15 Mar Lk 11:14 (A House Divided) by Shane Kapler
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
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“Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.” ~ Lk 11:14 (full readings)
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Shane’s Reflections: Today’s readings are too rich to focus upon just one. In Jeremiah 7:23-28, we hear God’s complaint about a nation that refused to take correction. Psalm 95 continues this theme, “If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” In the Gospel reading Jesus tells us that a house divided against itself cannot stand. All of this speaks to me of our nation today. The United States proclaims liberty and extols human rights, and yet denies the most fundamental right – that to life – to over one million of its children every year. Our nation is rotting from the inside, and if it refuses to turn from this path it will eventually collapse. What is the answer? The rest of today’s Gospel reading! Jesus drives a mute spirit out of a man – he makes us able to use our voices to protest what is going on. We use our voices to protest, but even more importantly to pray. We pray to the “Stronger Man,” who is able to bind Satan, bind the evil of abortion, and exorcise it from the hearts and minds of our nation’s citizenry.
* Shane Kapler (LIFE Runner) is the author of “The God Who is Love: Explaining Christianity From Its Center” and co-author of “Tending the Temple”. He works as a speech therapist in St. Louis, but his favorite “job” is being a Dad. Visit www.explainingchristianity.com.
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Faith Challenge: Petition Jesus to speak His mighty word of command and defeat the spiritual powers at work behind the scenes, blinding people to the horror of abortion and the effect it has upon the soul of our nation.
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Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA,Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption,Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on ourwebsite. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, LIFE Runners, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day: St. Louise de Marillac.
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Faith Quote: “When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when One Stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, He takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils” ~ Lk 11:21-22.
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Through Christ our Lord,
Shane
John 18:37
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* 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.