Click the image or the link or
Copy and paste the link into your browser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58GT35hZhjA
or search YouTube for The Pat Terry Group – 5 – I can’t
Wait (1975)
My first memory verse, over 50 years ago, was Matthew 9:36-38:
“And seeing the multitudes He felt compassion for them, because they were
distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest
is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His
harvest.’”
Somehow, I knew this passage was speaking directly to
me. I didn’t know what it might mean,
though. At first, I determined it meant
that I was go to some remote, primitive and, of course, dangerous land to share
His truth with those who would not know otherwise.
In fact, for years I would spread a map out on the end of my
bed and pray every day that God would send me to Uganda, a place controlled by
the ruthless and brutal dictator, Idi Amin.
That seemed a worthy place. But
God did not send me there no matter how much I prayed for it.
I next choose Malawe, that seemed a bit less dangerous,
thinking God thought a ‘soft’ person like me was just kidding about wanting to
risk my life in Uganda. But it was not
to be Malawe either.
I started feeling discouraged and when I moved to Buffalo
New York, it seemed God not only didn’t need my desires to serve Him, He wanted
me to not be concerned with my mission field at all.
One day the news came that in a year, the Billy Graham
Crusade would be coming to upstate New York.
Out of the blue, I was asked to help with a follow-up project. I volunteered to sing in the choir and to train
as a counsellor on the field after the altar call.
Weeks after the Crusade, counsellors were asked to host a
Bible study in their homes. I was
petrified! Oh I had been studying my
Bible almost every day since the age of nine but had never had the courage to
teach anyone anything about it. Somehow
with the help of a friend (Audley McLean) and lots of prayer, I learned to realised
His strength in weakness.
Weeks later something very special happened in my morning
devotion time that changed the rest of my life.
God gave me two Scripture passages:
“If I take the wings of dawn, if I dwell in the remotest
part of the sea, even there Thy hand will lead me, and Thy right hand will lay
hold of me.” Psalm 139:9-10
“But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, ‘Arise and
go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a desert
road.)” Acts 8:26, and this is how I ended up in Australia.
Tomorrow, I will share how God finally showed me what His
mission field for me was; and how difficult it was for me to imagine.
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?)
· Tonga – volcanic explosion and tsunami – destroying one third of the island, unknown number
of deaths. The island is without water,
normal services, communication and further damages continuing. Please pray for those on the island and all
those rushing to aid those left behind.
· Mark – Thanksgiving! The results of tests have shown that there is
no active cancer in his jaw. He will
still have to undergo surgery to repair his fractured jaw. He is a Christian and needs your prayers for
healing and to sustain he and his family through this time.
· Christians in Afghanistan – Many Christians went to this country to
share the Good News to many who would never have heard of Jesus. These leaders and baby Christians are now in
heightened danger and need your prayers to protect them and sustain them during
this time.
·
Ray Jr. –Pray the Lord holds Ray Jr. (and his brothers) closely
as they deal with the practical matters after the loss of their father and
comfort their hearts.
·
Family of Eric – Eric at 52 died suddenly leaving his 47-year-old
wife and three girls (ages 16, 19 and 23).
Pray the Lord comforts the family through this time of mourning. Pray for their wisdom and that Go-d will send
trustworthy, honourable, Bible-based councilors for the many decisions that now
must be made.
· Peyton - eldest granddaughter of Jeff and
Rachael – now in her second year of college.
Please continue to pray for her that she does well, makes good decisions
and continues having a good relationship with the Lord.
·
Adam –
please pray for his strength and peace as he pursues new job possibilities and
that the Lord will guide him clearly in his decisions and to know without doubt
the depth of forgiveness; and that his wife will be the loving supporter he
badly needs.
· 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 at work.
·
Sophie – three-year old daughter of a friend. She is chronically unwell and frail. Please pray for her, her parents and health
carers to find ways to manage the symptoms and heal her.
·
Hans –
a dear friend in Germany, the cancer seems to be stable for now. Pray for his financial situation to improve
and for his ongoing strength through the pain when it comes. Pray for his 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.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment