Are We To Be Impoverished!?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9zoq3k-3K0

or search YouTube for "By Our Love"

by King and Country

Warning:  For those in a rush, this is a long and special devotion.

"And in His teaching He was saying:  'Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and places of honour at banquets, who devour widows' houses, and for appearance's sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.'

"And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the multitude were putting money into the treasury, and many rich people were putting in large sums. 

"And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.  And calling His disciples to Him, He said the them, 'Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live.'" Mark 12:38-44

"'Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is there will your heart be also.'" Matthew 6:19-21

"And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and in prayer.  And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 

And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common' and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all as anyone might have need. 

And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favour with all people.  And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47

As our Bible study group looked at the verses in Mark, the leader asked for our thoughts.  A question came up, "Are we to impoverish ourselves!?" 

I shared how difficult things had been for me for the last few months.  That if it had not been for the support of a very few of my Christian family who had the compassion of Christ in them, I would be on the street now or worse. 

God owns the cattle on a thousand hills!  He owns everything.  There is nothing too difficult or impossible for Him.  No person can out-give God and those who do sacrifice for another will never lack!  Those are HIS promises, not my thanksgiving platitudes!  

While serving with Christian Financial Concepts in Atlanta I was surprised to learn that if everyone who said they were Christians gave just one dollar each week -- every week -- we could do away with all the welfare and social services systems that keep people so compromised! 

It was always God's intention that we care for each other. 

The Bible study ended with yet another question:  "In one sentence what do you think the passage is saying to us?" 

For me:  God's perspective is lost in our world today because His thinking is meant to challenge us to see things opposite of the way the world does! 

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?

·        LONDON Terrorist Attack - 3 are dead, 7 in critical condition and more than 20 have serious injuries.  Attack happened near their Parliament building.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS?

