10 Oct Who You Listen to Matters (Gal 2:2) by Dale Bartscher
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
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“I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.” ~ Gal 2:2 (full readings)
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Dale’s Reflections: Here we find the Apostle Paul having one of those ‘been there, done that’ kind of a moments; one we have all experienced – FEAR. For a fleeting moment he doubted his calling as he questioned, “Had I run my race in vain?” The good news is that his doubt did not last long. Paul reaffirms his calling as we read later on in verse 8, “For God…was also at work in my ministry….” Paul had an attitude adjustment. What made the difference? We find here two life lessons that aided Paul and will do the same for you and I. First, he listened to His God and second, he was encouraged by his fellow believers. Recently Jane Fryer wrote in the Daily Mail (U.K.) of Sir Roger Bannister: In 1954, at age 25, he became the first man to run a mile in under four minutes. The 2,000-strong crowd at the Iffley Road running track in Oxford, England, went wild as he crossed the finish line. “I thought all the fuss might last a day, or a week, or a month, but it’s gone on for years,” he says. Did the cheers from the stands make a difference that day for Roger Bannister? Yes, indeed! We are better together as we fight for that which is right: the sanctity of life! We stand not alone for we have our God and one another. So in your ‘moment of doubt’ listen to them – for it matters.
* Dale Allen Bartscher is married to Jan, has two grown children, a son-in-law and grandchildren. Dale serves as the Executive Director of the Family Heritage Alliance of South Dakota which champions our cherished values of Faith, Family and Freedom.
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Faith Challenge: Whom are you listening to today? The deceiver will always try to instill fear and doubt into your life. Determine to be pro-active in gaining an attitude of gratitude by spending time with your God and His people.
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Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day: St. Francis Borgia.
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Faith Quote: “When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.” ~ Unknown
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Through Christ our Lord,
Dale
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* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will and 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 (and families): Abortion (images) is #1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 and 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 and re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.