John 16:31 (Do you believe now?)

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

"Jesus answered them, 'Do you believe now?'" John 16:31 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: Every week at church I profess my faith with all of the other parishioners by reciting the Creed. In the Gospel today, Jesus' disciples professed their faith by stating: "We believe that You came from God" (John 16:30). Jesus then challenged them by asking: "Do you believe now?" (John 16:31). I wonder what the apostles felt after Jesus' response. Did He shake their faith? When we profess our faith, does Jesus respond "Amen"...or "Really?" Do we mean what we say or are we self-deceived? Jesus knows our hearts and our minds, but others may not. Every day, our actions should profess our faith in Jesus Christ and not make our faith questionable. Holy Spirit, produce in me the fruit of faith. May my faith, not my lack of faith, evoke questions from those who know me. Amen.

Faith Challenge: When you profess your faith, does Jesus respond "Amen"...or Really?"

Counter-Culture News: LSN, 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. Norbert

Faith Quote: "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important." ~ C. S. Lewis

Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22

* 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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Matthew 1:20 (Do your Faith)

Let's welcome God by reflecting on this short Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (website, Facebook), 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 angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid..." Matthew 1:20 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Matthew holds up Joseph as a model for believers-Joseph who is ready to believe an angel in a dream, right here, right now. Do not be afraid to act. Act on your faith and your loving friendship with the Lord, Mathew's Gospel declares. That's what it's all about." - Mitch Finley

Rich's comments: Earlier this year, I rediscovered James 1:22 (Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.) and adopted it as my Life Verse. Every morning during prayer I recommit myself to put my Faith into action that day. I find that working on one day at a time is more practical for me than taking on one entire Advent season or year. Throughout the day I will take mental notes on how I could have acted differently in situations to be a better portrayal of Christ's presence to others, and then the next day I recommit myself to Jesus again. Lord Jesus, help me to act on my Faith daily. Amen.

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share our LIFE Group by forwarding a devotion to others or by using the "invite people to join" link on the Facebook Group. Steve, Rich, or Pat will gladly add others to the email list.

* NEW: Be like Joseph, and don't be afraid to act on your Faith today. You can do it!

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 (23% of pregnancies). Let's courageously share ProLife Truth to create social tension for exposing abortion's unjust peace, rebuilding a Culture of Life for setting the unborn (and parents) 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, politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, refugees, addictions, persecuted believers, Peters family (JP, Rebekah), Health care reform bill, Scott Casmer (Helene Couchon, accident recovery), Joe Hourigan (Anne Hourigan's intense pregnancy nausea).

* NEW: Tammy Kimball (Jim and family; Jim's mother passed away unexpectedly last Tuesday)

Faith quote: "It is spiritually impossible to apply the Word week after week and remain the same. As listeners with committed minds, we become productive, maturing children of God." - Charles Stanley, How to Listen to God

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, 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).

Wisdom 6:2 (The voice of many...)

Let's welcome God today 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

Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude..." Wisdom 6:2 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Some of us are masters at throwing our weight around and getting our way in even the smallest spheres of authority. Today's word that "the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be put to the test" (Wisdom 6:6) might well spur us to consider other people's preferences and needs a little more carefully." by Kevin Perrotta

Steve's Snippets: "In today's political climate and the war waging for life on Capital Hill it is often tempting to feel small or insignificant. What difference can our voice make? We are powerless to the political forces and modern rulers in power over us...or are we? The US Bishops stood at the tip of the spear for Life in a closed door meeting with House Majority Leader, Nancy Pelosi. No doubt they have heard the many small voices of the unborn and the faithful who combined have erupted in a mighty outcry to our God for justice. They are paying the price, too. Rep. Lynn Woolsey had this to say in her article, IRS should scrutinize Bishops, "I expect political hardball on any legislation as important as the health care bill. I just didn't expect it from the United States Council [sic] of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Who elected them to Congress? ... [They] managed to bully members of Congress to vote for added restrictions on a perfectly legal surgical procedure." Please stay ever vigilant in prayer and continue to let your voice be heard by contacting your Senator about this issue. Dear Jesus, we cry out for the unborn and ask that mercy rain down on all abortionists, all pro-choice political advocates, and all women who have been hurt by this horrific crime - make their hearts unto your heart, Jesus.

Faith Challenges: Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (~250 of God's children).

* NEW: Contact your Senator today and let them know how you feel about the issue of Life and Health care. We have won an important battle; let us not grow complacent.

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 (and parents) free!

* New: Stupak amendment could be short-lived...let's not loose our sense of urgency with this issue. Our Senators will need to hear from us!

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), Joe Hourigan (for brother Mike), Doug Young (special intention), Pat Castle (victims/families at Ft. Hood, health care reform bill), Joe Levisky (daughter's pregnancy), that people care for all creation. Stephanie Spader (daughter Rebekah in ICU for pneumonia/H1N1, for 24 wk pregnancy check up) , Brenda Alvine (for her father, Dennis Rolfson, in the ICU)

Feast Day: St. Martin of Tours (402) - patron of soldiers

Faith Quote: ""My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and to be faithful to him, and not to spoil his work by our shortcomings." - St. Isaac Jogues


Through Christ our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:2


* 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).

Romans 13:9 (As Yourself)

Let's welcome God today 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 commandments...are summed up in this saying, [namely] "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Romans 13:9 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Today St. Paul gives us a summary of the Ten Commandments in one sentence...It's so simple and clear. Or is it? It's the "as yourself" I sometimes have difficulty with. "As yourself" indicates that we must indeed love ourselves. If we hate ourselves or even look down on ourselves, then we will find it next to impossible to reach out to others with a gracious and sincere love." by Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.

Steve's Thoughts: We are faced with a difficult time in our nations history...please pray for our leaders as they will determine the fate of millions of lives with the health care reform and the public abortion funding that it entails. I'd like to bring your attention to two new links in the "Counter-Culture News" section. The first is a powerful story about the recent conversion of a prominent Planned Parenthood director upon witnessing the death of a baby on an ultrasound...she tells how her superiors were pressuring her to increase profits in a tough economic climate by getting more women in the doors for abortions. The second link is a way we can bring our congressmen/women's attention to the matter at hand and let our voice be heard. Please consider forwarding this link to others.

Faith Challenges: Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (~250 of God's children).
* Don't get caught up in the self-serving philosophies of our culture (i.e., individualism, hedonism, and materialism); true happiness comes from serving others.

* NEW: Take action on the issues of publicly funded Abortion in the health care reform bill and let your voice be heard today. Consider adopting an abortionist in prayer and pray for their conversion.

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!

*NEW: Director of Planned Parenthood at 40 Days for Life Birthplace Resigns After Watching Abortion Ultrasound.

*NEW: Abortions Still Alive In Obama-Care...take action and let your voice be heard before it's too late!

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), Joe Hourigan (for brother Mike), Doug Young (special intention).
* NEW: Beth O'Connor requested prayer for her husband's father (poor health) and her Aunt Linda DePalma (breast cancer). Let us pray...

Feast Day: St. Charles Borromeo (1584)

Faith Quote: "What a weakness it is to love Jesus Christ only when he caresses us, and to be cold immediately once He afflicts us. This is not true love. Those who love thus, love themselves too much to love God with all their heart." ~ St. Margaret Mary of Alacoque

Through Christ our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:2

* 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).