No More Whales, Seahorses or Minnows

"And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died." Revelation 16:3

"And the second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood; and a third of the creatures, which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed."

Revelation 8:8-9

"Thus says the Lord,  'By this you shall know that I am the Lord; behold, I will strike the water that is in the Nile with the staff that is in my hand, and it shall be turned to blood.  -- And the fish that were in the Nile died, and the Nile became foul, so that the Egyptians could not drink water from the Nile.  And the blood was through all the land of Egypt." .'Exodus 7:17, 21

Sometimes we miss the wonder in the most common of things, such as blood.  But think about a time when you cut yourself or helped someone who was cut.  Blood is unique and amazing. 

Just some of its properties are that it can be fluid, solid, sticky, gloppy, shiny, even stretchy.  It is full of iron, which is one of the reasons it is so very difficult to clean up or out of your favourite shirt or blouse.  It is filled with the directions for life and the cells sustain and can even save lives. 

Yet once a person dies, the blood is no longer pumped around and it changes consistency.  This final bowl judgment, once poured out, will ensure the oceans (which have a very similar chemical makeup to blood) will clog with death.  As difficult as it is to imagine, God is preparing for a new heaven and earth, where there will no longer be oceans or creatures of the sea.

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        David R - had a special eye exam this week to diagnose the reason and identify a cure for the loss of sight in his left eye.  No news yet.
• ·        Adrian - Cancer proteins have increased. Doctors recommending increasing treatments from monthly to weekly.  They are quite unpleasant.  The nurse (his sister-in-law he had not seen in 40 years) went on holidays the day after Adrian met her again.  He will follow up soon.  Pray she will help make sense of some of this for him.  Someone stole his credit card.  Pray for clarity and patience as he and the bank sort this out.  Pray for his doctors for wisdom and compassion. (Do not forget to pray for his little companion dog, Toby, to remain healthy.  Without him I think Adrian would give up).

NEW PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        Doris, my second Mom (late 90s), a vigorous and deeply spiritual Christian woman, who, with her husband, prayed for my (and my family's) salvation from the time I was 12 until now.  During a recent visit, Doris shared with her daughter that she had a vision in a dream where she was walking and talking in Heaven with the Jesus!  I have not seen her since 2005 and hope she will be there when I am home again.  She is an amazing woman who has taught me so much about agape love and the Lord.  Pray for her ongoing health.
• ·        Sandy will have tests this week to diagnose what is happening in her body.  They suspect Crohn's Disease.
• ·        LS - A potential change is causing her stress and she is battling a chronic, auto-immune disease.  Please pray for her.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• ·        PS asks us to pray for a woman in early 30s - unstable for years and just taken to a psychiatric facility by police for an evaluation.  She will be able to check herself out after this and needs treatment.  Seems she still lives at home and is posing a great stress on her family.  Pray the family demonstrates courage and faith, strength and resolve with her and that she will accept treatment.  Pray also that the Lord captures her heart through this intervention.
• ·        DB's father - 84 years old, lives on his own and very ill with renal problems - in hospital receiving dialysis and plasma which is serious and scary for anyone, however, he is an avowed – and boastfully proud – atheist.  Pray his heart opens to Christ through this experience.
• ·        Adrian asks:  "Pray for my friend, Chester with pancreatic cancer - for energy, strength and resolve as he deals with a worldly system that continues to abuse him; and that someone will come share Christ with him soon."
• ·        No Update for the two unsaved women in Jo's Bible class:  Angie and Liz.
• ·        Wezley - (Update from Rachael):  "I have never been able to get in touch with Wezley's Mom. Totally fell off the earth.  Her husband had lost his job quite a while ago, so they may have moved."  Pray for the entire family.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Fred - Had his eye surgery and is recovering well.  Continue to pray for a full recovery. 
• ·        Toron - (18-year-old) seems to be strengthening, yet still needs encouragement, care and direction. 
• ·        Brody - (according to Rachael): " Brody had the pin put in his ankle and is now waiting for a little more healing time, then they will do bone surgery NEXT. Hopefully, he will be standing BEFORE they get married in July.  Doctors are hopeful, but not making any promises.  Please keep praying." 
• ·        BG - Is relieved there is a diagnosis of his massive headaches and has started his treatments but is not feeling much better, yet. 
• ·        Raven - no signs of new cancer. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• ·        That the Lord's hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and 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 many individuals in Singapore, China, Russia, 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.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        Matt - No Update on Heidi's 33-year-old brother who has been in and out of Intensive Care and is hoping to be released to go home but will remain on a feeding tube.
• ·        My brother, Tim, with COPD (Cardio-Obstructive Pulmonary Artery Disease).  The weather is improving and he is able to get outside and enjoy things more.  Thank you for praying for him.  Pray his heavenly Father continues to give him patience and wisdom to help him manage his health and the limitations to his breathing. 

