24 Nov Luke 21:13-15 (Giving Testimony)
.
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (archive, Facebook).
.
“It will lead to your giving testimony…I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.” Luke 21:13-15 (full readings)
.
Pat’s Reflections: In testifying that you personally know Jesus is our Lord, you receive His gift of wisdom, allowing you to speak Truth that others can not “resist or refute”. May we have courage to testify that the Unborn are precious, defenseless babies. Let us give thanks to God that we live in a country where we are able to defend the Unborn and our faith. Religious freedom is not shared by all countries…and was greatly appreciated by the Pilgrims and our Founding Fathers. Fr. Frank Pavone shared this Thanksgiving reflection: “We rejoice in the God who has given us life and freedom. The Founding Fathers of the United States of America were Godly men, who understood their dependence on God and the fact that He was the source of all their blessings. The single most frequently used source for their ideas and writings was the Bible, and they taught that the nation they were founding could never survive without the worship of God and adherence to His law. They did not believe in the kind of separation of Church and state that some espouse today — in fact, the phrase is found nowhere in the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. Rather, the Declaration declares our dependence upon God four separate times. Let us give thanks for our nation and for our faith.” The intent was obviously for the state to not interfere with religious freedom and for religion (God) to be integral in upholding the state. Tomorrow’s guest author, Pastor Don Bird, has a bountiful devotion ready to send us. Happy/Blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours!
* Advent starts Sunday…time to find the Advent Wreath (Christmas birthday candles). How does Christ want us to prepare for His birthday? Whatever we do for the least of His children, we have done for Him (Matt 25:37-40). Yesterday, we replenished the $10 McDonald’s gift cards in our vehicles…for giving to those in need along the roadways. Everyone, including the givers, is fed Christmas joy when Jesus’ birthday gifts are focused on children and the needy. We can testify to that!
.
Faith Challenge: How does Christ want us to prepare for His birthday? Over the Thanksgiving break, visit with your extended family about combining the adult’s Christmas gift exchange funds for a designated charity…and prepare to be blessed!
.
Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action.
* Nearly 25% of UK women in 20s have had an abortion: survey
.
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). View, add, update Prayers on our new website. Let’s pray now.
.
Feast Day: St. Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions
.
Faith Quote: “Each of us has to find his/her own answer to the question Jesus put to his disciples, and now puts to each one of us: But you, who do you say I am? (Mt 16:15)” ~ John Paul II
.
Through Christ Our Lord,
Pat
Phil 4:13
.
* 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.
