20 Mar God’s Law vs. Man’s Laws (John 5:10)
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided byLIFE Runners (FB). Guest Authors.
>
“So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.'” John 5:10 (full readings)
>
Rob’s Reflections: Today we hear of another instance where Jesus swam against the cultural tide. Manmade Jewish rules of the time had made it unlawful to do virtually anything on the sabbath. Into that culture Jesus inserts a call to always do the right thing, even if it requires acting against the cultural norms and rules of the time. We face a similar situation in our culture today regarding our laws. Abortion? Legal from conception until the moment before birth. Assisted suicide? Legal in Washington, Oregon and Montana. Drugs? “Medical” marijuana is legal in 18 states. How about a law prohibiting religious freedom? Such a law will become the law of the land in ALL 50 STATES in the U.S. starting in August 2013. Next year, federal law will require church-affiliated organizations to provide contraception and sterilization “services” in health care plans for their employees. This law will have a profound impact on many organizations, specifically Catholic-affiliated organizations. Although politicians and the media have misled us by referring to this as a “women’s rights” issue, it is in fact an intentional and direct attack on religious freedom. The Catholic Church has never wavered in its religious belief that contraception and sterilization are wrong. Those beliefs are now under direct attack. And worse, the implementer of this evil mandate is a self-proclaimed Catholic, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Popular culture, powerful politicians and even many Catholics have forgotten that laws are supposed to protect our freedoms, not eliminate them.
>
Faith Challenge: Our culture is asleep at the wheel and dangerously misinformed on this issue. At noon this Friday (3/23) WAKE UP and stand with those who choose to say no to a roll back of our religious freedoms. Join the peaceful, prayerful Nationwide Rally for Religious Freedom and find a rally location near you by going to the Stand Up for Religious Freedom locations website. If you can’t find a rally in your state or near you, reach out to the rally co-chairs, their contact info is on the web site. If you believe your presence is unnecessary or that someone else will speak up for you, read the faith quote below NOW.
>
Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA, Vatican, Project Rachel.
>
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed & Patron Saint. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
>
Feast Day: Saint Salvator of Horta.
>
Faith Quote:
First they came for the communists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.
~ Pastor Martin Niemoller (1892-1984). Of note, he was an early supporter of Adolf Hitler and made comments many deem anti-semitic. He eventually saw the incrementally evil policies Hitler was perpetrating for what they were, an attack on religious freedom. When he finally spoke out, it was too late. Hitler’s policies proceeded and Niemoller spent 8 years in Nazi concentration camps. If Niemoller were alive today, perhaps he would say, “First they came for the Catholics…”?
>
Through Christ Our Lord,
Rob
Mark 9:24
>
* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will & 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 (& family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (23% pregnancies).Prov 24:11 & 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 & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.