[Saul,
in desperation goes to a witch seeking wisdom] “Then Saul disguised himself by putting on other clothes, and went, he
and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, ‘Conjure
up for me, please, and bring up for me whom I shall name to you.’ But the woman said to him, ‘Behold, you know what
Saul has done, how he has cut off those who are mediums and spiritists from the
land. Why are you then laying a snare
for my life to bring about my death?’ “And
Saul vowed to her by the Lord, saying, ‘As the Lord lives, there shall no
punishment come upon you for this thing.’
[Saul
asks her to bring up Samuel] “Then Samuel
said to Saul, ‘Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?’ And Saul answered, ‘I am greatly distressed;
for the Philistines are waging war against me, and God has departed from me and
answers me no more, either through prophets or by dreams; therefore I have
called you, that you may make known to me what I should do.’
“And Samuel said, ‘Why then do
you ask me, since the Lord has departed from you and has become your
adversary? And the Lord has done
accordingly as He spoke through me; for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of
your hand and given it to your neighbour, to David. As you did not obey the Lord and did not
execute His fierce wrath on Amalek, so the Lord has done this thing to you this
day.” I Samuel
28:8-11, 15-18
[with
regard to King Saul] “In the light of his past and his great experiences of
God, he began to become familiar with God to the extent that he felt free to
pick and to choose what he obeyed. We
must be very much on guard against experience of God that does not leave us in
an attitude of humility and dependence.
When God’s victories create a self-confidence in us they have become
dangerous!”*
Saul
tried everything he thought possible to fix things his own way...what he found
was that there was only ONE way to fix the problem and he choose to defy the
Lord and use the power he thought he had a right to use, despite the Lord’s
love and guidance. Even here he brings
in “the name of the Lord” as if Saul commands God to obey him. All God longed for was that Saul would turn
to Him and give up his arrogance and lean on Him!
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: For all those struggling after
the super storm Sandy and the
volunteers who are working tirelessly – many are still without power
and heat and the weather is still foul. Have
not heard more from Barbara but continue to pray for her.
For Kent & his mom, the doctors
have stopped treatment for her cancer and are making her comfortable. Laura
S as she reaches out for answers, that she finds the Truth. For Rik who just lost his mom.
Adrian’s really struggling with the continual pre-treatments. He goes in again today for another course of
the preparatory chemical before he recovers enough to be hospitalised for many
months of treatment. (His cancer is the same
rare type as Deb below with link). I’ve
never heard him too tired to praise the Lord, but he was. The pain meds are not helping much and he is
very tired. He’ll soon be in the Royal
Brisbane Hospital. If anyone’s near there, please let me know. He needs some visitors & love!
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 doing well through complicated health challenges. For Jon
C, as he meets the challenges of life after a stroke. For Daniel
Craver (4 yrs old), 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.
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 and wisdom and
strength from the Lord to make wise decisions.
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!
Pray
for PJ. For Annette
as she begins some new career adventures.
Pray for Isaiac Catorce,
his family and ministry in the Philippines. Please pray for Deepak as he struggles through
some challenges and searches for sponsorship for his work. For travelling mercies as Reg and Beverly visit South Africa. Pray for wisdom of my brother as he deals with
an important matter.
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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