Tuesday, August 4, 2020

GOD'S PILOT PROJECT



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“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you I will curse.  And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’

“So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; and Lot went with him.  Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.  And Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan. 

“And Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh.  Now the Canaanite was then in the land.  And the Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your descendants, I will give this land.’  So he built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him.”  Genesis 12:1-7

By Genesis 12, God creates a new plan.  Rather than restoring the whole earth at once, He decides to establish a pioneer settlement.  He would call a people for Himself.   Abraham, dazzled by God’s promises, left home and migrated hundreds of miles to become the ‘project leader’.  Despite the honour accorded him as the father of this new race, however, Abraham emerges as the Bible’s first example of a person severely disappointed in God.

Reading through the story of Abram, we all can empathise with his journey.  God showed him miracles, let him entertain angels and dream mystical visions, but one small detail nagged at Abram.  If he was to be the father of this nation and had no children how would this work?  By age 99 he was convinced by God’s silence that He had made a mistake. 

They say a marathon runner wins the race, not over the course of the first 25 miles of running, but by the way they run the last mile.  Seems Abraham did not get that lesson … yet.

Take care, your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene (who prays for you each morning).

PS:  My statement of faith:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com  (also you will find a series of beginner Bible studies there.). Also, 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


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
·        18,600,696 reported cases
·        65,742 in serious condition
·        701,213 reported deaths (some related to pre-existing conditions)

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

(NOTE:  Words underlined have a link embedded to provide more details)

·        Tracey’s Mom – still hospitalised.  Pray for her health carers, her loved ones and that she will rest and be safe.
·        Kim’s Mom and Dad – now both in the hospital.  Pray for then both and for their family and the wisdom of their health carers. 
·        Ray’s Dad – (Ray Senior) doing better with the challenges of cancer treatment.  Pray the Lord will touch his heart so he reaches out for the only hand that can save him.
·        USA – Pray the Lord will demonstrate His power in unexpected and uniting ways during these times of unrest and confusion.  Help hearts settle and rest in Him alone.  Let the truth of God’s Word and ways overcome the drive to destroy our founding, Bible-based values.  For Christ-centre, Bible-based revival in the USA and religious freedom for Christians wherever they may be.
·        Hans – a dear friend in Germany, responding well to immunotherapy for lung cancer.  Thank you for continuing to 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, that their time together will be filled with extraordinary good memories and lots of love.
·        Scott – Pray he finds a job soon to 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.  Pray they will both have an insatiable hunger to read God’s Word for themselves.  Pray God sends a Bible-Believing Christian to regularly disciple them in the Truth.  Pray God shuts the mouths of the false prophets who regularly circle around them.
·        Isaias and Judith (Ambassadors for Christ the Philippines) – carrying on their fruitful ministry in the Philippines, despite the many challenges they must daily work with, including the impending threat of China claiming their country.  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.  They need funds badly now.  Please go to this link o learn more or/ and contribute - email Isaias Catorce at icatorce@gmail.com

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.

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

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