Most of us, at one time or another, have felt trapped. Whether caught in a dead-end job, a destructive relationship or circumstances beyond our control, we can feel as if there is nowhere to turn and no way out.
But at the core of our faith is freedom that only God can give. Freedom from sin, greed, confusion, guilt and all the other traps of the world is the ultimate gift from God. It reaches down into our deepest selves and releases a part of us that yearns for God alone. To be rescued is to be returned to the state of grace for which we were made: freedom.
Prayers to all in need of breaking the snares that bind them.
To Nancy from yesterday. Praying for your daughter Cass as she begins her chemo treatments. May Our Blessed Lord be with her throughout this difficult time and give her the strength to continue on her way to recovery. God bless you, Mom Nancy, so devoted to your daughter ❤️
Steve, Thank you for this beautiful devotional this morning. As I have just hit the 10-year anniversary of becoming a caregiver for my bride, it brought back to me all of the times that I selfishly felt trapped, that I saw nothing good coming out of her stroke, and that I had to give up many things that I had previously enjoyed in order to care for her. But through prayer, reflection, reading scripture and being a part of this LFF, I have learned to let go of things and let God take the steering wheel. When I do that, I am overwhelmed with joy in all the blessings that he has poured out onto my family and me. Have a blessed day everyone.
Bill S., God knows your heart and sees you. God bless both of you on your journey.
Bill thank you for sharing I love the positive feelings you conveyed to us. I will pray for you and your bride right now. Ken
God bless you and your beautiful bride, Bill S.
Amen God I love u above all things please help us all be like you and love like you in Jesus name I pray.
Greetings to you all today on this cool and wet morning in St. Louis. As I sit on my porch for morning prayer (and now reading your comments and prayers for each other), I am reminded of how good God continues to be and how present in my life through so many others, like you. Thanks for being part of the Living Faith family. Be well and do good today.
Hi Steve!!! We always love the engagement from contributors, whose reflections are at the center of daily prayers. Thank you so much and enjoy the day in St. Louis!
Thank you Steve for the devotional today. Baptism and grace sets us back to a state of Freedom. The Truth and Way continues set us free as we continue on our journey. In the gospel is one of my favorite verses. “ Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." I am so grateful for all that has been entrusted to me and pray that God continues to be with me and I hold myself accountable the requirement of giving back more. Amen!
Steve. Yes thanks for your comments this morning. Living faith family Padre Pio's saying for today. Don't draw back and worse still don't stop going up the Calvary of life. Jesus will extend his hand to steady you. The thought of the sustaining grace of God and the prize Jesus has reserved for you will be a sweet comfort. Please Continue to pray for the souls in purgatory and those victims of the conflicts around the world. Ken
Thank you, Jane, for your additional reflection on today's readings. Let us all continue to be challenged to live up to the requirements of being disciples.
Lord, please hear our continued prayers for those in the Ukraine and the Middle East and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Thank you Steve for your words of faith and encouragement. It's hard these days to see that freedom with all the violence that surrounds us, but let us try to keep faith for and with the freedom from sin. Salina you made me think about something when I heard someone that said it was their right of freedom to set off loud and uncomfortable fireworks affecting many veterans in the area. My response is that "rights also come with responsibilities not to hurt others." How true that is eh? Nancy I read your comment from yesterday I am so sorry for your losses and I know it's hard but as I go through a big loss right now also I try so VERY much to feel the joy of their comfort because it hurts immensely to be the one left behind. Blessings to all the LFF! May we all go out and spread the love of God to everyone we meet. Blessing to all those with special requests Griffin, Cass, Judy, Suzan, Bill L., Stephanie, Maryanne, Carl, Beth, Christine, Victoria, Terry Danny, Betsy, Pam, Liz, Scoop, Vincent, Salina and Jessi, Marco and anyone I missed or may hold needs in their heart quietly.
Well said, Stormy. It is SO hard these days to keep our eyes trained on God, but where else can we possibly look for all that is good and right?
Living faith family please pray for my oldest daughter Danielle, today's her birthday. Ken
Happy Birthday, Danielle :-) It couldn't be any more happier to your Mom and Dad the day your were born!!! Firstborn :-)
Ken! Here's to Danielle and a God Blessed Birthday, and year to come!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Danielle! Enjoy your day and have a great year! How blessed you are to have such a wonderful Dad and I’m sure you know how much he loves you ❤️
Birthday blessings for Danielle and many more to come! Amen.
For many of us, being rescued from the snares of the devil and set free from the power of sin over us is the greatest gift of God, and it is. But there are also many people throughout the world who are unjustly being held captive against their will. We pray for them Lord and ask that in your mercy you will send your angels to set them free. Lord, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Beautiful! Thank you Steve for the morning reflection. "Freedom for my people, Freedom for my people, call them to liberty, Hallelujah/ Alleluia. Healing, liberation, for a new creation, set all my people free." Beautiful freedom song, only the chorus here. Really encapsulates God's gift of Freedom to a people he formed and fashioned and gave us that right to perfect freedom, a right we seldomly enjoy. Lord, break every chain and make us free indeed. Prayers and blessings for all with special intentions and needs today. A Wonderfully blessed Wednesday LFF.
*** Romans 6:11, "In the same way, consider yourselves to be dead as far as sin is concerned. Now you believe in Christ Jesus. So consider yourselves to be alive as far as God is concerned!" What does this verse tell me? I am a sinner destined to die! Believe in Jesus Christ and I am alive in God! *** Romans 6:14, "Sin will no longer control you like a master. That’s because the law does not rule you. God’s grace has set you free." What does this verse tell me? Sin has to do with the law and God's grace has to do with my freedom! *** Romans 6:15-16, "What should we say then? Should we sin because we are not ruled by the law but by God’s grace? Not at all! Don’t you know that when you give yourselves to obey someone you become that person’s slave? If you are slaves of sin, then you will die. But if you are slaves who obey God, then you will live a godly life!" What does these verses tell me? Should I sin under the banner of God's grace and love? NO! ******* Do you know the sin you commit against yourself? 1 Corinthians 6:12, 18-20, "Some of you say, “I have the right to do anything.” But not everything is helpful. Again some of you say, “I have the right to do anything.” But I will not be controlled by anything...Keep far away from sexual sins. All the other sins a person commits are outside the body. But sexual sins are sins against their own body. Don’t you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? The Spirit is in you, and you have received the Spirit from God. You do not belong to yourselves. Christ has paid the price for you. So use your bodies in a way that honors God.!" Amen! *** I pray for myself and those who believe they are born this way, a sinner like myself in Romans 3:23,-25ab, "Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory! The free gift of God’s grace makes us right with Him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free. God gave Christ as a sacrifice to pay for sins through the spilling of His blood. So God forgives the sins of those who have faith. God did all this to prove that He does what is right. He is a God of mercy!" Amen!!! *** I do not belong to myself! *** I belong to God!
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I only want You Jesus to live in me Amen Amen Amen