LIFE Runners Devotions
12 Feb Trumpet Up (Is 58:1) by Pastor Steve Selfridge
"Thus says the Lord GOD: Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; Tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins." ~ Is 58:1 (full readings) . Pastor Steve's Reflections: "Thus says the Lord GOD: Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up your voice like...
11 Feb Make Room for God’s Abundance (Lk 9:24-25) by Alice Chapman
"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?" ~ Lk 9:24-25 (full readings) . Alice's Reflections: As we transition from the abundance and...
10 Feb Ash Wednesday (Ps 51:14) by Sr. Francelle Clark
"Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain me." ~ Ps 51:14 (full readings) Sr. Francelle's Reflections: I look forward to the season of Lent with joy and excitement, because I know so many are going to get closer to Jesus. Lent prepares us for...
09 Feb Traditionally Speaking (Mk 7:1-13) by Paul Westendorf
"…they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the traditions of the elders?" ~ Mk 7:1-13 (full readings) Paul's Reflections: Granted I grew up in the era of...
08 Feb Bringing People To Jesus (Mk 6:56) by Jeff Grabosky
"Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed." ~ Mk 6:56 (full readings) . Jeff's Reflections: A very clear picture is drawn in Mark's Gospel of...
05 Feb Find Your Source of Strength (Sirach 47:11) by Grant Fenske
"The Lord took away his sins, making his strength ever greater; he gave him a royal covenant, and a glorious throne in Israel." ~ Sirach 47:11 (full readings) . Grant's Reflections: In today’s readings we are told about David’s life and where his strength comes from. We...
04 Feb Abide in Him (Deut 4:9) by Karen Patnaude
"Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your...
03 Feb On the Right Side of the Fence, Every Time (2 Sam 24:10) by Scott Casmer
"Afterward, however, David regretted having numbered the people, and said to the LORD: 'I have sinned grievously in what I have done. But now, LORD, forgive the guilt of your servant, for I have been very foolish.'" ~ 2 Sam 24:10 (full readings) . Scott's Reflections: Today's reading from the second book of Samuel...
02 Feb Life facts (Lk 2:29-31) by Angi Castle
"Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all peoples.” ~ Lk 2:29-31 (full readings) Angi's Reflections: Simeon was a faithful man and it was revealed...
01 Feb Jesus Banned (Mk 5:17) by Dr. Rich Reich
"Before long they were begging Him to go away from their district." ~ Mk 5:17 (full readings) .Rich's Reflections: In the Gospel today, the Gereasenes were terrorized by a demoniac who lived amid the tombs, screamed uninterruptedly, and gashed himself with stones. Jesus drove a legion of demons...
29 Jan An Easy Start (2 Sam 11:1b-2) by Joshua Bachman
"Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem." ~ 2 Sam 11:1b-2 (full readings) . Joshua's...
28 Jan Prayer, Building Bridges of Life (1 Tim 2:1-2) by Pastor Rick Foreman
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.There is an appointed time...
27 Jan Be Rich Soil (Mk 4:8) by Dr. Pat Castle
"And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit." ~ Mk 4:8 (full readings) . Pat's Reflections: LIFE Runners are truly rich soil and capable of producing Pro-Life fruit. However, we can't produce Pro-Life fruit without planting lots of seeds and watering those seeds with love and...
26 Jan Who’s Will Are You Doing? (Mk 3:34-35) by Sara Beaner
"And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.'" ~ Mk 3:34-35 (full readings) . Sara's Reflections: Have you ever asked your own child/children, or your own grandchild,...
25 Jan Conversion (Acts 22:15) by Dr. Rich Reich
"For you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard." ~ Acts 22:15 (full readings) .Rich's Reflections: The conversion of Paul is repeated three times at considerable length in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 9:1-22, Acts 22:1-21, Acts 26:1-23). This threefold repetition indicates how...
22 Jan Our Calling (Mk 3:13-15) by Grant Fenske
"He now went up onto the mountain and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to proclaim the message, with power to drive out devils." ~ Mk 3:13-15 (full readings) . Grant's Reflections:...
