“’Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you will not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands.’
“Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. ‘If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’” Daniel 3:15-18
“...some readers point to the happy ending (of Job) as the final answer to disappointment with God. See, they say, God delivers His people from adversity. He restored Job’s health and riches, and He will do the same for all of us if we learn to trust Him as Job did. These readers however, overlook one important detail: Job spoke his contrite words before any of his losses had been restored.
“He was still sitting in a pile of rubble, naked, covered with sores, and it was IN those circumstances that he learned to prise God. Only one thing had changed: God had given Job a glimpse of the big picture.”*
“And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, ‘Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me, yet not My will, but Thine be done.’” Luke 22:41-42
The principle of grace boils down to: There is nothing you can do to make the Father love you less and there is nothing you can do to make Him love you more. Our actions do not manipulate God or His universe...only He does this. His plan for my life and your life is so unique and precious. And what is His goal: To build us more and more into the image of His beloved Son.
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, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS: ?
ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS: For Carlton (quadriplegic who has made his living raising honey bees) had surgery, needs prayer that his body continues to heal. For Susan in Bulgaria, struggling to provide for her husband and two children.
Those putting their lives together after the many natural disasters, especially for the volunteers in Japan, USA and New Zealand. For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts. For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time.
OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS: For Paul N as he regroups. Help for Cris. Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael.
ONGOING JOB RELATED: That Tim might find satisfying work. Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia. I need a new project to tackle for my work. Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book!
PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Galdor got a wonderful job! Kimberly is home with her parents now. My brother & his wife Barb are doing better. They’ve adjusted David’s meds and he’s improving. Reg for his ministry and patience.
PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS: Gwen, a 13-year old with serious headaches. Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/) Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
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