Fire and Soap

 

YouTube – Refiner's Fire - Malachi 3:2-4

David Guzik

 

[God speaking] “’Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me.  And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,’ says the Lord of hosts. 

 

“’But who can endure the day of His coming?  And who can stand when He appears?  For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 

 

“’He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, to that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.  Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as the days of old and as in former years.’” Malachi 3:1-4

 

God watches over His children, wherever they are.  He calls pastors to lead them and when they stray from the Truth, as they did in Malachi’s time, He brings them to the ‘Refiner’s fire’ to purify them for the work they are responsible for. 

 

Here in Scripture God is also promising His Messenger, Jesus Christ – the Messiah -- who would also confront those who had misled His people over the 400 years since Malachi’s message to remind them of the Truth.

 

Each of us is refined and purified through the process of sanctification -- where ‘fire and soap are applied’ to our lives -- when and where necessary, so we can more clearly reflect the grace and attractiveness of the Lord Jesus Christ to those who do not yet know Him.  (check out Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10-11 for the reason).

 

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

 

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

·      URGENT ISRAEL– thousands have lost their lives to heartless terrorists in an unprovoked attack.  Many from Israel have also been captured as hostages (soldiers, elderly, women, children and babies).  Please Pray for those who have lost loved ones, the hostages and for the Israeli soldiers and strategists who are now entering enemy territory to save lives, restore peace and purify the land of the many terrorists surrounding Israel.  Pray also for the Palestinian people – many are also helpless captives of the terrorists.

·      NEW – Emil and Brenda – Ivan, who we’ve been praying for passed away Monday this week.  Please pray for Emil to have time to grieve and give Brenda, Emil’s wife wisdom and compassion as she comforts him.

·      David – is feeling better as they are stabilising his new meds to treat congestive heart symptoms.  He is on oxygen for now.  Pray for his patience and continued wisdom for his health carers, and for Heidi, his daughter and sole carer to be strong and healthy.

·      Peter and Jill – continue on their holiday of a lifetime.  Pray for travelling mercies, patience, safety and good health and bring them home with new experiences to share. 

·      Barbara – the beloved wife of my brother, Tim (who passed away suddenly early this year).  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.

·      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.

·      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.

·      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.

Pray Especially for Salvation for:

·      Becky – came through her spinal surgery to repair some deterioration vertebrae but there is a long recovery time.  Pray for her patience and for her health care providers that they are wise and compassionate, that her family rallies around her to care for her and most of all that she finds the Lord in all this.

·      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.

·      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 and that this will lead them all to come to salvation.

·      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.

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

·      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 and that she finds salvation.

·      Sue and Rob – opened their home to support Luke who is angry and lost.  He has been there a long time now and refuses to move out.  He is very angry and disruptive.  Please pray the Lord saves all three and that Luke realises he must take responsibility for his own life.  Pray for continued patience and compassion of Sue and Rob.

·      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.

·      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).

 

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.

Pray for the World

Righteous or Justified?

 

YouTube “Never Enough,” a Sermon by

David Lose from Luke 18:9-14

By A sermon for Every Sunday

 

 

“You have wearied the Lord with your words.  Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied Him?’  In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them,’ or, ‘Where is the God of justice?’” Malachi 2:17

 

In Genesis Cain compared himself with Able and felt self-satisfied with his sacrifice (Genesis 4).  The Pharisee praying in the temple near a publican (Luke 18:9-14) also compared his value to God as more than that of the publican. 

 

God’s perspective is very different from mans’.  Man looks on the outside and God looks at, and knows, every moment – past, present and future -- of each of us. 

 

In Malachi, God was tired of the way the people had cynically twisted His truths.  The faithless, disobedient priests and righteous people had worn out God’s patience by their skepticism and self-justification. 

 

They arrogantly questioned that the Lord was even paying attention to His Chosen people -- even suggesting He was favouring the wicked and was unconcerned about them -- the righteous.  God’s silence does not equal His approval.  God always hates sin, especially of those who counterfeit a faith while acting sinfully.

 

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

 

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

·      URGENT ISRAEL– thousands have lost their lives to heartless terrorists in an unprovoked attack.  Many from Israel have also been captured as hostages (soldiers, elderly, women, children and babies).  Please Pray for those who have lost loved ones, the hostages and for the Israeli soldiers and strategists who must now take action to save lives and restore peace from the many terrorists surrounding their land.  Pray also for the Palestinians, most of whom are helpless captives of the terrorists.

·      NEW – Emil and Brenda – Ivan, who we’ve been praying for passed away Monday this week.  Please pray for Emil to have time to grieve and give Brenda, Emil’s wife wisdom and compassion as she comforts him.

·      David – his health care providers changed his meds after they put in a heart loop to monitor his heart more closely and it has been stressful for him.  They are working now to stabilise his heart from congestive heart symptoms.  He did not need hospitalisation and is home on oxygen for now as he adjusts to his meds.  Pray for his patience and continued wisdom for his health carers, and for Heidi, his daughter and sole carer to be strong and healthy.

·      Peter and Jill – continue on their holiday of a lifetime.  Pray for travelling mercies, patience, safety and good health and bring them home with new experiences to share. 

·      Andrew M. – we’ve been praying for him and his full-time ministry (Deaf Ministries Intnl) – is home in Sydney now and almost fully recovered from Zika fever in The Philippines.  Pray for strength and wisdom. Pray for his beloved wife as she cares for him.

·      Barbara – the beloved wife of my brother, Tim (who passed away suddenly early this year).  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.

·      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.

·      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.

·      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.

Pray Especially for Salvation for:

·      Becky – came through her spinal surgery to repair some deterioration vertebrae but there is a long recovery time.  Pray for her patience and for her health care providers that they are wise and compassionate, that her family rallies around her to care for her and most of all that she finds the Lord in all this.

·      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.

·      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 and that this will lead them all to come to salvation.

·      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.

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

·      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 and that she finds salvation.

·      Sue and Rob – opened their home to support Luke who is angry and lost.  He has been there a long time now and refuses to move out.  He is very angry and disruptive.  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.

·      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.

·      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).

 

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.

Pray for the World

Discipleship Discipline

 

YouTube ‘Run the Race: The Intentional

Process of Discipleship – Harvest Episode 04

By The Navigators

 

“’This is another thing you do; you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favour from your hand.  Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ 

 

“’Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 

 

“’But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit.  And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring?  Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. 

 

“’For I hate divorce,’ says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘and him who covers his garment with wrong,’ says the Lord of hosts.   ‘So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.’” Malachi 2:13-16

 

How often does ‘I don’t feel like it’ or ‘This is how I feel’ or ‘It just doesn’t feel right’ slipped into your conversation?  It is common and started at the beginning:

 

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:6

 

Have you noticed that the word discipline sounds a bit like ‘disciple’.  God created us with emotion.  The Bible shows many instances when God ‘felt’ emotions. 

 

However, we are not to be driven or led by our emotions, but to check them against the truth of His Word.  It is just such a temptation to just let the feelings sweep you away.

 

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

 

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

·      URGENT ISRAEL– thousands have lost their lives to heartless terrorists in an unprovoked attack.  Many from Israel have also been captured as hostages (soldiers, elderly, women, children and babies).  Please Pray for those who have lost loved ones, the hostages and for the Israeli soldiers and strategists who must now take action to save lives and restore peace from the many terrorists surrounding their land.  Pray also for the Palestinians, most of whom are helpless captives of the terrorists.

·      NEW – Emil and Brenda – Ivan, who we’ve been praying for passed away Monday this week.  Please pray for Emil to have time to grieve and give Brenda, Emil’s wife wisdom and compassion as she comforts him.

·      David – his health care providers changed his meds after they put in a heart loop to monitor his heart more closely and it has been stressful for him.  They are working now to stabilise his heart from congestive heart symptoms.  He did not need hospitalisation and is home on oxygen for now as he adjusts to his meds.  Pray for his patience and continued wisdom for his health carers, and for Heidi, his daughter and sole carer to be strong and healthy.

·      Peter and Jill – continue on their holiday of a lifetime.  Pray for travelling mercies, patience, safety and good health and bring them home with new experiences to share. 

·      Andrew M. – we’ve been praying for him and his full-time ministry (Deaf Ministries Intnl) – is home in Sydney now and almost fully recovered from Zika fever in The Philippines.  Pray for strength and wisdom. Pray for his beloved wife as she cares for him.

·      Barbara – the beloved wife of my brother, Tim (who passed away suddenly early this year).  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.

·      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.

·      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.

·      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.

Pray Especially for Salvation for:

·      Becky – came through her spinal surgery to repair some deterioration vertebrae but there is a long recovery time.  Pray for her patience and for her health care providers that they are wise and compassionate, that her family rallies around her to care for her and most of all that she finds the Lord in all this.

·      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.

·      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 and that this will lead them all to come to salvation.

·      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.

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

·      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 and that she finds salvation.

·      Sue and Rob – opened their home to support Luke who is angry and lost.  He has been there a long time now and refuses to move out.  He is very angry and disruptive.  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.

·      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.

·      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).

 

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.

Pray for the World

You’d Think…

 

YouTube ‘All divine justice sounds unjust until

we see God as He is and we see ourselves as we are’

By Truth Divides

  

“Do we not all have one father?  Has not one God created us?  Why do we deal treacherously each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of your fathers? 

 

“Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord which He loves and has married the daughter of a foreign god. 

 

“As for the man who does this, may the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who awakes and answers, or who presents an offering to the Lord of hosts.”  Malachi 2:10-12

 

What an amazing time to be alive.  God’s chosen people had been through so much that seemed impossible to survive through.  And yet they did.  The temple that had been destroyed was now completed and the walls stood proudly. 

 

Those who returned to their city were excited to see past prophecies fulfilled.  But they grew impatient for the Messiah to come and destroy God’s enemies.

 

Their impatience grew as God delayed, and the people grew lax and complacent with obeying His laws and then they felt safe to openly sin and were again mixing and marrying those who worshipped idols (the same problem that Nehemiah and Ezra battled against).

 

They choose unfaithfulness.  Oh, they sinned quietly, but their lives reflected an attitude that God did not exist or if He did, He didn’t really care.  Men were marrying pagan women --idol worshippers.  Divorce was common and could happen for any reason. 

 

The result was that God’s people choose to act as if they could do anything without being punished (confusing liberty with licence).  And yet, they wondered why God refused to accept their offerings and bless them.  You’d think after all they had seen and lived through they would have more faith. 

 

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

 

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

·      URGENT ISRAEL– thousands have lost their lives to heartless terrorists in an unprovoked attack.  Many from Israel have also been captured as hostages (soldiers, elderly, women, children and babies).  Please Pray for those who have lost loved ones, the hostages and for the Israeli soldiers and strategists who must now take action to save lives and restore peace from the many terrorists surrounding their land.  Pray also for the Palestinians, most of whom are helpless captives of the terrorists.

·      NEW – Emil and Brenda – Ivan, who we’ve been praying for passed away Monday this week.  Please pray for Emil to have time to grieve and give Brenda, Emil’s wife wisdom and compassion as she comforts him.

·      David – his health care providers changed his meds after they put in a heart loop to monitor his heart more closely and it has been stressful for him.  They are working now to stabilise his heart from congestive heart symptoms.  He did not need hospitalisation and is home on oxygen for now as he adjusts to his meds.  Pray for his patience and continued wisdom for his health carers, and for Heidi, his daughter and sole carer to be strong and healthy.

·      Peter and Jill – continue on their holiday of a lifetime.  Pray for travelling mercies, patience, safety and good health and bring them home with new experiences to share. 

·      Andrew M. – we’ve been praying for him and his full-time ministry (Deaf Ministries Intnl) – is home in Sydney now and almost fully recovered from Zika fever in The Philippines.  Pray for strength and wisdom. Pray for his beloved wife as she cares for him.

·      Barbara – the beloved wife of my brother, Tim (who passed away suddenly early this year).  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.

·      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.

·      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.

·      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.

 

Pray Especially for Salvation for:

·      Becky – came through her spinal surgery to repair some deterioration vertebrae but there is a long recovery time.  Pray for her patience and for her health care providers that they are wise and compassionate, that her family rallies around her to care for her and most of all that she finds the Lord in all this.

·      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.

·      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 and that this will lead them all to come to salvation.

·      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.

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

·      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 and that she finds salvation.

·      Sue and Rob – opened their home to support Luke who is angry and lost.  He has been there a long time now and refuses to move out.  He is very angry and disruptive.  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.

·      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.

·      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).

 

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.

Pray for the World