“’Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
’Then the righteous will answer Him saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘ Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:31-40
“When that Word-became-flesh ascended, He left behind His actual Presence in the form of His Body, the Church. Our goodness becomes, literally, God’s goodness. Our suffering becomes, in Paul’s words, ‘the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings’. Our actions become His actions. What happens to us, happens to Him.
“The two words, seen and unseen, merge in Christ; and w, as Paul kept insisting, are quite literally ‘in Christ’. Embodiment is the end of all God’s work, the goal of all creation.”*
Those who do not know the Lord look around to see if they can find one person who embodies His love; for this example of “walking the talk, rather than talking the walk’ is the greatest evangelistic tool and healing tool for those wounded by the Church. It is His plan after all!
Take care with love, especially His! Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?
For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS: For Kimberly, a 17 year old who has run away because she’s lost her way & her parents who love her so much.
ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS: For Carlton (quadriplegic who has made his living raising honey bees). Has surgery but no word yet on the outcome. If the Lord moves your heart would you please consider sending him a greeting card at: OSU Medical Center East, Tower 5 Room 510, 1492 E Broad St., Columbus Ohio 43205. It would really boost his spirits.
For those still struggling after the many natural disasters, especially for the volunteers working with them (in Japan, USA, New Zealand). For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts. For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time.
OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS: For Paul N as he regroups. Help for Cris. Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael.
ONGOING JOB RELATED: That Tim might find satisfying work. Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia. Galdor is still searching. Need a new project to tackle for my work. Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book!
PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: My brother & his wife Barb are doing better. They’ve adjusted David’s meds and he’s improving. Reg for his ministry and patience. Have a new Internet provider.
PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS: Gwen, a 13-year old with serious headaches. Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/) Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
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