How to Cross the Line, Part 1

"O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me.  Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thoughts from afar.  Thou dost scrutinise my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways.

"Even before there is a word on my tongue; behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all.  Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it."

"For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb.  I will give thanks to Thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well.

"My frame was not hidden from Thee when I was made in secret, and skilfully wrought in the depths of the earth.  Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them." Psalm 139:1-6, 13-16

God carefully crafts and orchestrates a personal journey designed to make you see your great need of salvation from your natural choices.  But how do you cross the line from being "just a nice person" to being a "nice and SAVED person"? 

To receive Christ means you must turn to God from yourself.  You must be sincerely sorry for your sinful choices and realise this is what prevents you from crossing the line to salvation -- and that nothing you do to try to please Him saves you.  This is REPENTANCE. 

You must then trust God's Word.  It promises that when you turn to Him, He will wash away all traces of sin in your life (past, present and future).  Then He comes to dwell in your life and give you new strength.  This is FORGIVENESS. 

But it is not enough to just agree with your head that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for your sins; and it is not enough to have a moving emotional experience.  This realisation must travel the 14 inches from your head to your heart.  This is what FAITH is about.

You receive the forgiveness of Jesus Christ by faith, by believing and as an act of your will.  This is JUSTIFICATION.  Justification means forever more you stand before the Lord just as if you had never sinned, pure and clean and hopeful.

Tomorrow, some words to help you.

And for those who are already in the arms of the Lord, remember, every time we review the basics of how to be saved, it helps us more easily share our faith and God's plan with others.  So these messages are also for you. 

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS?

NEW PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        LS - please be with her and her husband, who just lost his father in a tragic car accident.
• ·        Adrian - spoke with him yesterday on the phone but he is just exhausted.  Keep praying. 
• ·        Hans is enjoying his healing retreat.  He will be away till the New Year.  Pray for Christian companions and leaders there.
• ·        DB -since her Mother's passing away, DB needs to sell her Mother's home.  Help her weather the emotional pain and let the sale go through quickly and smoothly.
• ·        Pray for Shan and Gemma who have decided it is time for them to marry and share their future together in the care of the Lord.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING?

• ·        Please continue to pray for TG who is recovering in hospital with severe chemical burns to his lungs.  He will be moving to a long-term care facility soon.  His friend PB was helped and now has a home again.  Thank you for praying for them.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• ·        That the Lord's hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read these devotions.  That His mighty works will be worked out in each life for His purposes and glory in surprising and wonderful ways!
• ·        For Christ-centred, Bible-based revival in the USA and religious freedom for Christians wherever they may be.
• ·        The people of the USA -who are once more dealing with the evil of senseless, mass murder.
• ·        European Migrant Situation Update - a prayer for the migrants, but also for the European states, who are working to adjust to the situation.
• ·        The people of France and Belgium -continue to pray for those affected by this senseless attack.  May they all recover without the scars of unreasonable fears, hatred or bitterness.  Pray for the police and soldiers who work to protect Paris and Belgium now that they are wise and resolute.  May the Christians of France and Belgium be mobilised to help.
• ·        Pray for the many individuals in Singapore, China, Russia, India and Alaska who are regularly reading the WeakDay Devotion on-line.  The blog seems to be gathering an audience in unexpected and mysterious geographic locations.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        My brother, Tim, with COPD (Cardio-Obstructive Pulmonary Artery Disease), that he has patience and wisdom to help him manage his health and the limitations to his breathing. 
• ·        David R as he manages his macular degeneration and a host of other health challenges and for Heidi, his daughter who cares for him.
• ·        Fion's father recovering from a stroke for over a year in a special care facility.  Now is strong enough to go home, where his wife can care for him more easily.  Continue to pray for them and for Fion, as his workload is so heavy at this time.
• ·        Elina's father is ill with cancer and lives in Japan.  He seems a bit better.  She has not seen him for over ten years. 
• ·        Please pray for Rik, a good friend who has been diagnosed with Lyme's Disease and is undergoing very expensive, long-distance treatment to restore his health.
• ·        Fand's mom fell and broke her hip and is beginning physical therapy to begin the journey to better health.  Pray for her and her family as she recovers.
• ·        BG that his blinding headaches will finally stop.
• ·        Adrian asks:  Pray for my friend, Chester with pancreatic cancer - for energy, strength and resolve as he deals with a worldly system that continues to abuse him; and that someone will come share Christ with him soon.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING JOB-RELATED CHALLENGES

• ·        Paul NS needs hope for work.  He grows too discouraged to keep trying.  He has not had work since 2012 and would appreciate your prayers.
• ·        Elina thanks you for your prayers about her law internship but has left the internship and will not pursue the law. 
• ·        Deepak needs to have his tireless work efforts bear fruit as he continues to develop his business. 

ONGOING PRAYER

• ·        For Fred as he deals with life without his beloved wife.  Please pray for the recognition of how his life will be fulfilled now.
• ·        Shan needs clarity of purpose and direction for his ministry.
• ·        Keep praying for the two unsaved women in Jo's Bible class:  Angie and Liz.
• ·        There has been no update to numerous follow-ups regarding Wezley an 18-year old who lost her way.  The Lord knows where she is, just keep praying for her that she turns to Him.
• ·        Adrian pays a substantial sum for one small room in the back of a shared home with an elderly man named Phil, who seems to be part of Adrian's stress.  Pray the Lord gives Phil more patience, understanding, empathy, compassion and gentleness.
• ·        Bettina for additional strength and wisdom.
• ·        Elina pray for her as she sorts things out and takes her time to seek wisdom from the Lord.

FOR THOSE IN FULL TIME SERVICE

• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) for help with their situation and his return to ministry.
• ·        Stu and Jo and their grown children, Laura and Jason - a family serving in full-time ministry in New Zealand.  Keep them strong, healthy and resolute. 
• ·        Isaias and Judith need prayers for physical healing and funds for some unexpected medical care.  God owns the cattle on a thousand hills!  Pray our Father continues to keep them strong and safe and that they find balance.  They give so much to so many for so little.  Take a moment to learn more about their tireless ministry:  Go to:  http://www.afciworld.org  Look for "Nations" then click "Philippines".
• ·        Please pray for my good friend, JB, that our loving Father provides him with ample opportunity to continue his ministry.
• ·        Buddy and Susan Smith and Kevin and Sandy Currell need your prayers for their ministries in Australia.
• ·        Yangrae and the Uniting Church he shepherds in Australia, that he and his family will have the energy, strength and good health to feed the flock He has entrusted to Yangrae.
• ·        The Catholic Church and the new Pope need your prayers that he will always put Jesus first in all his decisions.

SOMETHING NEW FOR PRAYER WARRIORS

• ·        Elaine and Jim, wonderful friends of mine in Hong Kong have begun an online church with a special prayer room that is open 24/7.  There are a small army of dedicated prayer warriors waiting to pray with you.  Please pray for them and go here to learn more:  Https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room

ADDITIONAL PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        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.  Grateful thanks for their practical support and encouragement over many years.