Depend on Me

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He lifts up [off the ground to ensure it gets more air & to clean off the dust, so more light can get in], and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” John 15:1-9 (selected)

“To understand the gain to God, think back to the images from the Prophets: God as Parent and as Lover. Both those human relationships contain elements of what God has always been seeking from human beings. One word: dependence holds the key – the key to what they have in common and the key to how they differ.

“For a baby, dependence is everything: someone else must meet its every need or the child will die.

“Lovers, however, reverse the pattern. A lover possesses complete freedom, yet chooses to give it away and become dependent. ‘Submit to one another,’ says the Bible, and any couple can tell you that’s an apt description of the day-to-day process of getting along. In a healthy marriage, one submits to the other’s wishes voluntarily, out of love. In an unhealthy marriage, submission becomes part of a power struggle, a tug of war between competing egos.” *

“We love because He first loved us.” I John 4:19

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

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?

NEW PRAYER REQUEST: Barb, to find God's perfect job for her & for good news about a health concern. A sweet friend for grace and wisdom about a relationship. Misty with burns that need to heal. Many who face the holidays with sadness or loneliness in their hearts that they may find something to do for others to fill that emptiness with love and hope.

OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS: Please pray for those in around Christchurch NZ who continue to deal with the aftermath of the terrible earthquake there;.Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Randy (unexpected life changes). For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son). Michael, as he struggles with the pending loss of his Mum. David P and Ulfur – for strength to overcome the hold of powerful addictions and for Ulfur with major life changes. For strength and wisdom for me.

ONGOING JOB RELATED: Pray for Tim, who continues to support Barb as she searches for work (in mid-Ohio - if you have any thought on this, please email me), that they have an understanding of God's plan in all this. Carla and Galdor both need the right jobs, not just jobs.

ONGOING BEREVEMENT: Please remember to pray for the hearts of those left behind after the loss of loved ones recently – holidays always hurt a great deal. This includes: Sean, Cris, Jay, Greg, Di, Milly and David, Linda and Lavie. (details in earlier postings).

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: For all those who have had wonderful suggestions for people job searching. Paul now has work. Sue, is making slow progress against paraneoplastic syndrome. David (great health now!). Fred, whose surgery went very well. Nancy, his wife is progressing well. Reg for his wonderful ministry.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html ). Torgo, recovering from work injury. Earl good results but complications after bone marrow transplant. Another Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.



*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey