Unholy trinity

"And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.  And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence.  And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.  And he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 

"And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life.

"And there was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast might even speak and cause as many as do not worship the beast to be killed." Revelation 13:11-15

Now we have the dragon, the wounded beast and this fire-raining beast to mock the trinity in yet another way.  Just reading these verses brings chills.  However, let's remember the Truth:

"'All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son, except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 

"'Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My load is light.'" Matthew 11:27-30

The contrast of the two trinities is stark:  one comes to threaten and break down and cause chaos; the other brings peace and comfort during times of confusion and fear.  So many follow the unholy trinity and Jesus asks us to share the Truth with them before it is too late.

PRAYER UPDATES NEEDED PLEASE!  

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        Adrian - did return my call yesterday and sounded tired on the voice mail he left; was unable to reach him again.  Will let you all know what I discover.  (Please do not forget to pray for his little companion dog, Toby, to remain healthy.  Without him I think Adrian would give up).
• ·        Sergio - waits for news about a new job.  His ankle is healing, but slowly.  Pray for his patience during this time and that the opportunity he was recently looking into might eventuate.  He is in Mexico City and work there, for graphic designers is rare. 
• ·        Paul - Part two of a three-part interview seemed to go well. Now one more hurdle next week.  I am growing increasingly concerned for him.  Pray he does not lose heart and continues to search.  He has not had work since 2012!!

NEW PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        Sandy needs prayer.  They are trying to diagnose what is happening in her body.  They are suspecting Crohn's Disease.
• ·        David R asks us to pray for Mr. Hale, an 85-year-old who needs help understanding the benefits he has from the Veterans Administration
• ·        Deepak - has worked tirelessly for years to develop his business and now just needs people to pay what they owe him for his work.    
• ·        LS - A potential change is causing her stress and she is battling a chronic, auto-immune disease.  Please pray for her.
• ·        FW - needs strength and resolve to keep focused and safe.  Please pray for his parents Dave and Alice who will be moving to assisted living that they will be alright with the change.
• ·        Pray I have the energy and focus to complete the updating of a new Kindle:  Where is Christ in America? -- a special series written in 2003 for such a time as this. 

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Me - The Lord went before me to the two meetings and they went very well.  One of the people who I met with last week also called and is pressing her client to get me on board.  Nothing is concrete yet, but it was a blessed day.  Thank you for praying.  Please pray for the individual who has encouraged me so much recently and most of all that the Lord's will is evident in whatever may occur. 
• ·        Isaias and Judith - in the Philippines. Pray blessings on Isaias and Judith and thank the Lord for the generous people at Black Rock Congregational Church in Fairfield, Connecticut.  They just sponsored a month-long trip for them to raise funds.  It was an amazing trip for them.  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".
• ·        Toron - (18-year-old) needs encouragement, care and direction. 
• ·        Brody - No Update on Brody but it will be a long healing process. Pray the Lord is with him every new step he takes.  Please continue to pray for him, his physicians and carers; and for Trish, his wife-to-be, as they plan their wedding.  Let this strengthen their commitment to Christ and to each other.
• ·        Heidi - seems to be enjoying her new job.  Please continue to pray she will take things slowly and enjoy this new opportunity.
• ·        BG - Is relieved there is a diagnosis of his massive headaches and has started his treatments and is feeling much better. 
• ·        Raven - no signs of new cancer. 

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.
• ·        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

• ·        David R - got through his full day of tests and ended up exhausted but alright.  No results yet.  Keep praying.
• ·        Matt - No Update on Heidi's 33-year-old brother who has been in and out of Intensive Care and is hoping to be released to go home but will remain on a feeding tube.
• ·        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. 
• ·        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."

ONGOING PRAYER

• ·        Fin - is settling into his new dwellings and needs continued prayer for his injured ankle.  A friend has welcomed him into their home.  Please pray for them both.
• ·        For Fred - Please pray for recognition of how his life will be fulfilled since his wife passed.
• ·        Fion - please pray for his Mother.  He has returned to work and was given additional duties that are far too much for anyone.  Pray for wisdom for the organisation and/or courage for Fion.
• ·        Shan needs clarity of purpose and direction for his ministry and he and Gemma need special prayer as they plan their wedding.
• ·        Hans is waiting for a place in a new training clinic (which may take up to 6 months).  Pray he finds Christian companions and leaders wherever he is.
• ·        No Update for the two unsaved women in Jo's Bible class:  Angie and Liz.
• ·        Wezley - No update for this 18-year-old who lost her way.  The Lord knows where she is, just keep praying for her that she turns to Him.
• ·        Bettina for additional strength and wisdom.

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. 
• ·        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.
• ·        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 is 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

• ·        Linda and Ian, Rob and his daughter, DB, 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.