"He first appeared to
Mary Magdalene - And after that He appeared in a different form to two of them
while they were walking along on their way to the country. –
“And afterward He appeared
to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached
them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed
those who had seen Him after He had risen." Mark 16:13b-14
(various)
"And behold, two of
them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus -- And it came about
that while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus Himself approached, and
began travelling with them. But their
eyes were prevented from recognizing Him." Luke 24:13-16
"And He said to them,
'Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?' See My hands and My feet, that it is I
Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see
that I have.'
“And while they still
could not believe it for joy and were marveling, He said to them, 'Have you
anything here to eat?'" Luke 24:38-41
"When she had said
this, she turned around, and beheld Jesus standing there, and did not know that
it was Jesus. - she said to Him, 'Sir,
if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take
Him away.'" John 20:14-15
"Simon Peter said to
them, 'I am going fishing.' They said to
him, 'We will also come with you.' They
went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. But when the day was now breaking, Jesus
stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus." John 21:3-4
·
Do you think they
didn't recognise Him because their grief or pain blinded them?
·
Could it be they
didn't recognise Him because they had not believed what He told them, even as
it unfolded exactly as He shared it and as the Scriptures had foretold?
·
Do you think they
didn't recognise Him because they expected Him to be different?
·
Perhaps they
didn't recognise Him because they were afraid He would want something from them
they couldn't give?
·
Perhaps they
didn't recognise Him because He didn't do what they envisioned and/or
wanted.
·
Perhaps they
didn't recognise Him because they wanted to go back to the way it used to
be.
·
Or maybe they
didn't recognise Him because they didn't want to face their own guilt and
failure knowing He loved them in spite of themselves?
Whatever the reason(s), today,
people still use these same excuses to not recognise Jesus -- and they are
perishing without Him! With all the
emphasis on Easter this past week and weekend, more people are conscious of
what Christ's love might mean for them.
When the Father gives you the
privilege of sharing Him with someone this week, be aware and sensitive to why
it is so difficult for them to recognise Jesus.
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
· 1,917,239 confirmed
cases
· 51,720 critical
condition
· 119,090 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.
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.
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.
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