Thursday, September 28, 2023

WeakEnd Assignment - Worship


YouTube – Handel: O sing unto the Lord a new song

The English Concert & Andelfestspielorchester Halle

By DW Classical Music (15 min 4 sec)

 

 “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim good tiding of His salvation from day to day. 

 

Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.  For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. 

 

“For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.  Splendour and majesty are before Him, strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.” Psalm 96:1-6

 

Assignment

1.    Set aside an hour and find a place where you will not be interrupted.

2.    Bring your Bible, notebook, something to listen to the video above with, something to write with and a refreshment.

3.    Quiet your heart and pray that you will learn something new and wonderful about worshipping the Lord.

4.    Open your Bible to Psalm 96 and read the entire Psalm, circling verse numbers or underlining verses or words that touch your heart about worship.

5.    Open to a fresh page in your notebook and date it, then listen to the video above.

6.    Once it has ended, write three praise points about the wonders of the Lord in your life.

7.    Pray and thank the Lord for these new insights about worship that will help you worship His wonder even more.

 

Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still prays for you daily)

 

PS:  (Provider changed the email program and not able to send out email version right now, so entire prayer list below.  Apologies.)

 

PSS:  Find my statement of faith:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com  (where you will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to share). 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

·      Barbara – the beloved wife of my brother, Tim (who passed away suddenly early this year).  They had been together for nearly 50 years – thanks you for praying for her (and I thank you for praying for me as he was the last of my family).  Please pray God places people in her path who will help her with all the things He knows she needs help with.  Pray for Barb’s peace and protection at night.

·      New – Jen N – a Jewish woman I’ve met at work, please pray for her that she will find a new role and that she stays safe and healthy.  Please pray for her and her two boys (ages 16 and 17).

·      Patti and John – Pray the Lord keeps them safe and healthy and that they are encouraged in the strength of the Lord and never compromise the truth of the Bible for any reason.  (Joshuah 1:6-9).

·      Jeff and Rachael’s family, Peyton and Carter - Payton, granddaughter, now a senior in university.  Carter, their son, now a freshman in college.  Both are exceptional students and love the Lord.  Pray they are not distracted by worldly things, that the Lord watches over and protects them, that they continue to do well in their studies and that their love of God’s Word increases daily.

·      Sarah and Andrew – he left his job a year ago -- she went to work in a new role.  Pray for this precious Christian couple that they focus on family balance to the glory of the Lord.

·      Sue and Rob – opened their home to support Luke who is angry and refuses to move out.  Please pray the Lord saves all three and that Luke realises he must take responsibility for his own life.  Pray for the continued patience and compassion of Sue and Rob.

·      Bettina – continue to pray for her as she grows into a new phase of her life in the Lord.  Pray each of her five married daughters, spouses and 18 grandchildren grow to love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

·      Paul – please pray for him.  He still has not found a job or work after more than ten years.  He is very discouraged and now unwell.  Please pray the Lord provides needed work so he can begin to heal and strengthen.

·      Ian – continue to pray that his desire to grow his understanding and effectiveness with personal evangelism is fulfilled. 

·      Elina – needs God’s wisdom and the courage of her convictions and resolve to live a life that is Christ-honouring for herself and her young son, Jimmy.

·      Megan (for emotional healing) and Scott, her husband (for patience and wisdom) and wisdom for his sister, Clare, as she seeks to support them through troubled times.

·      Christine – give her strength as she journeys to heart-healing and pray her husband gives his heart to the Lord.

·      Robin – 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 is comforting her.

·      Pray for true, Christ-centered revival in America.

 

Pray for those in full-time service

Pray the Lord upholds 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.

·      Scott and Carolyn Petty – Scott settling in as our new pastor.  Pray he and his wife and family will know how welcome they are.  Pray for their wisdom, strength and patience during this time.

·      Elaine and Jim Pounder and their ‘Little Church’ ministry.  They thank you for your prayers.  Continue to pray for their safety, health, strength and time with family as their ministry continues to spread around the world in a model of home churches. Pray for continued growth of their YouTube channel and website:  The Little Church World at https://www.youtube.com/user/thelittlechurchworld

·      Pat and Isobel –as they serve tirelessly in challenging times.  Pray the Lord refreshes and strengthens them with ‘streams in the desert’.

