Melchizedek

 “He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and like one from whom men hide their face.  He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” Isaiah 53:3

Fulfilled:

“He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.” John 1:11 and

“But they cried out all together saying ‘Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!’” Luke 23:18)

“The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind.  Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Psalm 110:4

Fulfilled:

“So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, ‘Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee’; just as He says also in another passage, ‘Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’” Hebrews 5:5-6

Melchizedek is mentioned first in Genesis 14:18 as this mysterious guy who was ‘the king of Salem’.  It was after one of those many Old Testament wars and after they won, Abram (before he was even Abraham) gave Melchizedek a tenth of all (the introduction of a defined tithe, rather than what Cain and Able offered (which was undefined and what they felt like)). 

It got me to thinking about the war our world has been in since the beginning of time -- between Good and evil.  The Lord Jesus was born not just to save us, but to sacrifice it all to entrust the entire treasures of His precious Word and His amazing plan into our hands.  And none of us is worthy, no not one, but by grace we stand in Him!

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 found by clicking the following link, or cut and paste the 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?

·        Buddy & Susan – Father, You know their needs as they travel home to the States for their first furlough in over 20 years.  Guard their health and provide travelling mercies and the kindness of Your special angels along their journey.  Bless them with the warmth and welcome that only family and real friends provide!

·        Sergio – lost his job and now looking again.  He has just been diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes.  Was living with his brother, but he has asked him to move out, leaving him homeless.  

·        Claudio – His condition has improved once more as he continues his battle with liver cancer.  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.

·        Sue – had successful eye surgery on Thursday last week and needs your prayers for her second surgery this Thursday.  She was so pleased with the results.  Thank the Lord!

·        Toron – finishing his high school studies and needing strength, focus and confidence, especially with maths.

·        USA – that the Lord would demonstrate His power in an unexpected and uniting way during these times of unrest and confusion.  Help hearts settle and rest on You alone.

·        Me – Pray for my wisdom with the many decisions I’m trying to make currently.

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.  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 – are busily training up workers in ‘His Philippine harvest fields’.  This ministry gives so much to so many for so little.  To learn more:  http://www.afciworld.org (Look for "Nations" then "Philippines").

·        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 – Pray others always sense His grace in her.  Give her wisdom to seek balance, 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 in Florida that he would have sustained good health and faithfulness with His Word.  Pray God would continue to soothe his grief, from the loss of his beloved wife.

·        Elaine and Jim -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.

·        Kevin and Sandy Currell (in Melbourne) need your prayers for their ministries and as they prepare to lead a teaching trip to the Holy Lands in March next year.

·        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 in the truth of the Bible. 

·        North Korea, Iran, China and Russia – Pray God’s hand is apparent to all, as He works out His will for these countries.  Pray for God’s people to grow and rise up in these lost and lonely lands.

·        The World – Pray for God's mercy 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 and trusting.  Help them rest in the Lord and trust that what happens in our world is all part of our loving, heavenly Father’s plan.  Pray for hearts to open to His Truth and that His people are prepared to share the Good News when asked.

·        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 -- the result of greed, wars and famine around the world. 

·        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

·        My brother, Tim –Thank you Lord for the furnace mechanic finding the serious carbon monoxide leak and replacing their furnace before the cold weather arrives.  Pray Tim is wise in managing his COPD (chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease) and arthritis.  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.

·        Doris – now 99 – and back to fighting fit again.  What a remarkable woman.  I am grateful she has been in my life.  

·        Patti – faithful daughter of Doris, wife of John.  A Proverbs 31 woman who need strength and energy and the ability to prioritise with grace and determination.

·        Christine – thank you for holding her up as she feels the loss of her friend, Rose.

·        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 has recovered from quadruple by-pass surgery.  Pray that God’s loving protection and peace covers Adrian like a soft and comforting blanket and that he will pace himself and be patient.  Pray for his family to be strong and understanding.

·        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 new 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.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

·        Update:  Sue Furbee and husband, Sam scheduled to travel to Mexico later this month/ early December to have her harvested and treated T-cells infused back into her body.  It is a painful procedure.  The hope this will slow/ stop complications from her previous cancer.  It is an experimental treatment, not covered by US health insurance and need financial help.  Pray for travelling and healing mercies for Sue and strength for Sam as he holds Sue up through this.  Feel free to share this with your friends.  For more updates and if you would like to contribute, this is their GoFundMe page –(https://www.gofundme.com/sue-furbee )

·        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 since she’s now free from opioids.  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 touches his heart soon and that the Lord will take special care of the children now. 

·        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.

·        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 and that 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.

·        California Campfire Fire –  85 confirmed dead.  Many still missing. Countless animals destroyed.  Over 18,000 buildings (of which 14,000 were homes) in ashes.  Pray for all those affected and for those providing shelter and aid to the thousands displaced.  Pray some who are helping will be able to share the Truth with these individuals.

·        Please pray for Valerie (and family) whose husband, James (a friend of Jeff and Rachael) passed away earlier this year that she is now stronger in heart and that her love of the Lord deepens. 

·        Marvin – a beloved young man who is endeavouring to find 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.

·        Elina –Keep her in your prayers to keep her strong as she faces the challenges of being 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.

·        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.