Not Enough Animals!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA6p8DmLEZs

or search YouTube for:

Your Masterpiece - Ashmont Hill (with lyrics)

[Jesus sharing] "'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. 

"He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.'" John 3:16-118

"And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22

..."though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:7b-8

Jesus did not go to the Cross as an extra failsafe, knowing we were able to turn our lives around, to fix what was wrong or that we are capable of making up for our mistakes, our disbelief and crankiness, our internal and external anger and dissatisfactions, etc..

He had compassion and a love that passes all understanding for you and me - each one of us!  He chose to die because God's justice is only satisfied by the shedding of blood and there was not enough blood in all the animals He created to make up for our serial sinfulness. 

Paying for the sin of every individual who lives took the extraordinary act of sacrifice of God's only Son to redeem us - to pay the full and perfect price for each one of our "mistakes" and "bad choices" and -- well, all the excuses we have for choosing to do what is right in our own lives!    

None of us is worthy of His grace!  Yet, each of us is OFFERED this as a gift.  It is our ultimate choice if we believe and trust in Him and what He has done for us!

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 - The pain is terrible -- will be hospitalise him to extract some teeth.  His stomach pain has flared up again and he can barely eat.  Update regarding cancer treatments on 29 April.  His text to us:  "Feeling very poorly, need more prayer than usual."  He is very stressed and very tired.  Shane, Carol and Stewart McClelland, are all too busy with church and family to take time with him over the holiday.  Please do not grow weary of praying for him. 
• ·        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.
• ·        North Korea - Syria 'chemical attack
• ·        David R - fell off the wheelchair ramp and dislocated his shoulder, but is being treated and recovering.  Pray for Heidi as she watches over him.  Thank you for holding him in your prayers as things settle.  Pray the new tenants in his building stop smoking or find a new place to live.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS?

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, protection and the right handling of God's Word.
• ·        Please pray for 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.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Meldapilu - hip replacement from accident in October has healed well and she is just recovering from the additional knee surgery that was required.  It will take time to get back to normal but she is thankful she will be able to walk!
• ·        Doris (my "second mom)- at 98 years young is growing stronger every day and sharing the Gospel with vigour! Will finally get into dentist to start getting 3 new partials - has lost weight due to not being able to chew well (but they put her on Ensure for nourishment). Just enjoyed a "Senior Prom" put on by her assisted living facility & thoroughly enjoyed it!
• ·        CK (78 years old stroke survivor) Able to drive again! Started on a new medicine & seems to be doing much better mentally!
• ·        Patti (daughter of Doris) asthma is now controlled - may be just seasonal; getting along wonderfully with CPAP therapy for sleep apnea! .
• ·        BG - his headaches have been diagnosed as a type of mini-strokes.  He needs our prayers to strengthen him and keep him calm.  
• ·        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

• ·        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 for ongoing encouragement as she battles with weaknesses and unsteadiness as she manages a household with husband and five children.  Give her wisdom, energy and patience.
• ·        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. 
• ·        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).
• ·        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 and Deborah - Pray for travelling mercies as they are on the road to visit family.
• ·        John has reached a recovery plateau from a stroke.  Is trying to release some responsibilities of managing his big farm and has agreed to talk to a specialist about "keeping the farm in the family and the family on the farm" His sleep apnea is well-controlled with his CPAP machine. Recently went to Dr. for diabetic checkup and has started insulin to replace meds that weren't effective anymore. Still needs to take a more active role in his health.
• ·        Julia (Patti's daughter) battling depression from lingering concussion symptoms. Still in need of TIME to get proper rest and therapy, very difficult with full-time teaching job and five children, even with husband's help. Adrian (below) their son requires tremendous effort from parents! Pray she rededicates her life to the Lord Jesus Christ - she is trying to do all herself, not relying on Him anymore...
• ·        Adrian (Patti's 5-1/2-year-old grandson) has serious behaviour problems - is regularly removed from his Preschool classes for safety of other children.  Please pray for parents, teachers and Adrian. Prayers are being answered! He has had 2 weeks of GOOD behaviour at school! The school personnel and doctors have done a fantastic job of setting him up for success next year in first grade (instead of Kindergarten) with medication and one-on-one aides for all his activities.
• ·        Aunt Donna - (Doris' sister, age 84) has dementia. Please pray for her daughters for guidance in her care. Daughters report she is worse when stressed, but sometimes on phone calls with Patti she seems completely lucid and normal!

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.  Pray for travelling mercies for Bobby as he joins Adam in Thailand for the holidays.  George has asked to come to church with me Easter Sunday!
• ·        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.
• ·        Jenny - Recently lost her husband and needs comfort, strength and true answers in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ as so much still needs sorting out. 
• ·        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. Patti invited granddaughter and him to lunch at a nearby restaurant (when the other sibs and her parents were visiting cousins in a different state over Spring Break and she was with her dad that week) and they came! (It was the first time since the divorce 9 yrs ago that I got to talk face to face with him) it was enjoyable and a step in the right direction - he has no friends!
• ·        Sarah - God continues to work in His mysterious ways in her life and that He captures her heart through this. She returned home long enough to get her belongings and brought a cousin with her for "protection" - she is now living with an uncle and cousin, changed churches, and still holding down a part-time job at a fast food restaurant. No contact with parents or brother
• ·        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. 
• ·        Me - Good meeting last Thursday - must wait till after holidays for possible fruit.  Pray he has some work for me - even a week would be enough to get through the month.  Continuing to follow up other possible opportunities.  Thank you for praying for me.
• ·        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.

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.

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.
• ·        Hans - therapy has ended.  Pray he finds gainful employment, Christian companions and leaders wherever he is.