ONGOING WORK RELATED

• ·        Sergio - waits for news about a new job.  His ankle is healing, but slowly.  Pray for his patience during this time.  He is in Mexico City and work there for graphic designers is rare. 
• ·        Heidi - finds the work more physical than where she was and needs prayers for strength.  She continues to look for new opportunities.
• ·        Paul - has an interview this week - still no work.  Pray he does not lose heart and continues to search.  He has not had work since 2012!!
• ·        Fion - please pray for his Mother.  He has returned to work and was given additional duties that are far too much for anyone.  Pray for wisdom for the organisation and/or courage for Fion.
• ·        Deepak - has worked tirelessly for years to develop his business and needs people to pay what they owe him for his work.    
• ·        Pray I have the energy and focus to complete the updating of a new Kindle:  Where is Christ in America? -- a special series written in 2003 for such a time as this. 
• ·        Me - No news yet.  However, the Lord has gone before me and has a plan.  Thank you for praying.  Please pray for the individual who has encouraged me so much recently and most of all that the Lord's will is evident in whatever may occur. 

ONGOING PRAYER

• ·        David R asks us to pray for Mr. Hale, an 85-year-old who needs help understanding the benefits he has from the Veterans Administration
• ·        FW - needs strength and resolve to keep focused and safe.  Please pray for his parents Dave and Alice who will be moving to assisted living that they will be alright with the change.
• ·        Fin - is settling into his new dwellings and needs continued prayer for his injured ankle.  A friend has welcomed him into their home.  Please pray for them both.
• ·        Shan needs clarity of purpose and direction for his ministry.  He and Gemma need special prayer as they plan their wedding.
• ·        Hans is waiting for a place in a new training clinic (which may take up to 6 months).  Pray he finds Christian companions and leaders wherever he is.
• ·        Bettina for additional strength and wisdom.

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) for help with their situation and his return to ministry.
• ·        Stu and Jo and their grown children, Laura and Jason - a family serving in full-time ministry in New Zealand.  Keep them strong, healthy and resolute. 
• ·        Isaias and Judith - in the Philippines. Pray blessings on this selfless couple and thanks for the generous support of those at Black Rock Congregational Church in Fairfield, Connecticut.  Pray our Father continues to keep them strong and safe and that they find balance.  They give so much to so many for so little.  Take a moment to learn more about their tireless ministry:  Go to:  http://www.afciworld.org  Look for "Nations" then click "Philippines".
• ·        Please pray for my good friend, JB, that our loving Father provides him with ample opportunity to continue his ministry.
• ·        Buddy and Susan Smith and Kevin and Sandy Currell need your prayers for their ministries in Australia.
• ·        The Catholic Church and the new Pope need your prayers that he will always put Jesus first in all his decisions.

SOMETHING NEW FOR PRAYER WARRIORS

• ·        Elaine and Jim, wonderful friends of mine in Hong Kong have begun an online church with a special prayer room that is open 24/7.  There is a small army of dedicated prayer warriors waiting to pray with you.  Please pray for them and go here to learn more:  Https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room

ADDITIONAL PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        Linda and Ian, Rob and his daughter, DB, Reg, Annette and Lyle, Carla and Paul, Jeff and Rachael and their wonderful families.  Grateful thanks for their practical support and encouragement over many years.