Loved & Hidden

"Then Moses said, 'I pray Thee show me Thy glory!'  And He said, 'I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.' 

"But He said, 'You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!'  Then the Lord said, 'Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.

"''Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.'" Exodus 33:18-23

"Christians as well as nonChristians frequently speak of misfortune and accidents, of circumstances beyond our (and presumably God's) control, of things just happening by chance.  Down through the centuries, sickness, suffering, and sorrow have always raised questions about God's control and care of His creation.

"The implicit assumption in the minds of many is:  If God is both powerful and good, why is there so much suffering, so much pain, so much heartache in the world?  God is either good and not all powerful, or He is powerful and not all good.  You can't have it both ways."*

How amazing to KNOW that He loves you and me so much that He will hide us in the cleft of a rock (that He made) as all hell breaks loose around us... and He will cover us with His hand to shelter us from the raging storms and fill our hearts with the unexplainable peace that only comes from 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 through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:  

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:   Pray for Jen as she recovers from a terrible flu.  Pray for Bon who lives in the floor-ravaged Cornwall UK.  Pray for Emily that she can find a way to extend her Visa to Australia.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Pray for Adrian who has had a bit of respite from his growing pain from this cancer.  Please pray for wisdom for his doctors.  He has suffered so and yet still praises our Father! 

Thanks that the Lord held Deb's hand during her court appearance and that what eventuates, gives her heart peace.

Thanks to the Father for the blessing to Carla and Paul yesterday!  Thank our Father for His finding an unexpected way for Hans to not lose his income while he takes time to heal rather than return to work and for his having time to attend his first Christian conference and begin the journey in earnest! 

Barbara (sister-in-law) will finally start work this Monday with a wonderful company (she has waited five years to find a job). 

Carlton (painful bone infections) is feeling a bit better finally. 

 PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:   Fion's father is now in a hospice.  Pray for the family and for his carers as he prepares to go home to the Lord. 

Baby Saige is improving.  Please pray for all those who care for her that the Lord comforts all as this little life unfolds."

Please pray for those who care for Deepak's wife who was "diagnosed with a level-2 breast cancer.  Op done in December to remove cancer now going for 2nd lot of chemo!" 

David R losing his eyesight due to macular degeneration.  I hope to go home to see him before he can no longer see me.  For Audley and Beverly’s situation and his return to the ministry.  For Nancy who is growing stronger and for Fred as he cares for her. 

Pray for Raven as she regains her strength from the cancer treatments.  Patty, who lost her three year old daughter four years ago has sent a most amazing letter of thanksgiving.  She is not 100% but says she is around 85%. 

Continue to pray for Scott for mental and physical healing, God focus and ability to think clearly.  Pray for the two surviving sons of Melanie Karunaratne in New Zealand. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:   Sergio walked out of his abusive work environment yesterday and needs our prayers now more than ever - he lives in Mexico City.  Paul NS has had such an adventure trying to find a role again.  Please keep him in your prayers that he does not give up.   

 For PJ that he may find projects to fill his needs

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 in surprising and wonderful ways!

Elaine and Jim in Hong Kong have begun a new ministry.  Please pray the Father keeps guiding them in their work. 

Isaias & Judith who head the efforts of Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines, need strength and encouragement as they work with other ministers recovering and serving after one of the world's worst typhoons in history.  Their financial needs are so great please consider contributing...just click on Ambassadors for Christ link above. 

Carla & Paul K for good results from their business plans.  For Linda and Ian.  For Rob and his daughter.  For Reg.  Pray for Annette and Lyle and their wonderful family.  Pray for wisdom for my brother as he deals with an important matter.  For David K, in his studies and Matthew K as he grows up.  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 and individuals suffering from global financial mismanagement.  Pray for the Catholic Church and that the new Pope will always put Jesus first.  

* "Trusting God" is copyright protected since 1988 by Jerry Bridges.  All rights are reserved, including translations.  The ISBN is 08910-91742.  I quote carefully from his book.