[Jesus teaching] “’Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged;
and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. And why do you look at the speck that is in your
brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
“’Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take that
speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your
own eye, and then you will see clearly.
Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before
swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
“’Ask, and it shall be give to you; seek, and you shall
find; knock, and it shall be opened to your.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who
it shall be opened. Or what man is there
among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or is he shall ask for a fish, he will not
give him a snake, will he?
“’If you then, being evil, know who to give good gifts t
your children, how more more shall your Father, who is in heaven, give what is
good to those who ask Him. Therefore,
however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and
the Prophets.’” Matthew 7:1-12
Boy, the Jewish nation had some high expectations for Jesus,
didn’t they? They hated the bondage the
Romans had imposed on them and in their heart of hearts it was the Messiah who
would cut down the oppressors and seat the Jewish nation at the top of the food
chart!
When this ‘milk-toast’, mild mannered, softy came along – a ‘Man’
more concerned with each individual He met – for their health (physical,
emotional and spiritual) -- no wonder He was unrecognisable!
Here was someone who did not seek His own honour, wealth,
position or power, but would touch lepers and eat with prostitutes and tax
collectors. He preached to the rabble
and uneducated; fed the hearts and tummies of the hungry – and well you can
just imagine how disappointed the Jews were!
Where was the thunder and lightning -- the slaying of the
unwashed and unworthy? They missed the
big message: that it was not about setting
one nation above another but to deal with the hidden sins each of us practice
that keep us from the saving embrace of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Take care, your servant and friend
in Christ, Darlene (who prays for you each morning).
PPS: 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.)
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS
·
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.
·
John McArthur –
is taking some time off to rest. God
seems to be using this crisis to focus on His Truth in an unexpected way. Please pray for Pastor McArthur and those who
support him and pray protection from all who would do him harm.
·
Bob –a
friend of my brother and sister-in-law who has just had a tragedy in his life,
that the Lord would use these recent experiences to help him realise his need
for the Lord Jesus Christ.
·
Peyton
- eldest granddaughter of Jeff and Rachael.
Pray for this lovely woman of God as she goes off to college, that she
remains safe and strong in her beliefs and convictions and continues to
encourage many with her loving faithfulness to the Lord.
·
Tracey’s Mom –
home now. Her ability to think clearly
and care for herself is weakening. Pray
for a home health carer to be found and that her loved ones will make time to
help her through this time.
·
Tracey –
as she deals with the difficulties of her Mom growing less able to care for
herself. Pray Tracey will pace herself
and cherish every moment with her Mom.
·
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.
·
USA President
Donald Trump – As Christians it
is our responsibility to pray for our leaders and trust 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 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.
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.
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