20 Jun Images of Life (Psalm 139:15-16) by Pastor Scott Schmieding
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
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“My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” ~ Psalm 139:15-16 (full readings)
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Pastor Scott’s Reflections: I remember showing family and friends the very first pictures of my children. They were black and white images and a bit fuzzy. They were snapshots from their ultrasounds in the mid-1990s. I can still recall the gel being squeezed out of the tube and spread on my wife’s expanding mid-section. Then the technician began showing us the miracle under the skin. I was in awe to see the images of my children when they were just several months of age—jumping, sucking their thumbs, and smiling. Those pictures have migrated from my billfold, to our fridge and then eventually to a scrapbook. The Psalmist reminds us that God knew and saw our developing bodies before we were born. What a blessing that advancing technology enables our eyes to see the amazing reality of life before birth. High definition and multi-dimensional ultrasound images provide us with a window to the womb. The miracle of life is not invisible. The evidence is obvious and undeniable. God gave us brains to develop incredible technology that provides vivid details of the miracle of life before birth. Pray that God would use ultrasound technology to open many eyes to see and accept this evidence of the miracle of life. Also pray that God’s Spirit would open spiritual eyes and grant faith to those who do not yet see God as the inventor and author of all life.
* Rev. Scott Schmieding is Senior Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Saint Charles, Missouri. He is married to Susie, and blessed with two children: Jenna and Paul. He is also a survivor of stage 3 tongue cancer.
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Faith Challenge: E-mail or post ultrasound pictures of babies in the womb on social media to magnify God’s miracle of life. Intentionally pray that God would open the eyes of those who have ignored or denied the evidence of life before birth.
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Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA,Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day: St. Paulinus of Nola.
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Faith Quote: “Live every day as if Christ died yesterday, rose today and is coming tomorrow.” ~ Unknown
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In Christ’s Joy,
Pr. Scott
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* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will and 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 (and families): Abortion (images) is #1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 and 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 and re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.