“Now He who prepared us for
this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and
knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord --
for we walk by faith, not by sight – we are of good courage, I say, and prefer
rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore also we have as our ambition,
whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.” II Corinthians 5:5-7
“Therefore we do not lose
heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed
day by day. For momentary, light
affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all
comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things
which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things
which are not seen are eternal.”
II Corinthians 4:16-18
“It
does not mean that every day is going to be comfortable, or every story is
going to be triumphant, for there are times God will lead you into
circumstances for which He will give you no explanation, and at times you will
be involved in events for which you do not see the significance, but ‘we live
by faith, not by sight’ and God does not have to keep explaining Himself.”*
I
did a series once on Bible paradoxes and am always amazed at how these “word
puzzles” teach us. Here’s a perfect
example: We long for life here and yet
know Heaven awaits us and as Paul asked, “which IS better?” Do we accept the “challenges” dangers,
difficulties, sorrows and sufferings with thanksgiving, as Paul also tells us, “Rejoice
always!” or do we focus on the pain and long to escape them?
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!
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: Pray for all
those in Connecticut dealing with this tragic
mass shooting of the 20 children 4-6 years old and 6 adults, including the
shooter. Isaiac and his
family as they help those affected by super-typhoon Pablo. CNN news commented that typhoon Pablo was twice
as powerful as hurricane Sandy.
NEW PRAYER
REQUESTS: Be with Deepak, whose father had a stroke as he travels to be home
with the family. Be with and comfort those who loved Deb , especially
Vern, as they deal with her
loss. Carla & Paul K for good results from their business plans.
That those in the
news media do not forget those still without homes, power and heat from super storm Sandy, and the volunteers still
working.
For Mario who’s struggling with the
holidays since his daughter was killed. For
Linda as she closed her
practice, that the Lord will show her which doors to open next after she rests
a bit. For Rob as the Lord works in a new way in his life...protect his
health. 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, has another treatment on 24 December. (His has the same rare type of cancer as Deb
had (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/). I’m
too far away to help hands-on but am sad he will be alone for Christmas. Please pray someone will take time to be with
him. He’s growing tired but seems a new
pain treatment plan is starting to work.
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 thanks 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. Tyler & Jenna as they continue to care for baby Bexleigh.
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.
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) is eager to find new work since
her project ended. For Tim, my amazing brother, that he
might find satisfying work that he’s able to do. Pray for a new project for me and wisdom and
strength from the Lord to make faith-based decisions.
PRAISE
& THANKSGIVING: Hans, is enjoying his new-found fellowship and is thankful
for his new job (first full-time role since 2004). Thanks everyone for praying for him. For J&S, special friends, as they begin to manage some
normal life for the first time in years.
Still living in their car and need a permanent place to live.
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.
Please pray for Deepak as
he struggles through some challenges and searches for sponsorship for his work.
Pray for wisdom for 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 and Matthew K
as he grows up. 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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