Who IS Blind?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE-ha9X_BmE&t=28s

Or search YouTube for:

Alleluia! There's Something About That Name

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’  Then I said, ‘Here am I.  Send me!’  And He said, ‘Go, and tell this people, ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; keep on looking, but do not understand. 

“’Render the hearts of this people insensitive, their ears dull, and their eyes dim, lest they see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and return and be healed.’” Isaiah 6:8-10

“And they said to him, ‘Where is He?’  He said, ‘I do not know.’  They brought to the Pharisees him who was formerly blind.  Now it was a Sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 

“Again, therefore, the Pharisees also were asking him how he received his sight.  And he said to them, ‘He applied clay to my eyes, and I washed, and I see.’  Therefore, some of the Pharisees were saying, ‘This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.’  But others were saying, ‘How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?’  And there was a division among them.

“They said therefore to the blind man again, ‘What do you say about Him, since He opened your eyes?’  And he said, ‘He is a prophet.’  The Jews therefore did not believe it of him, that he had been blind, and had received sight, until they called the parents of the very one who had received his sight and questioned them, saying, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind?  Then how does he now see?’ 

“His parents answered them and said, ‘We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees, we do not know or who opened his eyes, we do not know.  Ask him; he is of age, he shall speak for himself.’” John 9:12-20

There are only 20 days till the day when ‘heart-blindness’ was done away with for eternity.  I hope you make time to listen to the not-so-perfect recording of ‘There’s Something About That Name’.  I promise it will make your heart sing and … you may even cry with thanksgiving for how He meets each of us and heals our individual blindness!

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

PS: Please send me prayer updates.  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 by doing 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

·        Thank you Lord, for the precious rain and cooler weather for those in drought areas, working to save their animals and crops, especially Ken and Heather D.

·        Elea.  Please pray for Elea, the wife of Claudio, who recently passed away from liver cancer.  She loved him through this horrible experience and had so little time with him.  Pray the Lord will shine through the sadness of her loss and that she finds His comfort surrounding her now.

·        Kevin and Sandy Currell (in Melbourne) need your prayers for safety and time for refreshment and focus as they lead a teaching trip through the Holy Lands. 

·        UPDATE - Sue Furbee and husband, Sam – They both thank you for your faithful prayers.  They remain hopeful since the stem-cell procedure (for cancer complications) and were told it could take up to six months.  Sue needs prayer for her patience during recovery and comfort with the pain.  Pray also for Sam’s strength as he goes through this with his beloved.  To learn mores and how you could help them with the high costs, visit their GoFundMe page at:  https://www.gofundme.com/sue-furbee

·        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 in You alone.

·        Jenny S –Bible teacher preparing for a week in Canberra.  Pray for travelling mercies, wisdom and time for reflection.

·        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.  

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

More Water

“Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?  And who may stand in His holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood.  And has not sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalm 24:3-5

“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves; and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and the word is not in us.” I John 1:8-10

The passage for today is in Leviticus 4:1-12, about cleanliness.   The author of The Shadow of the Cross says, “The gospel tells us that only Jesus can cleanse the human heart.  We should be so thankful for Jesus, that the day of these endless sacrifices for purification is over.  Jesus’ death for us on the cross means that everything we read about in Leviticus has been fulfilled and we, his people, are washed, cleansed and undefiled.

"Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, and this sin has defiled our conscience.  Thank You for sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  We praise You that by Your Spirit and Your word we have been made clean. Amen.”[1]

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

PS: Please send me prayer updates.  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

·        Claudio – Has lost his battle with liver cancer this week.  Please pray for Elea, his wife, who loved him through this horrible experience and had so little time with him, that the Lord will shine through the sadness of her loss and that she finds His comfort surrounding her now.

·        UPDATE:  Scott, just started a new job. Praise the Lord.  Thank you for praying for him.  Please continue your prayers for him to seek a relationship with the Lord for himself and his children.

·        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 this month.  Pray for their safety.

