Pearls of Purpose

"And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl.  And the street of the city were pure gold, like transparent glass. 

"And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple.  And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb." Revelation 21:21-23

"Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

"let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.   Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;" Hebrews 10:19-23

Today's world has little regard for believers in the gracious sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Sometimes all the hustle and bustle, troubles and distractions of our daily life cloud our vision and dilute our resolve.  Yet, God showed John this vision to remind us, not so much of the glory -- although it will be unsurpassed glory -- but in how lost the lost truly are.

God's heart has ached since the Garden to have fellowship with His creation,  God who through the Old Testament demonstrated unearthly patient with His children who thought they could figure things out for themselves, but never could. 

Perhaps Jesus' love for the Father prompted Him to volunteer to be the answer to this sadness God must have felt.  We will never understand how the all powerful God found a living way to satisfy righteous judgement for sin, but He did.  It is now our privilege to share with others these pearls of purpose...before there is no time left, only Eternity. 

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

NEED PRAYER UPDATES PLEASE! 

Please continue to pray for the special person you identified last Friday in your assignment, until they fall into His arms.  Then you can pick another to pray for!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        JR - one of my brother's lifetime friends was found to have three brain tumours.  The largest was removed in emergency surgery.  He is home now while they consider ongoing treatment.  He is losing his balance and this may or may not be a sign the large tumour is regrowing.  Pray for his wife, family, friends and the health carers as they deal with this serious situation.
• ·        West Virginia Floods - please pray for those who lost loved ones (so far 23 have died) and those helping survivors as they dig out.  Pray for the rescue workers.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        Rachel - Her father, age 95, passed last week.  Please remember her and her family in your prayers.
• ·        Jo - please pray her meetings the next two weeks result in God allowing her contract to be extended beyond the 9 July end or that He will share news of a new role!

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• ·        Paul - Continues to have interviews but no one is taking him on.  Please join me in praying his heart melts enough for the Truth to touch him where it hurts.  He has not had work since 2012!!
• ·        Sarah (early 30s) - Urgently needs psychiatric help and that her family demonstrates "tough love" with her.  Pray the Lord captures her heart through this situation.
• ·        DB's father - (84 years) now home and doing better.  She thanks you for your faithful prayers and asks you to keep praying his heart opens to Christ through this experience., he is an avowed – and boastfully proud – atheist. 
• ·        Chester (Adrian's friend) with pancreatic cancer that he has the  energy, strength and resolve to deal with a worldly system that continues to abuse him; and that someone will come share Christ with him soon.
• ·        Keep praying for the two unsaved women in Jo's Bible class:  Angie and Liz.
• ·        Wezley - Rachael is not able to find Wezley's mom to get an update.  Her husband lost his job and the family may have moved.  Keep praying for the entire family!

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Heidi - was promoted.  The work she is now doing is less physically taxing but she still needs our prayers for strength and wisdom.
• ·        Me - new 12-month project began smoothly.  Thank you for praying and supporting me through this time.(Luke 6:38!).  Nearly finished the new Kindle:  Where is Christ in America?   
• ·        David R - Doctors believe vision loss in his left eye is result of a localised stroke and may return eventually. 
• ·        PS' oldest daughter, Julia - (married with 5 children) recently had serious concussion and now recovering. 
• ·        Brody - continuing to heal from a terrible accident to his ankle.  Will have to be on a "scooter" for his wedding in July. Keep praying for his healing and that this gives them a new grace.
• ·        Baby Saige - now an adorable, happy, two-year-old from two years of surgeries.  Her parents are very grateful for your many prayers.  More surgeries for her in the future. 
• ·        Toron - (18-year-old) had a week with his Mom and is beginning to be more thankful than critical.  Help him find direction and encouragement. 
• ·        BG - Is growing stronger and stronger each day now that treatment for his headaches has begun. 
• ·        Raven - no signs of new cancer and her ongoing meds are not "hurting" her so much now. 
• ·        Doris - (my "second Mom")  Was pivotal in my coming to Christ and for her continued faithfulness in prayer for me and my brother, Tim.  Thank you, Lord, for watching over her health and heart.  Last saw her in 2005 - pray she will be there when I am home again.  An amazing woman who has taught me so much about agape love, the value of a "warrior's prayer life" and the Lord. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• ·        Praise the Lord and pray for the many individuals in Russia, US, Australia, UK, Poland, Germany, France, Portugal, American Samoa, Romania, Ukraine, Estonia, Singapore, China, 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.
• ·        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.
• ·        United States of America -- Please pray for families and friends of those who have recently lost their lives in various tragic ways.  Pray for those still recovering, law enforcement agencies and individuals trying to sort through everything and prevent further carnage.  Pray for all news reporters and their companies to be patient and honourable in their reporting.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        Joanne - sister to David, who is being overwhelmed by dementia.  She is one of the most gracious Christian women I have ever known. 
• ·        Adrian - is growing increasingly tired.  Pray the Leukaemia Foundation person returns to help him.  Pray for his companion dog, Toby, to remain healthy.  He is very important to Adrian's mental well-being and a clear gift from the Lord during this time of loneliness.
• ·        John, who had a stroke two years ago continues to struggle with reading.  Please pray for complete healing and/or more patience and grace. 
• ·        Sandy - Tests are inconclusive, yet her symptoms persist.  Pray for wise doctors.  They suspect Crohn's Disease.
• ·        LS - Home from hospital but very tired - has a chronic, auto-immune disease.  Please pray for her.
• ·        My brother, Tim, with COPD (Cardio-Obstructive Pulmonary Artery Disease).  The weather is improving and he is able to get outside and enjoy things more.  Thank you for praying for him.  Pray his heavenly Father continues to give him patience and wisdom to help him manage his health and the limitations to his breathing. 
• ·        CK had a stroke last week.  Currently in a nursing home for physical, occupational and speech therapy.  He can now talk, but not read.

ONGOING WORK RELATED

• ·        Sergio - Has been having interviews but no job yet.  His ankle is much better.  Pray for patience during this time.  He is in Mexico City and work for graphic designers there is rare.  
• ·        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.
• ·        Deepak - has worked tirelessly for years to develop his business and needs people to pay what they owe him.    

ONGOING PRAYER

• ·        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
• ·        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.
• ·        Fin - has settled into his new home where a friend cares for him.  He has just lost his aunt...Please pray for him and his family and friends at this time.
• ·        Shan needs clarity of purpose and direction for his ministry.  He and Gemma are now married and starting a new life.  Pray it will be steadfastly focused on the Lord.
• ·        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.
• ·        Bettina for additional strength and wisdom.

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        Doug McIntosh - in each of our lives we can point to spiritual "parents and unique encouragers".  For me there are many.  One key contributor to my love of Bible study is Doug, my pastor.  He was diagnosed 16 Feb 2014 with multiple myeloma.  I just found out unexpectantly.  What a great man of God he is!  Please pray for him, his family and the church he has worked so faithfully in, Cornerstone in Lilburn Georgia.
• ·        Jo and Steve - Please pray their individual ministries in NZ and reconciliation with one of Jo's sisters. 
• ·        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 - in the Philippines.  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.
• ·        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 -in Hong Kong have begun an online church with a special prayer room that is open 24/7.  A small army of dedicated prayer warriors is 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, JD, Annette and Lyle, Carla and Paul, Jeff and Rachael and their wonderful families.  Grateful thanks for their practical support and encouragement over many years.