Going Too Far?

“Now Ahab the son of Omri became king over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years.  And Ahab the son on Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all who were before him.

“And it came about, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethibaal king of the Sindonians, and when to serve Baal and worshipped him. 

“So he erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria.  And Ahab also make the Asherah.  Thus, Ahad did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.” I Kings 16:29-33

Chasing after parity with those near us, chasing after the “good life”, chasing riches, political position and influence seems to be the worldly goal of life.  Sadly, today, far too many Christians are taught, and believe, this is the objective of being a Christian -- that doing “the right things”, it results in prosperity and good health – that success in the real world it is a sign of “success with God”.

The book of Kings begins with David and his son, Solomon, reigning and gently slipping away from their relationship with God.  It demonstrates God’s outlandish patience with His children.  In a succession of ten more kings we reach the worst, Ahab.

When Ahab married Jezebel in defiance of God’s obvious and spoken will it seemed a great and fun alliance by worldly standards.  Yet, Ahab is the example of going too far against the Lord.  His life and the book of Kings is there for us to learn from. 

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

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        UPDATE – Argentine Submarine – As of 16 hours ago there remains hope with search and rescue teams trying to locate the missing submarine with 44 sailors aboard.  God always has the last say!  The prayers of many are focusing there now.  Please pray for the survival of these men trapped under the water. 

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        BL –Important decisions are to be being made at the workplace, hopefully this week, that will help in the work there.  Pray for patience in the waiting.
• ·        Hans -returned yesterday to therapy for another 12 months.  Please pray for him as he seeks wisdom to make a decision to shorten therapy to take a job apprenticeship he’s been offered or complete the therapy.  Pray he is always surrounded by faithful Christian companions and leaders wherever he is.
• ·        CB – a friend for the last eleven years, with inoperable lung cancer and an estimated 12-13 months of life left.  He needs the Saviour before it is too late for him to think about it, but he is VERY resistant to even the thought, being fiercely self-sufficient.
• ·        My brother, Tim – Still no update on his wrist injuries.  Pray they diagnose the problem and find an effective treatment to manage the pain.  The weather is changing and beginning to affect his COPD (cardio-obstructive pulmonary disease).  Please, pray he gets active support from the patient advocate (social services).  Pray for his strength, patience, wisdom and health.  Pray for Barb, his wife, for her strength and patience and thank you, Father, for growing stronger daily in their lives so they can share You with others.
• ·        Two of Tim’s Friends – One man is in hospital now awaiting a life-saving liver transplant.  A second man, also in hospital, may lose his leg after two or three knee-replacement surgeries have become infected after an accident several years ago.
• ·        Ron Torgo – with IBS and an inflamed gallbladder, it has affected his spleen, he is miserable and having trouble eating.  Please pray for his doctors to find a way to moderate the symptoms and fix this for him.
• ·        My project ended 18 October.  Looking for a new one.  More meetings this week.  Please pray for God’s will for me in this. 

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        Doris (my "second mom") - 98-years young, growing weaker now.  New teeth do not fit well.  Yet, her focus on sharing Christ with others grows stronger!  She is unable to drink thin liquids but is managing to sip a little coffee and enjoy a few chocolates.  Pray and thank the Lord for Patti, her daughter, who faithfully and selflessly visits Doris twice a week.
• ·        Kathy Notley –had surgery on her ankle and is recovering.  Pray for travelling mercies as she takes a holiday.  Pray for refreshing rest and renewal of heart, energy and resolve – and for patience as she continues to heal.
• ·        Jeannette – (friend of David R) has had multiple sclerosis for the last 30 years and now must move to a long-term care facility.  She doesn’t want to be separated from her only friend through many years, her companion dog, Daisy.
• ·        Claudio - battling liver cancer and the meds that are using to save him have weakened his heart.  Pray for him, his health carers to be compassionate and wise and for Elea, his wife, that she has the extra strength and hope to hold his hand through this.
• ·        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.
• ·        John (stroke survivor) needs wisdom to continue the management of his big farm.  Pray God will help him with his reading challenges since the stroke.  He is enjoying cooking for others and is blessing many with this gift.
• ·        Adrian (6-year-old) serious behaviour problems continue.  Pray for 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 rely on the Lord rather than being 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) a single father now caring for his children alone.  Pray that through all this sadness and difficulty 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.
• ·        Careena’s brother - to finally realise the deep affection Jesus has for him personally and that he will make a personal commitment to the Lord to save him!
• ·        Christine – that her husband will turn to the Lord and that they will have a Christ-honouring relationship.
• ·        Denny Scheffler (sp) -- an old friend of my brother just ran into while taking Barb for preliminary tests.  Denny was in a serious auto accident a few years ago.  His life is more than difficult and empty.  Pray Tim has opportunity to share the Gospel with him and wisdom to know how to help him.
• ·        Sarah -Will soon be moving into a family friend's trailer near her parents. But still no reconciliation with family or God at this point.
• ·        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

