No Surprises - No Regrets!

"Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, 'Do not imagine that you in the king's palace can escape any more than all the Jews.  For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father's house will perish.  And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?'" Esther 4:13-14

"As for God, His way is blameless; the Word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.  For who is God, but the Lord?  And who is a rock, except our God. 

"The God who girds me with strength, and makes my way blameless?  He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and sets me upon my high places.  He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze,

"Thou has also given me the shield of Thy salvation, and Thy right hand upholds me; and Thy gentleness makes me great.  Thou dost enlarge my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped." Psalm 18:30-36

"Our unexpected, forced change of plans is a part of His plan.  God is never surprised; never caught off guard; never frustrated by unexpected developments.  God does as He pleases and that which pleases Him is always for His glory and our good.

"Our lives are also cluttered with a lot of 'if onlys.'  'If only I had done this,' or 'if only that had not happened.'  But again, God has no 'if onlys.'  God never makes a mistake; God has no regrets."*

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:  Justin B and his father in India need prayer that Justin will find a job in his field of BPO and voice in the Lord's perfect time.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Thank our Father for finding an unexpected way for Hans to have some income while he prepares for unexpected surgery (2 April).  He completed his preparation classes for baptism next month (put off because of the surgery)! 

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

 PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Pray for my brother, Tim, that his COPD (cardio-pulmonary artery disease) is manageable for him and that he will have the patience and wisdom to cope with the limitations.  Fion's father is now in a hospice and they moved his mother to a nearer place so they can be together.  Pray for the family and for his carers. 

Please increase your prayers for Adrian who is suffering with the struggle against this horrible cancer. 

Baby Saige faces a lifetime of surgeries, procedures and time in hospital.  Please pray for all those who care for her, especially her family.

Please pray for those who care for Deepak's wife who was "diagnosed with a level-2 breast cancer.  Her chemo is nearly over.  Please pray for her to be strong and find a stronger faith as she recovers. 

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 need our continued prayers.  "The summer here in Manila is giving us unfavourable climate and is getting hotter and hotter every day. Measles and chickenpox are rampant.  Please pray for God’s protection upon us."  They head the efforts of Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines.  The 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.  

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.