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No One Ever Cared for Me Like
Jesus
"And the Pharisees and Sadducees came
up and testing Him asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He answered and said to them, 'When it is
evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is read.
“And in the morning, 'There will be a
storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of
the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?'" Matthew 16:1-3
"’A little while, and you will no
longer behold Me; and again, a little while and you will see Me.’ Some of His
disciples, therefore, said to one another, 'What is this thing He is telling us,
'A little while, and you will not behold Me; and again a little while, and you
will see Me,' and 'Because I go to the Father'?
“And so they were saying, 'What is this
that He says, 'A little while'? We do
not know what He is talking about.'
Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, 'Are
you deliberating together about this that I said, 'A little while, and you will
not behold Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me?
“’Truly, truly, I say to you, that you
will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your
sorrow will be turned to joy.'"
John 16:16-20
I watch Jesus as He teaches His
disciples. They've been here other
times, and His disciples always seemed to be focused on what He is saying. But not this time. I can feel that something very tremendous is
about to happen. But I'm only a servant
of this house, and have no way of hearing many of His words.
He looks sad reaching out to connect with
these men and women who follow Him throughout the country. What's going on? It is as if there's no tomorrow and all He
has taught them doesn't seem to be enough.
Almost all the disciples are more preoccupied
with celebrating than listening.
Whatever it is they're celebrating they seem to imagine themselves the
heroes on the verge of a big victory.
It's interesting to watch.
Perhaps I'm mistaken, but strange, that is
not what I see in His eyes. I see a
pleading, an urgency, mixed with a love so compelling it draws even me. And He smiled at me as He realised I was
watching Him. My heart nearly stopped as I pulled my eyes from His beautiful face.
I must get back to work, though I long to sit at His feet, yet there are many to attend to and so much yet to do with Passover soon.
Still I'm drawn to hover nearer Him to feel
His love. I wish I was a good man. I wish there was some way to be closer to
Him. God be merciful to me, the
sinner!
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/
Please pray for all involved,
for health care workers, those trying to contain the spread; for those
contagious, for those who contract the virus, for those feeling afraid and
lonely and for the families who have lost loved ones. Pray they are
wise, patient and take precautions to protect others.
· Today in 209 countries
· 1,421,578 confirmed
cases
· 47,915 critical
condition
· 81,688 reported deaths
- USA President Donald Trump as he leads us
through this pandemic – It is
especially 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. They are
extending my contract. 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
Many
of us have family, friends and loved ones who are fragile
health-wise. It is important to protect them in wise and practical
ways and most important we must pray even more for them that the Lord will have
mercy on them during this challenging time.
- 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.
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