·      Ray and Kathy – Ray’s mom is fading into the growing fog of dementia, recently had a serious fall and is now in an aged care facility.  Pray she adjusts and stay healthy.  Pray for travelling mercies for Ray as he drives back and forth to visit her, and for Kathy as she supports him through this difficult time.  Pray also for their separate ministries to grow through the witness of their love and compassion.

·      Jenny S– Pray God provides her with a new car (she would love leather seats).  Help her identify the value of her unique contributions wherever she goes.  Pray the Lord maintains her health and finances.

·      Talitha – in full-time children’s ministry and needs financial support for her work.  Pray God moves the hearts of those around her to provide ample support for her work.

·      Isaias and Judith Catorce – have faithfully served as key leaders and teachers for Ambassadors for Christ Philippines (AFCP – TMS Global).  I had the privilege of visiting their ministry and encourage you to learn more about their tireless work and consider supporting them by going to www.tms-global.org .  Select the ‘Give’ option at the top of the page.  Select ‘Give to a Worker.’  Type the amount of the gift and the code 6028 (which equals ‘Catorce’), then follow the simple directions. 

·      Simon, Tamara and their children – Simon has moved to a new ministry with new challenges.  Pray for him and his entire family. 

·      Andrew and his wife – a man devoted to his family and the responsibilities of leading a worldwide ministry to the deaf.  Pray for his continued strength and health.

·      John and Sheridan – a most delightful couple.  He is the pastor of a church with a small and faithful congregation, and she supports him in many ways.  Pray that God encourages them to not grow weary of their work and that the Lord brings abundant fruit.

·      Patrick - a Bible scholar, who is presently part of an English Translation Review Committee, reviewing a new translation of the New Testament, ‘The 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.

·      Audley M – In his 90s, remarried last year (his wife passed away a few years ago).  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 Especially for Salvation for:

·      Fred and Barb brother of Patti -- for salvation.

·      Bryan and Julie (Patti’s daughter) for salvation.  They are the parents of Callilah, Adrian, Micah, Kevin and Nate -- lost, damaged and troubled children – all of whom we have prayed for over the years.

·      Pray for Jeff and Rachael’s family in Louisville to desire and seek a relationship with the Lord.

·      Demi and John – one evening he went out his backdoor to run an errand and was attacked by someone with a knife who stabbed him several times (one pierced his heart).  He has recovered physically, but please pray for him and his wife as they pull their lives together – that they might find the Lord in all the chaos left behind.

 

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.

·      David – had a ‘loop’ installed to monitor his heart and they found a way to treat some difficult symptoms with new meds rather than needing a pacemaker.  Pray for his patience and thanksgiving, continued wisdom for his health carers, and for Heidi, his daughter to be strong and healthy.  She is David’s sole carer.

·      Wayne B – is slowly losing his precious wife, Lyn, (diagnosed with frontal temporal dementia three and a half years ago).  She has been in care since May of 2020 but recently had a succession of falls and is now in a psycho-geriatric facility. She sometimes knows who he is but is no longer able to respond.  Pray for comfort for Wayne as he deals with this difficult situation. 

·      Sophie– six-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 her symptoms and heal her.

·      Jonia long-time friend, wandering through the challenges of cancer treatment.  No results yet from the PET scan, but other tests indicate her cancer is gone.  Nevertheless, she is still recovering from the treatments and needs your prayers as she lives alone.

·      Becky – came through her spinal surgery to repair some deterioration vertebrae but is still asleep while some healing continues.  Please pray for the surgery to go well and for her health care providers that they are compassionate and skilled and that her family rallies around her to care for her.

·      Hans– a dear friend in Germany struggling with lung cancer and financial difficulties.  Pray his new social worker will be able to help him and that he will have patience.  Pray for his healthcare providers and that he is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who will remind him of the Lord’s love.  Pray for his Mom (age 84) -- that their time together is filled with extraordinarily good memories and lots of love.

·      Jake – continues his battle with COPD (emphysema) and heart problems.  Please pray for his daughter, Tiffany and for his other friends and health carers to help him through his health journey.

·      Jenwho lost her only sister and recently had an accident that landed her in a special long-term facility.  She is home now and very tired and grateful to be home.  Please pray for her patience and that she will realise how much the Lord loves her.

·      Philip and Sue – Philip recently had surgery.  Pray for his health carers and for Sue as she supports him through his recovery.

·      Leon – out of intensive care into the high dependency unit.  Pray for his health-care providers that they are wise and compassionate.

·      Ivan – (brother of Emil) Ivan has been battling illness for a long time is now virtually starving.  He can no longer stand.  Pray for Ivan to revive his hope and for Emil to be strong and wise as he holds his brother’s hand through this final journey.  And give Brenda, Emil’s wife wisdom and compassion as she comforts him.

·      Beth – at 30 years old is now in palliative care, on Morphine as she faces imminent death, give her peace as she journeys through this last step on her way Home to be with her Saviour and King.

·      Patti and John – pray God continues to inspire them with His love and compassion and that He will guard their health.  Pray also for travelling mercies as Patti is now the only one who drives.

·      Peggy – a dear friend and colleague of my sister-in-law who has been battling cancer in her neck for years.  Her new oncologist has started a combination of chemo and radiation that seems to be working, but she is miserable.  Please pray for her as she waits for her body to heal and strengthen.

·      Dana, daughter of Annette and Lyle just gave birth to their first grandchild.  All healthy.  Pray God watches over this precious, new child throughout her life and that He captures her heart early in her life that she may inspire others by her faith and love. 

Pray for the World

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Clean the Whole Cup!


YouTube:  Matthew 23 Summary in 5 Minutes

Quick Bible Study By 2BeLikeChrist

 

“Woe to the bloody city, completely full of lies and pillage; her prey never departs.  The noise of the whip, the noise of the rattling of the wheel, galloping horses and bounding chariots!  Horsemen charging, swords flashing, spears gleaming, many slain, a mass of corpses, and countless dead bodies – they stumble over the dead bodies!

 

“All because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the charming one, the mistress of sorceries, who sells nations by her harlotries and families by her sorceries.  ’Behold, I am against you,’ declares the Lord of hosts; and I will lift up your skirts over your face, and show to the nations your nakedness and to the kingdoms your disgrace. 

 

“’I will throw filth on you and make you vile, and set you up as a spectacle and it will come about that all who see you will shrink from you and say, ‘Nineveh is devastated!  Who will grieve for her?  Where will I seek comforters for you?’’” Nahum 3:1-7

 

Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was evil in so many ways!  One was the way it used its beauty, prestige and power to seduce other nations.  Like a harlot, she enticed them into false friendship and alliances.  When the other nations relaxed ‘in the arms of Nineveh’, thinking she was a friend, the Assyrians destroyed and plundered them.

 

Beautiful and impressive on the outside, Nineveh was vicious and deceitful on the inside.  Beneath beautiful facades sometimes lie seduction and death.  Don’t let the attractive seduce you into lowering your standards or compromising your moral principles. 

 

[Jesus speaking] “’Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.  You blind Pharisees, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish , so that the outside of it may become clean also.’” Matthew 23:25-26

 

Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still prays for you daily)

 

PS:  (Provider changed the email program and not able to send out email version right now, so entire prayer list below.  Apologies.)

 

PSS:  Find my statement of faith:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com  (where you will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to share). 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

·      Barbara – the beloved wife of my brother, Tim (who passed away suddenly early this year).  They had been together for nearly 50 years – thanks you for praying for her (and I thank you for praying for me as he was the last of my family).  Please pray God places people in her path who will help her with all the things He knows she needs help with.  Pray for Barb’s peace and protection at night.

·      New – Jen N – a Jewish woman I’ve met at work.  Please pray for her to be safe as she steps away from an abusive relationship.  Please pray for her and her two boys (ages 16 and 17) that they will be wise.

·      Sue and Grant - Their daughter, Elizabeth, has just brought their first grandaughter, Lottie Edith, into the world.  Pray for Mom, Dad and baby for health and rest and for Sue and Grant who are so happy.

  • Patti and John – Pray the Lord keeps them safe and healthy and that they are encouraged in the strength of the Lord and never compromise the truth of the Bible for any reason.  (Joshuah 1:6-9).

