We pray for all innocent lives affected by natural disasters, calamities and violence in all parts of the world. God loves everyone. God cares for every person. “ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ” John 316
Why Pray for Israel
The word of the Lord says;
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May they prosper who love you. Psalm 122:6
“I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:2
This is what the Lord says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day,
who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea
so that its waves roar, the Lord Almighty is his name:
36 “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the Lord,
“will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.” Jeremiah 31:35-36
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
The Lord God sent Jesus His Son to save us from our sins. Jesus lived, died, and resurrected in the land of Israel. Jesus grew up and lived in Jewish culture. As followers of our Lord Jesus, we owe a debt of gratitude to the Jewish people for the spreading of the Gospel. From the land of Israel, the spreading of the Good News of salvation through the death of resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ was started by the first disciples. From Israel the Gospel spread to Europe, America, Asia and throughout the world.
Our Father God longs for His people to be saved and be part of His Kingdom, “my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1).
Someday our Lord Jesus will come back again. Our future home then as followers of Jesus is the new Jerusalem.
“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.” Revelation 21:1-3
Prayer For Israel and the People:
Our Father God in heaven, Holy is Your name! Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in Israel and all the nations of the world. Thank you for sending Jesus to us because of Your great love and mercy. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dying on the cross for our sins. Bless us your people, pour out your power. Holy Spirit fill your people with Your Spirit of truth, wisdom and spirt of revelation of who You are. Fill us with your Spirit of power to do your will. Bless Israel, bless all the Jewish people. Open their spirit, minds, and hearts to Your Truth, that Yeshua is the long-awaited Messiah, the Lord and Savior.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You are coming back again to take us with you. We pray for the salvation of many Jewish people. Protect Israel from their enemies. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We pray for the True Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus, to rule and reign in Israel and the nations. Every knee will bow, every tongue will confess Yeshua is Lord of lords, King of kings, to the glory of the Father, In Jesus name we pray, amen!
(Please be encouraged to have your Church or small group pray for Israel regularly.)
All Scriptures are from New King James Bible NKJV – Bible Gateway.
dvc10.25.23
Praise & Thanksgiving!
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Psalm 103:1-4 (NKJV)
On Monday morning, August 21st, David and I went to Chhouk Va (the FEBC Cambodia transmitter site). He and the engineering team installed a new part which David had ordered from the transmitter manufacturer in Canada hoping that this would fix the main transmitter. Unfortunately, the part did not fix the issue, and the team was discouraged. The team put the old backup transmitter back in service to keep the radio station on the air, running with low power. We rode in the company pickup truck back to the office. I was sitting in the back of the pickup truck while David sitting next to Pagnan who was driving. I was thinking and praying. My head felt like it was spinning.
Two weeks prior, we went to a local clinic where David saw a skin doctor to check some spots on his skin that looked suspicious. Over the past two years while still in the United States, David had had some skin cancer removed, so we were concerned to see some suspicious skin growths. The doctor at the local clinic here in Phnom Penh recommended using some cream on these spots. One spot was healed but two were not. The doctor recommended have biopsies done on those two spots.
So, on that Monday morning while sitting in the vehicle, David and I were discussing what to do, whether to go to the local clinic to do the biopsies or go to some other hospital. We found out that the local clinic and another hospital in the city could do biopsies. However, if Mohs micrographic surgery was needed, they did not provide that service. David preferred Moh’s treatment since this is what our primary doctor in Alabama had recommended and since previous spots had been treated in that way. So, we did a lot of research for hospitals and clinics in nearby countries here in southeast Asia that could offer Mohs skin surgery. We called, sent email inquiries and other messages to some hospitals and clinics here in Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore asking if they offered such medical services. We discovered that Singapore had several medical facilities that offer Mohs. However, the price was a bit high.
