What's Wrong With Providence?

"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? 

"...'Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, and caused the dawn to know its place; that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?

"...'Who prepares for the raven its nourishment, when its young cry to God, and wander about without food?'" Job 38:1-5, 12-13, 41

"There are two things wrong, however, with that way in which we refer to the providence of God.  For one, we almost always use the expression 'the providence of God' in connection with apparently 'good' events...and we either unconsciously or deliberately imply that God intervenes at specific points in our lives but is largely only an interested spectator most of the time.

" -- we reduce God's control over our lives to a stop-and-go, in-and-out proposition.  Our unconscious attitude is that the rest of the time we are the 'master of our fates' or conversely the victims of unhappy circumstances or uncaring people that cross our paths."*

He is not limited and He IS interested in everything and each heart -- even those who do not know Him yet!  Especially 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 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.