A Woman of Excellence

“And it happened in the middle of the night that the man [Boaz] was startled and bent forward and behold, a woman was laying at his feet.  And he said, ‘Who are you?’  And she answered, ‘I am Ruth your maid.  So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative. 

“Then he said, ‘May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter.  You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich.  And now, my daughter, do not fear, I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.’” Ruth 3:8-11

Naomi, an Israelite was living in Moab because of a famine.  She had a husband, two sons and two daughters-in-law.  The men of the family die.  (In those days this meant she and her daughters-in-law were in danger without a man to watch over them.) 

Naomi decides to travel back to the land of Judah.  She urges the two young women to return to their families to remarry.  One of them, Ruth (a Moabite), knowing the hardships ahead for two solitary women, chooses to stay with Naomi. 

Once in Judah, Ruth and Naomi look after each other and manage their lives.  But God’s plan holds something extraordinary for Ruth, as she is selected to be the wife of Boaz.  They marry and have a son, Obed.  Obed became father to Jesse and Jesse was the father of King David.

Naomi faced the culture and accepted their limitations.  Naomi and Ruth chose to follow the Lord and remain obedient to what they knew was right.  For this, God watched over them.

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who prays for you each morning, Darlene

PPS:  My statement of faith is on the blog:  Especially His Love .  Either click the link or cut and paste this link in your Web browser (https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com.au/ )

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        Jeff Westergren – came through his heart surgery well and is recovering.  Please continue to pray for him and Rachael (his precious wife).  Pray also for the health carers – that they are wise and skilled and compassionate and that he recovers fully and soon.
• ·        California Forest Fires – Now over 40 known dead, over 300 missing.  Thousands of homes destroyed as this forest fire sweeps through the area around Los Angeles.  Please pray for those caught in this (UPDATE this morning)  terrible tragedy and pray for protection for those emergency workers rescuing and caring for those affected.
• ·        Donald Trump - the President of the USA.  If ever there was a time to pray for an individual, it is now!  No matter whom you voted for or wanted as President, it is our responsibility as Christians to remember God has a plan through this man.  Pray someone helps him understand the true meaning of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and that he will have someone to regularly disciple him.  So much depends on it.
• ·        Australia – There is a referendum before the people to legitimise same sex marriages.  Before the end of September, Australians will be voting for or against this.  Please pray the Lord moves the heart of His people and those who do not know Him yet.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        UPDATE - Adrian Stokes –Will be in hospital today getting his cancer infusion.  Moved into a long-term care facility this week.  He was sad that after being in the hospital so long that he was rushed out before he could thank all his carers.  Now he will be able to get some care to strengthen his body.  Thank you for being someone who is holding him up in prayer.  His cancer (multiple myelomas) continues.  (Thank our Father for Shane and Carol, his wife.  Pray they will have Jesus' heart for Adrian and continued strength, patience and the time to help him.  Pray Stewart McClelland, (a retired pastor) will be there with Adrian soon.)

