Assumptive Christians

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord.  For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant.

“’Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord.  For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit. 

“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?  I, the Lord search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.’” Jeremiah 17:9-10

I grew up in a non-Christian family in a nation that was rife with reminders that even if we were not --  the rest of the country was -- Christian, that is.  When I committed my life to Christ, my eyes opened to the contrast of lip service and reality within the church and lives of those who said they were Christian.  (Of course only the Lord knows the truth about another life…yet, He did encourage us to look at the fruit.)

Yes, the USA was “obviously” Christian…there were churches on every street corner, even more competitive than the gas stations that used to pepper the cross roads of America.  Yes the USA was Christian.  Openly so, pridefully so, confidently so and assumptively so as it remains today.

As I was leaving for church yesterday, a precious friend sent me an urgent message about a chapel in Ada, Oklahoma.  There was a crane moving in right at that moment to cut off the Cross and remove all Christian symbols and Bibles from the chapel.  The chapel stands in the middle of a State funded university, you see.  My friend (in the States) was beside herself with concern. 

As I’ve been doing the devotion through the books of the Bible to look for the origins of the ideas of the prosperity gospel filling churches today, it is apparent we Christians in all nations and locations are on a slippery slope of ‘fitting in’, having it all and saying we have faith.

I read Daniel yesterday to give new thought and consideration to the challenges those who chose to follow Christ, and His Living Word, are facing now in the USA…you may wish to as well.

Oh, and so you know, the State run university backed down and did not remove the Cross off the top of the chapel.  The building was a gift to the university over 50 years ago…when the nation was more focused on sharing the love of the Lord than it seems to be today.  But it is time to pray like never before because we grow less and less a nation of followers of Christ and His precious Word!  More on this topic tomorrow.

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

PS:  My laptop from which I sent the devotions has died and I am using another one now, but haven’t been able to access all the files on my old one…so the devotions may be a bit disrupted for a while.

PPS:  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 (https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com.au/ )

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        Hurricane in Texas -  Please pray for those affected and all rescue workers.
• ·        Sierra Leone mudslides: Urgent plea for help as death toll rises - over 400 individuals have been found dead so far.  Please pray for the rescue workers and the affected families.
• ·        Marjorie Crawford – passed into Glory Monday.  Please pray for the dear ones left behind who loved her and will miss her, especially Denny, her son and his wife, Marci, my precious friend.
• ·        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.
• ·        Sarah -a complicated family issue has arisen that concerns divorce and may mean eviction for Sarah from the uncle's home today.  Sarah may or may not be ill -- but is certainly ill of heart from the stress.
• ·        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

• ·        Heidi - is having extensive dental work done this week and needs you to keep her in your prayers.
•      Carla - for, good health, peace and focus and enduring trust in her Father's loving arms.  Pray for travelling mercies and most of all wisdom with her priorities and decision making.
• ·        Chris - That he will set aside time to pray and consider the many choices he has in front of him and that You will guide him in the best use of his days.
• ·        Marvin - eighteen and finding himself.  Pray he will stay close to the Lord and not turn aside from the truth of the Truth.
• ·        Doris (my "second mom")- 98-years young, growing stronger every day and sharing the Gospel with vigour!  She just got new plates to replace the teeth that were extracted so is now praying for chocolate and a cup of coffee!!

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        Fin – home recovering from surgery on his hip.  Thank you for praying for him.  Pray for his patience and his resolved to do what the doctors have advised him for a full recovery.  Pray also for Deborah, his friend that her work slows down enough that she can watch over Fin a bit more.
• ·        UPDATE - Adrian Stokes –you can hear the tiredness and helplessness creeping into his voice as he faces so many challenges with his health.  Please pray especially for Shane as he works to get Adrian into a palliative care facility and that Adrian will see this will help him grow stronger, not mean he has no hope.  Thank you for being someone who is holding him up in prayer.  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, patience 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.  He seems to have stabilised now.  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 and that she has the will to continue working on the construction of their home.
• ·        Jan - (in USA) Jan 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!
• ·        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, but feeling a bit better lately.  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 - is feeling better and stronger with the better weather.  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!
• ·        Heidi - who is such a wonderful support for David.  Please pray her health stays good and that she has wisdom with her work.
• ·        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!
• ·        CK (78 years old stroke survivor) able to drive again! Started on a new medicine and seems to be doing much better mentally!
• ·        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.

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        St Marks Anglican Church Northbridge - A special service next week.  Please pray for God's will and delight for all those who attend.  Pray most of all for those who serve there, especially the pastors:  Simon Flinders, Adam Street, Pat O'Keeffe, Kathy Notley and their families.
• ·        As it loses in Syria and Iraq, ISIS establishes a new beachhead: the Philippines.  URGENT!! - Ambassadors for Christ - Philippines -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 by 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!  Pray for John North who is teaching there now from Sydney for his safety and the richness of his teaching.
• ·        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 - now can stand straight for longer without spasms.  Please pray for her faithfulness with her physical therapy.
• ·        Josefina Escanlan - no update yet.  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.
• ·        Edna Losbanes - wife of Staff Evangelist, Isachar Losbanes, continues to strengthen after a stroke the end of 2016, but she is slowly losing her sight.  Please pray for grace.
• ·        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".
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• ·        Elaine and Jim -Please pray for our friends sharing Christ in Hong Kong as difficult changes begin to happen there.  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.
• ·        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

• ·        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 around the world.  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.