OK Why?

"'Is not God in the height of heaven?  Look also at the distant stars, how high they are!  And you say, 'Why does God know?  Can He judge through the thick darkness?  Clouds are a hiding place for Him, so that He cannot see; and He walks on the vault of heaven.'" Job 22:12-14

"Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, 'Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?  Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me!  Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?  Tell me if you have understanding.  Who set its measurements, since you know?  Or who stretched the line on it?'" Job 38:1-5

"...the realisation that the truth of God's Word and the encouragement it is intended to give is not dependent upon my experience....Adversity is difficult even when we know God is in control of our circumstances.  In fact, that knowledge sometimes tends to aggravate the pain.  'If God is in control,' we ask, 'why did He allow this to happen?'"*

Eliphaz's third speech to Job was filled with good intentions, but his understanding of our loving Heavenly Father could not have been further from the Truth.  God in His might sent His Son to experience what we experience and accept "limitations" so He could demonstrate His love.  There are many reasons for suffering and sometimes we never get to understand the why, but we can trust the Saviour who died for us to know!

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:   Sergio walked out of his abusive work environment yesterday and needs our prayers now more than ever.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:   

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  1 Feb.  "IT IS WITH GREAT GLADNESS IN OUR HEARTS TO ANNOUNCE:  Saige Elizabeth came home today!!!  We rejoice in God's healing hands.  She is now almost four weeks old.

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. 

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. 

Thanks to the Father for His finding a way to give me a new joy in the new project He has provided for me.

 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.  Adrian sounds very tired now as he continues having chemo one day a month, his pain is debilitating, but he's still praising his heavenly Father for each new day.  

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 new endeavour.  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:   Paul NS was invited to lunch by the people who offered him a job but the person who offered him the position is no longer with the company!  So he is unsure what will happen.  Please keep him in your prayers.   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. 

Isaias' update today:  "There's a recent outbreak of measles in Metro Manila. Change of weather brought flu to many. Also, worst flooding is occurring now due to typhoon Agathon in same areas heavily damaged by typhoon Pablo last Dec. 05, 2012 in Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Butuan and Agusan in Mindanao. Some 30 people died.  (his daughter, wife and he are all ill.)

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.