"Labour
not to be rich; cease from thine own wisdom.
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings;
they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
“Eat
thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty
meats; for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he; eat and drink saith he to
thee; but his heart is not with thee.
The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up and lose thy sweet
words." Proverbs 23:4-8 King James Version
"Do
not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is
gone. For wealth certainly makes itself
wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.
“Do
not eat the bread of a selfish man, or desire the delicacies; for as he thinks
within himself, so is he. He say to you
'Eat and drink!' But His heart is not with you.
You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten, and waste your compliments." New American Standard Version
"Don't
weary yourself trying to get rich. Why
waste your time? For riches can
disappear as though they had the wings of a bird! Don't associate with evil men; don't long for
their favours and gifts. Their kindness
is a trick; they want to use you as their pawn.
The delicious food they serve will turn sour in your stomach and you
will vomit it, and have to take back your words of appreciation for their
'kindness'." Living Bible
It
was a great relief to receive an email this morning from the company I've been working with, mandating everyone works from home. Last week, as the COVID-19 flu just began to rear
its mighty head in Australia, the best businesses could think to do was to just
have us all try ‘social distancing’.
Not
surprising, many young people decided Spring break could not be missed and
flocked to the world-famous Bondi Beach and other popular beaches to revel in
their youthful accomplishments. There
was no thought for anything or anyone else. Many rushed to shops and bought far more items and groceries than they would ever use, hoping to hoard and then make a great profit selling the items.
Selfishness and greed seem more visible during this sobering time. As Christians, we
must be diligent in our prayers for each other. Pray we will find safe ways to fellowship, encourage one another and stay strong and healthy. That we will especially ready to give an
account for the hope within you.
Those who do not have a personal relationship
with Jesus Christ will feel the fear swirling around them as the world
readjusts to a world in grave danger and your hope will be deeply needed.
Take
care, your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene (who still prays for you each
morning).
PS:
My statement of faith: 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
(NOTE:
Words underlined have a link embedded to
provide more details)
To serve you in a new way, I’m researching and writing
practical information for you about the pandemic. Please visit:
https://newsaboutcovid19.blogspot.com/
Now declared a
Pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), a national emergency by USA
and Australia. Please pray for all
involved, for health care workers, those trying to contain the spread; for those
contagious and for those who contract the virus and for the families who have
lost loved ones. Pray they are wise,
patient and take precautions to protect others.
·
Today
in 190 countries
·
340,824
confirmed cases
·
10,620
critical condition
·
14,582
reported deaths
- Scott – Hopefully the COVID-19 virus is not
interrupting their wedding on March 26th, but our Heavenly Father is
working in all this for the best outcome.
Thank you for praying all these years for him and his children.
- Baby Jolie– a
year old, struggling to recover from meningitis and kidney failure. Pray she is protected if still in hospital. The fate of her leg is still unknown. She is responding VERY SLOWLY. Pray for her, her parents and her health
care providers. Once home,
hopefully soon, she will need full-time nursing care. Praise the Lord. Family so grateful for all your prayers.
- Savannah – has a very long road to travel. The 15-year-old granddaughter of Cliff
and Beth, diagnosed with a difficult-to-treat, psychological disorder with
potential serious consequences. New
meds seem to be helping. She is
showing progress with this brain injury.
Pray for her attitude, wisdom for her health carers, patience for
her parents and complete healing.
- USA President Donald Trump – It is our responsibility as Christians to
remember God has a plan through this man. If you doubt the importance of his
appointment, just look at how much antagonism there is against him. Surely Satan is NOT happy and means to
thwart God’s plan. Pray someone
helps President Trump understand the true meaning of a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ, that he will have a driving hunger to read
God’s Word for himself and that God sends a Bible-believing Christian to
regularly disciple him in the Truth and that God shuts the mouths of the
false prophets who circle around him.
- Fred – is making plans to move from California to Tennessee in the first
quarter of 2020. Pray for his wise
attention to detail, stamina and roaring good health as he makes these
life changes.
- Tracey – Pray Tracey finds a new role to satisfy her and allow her to grow
and share her skills and wisdom.
- Me – New project going well.
Thank you for praying (ends 9 April). Pray God will restore my laptop.
PRAY FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE
During this time, when the
entire world is struggling to understand this ‘plague’, it is critical that each
of us upholds our Christian leaders.
They will be a very stretched resource for us all. Pray for their safety and strength their
families and most of all, their wisdom to pace themselves.
- 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 O'Keeffe, Kathy Notley, Anne Penny, Barry and Jo and their families.
- Audley M – is thankful the Lord sustained his health through 2019 (the first
in five years he did not have to be hospitalized). To God be the glory! Thank God that his
wonderful radio ministry is now broadcast not only in Florida (where it
began), but now also in Virginia, Alabama and Indianapolis as America
hungers for true meat!
- 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 freedom to hold Scripture classes in schools during regular
school hours! Some resistance is growing
so it is critical you pray. It is a
great hope for Australia.
- Bible schools and seminaries in Australia and around the
world – Pray they remain true to the Truth of God’s Word in the Bible.
- Isaias and Judith (Ambassadors for Christ, the Philippines) carrying
on with their fruitful ministry, seminary, conferences and leadership
forums. Please pray for those
who lead, work, teach and contribute to this ministry. Pray our Father continues to keep these
servants strong, in good health and safe and that they find balance in
their lives. To contribute or/and
learn more, email Isaias Catorce at icatorce@gmail.com
- Jim and Elaine –Pray for the new work they’ve taken on in New Zealand and Fiji (heavily
Muslim). Thank you, Lord, for
allowing Elaine to be ordained to strengthen her work. Pray for their protection and energy,
grant them time for shared joy as a couple and to see the fruits of their
labours To learn more of their
ministry go to https://tlcwhk.com
- 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.
- Buddy & Susan –Please continue to pray for their needs and
the harvest from their labours. They were one of the first families to
welcomed me to Australia. 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 their children, Laura and Jason. Pray for this devoted and loving pastor and
his wife who continue to serve in New Zealand. Laura has married Joji and they are in
NZ. Jason is studying in the USA. Keep them strong, healthy and resolute
for the Lord.
- The Catholic Church and the Pope, who
needs our prayers that he will grow increasingly hungry for the Word of
God and that he always puts Jesus first in his life and decisions.
PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS
- My brother, Tim – Pray Tim continues to be wise and patient in
managing his COPD (chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease) and arthritis. Pray his doctors are attentive, wise and
compassionate. Pray for Barb, his wife, for her strength and compassion. (Thank you, Father for growing their
faith and health so they can share You with others.)
- 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) – celebrated
her 101st birthday 22 December 2019. She is growing frail and sleeping more
and deeply now. Thank the Lord for
Patti, her faithful daughter, as she makes time to be with her Mom. Pray Freddy, Doris’ son, does more to
help.
- Ray’s Dad - (Ray Sr.) struggling through the challenges of
cancer treatment. 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.
- Sergio – found a job for now, but it is wearing him
out physically. His diabetes is
presently under control and he’s found a place to live. Thank you for
praying and please do not stop.
- Gary McQ – seems to be in neutral as the seriousness of
his diseased heart becomes more a focus of his energies. He has started drinking. Pray the Lord sends a wise and strong
counsellor to help him through this fearful time. Pray for assurance of salvation.
- UPDATE – Julia – (Patti’s daughter) has cut her teaching time
by half to better support her physical and emotional health. This now gives her precious time with her
two children (ages 6 and 9), both of whom have challenges. Pray for her strength, patience and
resolute heart as she helps her children grow up.
- Len Carbone – (59 years
old). Pray he wakes to the message
of the Cross and the compassionate love of Jesus. Had brain tumour surgery in 2002 and on
disability since. His loneliness
has overwhelmed him as he fights with his disability and those around him.
Pray for a godly and patient friend
to take time to show him God’s love.
- Liriel- chronically ill (kidney disease, diabetes,
arthritis) and often in pain. Has
been feeling better and is free from opioids. Pray for her comfort and for her loving
and supportive husband that they share the Lord’s joy each day.
- Uncle Dwight (94 and Doris only brother) is growing frail. Pray for comfort and compassion. He is an ordained pastor and longs to go
home and be with his Lord.
- Aunt Donna- has dementia. Please pray for her daughters
so they know how best to care for her.
No comments:
Post a Comment