Thursday, April 25, 2019

Your Special Blessing, Because...




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Jesus and Thomas - "Blessed are those, who haven't seen me,
but yet have believed" English

“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.  The other disciples therefore were saying to him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’  But he said to them, ‘Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails and put my fingers into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’

“And after eight days again His disciples were inside, and Thomas with them, Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst, and said, ‘Peace be with you.’  Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and be not unbelieving, but believing.’


 “Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’  Jesus said to him, ‘Because you have seen Me, have you believed?  Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.’” John 20:24-29

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:18-20

If I were Thomas, I would have been on my knees in tears and I know in my heart he did not touch the nail holes or the wound in Jesus’ side…Thomas believed after he saw (and the Bible does not tell us if he touches the hands of Jesus). 

You and I do not have the same opportunity as Thomas.  God however has made a way for us to see and believe.  As Blaise Pascal put it:  “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.”

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 - death toll now lowered to 253 with more than 500 injured in a bombing on Easter morning.  ISIS has claimed responsibility.  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.
·        Earthquakes in The Philippines - 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

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