Monday, April 6, 2020

TWO MORNINGS AFTER




Click on the picture above or copy and paste this link into your browser:
or search YouTube for Jason Crabb
Sometimes I Cry [live]

"For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus'' sake, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh.  So death works in us, but life in you. 

“But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed therefore I spoke,' we also believe, therefore we also speak; knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. 

“For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. 

Therefore, we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.  For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are seen are eternal."    II Corinthians 4:12-18

I can't imagine Jesus sleeping in, can you?  But just two days ago He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey's colt to the cheers of all those people, He must have been tired, tired physically and tired spiritually. 

It had been a long and dusty journey and He taught people and fed people and healed people all along the way.  If He and His disciples had rushed, they could have walked those 100 kilometers or 80 miles from Capernaum to Jerusalem in about four days. 

But they walked at a gentle pace so as not to miss any opportunity to share and offer God's love to all those they met.  Some of His greatest and most memorable parables were taught during this (next to) last journey to capture Jerusalem's heart. 

He taught about making peace with your brothers and key lessons on forgiveness, about divorce, how having money was not important, what was fair and how ambition could ensnare people. 

Then, knowing full well that even His disciples (although they had been told several times of His real reason for going to Jerusalem) did not imagine the week ahead, He allowed them to fuss over Him and bask in what they anticipated would be their shared triumph. 

But this is the morning after the day before and I can't help wondering what Jesus is thinking and how Jesus is feeling as He lays on His sleeping mat, listening to the day begin before anyone in Mary, Martha and Lazarus' home awakens. 

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
·        1,334,009 confirmed cases
·        46,538 critical condition
·        74,090 reported deaths
  • C&A – That God’s love binds them and their family together to face whatever difficulties occur.  That understanding and compassion will prevail.  Thank you, Lord, for letting them be part of my life and Your love to me.  Keep them safe and healthy and reliant on You during this time.
  • 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.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

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