This Week With Jesus

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  As we usually do on Saturday, we are escalating various prayer needs to you, our readers for your support through your prayers. We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear His voice each day, we who are anxious over many things look forward to His coming among us. He comes to us through other people and their love and concern for us. He comes to us through men and women who need our help.  We have been praying for her for some time, and today, as this new year begins, we bring her to You for Your healing hand. We also ask for healing and pain relief for a senior lady in the Delhi area of India, who is suffering from back pain. In the extreme cold, we ask for Your healing touch and protection. May Your healing touch rest upon them both. Today the world also needs your prayer support:  Peace for All Nations: We pray for peace in every land. May conflicts be resolved, and may leaders seek wisdom and compassion. Help us to bridge divides and foster understanding...

1 Corinthians 12:14 ESV "For the body does not consist of one member but of many". 1 John 4:7-8 ESV  "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love". In the quaint town of Willow Creek, nestled amidst rolling hills, lived a solitary old watchmaker named Mr. Silas. He had a small shop on the main street, its windows adorned with intricate clocks, each ticking away with a rhythm that seemed to echo the quiet rhythm of his life. Mr. Silas was known for his meticulous craft, his hands, weathered by time, capable of repairing even the most delicate of mechanisms. Yet, he was often seen alone, his days spent in the quiet hum of his workshop, surrounded by gears and springs. One rainy afternoon, a young girl named Lily wandered into Mr. Silas' shop, her worn-out shoes squeaking on the wooden floor. Lily was new to Willow Creek, and as she expl...

Some time back we had related a popular African folk story about how, in the jungle at dawn, all the animals get up and get to work. The gazelle knows it must outrun the fastest leopard or be eaten, and the leopard knows it must outrun the fastest gazelle or go hungry. Like them, with each day of blessed awakening, a Christian must also revive and persevere. The cares of the day, concerns, sickness, troubles, financial burdens, temptations - all wear us down, and just as the leopard wears down its prey till it succumbs, so does the world and its diverse temptations and troubles, wear down our resistance. The only way we can overcome is to renew and revive every morning with time devoted to conversing with God, reviewing our life, asking our questions to gain understanding so that we do not follow a blind faith but a faith based on understanding, knowledge and experience. Everyday is a new day and every day we learn something new from His word. Everyday we have new experiences which ...

The power of prayer is well known and experienced. What possibly may not be so known is the power of corporate prayer. It is power multiplied to the power of 'n'. We bring prayer requests to you every week for this very reason: everyone mentioned here needs you. We have seen the results of your prayer as well: The Pastor who's wife has stage four cancer seems to be getting better. She is happier, more health and her appetite is coming back, which is always a good sign. The Pastor in Melbourne is now fine, doing well and back to his ministry. We want you to know that your prayers are making a difference so please do continue . Remember this verse - "Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ". —Galatians 6:2 (NRSV) Today we bring these requests for you - - Miranda requests prayer saying: May STEVES SURGERY GO SMOOTHLY AND HEAL HIM - We ask you to continue to prayer for the Pastor in India for the healing of his wife and a an mira...

 

We often hear these buzz words - "Trust in God". We hear it sermons and most of all we hear it from well-wishers when we are in some trouble or a possible rock bottom. Its even printed on currency as - "In God we Trust".  It's easy to say; easy to hear; but very difficult to listen and do. Often this line becomes "jargon". So how can we actually develop trust in God? First let's get it clear: Building trust is an ongoing process. It's not overnight and instantaneous. It requires faith, patience, and a willingness to surrender control . It's about believing in His plan and timing, even when life is uncertain. Here are a few things we can do: Get to Know God Every time I read the Bible, I learn something new about God. Charles Spurgeon, a renowned preacher, once said, "Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years." This emphasizes the idea that the Bible is an ever-deepening source of wisdom and revelat...

