Monday, April 22, 2019

The First Called to be Evangelists




“And when the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.  And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.  And they were saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?’

“And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.  And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe, and they were amazed. 

“And he said to them, ‘Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified, He has risen; He is not here, behold, here is the place where they laid Him.

“’But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you into Galilee, there you will see Him, just as He said to you.’  And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” Mark 16:1-8

Think of that!  In a world and day when women (and children) were to be seen rather than heard; to work and serve the needs of the men around them.  God made the most unlikely of choices for His first evangelists!  He sent women!  But they let tradition, fear and social pressure silence them -- at first.

Throughout the Gospels we see Jesus teaching and touching the hearts of all who would listen:  men, women and children.  His message is for everyone of every tribe and every nation, to the uttermost parts of the world.  That job was left to all of us who choose to follow 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
·        Sri Lanka 8 Easter Bombings – over 290 people were killed and hundreds more injured on a quiet Easter Sunday morning.  Pray for the emergency workers, the police, the hospital workers and all those affected by these atrocities.  Pray more earnestly for Christians who are increasingly being attacked around the world for their choice to follow the risen Jesus Christ. 
·        Pray for strangers in the church – it is the season when people believe they must attend an Easter service somewhere.  Pray they hear, listen to and respond to the Truth of the Resurrection.
·        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 Europe to extend the work of training up disciples for the harvest.  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.
·        Jenny S –Bible teacher will be in Canberra for a week, teaching and speaking.  Pray for traveling 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.

PRAY FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

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