·        UPDATE - Sue Furbee and husband, Sam – They both thank you for your faithful prayers.  The stem cell procedure has not yet shown any positive affect.  They remain hopeful and were told it could take up to six months.  Please keep praying for her recovery and comfort, and for Sam’s strength as he goes through this with his beloved.  See more about this and how to contribute to the high costs, visit their GoFundMe page at:  https://www.gofundme.com/sue-furbee

·        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 in You alone.

·        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.  

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

---

[1] © 2017, Michael Raiter, Shadows of the Cross, Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament, Anglican Youthworks.

What were You thinking?

“ … and there was no water for the people to drink.  Therefore, the people quarrelled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water that we may drink.’  And Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me?  Why do you test the Lord?’ 

“But the people thirsted there for water and they grumbled against Moses and said, ‘Why, now, have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?’ 

“So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, ‘What shall I do to this people?  A little more and they will stone me.’  Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile and go. 

“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.’  And Moses did so in the sight of the Israelites.” Exodus 17:1-7

“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?’ Romans 8:32

Yesterday, we considered how, when Christ was pierced on the cross, His blood, mixed with water, flowed down.  It was a precursor of how generously Christ offers His living water to us as we wander lost in the desert of our own desires.         

How often do we complain about what we do not have, forgetting to count our many blessings … starting with His precious gift of eternal salvation?

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we pray for our world.  You know the deep spiritual thirst of people, and you see their folly in seeking to find satisfaction in false substitutes.  Please draw them to that rock from whom gushes forth water that wells up to eternal life.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”[1]

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

PS: Please send me prayer updates.  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

·        Claudio – Has lost his battle with liver cancer this week.  Please pray for Elea, his wife, who loved him through this horrible experience and had so little time with him, that the Lord will shine through the sadness of her loss and that she finds His comfort surrounding her now.

·        UPDATE:  Scott, just started a new job. Praise the Lord.  Thank you for praying for him.  Please continue your prayers for him to seek a relationship with the Lord for himself and his children.

·        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 this month.  Pray for their safety.

·        UPDATE - Sue Furbee and husband, Sam – They both thank you for your faithful prayers.  The stem cell procedure has not yet shown any positive affect.  They remain hopeful and were told it could take up to six months.  Please keep praying for her recovery and comfort; and for Sam’s strength as he goes through this with his beloved.  See more about this and how to contribute to the high costs, visit their GoFundMe page at:  https://www.gofundme.com/sue-furbee

·        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 in You alone.

·        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.  

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

---

[1] © 2017, Michael Raiter, Shadows of the Cross, Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament, Anglican Youthworks.

The True Passover

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbN_r_6aNq0

Or search YouTube for

Guy Penrod - Amazing Love/Word Of God Speak

“When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him.  And He said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ 

“And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, ‘Take this and share it among yourselves; for I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.’ 

“And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’  And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.” Luke 22:14-20

Passover (Exodus 12:1-32) is still observed by Jews to remind them of the time God sent an angel throughout Egypt claiming the lives of every firstborn -- except those who were obedient to God’s instruction. 

The instructions include baking unleavened bread and roasting a lamb with bitter herbs.  They eat this simple meal standing up, sandals on their feet, staves in hand, ready to flee from bondage.  They repeat the words sound familiar: “This is the bread of affliction our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt.  Let all who are hungry come and eat.’ 

“In his Gospel, John tells us that at the very moment Jewish people in Jerusalem were preparing to celebrate the Passover, their leaders were crying out to Pilate for the blood of Jesus.  ‘Crucify Him!’ they yelled.  The blood of the true Lamb of God was shed on the cross, and all who take refuge under this blood are spared the wrath of God’s judgment, and are set free to walk in obedience to the place God has prepared for them.

Prayer:  Almighty God and Father, when we were slaves to sin, Satan and death, You remembered us and set us free by the innocent blood of Your own Son.  Thank You for Your mercy to us, and strengthen us to walk with You in lives of sincerity and truth until we receive the kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world.  Amen.”[1]

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

·        Claudio – Has lost his battle with liver cancer this week.  Please pray for Elea, his wife, who loved him through this horrible experience and had so little time with him, that the Lord will shine through the sadness of her loss and that she finds His comfort surrounding her now.

·        UPDATE:  Scott, just started a new job. Praise the Lord.  Thank you for praying for him.  Please continue your prayers for him to seek a relationship with the Lord for himself and his children.

·        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 this month.  Pray for their safety.

·        UPDATE - Sue Furbee and husband, Sam – They both thank you for your faithful prayers.  The stem cell procedure has not yet shown any positive effect.  They remain hopeful and were told it could take up to six months.  Please keep praying for her recovery and comfort, and for Sam’s strength as he goes through this with his beloved.  See more about this and how to contribute to the high costs, visit their GoFundMe page at:  https://www.gofundme.com/sue-furbee

·        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 in You alone.

·        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.  

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

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

·        Scripture Classes in Australian Schools – Australia is an unusual country, in that they are rather secular as a rule, but they have the freedom to hold Scripture classes in the schools during regular school hours.  It seems some resistance is beginning to grow to this, but it is critical to pray that they continue.  It is a great hope for Australia.

·        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 the 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.

·        Jim and Elaine - are settling into the Fiji ministry and educational positions they have been provided there.  Please pray for them that they will find joy and time and energy to see the fruits of their labours for the Lord.

·        Buddy & Susan – Have returned safely to their ministry in far north Queensland after their first furlough home to the States in over 20 years.  Please continue to pray for their needs and the harvest from their labours.  

·        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.

·        The Catholic Church and the Pope, who needs our prayers that he will always put Jesus first in all his life and decisions.

---

[1] © 2017, Michael Raiter, Shadows of the Cross, Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament, Anglican Youthworks.

Dreamers to Death

[Peter speaking] “’Men of Israel, listen to these words:  Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know – this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.

“’And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.  For David says of Him:

“I was always beholding the Lord in my presence.  For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.  Therefore, my heart was glad, and my tongue exulted; moreover, my flesh also will abide in hope because Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; Thou wilt make me full of gladness with Thy presence.’”

Acts 2:22-28

“Joseph is one of the most unfairly treated characters in the Bible. […] his announcing of the subject of his dreams may have lacked some subtlety, but […] Dreams were divine revelations about the future of God’s people. […] Joseph has been despised and rejected by his brothers in order that he might ultimately save them

“And, like Jesus, Joseph’s path to exaltation is along the road of suffering, injustice and humiliation.  He is falsely accused and condemned. […] what the people meant for evil, God meant for good and ‘the saving of many lives’ (Genesis 50:20)

“Prayer:  Sovereign Lord, we bow before your Almighty Power.  Thank you for Him who was despised and rejected in order to be our Saviour and King.  In the face of trials and temptations, keep us by Your mighty power until that day when we see you face to face. Amen”[1] 

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

PS: Pllease 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

·        Claudio – Has lost his battle with liver cancer this week.  Please pray for Elea, his wife, who loved him through this horrible experience and had so little time with him, that the Lord will shine through the sadness of her loss and that she finds His comfort surrounding her now.

·        UPDATE:  Scott, just started a new job. Praise the Lord.  Thank you for praying for him.  Please continue your prayers for him to seek a relationship with the Lord for himself and his children.

·        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 this month.  Pray for their safety.

·        UPDATE - Sue Furbee and husband, Sam – They both thank you for your faithful prayers.  The stem cell procedure has not yet shown any positive affect.  They remain hopeful and were told it could take up to six months.  Please keep praying for her recovery and comfort; and for Sam’s strength as he goes through this with his beloved.  See more about this and how to contribute to the high costs, visit their GoFundMe page at:  https://www.gofundme.com/sue-furbee

·        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 in You alone.

·        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.  

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

---

[1] © 2017, Michael Raiter, Shadows of the Cross, Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament, Anglican Youthworks.