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Captain Tom Moore, a 99-year-old war veteran, set out to raise funds for the UK's National Health Service by walking 100 laps around his garden. His initial goal was to raise £1,000, but his effort resonated with people worldwide, and he ultimately raised over £32 million. Captain Tom's determination and generosity inspired millions and provided much-needed support to healthcare workers. The Spanish Flue was another large scale disaster. The pandemic, which occurred from 1918 to 1920, was one of the deadliest in history, infecting around 500 million people and claiming at least 50 million lives worldwide. During this time, many nurses stepped up to provide palliative care, despite the high risk of infection. They worked tirelessly to ventilate rooms, administer remedies, and ensure patients were warm, nourished, and hydrated. Their efforts were crucial in alleviating the suffering of those affected by the flu. One notable example is the st...

We thank You, Lord, for Your abundant grace, mercy, and the countless ways You have sustained us. As we embark on the journey ahead, we seek Your guidance and wisdom. May Your light illuminate our path, helping us navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie before us. Grant us the courage to pursue our dreams and the strength to overcome any obstacles we encounter. Fill our hearts with love, kindness, and compassion, so that we may extend these gifts to those around us. Help us to be instruments of Your peace, spreading hope and joy in a world that often needs it. We pray for Your protection over our loved ones and ourselves, keeping us safe and healthy throughout the year. May Your presence be a constant source of comfort and encouragement. We humbly ask for Your mercy and guidance for those in need: For the sick and suffering, may Your healing hand rest upon them, bringing comfort and restoration. For those burdened with worries and anxieties, grant them peace and the assuranc...

The scout's motto in America is "Be Prepared". It is well known that Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. This is also echoed throughout the Bible - Be prepared. "So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that everyone put them off for washing". Nehemiah 4:23 KJV Just as Nehemiah and his men were always prepared to defend the walls of Jerusalem, fully armoured, we too need to be prepared with the Armour of God, at all times, to defend ourselves spiritually. I did not take this seriously till I realized mistakes I was making, in my attitude, my behavior and my habits. When I tried to stop them, they kept coming back till I started putting on the Armour one by one. Our shield and weapons are the word of God and our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! The more we meditate and study the word, the more we can overcome. The the enemy cannot penetrate our minds and hearts. Thi...

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 KJV Sometimes, no matter how hard we think about our situation, there seems to be no way out and no hope. The choice is either giving up, ending things, or letting go. But deep down, you know you are not ready for any of this. Have you been in this situation? Does this resonate with you? Friends, we may run out of options, but God doesn’t! There’s always a way for Him because He is able to make all things possible! Remember, God is not just making a way in the wilderness. He is the Way!  (Based on a KJV Devotional post)

A man used to give a beggar $1000 every month. The man continued in this state for a period of time. One day, he gave the beggar only $750. The beggar was surprised by that, but he said to himself, $750 is better than nothing. He left. After a month, he gave the beggar only $500. The beggar was surprised! He said to the man, “You used to give me $1000, then it decreased and became $750. Now, $500, why?” May I know the reason? The man replied, “In the past, all my children were young and I was well-off, so I would give you $1000. Then my daughter grew up and entered university, and the university expenses were high, so I started giving you $750. Now, my second son entered university, and the expenses increased, so I gave you $500.” The beggar asked him, “How many children do you have?” The man replied, “Four.” The beggar asked, “And will you educate them all at my expense?!” Like the beggar in the story, Sometimes, we consider kindness and goodness of God as our right and not as unearne...

Would you like to live in a crowded house, with people you may not like, who are Loud, abusive and arrogant and maybe bullies? No? Well, neither does Jesus. Philippians 4:8 tells us how to clean out the temple of God - our minds and our bodies.  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things". The verse is a powerful reminder to keep our faith clear and focused, avoiding the distractions and negativities that can cloud our spiritual journey. Just as we wouldn't want to live in a chaotic and unhealthy environment, we should ensure that our minds and hearts remain pure and centered on Christ. This means intentionally choosing what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy, as Philippians 4:8 advises. By doing so, we create a welcoming space for Jesus within us, allowing His ...

Todays' quotes are taken from a book called "God Calling", authored by two ladies called "the listeners" and edited by A.J. Russel. The two ladies seek no praise and choose to remain anonymous. But their claim that their messages came from the living Christ Himself! Whether one chooses to believe or not, what we cannot but realize is that their messages are deep in spiritualty and wisdom and (as A.J. Russel says) spirit led, because the Holy Spirit is not a silent spirit. We also know that if we do take the trouble to quieten our minds and hearts and God will speak to us as well, as He does to many. Not as in an event, but as a day to day conversation - guiding, sharing His peace and encouraging every day.  While we would have liked to tell you more about these ladies, today we will only quote from their book - God Calling -  "Each word or thought of yours can be like a pearl that you drop into the secret place of another heart, and in some hour of need, lo...

