15 Nov Revelation 2:4-5 (first love)
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (archive, Facebook).
“Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first.” Revelation 2:4-5 (full readings)
Rich’s Reflections: I remember when I first started dating my wife Erica, and we couldn’t stop talking. I had this overwhelming desire to learn as much as I possibly could about her. I experienced this same passionate feeling with my metanoia in 2006, in which I was head-over-heals in love with Christ. I felt that I couldn’t learn enough about Him fast enough. After all, I had neglected my relationship with Jesus all my life, and I was just now catching up. One thing that I have learned from 13 years of marriage with Erica is that you need to continue to do the things that you did when you first fell in love no matter how busy your life gets. Likewise, in today’s reading from Revelation, we are told to “do the works [we] did at first” when we first fell in love with our Lord. Lord, I love You. May my life be a gift to You and my works give proof to my love. Amen.
Faith Challenge: Reflect on your first love of Christ. What works made you feel closer to Him?
Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action.
* Sarah Palin Warns ObamaCare ‘Biggest Advance’ of U.S. Abortion Industry
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Carolyn McKissack (daughter Karen’s health), Kathy Schwab (5 yr old Daltoncancer), Jamie Simpson (special intention), Rob Rysavy (Adam Rogers mission trip), Angi Castle (Nicole’s cancer)
Feast Day: St. Albert the Great: a scientist long before the age of science.
Faith Quote: “It is by the path of love, which is charity, that God draws near to man, and man to God. But where charity is not found, God cannot dwell. If, then, we possess charity, we possess God, for God is Charity” – St. Albert the Great
Through Christ Our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22
* 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.