The Forty-Year Message

"Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

"'Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' households, according to the number of the names, every male, head by head from twenty years old and upward whoever is able to go out to war in Israel, you and Aaron shall number then by their armies.'" Numbers 1:1-3

Numbers is named for the two times God asked Moses to take a count of the people.  It is book about disobedience, muttering disappointments, self-centered complaining...seemingly futile and stubborn wanderings. 

It stands to teach us many things, but primarily that in our own wilderness experiences all the seemingly pointless wanderings and feelings of being lost are far from the truth.  Our journey is purposeful and for our good and His glory. 

Sometimes it just takes forty years to get that message...dare I say even longer?

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

((NEED prayer updates.))

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?

• ·        Josefina Escanlan - from Ambassadors for Christ in Philippines - arrived in Los Angeles and has had a massive heart attack.  Away from family and Family, needs extra prayers for compassion and skill of the health carers.
• ·        The World - Pray for God's will to prevail as unrest around the globe increases and that our Father will bring comfort and calm to His children, wherever they are in the midst on so many storms on so many fronts.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS?

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• •             UPDATE - Adrian Stokes –They have given him a few weeks break from the cancer infusions, and that helps a lot.  His cancer (multiple myelomas) has progressed.   
• •             Thank our Father for Shane and Carol, his wife.  Pray they will have Jesus' heart for Adrian and continued strength and the time to help him.  Pray Stewart McClelland, (a retired pastor) will be there with Adrian soon.
• •             Claudio - diagnosed with liver cancer and recently had a heart attack as a reaction to his meds.  Please pray for him and his health carers to be compassionate and wise.  Pray for Elea, his wife, that she has the extra strength and hope it will take as she holds his hand through this.
• •             Jan - (in USA) Jan is now resigned to the fact that she will lose sight in one of her eyes.  Pray for her graceful adjustment.  They can do no more surgeries.  She thanks you for praying for her strength through this challenging time.  She lives alone, having recently lost her husband to cancer.  Thank God she is a child of the King!
• •             Fin - recovering from a recent surgery and preparing for another one on his hip.   Pray for his patience and his resolved to do what the doctors have advised him.  Pray also for Deborah, his friend that her work slows down enough that she can watch over Fin a bit more.
• •             My brother, Tim - Weather is improving and it is so much easier for him to breathe right now with 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. 
• •             Liriel - chronically ill and often in pain.  Pray for her comfort and that she can find some joy in each day.
• •             L. Mel - not sleeping and worried about a physical problem.  Please pray for her to rest and seek the peace of the Lord.
• •             John (stroke survivor) reached a recovery plateau.  Needs wisdom to continue the management of his big farm.  Sleep apnea now well controlled with CPAP machine. Now on insulin.  Pray God will help him have hope and that he will take a more active personal role in his health.
• •             Adrian (5-1/2-year-old) serious behaviour problems (regularly removed from Preschool classes for safety of other children).  Pray for him, his parents, teachers and doctors.
• •             Julia - battling depression - needs to get proper rest and therapy.  Very difficult with full-time teaching job and five children (including Adrian above). She needs strength to reply on the Lord rather than being so self-sufficient.
• •             Aunt Donna - with dementia. Please pray for her daughters so they can care for her best.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• •             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.
• •             Robin Hopcroft - her brother asks we pray for her safety, that she learns of and understands the saving grace of Jesus and that her life becomes filled with the life-changing love of the Lord.
• •             RS  who I had the delightful privilege of sharing the Gospel with.  Please pray for her that she keeps considering what we discussed.
• •             Bobby and George - that they will begin to consider Christ. 
• •             Karen - 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. 
• •             Adam - his life is filled with confusion and need.  Pray someone comes alongside him to help him see how much the Lord loves 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 - (19-year-old) Pray for him to find direction and encouragement and most of all to come to the Lord. 
• •             Lennie - Needs to wake to the cross of Christ and how much He loves him.
• •             Sarah - that God continues to work in His mysterious ways in her life and captures her heart.  No contact with parents or brother, yet.
• •             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.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• •             David R - due to the new people who moved in above him, they will move to avoid the noise and smoke.  They will need patience and time to manage everything.  Surely the hand of the Lord is not short in any of our lives and still works in ways we cannot understand for our good and His glory!
• •             Careena S - with MS and Lyme's Disease who manages a household with husband (Adam), five children and two very active dogs) is feeling much better now that she's off some of her meds.  Thank you for praying for her.  The Lord surprised her with a wonderful gift for her and Adam this past week.  How kind is our Lord! 
• •             Meldapilu - hip and knee replacement from accident in October healed well.  Recovering now from second operation on knee.  She is slowly getting back to normal and is thankful she will be able to walk!
• •             Doris (my "second mom")- 98-years young, growing stronger every day and sharing the Gospel with vigour!
• •             CK (78 years old stroke survivor) able to drive again! Started on a new medicine and seems to be doing much better mentally!
• •             Patti (daughter of Doris) asthma now controlled - may be seasonal; getting along well with CPAP therapy for sleep apnea! .
• •             BG - no current updates.  Pray for him and his family as he continues to deal with headaches 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 and 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, Poland, UK, France, Australia, UAE (!), Germany, Portugal, Romania, American Samoa, 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.

URGENT!! - Ambassadors for Christ

• Philippines - This story will fall off the news radar, but the growing unrest and danger is just beginning.  Please pray for our friends and tireless servants of the Lord in the Ambassadors for Christ ministry (see below) URGENTLY need your prayers.  Their world is being turned upside down with ISIS terrorists and fighting breaking out in many places near them.  Their lives are in danger at every turn now because of their service to Christ! 
•  
• •             Isaias and Judith - have served the body by tirelessly discipling many.  Pray our Father continues to keep them strong and safe and that they find balance for their lives and health.
• •             Judith , with her tireless women's ministry continues to grow stronger from her back problems.  Please pray for her faithfulness with her physical therapy. 
• •             Isaias must rest and prepare for his part in his extensive travel to lead meetings throughout the land. 
• •             Edna Losbanes - wife of Staff Evangelist, Isachar Losbanes, continues to strengthen after a stroke the end of 2016. 
• •             These wonderful individuals 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".

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        Elaine and Jim -Please pray for our friends sharing Christ in Hong Kong as difficult changes begin to happen.  They have a wonderful online church with a special prayer room 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  
• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) No word yet about situation after Medicaid stopped providing home care for her.  Pray for wisdom as Audley cares for his beloved wife.  Pray 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 (he continues to teach), 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.
• ·        Jenny S - a Bible teacher and expositor who serves in many ways.  Thank God she has now recovered from an unidentified virus. Give her strength, wisdom, protection and the right handling of God's Word.
• ·        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 and were just on a mission.  Keep them strong, healthy and resolute. 
• ·        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.

ONGOING WORK RELATED

• •             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. 
• •             Paul - Still can't find a job.  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. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• •             Donald Trump - the President of 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.  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.
• •             That the Lord's hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who 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.

ONGOING PRAYER

• •             Hans - at home again after nine months of therapy.  Pray he finds gainful employment, Christian companions and leaders wherever he is.
• •             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.