Luke 12:37 (prepare the way of the Lord)

Let's welcome God this morning 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

Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Luke 12:37 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Just as parents arriving home from a vacation do not want to find their teenager hosting a raging party, Jesus doesn't want to return to a disrespectful mess either. How will he feel if he comes back to collect his beloved people, the ones he gave his life for, only to discover that we have let our families and churches fall apart, made idols of money and worldly success, and allowed sin to pollute us? Like the parents of the teenager, I imagine he will not be amused." by Kristin Armstrong

Rich's comments: Only a few times during my 12 year marriage have I ever been left home alone while my wife was away on a trip. Although I embrace the rules of our household, I tend to slack a bit during these periods and let the chores slide. I usually wait until the day before she comes home to catch up on cleaning the house and doing yard work. Similarly, I sometimes slack a bit on maintaining my spiritual life and striving towards holiness. The only difference is that Jesus is not away on a trip. He is always present with us. Lord, help me be vigilant. Amen.

Faith Challenges: Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (>240 of God's children).
* NEW: Don't be discouraged if you periodically fall during your path to holiness. A Christian always picks themselves up and continues the race.

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!

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), Joyce Trunk (friend w/brain cancer)

Feast Day: St. Paul of the Cross

Faith Quote: "Give me chastity and continence, but not yet." - St. Augustine

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, 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 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).

Matthew 24:42 (live your faith today)

Let's welcome God this morning 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

Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Matthew 24:42 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "If I am deliberately conscious of how I am living and responding, I will be ready for when my life ends. Each day provides countless opportunities to grow in virtue. There are endless situations for welcoming Christ in others. There are continual reminders to live gratefully. There are untold possibilities for responding to God's grace. If I am attentive and alert to these matters, then I need not live with fear or concern about the timing of my death." by Sr. Joyce Rupp

Rich's comments: This weekend my church is having a Time and Talent Festival in which the parishioners will be presented with many opportunities to share their time and talent that God has given them. Many will volunteer for different ministries that will serve the church and surrounding community, and others will ignore the call to serve. It is easy to put things off to the future when we feel we will have more money to give or time to serve. It is easy to become complacent and comfortable with business as usual without adding any new challenges to our life that might deepen our faith. Turn off the cruise control and start living your faith today.

Faith Challenge: Let's invite others to join our LIFE Group (>215 Christians).
* NEW: Be receptive to the opportunities to live out your faith today.

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 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, Rich Reich (friend Carolyn battling cancer), Peters family (JP in hospital), Stephanie Spader (healthy pregnancy), Steve/Tina Castle (sell their home).

Feast Day: St. Monica (the mother of St. Augustine).

Faith Quote: "Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others. " - St. Augustine

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.