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        Doris (my "second mom")- 98-years young, growing weaker now.  New teeth do not fit well, but her focus on sharing Christ with others grows stronger as she shares the Gospel with vigour!  She is unable to drink thin liquids but is managing to sip a little coffee and enjoy a few chocolates.
• ·        Careena S - with MS and Lyme's Disease, who manages a busy household with husband, five children and two very active dogs, is feeling better now that she's off some of her meds, but her cholesterol has risen too high.  Thank you for praying for her.  She asks us to pray for her brother to realise the deep affection Jesus has for him personally!
• ·        Claudio - battling liver cancer and the meds that are to save him.  Pray for him, his health carers to be compassionate and wise and for Elea, his wife, that she has the extra strength and hope to hold his hand through this.
• ·        My brother, Tim - Weather is improving and it is so much easier for him to breathe right now with his COPD (cardio-obstructive pulmonary disease).  Pray for his strength, wisdom and health.  Pray for Barb, his wife, for her strength and patience and thank you, Father, for growing stronger daily in their lives so they can share You with others.
• ·        Liriel - chronically ill and often in pain, but feeling a bit better lately.  Pray for her comfort and that she can find some joy in each day.
• ·        John (stroke survivor) needs wisdom to continue the management of his big farm.  Pray God will help him with his reading challenges since the stroke.  He is enjoying cooking for others and is blessing many with this gift.
• ·        Adrian (6-year-old) with serious behaviour problems continue.  Pray for his parents, teachers and doctors.
• ·        Julia - battling depression - needs to get proper rest and therapy.  Very difficult with full-time teaching job and five children (including Adrian above). She needs strength to rely on the Lord rather than being self-sufficient.
• ·        Aunt Donna - with dementia. Please pray for her daughters so they can care for her best.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• ·        Scott (in the USA) recently single father who must now care for his children alone; and that this situation will help his heart melt in awareness of the Lord's love for him.
• ·        Robin Hopcroft - her brother asks we pray for her safety, that she learns of and understands the saving grace of Jesus and that her life becomes filled with the life-changing love of the Lord.
• ·        Christine – that her husband will turn to the Lord and that they will have a Christ-honouring relationship.
• ·        Sarah -Will soon be moving into a family friend's trailer near her parents. But still no reconciliation with family or God at this point.
• ·        RS  who I had the delightful privilege of sharing the Gospel with.  Please pray for her that she keeps considering what we discussed.
• ·        Bobby and George - that they will begin to consider Christ.
• ·        Karen - that in her confusion and the chaos of her job, she will search for His peace.
• ·        Jenny - Recently lost her husband and needs comfort, strength and true answers in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• ·        Adam - his life is filled with confusion and need.  Pray someone comes alongside him to help him see how much the Lord loves him.
• ·        Bible study in Jo's home.  Pray for wisdom of Jo and openness in the women who meet together, especially Angie and Liz.
• ·        Toron - (19-year-old) Pray for him to find direction and encouragement and most of all to come to the Lord.
• ·        Lennie - Needs to wake to the cross of Christ and how much He loves him.
• ·        Sarah - that God continues to work in His mysterious ways in her life and captures her heart.  No contact with parents or brother, yet.
• ·        DB's father - (84 years) pray his heart opens to Christ.  He is an avowed – and boastfully proud – atheist.
• ·        Chester (Adrian's friend) with pancreatic cancer that someone will come share Christ with him soon.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Doris’ (my second Mom) only brother, Uncle Dwight (92) is recovering from his kidney infection and respiratory problems and is home again.  Please pray for the Lord's will in his life. He is an ordained pastor & knows the Lord. He is also the Grandpa of Sarah who we have been praying for.
• ·        Heidi, David’s daughter – her dental surgery went well and she has a new smile and her health will be even better for this.  She is such a wonderful support for David. 
• ·        David R - is feeling better and stronger with the better weather.  Surely the hand of the Lord is not short in any of our lives and still works in ways we cannot understand for our good and His glory!
• ·        Praise the Lord and pray for the many individuals in Russia, US, Poland, UK, France, Australia, UAE (!), Germany, Portugal, Romania, American Samoa, Ukraine, Estonia, Singapore, China, India and Alaska who are regularly reading the WeakDay Devotion on-line.  The blog seems to be gathering an audience in unexpected and mysterious geographic locations.

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        St Marks Anglican Church Northbridge - A special service next week.  Please pray for God's will and delight for all those who attend.  Pray most of all for those who serve there, especially the pastors:  Simon Flinders, Adam Street, Pat O'Keeffe, Kathy Notley and their families.
• ·        Elaine and Jim -Please pray for our friends sharing Christ in Hong Kong as difficult changes begin to happen there.  They have a wonderful online church with a special prayer room open 24/7.  A small army of dedicated prayer warriors is waiting to pray with you.  Please pray for them and go here to learn more:  Https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room
• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) No word yet about situation after Medicaid stopped providing home care for her.  Pray for wisdom as Audley cares for his beloved wife.  Pray God continues to multiply the effectiveness of his radio ministry in Florida.
• ·        Doug McIntosh - an invaluable contributor to my love of Bible study has multiple myelomas.  Please pray for him (he continues to teach), his family and the church he has worked so faithfully in, Cornerstone, in Lilburn Georgia.
• ·        Jenny S - a Bible teacher and expositor who serves in many ways.  Thank God she has now recovered from an unidentified virus.  Give her strength, wisdom, protection and the right handling of God's Word.
• ·        Jo and Steve - for their NZ ministries and for reconciliation with one of Jo's sisters.
• ·        Stu and Jo and their grown children, Laura and Jason - the entire family is involved in full-time ministry in NZ and were just on a mission.  Keep them strong, healthy and resolute.
• ·        Please pray for JB, that our loving Father provides him ample opportunity to continue his ministry in Sydney.
• ·        Buddy and Susan Smith (in Queensland) and Kevin and Sandy Currell (in Melbourne) need your prayers for their ministries.
• ·        The Catholic Church and the Pope, who need our prayers that he will always put Jesus first in all his decisions.
•  
• ==== Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines
• ·        As it loses in Syria and Iraq, ISIS establishes a new beachhead: the Philippines.  URGENT!! - Ambassadors for Christ - Philippines -Our friends and tireless servants of the Lord in the Ambassadors for Christ ministry (see below) URGENTLY need your prayers.  Their world is being turned upside down by ISIS terrorists and fighting breaking out in many places near them.  Their lives are in danger at every turn now because of their service to Christ!   Especially the leaders there, Isaias and Judith. Pray our Father continues to keep them strong and safe and that they find balance for their lives and health.
• ·        These wonderful individuals give so much to so many for so little.  Please, take a moment to learn more about their tireless ministry:  Go to:  http://www.afciworld.org   Look for "Nations" then click:   "Philippines".
•  

