A WeakDay Devotion: The Bad and Ugly List

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Recently finished a new Kindle entitled “Genesis & Discrimination”. It is a very powerful collection to challenge your thinking. Also, consider: Secrets of a Deeper Life in Christ , A Missing Psalm, Forgiveness. I hope putting these together in this new format will be a blessing to many more & will help support this ministry.

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The WeakDay Devotion originated as encouragement for a dear friend who was having difficulties with her job.

It is especially for my family, firends, business people, students, pastors, teachers and a myriad of pre-, new and long-serving Christians who want more Scripture with their devotion than many of the regular devotionals offer. it is also written to be short so you can get on with your day, but filled with a new idea from God's Word that is practical and applicable. You can also have it sent directly to your email box every day - just send me an email (DarleneRichard@gmail.com) and I will add you to the distribution.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The Bad and Ugly List

"It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time:

Repetitive, loveless, cheap sex;

A stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage;

Frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness;

Trinket gods;

Magic-show religion;

Paranoid loneliness;

Cutthroat competition;

All-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants;

A brutal temper;

An impotence to love or be loved;

Divided homes and divided lives;

small-minded and lopsided pursuits;

The vicious habit of depersonalising everyone into a rival;

Uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions;

Ugly parodies of community.

I could go on.

"This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom." The Message[1]

Today take time to look at a newspaper or watch a news program and see what you see. Perhaps you also will weep with me for the loss of joy, happiness, compassion, grace and love in our world.

Some days you wonder what He could have possibly been thinking to leave us behind, trusting us to care enough for His plan for this world. How much He loves us to trust us to live lives that stand for something entirely different! When we do, we attract others to His promises of an authentic purpose and future for eternity.

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

· Continue to pray for the special person you identified a few weeks ago in your assignment until they fall into His arms. Then you can pick another to pray for!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

· LATEST UPDATE - Adrian - is home. Too early to tell how the surgery went. Please pray God has a soft mercy and a plan to give Adrian some dignity and comfort. The Leukaemia Foundation person did not meet with him as they needed his bed and sent him home early. Please also 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 pain and loneliness.
· UPDATE - Paul - Did some volunteer work yesterday with Vinnies (St Vincent de Paul Society) and came back tired but smiling. He will go again on Sunday. I know the Lord is watching over him because of your prayers. Most of all pray his heart melts enough for the Truth to touch him where it hurts. He has not had work since 2011!!
· UPDATE - JR - is home. Celebrating life and filling his days with pleasant memories. More tests to go. Attitude is good, considering he has rapidly advancing small cell carcinoma in his brain. Please pray for him and the quality of life and time he has, for his wife Jenny, his family, friends and the health carers as they deal with this serious situation. Pray most of all that his heart opens to the love and grace of Jesus' gift of grace.
· UPDATE - My brother, Tim - Pray for strength, wisdom, courage, health and patience as he ministers to his dear and precious friend, JR (and Dale), during this difficult time. And that God gives him the words to say to touch JR's heart. Tim has shared his testimony with JR and cares about him very much.

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.
· 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.

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

· Doug McIntosh - an invaluable contributor to my love of Bible study has multiple myelomas. 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, continued health and strength; and that God will multiply the effectiveness of his radio ministry in Florida.
· 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 - a land that is growing increasingly chaotic and dangerous. 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. Please, 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 ample opportunity to continue his ministry in Sydney.
· Buddy and Susan Smith (in Queensland) and Kevin and Sandy Currell (in Melbourne) need your prayers for their ministries.
· The Catholic Church and the Pope, who need our prayers that he will always put Jesus first in all his decisions.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

· Chris H - pray his heart is focused on the Lord and His will for his life and future.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

· Rachael asks us to please pray that Scott (in the USA) seeks the Lord for his sake and his Children.
· Bible study in Jo's home continues. This week they look at Romans 4 and you can feel Jo's excitement as these women grow a step closer to understanding how loving the Lord Jesus is! Keep praying for Angie and Liz.
· Toron - (18-year-old) Pray for him to find direction and encouragement and most of all to come to the Lord.
· Lennie - PS ex-son-in-law. Please pray for his salvation. He is father to PS' 11 yr. old granddaughter's whom she spends half her time with because of shared custody.
· Sarah - still urgently needs psychiatric help Still not communicating with her mother, father or brother. Pray her family is resolute in demonstrating "tough love" with her. Pray the Lord captures her heart through this situation.
· DB's father - (84 years) please keep praying his heart opens to Christ. He is an avowed – and boastfully proud – atheist.
· Chester (Adrian's friend) with pancreatic cancer that someone will come share Christ with him soon.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

