https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwNbTv2f3BI
YouTube: ‘I Heard An Old Old Story:
Written by Eugene Monroe Bartlett
By TTM English (3 min 55 sec)
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to
Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy
Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a
righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away
secretly.
“But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the
Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid
to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of
the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son;
and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’
“Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by
the Lord through the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall
bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God
with us.’” Matthew 1:18-23
The first promise I discovered in the New Testament was, not
surprisingly, the promise of a Saviour. To
have sex before marriage was absolutely forbidden and there were dire
consequences for the woman who dared to disobey.
Thankfully, God knew Joseph’s heart and could entrust this ‘secret’
to him, knowing he would make the right decision and be the protector and love
of Mary.
Each of us who have claimed the gift of eternal life know
our sins – all of them: past, present and future – have been paid for by Jesus
when he died and rose again -- know the joy of that very first promise!
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 ISRAEL– it is the
87th 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.
·
NEW – 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.
- 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.
·
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).
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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