An Oxymoron

"The Jews answered him, 'We have a law and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.'

"When Pilate therefore heard this statement, he was the more afraid; and he entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, 'Where are You from?'  But Jesus gave him no answer.

"Pilate therefore said to Him, 'You do not speak to me?  Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?'

"Jesus answered, 'You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above;'" John 19:6-11a

"Why? Because that's what love does.  It puts the beloved before itself.  Your soul was more important than His blood.  Your eternal life was more important than His earthly life.  Your place in heaven was more important to Him than His place in heaven, so He gave up His so you could have yours.  He loves you that much, and because He loves you, you are of prime importance to Him."*

An oxymoron is a contradictory figure of speech, such as "horribly good".

Think of "selfish love".  There could be no such thing, because love is about giving love.  Yet in giving there are so many benefits to the giver.  Love remains about giving to another.  Christ gave us the example of how to love others. 

But FIRST He loved US, He reached for us out of the crowd of all those in the world.  He selected us to draw us to Him and save.  He infused us with His love BECAUSE we are worth dying for! 

When you are thinking less of yourself for whatever reason, look into His loving eyes and remember how very special you are to Him!

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who prays for you each morning, Darlene

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:  

·        Paul N-S -has a third interview today.  He has not had work since 2012, so will greatly appreciate your prayers.

·        Elina - has not heard the results of her graduate program interview.  She says she is very grateful for your prayers. 

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

·        Me - first week on the new project went well.  I'm a bit tired, but it was a good week.  Thank you for your prayers.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS  

·        Wezley an 18-year old who has lost her direction and way, that she will find the Lord in her life.

ONGOING PRAYERS

·        Buddy and Susan Smith and Kevin and Sandy Currell - ministers of grace and salvation in Australia.

·        Hans - needs wisdom and courage to guide him during this time, some emergency funds and a reasonable job.

·        Fion as he supports his ageing parents and manages a heavy load of challenges. 

·        Bettina to give her strength and wisdom. 

·        Isaias & Judith (in Philippines) were called to train other Christian lay leaders and they work tirelessly in challenging conditions.  Please keep them in your prayers.  Perhaps you would like to learn more about his work there:  Ambassadors for Christ --look for Isaias Catorce.

WIDE PRAYER ISSUES

·        Pray for calm, true Christian revival and a return to founding values in the USA.

·        Jordan - wisdom in the aftermath of a world-stopping tragedy. 

·        For the tragedy unfolding in Niger and other nations where thousands are being killed regularly by Islamic radicalists.  For those in Nigeria as Boko Haram (which means "Western education is forbidden") stomps into new areas.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS

·        Adrian spoke with him a few times over the weekend.  It seems once the swelling went down, the pain is not much improved in his cervical spine (neck).  He is returning to the doctor for more help with the pain on Monday.  They were to schedule a similar procedure on his lumbar spine.  He does not have a prognosis yet.  He remains thankful and hopeful in His Lord Jesus.  Thank you so much for praying for this sweet man.

·        Phil (the man who has let Adrian stay in his home):  for understanding, empathy, compassion and gentleness.

·        My brother, Tim with COPD (cardio-pulmonary artery disease), that he has patience and wisdom to manage his health and the limitations to his breathing and to cope with the limitations. 

·        David R as he manages his macular degeneration and a host of other health challenges. 

·        Audley's and Beverly's (stroke) situation and his return to the ministry. 

·        Nancy  who continues to grow stronger after her life-threatening head injury and for Fred as he cares for her. 

·        BG that his blinding headaches will finally stop. 

·        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. 

·        Those affected and those working to stem the devastation of Ebola in West Africa (Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Mali) and in other countries, as the disease continues to spread. 

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING JOB RELATED CHALLENGES

·        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 - that his work efforts begin to bear fruit as he is on the road travelling, promoting his business.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS

·        That 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!

·        Jen, needs the watchful care of the Lord in her life. 

·        Linda and Ian.  Rob and his daughter.  Reg.  Annette and Lyle, Carla and Paul, Jeff and Rachael and their wonderful families.  Thanksgiving for their practical support over the years.  

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  

·        For Christ-centred revival in the USA to continue.   

·        Birgit who is in Germany. 

·        For the many individuals in Singapore, China, Russia and India who read the WeakDay Devotion.  (The WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people in these countries!  God is mysterious!) 

·        The Catholic Church and that the new Pope will always put Jesus first.  

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.  It is open 27/7 and there is an army or prayers waiting to serve in prayer.  Go here to learn more:  https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room

*A Love Worth Giving is copyright protected since 2002 by Max Lucado.  .  All rights are reserved, including translations.  The ISBN is 978-0-8499-4831-2 (repackage).  I encourage you to secure a copy and follow along.  I quote carefully and respectfully from his wonderful book.