Only You

“Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. 

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him.” Isaiah 63:4-6

Often, I wonder at the love that God has for me.  A bit selfish really, to imagine the Almighty Lord caring for me.  Do you know what I mean? 

I once read something J. I. Packer wrote about a man who died and arrived in heaven.  He was greeted by Jesus himself.  The man was surprised, of course, when Jesus offered to show him around.  A bit dumbfounded, the man followed Jesus through the gates and down the many golden streets, past beautiful mansions in park-like surroundings. 

Finally, the man could stand the suspense no longer and tugged (that is my imagination) on the sleeve of Jesus, interrupting Him as He was saying that the mansion they had reached was his. 

Jesus turned to the man and looked longingly in his eyes and asked what his question was. 

“Where are all the other people?” the man asked.  Jesus bent down and spoke softly, ‘There was only you.  I died just for you.” 

None of us knows what Heaven will be like, but our journey to the Cross was as personal as Psalm 139 lays out and our journey from the Cross and throughout out life in Christ is just as personal.  Mr. Packer’s point was that if there was only you, He loves you so much He would arrange all this for you and still die to save you!  Now that is tremendous! 

[Jesus teaching] “’For God so loved the world, thet He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.’” John 3:16

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

PS:  Please send me any updates for the prayer list.    

PPS:  Find my statement of faith by clicking or cut and paste this link into your Web browser:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com   You can find the WeakDay Devotion online.  Do a Google Search for “WeakDay Devotion.”  (Also, there is a “Google Blogger” App you can download to read them on your phone.)

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS?

·        URGENT – Isaias (Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines), please pray for him and those enrolled in their seminary right now as a typhoon bears down on them and they are travelling through dangerous mountainous passes.  Also continue to pray for Edna.

·        Barbara – had a PET scan last week as they complete a thorough diagnostic battery of test.  She now awaits the results.  Thank you and thank you for praying for Tim who supports her daily.

·        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.

·        Edna – no updates on how the wife of the staff evangelist (Philippines Ambassadors for Christ is feeling now.  (see below ‘full-time service’).  They need your prayers for the restoration of her health, the wisdom of the doctors and that the Lord provides for their growing financial needs.

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

·        Claudio – Has had a disappointing setback and needs prayers for encouragement in 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 Furbee and husband, Sam – no updates.  Please keep praying for her recovery and for Sam’s care and devotion.  For more information and to contribute to the high costs of the procedures visit their GoFundMe page:  https://www.gofundme.com/sue-furbee

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