The Real Battleground

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. And to the Jews I became as a Jew that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law, though not being myself under the Law, that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without the law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. And I do all things for the sake of the Gospel,” I Corinthians 9:19-23a

“For Job, the battleground of faith involved lost possessions, lost family members, lost health. We may face a different struggle: a career failure, a floundering marriage, sexual orientation, a body shape that turns people off, not on. At such times the outer circumstances – the illness, the bank account, the run of bad luck – will seem the real struggle. We may beg God to changes those circumstances.

“But the most important battle, as shown in Job, takes place inside us. Will we trust God? Job teaches that at the moment when faith is hardest and the least likely, then faith is most needed. His struggle presents a glimpse of what the Bible elsewhere spells out in detail: the remarkable truth that our choices matter, not just to us and our own destiny but, amazingly, to God Himself and the universe He rules.” *

“And Jesus said to him, ‘’If You can!’ All things are possible to him who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father cried out and began saying, ‘I do believe; help my unbelief.’”  Mark 9:23-24

Someone observed that it is always darkest right before the dawn. Another that you do not win the race in the long run without winning the last few footsteps. If we did not know our Father loved us so much, our internal struggle would be impossible. Today, I pray that He will help me with my unbelief and fear. What about you?

Take care with love, especially His! Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY? For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, you might just page back through previous prayer requests and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

NEW PRAYER REQUEST: Jim and Elaine as they search for a new direction. For those dealing with unusually severe weather, especially the floods in Australia and heavy winter weather in the UK and USA. For me as I search for lost papers.

SPECIAL THANKSGIVING: Barb found not just a job, but a job so amazing, only God could have arranged it! Thank you all for your prayers for her.

OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS: Please continue to pray for those in & around Christchurch NZ who trying to pull their lives together after the earthquakes, including families of the lost miners. 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.

ONGOING JOB RELATED: That Tim might also find satisfying work. Galdor resigned and now need the right job, not just a job.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Jo has work now to help with those affected by the earthquakes in NZ. My friend grows stronger with her challenging relationship. Sue, is making slow progress against paraneoplastic syndrome. David (great health now!). Nancy, continues to progress well. The other Nancy is doing well against her cancer. Reg for his wonderful ministry.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma Earl grows stronger every day now! Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.


*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey