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I Can Only Imagine by
"I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe
cover by One Voice Children's Choir
“And two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him. And when they came to the place called The Skill, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
And one of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, ‘Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!’ But the other answered, and rebuking him said, ‘Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence f condemnation?
“And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but his man has done nothing wrong.’ And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!’ And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.’” Matthew 22:32-33, 39-43
Well, of course, the verse did not save my Mom, but it was because of that verse that my Mom realised that, we are all just like that thief on the cross -- guilty, lost, without hope and completely helpless.
She had resigned herself, believing she could not be saved because she was on a ventilator and could not leave the hospital -- so she could not take communion or be baptised as she was taught was necessary. But God had a plan for my Mom and that verse was what unlocked her heart and give her hope for eternity.
The love and sacrifice of the Lord is greater than we can ever fathom. He waits for each one of us to reach out to Him, tell Him we know we are helpless and hopeless and that we understand only He has the power to love us through all.
For those of you who have lost a dear one, know that Jesus is faithful to reach out until the last second to pull each of His children into His eternal kingdom. And that is certainly a huge mystery.
Take care with love, especially His! Your servant and friend in Christ, who still prays for you each morning. Darlene
PS: My statement of faith is on the blog: Especially His Love. Click or cut and paste this link into 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?
· Christine –is grieving for the loss of her dear friend, Rose. Be with her and Rose’s family and friends as they say good-bye.
· USA – that the Lord would demonstrate His power in an unexpected and uniting way during these times of unrest and confusion. Pray especially for the families and friends of the eleven people who were slain at the Synagogue and for all those now feeling fear from the madness. Help hearts settle and rest on You alone.
· Claudio – His condition is worsening as he continues his battle with liver cancer, the meds are difficult. 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.
· Toron – finishing his studies and needing strength, focus and confidence, especially with maths.
FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE
· Peter Frith – Works as part of Anglicare as the sole Christian chaplain at a special hospital. The work is very lonely and challenging. Please pray for his encouragement, hope and that our loving heavenly Father sends another Christian to work with Peter.
· St Marks Anglican Church Northbridge - Please pray God opens the hearts and minds of those who visit and for those who worship there regularly, pray their hunger for God’s Word grows. Pray for strength, wisdom and healing rest, for those who serve there: Simon Flinders, Pat O'Keeffe, Kathy Notley, Anne Penny and their families.
· Isaias and Judith of Ambassadors for Christ in Philippines need prayer for travelling mercies as they travel to speak at Church Anniversaries in Europe. They will be preaching at other events and churches in Zurich, Switzerland, Vienna Austria and Bologna, Italy. Return 6 November. Please pray God will use them as His representatives and make us a blessing wherever He leads us in proclaiming His Word.
· Doug McIntosh - an invaluable contributor to my love of Bible study has multiple myelomas and has retired from full time ministry. Please pray for him, his family and the church he has worked so faithfully in, Cornerstone, in Lilburn Georgia.
· Jenny S – has returned from her teaching and preaching trip to Ireland and needs prayer to help her retain her energy and strength. Pray others see His grace in her and give her wisdom to seek balance and pray for sustained strength, thriving health, protection and always the right handling of God's Word.
· Audley – please pray for this faithful Bible teacher who has a weekly radio program to spread the Good News. And hold him up as he adjusts to the loss of his wife Beverly, who passed into glory 2 April. Pray for his tenderness and that he will allow others to serve him.
· Elaine and Jim -who are now establishing a new ministry in Fiji. Please pray for them as they settle in. I will keep you updated on their mission there.
· 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.
· 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.
PRAY FOR THE WORLD
· USA President Donald Trump – 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. Pray his meetings in Singapore accomplishes God’s will!
· North Korea and Russia – Pray God’s hand is apparent to all as he works out His will for these two countries. Pray for God’s people to grow and rise up in these lost and lonely lands.
· 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. Pray for Bible-based Christians scattered across the globe to be kept safe. Help them rest in the knowledge that what happens in Israel, Korea, China, the Middle East, the USA or wherever, is all part of our loving, heavenly Father’s plan. Pray for hearts to open to His Truth and that His people will be prepared to share the Good News.
· That the Lord's hand gives strength and grace to 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 the Lord and pray for the many individuals in Russia, USA, Poland, UK, France, Australia, UAE (!), Germany, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Ireland, 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.
PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
· BL engagement – pray for her and her husband-to-be that they always put their Saviour first in everything they do individually and together for their lifetime together. Wedding date is set for early February 2019.
· Adrian – Carla’s brother and a pastor/ teacher is now fully recovered from quadruple by-pass surgery. Pray that God’s loving protection and peace covers Adrian like a soft and comforting blanket of love and that he will pace himself and be patient. Pray for his family to be strong and patient.
· David R – seems to be gaining strength and has a new little Yorkie pup to keep him company during his long days. Pray for wisdom for his health carers and for his patience. Surely the hand of the Lord is not short in any of our lives and still works in ways we cannot understand. Pray David will rest in the Truth of the Gospel message.
· Elina –Keep her in your prayers. It is likely there will be more challenges ahead for her as a single mother. Pray the Lord keeps her and her child safe and gives her new wisdom to stand and watch the Lord battle for her.
PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS
· My brother, Tim – is feeling better now, and is thankful the weather is improving. Pray he is wise in managing his COPD (chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease) and arthritis. Please pray for his peace, patience, wisdom and acceptance of these difficulties. Pray his doctors are attentive, wise and compassionate. 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.
· Update: Sue Furbee and her husband, Sam need our prayers. Sue is dealing with a debilitating complication from having cancer after a successful mastectomy and chemo. Sue is just beginning the most difficult and costly part of the procedure. While many have had success with this procedure (injecting massive amounts of her own treated stems cells back into her body), it is still considered experimental in the US and not covered by insurance and must be completed outside the US. Please share with your friends. Please pray for God’s wisdom in their next steps. For more updates and if you would like to contribute, this is their GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/sue-furbee
· Doris – now 99 - has MRSA (an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection) in her urine and due to repeated UTIs over the years, there seems to be no antibiotic she is not allergic to! Remains on an IV antibiotic, but seems to be as cheerful as ever, thanks to your prayers!
· 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.
· Liriel - chronically ill (kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis) and often in pain but feeling a bit better lately. Pray for her comfort and that she can find some joy in each day.
· 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 – (Patti’s daughter) battling depression and lack of rest. She teaches full time and cares for five children, including six-year old, Adrian with serious behaviour problems that are slowly improving. Micah, her youngest (4) diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Help her abandon her own efforts and trust the Lord to fight her battles.
· Aunt Donna - with dementia. Please pray for her daughters so they can care for her best.
PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION
· DB's father - (84 years) pray his heart opens to Christ. He is an avowed – and boastfully proud – atheist.
· Scott – his wife abandoned him and left their two children behind (Sophia – 9 and Grady – 7). He is proving to be a wonderful single father. Pray the Lord continues to melt his heart, so he will reach out for the Lord and that the Lord will take special care of the children during this time. Pray for his wife, that the Lord would overwhelm her heart with His love.
· Len Carbone – healing from his surgery and now please pray he opens to hear of the love of 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’s husband – that she will be strong, yet graceful; and that her husband will turn to the Lord by the example of her quiet and gentle, loving spirit, 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 so difficult and empty. Pray Tim has opportunity to share the Gospel with him and wisdom to know how to help him.
· Sarah -Moving into a family friend's trailer near her parents. But still no reconciliation with family or God at this point.
· Jenny - Recently lost her husband and needs comfort, strength and true answers in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ.
· 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.
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.
· Sergio – has lost his job and is now looking again. Pray for his health as he has just been diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes.
· Carla, Paul, David and Matthew – that they continue to focus on God’s Word and that the Lord restores balance for them all.
· 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.
· Paul –Has not had paying work since 2010. Please pray for his ongoing resilience. Please pray the Lord would allow him to be successful with any role. 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.
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 and reliant on You during this time.
· Please pray for Valerie (and family) whose husband, James (a friend of Jeff and Rachael) just passed away, that she takes sufficient time to grieve and recover with a stronger heart and deeper love for the Lord.
· Marvin - nineteen 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 -Pray for him as he seeks wisdom on his journey of growth; and that wherever he is that he is always surrounded by faithful Christian companions and leaders.
· Linda and Ian, Rob and his daughter, DB, PS, RB, JD, Annette and Lyle, S&GS, Carla and Paul, Jeff and Rachael and their wonderful families. Grateful thanks for their practical support and encouragement over the years.
