Mark 6:5-6 (everyone needs healing)

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. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

So He was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying His hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. Mark 6:5-6

Living Faith snippets: “The gospel story teaches us that our cooperation is essential if we are to be changed by the healing touch of God. Without the openness of faith, the healing power of Jesus cannot enter into us. Love can only enter into our minds and hearts when they are open through the gift of trust. All of us need some kind of healing. Lord, help me to see where I need to be healed, and increase my faith in the power of your healing love.” by Fr. Kenneth Grabner

Pat nuggets: John Shannon, Shane Hall, Angi, and me (LIFE Runners) had our picture taken with ex-Gov Blagojevich after the River to River race in IL (Apr 2005). At the time, I did not realize that Gov Blagojevich is strongly pro-abortion. His removal from office last week was a victory for unborn IL residents (details here). While stationed in Turkey, Angi and me had dinner with then Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (2002). Although he was very kind to us, we will not support him with his staunchly pro-abortion stance. Sen Daschle’s removal from consideration (yesterday) for secretary of health and human services is a victory for unborn Americans! Today’s Living Faith devotion (above) highlights that we are all patients who need spiritual healing, and Pastor Don’s devotion (below) highlights how love is first patient. Heavenly Father, we pray that mothers with unplanned pregnancies will have patience (love, trust) to carry their children.

Pastor Don: Read his devotion titled “Patience!“. Some snippets: “Do you struggle with patience? 2 Peter 1:5-7 shares with us, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” Is your patience being tested today? Great! Remember, love is (first of all) patient. [1 Cor. 13:4] The Lord is training you toward godliness – to perfect your love and with it to transform the world around you for His glory!”

Faith Challenge: Let’s challenge each other to J.O.Y.-fully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15). Suggestions?
* NEW: Strive to set aside at least one hour throughout each day for loving your spouse (visiting, helping, just being together)…and at least one hour throughout each day for loving your children (visiting, get on their level, just be with them).

Culture War/ProLife News: LifeSiteNews, American Family Association, Priests for Life

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

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas below.

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

* Prayer to End Abortion, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, Pres Obama becomes ProLife, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, Papa Joe Castle (brain bleed resolution), Maureen Morgan (reconciliation for Sue Peterson and son), Rich Reich (Fr. Tim prostate surgery Thurs)

* NEW: Liz Curry (abused children), Rob Ouellette (Helmy, Ruth, Shane, Reda’s father, Di), Zek Kazanca (PhD exam 12 Feb in Turkey), Peters family (JP updates, consider fasting for him)

Faith Quote: “Fasting transcends the earthly dimension and pursues an objective that is beyond this world.” Cardinal Cordes

Through Christ for ProLife,
Pat

Phil 4:13

* Bible: Readings and reflections for today.

* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson, “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.’

* Fasting: Let’s fast from things that take our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, bitterness, being so critical, impatience, 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 live 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.

Let’s J.O.Y.-fully invite others to add their email to the LIFE Group devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!