Copy and paste the link into your browser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbgNzeFrbrs
Or search YouTube for ‘Holy Bible Audio: I John
Full (Contemporary English) with text
by Holy Bible (18 min 19 sec)
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God;
and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God,
for God is love. By this the love of God
was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so
that we might live through Him.
“In this is love, not that we love God, but that He loved
us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [full, perfect, complete
payment] for our sins. Beloved, if
God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to
love one another.” I John 4:7-11
No other person contributed more to my journey ‘from the
Cross’ than an ex-basketball star who gave up all his fame to become a
pastor-teacher through Dallas Theology Seminary.
Dunwoody Community Church began meeting in a grade school cafeteria. Each Sunday that big room was packed with
adults sitting at little tables cramped together in small plastic chairs.
For two hours each week, Doug and his two co-pastors (Tim
Crater and Ralph LaMonte) took turns thoroughly unravelling Bible verses to the
astonishment of all of us who sat and took notes. It is difficult to believe nowadays! We learned so much about studying and
unpacking the treasures of Scripture!
As I grew as a Christian and began to travel, I ‘subscribed’
to Doug’s cassette tape ministry (and still have hundreds of his lesson). When I was living in Australia and New
Zealand, it was the rich meat that sustained me as I began to teach others how
to navigate the pages of God’s Word for themselves.
Whenever I made the trip home, I could not wait to visit my ‘home
church’ and hear Doug teach in person.
When I travelled home when my Mom was hospitalised for the last time,
the fellowship and wise support Doug supplied helped me through one of the most
difficult times of my life.
Doug was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and passed away two
years ago. He wrote many books and left
behind a challenge for me to study the book of I John, that Doug believed was
the most significant and difficult book of the Bible, and so I do. If you have not read that small book lately,
it only takes a little over 18 minutes.
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?)
- David – remains hospitalised. The doctors believe he has had a heart
attack. Today they will do some
more tests. Pray for wisdom for his
health carers and for Heidi, who
cares for him on a daily basis, that she will be strong and healthy through
this time.
- Andrew and M – after months of planning a
picture book wedding, they have concluded the wedding will not take
place. He is devastated. As a Christian brother he needs our supportive
prayer to get through this loss in a gracious and hopeful way.
- UPDATE - Barbara – (my sister-in-law)
recovering from an infection in her leg.
The antibiotics have left her very tired. Please pray for her complete recovery
and for Tim who is caring for
her.
- Elizabeth and Dan
- planning their wedding.
Please pray that they both are firm in their commitment to Jesus
Christ as the priority and that Sue and Grant have wisdom in their advice
to them.
- 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.
- Christine – give her strength as she
journeys to heart-healing and pray her husband gives his heart to the
Lord.
- 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 for trustworthy, honourable, Bible-based friends to
support them.
- Peyton and Carter-
Grandchildren of Jeff and Rachael.
Payton is eldest granddaughter and now in her third year at
college. Carter is a senior in high
school. Both are exceptional students
and love the Lord. Please pray they
are not distracted by worldly things, that they continue do well in their
studies and that their love of the Lord increases with each day.
- Pat and Isobel –as they serve tirelessly
in challenging times. Pray the Lord
refreshes and strengthens them.
- Jasper and Bec – the new youth pastor. Still studying at Moore College and
living on campus there. Pray for
balance between academic studies and common-sense family focus.
- Elaine and Jim Pounder and their Little Church ministry
have begun a new work.
Continue to pray for their 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 consider
watching and subscribing to their sound teaching episodes. Website: The Little Church
World. And https://www.youtube.com/user/thelittlechurchworld.
- Jenny S– A woman who has served the Lord
as a Bible teacher at a local Bible school who has been called into a new
ministry. Give her courage and
strength as she finds her way in this new role. Give her a hungry curiosity under
change. Help her identify the
balance and value of her unique contribution. Pray the Lord maintains her health in
this time of stress.
- Audley M – In his 90s has just gotten
married. Pray for their union in
Christ and for their health and strength.
Pray for his wisdom and the effective growth of his wonderful radio
ministry (Florida, Virginia, Alabama, Indianapolis) as America hunger for
‘true meat’!
- Sophie– five-year old daughter of a
friend 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, continues
his battle lung cancer and financial difficulties. Pray his new social worker will be able
to help him through this time. 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) -- 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.
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