Whose Plan IS This?

"'And God sent me before you to preserve you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.  Now therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.'" Genesis 45:7-8

"But Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place?  And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result to preserve many people alive.  So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.'  So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them." Genesis 50:19-21

"Commenting on Joseph's story, Professor Berkouwer said, 'Joseph's brothers devise and execute their plans; aroused by jealousy they gradually commit themselves irrevocably to their chosen course...Their evil plan achieves historical realisation, but the historical events are products of the Divine activity. 

"'God's good intents follow the mischievous path of the brothers or, rather, the brothers unwittingly follow the path that God's has blazed.  They work in His service.  The purpose of God lights up the horizon of evil, jealous, malicious activity.'"*

Our Heavenly Father loves us and He sees what is behind us, to the sides of us, and what awaits us ahead.  He wants what is best for us and for His plan for those around 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:   Adrian, is trying to adjust to the new meds (Oxycontin) they have put him on after two years on morphine.  Please pray for him, that he will have wisdom and get medical care during this time.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:   Deepak's father passed away last week and he traveled home to Colombo to be with his family.  Thank God, Deepak is part of the Body of Christ.

Paul NS has an important final job interview today.  He has had such an adventure trying to find a role again.  Please keep him in your prayers that today he will find something special to focus on once more. 

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  

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. 

Things seem to finally be settling down for Fion and his family.  Please keep them in your prayers. 

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 Deepak's wife recovering from treatment for stage-2 breast cancer.  Her chemo is over. 

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.  

ONGOING JOB RELATED:   Sergio seeking new employment - is in Mexico City. 

For PJ that he may find projects to fill his needs.  Justin B and his father in India need prayer that Justin will find work in his field of BPO and voice in the Lord's perfect time. 

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 for protection and good health.  They lead 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 Birgit who is in Germany.

Please pray for the many individuals in India.  Just recently the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people there!  God is mysterious! 

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 and respectfully from his wonderful book.

What About Evil?

"Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the commander, to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and in the rest of the provinces beyond the River:  'Peace.  And now the document which you sent to us has been translated and read before me. 

"'And a decree has been issued by me, and a search has been made and it has been discovered that the city has risen up against the kings in past days, that rebellion and revolt have been perpetuated in it, that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces beyond the River, and that tribute, custom, and toll were paid to them. 

"'So, now issue a decree to make these men stop work, that the city may not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me.  And beware of being negligent in carrying out this matter; why should damage increase to the detriment of the kings?'

:Then as soon as the copy of King Artaxerxes' document was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their colleagues, they went in hast to Jerusalem to the Jews and stopped them by force of arms.  Then the work on the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it was stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia." Ezra 4:17-24

"Of course, God does not always restrain the wicked and harmful actions of others toward His people...We do not know why God allowed the enemies of His people to prevail at one time and restrained them at another. 

"It is enough to know that God can and does restrain the harmful acts of others toward us when that is His sovereign will.  Furthermore, God, in His infinite wisdom and love, intends that good ultimately come from those harmful acts."*

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:   Adrian, is trying to adjust to the new meds (Oxycontin) they have put him on after two years on morphine.  Please pray for him, that he will have wisdom and get medical care during this time.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:   Deepak's father passed away yesterday and he is travelling home to Colombo to be with his family.  Thank God, Deepak is part of the Body of Christ.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  

 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 mother is now settling into her new home so she can be near her husband in a new hospice.  Pray for the family and for his carers. 

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 Deepak's wife recovering from treatment for stage-2 breast cancer.  Her chemo is over. 

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.  

ONGOING JOB RELATED:   Sergio seeking new employment - is 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.  Justin B and his father in India need prayer that Justin will find work in his field of BPO and voice in the Lord's perfect time. 

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 for protection and good health.  They lead 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 Birgit who is in Germany.

Please pray for the many individuals in India.  Just recently the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people there!  God is mysterious! 

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 and respectfully from his wonderful book.

Willful Guidance

"What shall we say then?  Is the Law sin?  May it never be!  On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have know about coveting if the Law had not said, 'You shall not covet.'  But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead."  Romans 7:7-8

"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have home."  Romans 15:4

"God can restrain not only people's actions, but even their most deeply rooted desires.  No part of the human heart is impervious to God's sovereign but mysterious control.  -- God does move in the hearts of people -- either positively to cause them to do His will or negatively to restrain them from doing what is contrary to His will."* 

We sometimes try to fool ourselves into thinking God is not concerned with the ordinary and small things of our lives, but He is concerned with every hair on our head!

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:   Adrian, is trying to adjust to the new meds (Oxycontin) they have put him on after two years on morphine.  Please pray for him, that he will have wisdom and get medical care during this time.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:   Deepak's father passed away yesterday and he is travelling home to Colombo to be with his family.  Thank God, Deepak is part of the Body of Christ.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  

 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 mother is now settling into her new home so she can be near her husband in a new hospice.  Pray for the family and for his carers. 

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 Deepak's wife recovering from treatment for stage-2 breast cancer.  Her chemo is over. 

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.  

ONGOING JOB RELATED:   Sergio seeking new employment - is 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.  Justin B and his father in India need prayer that Justin will find work in his field of BPO and voice in the Lord's perfect time. 

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 for protection and good health.  They lead 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 Birgit who is in Germany.

Please pray for the many individuals in India.  Just recently the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people there!  God is mysterious! 

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 and respectfully from his wonderful book.

He covers your will in His!

"But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, 'Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.' 

"Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, 'Lord, wilt Thou slay a nation, even though blameless?  Did he not himself say to me, 'She is my sister;?  And she herself said, 'He is my brother.'  In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.' 

"Then God said to him in the dream, 'Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against ME; therefore I did not let you touch her. 

"Now therefore, restore the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live.  But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.'" Genesis 20:6-7

"We have seen the God can and does move in the hearts of people to show favour to us when that favour will accomplish His purpose.  But there is still another important dimension to His sovereignty in the hearts of people; when necessary, God restrains people from decisions or actions that would harm us."*

Abraham and Sarah did not trust God and regardless of their behaviour God still saw His plan unfolding through them, despite their efforts to "protect" themselves in any situation!  God knows our hearts and sees our deeds and His love covers all of our will in His will!

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:   Adrian, is trying to adjust to the new meds they have put him on after two years on morphine.  Please pray for him, that he will have wisdom and get medical care during this time.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:   Deepak's father passed away yesterday and he is travelling home to Colombo to be with his family.  Thank God, Deepak is part of the Body of Christ.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  

 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 mother is now settling into her new home so she can be near her husband in a new hospice.  Pray for the family and for his carers. 

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 Deepak's wife recovering from treatment for stage-2 breast cancer.  Her chemo is over. 

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.  

ONGOING JOB RELATED:   Sergio seeking new employment - is 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.  Justin B and his father in India need prayer that Justin will find work in his field of BPO and voice in the Lord's perfect time. 

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 for protection and good health.  They lead 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 Birgit who is in Germany.

Please pray for the many individuals in India.  Just recently the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people there!  God is mysterious! 

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 and respectfully from his wonderful book.

The king's heart

"And they observed the Feast of unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had caused them to rejoice, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel." Ezra 6:22

"''For the sake of Jacob My servant, and Israel My chosen one, I have also called you by your name; I have given you a title of honour though you have not known Me.  I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God.  I will gird you, though you have not known Me; that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one beside Me.'" Isaiah 45:4-5

"But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus.  For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord." II Corinthians 8:16-18

"Yet God control's the king's heart.  The stubborn will of the most powerful monarch on earth is directed by God as easily as the farmer directs the flow of water in his irrigation canals.

"...It is not necessary for a person to acknowledge God's sovereign control in his heart or even acknowledge the existence of God...They simply acted as their hearts directed them, but their hearts were directed by God."*

If the heart of the king is in His hands...how tenderly He holds your heart!

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:   Adrian, is beginning to have difficulty adjusting to this new medicine.  Day before yesterday, they abruptly pulled him off the morphine he's been on for the last two years, it seems by mistake, and put him on a different medication.  Please pray for him.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:   Deepak's father passed away yesterday and he is travelling home to Colombo to be with his family.  Thank God, Deepak is part of the Body of Christ.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  He is RISEN!!

 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 mother is now settling into her new home so she can be near her husband in a new hospice.  Pray for the family and for his carers. 

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 Deepak's wife recovering from treatment for stage-2 breast cancer.  Her chemo is over. 

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.  

ONGOING JOB RELATED:   Sergio seeking new employment - is 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.  Justin B and his father in India need prayer that Justin will find work in his field of BPO and voice in the Lord's perfect time. 

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 for protection and good health.  They lead 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 Birgit who is in Germany.

Please pray for the many individuals in India.  Just recently the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people there!  God is mysterious! 

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 and respectfully from his wonderful book.

Inspiring Curiosity

"The law of the Lord is perfect restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 

"The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.  They are more desirable than gold, yes, that much fine gold.  Sweeter also than honey are the drippings of the honeycomb."  Psalm 19:7-10

"We CAN trust God.  He does sovereignly intervene in the hearts of people so that they make decisions and carry out actions that accomplish His purpose for our lives.  Yet God does this in such a way that these people make their decisions and carry out their plans by their own free and voluntary choices."*

And around us people, like the angels watch to see how we will react in light of our dependence upon the Lord.  We have the privilege of inspiring curiosity in others by our trust in our Lord!

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:   Adrian, who has suffered so much these past years with his cancer and the deterioration of his spine.  For the last two years no one seemed to notice that they had been giving him non-stop, large dosages of morphine... until yesterday.  They've changed his meds now and told him he would feel better.  Please pray for him.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:   Deepak's father passed away yesterday and he is travelling home to Colombo to be with his family.  Thank God, Deepak is part of the Body of Christ.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  He is RISEN!!

 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 mother is now settling into her new home so she can be near her husband in a new hospice.  Pray for the family and for his carers. 

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 Deepak's wife recovering from treatment for stage-2 breast cancer.  Her chemo is over. 

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.  

ONGOING JOB RELATED:   Sergio seeking new employment - is 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.  Justin B and his father in India need prayer that Justin will find work in his field of BPO and voice in the Lord's perfect time. 

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 for protection and good health.  They lead 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 Birgit who is in Germany.

Please pray for the many individuals in India.  Just recently the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people there!  God is mysterious! 

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 and respectfully from his wonderful book.

Heart's Discipline

"The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.  Every man's way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts."  Proverbs 21:1-2

"Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation through all his kingdom, and also put in in writing, saying, 'Thus says Cyrus king of Persia,

"'The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

"Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him!  Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.  And every survivor, at whatever place he may live, let the men of that place support him with silver and gold, with goods for the house of God which is in Jerusalem." Ezra 1:1-4

"If God is not sovereign in the decisions and actions of other people as they affect us, then there is a whole major area of our lives where we cannot trust God; where we are left, so to speak, to fend for ourselves."*

Discipline of our hearts is when we pray and ask the Lord to empty us of our own willfulness, intentions, stubbornness and self-importance.  When we abandon the throne of our lives to His care that we may be a vessel for His use and His plans...and sometimes we even realise how He has allowed us to stand in the gap in His name, but most times it remains a mystery of His design and His love of 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:  

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:   

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  He is RISEN!!

 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.  But they have had to move his father again.  Pray for the family and for his carers. 

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 Deepak's wife recovering from treatment for stage-2 breast cancer.  Her chemo is over. 

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.  

ONGOING JOB RELATED:   Sergio seeking new employment - is 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.  Justin B and his father in India need prayer that Justin will find work in his field of BPO and voice in the Lord's perfect time. 

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 for protection and good health.  They lead 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 Birgit who is in Germany.

Please pray for the many individuals in India.  Just recently the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people there!  God is mysterious! 

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.

Wilfulness

"What shall we say then?  There is no injustice with God, is there?  May it never be!  For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.'  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

"For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, 'For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.' 

"So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.  You will say to me then, 'Why does He still find fault?  For who resists His will?'" Romans 9:14-19

"Many people are prepared to grand God's sovereignty over nature and impersonal circumstances such as, fir example, a mechanical failure in an airplane.  After all, nature does not have a will of its own.  God is free to operate through His physical laws as He pleases. 

"But we balk at the sovereignty of God over the decisions and actions of people.  Such a concept of God's sovereignty seems to many people to destroy the free-will of man and make him only a puppet on God's stage."*

Easter rolls around each year to remind us of a love we cannot fathom...a love we can, however, believe in and trust...just because He loved us enough to establish Easter in our hearts...He IS risen!

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:   

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  He is RISEN!!

 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.  But they have had to move his father again.  Pray for the family and for his carers. 

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 Deepak's wife recovering from treatment for stage-2 breast cancer.  Her chemo is over. 

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.  

ONGOING JOB RELATED:   Sergio seeking new employment - is 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.  Justin B and his father in India need prayer that Justin will find work in his field of BPO and voice in the Lord's perfect time. 

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 for protection and good health.  They lead 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 Birgit who is in Germany.

Please pray for the many individuals in India.  Just recently the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people there!  God is mysterious! 

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.