A WeakDay Devotion: THE BIBLE BASHER

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The WeakDay Devotion originated as encouragement for a dear friend who was having difficulties with her job.

It is especially for my family, firends, business people, students, pastors, teachers and a myriad of pre-, new and long-serving Christians who want more Scripture with their devotion than many of the regular devotionals offer. it is also written to be short so you can get on with your day, but filled with a new idea from God's Word that is practical and applicable. You can also have it sent directly to your email box every day - just send me an email (DarleneRichard@gmail.com) and I will add you to the distribution.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

THE BIBLE BASHER

[Eliphaz accuses and exhorts Job] “Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded, ‘Can a vigorous man be of use to God, or a wise man be useful to himself? Is there any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous, or profit if you make your ways perfect? Is it because of your reverence that He reproves you, that He enters into judgment against you? …

“Will you keep to the ancient path which wicked men have trod, who were snatched away before their time, whose foundations were washed away by a river? They said to God, ‘Depart from us!’ And ‘What can the Almighty do to them?’

“’Yet He filled their houses with good things; but the counsel of the wicked is far from me. The righteous see and are glad, and the innocent mock them, saying, ‘Truly our adversaries are cut off, and their abundance the fire has consumed.’” Job 22:1-4.15-20

Have you ever met a ‘Bible basher’; someone who uses God’s Word to accuse another of wrongdoing. That is what Eliphaz was in the story of Job. They know all the rules and keep them religiously and point out when someone else stumbles. (See: ‘Three Fingers’ from an earlier devotion in this series.)

Jesus was condemned by Bible bashers. They followed Him everywhere and eventually pushed Him onto the cross. These men and women know every detail of the Law, yet do not follow it themselves; and when they do, it is when someone is watching them.

When you see another suffering or their life is in a muddle or they are in pain, it can be easy to imagine that God is punishing them for their hidden sins, but God is not petty and childish – we are and we must never confuse our hearts with God’s.

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

· Jackie, a Christian woman (just lost her husband, her only two daughters within the last six weeks and her only son two years ago),. Pray for her strength and grace, the love and understanding of others as she must live through this time. Pray for Fred (her friend) for wisdom and warmth as he reaches out to comfort her and help share this time with her.
· Gary McQ – his major heart surgery has been delayed a month. He will have a quadruple valve replacement. Pray he is surrounded by family and friends as he goes through this journey. Pray for his strength, courage and for his heart to be at peace as the Lord guides the hands of the surgeons and other health carers to repair his physical heart.
· Ray’s Dad - (also called Ray Sr.) recently diagnosed with cancer now going through both chemo and radiation to stop the aggressive spread of the disease. Ray is away right now and his Dad needs a comforter to help him through this difficult and scary time. Most of all pray the Lord will touch Ray Sr.’s heart so he reaches out for the only hand that can save him -- the compassionate Lord Jesus.
· Simon Flinders (my pastor) and family – soon to be back from long-service leave. Pray their time away has refreshed and refocused and deepened their family bonds. Pray for traveling mercies as they come home from overseas.
· 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.
· Jen – my sweet friend in the UK, slowly recovering from a blood clot that means she must patiently rest. Her heart is troubled though, as her precious companion dog, Honey, is also growing very frail.
· 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. His graduation will be 29 August!
· Me – 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

· 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 and Issy O'Keeffe, Kathy Notley, Anne Penny, Barry and Jo and their families.
· Jenny S –Bible teacher - for energy and good health, wisdom and time for reflection.
· Scripture classes in Australian Schools – Australia is a secular country, yet God has ensured -- thus far -- that 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.
· Bible schools and seminaries in Australia and around the world – Pray they never compromise the truth of the Bible.
· Jim and Elaine – are seeing a new harvest and are increasing their prayers for their beloved Hong Kong. They’ve found a way to reach into China and need your prayers for that and the work they are doing in Fiji which is now heavily Muslim. Pray they find joy, time and energy to see the fruits of their labours for the Lord. To learn more of their ministry go to https://tlcwhk.com
· Isaias and Judith (Ambassadors for Christ in The Philippines) – Isaias continues to travel and disciple new Bible teachers and leaders. Pray for him, his family and their expanding ministries, especially for the growing women’s ministry: Focus on the Heart. Pray for their 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").
· Doug McIntosh - an invaluable contributor to my love of Bible study -- has multiple myelomas. Has retired from full-time ministry. Please pray for him, his family and the church he has worked so faithfully in, Cornerstone Bible Church, in Lilburn Georgia.
· Audley – please pray for this faithful Bible teacher who has a weekly radio program to spread the Good News in Florida. Pray for his sustained good health and faithfulness to the Word.
· Buddy & Susan –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) -- Kevin has a wonderful ministry in teaching, in words and images with creating Christian resources. 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.
· The Catholic Church and the Pope, who needs our prayers that he will always remain uncompromising to the Word of God and that he always puts Jesus first in his life and decisions.