21 Jan Protecting the Innocent (1 Sm 19:5) by Amy Kosta
"When he took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the LORD won a great victory for all Israel, you were glad to see it. Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood by killing David without cause?" ~ 1 Sm...
20 Jan Pep Talk (1 Sam 17:45-47) by Mary Grabosky
'David answered him: "You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted. Today the LORD shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike...
19 Jan All Life Matters (Acts 10:35) by Anna Dwinger
"But in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him." ~ Acts 10:35 (full readings) . Anna's Reflections: Two civilians and a police officer were killed when a gunman opened fire at a Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic in November 2015. During...
15 Jan Break Through the Crowd (Mk 2:2) by Dr. Rich Reich
"They began to gather in great numbers. There was no longer any room for them, even around the door." ~ Mk 2:2 (full readings) .Rich's Reflections: In the Gospel today, we read about Jesus being surrounded by such large crowds that it was almost impossible to approach Him....
28 Dec Simple Is Too Easy (2 Kings 5:13-14) by Karen Patnaude
"Naaman’s servants went to him and said, 'My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!'" ~ 2 Kings 5:13-14 (full readings) . Karen's Reflections: In our...
24 Dec Tender Compassion of Our God (Lk 1:78-79) by Angi Castle
“In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” ~ Lk 1:78-79 (full readings) Angi's Reflections:...
23 Dec Tongue-Tied (Lk 1:64) by Dr. Rich Reich
"Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God." ~ Lk 1:64 (full readings) .Rich's Reflections: In today's Gospel, Zechariah's tongue was loosed to praise the Lord when he obeyed the archangel Gabriel by naming his son "John". Are we tongue-tied when it comes to...
21 Dec Say Yes (Lk 1:45) by Kevin McNicholas
"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.'" ~ Lk 1:45 (full readings) . Kevin's Reflections: St. Elizabeth makes a great statement both to and about Mary here, one that is as true today as it was 2,015 years ago. The Holy...
18 Dec To EVERYTHING There is a Season (Ecc 3:1) by Pastor Rick Foreman
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven." ~ Ecc 3:1 (full readings) Pastor Rick's Reflections: A.W. Tozer once said, "When you kill time, remember that it has no resurrection. So many people in today’s society are living as...
15 Dec Lip Service (Mt 21:30) by Dr. Rich Reich
"He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go." ~ Mt 21:30 (full readings) .Rich's Reflections: In today's Gospel, Jesus asked the opinion of the chief priests and the elders of the people, "Who did his father's will?" One son said no to working in the vineyard,...
09 Dec My Yoke (Mt 11:28-30) by Mary Grabosky
"Jesus said to the crowds: 'Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke...
01 Dec Blessed are We (Lk 10:24) by Dr. Pat Castle
"[Jesus] said, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it." ~ Lk 10:24 (full readings) . Pat's Reflections: Blessed are the LIFE Runners who see and hear the goodness of the Lord...
30 Nov Fish Story (Mt 4:19) by Dr. Rich Reich
"Come after Me and I will make you fishers of men." ~ Mt 4:19 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: Today is the feast day of St. Andrew. In the Gospel today, the first thing that Andrew did after meeting Jesus was to seek out his brother Simon and tell him...
23 Nov Happiness is Fleeting (Lk 21:3-4) by Kevin McNicholas
"He said, 'I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.'" ~ Mt 21:27 (full readings) . Kevin's Reflections: The widow really made a great impression on Jesus...
13 Nov Preserve a Life (Lk 17:33) by Michael Rackers
"From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!" ~ Lk 17:33 (full readings) . Michael's Reflections: Is there any other verse in the Bible that epitomizes the dilemma...
28 Oct Pray (Lk 6:12) by Pastor Steve Selfridge
"Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God." ~ Lk 6:12 (full readings) . Pastor Steve's Reflections: In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us to find a secret place to pray in. Jesus went alone and prayed. Where is this place for...
