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KINDLE BOOKS

Recently finished a new Kindle entitled “Genesis & Discrimination”. It is a very powerful collection to challenge your thinking. Also, consider: Secrets of a Deeper Life in Christ , A Missing Psalm, Forgiveness. I hope putting these together in this new format will be a blessing to many more & will help support this ministry.

By Email Too

The WeakDay Devotion originated as encouragement for a dear friend who was having difficulties with her job.

It is especially for my family, firends, business people, students, pastors, teachers and a myriad of pre-, new and long-serving Christians who want more Scripture with their devotion than many of the regular devotionals offer. it is also written to be short so you can get on with your day, but filled with a new idea from God's Word that is practical and applicable. You can also have it sent directly to your email box every day - just send me an email (DarleneRichard@gmail.com) and I will add you to the distribution.

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Poor in Spirit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Oar78brnFk

YouTube: ‘What does it mean to be poor in spirit?’

By Got Questions Ministry (3 min 19 sec)

“When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.’” Matthew 5:1-3

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ6 Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

· The promise = an inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.

· The condition = do not think there is anything you can do to deserve it.

As John Macarthur puts it, “Jesus was teaching that the kingdom is a gracious gift to those who first sense their own poverty of spirit.”[1]

To be poor in spirit is the opposite of self-sufficiency. It is to be acutely conscious of your own lostness and hopelessness apart from divine grace. This deep humility comes from recognising your utter spiritual bankruptcy when we try to stand without God.

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. So far 62 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 88^th day of this horrible and unwanted war. Pray that Israel forces will locate and save the many hostages still held captive. Pray for those who have lost loved ones, continued protection of the hostages, 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) has come down with 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.

· Don Yockey- fighting cancer and other complications. Is in hospital but they may be moving him into hospice care soon. Please pray he knows and believes in the Lord and that his health carers are wise and compassionate.

· 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).

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

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Background of WeakDay Devotions

Over eleven years ago a dear friend couldn't find a job. She's brilliant, skilled & experienced -- but simply couldn't find a position to suit her. After about eight months of struggling & searching, she was hired to work with the Sydney Olympics but six months later the role turned feral. She was discouraged as she pulled herself into work each morning.

Then it became apparent they were trying to "move" her out. She struggled. At least once a week she would be on the phone to me or be sitting on my balcony talking/crying her heart out. I found myself being a sort of Christian coach/mentor for her.

One morning after my quiet time, something I learned seemed relevent for her, so I shared it with her in an email. She wrote back that it indeed helped. Next morning the same thing happened. Again the Lord used it to encourage & strengthen her. The next morning nothing seemed good to send, but I searched till I found something I hoped would strengthen her. The Lord used it. Each week day morning from then on I would get up early & write her a note of encouragement.

A month went by & another friend sent me an e-mail expressing their own frustration with a work situation. I sent them a copy of the e-mail I'd sent my friend that very morning. They were encouraged & asked me to include them each morning. After a couple of weeks both wrote to me to say they'd been sending the email to others & would I just add theses new names each morning. They also suggested I ask others if they'd like to be included. I did & many asked to receive it. One day, I was asked to do a radio interview with Gordon Moyse ("An Ordinary Christian"). He had heard about the morning "WeakDay Devotions" & wanted his listeners to know more about them.

Almost every week day morning since that first e-mail, I've written a fresh word of encouragement for (by now) an untold number of people around the world. It was originally mostly business oriented, but has grown to be more general in nature with Christian business people knowing it is the little personal details of their walk that need a boost anyway.

Within the distribution list now are Christians or pre-Christians (Catholic & Protestant), some are Jewish, some have not made a decision about what they believe, yet. There are several pastors; a Catholic priest, a Jewish teacher and a Christian Web page creator (and pastor) who distributes select ones to his readership. There’s even a pastor in the USA who uses them as part of his daily radio program.

Many who receive them forward them to others & they ricochet around the world. They're used as morning devotions between friends at work in the USA, Argentina, the Philippines, New Guinea, Hong Kong & places I don't even know about yet.

The Lord is using these meek & meagre "presents to Him" for His own purposes in the lives of others & I'm constantly surprised & humbled at the encouragement I've found in my own personal time with the Lord because of their ministry to me!

If you'd like to have them emailed directly to you each day, just send me an email. I'm open to comments, suggestions & criticisms.

Again, it's almost always only one screen long, so you don't have to take too much time with them, they always come marked "Urgent" so they can be found more quickly. Finally, the distribution list is "blinded" so everyone's privacy is assured (although I pray for everyone I send to & know them all much better now).

Every day is different, some days are very short -- sometimes only one verse or two, but there's always a Bible verse (I always use the New American Standard Bible translation, unless otherwise indicated). There are also times when there is a suggestion for something special as an assignment. I've also written a variety of series, such as: The Ten Commandments, Forgiveness, How to Know God's Will, Fasting, Unmet Needs, etc.

Stay close to His Word.
Your servant and friend in Christ.... Darlene

The First Devotion

"And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee." Psalm 9:10

From George Muller's Autobiography:

"I saw more clearly than ever that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.

"The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the Lord's blessing upon His precious Word, was to begin to meditate on the Word of God; searching, as it were, into every verse, to get blessing out of it; not for the sake of the public ministry of the Word; not for the sake of reaching on what I had meditated upon; but for the sake of obtaining food for my own soul. The result I have found to be almost invariably this...that after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or to intercession, or to supplication; so that though I did not, as it were, give myself to prayer, but to meditation, yet it turned almost immediately more or less into prayer."

Have a wonderful day resting in Him....love, your servant and friend in Christ...D

Another style: The Princess & the Pea

[Jesus teaching] "'And why do you look at the spec that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?'" Matthew 7:3

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." James 2:10

"So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!" James 3:5

"Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds; but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.'" Matthew 13:31-32

Ever notice how it's the little things that get under your skin and grow out of perspective? Think of the time you spend looking for a misplaced file or phone number. What about when you're late and get a red light or someone pulls out in front of you in traffic. Or how about when you get a paper cut or have a hang nail? How about forgetting someone's birthday or when you lose your glasses or keys? Any of these things can make us "lose our cool". As Christians we must be ever vigilant to how the little things can stumble our walk and witness with Christ.

It reminds me of the fairy tale of the Princess and the Pea (where a prince looked for a gentle and delicate princess to help rule his kingdom. He arranged a test of all the fair maidens. He had a stack of mattresses placed one on top the other and each "princess candidate" was invited to spend the night in the castle. The Prince became discouraged because no one seemed to respond to the test until one morning a lovely woman complained she could not sleep, as the mattress was too lumpy. Unbeknownst to her (and all the other candidates) the Prince had placed a single pea under the bottom mattress. No one else had been sensitive to the little things. Of course they lived happily ever after. In our Christian walk we need to be that sensitive to the little things that stumble us! Take care, your servant and friend in Christ – Darlene

A WeakDay Devotion

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