Wednesday Before - Value in Values

"And while He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head.

"But some were indignantly remarking to one another, 'Why has this perfume been wasted?  For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.'  And they were scolding her.

"But Jesus said, 'Let her alone; why do yuo bother her?  She has done a good deed to Me.  For the poor you always have with you, and whenever you wish, you can do them good; but you do not always have Me.  She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for burial.

"And truly I say to you, wherever the Gospel is preached in the whole world, that also which this woman has done shall be spoken of in memory of her.'" Mark 14:3-9

On this evening Jesus and His eager followers take time to relax for a meal at the home of a man grateful for being touched by Jesus and healed of a physical disease.

When a woman comes to Jesus and performs this costly, yet simple act, He sees yet again how much work He still has to do, as His followers argue over the value of the "wasted" perfume!

There is nothing so valuable we cannot risk giving it to our Lord Jesus Christ!  Yet, many times all we see is our "poorness" and "neediness".  Even though many of us may not have money or possessions -- sometimes we fear we may not even be able to meet our bills -- we are not facing these times alone.

Jesus died to give us strength to keep on keeping on through the hard times.  When we have Jesus, we have all we need.

Even what we have, when given away in His name becomes far more in His hands than it ever can in ours.  It is only when we want to hold onto money and possessions out of love for them or our fear of loss of them, that we slowly forget the value and power of His love in us.

He is able to provide all we need, when we need it.  After all, what is the value of Christ in our lives, if not to rest in Him?

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS

·        Families grieving for the loss of their loved ones from the plane crash of the Germanwing plane that killed 150 people.

·        Those in Vanuatu - The cyclone was described as apocalyptic.

·        Growing tensions in the Middle East, especially right now in Yemen.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

·        Adrian - found a finger-size tumour behind his ear and it took a week for him to convince the doctors it needed to be seen.  They excised it and sent it to the lab.  They think it is not cancer, but won't know till results are back.  They have adjusted his new medicines and slowly he is sounding better and stronger.  He is still praising the Lord and preparing for Easter.

·        Paul NS - has had one of the TV series ideas he has written (while he waits for a new role) accepted and they are now talking of paying him an advance.  Thank you for praying.  He has not had work since 2012.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

·        My brother, Tim with COPD (Cardio-Obstructive Pulmonary Artery Disease), that He has patience and wisdom to manage his health and the limitations to his breathing.  He has had three upper respiratory infections in the past months and did not get his flu shot this year.

·        Shan - Needs clarity of purpose and direction for his ministry.

·        Helen Birdsall - remains in hospital recovering.  Please pray for her and her husband.

·        Otto - home from hospital recovering from upper respiratory infection.

·        Maureen - recovering from surgery on her shoulder.

·        Emily - please pray for her time to rest and consider her options and her hope to return to Australia.

·        Rachael asks:  Please pray for Chris, who is on the wait list for a heart transplant - that if it is God's will for him to get one that the surgery is successful and that he fully recovers.

·        Yangrae and the Uniting Church he shepherds, that he and his family will have the energy and good health to feed the flock he has been entrusted with.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS

·        David R - as he manages his macular degeneration and a host f other health challenges and for Heidi who cares for him.

·        Audley and Beverly (stroke) for their situation and his return to the ministry.

·        Nancy has reached a plateau in her efforts for full recovery from a life-threatening head injury.  Pray she and Fred will be at peace and take some time to be grateful and stop striving for more from her.

·        BG that is blinding headaches will finally stop.

·        Chester as he continues to struggle through a host of very serious 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.  And bring someone to him to share Christ's decision for him.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING JOB-RELATED CHALLENGES

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

·        Elina - no word yet on results of her graduate program interview.  She says she is grateful for your prayers.

·        Deepak - that his work efforts begin to bear fruit as he works to make his business more profitable.

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 24/7 and there is an army of prayers waiting to serve.  Go here and learn more:  https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room

ONGOING PRAYERS

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

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

·        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 personal challenges

·        Bettina for additional strength and wisdom.

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

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

·        For Christ-centred, bible-based revival in the USA and religious freedom for Christians.

·        For the many individuals in Singapore, China, Russia and India who read the WeakDay Devotion.  (it seems to be gathering an audience in unexpected geographic locations).

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

ADDITIONAL PRAYER REQUESTS

·        That the Lord's hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read these devotions.  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.