True Gifts

The Nativity Story

(Search YouTube for:  "Newer Jesus Movie Awesome Done Movie!!"

or click this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO98zSSKYy8 )

"And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.  Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 

"But I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:15-19

We can get rather caught up in buying and giving gifts at this time of the year, yet even with the Body of believers, there are many who will be alone on this holiday. 

So many are lost and have no or little awareness of the true meaning of Christmas!  I was in the city yesterday for a meeting and felt overwhelmed by how empty the faces in this bustling big, fancy and rich city of Sydney!  So much rushing around to get just one more sale, an extra bit of something before the "long weekend".

The YouTube™ video I'm sharing with you today is one hour and forty-one minutes of an amazing effort to bring the birth of Christ story deeper into our hearts.  My prayer is that you make time to watch it, alone, with family and/ or with friends.  Take time to renew your amazed wonder at the most precious and valuable gift ever given.

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 - Adrian -   Cancer is a difficult road to travel and Adrian has had so many ups and downs, especially any time they change his medication.  Please do not grow weary of praying for this man who will spend yet another holiday alone!  Pray God's mercy that someone in that hospital will sincerely and vigorously help him.  Perhaps being poor and expecting public service health care to be compassionate and competent is too much to ask...but not of the Lord!  And do not stop praying for his little companion dog, Toby, who is very important to Adrian's mental well-being and a clear gift from the Lord during this time of pain and loneliness. 

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Me - Met yesterday with the agency, am now shortlisted.  Client meetings to be around the 9th of January for a six-month project.  So I will be here for Christmas even though I wanted to be home more than I can say-- it's been ten years!  The Lord knows the longing of my heart and He knows what is best for me at this time.  I thank Him for always managing the world around me and for managing my disappointment. 
• ·        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) had a hip and knee replacement from an accident.  Now home 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 and that she is sensibly patient.
• ·        Steve/ Fion -  has finally taken some time to refresh and recover from the many losses and heavy workload he has been under the last few years.  Pray for his strength, more funding for his university and wisdom for the organisation
• ·        UPDATE - Doris - "back in her assisted-living apartment and doing very well! She can eat & drink regular food & liquids, she receives PT there and walks around alone with her walker!! She will celebrate her 98th birthday Dec. 22!! AND her son, Fred, is coming home to see her for a few days Dec. 15-19!! PTL!!." 
• ·        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 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

• ·        My brother, Tim - The weather is growing difficult for him.  Pray for sufficient strength, wisdom and health and pray also for Barb, Tim's wife, who supports and cares for him.  
• ·        David R - having blood pressure challenges again without his companion dog.  The Service Dog will not be available till June.  In the meantime, he is also looking for another dog.   
• ·        Fred I – will have surgery 10th January.  He thanks you for praying for him.  Continue to keep him in your prayers.
• ·        UPDATE Patti (daughter of Doris) Diagnosed with asthma, so cough (since Sept) is slowly improving.  Has been in Atlanta spending a week with her daughter, son-in-law and two little granddaughters who are not coming up for Christmas this year).  Pray for travelling mercies.
• ·        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. 
• ·        UPDATE - John and brother CK (78 years old)  both suffered strokes. Both now doing well with stroke recovery, but they get discouraged with memory recall challenges.  Please pray for more patience and grace. 
• ·        Sandy - Tests are inconclusive, yet her symptoms persist.  Pray for wise doctors.  They suspect Crohn's Disease.

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.
• ·        JR's wife, Jenny - Please pray for Jenny and his family at this time as they recover from his death that this time of vulnerability will be filled with His love. 
• ·        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 - Has returned safely, thank you for praying.  It was a bitter-sweet trip for him.  He will have a surgical procedure this week.  Pray for his heart to be touched through the experience.  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.
• ·        UPDATE -Sarah - still urgently needs psychiatric care.  Still not communicating with family members, but God is starting to work in His mysterious ways in her life.  Pray the Lord captures her heart through this situation and that she will find someone to trust to help her. 
• ·        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.
• ·        Elina - An unspoken request.
• ·        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.