A WeakDay Devotion: Oh, Be Realistic!

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The WeakDay Devotion originated as encouragement for a dear friend who was having difficulties with her job.

It is especially for my family, firends, business people, students, pastors, teachers and a myriad of pre-, new and long-serving Christians who want more Scripture with their devotion than many of the regular devotionals offer. it is also written to be short so you can get on with your day, but filled with a new idea from God's Word that is practical and applicable. You can also have it sent directly to your email box every day - just send me an email (DarleneRichard@gmail.com) and I will add you to the distribution.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Oh, Be Realistic!

“Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him. Saul’s servants then said to him, ‘Behold now, and evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.”

“Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle, --And the Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them. Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath.

“And he stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, and said to them, ‘Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be come our servants and serve us.’” I Samuel 17:14-15, 17:1a, 3-4,8-9

[When David heard Goliath mocking the Israelite army]“’But isn’t God on your side? Goliath is not just defying the Israelite army, he is defying God! God has promised that the Philistine army will be defeated and that Israel will be delivered from their oppression. It is not you he is challenging, but God!’

“’David, don’t be so spiritual about these things! We all know God is on our side, but we have to be practical about these things too, you know. It is all very well you coming in and being simplistic and spiritual about the answer, but we have to be realistic.’”*

Sometimes when you’re trusting in the Lord, those around you may, and usually do, see you as foolish. Trusting the Lord is difficult in the good times – because you sort of “forget” He’s there. When times are tough, you tend to focus more on the problem thank trust the Lord, thinking He expects you to use your own resources to figure out or fix what’s broken. As your Father watches you struggle, what He actually wants is for you to come to Him and ask Him to fix what is wrong!

Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for reading along each day.

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!

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN THE USA. Hans, a new hungry baby Christian has found a fellowship and of all things a new job, which he finishes the paperwork for on Friday (correction from yesterday)! Heidi started her new job a day earlier. Lorelai had her child – both are healthy.

Bexleigh (born at 28 weeks) is now 75 days old, home and weighs 8 pounds 15 ounces. Pray for Tyler & Jenna it is very difficult reorienting her from the hospital. For J&S, special friends, now living in their car in Florida, started his job and they hope to have safe accommodation soon. For a special servant of the Lord in my life.

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 Linda as she closed her practice that the Lord will open new doors for her. For Rob as he grows through some things. For Jodie as she deals with the knife edge of corporate politics. 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, really struggling with ongoing pre-treatments. He was in hospital most of yesterday to restore his immune system before they can continue treatments for his deteriorating spine. (His cancer is the same rare type as Deb below with link). It is sad to know he faces this battle without friends or family to support him. He is growing so tired and the pain meds no longer help. He’ll soon be in 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. 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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Background of WeakDay Devotions

Over eleven years ago a dear friend couldn't find a job. She's brilliant, skilled & experienced -- but simply couldn't find a position to suit her. After about eight months of struggling & searching, she was hired to work with the Sydney Olympics but six months later the role turned feral. She was discouraged as she pulled herself into work each morning.

Then it became apparent they were trying to "move" her out. She struggled. At least once a week she would be on the phone to me or be sitting on my balcony talking/crying her heart out. I found myself being a sort of Christian coach/mentor for her.

One morning after my quiet time, something I learned seemed relevent for her, so I shared it with her in an email. She wrote back that it indeed helped. Next morning the same thing happened. Again the Lord used it to encourage & strengthen her. The next morning nothing seemed good to send, but I searched till I found something I hoped would strengthen her. The Lord used it. Each week day morning from then on I would get up early & write her a note of encouragement.

A month went by & another friend sent me an e-mail expressing their own frustration with a work situation. I sent them a copy of the e-mail I'd sent my friend that very morning. They were encouraged & asked me to include them each morning. After a couple of weeks both wrote to me to say they'd been sending the email to others & would I just add theses new names each morning. They also suggested I ask others if they'd like to be included. I did & many asked to receive it. One day, I was asked to do a radio interview with Gordon Moyse ("An Ordinary Christian"). He had heard about the morning "WeakDay Devotions" & wanted his listeners to know more about them.

Almost every week day morning since that first e-mail, I've written a fresh word of encouragement for (by now) an untold number of people around the world. It was originally mostly business oriented, but has grown to be more general in nature with Christian business people knowing it is the little personal details of their walk that need a boost anyway.

Within the distribution list now are Christians or pre-Christians (Catholic & Protestant), some are Jewish, some have not made a decision about what they believe, yet. There are several pastors; a Catholic priest, a Jewish teacher and a Christian Web page creator (and pastor) who distributes select ones to his readership. There’s even a pastor in the USA who uses them as part of his daily radio program.

Many who receive them forward them to others & they ricochet around the world. They're used as morning devotions between friends at work in the USA, Argentina, the Philippines, New Guinea, Hong Kong & places I don't even know about yet.

The Lord is using these meek & meagre "presents to Him" for His own purposes in the lives of others & I'm constantly surprised & humbled at the encouragement I've found in my own personal time with the Lord because of their ministry to me!

If you'd like to have them emailed directly to you each day, just send me an email. I'm open to comments, suggestions & criticisms.

Again, it's almost always only one screen long, so you don't have to take too much time with them, they always come marked "Urgent" so they can be found more quickly. Finally, the distribution list is "blinded" so everyone's privacy is assured (although I pray for everyone I send to & know them all much better now).

Every day is different, some days are very short -- sometimes only one verse or two, but there's always a Bible verse (I always use the New American Standard Bible translation, unless otherwise indicated). There are also times when there is a suggestion for something special as an assignment. I've also written a variety of series, such as: The Ten Commandments, Forgiveness, How to Know God's Will, Fasting, Unmet Needs, etc.

Stay close to His Word.
Your servant and friend in Christ.... Darlene

The First Devotion

"And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee." Psalm 9:10

From George Muller's Autobiography:

"I saw more clearly than ever that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.

"The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the Lord's blessing upon His precious Word, was to begin to meditate on the Word of God; searching, as it were, into every verse, to get blessing out of it; not for the sake of the public ministry of the Word; not for the sake of reaching on what I had meditated upon; but for the sake of obtaining food for my own soul. The result I have found to be almost invariably this...that after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or to intercession, or to supplication; so that though I did not, as it were, give myself to prayer, but to meditation, yet it turned almost immediately more or less into prayer."

Have a wonderful day resting in Him....love, your servant and friend in Christ...D

Another style: The Princess & the Pea

[Jesus teaching] "'And why do you look at the spec that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?'" Matthew 7:3

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." James 2:10

"So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!" James 3:5

"Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds; but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.'" Matthew 13:31-32

Ever notice how it's the little things that get under your skin and grow out of perspective? Think of the time you spend looking for a misplaced file or phone number. What about when you're late and get a red light or someone pulls out in front of you in traffic. Or how about when you get a paper cut or have a hang nail? How about forgetting someone's birthday or when you lose your glasses or keys? Any of these things can make us "lose our cool". As Christians we must be ever vigilant to how the little things can stumble our walk and witness with Christ.

It reminds me of the fairy tale of the Princess and the Pea (where a prince looked for a gentle and delicate princess to help rule his kingdom. He arranged a test of all the fair maidens. He had a stack of mattresses placed one on top the other and each "princess candidate" was invited to spend the night in the castle. The Prince became discouraged because no one seemed to respond to the test until one morning a lovely woman complained she could not sleep, as the mattress was too lumpy. Unbeknownst to her (and all the other candidates) the Prince had placed a single pea under the bottom mattress. No one else had been sensitive to the little things. Of course they lived happily ever after. In our Christian walk we need to be that sensitive to the little things that stumble us! Take care, your servant and friend in Christ – Darlene

A WeakDay Devotion

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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Oh, Be Realistic!

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Background of WeakDay Devotions

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