Sunday, March 3, 2024

Front of the Line

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2bz8mnWsbs

YouTube – What is Grace?

By – Desiring God (10 m 43 sec)

 

“’And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.’ 

 

“’As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead; no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the Holy and sure blessings of David.’

 

“’Therefore, He also says in another Psalm, ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.’  For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. 

 

“’Therefore, let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.’” Acts 13:32-39

 

There are so many ways used to explain ‘grace’ and yet, the first one I was ever told still seems the best:  ‘undeserved favour’.  We are born with a desire to be loved…to be seen and favoured. 

 

We quickly learn that if we are a ‘good girl’ or a ‘polite boy’, etc., that by our behaviour we can win the favour of others…a sort of ‘going to the head of the class’ reward.

 

What disturbs this is type of thinking is when someone is brought to the ‘front of the line’ who didn’t do anything to earn it.  And yet, that is what our Heavenly Father promises those who will believe in the free gift offered by His beloved Son, who died to have the right to grant us favour (Romans 3:24, Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

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

 

PS:  Find my statement of faith:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com  (where you will also find a series of Bible studies). You can also find the devotions online, just search for ‘WeakDay Devotion’. 

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: darlene@weakdaydevotion.com

 

Please update your PRAYER REQUESTS

·      ISRAEL OVERVIEW of Issues of Al-Aqsa Mosque – 136 days have passed of this horrible and unwanted war.  Thank the Lord two more hostages were freed.  Pray Israeli forces locate and save the remaining hostages.  Pray for the wisdom and safety of the Israeli soldiers, for those who have lost loved ones and for those moving through enemy territory as they risk their lives to restore peace and purify the land of all terrorists.  Pray also for the Palestinian people – many are helpless captives of war.

·      URGENT - Barbara – the beloved widow of my brother, Tim, is finally feeling her ankle is healing.  She thanks you for your prayers and is back at work. As one of God’s faithful widows, pray God always protects her, especially at night.  Pray He guards the structure and integrity of the house and places willing people in her path to help her as she faces a life without Tim. 

·      Junko – that she would have a calm heart as she applies herself to her studies.  Help her through each day and that she gets enough rest.

·      Yoshimi – has started to attend church and read her Bible.  Pray she grows into a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ and that she finds work she can enjoy and benefit from.

·      Jenny S– in full-time ministry.  Pray for her hip-replacement surgery scheduled for 4th of April and that there will be friends to support her through the long and slow healing process.  Pray Father-God continues to provide sufficient financial support and winsome wisdom.

·      Lindsey - the youngest daughter of my dearest friends, Annette and Lyle, needs your prayers for healing and strengthening.  Pray for her patience and the wisdom of her health care providers.

·      Andrew M – head of Deaf Ministries Intnl., has begun an international tour starting in Japan.  Please pray for travelling mercies, robust health, and rest and for abundant harvest of those who need a creative way to ‘hear’ the Gospel.

·      Jeff and Rachael’s family: - Peyton, granddaughter, graduated from college Dec 2023.  Carter, grandson, is doing great in his first year 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 as their lives develop under God’s loving hand and that their love of God’s Word increases daily.

·      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. (Joshuah 1:6-9).

·      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.

·      Nerida – that her living situation is resolved with grace, and she finds a place to live that is more peaceful and supportive.

·      Bettina – has retired after a lifetime of service to her company.  Pray each of her five married daughters, spouses and 18 grandchildren support her as she enters this new phase of her life, and they all continue to grow in their love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

·      Ian and Jenny– continue to pray that his desire to grow his understanding and effectiveness with personal evangelism is fulfilled and that their two grown children would turn back to their relationship with Christ.

·      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, pray for her son traveling in Europe and pray most of all that her husband gives his life to the Lord.

·      Robin – continue to pray for her strength and healing as she continues her journey after the loss her beloved mother (was 93 years old) and pray for the strength of 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:

·      Louisville family of Jeff and Rachael – that a desire grows in their heart for a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

·      R & B – exploring the Truth for themselves. Please place true believers in their paths to disciple them.

·      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, and his wife -- 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.

·      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 - 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. 

Pray for the World

No comments: