Suffering Distinction

"No temptation has taken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it." I Corinthians 10:13

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

"For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.  Therefore do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 

"For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."  II Corinthians 4:7-10, 15-18

"All people -- believers as well as believers -- experience anxiety, frustration, heartache and disappointment.  Some suffer intense physical pain and catastrophic tragedies. 

"But that which should distinguish the suffering of believers from unbelievers is the confidence that our suffering is under the control of an all-powerful and all-loving God; our suffering has meaning and purpose in God's eternal plan, and He brings or allows to come into our lives ONLY that which is for His glory and our good."*

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:   Hans goes to the hospital today in a nearby town.  Pray for wisdom of the doctors who will perform surgery on him soon.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Emily has been granted her Visa for staying in Australia.  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:  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:  Deb needs trust, courage, strength and peace -- no matter what -- during this time.

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.