ENOUGH!

 If you need confirmation, listen to this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrhSjP5988E

or search YouTube for

David Phelps:  The End of the Beginning

“’And they captured fortified cities and a fertile land.  They took possession of houses full of every good thing.  Hewn cisterns, vineyards, olive groves, fruit trees in abundance.  So they ate, were filled, and grew fat, and revelled in Thy great goodness.

“’But they became disobedient, and rebelled against Thee, and cast Thy law behind their backs and killed Thy prophets and had admonished them so that they might return to Thee, and they committed great blasphemies. 

“’Therefore. Thou didst deliver them into the hand of their oppressors who oppressed them.  But when they cried to Thee in the time of their distress, Thou didst hear from heaven, and according to Thy great compassion Thou didst give them deliverers who delivered them from the hand of their oppressors.  But as soon as they had rest, they did evil again before Thee.’” Nehemiah 9:25-28

Yesterday, I was reading some studies about the deterioration of Bible-based Christianity around the world.  You know, the thought of forgiveness and grace is so counter-culture – so impossible for our small minds to grasp!  God MUST have a limit!

As strong as our faith may be, we sometimes slip into “identifying” God, by what we see in ourselves and in the people around us.  It is one reason the idea of a loving Father is difficult for many to grasp, just think of the many who have earthly fathers who are anything but loving.

In our shame, about our open or hidden sins, we begin to avoid reading Scripture, praying and miss our quiet times with our Father.  We hope He won’t notice what is going on.  How could He ever understand and forgive us our weakness?

Yet, the entire Bible is a startling demonstration of his inexhaustible patience, love and forgiveness -- His perpetual hope in His children.  His hope is so great He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to bridge the gap of understanding, not so He could understand us better, but that we might understand Him better.

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who still prays for you each morning.  And speaking of prayers, please send me updates, for those who pray so faithfully, we long for updates of God’s progress with our petitions!

PS:  My statement of faith is on the blog:  Especially His Love.  Cut and paste this link in your Web browser:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com.au/  If you wish to find the WeakDay Devotion online, just do a Google Search for “WeakDay Devotion”.  (You can read it on your phone that way, too.  Or install the Google Blogger App from the app store.)

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS?

• ·        Me – My present project ended yesterday and was a wonderful opportunity to work with a team of great people.  There are two roles at the same organisation they are considering me for and two other roles outside the organisation I’m being considered for.  The big decision remains on my heart, but more preparation is necessary. Please pray for me to wait patiently on the Lord’s will in these decisions.

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 in this neighbourhood and for all who attend.  Pray for strength, wisdom and healing rest, especially at this holiday time, for those who serve there:  Simon Flinders, Pat O'Keeffe, Kathy Notley, Anne Penny and their families.
• ·        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.
• ·        Audley - needs our prayers now as he recovers from the loss of his beloved wife Beverly, who passed into glory 2 April.  Pray for his tenderness and that he will allow others to serve him and hold him up through this time of loss.
• ·        RN – Please pray for his healing and grace as he deals with the recurrence of cancer and for Kathy as she supports him and takes on more responsibility at her work.  Give her energy and the sense to rest.
• ·        Jo and Steve - for their loving example of Christian life and devotion.  May their love flourish under His guidance
• ·        Stu and Jo and children, Laura and Jason – Pray for this devoted-to-the-Lord-Jesus-Christ family who are all involved in full-time ministry in NZ.  Keep them strong, healthy and resolute.
• ·        Elaine and Jim -sharing Christ in Hong Kong as difficult changes begin in the politics of the country.  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: https://tlcwhk.com/prayer-room/
• ·        Please pray for JB, that our loving Father will constantly and consistently provoke his heart to minister to others.
• ·        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 beachhead in the Philippines.  Our friends, and tireless servants of the Lord, Isaias and Judith, need your prayers.  Pray our Father continues to keep them strong and safe and that they find balance for their lives and good 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").

