“Jesus said to him, ‘If you
wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you
shall have treasure in heaven and come, follow Me.’ But when the young man heard this statement,
he went away grieved; for he was one who owned much property.
“And Jesus said to His
disciples, ‘Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom
of heaven. And again I say to you, it is
easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to
enter the kingdom of God.’ And when the
disciples heart this, they were very astonished and said, ‘Then who can be
saved?’ And looking up on them Jesus
said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are
possible.’” Matthew 19:26
“And without faith it is
impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and
that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
“It
is not a case of failure to believe in Jesus Christ being the biggest sin, and
hence Jesus’ promise that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin
‘because they do not believe in Me’, but it is the fact that anything at all
which does not derive from dependence upon God is sin! The thing that PLEASES God in our lives is
the disposition towards Him that allows Him to be God and to work within us and
through us. That is why, ‘without faith
it is impossible to please Him’.”*
The
story about the rich young ruler was not about having wealth or being poor but
about an attitude toward things that insulate us from the hand of the Father in
our lives. God owns the cattle on a
thousand hills and in reality owns everything!
He can use wealth or poverty for His amazing purposes. What He can’t do (and yes I know some
eyebrows have risen) is force us to have faith in Him! That He leaves to personal choice – His one
vulnerability.
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 all those in the path of
the super storm Sandy and all workers helping prepare and help after. 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 and for Kent. 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. Three little projects are developing
for me at this time. Please pray they
will come through.
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 12 ounces, but is sleeping too much. 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 safe accommodation
soon.
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
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