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No More Night
“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 red.’
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?
An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will
not be given it, except the sign of Jonah; and He left them, and went away.”
Matthew 16:1-4
Philip Yancey begins his book with this statement: "I found that for many people there is a large gap between what they expect from their Chrisitan faith and what they actually experience. From a steady diet of books, sermons, and personal testimonies, all promising triumph and success, they learn to expect dramatic evidence, they feel disappointment, betrayal, and often guilt.”[1]
Most of us come to a personal relationship with Christ while seeking for answers, help, comfort, compassion, mercy, understanding -- we may be at the end of our 'rope' We learn of Jesus, the Son of God. Once we place our trust in His saving plan, there is naturally a temptation to be driven by our emotions, rather than the Truth and facts of His love for us.
Many will wait for feelings or something extraordinary to happen - searching for miracles, signs and wonders. It does seem a popular approach.
Campus Crusade for Christ gave an insightful illustration of a train with just three cars:
- Engine car = the Truth and facts of salvation
- Coal car = our faith in the Truth
- Caboose car = our feelings and emotions
These three represent a balance of belief, but it clearly demonstrates you can't pull the 'train of your salvation' by your feelings -- they may follow the Truth of our faith, but cannot pull the train! Jesus taught us not to rely on feelings or signs and wonders. He offers all we need.
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 ‘Goggle Blogger’ app you can download to read
them on your phone.)
COVID-19
(NOTE: Words
underlined have a link embedded to provide more details)
Please pray for all those involved in making critical
decisions during this time of pandemic.
Pray for those who have lost loved ones, those who contract the virus,
the healthcare workers, those on the front line and for all those feeling
afraid, lonely or confused. Pray all are
wise, patient and take precautions to contain the effects. For practical information, please visit https://newsaboutcovid19.blogspot.com/
Latest Statistics
·
Today in 215 countries
·
5,171,936 reported cases
·
45,574 in serious condition
·
333,100 reported deaths (some are related to
pre-existing conditions)
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS
·
Ravi
Zacharias – passed into the
loving arms of His Father this morning.
Please pray for his family and friends as they grieve..
·
Those who loved
Doris – pray for those of us who grieve the loss of a remarkable
woman who helped bring me to His Cross.
·
Hans –
a dear friend in Germany, diagnosed with lung cancer that has metastasized, home
for the next three weeks before he resumes chemo. Pray for his healthcare providers, his
patience and wisdom. Pray he is
surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who will support him
through this journey. Pray for his Mom
(age 83) is unwell herself. Pray their
time together will be filled with extraordinary good memories and love.
·
Scott –
recently married. Pray he finds a job
soon so he can provide for his new wife and two children. Help him reach out for the hand of our loving
Heavenly Father so he recognises God is working in all this for the best
outcome for them all.
·
Penne –
recently widowed after 43 years, the last ten of which she was her husband’s
full-time caregiver. She suffers mental
problems from a childhood experience and has reached out to Patti (who asks for
wisdom and patience). Penne has
‘disowned’ all her family, and although a believer, does not attend fellowship
for support. Please pray for her peace
of mind and God’s guidance.
·
USA President
Donald Trump – As Christians it
is our responsibility to pray for our leaders and know that God has a plan for
the USA through this man. If you doubt
the importance of his appointment, just look at the baseless antagonism against
him. Surely Satan is NOT happy and means to thwart God’s plan. Pray someone helps President Trump and Melania to understand the true meaning of a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and that they will both have a
insatiable hunger to read God’s Word for themselves – and that God sends a
Bible-Believing Christian to regularly disciple them in the Truth – and that
God shuts the mouths of the false prophets who regularly circle around them.
·
Fred I – planning a move from California to Tennessee in
the Fall of 2020 (if possible). Pray for
his wise attention to detail, stamina and roaring good health, as he makes
these life changes.
·
Unnamed
– lost both her parents within six months after a lifetime of caring for
them. Her husband’s mother died in
January and his 94-year old father now lives with them. Pray they take time for each other and keep
their faith strong.
Pray for those in full-time service
During this time, when the entire world is struggling to understand
this new ‘plague’, it is critical for us to uphold our Christian leaders. They will be needed everywhere. Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity,
strength and for their families.
·
Peter Frith – The sole Christian chaplain at an Anglicare
special hospital. The work is lonely and
challenging. Pray for his encouragement,
hope and that our loving heavenly Father sends another Christian to work
alongside Peter.
·
St Marks Anglican
Church – Pray God opens the hearts and minds of those who visit and
for those who worship there regularly and during this time on-line that their
hunger for God’s Word grows. Pray for
strength, wisdom and healing rest for those who serve there, including: Simon, Pat, Kathy, Anne, Barry, Jo and their
families.
·
Audley M –
Pray his health and wisdom anf for the effectiveness and growth of his radio
ministry (Florida, Virginia, Alabama, Indianapolis) as America hunger for true
meat!
·
Jenny S –
Bible teacher at a local Bible school for energy, good health, wisdom and time
for reflection.
·
Lachlan –
Pray for him as he cares for his three children while he completes his studies
to become a Wycliff Bible Translator.
·
Scripture classes
in Australian Schools – Although a secular country, God has
continued to provide the freedom to hold Scripture classes in schools during
regular class hours! Some resistance is
growing. It is a great hope for Australia.
·
Bible schools and
seminaries – in Australia and around the world that they remain true
to the Truth of God’s Word in the Bible.
·
Isaias and Judith
(Ambassadors for Christ the Philippines) – carrying on their
fruitful ministry, seminary, conferences and leadership forums. Pray for those who lead, administer, work,
teach and contribute to the ministry.
Pray our Father continues to keep these servants strong, in good health,
safe and supported and that they keep a balance in their lives. To learn more or contribute, email Isaias Catorce
at icatorce@gmail.com
·
Jim and Elaine – Pray
for their new ministry in New Zealand and Fiji (heavily Muslim). 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 about their ministry:
https://tlcwhk.com
·
Doug McIntosh - An
invaluable contributor to my love of Bible study. He was diagnosed several years ago with
multiple myelomas and has retired now 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 and Susan –
Pray for their health and their needs as they labour in far north
Queensland. They were one of the first
families to welcome me to Australia.
Amazing Christian teachers!
·
Kevin and Sandy
Currel – (in Melbourne) Kevin has a wonderful ministry in teaching
through images and words and has created many Christian resources. To learn more: https://www.kevincurrell.com/
·
Jo and Steve –
for their loving example of the Christian life.
May their love flourish under His guidance as they continue their work
in New Zealand.
·
Stu and Jo and
Laura and Jason (their children) – pray for this devoted and loving
family who continue to serve in New Zealand.
Pray for Laura’s husband Joji and for Jason who is studying in the
USA. Keep them strong, healthy and
resolute for the Lord.
·
Catholic Church
and Pope – pray the Pope will grow increasingly hungry and focused
on 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 practical ways and most important we must pray even more for
them that the Lord will have mercy on them during this challenging time.
Pray for the World
[1] Copyright
© 1988 by Philip Yancey, published by Zondervan Publishing House.
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