[God speaking] “’When Israel
was a youth, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My Son. The more they called them, the more they went
from them; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to
idols. Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to
walk, I took them in My arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of
love, and I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; and I
bend down and fed them.
“’They will not return to the
land of Egypt; but Assyria – he will be their king because they refused to
return to Me. The sword will whirl
against their cities, and I will demolish their gate bars and consume them because of
their counsel. So My people are bent on
turning from Me, though they call them to the One on high, none at all exalts
Him.’” Hosea 11:1-7
The Pharisees were the Scripture expositors
(someone who explains the complicated ideas, words and theories of the Bible) of
their day. They devoted their lives to
obsessive study of every word of the Holy Scriptures. They read, parsed and argued around every
word. They expounded and expanded their
understanding until they were so close to the words that they often missed the
little details that you and I may also miss, even today.
When Jesus, the living Word
arrived, they dismissed Him because every morning and every evening they
recited the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!” ‘Knowing’
this so well, they believed God had limited Himself. How then, COULD God have a Son?
In all your reading and studying
of Scripture, it should amaze you each time, how His word IS living and active. Though it never changes, our hearts change
and allow us to ever be surprised by new applications. It is one of the most humbling and exciting
parts of reading and studying God’s Word.
Please pour more time into reading and studying 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. My statement of faith is found here: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com You can find the WeakDay Devotion online by
doing a Google search for “WeakDay Devotion”
(Also, there is an android “Google Blogger” app you can download to read
them on your phone.)
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS and UPDATES
- · URGENT -USA – Pray the Lord would demonstrate His power in unexpected and uniting ways during these times of unrest and confusion. Help hearts settle and rest in Him alone. Let the truth of God’s Word and ways overcome the drive to destroy our founding, Bible-based values.
- · FIRES IN AUSTRALIA – continuing to struggle through historic ‘dust bowl’ droughts, Australia is now battling seemingly never-ending fires. The loss of dwellings, animals and the tragedy that accompanies this, continues. Please pray for God’s mercy on this dry and sunburnt and burning land!
- · Chris H – suddenly lost his sister (the last of his family) last Sunday. Please hold him up with prayers as he walks through this time of change and pain.
- · Christine’s husband – broke his arm and wrist and is home recovering. Pray during this time that the Lord will speak to him through his loving wife and that they will have a Christ-centred relationship and family.
- · Doris (My Second Mom) – will be 101 on 22 December – 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 and keep me at the foot of the Cross from age 12.
- · UPDATE -Yalawe – developed sepsis and they were unable to operate. He is now on antibiotics until he can have the surgery. Please pray for his full recovery and that his health providers and family would be extra gentle with him.
- · SJ – as he struggles with circumstances he did not anticipate. Pray for his willingness to grow through this dark time and for wisdom of his counsellors. Pray for his ability to rest and forgive himself.
- · UPDATE - Lachlan – thanks you for praying for him. He has completed his seminary studies and now urgently needs to find housing for himself and his three children.
- · Paul –Pray for his ongoing resilience and that the Lord would allow him to find a role. He’s been unemployed since 2010. 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 stays here.
- · UPDATE - Patti – faithful daughter of Doris, wife of John is unwell and resting at home. A Proverbs 31 woman, who needs strength, energy and the ability to prioritise with grace and resolve. Pray she grows in confidence and learns that ‘no’ is a perfectly acceptable response. Pray she enjoy precious time with John.
- · Terri – her relationship of 13 years has broken, and she needs prayers to travel through this journey.
- · Tracey – Pray Tracey finds a new role to satisfy her and allow her to grow and share her skills and wisdom.
- · Me – Please pray for the Lord to provide a new project for me.
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