Here, There and at Church

"And as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man, called Matthew, sitting in the tax office, and He said to him, 'Follow Me!'  And he rose, and followed Him.  And it happened that as He was reclining at the table in the house, behold many tax-gatherers and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples.

"And when the Pharisees saw this they said to His disciples, 'Why is your Teacher eating with the tax-gatherers and sinners?'

"But when He heard this, He said, 'It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.  But go and learn what this means, 'I desire compassion [kindness], and not sacrifice, for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" Matthew 9:9-13

And let us not lose heart in doing good for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.  So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially those who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:9-10

"Kind hearts are quietly kind.  They let the car cut into traffic and the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line.  They pick up the neighbour's trash can that rolled into the street.  And they are especially kind at church.  They understand that perhaps the neediest person they'll meet all week is the one standing in the foyer or sitting on the row behind them in worship."*

Kindness comes from love and it is an expression of your desire to demonstrate the unconditional love of God.  When you consider the gifts your heavenly Father has given to you, they are acts of kindness as well as grace, and based on His amazing love for you.

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:  

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

·        Adrian spoke with him a few times over the weekend.  He is struggling but able to move around now.  The pain in his cervical spine (neck) is less than it was.  They will schedule a similiar procedure on his lumbar spine to help relieve more of the pain.  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.

·        Isaias & Judith (missionaries in Philippines).  The funeral of Isaias' father has been conducted safely and peacefully.  He thanks you for your prayers.  Their ministry is very hard in a difficult country.  Perhaps you would like to learn more about his work there:  Ambassadors for Christ --look for Isaias Catorce.

·        Me - project will be mine, with a delay of two to three weeks. It could last through 2017.   Thank you for praying.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS  

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

ONGOING PRAYERS

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

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

·        Bettina to give her strength and wisdom. 

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

·        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 by the first outbreak of Bubonic and pneumonic plague since August 2010, on the island of Madagascar.  Last stats 40 dead, 119 confirmed cases. 

·        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.  As of yesterday there were over 7,000 deaths from Ebola.  570 healthcare workers have been affected and of those, 324 have died.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING JOB RELATED CHALLENGES

·        Paul N-S - as he continues his search for work. 

·        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. 

·        Louise who we have been praying for a while is growing stronger and thanks you all for praying.

·        Linda and Ian.  Rob and his daughter.  Reg.  Annette and Lyle, 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.  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

*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.