Copy and paste the link into your browser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-sr8V0zU-4
Or search YouTube for ‘The Anointing at Bethany (Mark
14:1-9)
A Sermon by R.C. Sproul by Ligonier Ministries (30 min 33
sec)
“When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His
disciples, ‘You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of
Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.’
“Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were
gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiphas; and they
plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. But they were saying, ‘Not during the
festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.’
“Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the
leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and
she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. But the disciples were indignant when they
saw this, and said, ‘Why this waste? For
this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the
poor.’
“But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you
bother the woman? For she has done a
good deed to Me. For you always have the
poor with you; but you do not always have Me.
For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me
for burial. Truly I say to you, wherever
this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also
be spoken in memory of her.’” Matthew 26:1-13
After an utterly exhausting day in Jerusalem, teaching and
arguing with religious zealots who knew the law but did not practice the law and
were experts at holding others to it.
Returning to Bethany He was met by those who loved Him as
they gathered together for a meal. And
one brave and selfless woman knelt at His feet with a vial of perfume purchased
with all she had and she kissed the feet of a man who would be her
Saviour. Oh to have been THAT woman!
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.). For the
books, go Amazon
books.
NEW
PRAYER REQUESTS (any updates?)
· Junko and Roberto – went on holiday after waiting two
years for COVID-19 to die down, and both have contracted it and are now in
quarantine in their hotel. Please pray
for patience, compassion, and healing.
· Thanksgiving - Audley Mclean, my dear friend, and Millicent Thomas said their
wedding vows on Sunday. Please pray for
them as they enter a new chapter of their lives.
· Eddy – has cancer in
his bladder and kidneys. Will be having
a procedure on Good Friday to remove one of his kidneys. Pray for him and those who care for and
support him during this time, especially his health-care providers.
· Annette’s Dad – had an accident and brain bleed while in
Florida and couldn’t fly. Annette and
Lyle drove down from Ohio to bring them home. He is now recovering and off oxygen and anti-seizure meds. He will have another CATSCAN in 2 weeks. Pray God prepares the hearts and strengthen those
who love this man for this challenging time -- and pray for his caregivers as
he heals and recovers.
· Thanksgiving - Marci – a special childhood
friend and the editor of the books I’ve published from this series. She fell and is healing. Pray she goes slower next time.
· Jasper, Bec and Nev – new youth pastors at our
church are still at Moore College and living on campus. Pray for balance between their academic and
family life.
· The horror of war in Ukraine
– Please pray for the people caught in the
cross-fires of this war, and especially strength for Christians of this country
and that God’s sends encouragement and help in unexpected ways to save Ukraine and
our world from the potential devastation of a third world war.
· Unprecedented Floods in New
South Wales, Australia - the
rains have begun once again and are very heavy.
There will be more flooding today.
Clean up from previous floodings starts and stops. So many are dealing with the resulting
devastation and loss. Continue to pray
for those who have lost loved ones, their homes and all their possessions and
especially for those providing care and support of those affected.
·
Simon and Tamara and
their children – Simon (my pastor) has been chosen to support the
Lord’s work in a new, more far-reaching way.
Help them prepare throughout this year for the new challenges that await
them. And when Simon takes up the new
role, let him fill it with the same grace, devotion and love he has consistently
demonstrated while at St. Marks.
Strengthen the congregation to rejoice with them and their decision.
·
Elina – has asked for prayer. Please hold her us as she struggles through
some personal issues and is feeling overwhelmed.
·
Ray Jr. –Pray the Lord holds Ray Jr. (and his brothers)
closely as they grieve and deal with the practical matters after the loss of
their father. Give Kathy (Ray’s wife) strength and wisdom as she
supports him during this time.
·
Christine – give her strength as she journeys to
heart-healing.
·
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.
·
Grant’s brother
– seems to be stable now after doctors put a shunt in his skull to drain fluid
from around the brain to reduce pressure. Pray for his health carers as they continue
to help him.
· 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.
·
Thanksgiving - Adam – he has found a job but continues to need
encouragement and clear guidance from the Lord about his future and to know
without doubt the depth of the Lord’s extravagant forgiveness. Continue to pray for the strength of his wife
that she will love and support him as he continues to heal and strengthen.
·
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