28 Sep Appointed Time (Eccl. 3:1) by Steve Castle
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
.
“There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for everything under the heavens.” ~ Eccl. 3:1 (full readings)
.
Steve’s Reflections: It seems in today’s culture we have lost sight of the fact that God is ultimately in control. We are consumed with planning every detail of our life, yet scripture tells us that all things will pass away (Matt. 24:35). Today’s first reading is often used at funerals because it speaks directly to the spiritual reality that God has appointed every moment of our life. He knew us before we were knit in our mother’s womb (Jer. 1:5); He counted the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7); He knew where we would sit and where we would stand (Psalm 139:2). He is with us at every moment of joy and pain, when we laugh and when we cry, and when we dance and when we morn. We are also told that there is a time to be silent and a time to speak (Eccl. 3:7). We are quickly approaching the time when our votes can be our voice for those without a voice – the unborn. The time has come to speak boldly in the marketplace wherever God has planted you.
* Steve Castle serves on the LIFE Group board, is a regular Friday devotion author, and produces the LIFE Minute. Him and his wife Tina lead the Fergus Falls MN LIFE Runners Chapter and attend to their number one ministry; their four children. Full bio.
.
Faith Challenge: Pray today for the “appointed time” of our country. So much hangs in the balance, so let your vote be your voice!
.
Sr. Francelle’s Devotions: Only God Can Give Life and Only God Can Take It Away (10 Feb, 2008)
Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
.
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.
.
Feast Day: St. Wenceslaus (d. 929) A political saint who was murdered by political enemies i.e. “Good King Wenceslaus!”
.
Faith Quote: “While recognizing the autonomy and reality of politics, Christians who are invited to take up political activity should try to make their choices consistent with the Gospel and, in the framework of legitimate plurality, to give both personal and collective witness to the seriousness of their faith by effective and disinterested service of men.” ~ Pope Paul IV (A Call to Action, 46)
.
Through Christ our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:12
.
* 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.