• ·        Careena – living with multiple sclerosis and Lyme’s disease.  Thank the Lord for her life and her family of five children and a loving and supportive husband (one of our pastors).  She is vulnerable to simple health challenges.  Thank you for praying for her, her patience, physical strength and stability.
• ·        Barb (my sweet sister-in-law) came through the special medical procedure well.  No results yet and must have another type of procedure to complete the examination.  Please pray for her as she waits and for the health carers; and that the results will be fine.
• ·        Thank our Father for Shane and Carol, his wife for their many sacrifices and devotion to being Jesus’ hands and heart to Adrian while he journeyed home to be with his Saviour. 
• ·        Jeff Westergren –is home from hospital after heart surgery and regaining strength every day.  Please pray for him and Rachael as she supports him during this time.
• ·        Uncle Dwight (92 and Doris only brother) recently recovering from a kidney infection and respiratory problems and is home now.  Please pray for the Lord's will in his life.  He is an ordained pastor and knows the Lord. He is also the Grandpa of Sarah who we have been praying for.
• ·        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! 
• ·        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 - Please pray for God's will and that a hunger for God’s Word grows relentlessly within the hearts of all those who attend.  Pray especially for those who serve there:  Simon Flinders, Adam Street, Pat O'Keeffe, Kathy Notley, Anne Penny and their families.
• ·        Elaine and Jim -sharing Christ in Hong Kong as difficult changes begin there.  Their wonderful online church has a 24/7 prayer room where a small army of dedicated prayer warriors waits to pray for and with you.  Elaine just wrote to say they have a brand-new Prayer Room.  They are always hoping for new prayer warriors.  If you are interested in a special prayer ministry, let me know and I will put you in touch with Elaine.  In the meantime please take time to visit: https://tlcwhk.com/prayer-room/
• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) – they made it through the recent hurricanes in Florida and continue to serve the Lord with faithful gladness and grace and that his outreach radio program serves the Lord powerfully.  Please pray for a solution for her home care and for now pray for strength as Audley cares for his beloved wife.
• ·        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.  Give her strength, thriving health, balance, 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 children, Laura and Jason - the entire family is involved in full-time ministry in NZ.  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.

==== Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines

• ·        ISIS has established a growing beachhead in the Philippines.  Our friends and tireless servants of the Lord, Isaias and Judith, and their ministry there, URGENTLY need your prayers.  Their world is being turned upside down by ISIS terrorists.  Fighting breaking out in many places near them.  Their lives are in danger now because they serve the Lord!  Pray that our Father continues to keep them strong and safe and that they find balance for their lives and health.  This ministry gives so much to so many for so little.  To learn more:  http://www.afciworld.org   Look for "Nations" then click:  "Philippines".

ONGOING WORK RELATED

• ·        Chris - That he will set aside time to pray and consider the many choices he has in front of him and that the Lord will guide him in the best use of his days.
• ·        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.  He is looking for work again and had an interview last week.  He is in Mexico City where people are still recovering from the earthquakes.  He is a brilliant graphic designer but work is difficult to find there.
• ·        Carla - for, good health, peace, 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.
• ·        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.  And pray for my wisdom and patience as he continues to stay here.
• ·        Marvin - eighteen and finding himself.  Pray he will stay close to the Lord and not turn aside from the truth of the Truth.  Please give his parents strength and wisdom.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• ·        Donald Trump - the President of the USA is in Asia right now and needs the Lord’s hand of protection and travelling mercies.  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.

Many Recent Disasters

Once these are not at the top of the news, it is easy to forget that there will be years of recovery for those affected.

• ·        UPDATE 27 Nov - Flash flood in Athens Greece – death toll stands at 15.  Pray for those affected as they rebuild their lives.
• ·        UPDATE – 27 Nov – The deadliest earthquake struck a mountainous border region of Iran / Iraq.  Loss of life is set now at 530, with over 8,000 injured and thousands left homeless.17 struck Iran's mountainous border with Iraq.  Please pray for those affected and those trying to restore services.  UPDATE - Continued concerns for the damage done to a huge dam, filled with billions of gallons of water.
• ·        UPDATE 29 Nov - California Forest Fires - 43 people lost their lives, thousands of homes destroyed.  Those who have survived have no homes or belongings.
• ·        The families who lost loved ones and for those who experienced the Las Vegas shooting.
• ·        Those affected by the earthquakes in Mexico City
• ·        Those still picking up their lives after the many hurricanes to ravage America and surrounding islands (Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Puerto Rico)
• ·        Southerland Texas Shooting Victims and families – in a town of about 600 people, 50 were at one of the churches Sunday morning.  A shooter entered and killed 26 of the attendees and wounded at least 20 more.

Consider donating to an agency making a difference, such as:

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/  or Google search Samaritan’s Purse

• ·        North Korea – Sabre-rattling continues in a dangerous game of world domination.  Pray for wisdom and patience on all sides.
• ·        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 – and that they will be ready to give an answer for the HOPE within them!
• ·        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.
• ·        Australia – has chosen to endorse the politically-correct same-sex marriage referendum.  Please pray the Lord continues to move in His mysterious and powerful ways to restore His plan for Australia.

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.