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

Psalm 90:17 (reflecting God's work)

* 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 (livingfaith.com). All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Prosper the work of our hands for us! Psalm 90:17

Living Faith snippets: "What does it mean to ask God to "prosper" the work that our hands do? When our "work" prospers, more happens than financial success or affirmation of what we achieve. We know our work prospers when the best of who we are comes forth, when what we do benefits not only ourselves but others, when the results of our work offer wisdom and guidance for the next generation. One of the ways to ensure that our work prospers is by daily rededicating all we are and all we do to the One who helps our work succeed." by Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.

Rich's comments: Tomorrow, September 26th, another movie by Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia will be coming out. These are the creators of the surprise success movie of 2006, Facing the Giants. This moviemaking ministry produces very low budget movies with a priceless message. I heard from my radio this morning that the actors are not paid, equipment is donated, Sunday school teachers prepare meals for the film crew and actors, they begin each day of filming in prayer, etc., all so that they can bring a powerful message to everyone. Kirk Cameron, who is an actor in the film, said that this movie set is a lot different than most Hollywood sets in that there are no egos or financial matters to worry about. This is a perfect example of what it means to ask God to "prosper" the work of our hands; to reflect God's love. Go to the official movie website at http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/ to find out more information.

40 Days for Life campaign (24 Sep to 2 Nov): http://www.40daysforlife.com/
* Campaigns in 179 cities in 47 states (24/7 for 40 days). Please consider signing up to pray an hour in front your local abortion mill.
* ProLife news: http://www.lifenews.com/.

Our Prayers: Abortion's end, chastity, our enemies, our troops, natural disasters, depression/ despair, dementia, cancer cure, prisoners, leaders integrity, loss of loved ones, lack of faith, Chad Livingston (childhood pastor's wife Kathy diagnosed with cancer).

Faith Quote: "Are you building your kingdom or God's kingdom?" -anonymous author

Through Christ Our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* Today's Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml. Reflection on readings at http://www.daily-meditations.org/index2.html
* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson lyrics, “When God's people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven, and miracles you can't explain await!” "If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead & see Him."
* 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 lie as you wish' Blessed Mother Teresa. Prayer to End Abortion.
* Evangelization: Let's make room for non-believers (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 live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!