"Good" Friday?

"Now there was an inscription above Him, 'This is the King of the Jews.'  And one of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, 'Are You not the Christ?  Save Yourself and us!'

"But the other answered, and rebuking him said, 'Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.'  And he was saying, 'Jesus remember me when You come in Your kingdom!'

"And He said to him, 'Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.'"  Luke 23:38-43

A number of movies have been made, hoping to attract people to theaters to watch the gore and gruesomeness of the crucifixion of Christ for commercial reasons.  But they miss the real event that makes this Friday "Good". 

Think right now of being the wise thief on the cross.  Now, hear your voice speaking those words to Jesus, 'Jesus remember me when You come in Your kingdom!'

Then meet Jesus' eyes.  Though there  are tears there from His own pain, see how much love He has for you?  He died for you because there was no other way for you to be forgiven. 

When we think about this, it makes this particular Friday each year 'Good" because we can KNOW we are loved and saved by His grace.  And we KNOW in our hearts that Jesus loved us so much He would rather die than live without us!

"For while we were still helpless; at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will hardly die for a righteous man' though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        Those in Kenya who have lost loved ones in the senseless attack on an university there.  As many as 147 may be dead.
• ·        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 - recovering.  Please pray for her and her husband.
• ·        Otto - home 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.
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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.