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• ·        USA President Donald Trump - If ever there was a time to pray for an individual, it is now!  It is our responsibility as Christians to remember God has a plan through this man.  If you doubt the importance of his appointment, just look at how much antagonism there is against him – surely Satan is NOT happy and means to thwart God’s plan.  Pray someone helps President Trump understand the true meaning of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and that he will have someone to regularly disciple him.
• ·        North Korea – God’s hand is at work in places we cannot imagine.  Pray for God’s people to grow and rise up in this lost and lonely land.
• ·        Syria – the evil of seemingly everlasting war and now chemical weapons is heartbreaking.  Pray for a solution that saves these people.
• ·        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, and keep them 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 homeless and displaced people from greed, wars and famine around the world.  These refugees need compassion and Jesus Christ.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Report from Isaiah Catorce from Philippines:  Judith, the wife and co-labourer of Isaias, was hospitalised upon arrival in the USA with a 90% blockage in her carotid artery.  They performed surgery.  She is out of the hospital and growing stronger every day.  They will miss the conference, but the Lord provided a loving host family for them.  Please pray for Judith’s continued recovery and strengthening, the resting heart of her husband, the health carers she still needs and for their host family Fabian Lemette.  Pray for their colleague, Isachar, who is attending the conference for them.  Oh, and praise the Lord they had travel insurance which paid for the surgery!  Finally, pray their other unexpected expenses are covered (please see below “Full-time service”, if you are led to help.)
• ·        Jen – is better now and is helping care for her friend, Pat, who fell recently and broke her hip.  (Pat also needs your prayers for a speedy recovery).
• ·        Sergio – has found a new career where he is respected for his skill, talents and wisdom with people.
• ·        Jeff Westergren –after heart surgery he has continued to regain strength every day.  Please pray for him and Rachael, as she supports him.
• ·        BL –Important decisions were made and wisely.  Thank you for praying.
• ·        Elina –Keep her in your prayers.  It is likely there more challenges ahead for her as a single mother.  Pray the Lord keeps a guard on the door of her lips and gives her new wisdom to stand and watch the Lord battle for her.
• ·        Ron Torgo – His IBS is under control now and he is able to eat and sleep normally again.  He was off work for three months, so pray for his financial situation, that he remembers to pace himself and that he recovers from an unexpected disappointment.
• ·        Praise the Lord and pray for the many individuals in Russia, USA, Poland, UK, France, Australia, UAE (!), Germany, Portugal, Romania, American Samoa, Brazil, 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.

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 as interest in his musical group grows.  Keep all the members of the band professional and focused and that you bless it as You see best.
• ·        Carla – for an overwhelming and insatiable desire to read God’s Word as she works so very hard and travels so much and is away from her family when she is so needed there. 
• ·        Paul –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 my wisdom and patience as he continues to stay here.
• ·        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.

ONGOING PRAYER

• ·        C&A – That God’s love binds them and their family together to face whatever difficulties occur.  That understanding and compassion will prevail.  Thank you, Lord, for letting them be part of my life and Your love to me.  Keep them safe and healthy during this time and reliant on You.
• ·        SS – needs continual wisdom to care for her ageing parents that there is a balance and continued good health for all concerned.
• ·        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.
• ·        Hans -returned to therapy for another 12 months.  Please pray for him as he seeks wisdom to make a decision between shortening therapy and taking a job apprenticeship he’s been offered.  Pray he is always surrounded by faithful Christian companions and leaders wherever he is.
• ·        Linda and Ian, Rob and his daughter, DB, PS, RB, JD, Annette and Lyle, Carla and Paul, Jeff and Rachael and their wonderful families.  Grateful thanks for their practical support and encouragement over the years.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        My brother, Tim – with COPD (chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease) and osteoarthritis, please pray for his peace, patience, wisdom and acceptance of these difficulties and that the doctors find medicine that helps him.  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.
• ·        Doris (my "second mom") – now 99 years old and slowing down.  Her faithful focus remains to share Christ with others!  Pray and thank the Lord for Patti, her daughter, who selflessly makes time to visit Doris twice a week.
• ·        David R - Pray for his wisdom and patience.  Surely the hand of the Lord is not short in any of our lives and still works in ways we cannot understand.
• ·        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.
• ·        Claudio – continuing to battle liver cancer, the meds are difficult.  Thank the Lord that he is in a bit of a remission right now.  Pray for 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 continue to provide patience and help with reading since the stroke.  He is enjoying cooking for others and is blessing many with this gift.
• ·        Uncle Dwight (92 and Doris only brother).  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.
• ·        Julia - battling depression and lack of rest.  She teaches full time and cares for five children, including six-year old, Adrian with serious behaviour problems.  She needs to learn 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

• ·        CB – a friend for the last eleven years, with inoperable lung cancer.  He recently began treatment and it is uncertain how much time he has left.  He needs the Saviour before it is too late for him to think about it, but he is VERY resistant and fiercely self-sufficient.
• ·        Scott (in the USA) a single father now caring for his children alone after his wife left.  Pray that all this sadness and difficulty will melt his heart to reach out for the Lord.
• ·        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 and that as he struggles with life that he will come to understand and accept Jesus’ loving and gracious sacrifice for him.
• ·        Christine – that she will be strong, yet graceful; and that her husband will turn to the Lord, so they will have a Christ-centred relationship and family.
• ·        Denny Scheffler -- an old friend of my brother who 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.
• ·        DB's father - (84 years) pray his heart opens to Christ.  He is an avowed – and boastfully proud – atheist.
• ·        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 R - 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.
• ·        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.