"Now it came about in those days that a decree went out
from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while
Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all
were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city.
"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of
Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he
was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who
was engaged to him, and was with child." Luke 2:1-5
Nazareth is to the north of Jerusalem. Bethlehem is just outside of Jerusalem to the
south. The trip would have taken at
least three days. A typical day's
journey would result in walking about 30 miles.
With Mary so heavily pregnant, they may have taken a few extra days just
out of compassion for her. It was her
first birth and she would not have known what to expect even if she had
witnessed other women in birth-pains.
It is likely that even though Mary would have sat upon the hard
back of their donkey, that Joseph would walk slowly beside her for the
journey. Most of us rush to the manger
and get the birth over.
If you have born
a child or held the hand of someone who is a few days from delivering, there is
a change in the body and a calm that settles, knowing a new life is about to
begin.
I wonder what Joseph was thinking. I wonder what Mary was thinking.
Tomorrow is the day designated to remember Christ's birth and
whatever your journey this year, it has taken you to a place that is special,
no matter what it may seem like -- because God loves you and has a wonderful plan
for your life.
Until tomorrow.....
Take care with love, especially His! Your servant and friend in Christ, who prays
for you each morning, Darlene
PLEASE NOTE PRAYER UPDATES! AND THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO ARE
FAITHFUL TO PRAY AND TO KEEP ME UPDATED ON GOD'S PROGRESS! And for any of you who wonder if prayer is
worth taking time for, just page through previous entries and see the hand of
our loving Father in action!
SOMETHING NEW FOR PRAYER
WARRIORS: Elaine and Jim started a new
ministry in Hong Kong and have some great news for those with a gift and heart
for prayer: An online church with a Prayer Room. New visitors need to
register for a login and password and will receive an email confirmation. The room is open 27/7. Go here to learn more: https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS: Pray for all those who have no place to lay
their heads, the many shadow, street people around the world.
Pray for Adrian at
this time. He will be going into the
hospital on the 24th to have a full day of treatments. It takes from 3-5 days for him to recover
from them, but thanks to your prayers, he will not be alone for the holidays. Pray for
Phil (the man who has let Adrian stay in his home) that he has
compassion and gentleness especially during this time of recovery for Adrian.
For the family and
friends of the police officers in NYC who
were so callously slain, for the people of the city and the nation that
something good will result from another tragedy.
In the aftermath of the siege
in Sydney: Please pray for the individuals who went through this ordeal and for their families and
friends and all the police officers and pray for Australia that this does not become something we must get
used to!
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: For the many
individuals in Germany fighting for a new freedom. Help the demonstrations remain peaceful and
safe.
Bubonic and pneumonic plague has broken out on the island of Madagascar. Last stats 40 dead, 119 confirmed cases. The last previously known outbreak of the
plague was in Peru in August 2010, according to the WHO.
For those trying to stem
the devastation of Ebola in
West Africa (Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Mali) and in other
countries, as the disease spreads for many reasons: missed "hazardous pay" for workers,
fear, lack of education and hygiene. As
of yesterday there were over
7,000 deaths from Ebola. 570 healthcare
workers have been affected and of those, 324 have died.
Also, for those in Europe
gearing up to fight a new strain of Bird
Flu.
For the situation developing in Israel and for the devastation and death being caused by the
group called ISIS or IS.
For those in Hawaii
dealing with a volcanic eruption and the lava flow.
Pray for calm, true Christian revival and a return to founding values in the USA.
ONGOING PRAYERS: Isaias & Judith
need our continued prayers for protection and good health. They lead the efforts of Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines. With the many typhoons and floods their financial needs continue to grow as they work in the fields
training up labourers for Christ. Please
consider contributing...just click on Ambassadors for Christ link above.
Buddy and Susan
Smith and Kevin and Sandy Currell - ministers of
grace and salvation in Australia.
Please pray for Chester
as he continues to struggle through a host of medical challenges and
poor care with dwindling funds and few friends to help. Give him energy, strength and resolve as he
deals with a worldly system that has abused him.
PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Nancy, a
friend of Hans, had surgery last week and although they did not find cancer,
they will still have to perform surgery.
She does not know the Lord, yet.
Please pray for Hans
who has just found some work to help him through his challenging times and pray
his walk and witness continues to strengthen in his new life with Christ.
Jeff (cataract
surgery) is able to see again -- keep praying for him and Rachael, his beloved wife.
Patti's dear husband, John
continues to make progress after his stroke.
Pray for Patty and Doris
(who just had her 96th birthday. She was
like a second Mom to me)
No word yet on the small project for me, but three reasonably
good prospects that will have to wait till after the New Year..
PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH
CONCERNS: Pray
for my brother, Tim, that his
COPD (cardio-pulmonary artery disease) is manageable for him and that he will
have the patience and wisdom to cope with the limitations. Pray for David
R as he manages his macular degeneration.
For Audley and Beverly’s situation and his return to the
ministry. For Nancy who
continues to grow stronger after her life-threatening head injury a few years
ago, and for Fred as he cares for
her.
Pray for BG
that his blinding headaches will finally stop.
Pray for Fion as he
supports his ageing parents and manages a heavy load of challenges.
Bettina
needs our prayers to give her strength and wisdom. Pray for Raven
as she regains her strength from the cancer treatments.
ONGOING JOB RELATED: Pray for Paul
N-S - as he continues his search for work. Please pray for Michael, a man who is humble and without a home or a job who
needs a chance to get his life back to normal.
Deepak needs
prayer that his work efforts begin to bear fruit as he is on the road
travelling, promoting his business.
ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS: Pray the Lord’s hand is dramatically apparent
in the lives of all who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty
works would be worked out in each life for His purposes in surprising and
wonderful ways!
For Iain Barclay and
his ministry, that the Lord would encourage him in his work. For Sue-Anne
as she takes new responsibilities in her church. A dear friend, Jen, needs the watchful care of the Lord in her life. For
Louise for healing in their family.
For Linda and Ian. For Rob and his daughter. For Reg. Pray for Annette and Lyle and their wonderful family.
PRAY FOR THE WORLD: Pray for revival in the USA to continue. Pray
for Birgit who is in
Germany.
Please pray for the many individuals in Singapore, China, Russia and India who read the WeakDay Devotion. (This year the WeakDay Devotion blog is being
read by many people in these countries!
God is mysterious!) Pray for the
Catholic Church and that the new Pope will
always put Jesus first.
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