Gift or Giver?

"And the righteous will see and fear, and will laugh at him saying, ‘Behold the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and was strong in his evil desire.’” Psalm 52:6-7

“And He said to him, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.’” Luke 12:15

“Two things I ask of Thee, do not refuse me before I die; keep deception and lies from me, give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is my portion, lest I be full and deny Thee and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or lest I be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:7-9

“A quotation from Oscar Wilde might provide the best epitaph for Solomon: “in this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.” As Solomon prospered, “he depended less on God and more on the props around him; the world’s largest harem, a house twice the size of the temple, and army well-stocked with chariots, a strong economy. Success may have eliminated any crises of disappointment with God, but it also seemed to eliminate Solomon’s desire for God at all. The more he enjoyed the world’s good gifts, the less he thought about the Giver.” *

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Prayer Requests: Milly, whose mother is dying in S. Africa. For Jim who had a massive stroke and his wife Linda. For Cris, whose father just had two stokes in a week and is hospitalised. For Di whose brother (55 years old) just passed away suddenly. Fred’s heart surgery. Lavie, whose 28-year old brother died unexpectedly. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, not doing well battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer and Lyle, his brother now in Canada, preparing for procedure for bone marrow transplant. Pray for them both. Ulfur and David P – for strength to overcome the hold of powerful addictions. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).

JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Barb and Carla both having job interviews, yet God has not shown them which ones yet; and for Tim (as he supports Barb) who also needs work, and Paul, recently quit his job and is now looking.

Praise: Leslie is doing great with no remaining signs of cancer. David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) dealing with her husband’s pending heart surgery. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.

Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.

Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).



*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey