Why Surrender All?

“And on the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and Jesus also was invited, and His disciples, to the wedding.  And when the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, ‘They have no wine.’  And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what do I have to do with you?  My hour has not yet come.’  

“His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.’  Now there were six stone water pots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each.  Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the water pots with water.’  And they filled them up to the brim.  And He said to them, ‘Draw some out now, and take it to the headwaiter.’  And they took it to him.  And when the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine,a nd did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called to the bridegroom, and said to him, ‘Every man serves the good wine first, and when men have drunk freely, then that which is poorer, you have kept the good wine until now.’” John 2:1-9

“Why are so many fearful of the Lordship of Christ in their lives?  I have talked to many who want to be right with God but who are frightened of surrendering to Him. -- The basic idea is that if it is something they do not like, God probably will, and if it is something they do like, God probably won’t!  I understand those fears for I have shared them”*

He does love us you realise...He wants only the best for us, no matter how difficult that is to believe sometimes!

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:  ?

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: 

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Tim’s surgery was successful.  He’s home and still in a lot of pain.  Please pray for him and Barb during this time. Adrian has seen an orthopaedic specialist for his deteriorating spine and is on very heavy pain meds.  He needs encouragement and some friends nearby to help him.  David is “slowing down” now and the treatments that have been giving him a new lease on life are seen as too expensive.  Tim B and Losa with headaches, that their doctors will OK a new procedure for relief.  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him.  For Carlton.  Gwen (13 year old) -- her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  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, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray for Deborah who just lost her Mom.  For Cucuawe and his family, recovering from the death of their 17 year old daughter.  For Reg and his ministry, that the Lord would bless him in unexpected ways.  For Roger as he considers options for a pledge of heart.  Tim (my brother) is doing better but needs financial help, especially with this surgery and no insurance.  Pray he secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  Adam who is investigating a cult.  Scott, as he struggles and grows.  Pray for David K that his path forward is filled with faith.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  For those affected by the failure of MF Global funds.  .  For those still affected by the many natural disasters that have raged in many places over the last year, including:  east coast of the USA from Hurricane Irene, Japan and New Zealand earthquakes, 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. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia. 
 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price

No king

“’But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’  And it came about that when he returned after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him in order that he might know what business they had done.’” Luke 19:14-15

“Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper, and said, ‘Lord, who is the one who betrays You?’ 

“Peter therefore seeing him said to Jesus, ‘Lord, and what about this man?’  Jesus said to him, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?  You follow Me!’” John 21:20-21

“It is the demands of kingship that divide.  People will come to Christ for what they can get from Him, but when He demands their allegiance they will turn their backs.  Jesus had few ‘converts’ but many enemies at the end of His ministry because the rock bottom issue the people eventually had to face was his kingship.  You have to face that issue.  And so do I.  Not just once, but continually.”*

It seems to be human nature to focus on others, family, friends, the “masses”...yet, Christ speaks directly to you about your purpose of following Him.

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:  ?

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Thank you Reg for being His man.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Tim’s surgery was successful.  He’s home and still in a lot of pain.  Please pray for him and Barb during this time. Adrian has seen an orthopaedic specialist for his deteriorating spine.  He’s in much pain and needs encouragement.  David is “slowing down” now and the treatments that have been giving him a new lease on life are seen as too expensive.  Tim B and Losa with headaches, that their doctors will OK a new procedure for relief.  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him.  For Carlton.  Gwen (13 year old) -- her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  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, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray for Deborah who just lost her Mom.  For Cucuawe and his family, recovering from the death of their 17 year old daughter.  For Reg and his ministry, that the Lord would bless him in unexpected ways.  For Roger as he considers options for a pledge of heart.  Tim (my brother) is doing better but needs financial help, especially with this surgery and no insurance.  Pray he secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  Adam who is investigating a cult.  Scott, as he struggles and grows.  Pray for David K that his path forward is filled with faith.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  For those affected by the failure of MF Global funds.  .  For those still affected by the many natural disasters that have raged in many places over the last year, including:  east coast of the USA from Hurricane Irene, Japan and New Zealand earthquakes, 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. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia. 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price

Do I have to?

“And while they were listening to these things, He went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. 

“He said therefore, ‘A certain nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself and then return.  And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’  But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 

“And it came about that when he returned, after receiving the kingdom; he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him in order that he might know what business they had done.” Luke 19:14

“It is the demands of kingship that divide.  People will come to Christ for what they can get from Him, but when He demands their allegiance they will turn their backs.  Jesus had few ‘converts’ but many enemies at the end of His ministry because the rock bottom issue the people eventually had to face was His kingship.  You have to face that issue.  And so do I.  Not just once, but continually.”*

We all know this story and how one of these slaves invested his money wisely and another simply invested it and a third buried it, so his wrath would not be directed to him.  The parable reminds us all of the investment He has made in each of us to “Do business with this until I come back.”  It’s your choice!

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:  ?

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Thank you Reg for being His man.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Tim’s surgery was successful.  He’s home and still in a lot of pain.  Please pray for him and Barb during this time. Adrian has seen an orthopaedic specialist for his deteriorating spine.  He’s in much pain and needs encouragement.  David is “slowing down” now and the treatments that have been giving him a new lease on life are seen as too expensive.  Tim B and Losa with headaches, that their doctors will OK a new procedure for relief.  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him.  For Carlton.  Gwen (13 year old) -- her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  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, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray for Deborah who just lost her Mom.  For Cucuawe and his family, recovering from the death of their 17 year old daughter.  For Reg and his ministry, that the Lord would bless him in unexpected ways.  For Roger as he considers options for a pledge of heart.  Tim (my brother) is doing better but needs financial help, especially with this surgery and no insurance.  Pray he secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  Adam who is investigating a cult.  Scott, as he struggles and grows.  Pray for David K that his path forward is filled with faith.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  For those affected by the failure of MF Global funds.  .  For those still affected by the many natural disasters that have raged in many places over the last year, including:  east coast of the USA from Hurricane Irene, Japan and New Zealand earthquakes, 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. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia. 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price

Follow Him?

“Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard this said, ‘This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?’  But Jesus conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, ‘Does this cause you to stumble?  What then if you should behold the Son of Man ascending where He was before? 

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.  But there are some of you who do not believe.’  For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. 

“And He was saying, ‘For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father.’  As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.  Jesus said therefore to the twelve, ‘You do not want to go away also, do you?” John 6:60-67

“Jesus never made it easy for people to follow Him, spelling out the cost and the demands of discipleship to any who showed interest.  Jesus, I began to understand, was not under a pressure to get ‘results’ from His ministry but to communicate truth and discharge the responsibility given to Him by His Father irrespective of whether or how people responded.  He loved people more than He loved results!  He loved people enough to be honest with them.”*

Evangelism has become confused with worldly concepts, such as sales and persuasion and hit rate and prospect list and demographics and most of all with the concept of success.  When you think about it, by all standards of most of today’s ideas of evangelism, Jesus was a failure.

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:  ?

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Thank you Reg for being His man.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Tim’s surgery was successful.  He’s home and still in a lot of pain.  Please pray for him and Barb during this time. Adrian has seen an orthopaedic specialist for his deteriorating spine.  He’s in much pain and needs encouragement.  David is “slowing down” now and the treatments that have been giving him a new lease on life are seen as too expensive.  Tim B and Losa with headaches, that their doctors will OK a new procedure for relief.  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him.  For Carlton.  Gwen (13 year old) -- her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  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, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray for Deborah who just lost her Mom.  For Cucuawe and his family, recovering from the death of their 17 year old daughter.  For Reg and his ministry, that the Lord would bless him in unexpected ways.  For Roger as he considers options for a pledge of heart.  Tim (my brother) is doing better but needs financial help, especially with this surgery and no insurance.  Pray he secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  Adam who is investigating a cult.  Scott, as he struggles and grows.  Pray for David K that his path forward is filled with faith.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  For those affected by the failure of MF Global funds.  .  For those still affected by the many natural disasters that have raged in many places over the last year, including:  east coast of the USA from Hurricane Irene, Japan and New Zealand earthquakes, 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. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia. 

