blessings. Now we need to give thanks for our trials and pray we are worthy of both.” The stone we offered in our sorrow still ripples. Like Abram, we may suffer in what is given to us and not given to us. It is in that trust that we build our home on the foundation of the Rock. Abram offered a larger stone in the waters of grace and those ripples of goodness overcome the lesser ripples of our humanity.
* Clark Sowers and his wife Cathy have 10 children. They own a business in Belle Fourche, SD. Cathy is a nurse-practitioner with an emphasis in Pro-Life fertility care.

Faith Challenge: During prayer today reflect on when you failed God and contemplate in your heart how those opportunities helped form you. Give thanks to God for His grace and mercy as He writes you into His story.

Counter-Culture News: LifeNews, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, LIFE Runners, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now. >

Feast Day: St. Joseph Cafasso (d. 1860)

Faith Quote: "You call for Faith, and I give you doubt to prove that Faith exists. The greater the doubt, the greater the Faith, I say, if Faith overcomes doubt!” ~ Robert Browning

Through Christ Our Lord,
Clark
Luke 23:39-43

* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (& family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (23% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 & Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa.
* Evangelize:Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.

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