· UPDATE - Fred – procedure went well. He will have to have surgery soon, but is taking a bit of a road trip before. Please pray for his safety and that the adventure will be filled with good food and great memories.
· UPDATE - Aunty Dot has finally received her special wheelchair. Here is her thank you to you: " My chair has arrived and I am going to go out to enjoy the sun and read my book. Thank everyone please!"
· Sergio - has found some consulting projects and it will help him weather financial difficulties for the next six months. He is in Mexico City where work for graphic designers is rare.
· Jo - seems to be finding support for her ideas and initiatives within her firm. Please also pray for her wisdom as she considers setting up a charitable trust.
· Raven - The new cancer meds have given her life back. She loves the Lord and is grateful for His compassions.
· Doris - (my "second Mom", age 97.5) Pray she stays strong and keeps sharing the Lord with everyone who will stop long enough to listen to her. Would love to see her this side of heaven!

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

· UPDATE - BG - has had a series of tests and examinations and a few more to go, indicating the massive headaches he has been having were mini-strokes. He needs our prayers at this time to strengthen him and keep him calm.
· Fin - they are working to better manage his back and leg pain and performed a surgical procedure on the 15th. No word yet on the prognosis. Pray for his doctors and therapists and that Fin will have friends with him during this time.
· Aunt Donna - (Doris' sister, age 84) has dementia. Please pray for her daughters for guidance in her care.
· David R - Feeling good but there is nothing they can do about the continuing deterioration of sight in his left eye. He lost sight in the other a while ago. Also, his little companion dog, Chandler, now 16 years old, is growing weaker and having trouble walking. It will be difficult for David to lose him.
· UPDATE - Joanne - sister to David, who is being overwhelmed by dementia and macular degeneration. She is one of the most gracious Christian women I have ever known.
· UPDATE - John - having a sun melanoma removed from his arm soon. Still having difficulty reading (after stroke 2 yrs. ago). 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.
· CK - (suffered a stroke in April) is back at home, having speech therapy for his inability to read, also. He is still not driving and his wife is taking him to the various appointments involved in his recovery.
· Steven Parsons - recovering from cancer, living on the street in Sydney, trying to get enough money for additional surgery.

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

ONGOING PRAYER

· Steve/ Fion - thanks you for your prayers for his Mother. She is doing well. He is still pacing himself through his heavy workload at his university post in Oklahoma. Pray for his strength, more funding and wisdom for the organisation
· Hans continues with his new therapy and is making headway with understanding his condition better. He is in West Germany. Pray the Lord gives him peace in his new situation and guards his family while he is away. Pray for those sharing this time with him that they truly care for him. Most of all, pray he finds Christian companions and leaders wherever he is.
· Deepak - has worked tirelessly for years to develop his business and needs people to pay what they owe him and give him more time with his young daughter.
· Trent and his 9-year-old daughter Sharika. Finishing trade school classes and living on the streets as he saves for accommodation. Pray for him and his daughter.
· 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.
· Bettina for additional strength and wisdom.
· Linda and Ian, Rob and his daughter, DB, PS, 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.

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Background of WeakDay Devotions

Over eleven years ago a dear friend couldn't find a job. She's brilliant, skilled & experienced -- but simply couldn't find a position to suit her. After about eight months of struggling & searching, she was hired to work with the Sydney Olympics but six months later the role turned feral. She was discouraged as she pulled herself into work each morning.

Then it became apparent they were trying to "move" her out. She struggled. At least once a week she would be on the phone to me or be sitting on my balcony talking/crying her heart out. I found myself being a sort of Christian coach/mentor for her.

One morning after my quiet time, something I learned seemed relevent for her, so I shared it with her in an email. She wrote back that it indeed helped. Next morning the same thing happened. Again the Lord used it to encourage & strengthen her. The next morning nothing seemed good to send, but I searched till I found something I hoped would strengthen her. The Lord used it. Each week day morning from then on I would get up early & write her a note of encouragement.

A month went by & another friend sent me an e-mail expressing their own frustration with a work situation. I sent them a copy of the e-mail I'd sent my friend that very morning. They were encouraged & asked me to include them each morning. After a couple of weeks both wrote to me to say they'd been sending the email to others & would I just add theses new names each morning. They also suggested I ask others if they'd like to be included. I did & many asked to receive it. One day, I was asked to do a radio interview with Gordon Moyse ("An Ordinary Christian"). He had heard about the morning "WeakDay Devotions" & wanted his listeners to know more about them.

Almost every week day morning since that first e-mail, I've written a fresh word of encouragement for (by now) an untold number of people around the world. It was originally mostly business oriented, but has grown to be more general in nature with Christian business people knowing it is the little personal details of their walk that need a boost anyway.

Within the distribution list now are Christians or pre-Christians (Catholic & Protestant), some are Jewish, some have not made a decision about what they believe, yet. There are several pastors; a Catholic priest, a Jewish teacher and a Christian Web page creator (and pastor) who distributes select ones to his readership. There’s even a pastor in the USA who uses them as part of his daily radio program.

Many who receive them forward them to others & they ricochet around the world. They're used as morning devotions between friends at work in the USA, Argentina, the Philippines, New Guinea, Hong Kong & places I don't even know about yet.

The Lord is using these meek & meagre "presents to Him" for His own purposes in the lives of others & I'm constantly surprised & humbled at the encouragement I've found in my own personal time with the Lord because of their ministry to me!

If you'd like to have them emailed directly to you each day, just send me an email. I'm open to comments, suggestions & criticisms.

Again, it's almost always only one screen long, so you don't have to take too much time with them, they always come marked "Urgent" so they can be found more quickly. Finally, the distribution list is "blinded" so everyone's privacy is assured (although I pray for everyone I send to & know them all much better now).

Every day is different, some days are very short -- sometimes only one verse or two, but there's always a Bible verse (I always use the New American Standard Bible translation, unless otherwise indicated). There are also times when there is a suggestion for something special as an assignment. I've also written a variety of series, such as: The Ten Commandments, Forgiveness, How to Know God's Will, Fasting, Unmet Needs, etc.

Stay close to His Word.
Your servant and friend in Christ.... Darlene

The First Devotion

"And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee." Psalm 9:10

From George Muller's Autobiography:

"I saw more clearly than ever that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.

"The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the Lord's blessing upon His precious Word, was to begin to meditate on the Word of God; searching, as it were, into every verse, to get blessing out of it; not for the sake of the public ministry of the Word; not for the sake of reaching on what I had meditated upon; but for the sake of obtaining food for my own soul. The result I have found to be almost invariably this...that after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or to intercession, or to supplication; so that though I did not, as it were, give myself to prayer, but to meditation, yet it turned almost immediately more or less into prayer."

Have a wonderful day resting in Him....love, your servant and friend in Christ...D

Another style: The Princess & the Pea

[Jesus teaching] "'And why do you look at the spec that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?'" Matthew 7:3

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." James 2:10

"So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!" James 3:5

"Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds; but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.'" Matthew 13:31-32

Ever notice how it's the little things that get under your skin and grow out of perspective? Think of the time you spend looking for a misplaced file or phone number. What about when you're late and get a red light or someone pulls out in front of you in traffic. Or how about when you get a paper cut or have a hang nail? How about forgetting someone's birthday or when you lose your glasses or keys? Any of these things can make us "lose our cool". As Christians we must be ever vigilant to how the little things can stumble our walk and witness with Christ.

It reminds me of the fairy tale of the Princess and the Pea (where a prince looked for a gentle and delicate princess to help rule his kingdom. He arranged a test of all the fair maidens. He had a stack of mattresses placed one on top the other and each "princess candidate" was invited to spend the night in the castle. The Prince became discouraged because no one seemed to respond to the test until one morning a lovely woman complained she could not sleep, as the mattress was too lumpy. Unbeknownst to her (and all the other candidates) the Prince had placed a single pea under the bottom mattress. No one else had been sensitive to the little things. Of course they lived happily ever after. In our Christian walk we need to be that sensitive to the little things that stumble us! Take care, your servant and friend in Christ – Darlene

A WeakDay Devotion

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Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The Bad and Ugly List

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Background of WeakDay Devotions

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