Matthew 5:23-24 (forgiveness)

* Welcome God every morning before 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).

If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

Living Faith snippets: “Jesus comes right out and says that our relationship with God simply cannot ever be separated from our relationships with one another. If we want to be on good terms with God we better do all we can to be on good terms with the folks we live and work with everyday. If we want to slip into church on a regular basis for the usual religious and spiritual reasons, we had better see the connections between church and our daily life, between God and spouse, God and children, God and friends, God and perfect strangers.” by Mitch Finley

Rich’s comments: Have you ever gone to church after having an unsettled argument with a loved one? I have done this before. Sitting in church angry, I feel like a hypocrite. If you have ever done a good examination of conscience before confession, you will notice that the examination is usually broken down into the 10 commandments. Under the section for “You shall not kill” it asks if you have been angry or resentful. Sister Francelle’s message from 5 June stated, “Jesus says regarding judging – DON’t! Why did Our Lord speak so strongly against judging others? I think the reason is because we cannot see what is in the heart.” I usually forget, but I always try to remind myself when I am quick to anger that most people want to do good and have the best intentions. Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see the holy in others. Amen.

ProLife news: lifesitenews.com

Our Prayers: Abortion, our enemies, our troops, China earthquake, Myanmar cyclone, depression/despair, prisoners, Vicki Miller (her cancer treatment), Carlson family (sell their home)

Rich

Romans 12:12

* Outreach: Let’s gladly invite those near us to join our LIFE Devotions group (Mark 16:15), providing routine spiritual connection and strength (simply forward a devotion with an invitation).

* Today’s Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml.

* 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.”

* 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. Click for Prayer to End Abortion.

* Evangelization: Let’s make room for non-believers (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.