A WeakDay Devotion: WHAT ARE YOU CARRYING?

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The WeakDay Devotion originated as encouragement for a dear friend who was having difficulties with her job.

It is especially for my family, firends, business people, students, pastors, teachers and a myriad of pre-, new and long-serving Christians who want more Scripture with their devotion than many of the regular devotionals offer. it is also written to be short so you can get on with your day, but filled with a new idea from God's Word that is practical and applicable. You can also have it sent directly to your email box every day - just send me an email (DarleneRichard@gmail.com) and I will add you to the distribution.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

WHAT ARE YOU CARRYING?

"And seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare." Jeremiah 29:7

[Jesus teaching] "'But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Luke 6:27-28

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly.

“Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord.

But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:14-21

Ever notice in the Bible how the simplest things can be the hardest to bend our will to do? Obedience isn't about giving stuff up; it's about being ever more ready and willing to serve the Lord in even more remarkable ways.

I'm a race walker and I got this wild idea one time to walk with a backpack stuffed with books to help me grow even stronger. I walked like that for months. In fact, it got to the point where I almost thought I needed it for my walks. However, one day, I left it behind and found I could walk even faster, for longer and felt remarkably more fit than ever!

The Scriptures remind us that when we leave our self-determination, pride, willfulness, anger, bitterness and vengeance behind in the "care of" our Heavenly Father, we find we can follow Him more easily and with a lightness of heart to serve Him with greater joy.

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.

Latest Update:

· Today in 210 countries

· 2,171,554 confirmed cases

· 57,060 critical condition

· 144,858 reported deaths

Hans - Will have exploratory surgery for a mass discovered in his abdomen this weekend.
USA tornados in the South – more than 30 people have been confirmed dead from a series of violent and powerful tornados. Pray for those who have lost loved ones, rescue workers searching for lost ones, support workers and facilities. With social distancing and this virus around, it will make this time especially difficult.
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.

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.

· Lachlan – He and his three children did find a good place to live. He will be working to complete his entry into Wycliff Bible Translation ministries. Please continue to pray for him.

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 welcome 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 and wife Barb
Christine’s husband
Doris (my second mom)
Ray’s Dad
Sergio
Gary McQ
Julia
Len Carbone
Liriel
Uncle Dwight
Aunt Donna

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

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Background of WeakDay Devotions

Over eleven years ago a dear friend couldn't find a job. She's brilliant, skilled & experienced -- but simply couldn't find a position to suit her. After about eight months of struggling & searching, she was hired to work with the Sydney Olympics but six months later the role turned feral. She was discouraged as she pulled herself into work each morning.

Then it became apparent they were trying to "move" her out. She struggled. At least once a week she would be on the phone to me or be sitting on my balcony talking/crying her heart out. I found myself being a sort of Christian coach/mentor for her.

One morning after my quiet time, something I learned seemed relevent for her, so I shared it with her in an email. She wrote back that it indeed helped. Next morning the same thing happened. Again the Lord used it to encourage & strengthen her. The next morning nothing seemed good to send, but I searched till I found something I hoped would strengthen her. The Lord used it. Each week day morning from then on I would get up early & write her a note of encouragement.

A month went by & another friend sent me an e-mail expressing their own frustration with a work situation. I sent them a copy of the e-mail I'd sent my friend that very morning. They were encouraged & asked me to include them each morning. After a couple of weeks both wrote to me to say they'd been sending the email to others & would I just add theses new names each morning. They also suggested I ask others if they'd like to be included. I did & many asked to receive it. One day, I was asked to do a radio interview with Gordon Moyse ("An Ordinary Christian"). He had heard about the morning "WeakDay Devotions" & wanted his listeners to know more about them.

Almost every week day morning since that first e-mail, I've written a fresh word of encouragement for (by now) an untold number of people around the world. It was originally mostly business oriented, but has grown to be more general in nature with Christian business people knowing it is the little personal details of their walk that need a boost anyway.

Within the distribution list now are Christians or pre-Christians (Catholic & Protestant), some are Jewish, some have not made a decision about what they believe, yet. There are several pastors; a Catholic priest, a Jewish teacher and a Christian Web page creator (and pastor) who distributes select ones to his readership. There’s even a pastor in the USA who uses them as part of his daily radio program.

Many who receive them forward them to others & they ricochet around the world. They're used as morning devotions between friends at work in the USA, Argentina, the Philippines, New Guinea, Hong Kong & places I don't even know about yet.

The Lord is using these meek & meagre "presents to Him" for His own purposes in the lives of others & I'm constantly surprised & humbled at the encouragement I've found in my own personal time with the Lord because of their ministry to me!

If you'd like to have them emailed directly to you each day, just send me an email. I'm open to comments, suggestions & criticisms.

Again, it's almost always only one screen long, so you don't have to take too much time with them, they always come marked "Urgent" so they can be found more quickly. Finally, the distribution list is "blinded" so everyone's privacy is assured (although I pray for everyone I send to & know them all much better now).

Every day is different, some days are very short -- sometimes only one verse or two, but there's always a Bible verse (I always use the New American Standard Bible translation, unless otherwise indicated). There are also times when there is a suggestion for something special as an assignment. I've also written a variety of series, such as: The Ten Commandments, Forgiveness, How to Know God's Will, Fasting, Unmet Needs, etc.

Stay close to His Word.
Your servant and friend in Christ.... Darlene

The First Devotion

"And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee." Psalm 9:10

From George Muller's Autobiography:

"I saw more clearly than ever that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.

"The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the Lord's blessing upon His precious Word, was to begin to meditate on the Word of God; searching, as it were, into every verse, to get blessing out of it; not for the sake of the public ministry of the Word; not for the sake of reaching on what I had meditated upon; but for the sake of obtaining food for my own soul. The result I have found to be almost invariably this...that after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or to intercession, or to supplication; so that though I did not, as it were, give myself to prayer, but to meditation, yet it turned almost immediately more or less into prayer."

Have a wonderful day resting in Him....love, your servant and friend in Christ...D

Another style: The Princess & the Pea

[Jesus teaching] "'And why do you look at the spec that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?'" Matthew 7:3

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." James 2:10

"So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!" James 3:5

"Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds; but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.'" Matthew 13:31-32

Ever notice how it's the little things that get under your skin and grow out of perspective? Think of the time you spend looking for a misplaced file or phone number. What about when you're late and get a red light or someone pulls out in front of you in traffic. Or how about when you get a paper cut or have a hang nail? How about forgetting someone's birthday or when you lose your glasses or keys? Any of these things can make us "lose our cool". As Christians we must be ever vigilant to how the little things can stumble our walk and witness with Christ.

It reminds me of the fairy tale of the Princess and the Pea (where a prince looked for a gentle and delicate princess to help rule his kingdom. He arranged a test of all the fair maidens. He had a stack of mattresses placed one on top the other and each "princess candidate" was invited to spend the night in the castle. The Prince became discouraged because no one seemed to respond to the test until one morning a lovely woman complained she could not sleep, as the mattress was too lumpy. Unbeknownst to her (and all the other candidates) the Prince had placed a single pea under the bottom mattress. No one else had been sensitive to the little things. Of course they lived happily ever after. In our Christian walk we need to be that sensitive to the little things that stumble us! Take care, your servant and friend in Christ – Darlene

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