J. Y. O.?

"You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.  They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.  We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us.  By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 

"By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we love God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation [full, complete and perfect] for our sins.  Beloved is God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."  John 4:4-10

"We preachers have been guilty of skipping the first step.  'Love each other!' we tell our churches.  'Be patient, kind, forgiving,' we urge.  but instructing people to love without telling them they are loved is like telling them to write a check without our making a deposit in their accounts.  No wonder so many relationships are overdrawn.  Hearts have insufficient love.

Perhaps we need to rethink the acronym J.O.Y.  As I got involved in the church, it was to be "Jesus, then others, then yourself."  Yet it MUST be that we receive Jesus love first. 

We can love and devote our lives to others.  We can serve tea every Sunday in church, serve on the mission field, sacrifice all our worldly belongings for others, present the Gospel to others, but until we receive His love, until we BELIEVE and TRUST in His love for us (warts and all), our service, obedience and sacrifice are miserable, unsatisfying and empty - a waste of energy.  How could it be that we have gotten these actions out of order? 

"The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?"  Jeremiah 17:9

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        For Fred and the family - One day, many years ago now, Nancy, Fred's lifetime wife walked to the mail box in her regular routine and slipped, hitting her head on the concrete driveway.  They never expected she would live, let alone recover, but she did.  He has nursed and cared for her and worked tirelessly with her to help her enjoy every moment of her life since.  Recently she seemed to plateau and was not growing stronger.  This morning Fred sent an email to share that after all these years of struggling to regain life as it was before her accident, Nancy, his beloved wife has just gone home to be with her Lord.
• ·        Adrian- Please pray for Him, that the love and mercy of the Lord holds him so warmly that he is encouraged during this time.  He was feeling a bit better today, but very tired.  He walked to the bank today to get funds to get his car running and discovered his pension has been cut by $150/ fortnight.  Help him know his life has meant something so far.  He is deeply grateful and dependent on your prayers. 
• ·        For Christ-centred, Bible-based revival in the USA and religious freedom for Christians.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

I've received an email from Carla, Paul and Matthew and they have arrived safely in Dallas.  Please pray they settle in easily.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        Some of the devastation of the earthquake in this poor country are simply unexpected.  Please keep those helping the survivors in your prayers.  Death toll in Nepal from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake stands at 6,621 individuals.  The estimate for the injured stands at 14,023.  They hold out no more hope for rescuing those buried in the rubble. 
• ·        Although there are a few volcanos erupting right now, the one in Chilli is causing much difficulty right now.  Pray for those nearby.
• ·        My project will end in June and I will be needing to find another one.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        Rachael sent an email yesterday to let us know that Chris remains on the wait list for a heart transplant - Pray that if it is God's will for him to get one that the surgery is successful and that he fully recovers.
• ·        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.  Spring brings some relief from the temperatures, but the pollen takes a toll.
• ·        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.
• ·        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.
• ·        Paul NS - Needs work of some kind.  He has not had work since 2012.

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

• ·        Shan - Needs clarity of purpose and direction for his ministry and for his choice of life partner.
• ·        Wezley an 18 year old who has lost her direction and way, that she will find the Lord in her life.  There has been no progress yet.
• ·        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.
• ·        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 THE WORLD

• ·        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.
• ·        Those around the world being affected by the radical Islamic groups, especially ISIS and Boko Haram.
• ·        Those in Europe who are migrating to other lands to escape wars and devastation, especially those headed for Italy now.
• ·        Those in Kenya who have lost loved ones in the senseless attack on an university there.  As many as 147 may be dead and the ongoing clashes.
• ·        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.

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.

*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.  Please pray for him.