Disciple or Christian?

“But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.  And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some were doubtful.  And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:16-20

“Do not, as I have sometimes heard done, distinguish between being a ‘Christian’ and being a ‘disciple’ with the idea that ‘discipleship’ is on a deeper level!  The word ‘Christian’ began only as a nickname for disciples.  The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.  It is as a disciple that we earn the right to be called a Christian, and therefore if I am not a disciple fulfilling the demands of discipleship, I am not a Christian!”*

I preached a sermon of Christ’s last words.  These in Matthew are His last recorded words on earth.  How powerful this simple message.  Please note, He does not command us to evangelise, He calls us to ‘make disciples of all the nations’.  That is quite a different endeavour...it means we must consider our witness at all times ..our efforts are not in passing out little tracts or in the “Baptist boogie” (coming forward in an evangelistic meeting) or some emotional rededication...we are to BE disciples so we CAN disciple His children to His joy and peace.

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:  ?

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  ?

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Tim’s surgery was successful.  He’s home and still in a lot of pain.  Please pray for him and Barb during this time. Adrian has seen an orthopaedic specialist for his deteriorating spine.  He’s in much pain and needs encouragement.  David is “slowing down” now and the treatments that have been giving him a new lease on life are seen as too expensive.  Tim B and Losa with headaches, that their doctors will OK a new procedure for relief.  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him.  For Carlton.  Gwen (13 year old) -- her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  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, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray for Deborah who just lost her Mom.  For Cucuawe and his family, recovering from the death of their 17 year old daughter.  For Reg and his ministry, that the Lord would bless him in unexpected ways.  For Roger as he considers options for a pledge of heart Tim (my brother) is doing better but needs financial help, especially with this surgery and no insurance.  Pray he secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  Adam who is investigating a cult.  Scott, as he struggles and grows.  Pray for David K that his path forward is filled with faith.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  For those affected by the failure of MF Global funds.  .  For those still affected by the many natural disasters that have raged in many places over the last year, including:  east coast of the USA from Hurricane Irene, Japan and New Zealand earthquakes, 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. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia. 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price

Surrender

“But one has testified somewhere, saying, ‘What is man, that Thou rememberest him?  Or the son of man, that Thou are concerned about him?  Thou hast made him for a little while lower than the angels; Thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, and hast appointed him over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.’  For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him.  But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. 

“But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.  For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.” Hebrews 2:6-10

“The issue is not one of ‘making’ Christ Lord, but of ‘submitting’ to Him as Lord. -- We have one basic choice with Jesus Christ.  Either to submit to Him voluntarily and freely, or to submit to Him under compulsion when, ‘every knee shall bow...and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord’.  But if we wait until then, it will be the last thing we ever do!  The act of becoming a Christian involves the voluntary act of surrender to Him NOW!”

The hymn, “I Surrender All” helps us imagine what ALL means. 

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:  Deborah’s mother's funeral is today, pray for the family and especially for Deborah and Michael, her son.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Tim’s surgery was successful.  He’s home and still in a lot of pain, please pray for him and Barb during this time.  For Cucuawe and his family, recovering from the death of their 17 year old daughter.  Adrian has seen an orthopaedic specialist for his deteriorating spine, yesterday.  He’s in much pain and needs encouragement.  For Reg and his ministry, that the Lord would bless him in unexpected ways.  I got a small project yesterday.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  David is “slowing down” now and the treatments that have been giving him a new lease on life are seen as too expensive.  Tim B and Losa with headaches, that their doctors will OK a new procedure for relief.  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him.  For Carlton.  Gwen (13 year old) -- her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  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, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Tim (my brother) is doing better but needs financial help, especially with this surgery and no insurance.  Pray he secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  For those affected by the failure of MF Global funds & Roger as he considers options for a pledge of heart.  Adam who is investigating a cult.  Scott, as he struggles and grows.  Pray for David K that his path forward is filled with faith.  For Jen, for the hope of her future.  Help for Cris.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  For those still affected by the many natural disasters that have raged in many places over the last year, including:  east coast of the USA from Hurricane Irene, Japan and New Zealand earthquakes, 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. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia. 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price