Trust or Obey?

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing out eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith; who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

"For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.  You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;" Hebrews 12:1-4

"The moral will of God given to us in the Bible is rational and reasonable.  The circumstances in which we must trust God often appear irrational and inexplicable.  The law of God is readily recognised to be good for us, even when we don't want to obey it. 

The circumstances of our lives frequently appear to be dreadful and grim or perhaps even calamitous and tragic.  Obeying God is worked out within well-defined boundaries of God's revealed will. 

"Trusting God is worked out in an area that has no boundaries.  We do not know the extent, the duration, or the frequency of the painful, adverse circumstances in which we must frequently trust God.  We are ALWAYS coping with the unknown." *

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:   Pray for Deb who has to appear in court this Thursday about the ongoing matter of her mother's will. She said, 'It is very painful, I am anxious and scared and a bit overwhelmed. I would appreciate your prayers and those of the WeakDay 'prayer warriors'.

Saige Elizabeth's oxygen levels were low (60%) so she had to go back to the hospital and undergo another heart cath Monday morning. They found nothing wrong. Her oxygen numbers are down and they are not sure why. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors and for healing. 

Pray for Deepak's wife who was "diagnosed with breast cancer. A level 2 .  Op done in December to remove cancer now going for 2nd lot of chemo!  All good so far but prayers good."  Pray for Adrian who is struggling badly and in much pain.  Please pray for wisdom for his doctors.  He has suffered so!

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  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. 

 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. 

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. 

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.