·      Jeff and Rachael’s family, Peyton and Carter - Payton, granddaughter, now a senior in university.  Carter, their son, now a freshman in college.  Both are exceptional students and love the Lord.  Pray they are not distracted by worldly things, that the Lord watches over and protects them, that they continue to do well in their studies and that their love of God’s Word increases daily.

·      Sarah and Andrew – he left his job a year ago -- she went to work in a new role.  Pray for this precious Christian couple that they focus on family balance to the glory of the Lord.

·      Sue and Rob – opened their home to support Luke who is angry and refuses to move out.  Please pray the Lord saves all three and that Luke realises he must take responsibility for his own life.  Pray for the continued patience and compassion of Sue and Rob.

·      Bettina – continue to pray for her as she grows into a new phase of her life in the Lord.  Pray each of her five married daughters, spouses and 18 grandchildren grow to love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

·      Paul – please pray for him.  He still has not found a job or work after more than ten years.  He is very discouraged and now unwell.  Please pray the Lord provides needed work so he can begin to heal and strengthen.

·      Ian – continue to pray that his desire to grow his understanding and effectiveness with personal evangelism is fulfilled. 

·      Elina – needs God’s wisdom and the courage of her convictions and resolve to live a life that is Christ-honouring for herself and her young son, Jimmy.

·      Megan (for emotional healing) and Scott, her husband (for patience and wisdom) and wisdom for his sister, Clare, as she seeks to support them through troubled times.

·      Christine – give her strength as she journeys to heart-healing and pray her husband gives his heart to the Lord.

·      Robin – 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 is comforting her.

·      Pray for true, Christ-centered revival in America.

 

Pray for those in full-time service

Pray the Lord upholds 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.

·      Scott and Carolyn Petty – Scott settling in as our new pastor.  Pray he and his wife and family will know how welcome they are.  Pray for their wisdom, strength and patience during this time.

·      Elaine and Jim Pounder and their ‘Little Church’ ministry.  They thank you for your prayers.  Continue to pray for their safety, health, strength and time with family as their ministry continues to spread around the world in a model of home churches. Pray for continued growth of their YouTube channel and website:  The Little Church World at https://www.youtube.com/user/thelittlechurchworld

·      Pat and Isobel –as they serve tirelessly in challenging times.  Pray the Lord refreshes and strengthens them with ‘streams in the desert’.

·      Ray and Kathy – Ray’s mom is fading into the growing fog of dementia, recently had a serious fall and is now in an aged care facility.  Pray she adjusts and stay healthy.  Pray for travelling mercies for Ray as he drives back and forth to visit her, and for Kathy as she supports him through this difficult time.  Pray also for their separate ministries to grow through the witness of their love and compassion.

·      Jenny S– Pray God provides her with a new car (she would love leather seats).  Help her identify the value of her unique contributions wherever she goes.  Pray the Lord maintains her health and finances.

·      Talitha – in full-time children’s ministry and needs financial support for her work.  Pray God moves the hearts of those around her to provide ample support for her work.

·      Isaias and Judith Catorce – have faithfully served as key leaders and teachers for Ambassadors for Christ Philippines (AFCP – TMS Global).  I had the privilege of visiting their ministry and encourage you to learn more about their tireless work and consider supporting them by going to www.tms-global.org .  Select the ‘Give’ option at the top of the page.  Select ‘Give to a Worker.’  Type the amount of the gift and the code 6028 (which equals ‘Catorce’), then follow the simple directions. 

·      Simon, Tamara and their children – Simon has moved to a new ministry with new challenges.  Pray for him and his entire family. 

·      Andrew and his wife – a man devoted to his family and the responsibilities of leading a worldwide ministry to the deaf.  Pray for his continued strength and health.

·      John and Sheridan – a most delightful couple.  He is the pastor of a church with a small and faithful congregation, and she supports him in many ways.  Pray that God encourages them to not grow weary of their work and that the Lord brings abundant fruit.

·      Patrick - a Bible scholar, who is presently part of an English Translation Review Committee, reviewing a new translation of the New Testament, ‘The 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.

·      Audley M – In his 90s, remarried last year (his wife passed away a few years ago).  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 Especially for Salvation for:

·      Fred and Barb brother of Patti -- for salvation.

