Copy and paste the link into your browser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S55huHC_0_k&t=75s
or search YouTube for ‘GPN Dr. Howard Hendricks
Unit 1 – Why Study the Bible?’
by Dallas Theological Seminary God (5 mins 53 sec)
“Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say correctly that I am
a king. For this I have been born, and
for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’
“Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’? John 18:37-38a
“Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed
Him, ‘If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’
“They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s offspring, and have
never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You shall become
free’?’
“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.
And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain
forever. If therefore the Son shall make
you free, you shall be free indeed.’” John 8:31-36
This weekend, let’s consider how you know that something is true and what is false? We are surrounded and bombarded by messages that are not true in themselves and many are not pleasing to God.
Messages --
sometimes very touching ones -- pull on our emotions, deceive and blind us to
reality, if we are not careful. Our own
desires or the evil one leverages the ‘sounds-like-truth messages’ to distract
us from pleasing the Father.
We always have a choice.
How do we know what is honouring to God?
By reading the Bible, comparing what we are hearing, reading and seeing
with the clear principles we find in the Bible and making our decisions
prayerfully with these truths in mind.
WeakEnd Assignment:
1. Find
an hour and a place where you will not be interrupted.
2. Bring
your Bible, notebook, something to write with and a refreshment.
3. Settle
and pray the Lord will teach you so something new about making everyday and
extraordinary decisions with His Truth in mind.
4. Date
a page in your notebook and watch the short video above, noting the bits you
find helpful for better knowing the truth.
5. Read
the first chapter of James, underlying and/ or noting in your notebook, verses
that support the need to rely on Scripture rather than on our own opinions.
6. Select
one (or two) verses in James 1 and write them out in your notebook.
7. Extra: Make an effort to memorise at least one of
these verses.
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?)
· Audley Mclean, my dear friend, and Millicent Thomas will be
saying their wedding vows this Sunday.
They ask for your prayers as they enter a new chapter of their lives.
· 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 her parents home. After a brief visit in hospital, he is home and doing much better, is
off oxygen and anti-seizure meds. He has another CATSCAN scheduled in 2 weeks. Pray God will prepare the hearts and
strengthen those who love this man for this challenging time -- and pray for
his caregivers as he heals and recovers.
· 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.
· The horror of war in Ukraine
– Please pray for the people caught in the
cross-fires of this war, and especially for strength for the Christians of this
country and that God’s will is done for His glory and that He sends 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 are forecast to continue.
Clean up has been interrupted as so many are dealing with the resulting
devastation and loss. Continue to pray
for those who have lost loved ones, for
those who have lost their homes and all their possessions, 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 deal with the practical matters after the loss of their father
and comfort their hearts. 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.
·
Tim –
my brother – is seeing benefits from his new bi-pap machine and is sleeping
better. Pray for his continued wisdom
and patience in managing his COPD (chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease) and
arthritis. Pray his new doctor is
attentive, wise and compassionate. Pray
for Barb, his wife for her strength and
compassion. Continue to grow their faith
as give them wisdom as they share Christ with others. Pray for his strength and wisdom as he awaits
an important insurance refund.
·
David – as his health waxes and wanes. The procedures to minimise the macular
degeneration are helping to restore some sight.
Pray for Heidi who cares for him and his
little companion dog, Sparky. Pray God
watches over him and steadies his steps, clears his sight and strengthens his
heart.
·
Patti – improving but still needs prayer for balance, patience and full
recovery.
·
Cathy – as
she journeys through the challenges of stage-4 pancreatic cancer. She is Barb (my sister-in-law’s)
sister-in-law. Thank the Lord He has
provided Cathy with a supportive family.
Please pray for them and their health carers as they travel through this
journey.
·
Sergio –
has a job but at subsistence wages. He
is thankful for anything as Mexico is in dire economic condition. The work is wearing him out physically. His diabetes is presently under control, and
he has found a place to live.
·
Tracey’s Mom –
Her dementia is hampering her ability to think clearly and care for
herself. She now has good home health
care. Pray her loved ones make time for
her through this and support Tracey’s efforts.
·
Len Carbone –
(59 years old). Pray he wakes to the
message of the Cross and the compassionate love of Jesus. Had brain tumour surgery in 2002 and on disability
since. His loneliness has overwhelmed
him as he fights with his disability and those around him. Pray for a godly and patient friend to show
him God’s love.
·
Aunt Donna –
with dementia. Please pray for her
daughters so they know how best to care for her.
· Penne –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.
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