Acts 4:34-35 (stewardship vs. ownership)

Welcome God every morning before your work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. Acts 4:34-35

Living Faith snippets: "Talk of redistribution of tangible wealth can make us uncomfortable. We tell ourselves that large-scale attempts to do it in the modern world have failed, primarily because those responsible were mere mortals and looked out for themselves, not the greater good. What if "property" included the time to drive a neighbor to the doctor or a donation of accounting skills to a parish ministry? If we pool our time, talent and treasure to help others because we burn to grow closer to Christ, can that be wrong?" by Melanie Rigney

Rich's comments: We take pride in ownership, because we believe that we have earned our possessions, but we easily forget that these things are gifts from God that have been entrusted to us. We are called to be good stewards of His gifts. I believe that God has spread these resources disproportionately across the globe as a test of our love. He has given us this responsibility on Earth to do His will so that He may entrust us with greater responsibility in Heaven. Lord, thank you for the gifts that you have bestowed upon us and the responsibility to do Your will. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.

* NEW: Evaluate how you use God's resources in your life and cut out the waste by striving to live a simpler life.

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 (John 14:6) to create social tension for exposing abortion's unjust peace...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16) and setting the unborn free!

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas below.
* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, addictions

Feast Day: St. Anselm

Faith Quote: "Live simply so that others may simply live." - Mother Teresa

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

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, 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 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.

Let's joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group...Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!

Psalm 37:4 (trust in God)

Welcome God every morning before your work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Take delight in the Lord, and he will grant you your heart's request. Psalm 37:4

Living Faith snippets: "When we pursue God, knowledge of him and relationship with him, all other things fall sweetly into place. He never forgets the desires of our heart; after all, he put them there in the first place. When our delight is in him, circumstances fade to their proper position--the background." by Kristin Armstrong

Rich's comments: Placing God first above all our desires takes a lot of trust, but it is in this trust that God knows we love Him. We need to trust that God will provide for all of our needs. During these difficult economic times we may be tempted out of fear to not give back to God what is rightly His (our time, talent, and treasure). This Lent let's pray for a renewed trust in God that He will provide for all of our needs.

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News. Suggestions?

* NEW: Try pursuing God this Lent instead of your own desires. Take a break from working too hard and spend some of the extra time with God in prayer or by reading His Word.

Culture War/ProLife News: LifeSiteNews, American Family Association, Priests for Life

* Let's never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images).
* 40 Days for Life campaign (25 Feb - 5 Apr) is an around the clock prayer vigil in front of abortion mills in 130 communities around the world. Please sign up for even just one hour.

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas below.
* Let's pray for courage to share ProLife Truth to those around us (John 14:6)...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16).
* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, Mark Nelson (Pat Barton cancer), Peters family (JP updates), Rob Ouellette (Vicki, Betty, Steve, Carissa, & Fr. McHugh)

A Lenten Reflection:

"Give up complaining -- focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism -- become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgements -- think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry -- trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement -- be full of hope.

Give up bitterness -- turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred -- return good for evil.

Give up negativism -- be positive.

Give up anger -- be more patient.

Give up pettiness -- become mature.

Give up gloom -- enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy -- pray for trust.

Give up gossiping -- control your tongue.

Give up sin -- turn to virtue.

Give up giving up -- hang in there!" - unknown author

Through Christ Our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* Bible: Readings and reflections for today.
* 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 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.
Let's joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group...Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!