WISDOM IS NOT ENOUGH

[Twenty years have passed since Solomon built the house of the Lord, his own house, the cities and settled the sons of Israel into them.]

“All of the people who were left of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel, namely, from their descendants who were left after them in the land whom the sons of Israel had not destroyed [consumed] them Solomon raised as forced labourers to this day. 

“But Solomon did not make slaves for his work from the sons of Israel; they were men of war, his chief captains and commanders of chariots and his horsemen.  These were chief officers of King Solomon, two hundred and fifty who ruled over the people. 

“Then Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the city of David to the house which he had built for her, for he said, ‘My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy where the ark of the Lord has entered.’” II Chronicles 8:7-11

God plainly set forth certain conditions for Solomon to meet if he wanted the kingdom to continue.  If Solomon followed God, he and his descendants would prosper; if Solomon did not, he and the nation would be destroyed (Deuteronomy 27-28). 

But sin is deceptively attractive, and Solomon eventually turned from God.  As a result, the sons and heir lost most of the kingdom.  Following God brings benefits and rewards (not necessarily materially).  

Turning away from God brings suffering, punishment and ultimately destruction.  Today, God’s conditions are just as clear as they were in Solomon’s day.  We all have the choice to obey God and live for Him.

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

PS:  Please pray for this ministry.  This is the 20^th year of endeavouring to serve others in His name to offer a smattering of Scripture daily.  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

• ·        Ray’s Dad -  (also called Ray) has just been diagnosed with cancer.  Please pray that through this difficult and scary time that the Lord would touch his heart so he reaches out for the only hand that can save him, the compassionate Lord Jesus.
• ·        Simon Flinders (my pastor) and family – now on long-service leave.   Pray for their refreshment and deepening of family bonds.  Pray the family enjoys time to focus on the love of their Saviour and all the gifts and blessings He has provided them.
• ·        USA – that the Lord would demonstrate His power in unexpected and uniting way during these times of unrest and confusion.  Help hearts settle and rest in Him alone.  And let the truth of God’s Word and ways overcome the drive to destroy our founding values.
• ·        Sergio – found a job for now, but it wearing him out physically.  His diabetes is under control and he’s found a place to live.  Thank you for praying and please do not stop.  
• ·        Toron – finishing his high school studies needs your prayers for continued strength, focus and confidence, especially that he will study hard for his final exams  (scheduled for this September.)  .
• ·        Me – I’ve been a little under the weather the last couple of weeks.  On the mend now.  The Lord seems to be working out something new in my life right now.  Please pray for my wisdom, trust and patience.

PRAY FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

A VERY Difficult Promise

Click on the picture or cut and paste this link into your browser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYXn1lfwhuU

1 Chronicles 7:14 - HEAL OUR LAND (Heber Vega)

“Then the Lord appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, ‘I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 

“’If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or If I command the locust to devour [consume] the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their lands. 

“’Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.’”  II Chronicles 7:13

In previous chapters in II Chronicles Solomon asked God to make provisions for His chosen people when they sinned.  God answered with four conditions for forgiveness that are still active for us:

1.     Humble yourself by admitting your sins.

2.     Pray to God, asking for forgiveness.

3.     Seek God continually.

4.     Turn from sinful behaviour.

True repentance is more than talk – it is walking away in the other direction…changed behaviour.  God will always answer our earnest and humble prayer.  You see He loves you enough to send His only Son Jesus Christ to pay the price of your sin so you can live a new life just for Him!

Father God, let us always remember that every promise has a condition and that You always keep Your promises.  Please let us focus on You and not what we can get from You.  Let us rejoice in a love we have no way of understanding or appreciating!  Amen.

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

PS:  Please pray for this ministry.  This is the 20^th year of endeavouring to serve others in His name to offer a smattering of Scripture daily.  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

• ·        Ray’s Dad -  (also called Ray) has just been diagnosed with cancer.  Please pray that through this difficult and scary time that the Lord would touch his heart so he reaches out for the only hand that can save him, the compassionate Lord Jesus.
• ·        Simon Flinders (my pastor) and family – now on long-service leave.   Pray for their refreshment and deepening of family bonds.  Pray the family enjoys time to focus on the love of their Saviour and all the gifts and blessings He has provided them.
• ·        USA – that the Lord would demonstrate His power in unexpected and uniting way during these times of unrest and confusion.  Help hearts settle and rest in Him alone.  And let the truth of God’s Word and ways overcome the drive to destroy our founding values.
• ·        Sergio – found a job for now, but it wearing him out physically.  His diabetes is under control and he’s found a place to live.  Thank you for praying and please do not stop.  
• ·        Toron – finishing his high school studies needs your prayers for continued strength, focus and confidence, especially that he will study hard for his final exams  (scheduled for this September.)  .
• ·        Me – The Lord is working out something new in my life right now.  Please pray for my courage and strength as I follow His leading.

PRAY FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

YOU ARE ONE SPARK

Click on the picture or cut and paste this link into your browser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcRJ5aDDBVc

or search YouTube for Evie Tornquist

It Only Takes A Spark † Pass It On 1976 YouTube 480p

“’Then this shall be the sign for you:  you will eat this year what grows of itself, in the second year what springs from the same, and in the third year sow, reap, plant vineyards, and eat [consume] their fruit. 

“’The surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward.  For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant and out of Mount Zion survivors.  The zeal of the Lord will perform this.’” II Kings 19:29

As long as a tiny spark remains, a fire can be rekindled and fanned into a roaring blaze.  Similarly, if just the smallest remnant of true believers retains the spark of faith, God can rebuild it into a strong nation. 

And if only a glimmer of faith remains in a heart, God can use it to restore blazing faith in that believer.  If you feel that only a spark of faith remains in you, ask God to use it to rekindle a blazing fire of commitment to Him. 

Heavenly Father, we pray this Psalm to you:  “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Thy presence, and do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.”  Amen. [Psalm 51:10-12]

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

PS:  Please pray for this ministry.  This is the 20^th year of endeavouring to serve others in His name to offer a smattering of Scripture daily.  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

• ·        Simon Flinders (my pastor) and family – now on long-service leave.   Pray for their refreshment and deepening of family bonds.  Pray the family enjoys time to focus on the love of their Saviour and all the gifts and blessings He has provided them.
• ·        USA – that the Lord would demonstrate His power in unexpected and uniting way during these times of unrest and confusion.  Help hearts settle and rest in Him alone.  And let the truth of God’s Word and ways overcome the drive to destroy our founding values.
• ·        Sergio – found a job for now, but it wearing him out physically.  His diabetes is under control and he’s found a place to live.  Thank you for praying and please do not stop.  
• ·        Toron – finishing his high school studies needs your prayers for continued strength, focus and confidence, especially that he will study hard for his final exams  (scheduled for this September.)  .
• ·        Me – The Lord is working out something new in my life right now.  Please pray for my courage and strength as I follow His leading.

PRAY FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

3 X 50 + 3 + 5 CONSUMES

“Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty.  And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill.  And he said to him, ‘O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’”  Elijah replied to the captain of fifty, ‘If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.’  Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

“So he again sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty.  And he said to him, ‘O man of God, thus says the king, ‘Come down quickly.’’  Elijah replied to them, ‘If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.’  Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

“So he again sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty.  When the third captain of the fifty went up, he came and bowed down on his knees before Elijah, and begged him and said to him, ‘O man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.

“‘Behold fire came down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight.’  The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.’  So he arose and went down with him to the king.” II Kings 1:9-15

Ahaziah was an evil king in a long string of them since David was made king and died.  Ahaziah, however, had fallen through a lattice and was badly injured.  Instead of turning to God, he had sent a messenger to seek help from a foreign god.  God had other plans and set Elijah in their path to challenge this bad decision.  The messenger returned to Ahaziah to tell him of Elijah’s warning.

Instead of listening, Ahaziah, being wealthy and ‘powerful’ in his own eyes sent a bunch of soldiers with their captains three times.  The first two captains were confident they could overcome one little man -- no matter who his God was, but they were consumed.

The third captain thought carefully and humbled himself and asked mercy of Elijah’s God.  Elijah nevertheless, did not decide what to do but waited on God to tell him it was time to visit this wayward king. 

Father God, please help us always remember who You are and our part in Your plan.  Help us never stand in our own power but stand in Yours.  Help us be wise and willing followers focused on You rather than on the world, our ‘position’ in it and whatever gain we may perceive in doing things our own way. Amen.

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

PS:  Please pray for this ministry.  This is the 20^th year of endeavouring to serve others in His name to offer a smattering of Scripture daily.  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

• ·        Simon Flinders (my pastor) and family – now on long-service leave.   Pray for their refreshment and deepening of family bonds.  Pray the family enjoys time to focus on the love of their Saviour and all the gifts and blessings He has provided them.
• ·        USA – that the Lord would demonstrate His power in unexpected and uniting way during these times of unrest and confusion.  Help hearts settle and rest in Him alone.  And let the truth of God’s Word and ways overcome the drive to destroy our founding values.
• ·        Sergio – found a job for now, but it wearing him out physically.  His diabetes is under control and he’s found a place to live.  Thank you for praying and please do not stop.  
• ·        Toron – finishing his high school studies needs your prayers for continued strength, focus and confidence, especially that he will study hard for his final exams  (scheduled for this September.)  .
• ·        Me – The Lord is working out something new in my life right now.  Please pray for my courage and strength as I follow His leading.