ONGOING WORK RELATED

• ·        Deepak - has worked tirelessly for years to develop his business and needs people to pay what they owe him so he can have more time with his young daughter.  
• ·        Sergio - his projects have ended and he is looking for work again.  He is in Mexico City where work for graphic designers is rare.
• ·        Carla - for, good health, peace and focus and enduring trust in her Father's loving arms.  Pray for travelling mercies and most of all wisdom with her priorities and decision making.
• ·        Paul - Still can't find a job.  He has not had paying work since 2010.  I know the Lord is watching over him because of your prayers.  Most of all, pray his heart melts enough for the Truth to touch him where it hurts.  And pray for my wisdom and patience as he continues to stay here.
• ·        Chris - That he will set aside time to pray and consider the many choices he has in front of him and that You will guide him in the best use of his days.
• ·        Marvin - eighteen and finding himself.  Pray he will stay close to the Lord and not turn aside from the truth of the Truth.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• ·        Please pray for all those affected by this horrendous shooting in Las Vegas - at least 58 have died and over 500 have been injured, many critically.  Pray for our loving heavenly Father to hold the hearts and hands of those who are suffering and those who now must mend the broken and try to make some sense of this.  Pray for the peace officers who must be ever vigilant in a world of chaos. 
•  
• And do not forget the many recent natural disasters that have occurred as the news slips into silence about them as they rush off to others.  Please continue to be faithful in praying:
• ·        UPDATE:  Many in Mexico City still dealing with the aftermath of the earthquakes and continuing to try to save those trapped.  Pray for those affected and those who work to save lives and comfort those who are frightened and injured.
• ·        Pray for the many aid agencies supporting and housing so many after the recent spate of brutal weather in the USA.  Consider supporting one, if you cannot be there to help.  I can recommend Samaritan’s Purse - search for them on Google or click this link:  https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ -  people need help right now or see “Home Free” below.
• ·        Hurricane Irma in USA and the Hurricane in Texas - Please pray for those affected and those working to restore order and hope.  We need God to raise up His people to make all the difference in the world.  There are so many homeless, looting, many will be battling despair.  Please pray faithfully for all those now providing shelter and necessities.  Pray the nation will come together around this event. And check out Home Free:  God Bless Texas on YouTube and consider helping in whatever way God leads you.
• ·        North Korea – Sabre rattling continues in a dangerous game of world domination.  Pray for wisdom and patience on all sides.
• ·        The World - Pray for God's will to prevail as unrest around the globe increases and that our Father will bring comfort and calm to His children, wherever they are in the midst on so many storms on so many fronts. – and most of all, that they will be ready to give an answer for the HOPE within them!
• ·        That the Lord's hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who read these devotions.  That His mighty works will be worked out in each life for His purposes and glory in surprising and wonderful ways!
• ·        For Christ-centred, Bible-based revival in the USA and religious freedom for Christians wherever they may be.
• ·        Pray for the growing number of displaced people from wars and famine around the world.  These refugees need compassion.

ONGOING PRAYER

• ·        Hans -Pray he finds gainful employment, Christian companions and leaders wherever he is.
• ·        Linda and Ian, Rob and his daughter, DB, PS, Reg, JD, Annette and Lyle, Carla and Paul, Jeff and Rachael and their wonderful families.  Grateful thanks for their practical support and encouragement over many years.