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Background of WeakDay Devotions

Over eleven years ago a dear friend couldn't find a job. She's brilliant, skilled & experienced -- but simply couldn't find a position to suit her. After about eight months of struggling & searching, she was hired to work with the Sydney Olympics but six months later the role turned feral. She was discouraged as she pulled herself into work each morning.

Then it became apparent they were trying to "move" her out. She struggled. At least once a week she would be on the phone to me or be sitting on my balcony talking/crying her heart out. I found myself being a sort of Christian coach/mentor for her.

One morning after my quiet time, something I learned seemed relevent for her, so I shared it with her in an email. She wrote back that it indeed helped. Next morning the same thing happened. Again the Lord used it to encourage & strengthen her. The next morning nothing seemed good to send, but I searched till I found something I hoped would strengthen her. The Lord used it. Each week day morning from then on I would get up early & write her a note of encouragement.

A month went by & another friend sent me an e-mail expressing their own frustration with a work situation. I sent them a copy of the e-mail I'd sent my friend that very morning. They were encouraged & asked me to include them each morning. After a couple of weeks both wrote to me to say they'd been sending the email to others & would I just add theses new names each morning. They also suggested I ask others if they'd like to be included. I did & many asked to receive it. One day, I was asked to do a radio interview with Gordon Moyse ("An Ordinary Christian"). He had heard about the morning "WeakDay Devotions" & wanted his listeners to know more about them.

Almost every week day morning since that first e-mail, I've written a fresh word of encouragement for (by now) an untold number of people around the world. It was originally mostly business oriented, but has grown to be more general in nature with Christian business people knowing it is the little personal details of their walk that need a boost anyway.

Within the distribution list now are Christians or pre-Christians (Catholic & Protestant), some are Jewish, some have not made a decision about what they believe, yet. There are several pastors; a Catholic priest, a Jewish teacher and a Christian Web page creator (and pastor) who distributes select ones to his readership. There’s even a pastor in the USA who uses them as part of his daily radio program.

Many who receive them forward them to others & they ricochet around the world. They're used as morning devotions between friends at work in the USA, Argentina, the Philippines, New Guinea, Hong Kong & places I don't even know about yet.

The Lord is using these meek & meagre "presents to Him" for His own purposes in the lives of others & I'm constantly surprised & humbled at the encouragement I've found in my own personal time with the Lord because of their ministry to me!

If you'd like to have them emailed directly to you each day, just send me an email. I'm open to comments, suggestions & criticisms.

Again, it's almost always only one screen long, so you don't have to take too much time with them, they always come marked "Urgent" so they can be found more quickly. Finally, the distribution list is "blinded" so everyone's privacy is assured (although I pray for everyone I send to & know them all much better now).

Every day is different, some days are very short -- sometimes only one verse or two, but there's always a Bible verse (I always use the New American Standard Bible translation, unless otherwise indicated). There are also times when there is a suggestion for something special as an assignment. I've also written a variety of series, such as: The Ten Commandments, Forgiveness, How to Know God's Will, Fasting, Unmet Needs, etc.

Stay close to His Word.
Your servant and friend in Christ.... Darlene

The First Devotion

"And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee." Psalm 9:10

From George Muller's Autobiography:

"I saw more clearly than ever that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.

"The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the Lord's blessing upon His precious Word, was to begin to meditate on the Word of God; searching, as it were, into every verse, to get blessing out of it; not for the sake of the public ministry of the Word; not for the sake of reaching on what I had meditated upon; but for the sake of obtaining food for my own soul. The result I have found to be almost invariably this...that after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or to intercession, or to supplication; so that though I did not, as it were, give myself to prayer, but to meditation, yet it turned almost immediately more or less into prayer."

Have a wonderful day resting in Him....love, your servant and friend in Christ...D

Another style: The Princess & the Pea

[Jesus teaching] "'And why do you look at the spec that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?'" Matthew 7:3

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." James 2:10

"So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!" James 3:5

"Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds; but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.'" Matthew 13:31-32

Ever notice how it's the little things that get under your skin and grow out of perspective? Think of the time you spend looking for a misplaced file or phone number. What about when you're late and get a red light or someone pulls out in front of you in traffic. Or how about when you get a paper cut or have a hang nail? How about forgetting someone's birthday or when you lose your glasses or keys? Any of these things can make us "lose our cool". As Christians we must be ever vigilant to how the little things can stumble our walk and witness with Christ.

It reminds me of the fairy tale of the Princess and the Pea (where a prince looked for a gentle and delicate princess to help rule his kingdom. He arranged a test of all the fair maidens. He had a stack of mattresses placed one on top the other and each "princess candidate" was invited to spend the night in the castle. The Prince became discouraged because no one seemed to respond to the test until one morning a lovely woman complained she could not sleep, as the mattress was too lumpy. Unbeknownst to her (and all the other candidates) the Prince had placed a single pea under the bottom mattress. No one else had been sensitive to the little things. Of course they lived happily ever after. In our Christian walk we need to be that sensitive to the little things that stumble us! Take care, your servant and friend in Christ – Darlene

A WeakDay Devotion

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