PRAY FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES OR ...

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying, ‘Inasmuch as I exalted you from the dust and made you leader over My people Israel, and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have made My people Israel sin, provoking Me to anger with their sins, behold, I will consume Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 

“’Anyone of Baasha who dies in the city the dogs will eat, and anyone of his who dies in the field the birds of the heavens will eat.’  Now the rest of the acts of Baasha and what he did and his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?” I Kings 16:1-5

[Jesus teaching] “’Whoever cause causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.’” Mark 9:42

All the descendants of Jeroboam were killed because he had led Israel into sin.  Sin is always judged harshly, but the worst sinners are those who lead others into doing wrong.  Baasha repeated the very same mistakes of Jeroboam and refused to learn from the example of those who went before him. 

Father, help us all be willing to learn from our past mistakes, the experiences of others and the lives of those in thee stories You’ve provided for us in Your Holy Word.  Amen. 

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

PS:  Please pray for this ministry.  This is the 20^th year of endeavouring to serve others in His name to offer a smattering of Scripture daily.  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

• ·        Simon Flinders (my pastor) and family – now on long-service leave.   Pray for their refreshment and deepening of family bonds.  Pray the family enjoys time to focus on the love of their Saviour and all the gifts and blessings He has provided them.
• ·        USA – that the Lord would demonstrate His power in unexpected and uniting way during these times of unrest and confusion.  Help hearts settle and rest in Him alone.  And let the truth of God’s Word and ways overcome the drive to destroy our founding values.
• ·        Sergio – found a job for now, but it wearing him out physically.  His diabetes is under control and he’s found a place to live.  Thank you for praying and please do not stop.  
• ·        Toron – finishing his high school studies needs your prayers for continued strength, focus and confidence, especially that he will study hard for his final exams  (scheduled for this September.)  .
• ·        Me – The Lord is working out something new in my life right now.  Please pray for my courage and strength as I follow His leading.

PRAY FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

HINDS' FEET

“’For who is God, besides the Lord?  And who is a rock, besides our God?  God is my strong fortress; and He sees the blameless in His way.  He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me on my high places.  He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

“’You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your help makes me great.  You enlarge my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped.  I pursue my enemies and destroyed [consumed] them, and I did not turn back until they were consumed.’ “ II Samuel 22:32-39

If you have not yet read Hinds’ Feet on High Places (by Hannah Hurnard), I highly recommend this book, especially if you are going through a difficult time in your life, you’re confused or you are in pain. 

It is a simple allegory, like the wonderful, Pilgrim’s Progress (by John Bunyan) .  It is about my greatest weakness – trusting God in all circumstances. 

In the II Samuel passage, David has written and is sharing a song of deliverance, thanking God for protecting him through really awful situations, as he trusted Almighty God to raise him up as king of Israel.  The song is well worth reading if you can make time for it. 

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

PS:  Please pray for this ministry.  This is the 20^th year of endeavouring to serve others in His name to offer a smattering of Scripture daily.  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

• ·       Grant –  Grant’s father passed away, unexpectantly.  He and his wife, Sue, have been caring for both his parents for many years.  Please pray for strength, compassion and wisdom for Grant as he deals with the practical, personal and emotional issues.
• ·        Patti’s best friend – has now lost both her parents after years of caring for them.  Pray for her comfort and hope in the future.
• ·        Simon Flinders (my pastor) and family – now on long-service leave.   Pray for their refreshment and deepening of family bonds.  Pray the family enjoys time to focus on the love of their Saviour and all the gifts and blessings He has provided them.
• ·        No update yet about Jen – my sweet friend in the UK, doctors found a blood clot. She must rest.  Her heart is troubled though, as her precious companion dog, Honey, is also growing very frail. 
• ·        Doris (my second Mom) - now 100 – is back to her enthusiastic-for-the-Lord self.  Pray for Patti, her daughter, as she remains so faithful in sacrificing time and making the effort to always demonstrate God’s love to her precious mother.  Doris (and her husband, Owen, now waiting for Doris in Heaven) both prayed faithfully to bring me to the foot of the Cross. 
• ·        Paul –Still looking for work (since 2010).  Pray for his ongoing resilience and that the Lord would allow him to be successful with a role.  I know the Lord is watching over him because of your prayers.  Most of all, pray his heart melts enough for the Truth to touch him where it hurts.  Pray for my wisdom and patience as he continues to stay here.
• ·        USA – that the Lord would demonstrate His power in unexpected and uniting way during these times of unrest and confusion.  Help hearts settle and rest in Him alone.  And let the truth of God’s Word and ways overcome the drive to destroy our founding values.
• ·        Sergio – found a job for now, but it wearing him out physically.  His diabetes is under control and he’s found a place to live.  Thank you for praying and please do not stop.  
• ·        Toron – finishing his high school studies needs your prayers for continued strength, focus and confidence, especially that he will study hard for his final exams  (scheduled for this September.)  .
• ·        Me – The Lord is working out something new in my life right now.  Please pray for my courage and strength as I follow His leading.

