Mark 1:17-18 (blessings of obedience)

Welcome God every morning before your work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith (livingfaith.com). All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Jesus said to them, “Come after me; I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed Him.” Mark 1:17-18

Living Faith snippets: “Recently in prayer, I had been hearing God’s prompting to tackle a project, but I kept putting it off. Have you been hearing His voice lately? Today, how will you respond? Dear Lord, help me abandon my will and do Yours without hesitation.” by Rebecca Sande

* While reading today’s devotion, I smiled as I realized the following “God sighting.” In yesterday’s 3rd grade religious education class, I asked each of the students, “What does God want you to do today?” Coincidence, I think not! Although our western culture does not like the word, “obedience” to our loving God is exactly what will set us free to have peace/joy now and forever.

ProLife news: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ & http://www.priestsforlife.org/

* Let’s never forget the horrific reality of abortion (click here for images).

* Let’s pray for courage to communicate the ProLife message through Christ to those around us (John 14:6)…rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16).

Our Prayers: Prayer to End Abortion, chastity, our enemies, our troops, natural disasters, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, loss of loved ones, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, Mike Castle (eye infection), Joe Levisky (medical issues), Rob Ouellette (St. Pat’s prayer list), Dan Castle (for alcoholics), Jason Peters (health of son JP), Peace in the Middle East (Iraq, Gaza), Papa Joe Castle (bleeding in brain), Lynn Bishara (Aunt Mary battling cancer)
* NEW: Rich Reich (Grandma passed away), Kay Castle (Bill Lund family)

Faith Quote: “Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ.” A.W. Tozer

Through Christ for ProLife,

Pat
Phil 4:13

* Today’s Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml. Reflection on readings at http://www.daily-meditations.org/index2.html

* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson lyrics, “When God’s people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven, and miracles you can’t explain await!” ‘If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead & see Him.’

* Fasting: Let’s fast from things that takes our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, bitterness, being so critical, impatience, judgment, gossip, excessive video games, etc) and take on things that fix our eyes on Jesus (selflessness, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, patience, understanding, caring, helping, listening).
* Defend the unborn: ‘Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die’ (Prov 24:11). ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you’ (Jer 1:5). ‘It is a great poverty that a child must die that you might lie as you wish’ Blessed Mother Teresa.

* Evangelization: Let’s make room for unbelievers (be a friend, make a friend, lead friend to Christ) and perpetual re-evangelization of self and those near us, by way of daily prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of selfless love, mercy, and service.