·      Bryan and Julie (Patti’s daughter) for salvation.  They are the parents of Callilah, Adrian, Micah, Kevin and Nate -- lost, damaged and troubled children – all of whom we have prayed for over the years.

·      Pray for Jeff and Rachael’s family in Louisville to desire and seek a relationship with the Lord.

 

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.

·      David – had a ‘loop’ installed to monitor his heart and they found a way to treat some difficult symptoms with new meds rather than needing a pacemaker.  Pray for his patience and thanksgiving, continued wisdom for his health carers, and for Heidi, his daughter to be strong and healthy.  She is David’s sole carer.

·      Wayne B – is slowly losing his precious wife, Lyn, (diagnosed with frontal temporal dementia three and a half years ago).  She has been in care since May of 2020 but recently had a succession of falls and is now in a psycho-geriatric facility. She sometimes knows who he is but is no longer able to respond.  Pray for comfort for Wayne as he deals with this difficult situation. 

·      Sophie– six-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 her symptoms and heal her.

·      Jonia long-time friend, wandering through the challenges of cancer treatment.  No results yet from the PET scan, but other tests indicate her cancer is gone.  Nevertheless, she is still recovering from the treatments and needs your prayers as she lives alone.

·      Becky – came through her spinal surgery to repair some deterioration vertebrae but is still asleep while some healing continues.  Please pray for the surgery to go well and for her health care providers that they are compassionate and skilled and that her family rallies around her to care for her.

·      Hans– a dear friend in Germany struggling with lung cancer and financial difficulties.  Pray his new social worker will be able to help him and that he will have patience.  Pray for his healthcare providers and that he is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who will remind him of the Lord’s love.  Pray for his Mom (age 84) -- that their time together is filled with extraordinarily good memories and lots of love.

·      Jake – continues his battle with COPD (emphysema) and heart problems.  Please pray for his daughter, Tiffany and for his other friends and health carers to help him through his health journey.

·      Jenwho lost her only sister and recently had an accident that landed her in a special long-term facility.  She is home now and very tired and grateful to be home.  Please pray for her patience and that she will realise how much the Lord loves her.

·      Philip and Sue – Philip recently had surgery.  Pray for his health carers and for Sue as she supports him through his recovery.

·      Leon – out of intensive care into the high dependency unit.  Pray for his health-care providers that they are wise and compassionate.

·      Ivan – (brother of Emil) Ivan has been battling illness for a long time is now virtually starving.  He can no longer stand.  Pray for Ivan to revive his hope and for Emil to be strong and wise as he holds his brother’s hand through this final journey.  And give Brenda, Emil’s wife wisdom and compassion as she comforts him.

·      Beth – at 30 years old is now in palliative care, on Morphine as she faces imminent death, give her peace as she journeys through this last step on her way Home to be with her Saviour and King.

·      Patti and John – pray God continues to inspire them with His love and compassion and that He will guard their health.  Pray also for travelling mercies as Patti is now the only one who drives.

·      Peggy – a dear friend and colleague of my sister-in-law who has been battling cancer in her neck for years.  Her new oncologist has started a combination of chemo and radiation that seems to be working, but she is miserable.  Please pray for her as she waits for her body to heal and strengthen.

·      Dana, daughter of Annette and Lyle just gave birth to their first grandchild.  All healthy.  Pray God watches over this precious, new child throughout her life and that He captures her heart early in her life that she may inspire others by her faith and love.

·      Demi and John – one evening he went out his backdoor to run an errand and was attacked by someone with a knife who stabbed him several times (one pierced his heart).  He has recovered physically, but please pray for him and his wife as they pull their lives together – that they might find the Lord in all the chaos left behind.

 

Pray for the World

·      Libya Floods two dams broke during huge storms and now the death toll is around 20,000.  Pray for those trying to rescue or locate people, those providing medical care for them and those supporting the survivors.

·      Hong Kong floods – experiencing the highest rainfalls in recorded history.

·      Morocco Earthquake – a once in a century 6.8 magnitude earthquake has hit this country.  Currently, nearly 3,000 individuals have died – thousands are injured and lost.  Please pray for the rescue workers, the medical teams and those supporting those working to save those still buried.