Real Faith

“’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

“Living by faith, therefore, is holding a disposition towards Jesus Christ that recognises His authority as Lord over me, and His enabling as my Life within me.  It has less to do with the nature of our activities as it has to do with their cause.”*

Now those three guys had faith...because they KNEW that God could save them from this terrible death, but they also remembered that He has a plan for them and they cannot assume that He will always do what they think is right or expedient, efficient or even economical....His plan is His plan and we need to exercise not faith, but trust in His plan.  Faith is ours as He has given it to us.  Tomorrow we will look at the truth of getting MORE faith or whether our faith is too weak!

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, the radiation for her nasal cancer seems to be making things worse, please pray for her, she is in her late 80s.  Laura S as she reaches out for answers, that she finds the Truth.

Adrian had a new series of tests.  The cancer (same rare type as Deb below with link) has spread to create lesions on his neck vertebrae and cranium.  The pain meds are not helping much.  He’ll now be in the Royal Brisbane Hospital for a month of treatment.  If anyone’s near there, please let me know.  He needs some visitors & love!

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 C. and her husband travelling mercies.  For PJ.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Heidi, who just lost her job after 9 years landed a new job.  Lorelai had her child – both are healthy.  Bexleigh (born at 28 weeks, now weighs 6 pounds 4 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:  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 Jon C, as he meets the challenges of life after a stroke.  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.

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 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.

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.

 

 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price