Thursday, August 12, 2021

WeakEnd Assignment – Do! Do! Do! Or Rest Now?

  

Click the image or the link or

Copy and paste the link into your browser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xW0YOZ9Mps

Or search YouTube for

Wretched: Are you lacking Christian assurance?

 

“For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.  But if I am doing the very thing I do not want to do, I am no longer the one doing it, that is, it is not me that acts, but the sin nature which lives in me. 

 

So I find it to be the law of my inner self, that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.  For I joyfully delight in the law of God in my inner self with my new nature, but I see a different la and rule of action in the members of my body in its appetites and desires,

 

“… waging war against the law of my mind and subduing me and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is within my members.  Wretched and miserable man that I am!  Who will rescue me and set me free from this body of death, this corrupt, mortal existence? Romans 7:19-24(for the answer read Romans 7:25) 

 

I originally titled this WeakDay Assignment, ‘Happy Easter’ because when you complete these questions, you will have tears of joy streaming down your face at the fact Easter took place for you.

 

Assignment:  Find that quiet place and hour where you will not be interrupted.  Be sure you are able to watch and listen to the video above.  Have your Bible, notebook, a writing implement and a refreshment.  Pray that the Lord will help you see His enduring love in a new way from this assignment.  Carefully watch the video to answer these questions:

 

1.    Think of something you do to please God?

2.    Do you think you read your Bible enough?

3.    Do you think you pray enough?

4.    How could your answers to question 2 and 3 betray pride?

5.    Can anyone who is not saved do enough good to get into heaven?

6.    Do you think you have too many blessings and feel guilty because of them (examples:  good looks, good health, money, possessions, homes, cars)?

7.    What is the true purpose of the Ten Commandments and all the other laws in the Bible?

8.    What is the difference between active and passive obedience and what does this mean for you?

9.    Why is it important for a Christian to dwell on the message of the Gospels?

10.          Bonus Question:  Why did Jesus speak in such short phrases while hanging on the Cross?

 

Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still prays for you each day)

 

PS:  Find my statement of faith:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com (where you will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to share). You can easily 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.  Not sure about Apple.)

 

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS (any updates?)

·      Adam – please pray for his strength and peace as he pursues a new job and that the Lord will guide him clearly in his decisions.

·      The World – Pray for God’s mercy as unrest around the globe increases, and that our Father will bring comfort and calm to His children.  Pray for Bible-based Christians scattered across the globe to be safe and remain selflessly bold with the Word.  Help them rest and trust in the Lord. 

·      Pray for those in these countries who read the WeakDay Devotion –That His mighty works will be worked out in each life for His purposes and glory in surprising and wonderful ways!  Thank the Lord for allowing this blog reach around His world in humbling and unexpected geographic locations, including Hong Kong, Israel, Sweden, Russia, USA, Canada, Ukraine, Poland, UK, France, Australia, UAE, Fiji, Germany, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Ireland, American Samoa, Brazil, The Philippines, Estonia, Singapore, China, India. 

·      Barb – my brother’s faithful and kind wife.  Thank you for praying for her.  She needs prayers to sustain her and protect her health and energy during this time of additional stress and challenge.

·      UPDATE - Sophie – three-year old daughter of a friend.  She continues to have tests to diagnose her disease (some serious conclusions have been suggested).  She remains frail and unwell.  Please pray for her, her parents and health carers to find ways to manage the symptoms.

·      Hans – a dear friend in Germany, the immunotherapy for his lung cancer seems to be working for now.  Pray for his ongoing strength through the pain, patience and God’s mercy.  Pray for his healthcare providers and that he is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who will support him through this journey.  Pray for his Mom (age 84) who is also unwell -- that their time together is filled with extraordinary good memories and lots of love.

·      Callilah - a lost child.  Pray the Lord will capture her heart.

 

Pray for those in full-time service

Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never compromise God’s Word, are bold and courageous in the face of evil.  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 and the lockdown from Covid has deemed chaplaincy a non-essential service.  This has meant, Peter is relying on the Lord for creative ways he can encourage others while he waits for things to return to ‘normal’.  Continue to pray for his encouragement, hope and that our loving heavenly Father sends another Christian to work alongside him.

·      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, Steph and their families.

·      Pat and Isobel – as they serve tirelessly in challenging times.  Pray the Lord refreshes and strengthens them.

·      Elaine and Jim Pounder and their Little Church ministry have had a difficult 2020.  Yet something new is beginning.  They need your prayers for healing strength and time with family as their ministry continues to spread around the world in a model of home churches. They have begun a YouTube channel Please subscribe and watch their sound teaching episodes. Website: The Little Church World. And https://www.youtube.com/user/thelittlechurchworld . 

·      Isaias and Judith (Ambassadors for Christ the Philippines) – the entire Catorce family represent conservative, Bible-based ministry, teaching and discipling ministry in a remarkably difficult mission field for dozens of years.  Both are dealing with serious health issues and need your fervent prayers.  Judith is recovering from complicated back surgery.  Please visit their new website:  https://afcph.org/  to learn more.  Pray our Father keep these servants strong and restores their health and consider sending a note of encouragement to Isaias Catorce, who teaches and leads the groups at icatorce@gmail.com

·      Jenny S – Bible teacher at a local Bible school, that she would have curiosity under change, as the vision of her organisation changes with new leadership.  Help her identify the balance and value of her unique contribution.  Pray the Lord maintains her health in this time of stress.

·      Audley M – Pray for his health and wisdom and for the effectiveness and growth of his radio ministry (Florida, Virginia, Alabama, Indianapolis) as America hunger for ‘true meat’!

·      Kevin and Sandy Currel - (Melbourne) Kevin has a wonderful teaching ministry with images and words.  He has created many excellent and accurate Christian resources. (To learn more:  https://www.kevincurrell.com/ ).  Please continue to pray for them, especially for God to supply needed funds for this extraordinary time.

·      Andrew and Toyoko M – are back in Australia from Japan and in Covid quarantine.  Pray for Deaf Ministries International they lead. 

·      Rozzy and Jono – have arrived on Vancouver Island Canada to work with youth in the mid-north coast (the neediest Gospel location in North America).  Pray for warm and supportive new friends, travelling mercies, robust health and that God will grant them a child. 

·      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 to remain true to the Truth of God’s Word in the Bible.

·      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 (the old link where archive teachings are available:  Cornerstone Bible Church in Lilburn Georgia. Today they have a new website and Doug still teaches:  Cornerstone Bible Church.)

·      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!

·      Jo and Steve – for their loving example of Christian life.  May their love flourish under His guidance as they continue their work in New Zealand.

·      Stu, Jo, Laura and Jason – pray for this devoted and loving family who continue to serve Jesus Christ 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 with fragile health.  Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them during this challenging time.

Pray for the World

No comments: