✨✨Thursday, February 15✨ ✨✨✨2nd Day of Lent✨✨✨ In the following verses, there are a lot of thoughts packed into this brief passage in Peter’s letter! One idea points to Jesus’ descent into hell. Peter does not quite say it that way. He speaks of Christ making a “proclamation to the spirits in prison.” Christians, especially in the Middle Ages, interpreted this to mean that Jesus himself descended into hell in order to trample on the head of Satan and free all those stuck in Satan’s realm. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Praying 1 Peter 3:18-22 over all Your children today and always, dear Lord, especially those battling cancer: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Please hear our prayers and do not ignore our petitions, dear LORD, for Melissa (having breast cancer surgery 1/30/24), Sandy (breast cancer; meeting with MD 1/30/24 to discuss options for new diagnosis), Marcus Maze (wife Regina), Galdino (10-year-old with brain cancer; beat lung cancer at age of 3), Joni (angiosarcoma; begins chemo on 2/5/24), Sarah Lam (breast cancer spreading to other areas of her chest), Vernon (cancer returned; surgery scheduled for 2/22/24) Doug (stage 3 rectal cancer; wife is Joan), Randy Lee Burkett (sister Michelle asking for deliverance from cancers in his body), Frederic (prostate cancer; cousin of godsservant), emilycnoftle’s cousin (stage 4 cancer of neck and lungs; age 19 and having surgery 2/6/24; needs salvation), Don (glioblastoma), King Charles III, Michael (stage 4 mass on brain stem, trachea, lung, stomach and right leg; starts chemo 2/6/24), John (battling brain cancer for 7 years), Iris (colon cancer; has kidney disease and diabetes as well), Bruce (lung cancer), Mike (aggressive form of cancer), Yvette Cruz (colon cancer; has had chemotherapy for 2 years), Brady’s pastor’s wife (severe cancer), Hannah (breast cancer; 28 years old), Jim (bladder cancer plus host of other health issues), Shawn (breast cancer returned to his bones), Doug Claassen (end stage cancer), Brittney (cancer is spreading quickly; MD’s giving up; has 3 daughters), Gerald (lung cancer), a woman (cancer returned; requested by brenkay21), a man (cancer returned; requested by brenkay21), AbbasDaughter SadieM’s mom (anal cancer), and all cancer patients who we don’t know their names, but You do! Bless them, their families and friends with Your peace that is beyond all understanding as You guide them down the journey they are traveling. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen! ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ This “harrowing of hell” shows that in the two days that Jesus was dead, he was not motionless or out of commission, but in fact, doing the unbelievably hopeful and dangerous work of freeing all those who find themselves separated from God. For, as Julian of Norwich has put it, God makes sure that “not one thing made shall ever be lost.” ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Oh Lord, thank You for sending Jesus, our brother, down to earth and for not abandoning us to human evil or Satan. Thank you for going where we are terrified to go, and for rescuing all those who find themselues in the grips of hell. You and only you, are the Lord of all reality. Inc Jesus’ mighty name, amen! 🙏🙏🙏🕊️🕊️🕊️✨✨✨ ♥️♥️♥️

✨✨Friday, February 16✨ ✨✨✨3rd Day of Lent✨✨✨ We are used to celebrating Jesus’ baptism as that lovely day when the heavens open up and God praises God’s Son for all to see. However, according to Mark, Jesus’ baptism celebration was a whiplash of a day. It seems that in the morning, Jesus celebrated the beautiful sacrament of baptism and was given a strong affirmation by his Father. But by the afternoon, he seems to have been banished to the desert! What’s more, he had to contend with wild beasts and Satan while he was there. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Praying Mark 1:9-15 over all Your children today and always, dear Lord, especially those battling cancer: “It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Please hear our prayers and do not ignore our petitions, dear LORD, for Melissa (having breast cancer surgery 1/30/24), Sandy (breast cancer; meeting with MD 1/30/24 to discuss options for new diagnosis), Marcus Maze (wife Regina), Galdino (10-year-old with brain cancer; beat lung cancer at age of 3), Joni (angiosarcoma; begins chemo on 2/5/24), Sarah Lam (breast cancer spreading to other areas of her chest), Vernon (cancer returned; surgery scheduled for 2/22/24) Doug (stage 3 rectal cancer; wife is Joan), Randy Lee Burkett (sister Michelle asking for deliverance from cancers in his body), Frederic (prostate cancer; cousin of godsservant), emilycnoftle’s cousin (stage 4 cancer of neck and lungs; age 19 and having surgery 2/6/24; needs salvation), Don (glioblastoma), King Charles III, Michael (stage 4 mass on brain stem, trachea, lung, stomach and right leg; starts chemo 2/6/24), John (battling brain cancer for 7 years), Iris (colon cancer; has kidney disease and diabetes as well), Bruce (lung cancer), Mike (aggressive form of cancer), Yvette Cruz (colon cancer; has had chemotherapy for 2 years), Brady’s pastor’s wife (severe cancer), Hannah (breast cancer; 28 years old), Jim (bladder cancer plus host of other health issues), Shawn (breast cancer returned to his bones), Doug Claassen (end stage cancer), Brittney (cancer is spreading quickly; MD’s giving up; has 3 daughters), Gerald (lung cancer), a woman (cancer returned; requested by brenkay21), a man (cancer returned; requested by brenkay21), AbbasDaughter SadieM’s mom (anal cancer), Kathy (breast cancer; in ER right now 2/16/24), Gibbseng (melanoma), and all cancer patients who we don’t know their names, but You do! Bless them, their families and friends with Your peace that is beyond all understanding as You guide them down the journey they are traveling. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen! ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ This could not have been fun. With these stories of Jesus in heaven, in hell, and in the desert, the New Testament authors show us that there is no place where Christ is not. He is both the eternal, cosmic Savior and the typical human being standing right in front of us. There is no place where Jesus Christ is too afraid or too weak to go. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Oh Lord, thank You for sending Jesus, our brother, to save us. From the desert to the cross to hell, He went where we are too terrified to go. You sent Him there to show us that You will never leave us alone or abandon us. We praise You for showing us the strength and courage of Jesus, but most of all, for Your eternal faithfulness to us. Inc Jesus’ mighty name, amen! 🙏🙏🙏🕊️🕊️🕊️✨✨✨♥️♥️♥️

Thank you for your commitment to our siblings, dear GCOGA, who are battling cancer. Your words mean so much because you have walked this walk! May God reward you for your dedication. 🙏🙏🙏🕊️🕊️🕊️✨✨✨♥️♥️♥️

Thank you, dear myanchorsure, for your praises and encouraging words for our brothers and sisters who are battling diseases, especially cancer! Your words and dedication are so much appreciated! In Jesus’ mighty name, amen!🙏🙏🙏🕊️🕊️🕊️✨✨✨♥️♥️♥️

✨✨Sunday, February 18✨✨ ✨✨✨5th Day of Lent✨✨✨ “Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song” – by The Little Sisters of Jesus 1. Lord Jesus, you shall be my song as I journey;
I’ll tell ev’rybody about you wherever I go; you alone are our life and our peace and our love.
Lord Jesus, you shall be my song as I journey. 2. Lord Jesus, I’ll praise you as long as I journey.
May all of my joy be a faithful reflection of you.
May the earth and the sea and the sky join my song.
Lord Jesus, I’ll praise you as long as I journey. 3. As long as I live, Jesus, make me your servant, to carry your cross and to share all your burdens and tears.
For you saved me by giving your body and blood.
As long as I live, Jesus, make me your servant. 4. I fear in the dark and the doubt of my journey; but courage will come with the sound of your steps by my side. And with all of the family you saved by your love, we’ll sing to your dawn at the end of our journey. The songwriter makes a vital point in this hymn. It is this: Jesus Christ saves us all. Us all. That means no exceptions. And we are not saved by terror or violence. Nor are we saved by anger or fright. Nor are we saved by the wrath of God or the suffering of Jesus. We are saved by love and love alone. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Please hear our prayers and do not ignore our petitions, dear LORD, for Melissa (having breast cancer surgery 1/30/24), Sandy (breast cancer; meeting with MD 1/30/24 to discuss options for new diagnosis), Marcus Maze (wife Regina), Galdino (10-year-old with brain cancer; beat lung cancer at age of 3), Joni (angiosarcoma; begins chemo on 2/5/24), Sarah Lam (breast cancer spreading to other areas of her chest), Vernon (cancer returned; surgery scheduled for 2/22/24) Doug (stage 3 rectal cancer; wife is Joan), Randy Lee Burkett (sister Michelle asking for deliverance from cancers in his body), Frederic (prostate cancer; cousin of godsservant), emilycnoftle’s cousin (stage 4 cancer of neck and lungs; age 19 and having surgery 2/6/24; needs salvation), Don (glioblastoma), King Charles III, Michael (stage 4 mass on brain stem, trachea, lung, stomach and right leg; starts chemo 2/6/24), John (battling brain cancer for 7 years), Iris (colon cancer; has kidney disease and diabetes as well), Bruce (lung cancer), Mike (aggressive form of cancer), Yvette Cruz (colon cancer; has had chemotherapy for 2 years), Brady’s pastor’s wife (severe cancer), Hannah (breast cancer; 28 years old), Jim (bladder cancer plus host of other health issues), Shawn (breast cancer returned to his bones), Doug Claassen (end stage cancer), Brittney (cancer is spreading quickly; MD’s giving up; has 3 daughters), Gerald (lung cancer), a woman (cancer returned; requested by brenkay21), a man (cancer returned; requested by brenkay21), AbbasDaughter SadieM’s mom (anal cancer), Kathy (breast cancer; in ER right now 2/16/24), Gibbseng (melanoma), Jenny from CA (large brain tumor), and all cancer patients who we don’t know their names, but You do! Bless them, their families and friends with Your peace that is beyond all understanding as You guide them down the journey they are traveling. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen! ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Love is the saving energy that God brings into the world. Love is the powerful energy that Jesus takes with Him to proclaim to the spirits in prison. Love is the protective energy of the angels who tend to Jesus in the desert. Love, not shame, turns our faces back to the shining face of God. Jesus’ saving power fills the cosmos and every corner of the earth, so that through the ups and downs of our lives we are never alone. Let us sing! ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Lord, we may not understand why You want to save us all, even those who have inflicted pain and suffering on others. Lord, help us to see that even in Your love for all, there will be justice for those who have suffered here on earth. Help us to see that Your love is greater and deeper than any love we mortals can imagine. We praise you! In Jesus’ mighty name, amen!🙏🙏🙏🕊️🕊️🕊️✨✨✨ ♥️♥️♥️

Thank you, tcookuab, for your beautiful prayer for Israel, God’s chosen land! I pray in agreement with you! In Jesus’ mighty name, amen!🙏🙏🙏🕊️🕊️🕊️✨✨✨♥️♥️

We believe and have the faith that God hears your cries, dear GCOGA! He healed you from cancer, and He will do it again and again and again for all our precious siblings who are suffering! IJMN, amen!🙏🙏🙏🕊️🕊️🕊️✨✨✨♥️♥️♥️