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        David R - is doing better thanks to a new air cleaner Heidi got for him.  Thank you for holding him in your prayers as things settle.
• ·        Me - No news about the projects.  Thank you Father for always surprising me -- despite my weak trust of Your hand in my life.  Thank for providing abundance in other's life so they could share this blessing.  Thank You also for giving me just enough trust to wait for Your next surprise.
• ·        Doris (my "second mom)- at 98 years old still recovering from serious oral surgery.
• ·        BG - his headaches have been diagnosed as a type of mini-strokes.  He needs our prayers to strengthen him and keep him calm.  
• ·        Mel - (Meldapilu) her hip and knee replacement are healing and she is back at work part-time.  Pray for her continued healing and that she paces herself wisely.
• ·        Steve/ Fion -  Pray for his wisdom, creativity, strength, more funding for his university.
• ·        Raven - continues to strengthen after her long ordeal with cancer.  New cancer meds have given her a more normal life.  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 - special blood tests taken last week regarding how effective the present cancer treatments are against the progress of the cancer are to be evaluated during another hospitalisation on 29 March.  In the meantime, the weather, poor health care and sub-standard accommodation are taking their toll on Adrian.  Paperwork is now finished for him to receive full disability pension starting on his birthday - 30 April.  Please pray for the faithfulness of Shane, Carol and Stewart McClelland to make time for Adrian.  Please do not grow weary of praying for him.  He needs to feel the hand of the Lord covering and comforting him.
• ·        Judith - wife of Isaias in the Philippines.  Spinal surgery put on hold as she is improving from alternate therapies.  Pray for the wisdom of her doctors and health carers.  (See prayer request below "Full-Time Service" for more details if you wish to help).
• ·        Claudio - diagnosed with liver cancer.  Please pray for him and his health carers to be compassionate and wise.  Pray for Elea, his wife, as she holds his hand through this --that she has strength and hope.
• ·        Careena S - with MS and Lyme's Disease needs ongoing encouragement as she battles with these weaknesses.
• ·        My brother, Tim - Weather is so changeable right now for his COPD (cardio-obstructive pulmonary disease).  Pray for his strength, wisdom and health.  Pray also for Barb, his wife, who supports and cares for him.  
• ·        Edna Losbanes - wife of Staff Evangelist Isachar Losbanes of Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines (see prayer requests below) suffered a mild stroke 29 December.  Need an air conditioner and small refrigerator for her meds.  Please pray these simple needs will be met and for her full recovery.
• ·        Liriel - who is chronically ill and often in pain.  Please pray for her comfort and that she can find some joy in each day.
• ·        Fin/Spencer - Pray for his doctors and therapists that he will recover completely from hip surgery and an ulcer.  Pray he has friends with him during this time, especially Deborah.
• ·        CK (78 years old stroke survivor) No longer able to drive.  Becoming increasingly dependent on his wife.  This growing increasingly difficult for them.
• ·        John has reached a recovery plateau from a stroke.  He is trying to release some responsibilities of managing his big farm and needs prayer for the mounting legal complications arising.  He struggles with motivation to take a more active role in his day-to-day health and now is diagnosed with sleep apnoea.
• ·        Patti (daughter of Doris) recently diagnosed with asthma and sleep apnoea.
• ·        Julia (daughter of Patti) battling depression.  Pray she rededicates her life to the Lord Jesus Christ.
• ·        Adrian (Patti's 5-1/2-year-old grandson) has serious behaviour problems and is regularly removed from his Kindergarten classes for safety of the other children.  Please pray for the parents, teachers and Adrian.
• ·         Aunt Donna - (Doris' sister, age 84) has dementia. Please pray for her daughters for guidance in her care.
• ·        Joanne - sister to David R, being overwhelmed by dementia and macular degeneration.  She is one of the most gracious Christian women I have ever known. 
• ·        Sandy - No news on her symptoms which may be Crohn's Disease.  Pray for wise doctors.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• ·        Continue to pray for the special person you identified in your assignment until they fall into His arms.  Then you can pick another to pray for!
• ·        Pray for RS who I had the delightful privilege of sharing the Gospel with yesterday.  Please pray for her that she keeps considering what we discussed.
• ·        Bobby and George - that they will begin to consider Christ.
• ·        Karen - who I spoke with recently about the Lord, that in her confusion and the chaos of her job, she will search for His peace.
• ·        JR's wife, Jenny - Recently lost her husband and needs strength to deal with his loss and that she would find answers in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
• ·        Adam - life is filled with confusion and need.  Pray someone comes alongside him to help him see how much the Lord loves him.
• ·        Scott (in the USA) recently single father who must now care for his children alone and that this situation will help his heart melt in awareness of the Lord's love for him.
• ·        Bible study in Jo's home Pray for wisdom of Jo and openness in the women who meet together, especially 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 and father to PS' 11 year old granddaughter.  Please pray for his salvation.
• ·        Sarah - needs psychiatric care.  Not communicating with family members pray God continues to work in His mysterious ways in her life and that He captures her heart through this. 
• ·        DB's father - (84 years) pray 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

• ·        Paul - The script he wrote is providing limited funds over a few months.  He has not had paying work since 2010.  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.  
• ·        Deepak - has worked tirelessly for years to develop his business and needs people to pay what they owe him so he can have more time with his young daughter.   
• ·        Sergio - his projects have ended and he is looking for work again.  He is in Mexico City where work for graphic designers is rare.  I've just recommended him to one of my contacts.
• ·        Hans - therapy ends this month.  Pray he finds gainful employment, Christian companions and leaders wherever he is. 

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 growing number of displaced people from wars and famine.  These refugees need compassion.
• ·        Donald Trump - the new USA President.  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.  Pray someone helps him understand the true meaning of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and that he will have someone to regularly disciple him.  So much depends on it.

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) for help with their situation.  No word yet about situation where 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, Pat O'Keeffe, Kathy Notley and their families.
• ·        Jo and Steve - for their NZ ministries and for reconciliation with one of Jo's sisters. 
• ·        Stu and Jo and their grown children, Laura and Jason - the entire family is involved in full-time ministry in NZ.  Keep them strong, healthy and resolute. 
• ·        Isaias and Judith - in the Philippines - a land 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, wisdom 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

• ·        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.