27 Oct Glory Revealed (Rom 8:18) by Alice Chapman
"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us." ~ Rom 8:18 (full readings) . Alice's Reflections: Sometimes it’s almost overwhelming to contemplate all of the suffering that exists in this earthly life. Every day, the news and...
27 Oct Glory Revealed (Rom 8:18) by Alice Chapman
"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us." ~ Rom 8:18 (full readings) . Alice's Reflections: Sometimes it’s almost overwhelming to contemplate all of the suffering that exists in this earthly life. Every day, the news and...
26 Oct The Law of Human Dignity (Rom 8:15) by Fr. Jonathan
"For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, 'Abba, Father!'" ~ Rom 8:15 (full readings) . Fr. Jonathan's Reflections: In the Gospel of the day, Jesus encounters a woman who had been crippled...
23 Oct Run with Endurance (Heb 12:1) by Finau Leggett
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." ~ Heb 12:1 (full readings) . Finau's Reflections: Today...
22 Oct Live Your Faith (Lk 12:51) by Kevin McNicholas
"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." ~ Lk 12:51 (full readings) . Kevin's Reflections: That is very true! Jesus is probably the most divisive figure in history, though maybe not the way most people would think. In...
22 Oct Live Your Faith (Lk 12:51) by Kevin McNicholas
"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." ~ Lk 12:51 (full readings) . Kevin's Reflections: That is very true! Jesus is probably the most divisive figure in history, though maybe not the way most people would think. In...
21 Oct Choosing Who is Your Master (Rom 6:14) by Joshua Bachman
"For sin is not to have any power over you, since you are not under the law but under grace." ~ Rom 6:14 (full readings) . Joshua's Reflections: Choice. What has power over your choices? In today’s Gospel, Our Lord discusses the servant who is always ready and doing his master’s...
20 Oct Grace Overflows (Rom 5:20) by Peggy Bowes
"The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more…" ~ Rom 5:20 (full readings) . Peggy's Reflections: I think that anyone who has ever spent time praying in front of an abortion clinic understands the phrase, "… where sin increased,...
20 Oct Grace Overflows (Rom 5:20) by Peggy Bowes
"The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more…" ~ Rom 5:20 (full readings) . Peggy's Reflections: I think that anyone who has ever spent time praying in front of an abortion clinic understands the phrase, "… where sin increased,...
19 Oct Trust in God (Lk 12:19) by Dr. Rich Reich
"Then I will say to myself: You have blessings in reserve for years to come. Relax!" ~ Lk 12:19 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: I don't like to gamble, but imagine if you won the lottery and received a million dollars. What would you do? Today's Gospel tells the...
19 Oct Trust in God (Lk 12:19) by Dr. Rich Reich
"Then I will say to myself: You have blessings in reserve for years to come. Relax!" ~ Lk 12:19 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: I don't like to gamble, but imagine if you won the lottery and received a million dollars. What would you do? Today's Gospel tells the...
16 Oct Do Not be Afraid (Lk 12:4) by Chris Engelhart
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more." ~ Lk 12:4 (full readings) . Chris' Reflections: How often do I read the paper or on the computer a story of evil working in the world? It’s everywhere:...
15 Oct Blood Generation (Lk 11:51) by Dr. Rich Reich
"From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!" ~ Lk 11:51 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: Jesus told the religious leaders of His time that their generation would...
15 Oct Blood Generation (Lk 11:51) by Dr. Rich Reich
"From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!" ~ Lk 11:51 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: Jesus told the religious leaders of His time that their generation would...
14 Oct Woe to You? (Lk 11:46) by Sara Beaner
"And he said, 'Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.'" ~ Lk 11:46 (full readings) . Sara's Reflections: How many of us like to eat fresh fruits and veggies? So do I....
13 Oct Live the Gospel (Rom 1:16) by Keven McNicholas
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes...
09 Oct United We Stand (Lk 11:23) by Amy Kosta
"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." ~ Lk 11:23 (full readings) . Amy's Reflections: Today in Luke’s gospel Jesus speaks strong words to His followers, challenging them to abandon their sinfulness and follow Him. He demands the whole heart...