Never Antithetical

"I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.  They look to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.  The poor man cried and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.

"O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!  O fear the Lord, you His saints; for to those who fear Him, there is no want.  The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but the who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing." Psalm 34:4-10

"His own glory and the good of His people.  These two objectives are never antithetical; they are always in harmony with each other.  God never pursues His glory at the expense of the good of His people, nor does He ever seek our good at the expense of His glory.  He has designed His eternal purpose so that His glory and our good are inextricably bound together."*

God's "ego" never gets in the way of His love of His children!  He designed the universe that way!

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 flood-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!  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:   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. 

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.