28 Feb Bring Souls Back to God (Jer 17:7-10) by Doug Lugge
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
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“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its root to the stream…I, the Lord, alone probe the mind and test the heart, to reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds.” ~ Jer 17:7-10 (full readings)
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Doug’s Reflections: The prophet, Jeremiah, reminds us to trust and hope in the Lord, even when things appear very difficult and when our efforts show no signs of improving a culture that continues to move backwards. Seek the gains in individuals, in the stories where a mom changed her mind and kept her child, when a dad fought for his child, or the converted hearts who are speaking out. We have to change hearts and minds. Remember that the battle is already won. Christ is victorious! Our goal is to bring souls back to God, to help them recognize the gift of their life and the life of others, and to help everyone to be born to give praise to God. What a great story we’ve just had with the 16 year old girl who stood up to her Dad and won her suit against her parents to keep her child. She knew, in her heart, that killing her child would not solve any problems, that it is wrong. In the end, their child will bring hope and love to her and the baby’s father that they cannot foresee at this point. The verse before the Gospel is also excellent, “Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverence” (Lk 8:15). Persevere for our unborn brothers and sisters and their mothers and fathers! Persevere for those nearing the end of life, that they will get the love and support they need from those around them. Love them all!
* Doug and his wife Jill have been married 25 years and are blessed with 4 children. Doug has been teaching PSR Confirmation Prep for 12 yrs and has taken youth from the Belleville, IL diocese to the Washington DC March for Life for the last 10 yrs.
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Faith Challenge: Seek to provide clothing, diapers, strollers, car seats, etc. to a local Pregnancy Care Center or Women’s shelter..
Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, 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: Blessed Daniel Brottier.
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Faith Quote: Good Jesus, who alone order all things well. I cast myself on your infinite, undeserved love. I trust in you with my all..myself, and all who I love, and all that I desire, my present, my future, my hopes and my fears, my time and my eternity, my joys and my sorrows. Deal with me as you will and know best, only bind me safe to your everlasting love! ~ Prayer Book for Religious (1914) #668
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Through Christ our Lord,
Doug