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, we pause to reflect on the blessings and lessons of the past. We thank You for Your grace, mercy, and the countless ways You have sustained us. Lord, we ask for Your guidance and wisdom as we embark on the journey ahead. May Your light shine upon our path, illuminating our way and helping us navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie before us. Grant us the courage to pursue our dreams and the strength to overcome any obstacles. Fill our hearts with love, kindness, and compassion, so that we may extend these gifts to those around us. Help us to be instruments of Your peace, spreading hope and joy in a world that often needs it. We pray for Your protection over our loved ones and ourselves, keeping us safe and healthy throughout the year. May Your presence be a constant source of comfort and encouragement. We ask for Your mercy and guidance for those in need: For the sick and suffering, may Your healing hand rest upon them, bringing co...

  This Saturday before Christmas, we come before our God, with hearts full of gratitude for His unfailing love and mercy. We thank Him for the countless blessings He has bestowed upon us, even those we may not see or acknowledge. We especially thank Him for the Gift of Jesus Christ, and the hope, peace & joy we have through Him.  We humbly lift up those who are in need of His divine intervention and care. For those suffering from illness, to grant them healing and strength. Comfort for those who are in pain, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, and to let them feel His presence by their side. We pray for those who are facing difficult decisions or challenges. Lord, guide them with Your wisdom and grant them clarity and peace. May they find the courage to trust in Your plans and walk the path You have set before them. We are grateful for our readers from around the world who pray for prayer requests and t oday we also ask for prayer from all our readers for -  Ms....

  It was December and a cold one at that. An old woman worked in a home for cleaning and washing. One day she complained about the cold to the mistress, about how she could not sleep in the cold at night. The mistress, who was a very thoughtful and kind lady decided to get the old maid a blanket, for Christmas, to keep her warm and so she did. Next day a beautiful woolen blanket was delivered, in beautiful Christmas colors of green, red and white. As the maid was getting ready to leave, the mistress gave her the blanket, but instead of being pleased, the maid scornfully stated she did not want it. On being asked why, she said she didn't like it because it had a white color which would get dirty and she would have to wash it, so she would prefer one without white. The mistress got a bit upset because she had gone through a lot of trouble and expense to get the blanket delivered urgently. "Anyway," she said, "don't take it if you don't want. I can't force y...

The Story of the Christmas Guest by Helen Steiner Ric e It happened one day at December's end Some neighbors called on an old-time friend. And they found his shop so meager and mean, Made gay with a thousand boughs of green. And old Conrad was sitting with face ashine, When he suddenly stopped as he stitched the twine. And he said, "My friends, at dawn today, When the cock was crowing the night away, The Lord appeared in a dream to me. And He said, 'I'm coming your guest to be." So I've been busy with feet astir, Strewing my shop with branches of fir. The table is spread and the kettle is shined, And over the rafters the holly is twined. And now I'll wait for my Lord to appear; And listen closely so I will hear, His steps as he nears my humble place. And I'll open the door and I'll look on his face." Then his friends went home and left Conrad alone, For this was the happiest day he had known. For long since his family had passed away. And Conr...

"Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands " Christmas is around the corner and a time of joy, love, and giving, and is often intertwined with the spirit of charity. It's a season when people are more inclined to think of others, especially those less fortunate. The story of Christmas, especially the birth of Jesus, is often associated with humility, compassion, and selfless giving. By helping others, we not only bring joy to their lives but also experience a sense of fulfillment ourselves. But here is the thing: when we help someone with money or some material things, it often jolts their own self worth. So while we may help them temporarily, we may hurt them permanently. So, taking a cue from Christmas, we try to understand what charity should mean. Jesus took birth to die. We all do. But He took birth to die for us. He knew from the very beginning that he was the scapegoat! He knew His f...