05 Jul Jesus Has the Authority (Matthew 9:5-7) by Matthew Laugeman
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
.
“Which is easier, to say,’ Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on Earth to forgive sins”—He then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher and go home.” He rose and went home. ~ Matthew 9:5-7 (full readings)
.
Matt’s Reflections: No matter where you go today on this beautiful creation called Earth, you’ll notice all the calendars read July 5th, 2012. That means something happened 2012 years ago that was so profound and beyond humanity’s grasp of reality, that we base our time continuum from it. Just like what the Scribes witnessed in Jesus’s home town in the Gospel of Matthew today, the Gospels record many other supernatural examples of the power of Jesus Christ whom Christians’ across this great globe have come to know as Lord, God and Savior! His last commandment before ascending to the right hand of the Father was “Love one another as I have loved you.” To be called a Christian means to follow Christ. Brothers and sisters, to kill is not to love. To kill is not Christian. To kill is Satan’s pleasure, desire and will! According to statistics, polls and surveys, Christians are the majority in this country. Where is the Christian vote? One may be able to pull a curtain, but the Father who sees all things, knows. How will you vote?
* Matt Laugeman is husband to Teresa, father to Jacob and Michael and a LIFE Runner. Matt volunteers as host of “St. Joseph Radio Presents”, a one hour talk show broadcast on EWTN Radio.
.
Faith Challenge: Be an example of Jesus’ love and authority. Take Him with you into secular society and the polling place this November.
.
Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA,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. Anthony Zaccaria.
.
Faith Quote: “True love causes pain. Jesus, in order to give us the proof of His love, died on the cross. A mother, in order to give birth to her baby, has to suffer. If you really love one another, you will not be able to avoid making sacrifices.” ~ Blessed Mother Teresa
.
Through Christ our Lord,
Matt
Ephesians 5:10-14
.
* 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.