“Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, ‘No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.’ And at once the fig tree withered.
“Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, ‘How
did the fig tree wither all at once?’
And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, if you have
faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but
even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will
happen. And all things you ask in
prayer, believing, you will receive.’” Matthew 21:18-22
This passage is not about Jesus getting angry because He was
hungry and couldn’t find figs, it is about Israel. The fig tree was often used to represent
Israel in Scripture and this passage illustrates God’s judgement against
earthly Israel for shameful fruitlessness, illustrated by the rejection of
their Messiah.
However, pre-Christians and new Christians may be fooled by passages such as this, thinking that believing is somewhat like an Aladdan’s lamp.
However, Jesus was speaking figuratively
about the immeasurable power of God, unleashed in the lives of those with true
faith -- and this includes changing our needs, wants and desires to align with His,
not and never for personal gain.
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. For prayer requests and
updates email me: darlenerichard@gmail.com
Please update your PRAYER
REQUESTS
·
URGENT JAPAN – a 7.6
magnitude earthquake hit the northwest part of Japan on 1 January and today
a 6.0 earthquake has struck. So far
over 126
people are listed as dead. A
significant tsunami has followed. Please
pray for the people trapped, the rescuers, those who are afraid and lost.
·
URGENT ISRAEL– it is the
95th day of this horrible and unwanted war. The Israeli forces have located
and saved many hostages that had been held captive. Pray for those who have
lost loved ones and for the Israeli soldiers and strategists moving through
enemy territory to restore peace and purify the land of all terrorists. Pray also for the Palestinian people – many are
helpless captives of the terrorists.
·
Lindsey - the youngest daughter
(now all grown up) of my dearest friends, Annette and Lyle. Lindsey needs your prayers for healing and
strengthening. Pray for her patience and
the wisdom of her health care providers.
·
David – was in hospital for observation
and special treatment of his congestive heart symptoms and pneumonia. He is now home and feeling better, but
tired. Pray for his patience and
continued wisdom for his health carers.
·
Heidi --
(David’s daughter and home carer) feeling better after battling through a
serious flu. Please pray for her complete recovery and that she will be strong
and healthy.
·
Barbara –
the beloved wife of my brother, Tim (who passed away the end of January 2023). 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 two years ago and 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
– still in rehab for spinal surgery.
Pray for her patience and for her health care providers to be 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) Pray for the salvation of at least one of the family and
that the others will follow shortly thereafter.
They are 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 ill 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 God’s saving grace.
·
Paul –
please pray for him. He still has not
found a job or work after more than ten years.
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. 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 John went out their 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 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).
·
Don Yockey- has lost his fight with cancer. Please pray the Lord uses this time to open
the family’s hearts to His love and salvation.
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.
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