We were in a bit of a dilemma. If David had the biopsies done in a local clinic, and if surgery was needed, there was no Mohs surgery available in Phom Penh. Also, the local clinic indicated that it would take two weeks to get the results of the biopsies. If we went to another clinic outside of Phnom Penh, they might want to do their own biopsies. I sat there in the pickup truck thinking and silently praying. I said breath prayers, “Lord please give us wisdom; show us what to do.”
Two days prior, when we found out David would need biopsies, he communicated with our medical insurance company to inform them of his medical condition.
As soon as we informed the medical insurance company of the possibility of going to a clinic in Singapore, they immediately began making plans. Grateful to our Lord and to our surprise, the following day, Tuesday, the medical insurance company informed us that they had already made inquiries for flights and hotels in Singapore. Things moved fast. After back-and-forth communication with the medical insurance company, they made all the arrangements. The same week, on August 27th. we were on a flight to Singapore!
The following day we saw the doctor. He performed a thorough skin check on David and did biopsies on two spots. Two days later, we had another surprise – the suspicious spots were not malignant. No skin cancer – we praise and thank the Lord!
The medical insurance company even took care of the accommodations with a nice hotel just walking distance from the clinic. On top of that, agents from the medical insurance company called us almost every day to see how we were doing.
When we did not know what to do, truly God came through. The Lord God is good and faithful to care and provide for His children.
Lastly, about a year ago, we visited a supporting church in Alabama. After David spoke and shared about our ministry, the church members prayed for us. One of them encouraged us with the Word of God from Psalm 121 (NKJV):
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
I felt this Psalm was appropriate for us as we prepared for our upcoming overseas missionary work. In the time of the health issue with David’s skin, I felt this Word was especially encouraging to us:
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
And the Lord kept His word. We praise and thank our Lord Jesus for His faithfulness and goodness in taking care of us in our time of need and for keeping His word.
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In His Hands
Bible Reading: Psalm 139:1-12
Key verse: “Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”
Psalm 139:10 (NKJV)
Life is always busy, but the past few months have been especially hectic. Packing, unpacking, and road trips to visit churches and ministry partners have kept us busier than usual. On top of that, unexpected and unwelcomed health issues came up for both my husband and me. A writer’s workshop was coming up, and I was interested in going. However, with other pressing matters and a long to-do list, I faltered and hesitated to go. I thought to myself, “How could we squeeze in a seven-hour drive to the coast? Surely, it would be more convenient to join online to save us time and money.”
Though hesitant, my husband suggested we go. When I got to the workshop, I tried to keep my mind off the next thing on my to-do list. After a couple of hours sitting and listening, I felt calm and peace. My mind stopped racing from concerns and the many things I needed to do. It helped me to sit still and focus. I was glad I came! I realized too, the Lord gave me the time to be away from the chaos and busyness of life, to just sit still and enjoy the moment. My husband and I even enjoyed a couple of days at the beach. Through the kindness of a friend, the Lord even took care of our accommodation, a nice condo by the beach with a breathtaking view of the ocean! Thank you, Lord!
While staying at the beach, I sensed the gentle whisper of the Lord saying something like, “Remember the time you made a commitment to follow Me as your Lord and Savior? Since then, your life has been in my hands.” I then realized that even when I stumble, falter, or fall – no matter what happens – my life is still in His hands. He is the One taking care of me and holding me still. I was not even aware that both my husband and I needed that that little break, a time off from the chaos of life. I learned, too, that God knew exactly what I needed. Even when I am not sure what to do, God still leads me. Since my life is in His hands, I can rest in His loving arms.
As the psalmist says in today’s reading:
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? … If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139: 9-10 (NKJV)
Prayer: Thank you, dear Lord, for your love and care. Help us to trust you always even amid chaos, and to remember our lives are secure in your loving hands.
Thought for the Day: When we follow Jesus as Lord and Savior, our lives are secure in His hands.
Your Prayer:
Your Thoughts:
God loves you (Bookmark)
The Holy Spirit’s Power
The Holy Spirit Gives Wisdom – Acts 6
The Creels' Catch 