“So they picked up Jonah, threw
him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. Then the men feared the Lord greatly, and
they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. And the Lord appointed a great fish to
swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three
nights.
“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord
his God from the stomach of the fish, and he said, ‘I called out of my distress
to the Lord, and He answered me. I cried
for help from the depth of Sheol’ Thou didst hear my voice. For Thou hadst cast me into the deep, into
the heart of the seas, and the current engulfed me. All Thy breakers and billows passed over
me. So I said, ‘I have been expelled
from Thy sight. Nevertheless I will look
again toward Thy holy temple.’
“’Water encompassed me to the
point of death. The great deep engulfed
me, weeds were wrapped around my head. I
descended to the roots of the mountains.
The earth with its bars was around me forever, but Thou hast brought up
my life from the pit, O Lord my God.
While I was fainting away, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to
Thee, into Thy holy temple. Those who
regard vain idols forsake their faithfulness, but I will sacrifice to Thee with
the voice of thanksgiving. That which I
have vowed I will pay. Salvation is
from the Lord.’ Then the Lord commanded
the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land.” Jonah 2
“Faith
is an attitude of trust towards something that enables that something to
function in response. – the result of exercising faith is that the object in
which the faith has been placed is made free to work on my behalf. Faith is not primarily expressed in what we
do, but in what we are trusting the object of our faith to do in response. So it is with God. Faith in God is an attitude of trust in God
which enables Him to work.”*
Have
you ever felt like Jonah? Well I have
and while your heart is pounding and you are not sure where you can turn it is
the time to remember your faith rests in the only One who can make a
difference...if that difference is only that He embraces and carries you
THROUGH the waves!
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 affected by super storm Sandy in the 13
states across America, we pray for each of you that this will be a time of
faith. And we pray for all volunteer
workers, especially those who represent the Body of Christ (such as Samaritan’s
Purse) now engaged in round-the-clock support for people who have lost so much,
some everything, and now new storms are coming!
For Kent’s 80 year old mom, the
radiation for her nasal cancer seems to be making things worse, please pray for
her and Kent. Laura S as she reaches out for answers, that she finds the
Truth.
Adrian’s having pre-treatments for his scheduled time in hospital and is not
doing well, though his heart is still filled with praise for his Lord. 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 soon 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!
That the Lord loves and comforts us through challenges we could not face
without Him and for good friends during times of difficulty.
PRAISE &
THANKSGIVING: Lorelai had her
child – both are healthy. Bexleigh
(born at 28 weeks, now 9 wks old weight 7 lbs 4 oz, still in hospital, not
eating well and sleeping too much and 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.
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. Heidi
starts her new job this week. 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, including a new role that would be almost too wonderful, but
just beginning the process. Need help in
the meantime, urgently.
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 (and a job) --if you know any Christians near
Essen Germany, please contact me as soon as possible. (Thank you, Andy, for answering his letter!)
Pray
for PJ. For Annette
as she begins some new career adventures.
For Linda C. -
wisdom.
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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