“And when they came to the
multitude, a man came up to Him, falling on his knees before Him, and saying, ‘Lord,
have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic, and is very ill; for he often fails into
the fire, and often into the water. And
I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.’
“And Jesus answered and said, ‘O
unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.
“And Jesus rebuked him, and the
demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately
and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’
“And He said to them, ‘Because
of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a
mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it
shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you. (But this kind does not go out except by
prayer and fasting.’)”
Matthew 17:14-21
“Faith
is not a mystical power. Some think of
faith as a force, a mind-over-matter phenomenon whereby the actual act of
believing something has the effect of making it come true. – Believing something,
never, in itself, changes the facts.
Faith is not a mystical power that makes things happen by the sheer
force of belief.”*
Thinking
does not make it so. Jesus did not die
so we should pretend, that as Christians, our lives are all perfect and
wonderful, even when it is so apparent this is not true. Trying to deceive others (and ourselves) by
denying reality is not faith and can be foolishness. Jesus came to give us peace AMIDST the storms
of life, not peace FROM storms.
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!
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS: 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 J&S, special friends, now living in
their car in Florida, that they will find safe accommodation and that the job
they travelled there for will help this lovely couple start their lives
again. For Hans, that he remains calm
and clear-headed as he endeavours to confirm the details of what he hopes may
finally be a real job for him. For
Annette as she begins some new career adventures. For Linda as she begins her journey. For Cucuawe, a safe return and good health
after his 10-day mission trip. For PJ.
PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Bexleigh now weighs 4 pounds 5 ounces (last report had her
at 3 pounds 3 ounces)! Pray for her
parents Tyler & Jenna as they look forward to holding her outside the
incubator this week.
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. 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 travelling in 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
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