Object of Faith

“’Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

“’And why are you anxious about clothing?  Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these.  But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?

“’Do not be anxious then saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’  For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.’” Matthew 6:19-21, 27-34

“Faith is not shutting your eyes, clenching your fist and believing something into being, but rather it is an attitude of trust toward something which enables that something to function in response. – It is the object in which we place our faith that determines whether the faith is effective or not.”*

If your heavenly Father IS omniscient/all knowing, then He knows what you need, when you need it, before you need it.  If your heavenly Father loves you, then He will watch over you during times of challenge as well as during times of prosperity.

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

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY? Please send updates! 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!

Something seems wrong with the email system I am using and one of the distribution lists is refused – so please pray it gets fixed please.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS: For Kent’s mom who had radiation for cancer in her nasal passages today.  For Jon C, as he meets the challenges of life after a stroke. Lorelai, having her first child, but has profound anemia – please pray for the health of child and mother. David R (on Veterans benefits) has lost the first doctor that’s been able to figure out how to deal with his complicated health problems and is now fearful.

For Hans, that he remains calm and clear-headed as he endeavours to understand God's will for a job for him. For Annette as she begins some new career adventures. For Linda as she begins her journey. For PJ.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Bexleigh now weighs 4 pounds 15 ounces (last report had her at 3 pounds 3 ounces)! Pray for her parents Tyler & Jenna. For J&S, special friends, now living in their car in Florida, started his job and they hope to have accommodation soon. Cucuawa is home safe from his mission trip.

That the Lord loves and comforts us through challenges we could not face without Him and for good friends during times of difficulty.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS: For Daniel Craver (3-4 yrs old), home recovering from liver surgery. Paul NS. Tim (my little brother) with CPRD, needs financial help, especially with no health insurance -needs a disability pension. Steve Barns for relief from great pain and depression. Deborah’s husband is home from surgery. Adrian is doing better in his attitude but is still in much pain - has a new doctor. If anyone is near Caboolture (an hour north of Brisbane), please contact me so we can help Adrian in a more practical way!

For a solution for Audley and Beverly (she’s disabled from a stroke and needs a carer during the day so Audley can go out and work). Tim B with headaches, that his doctor will OK a new procedure for relief. For Carlton suffering from horrible infections in his bones.

Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/ ) Wisdom for doctors caring for so many, including Tim, Doris, David, Gary, Deb, Adrian and Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS: Pray the Lord’s hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty works would be worked out in each life for His purposes! Hans, a new hungry baby Christian urgently needs to find fellowship --if you know any Christians near Essen Germany, please contact me as soon as possible. (Thank you, Andy, for answering his letter!)

Pray for Isaiac Catorce, his family and ministry in the Philippines. Please pray for Deepak as he struggles through some challenges and is back from China. For travelling mercies as Reg and Beverly visit South Africa. Pray for wisdom of my brother as he deals with an important matter.

For travelling mercies for Michael C & Diane on their extended cruise. For Roger as he considers options for a pledge of heart. Adam who’s becoming involved with a cult that’s filling many unmet needs. Scott, for strength as he struggles and grows (for Donna as she encourages him). For David K, in his studies. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. Elaine and Jim back in Hong Kong.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD: God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children there and for the many nations suffering from global financial mismanagement.

ONGOING JOB RELATED: Barbara’s (sister-in-law) and Hans’ (friend) projects have both ended and they need new work. (Hans especially needs paying work – he’s been volunteering to fill the time.) For Tim, my amazing brother, that he might find satisfying work. Paul K who resigned from his job and is setting up a consultancy. Pray for a new project for me...many irons in the fire, but nothing has come to fruition.

 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price