A Left-Handed Rebuke

"But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 

"For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 

"Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly in order that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.  Therefore receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me."Philippians 2:25-

Yesterday, we looked at the growing tiredness, depression and hopelessness that Paul is expressing.  Today, something unexpected -- a rebuke. 

When the Philippian church heard Paul was in prison and facing death, they sent Epaphroditus, to Rome with support funds and that he would stay and serve Paul.   

What a joyous day it would have been for Paul when this young man arrived!  Finally, to have someone to keep him company through this ordeal.  Rome, however, was a city teeming with overcrowding and disease in certain quarters and anyone who came to the city risked falling ill and Epaphroditus was no exception and nearly died.

Yet Paul knew the greater risk to Epaphroditus was that staying on to support Paul, meant he risked dying with Paul as a servant.  So Paul, with obvious mixed feelings chose to send him home to protect him.  It's likely this young man would have wanted to stay with Paul no matter what the risk.  Returning would label him a failure.  Instead, Paul insists and entrusts this letter to him and writes in high praise for his service.

I've not found a commentator who chose to mention what it was that was deficient in the support from the Philippians and so I imagine.  Paul may have been being human and lashed out at the dreadfulness of his circumstances or perhaps the support he needed was too late to help.  Yet in this book of so many emotional ups and downs, this is a bittersweet parting.

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

PS:  My statement of faith is on the blog:  Especially His Love .  Either click the link or cut and paste this link in your Web browser (http://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com.au/ )

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        UPDATE - JR - has passed away.  His memorial service will be this coming Saturday.  Please pray for his wife Jenny, his family, friends at this time. 
• ·        My brother, Tim, who was close to JR - Pray for him in his loss that he has sufficient strength, wisdom and health during this difficult time.  Pray also for Barb, Tim's wife, to support him lovingly.  
• ·        Me - I've been seeking projects all over the place and have sent out so many resumes I quit printing the project descriptions out to save paper.  Yesterday, about 6:30PM, I received an email saying I was shortlisted for a 6-month project.  I had no recollection of applying for it.  Who knows what our mighty Lord and Saviour is working out around me.  It will be a miracle if I get to use these free tickets home, but then He is IN the miracle business.  Pray for the Lord's will. 

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        UPDATE - Careena S - with MS and they suspect Lyme's Disease.  She is a beautiful battler with a quiet and gentle heart for the Lord.  And she shared her thanks for each of you praying for her and reports that she has been feeling steadier on her feet the past weeks!
• ·        Mel - (Meldapilu) broke her hip and shattered her kneecap, had a hip and knee replacement.  She is home now and surprising the doctors by her dramatic progress.  Pray for her healing and that there are family and friends available to care for her during her long recovery time.
• ·        Steve/ Fion -  has finally taken some time to refresh and take some time to recover fully from the many losses and heavy workload he has been under for the last few years.  Pray for his strength, more funding and wisdom for the organisation
• ·        Doris - is home in the nursing facility of her retirement village and continuing therapy to help her regain her abilities, especially swallowing.  She is much happier to be with people she knows. 
• ·        Fin/Spencer - feeling better now from his surgery.  Pray for his doctors and therapists that he will recover completely and have friends with him during this time, especially Deborah.
• ·        Hans - (in West Germany) his therapy now extended till March 2017 - a full nine months.  He begins working two half-days a week in a store.  He sounds quite happy.  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. 
• ·        Raven - who has been on her new cancer meds for over a year now, reports she is enjoying every moment the Lord is giving her.  Pray she will be found cancer-free.
• ·        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.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        UPDATE - Adrian - the weather in Australia is extremely hot now and he has no air conditioning.  This is exaggerating his misery and with the change in his meds, he is in much pain.  The cancer markers are not lowering.  Pease pray God's mercy and a plan to give Adrian some dignity and comfort in a new home; and continue to pray for his little companion dog, Toby.  Toby may seem trivial, but 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 - David R - having blood pressure challenges again without his companion dog.  Did meet a Service Dog and he is nearly convinced of the value.  In the meantime, he is also looking for another dog as the Service Dog will not be available until June with all the required training.   
• ·        Fred I – will have surgery 10th January.  He thanks you for praying for him.  Continue to keep him in your prayers.
• ·        Patti (daughter of Doris) needs prayer for healing and refreshment.  She has too many family, and other, responsibilities.  Pray the Lord gives her wisdom in this area.
• ·        BG - still having headaches (which they believe are mini-strokes).  He needs our prayers to strengthen him and keep him calm.  
• ·        Aunt Donna - (Doris' sister, age 84) has dementia. Please pray for her daughters for guidance in her care.
• ·        Joanne - sister to David R, who is being overwhelmed by dementia and macular degeneration.  She is one of the most gracious Christian women I have ever known. 
• ·        John - had a large sun melanoma removed from his arm and is recovering.  He lost some of his ability to read after his stroke 2 yrs. ago and doctors believe he has regained as much of that ability as possible.  Please pray for more patience and grace. 
• ·        Sandy - Tests are inconclusive, yet her symptoms persist.  Pray for wise doctors.  They suspect Crohn's Disease.
• ·        CK - brother of John above, who is 78 suffered a stroke in April and is increasingly recovering skills, including being able to drive again.  Pray for his continued recovery.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• ·        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!
• ·        Bobby and George - that they will begin to consider Christ.
• ·        Karen - who I spoke with this week about the Lord, that in her confusion and the chaos of her job, she will search for His peace.
• ·        Adam - life is filled with confusion and need.  Pray someone comes alongside him to help him see how much the Lord cares for him.
• ·        Rachael asks please to pray that Scott (in the USA) seeks the Lord for his sake and his children.
• ·        Paul - continues to volunteer two or more days a week at St. Vincent De Paul charity.  Has more job interviews lined up.  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!
• ·        Bible study in Jo's home continues.  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 - urgently needs psychiatric care.  Pray the Lord captures her heart through this situation.  Pray for grace for her parents.
• ·        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.

ONGOING WORK RELATED

• ·        Sergio - his projects have ended and he is looking for work again.  He is in Mexico City where work for graphic designers is rare. 

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.
• ·        Donald Trump - the new president-elect in the USA.  If ever there was a time to pray for an individual, it is now.  No matter whom you voted for or wanted as president...it is our responsibility as Christians to remember God has a plan through this man.  Let us pray someone helps him understand the full meaning of giving his life in faith to our gracious Saviour and that he will have someone to disciple him.  So much depends on it.

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) for help with their situation.  They just received word that Medicaid will no longer provide home care for her.  Pray for wisdom for Audley as he cares for his beloved.  Pray also that God continues to multiply the effectiveness of his radio ministry in Florida.
• ·        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.
• ·        St Marks Anglican Church Northbridge - and the many who serve there:  especially the pastors: Simon Flinders, Adam Street (and their amazing wives and children).
• ·        Jo and Steve - Please pray their individual ministries in NZ and reconciliation with one of Jo's sisters. 
• ·        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".
• ·        Jenny S - a Bible teacher and expositor who serves in many areas, for strength and protection.
• ·        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.

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

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