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https://youtu.be/YBc9zL7F_sE
Or search YouTube for ‘Hagar and Ishmael /
Genesis 16:1-16; Genesis 21:8-21
By Alpine Manalo (7 min 16 sec)
“Then the angel of the Lord said to her, 'Return to your mistress and submit yourself to her authority. Moreover, the angel of the Lord said to her, 'I will greatly multiply your descendants to that they will be too many to count.
"The angel of the Lord said to her further, ‘behold, you are
with child, and you will bear a son; and you shall call his name Ishmael,
because the Lord has given heed to your affliction. He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his
hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him; and he
will live to the east of all his brothers.’” Genesis 16:9-12
We are all impatient -- with those around us, with circumstances lasting too long or not long enough, with blessings delayed... Our impatience can drive us to being annoyed, angry, defiant, even bitter as we wonder just where is our God!
The danger comes when we let our impatience lead us to forgetting how undeservedly generous, compassionate and faithful the Lord always is and how perfect His timing -- if we will only trust Him.
When we run ahead of the Lord, it is easy to image we can get our own way. But the Lord is sovereign over all, even our misguided, stubborn initiative. Let us renew our trust in Him moment by moment. His love overwhelms!
Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still prays
for you daily)
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 to Amazon books.
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS (any updates?)
•
Sarah and Andrew
– he has left his job and she has gone to work in a new and exciting
position. Pray they keep family balance to
the glory of the Lord
•
Sue and Rob need prayers for wisdom and resolute spirits as
they deal with their adult nephew, Luke.
He is becoming increasingly disruptive and irresponsible. They invited him to stay with them as he was
struggling, but he has more than overstayed his welcome. Pray for healing for Luke and that he begins
to accept their request.
•
Iran
- The country is in turmoil. Many are in
danger for seeking freedom. Many have been killed or thrown into prison. Pray especially for Ryan's family and friends there.
•
Bettina –
Please pray for her strength, courage, and wisdom and for the Lord to comfort
her as she remembers the loss of Jim, her husband who passed on 7th of October,
seven years ago. Pray also for her five,
married daughters and 17 grandchildren, that they remain faithful and caring of
Bettina. Pray the Lord captures the
hearts of two of her daughters’ husbands who are not yet believers and for one
of her daughters who is working her way back to the Lord.
•
Robin –
just lost her beloved mother (was 93 years old), please pray for strength and
healing for her as she navigates through this time of mourning and for her
daughter who comforts her during this time.
•
Tom and
Elizabeth - 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.
•
Andrew –
is growing stronger after the cancellation of his wedding. He is supported by his Christian family and friends
but needs our supportive prayer to get through this loss in a gracious and
hopeful way.
•
J and M –
who were planning a life together and have just broken up. She is returning to Japan to regroup. Pray they are captured by His love during
this time of pain.
•
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 the eldest granddaughter and is 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 to do well in their studies and that their love of the Lord increases
with each day.
•
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 and remain bold and courageous in the face of evil. Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity,
strength and for their families.
•
Jenny S– who
has served the Lord as a Bible teacher at a local Bible school for 25 years has
been called into a new ministry. Give
her courage and strength as she finds her way in this 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 and finances in this time of stress.
•
Simon, 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.
•
Andrew –
a man devoted to leading a worldwide ministry to the deaf is currently
separated from his family. Please pray
for this time that Andrew will discover new insights.
•
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.
•
Patrick -
a wonderful Bible scholar who is presently part of an English Translation
Review Committee, working to review a new translation of the New Testament,
Antioch Bible (translating from Syriac to English). Pray for their hoped-for goal of finishing
the entire NT this calendar year and that he has increasing skill in the
complicated languages he is working with.
•
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 you can subscribe
to: Website:
The Little Church World. And https://www.youtube.com/user/thelittlechurchworld
.
•
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’!
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.
•
UPDATE - Barbara
– (my sister-in-law) recovering from an infection in her leg. She is finally beginning to be better and is
now off the antibiotics. Please pray for
her complete recovery and for Tim who
is caring for her.
•
Thanksgiving -
Lyle - is healing from a broken wrist and is back to driving. Still having physical therapy. Pray for his continued healing and patience
during this time and for Annette, his
lovely wife who supports him.
•
David –
recovering quickly from a heart attack.
Pray for wisdom for his health carers and for Heidi, who cares for him
daily, that she will be strong and healthy through this time.
•
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 extraordinarily good memories and lots
of love.
•
Denny –
is having heart problems. Please pray
for his health carers and for Marci, his wife, as she cares for him.
• Jake – A friend of my brother who is living with COPD (emphysema) and heart problems. Please pray for his daughter, Tiffany and for other friends to help him through his health journey.
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