Bullies & God

"For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.  The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.  The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation."Psalm 33:9-11

"'Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.' 

"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.  You are just a vapour that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

"Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.  But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil." James 4:13-15

"God is in control; He is sovereign.  He does whatever pleases Him and determines whether we can do what we have planned.  This is the essence of God's sovereignty; His absolute independence to do as He pleases and His absolute control over the actions of all His creatures.  No creature, person, or empire can either toward His will or act outside the bounds of His will."*

The world is full of bullies.  Yet, it is only with the "indulgence" of the Lord that permits their actions.  When we suffer at the hands of a "bully" we may wonder why (and wondering is fine); yet in the end we must purpose to trust our Father-God because we know despite difficulties, He loves us so much He chose to sacrifice His only beloved Son rather than live without us.

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:   Please increase your prayers for Adrian who is suffering with the struggle against this horrible cancer.  He is no longer able to sleep.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Deb sends her thanks for all those who prayed with her during this time of difficulty.  She has made it through the challenge now.  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) is enjoying her new role, thank you for praying for her! 

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

 PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Pray for Adrian who has suffered so much with his cancer.  Please pray for wisdom for his doctors.  Fion's father is now in a hospice.  They are trying to locate a place closer for his mother as she visits him.  Pray for the family and for his carers. 

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. 

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.