Providence - Good or Bad?

"Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, in order to mistreat them.  And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.

"And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.  Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread.  And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people.  So Peter was kept in prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.

"And on the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.

"And behold an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and roused him, saying, 'Get up quickly.'  And his chains fell off his hands.  And the angel said to him, 'Gird yourself and put on your sandals.'  And he did so.  And he said to him, 'Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.'

"And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.  And when they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went alone one street; and immediately the angel departed from him." Acts 12:1-10

Put yourself in the shoes of James' wife and then Peter's.  One is grieving over the murder of her husband; the other rejoices over the miraculous deliverance of hers.  Peter's wife rejoices in the sovereignty of God, but what does James' wife do?  Was God any less sovereign in the death of James than He was in the deliverance of Peter?  Is God sovereign only in the 'good' circumstances of our lives?"*

Was it fair?  Is fair the question?  Was it in God's plan is the better one.  We may never know the result of providence, even though we see it in action, but we must never doubt that our sovereign Father knows best.

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:   Hans goes into surgery on 2 April.  Please pray for him for a speedy and full recovery and his surgeons and carers that they may have compassion and skill.

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:  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.