Thursday, March 14, 2024

WeakEnd Assignment – Little Lamb

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xEL0tM2U9Q

YouTube – Behold the Lamb (Communion Hymn) Lyric Video

By – KeithandKristyn Getty (4 min 47 sec)

 

“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?  Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.  O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; and by night, but I have no rest. 

 

“Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.  In You our fathers trusted; they trusted and You delivered them.  To You they cried out and were delivered; in You they trusted and were not disappointed.” Psalm 22:1-5

 

Easter this year is 31 March which seems early.  Our challenge during this time comes from our focus.  Do we focus on:


·      the helpless, little, innocent lamb sacrificed that represents Jesus?

·      the dejection and rejection Jesus suffered?

·      the horrible abuse and abandonment Jesus endured?

·      the unimaginable torture of death on the cross?

·      God turning away His beloved Son as He took on sin for our sake?

 

Yes all these things happened, but we can also chose to focus on the reason they happened – the outcome.  Knowing the Lord:


·      God had a plan for our redemption from Genesis 3:14-15

·      God led His people through all the wildernesses of disobedience and loss to the Promised Land

·      Jesus resurrection proved He had power over death and all it symbolises (Romans 6:1-11)

·      Jesus death was the full, just and perfect price required by God to pay for our sin (I John 4:10)

·      Jesus resurrection offers hope and restoration for all sinners (Romans 3:21-26)

·      Left us with the responsibilities to share the Truth (Matthew 28:18-20)

·      Provided the way for us to have peace in the midst of all chaos (Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:7)

·      the hope within us is the privilege that transforms our lives and grow us increasingly, day-by-day into the image of Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 3:18)


It is our choice to make.

 

Assignment

1.    Set aside at least an hour and find a place where you will not be interrupted.

2.    Bring your Bible, notebook, something to write with, some way to listen to the above video and a refreshment.

3.    Settle in, take time to pray and ask the Lord to show you new ways to understand this powerful holiday that strengthen your faith, and that you are able to share with loved ones and strangers.

4.    Open your notebook, find a clean page, and date it for today’s date.

5.    Listen to the song and think about the message within it and write a brief note in your notebook.

6.    In the second list above there are Scripture verses mentioned.  Look each one up in your Bible and write a brief note about what the verses mean to you and how you can share them with others.

7.    Pray and thank God for giving you a new life and focus for each new day, especially Easter.

 

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

·      Pray for true, Christ-centered revival in America.

·      Israel (Al-Aqsa Mosque complications) – 150 days have passed of this horrible, unwanted war. Ramadan (a high holy time for Muslims and typically dangerous for others in Israel) begins.  Pray Israeli forces locate and save all remaining hostages.  Pray for the wisdom and safety of 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.

·      Barbara – the beloved widow (of my brother, Tim) thanks you for your prayers. She is back at work and her ankle is better. As one of God’s faithful widows, pray God always protects her, especially at night. That He guards the structure and integrity of the house and places willing people in her path to help 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 the procedure goes well.  Pray also for her aging father fading away with dementia and her mother who in in hospital now, unable to watch over her husband.  Pray Father-God continues to provide sufficient financial support and winsome wisdom for this woman of God.

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

·      Andrew M – head of Deaf Ministries Intnl., is travelling internationally with the ministry for a final visit before returning to Australia. Please pray for travelling mercies, robust health, and adequate rest and, most of all, for abundant harvest of those who need creative ways 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.  Praise God that 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 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:

·      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.

·      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 – recovering from spinal surgery.  Pray for her patience and her health carers 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.

·      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 met during a project. 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: