My Father and your Father

“But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stopped and looked into the tomb; and she beheld two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying.

“And they said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’  She said to him, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.’

“When she had said this, she turned around, and beheld Jesus standing there and did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you seeking?’

“Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, ‘Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’  Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’

“She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher).  Jesus said to her, ‘Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father, but go to My brethren, and say to them, I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’”

The sweet and unlikely message of God’s Word is that since the Resurrection of Jesus, we have the privilege of a personal relationship with the Living God.  The Creator who made all and who is Master of all, who is never surprised, but always surprising, who is powerful beyond our most exhausted imagination, always present and aware. 

And this God, so amazing offers us, not just a remote relationship – like those who worship something from afar with trembling and fear-- but an intimate relationship based on His immeasurable love and exacting justice.   

There is no way we can fathom this, we can only rest in Him!   

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

·        Five Ways to Pray for the Christians in Sri Lanka: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-bombs-on-easter-sunday - over 321 individuals killed with more than 500 injured in a bombing on a quiet Easter Sunday morning.  It is now understood to be in retaliation for the New Zealand bombings of a Muslim Mosque.  Please read the Desiring God link above to know how best to pray for this situation.  Pray more earnestly for Christians who are increasingly being attacked around the world for their choice to follow the risen Jesus Christ. 

·        Pray for any new strangers in your church – Easter brings individuals into your local church that need a warm and encouraging welcome.  Please pray for courage and love.

·        Fire in Cathedral of Notre Dame - Pray for those around the world who have been touched by the powerful fire – that they may look up to the Creator for comfort.

·        Isaias and Judith (Ambassadors for Christ in The Philippines) – Isaias returned to home to be greeted by earthquakes and flooding.  Pray for him, his family and their expanding ministry there.  Pray for his safety and travelling mercies.  This ministry gives so much to so many for so little.  To learn more:  http://www.afciworld.org (Top of page:  "Where We Work” > “Asia-Pacific” > "Philippines").

·        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 Him 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.

PRAY 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 so it is critical to pray this continues.  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.

·        Jenny S –Bible teacher for energy and good health, wisdom and time for reflection.

·        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.

·        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 in to the Fiji ministry and educational leadership positions.  Please pray for them that they will find joy and time and energy to see the fruits of their labours for the Lord in yet a new country.

·        Buddy & Susan – Are home now to resume their ministry in far north Queensland.  It was the first furlough home to the States in over 20 years.  Please continue to pray for their needs and the harvest from their labours.  They were one of the first families who welcomed me to Australia and amazing Christian teachers.

·        Kevin and Sandy Currell (in Melbourne) have returned safely from their time teaching and leading a group through the Holy Lands.  Kevin has a wonderful ministry in words and images.  Please visit his site:  https://www.kevincurrell.com/ to learn more.

·        Jo and Steve - for their loving example of Christian life and devotion.  May their love flourish under His guidance as they continue their work in Christchurch New Zealand.

·        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 New Zealand  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.