PRAY FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

Stubborn or Persistent?

“So Abner said to him, ‘Turn to your right or to your left, and take hold of one of the young men for yourself, and take for yourself his spoil.  But Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him. 

“Abner repeated again to Asahel, ‘Turn aside from following me.  Why should I strike you to the ground?  How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab?’

“However, he refused to turn aside; therefore Abner struck him in the belly with the butt end of the spear, so that the spear came out at his back.  And he fell there and died on the spot.  And it came about that all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still.

“But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner,  and when the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is in front of Glah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. 

“The sons of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became one band, and they stood on the top of a certain hill.  Then Abner called to Joab and said, ‘Shall the sword devour [consume] forever?  Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end?  How long will you refrain from telling the people to turn back from following their brothers?’”  II Samuel 2:21-26

After Saul and his son were killed it was utter chaos.  David learns of Saul’s death, mourns for him and is directed by God to go to Judah where he is openly (I Samuel 16:13) made king. 

However, Abner (Saul’s commander-in-chief) had other ideas and selected a different king - not David.  Civil war broke out (the start of the Northern and Southern kingdoms of Israel).

Asahel (one of David’s 30 select and loyal warriors) took matters into his own hands and stubbornly pursued Abner believing he should confront Abner for David.  Abner’s fight was not with Asahel, yet he killed him anyway when he refused to listen. 

It is important to remember that being persistent is not the same as being stubborn.  Stubbornness can blind us to reason and this civil war delayed God’s chosen people yet again while they fought for position and power.

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

PS:  Please pray for this ministry.  This is the 20^th year of endeavouring to serve others in His name to offer a smattering of Scripture daily.  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

• ·       Grant –  Grant’s father passed away, unexpectantly.  He and his wife, Sue, have been caring for both his parents for many years.  Please pray for strength, compassion and wisdom for Grant as he deals with the practical, personal and emotional issues.
• ·        Patti’s best friend – has now lost both her parents after years of caring for them.  Pray for her comfort and hope in the future.
• ·        Simon Flinders (my pastor) and family – now on long-service leave.   Pray for their refreshment and deepening of family bonds.  Pray the family enjoys time to focus on the love of their Saviour and all the gifts and blessings He has provided them.
• ·        No update yet about Jen – my sweet friend in the UK, doctors found a blood clot. She must rest.  Her heart is troubled though, as her precious companion dog, Honey, is also growing very frail. 
• ·        Doris (my second Mom) - now 100 – is back to her enthusiastic-for-the-Lord self.  Pray for Patti, her daughter, as she remains so faithful in sacrificing time and making the effort to always demonstrate God’s love to her precious mother.  Doris (and her husband, Owen, now waiting for Doris in Heaven) both prayed faithfully to bring me to the foot of the Cross. 
• ·        Paul –Still looking for work (since 2010).  Pray for his ongoing resilience and that the Lord would allow him to be successful with a role.  I know the Lord is watching over him because of your prayers.  Most of all, pray his heart melts enough for the Truth to touch him where it hurts.  Pray for my wisdom and patience as he continues to stay here.
• ·        USA – that the Lord would demonstrate His power in unexpected and uniting way during these times of unrest and confusion.  Help hearts settle and rest in Him alone.  And let the truth of God’s Word and ways overcome the drive to destroy our founding values.
• ·        Sergio – found a job for now, but it wearing him out physically.  His diabetes is under control and he’s found a place to live.  Thank you for praying and please do not stop.  
• ·        Toron – finishing his high school studies needs your prayers for continued strength, focus and confidence, especially with maths.
• ·        Me – The Lord is working out something new in my life right now.  Please pray for my courage and strength as I follow His leading.

PRAY FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE