When To Give Up

"Now it came about in the morning that his spirit was troubled, so he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men.  And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh. 

Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, 'I would make mention today of my own offenses.  Pharaoh was furious with his servants, and he put me in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, both me and the chief baker.  And we had a dream on the same night, he and I; each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. 

"'Now a Hebrew youth was with us there, a servant of the captain of the bodyguard, and we related them to him, and he interpreted our dreams for us.  To each one he interpreted according to his own dream.  And it came about that just as he interpreted for us, so it happened; he restored me in my office, but he hanged him.'

"Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came to Pharaoh." Genesis 41:8-14

"How shall we respond to the fact that God is able to and does in fact move in the minds and hearts of people to accomplish His will?  Our first response should be one of trust. 

"Our careers and destinies are in His hands; not in the hands of bosses, commanding officers, professors, coaches, and all other people who, humanly speaking, are in a position to affect our futures. 

"No one can harm you or jeopardise your future apart from the sovereign will of God.  Moreover, God is able to and will grant you favour in the eyes of the people who are in a position to do you good.  You can entrust your future to God."*

Everyday your faith is tested.  Joseph had experiences we cannot imagine; yet he found his strength in God and waited and waited and waited.  People abused him, tempted him, threatened him, forgot him and yet he had a simple faith that allowed him to trust. 

When all things seem to be conspiring against you, it may seem time to give up.  It is then that faith reminds you to trust in His sovereignty.

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PLEASE NOTE THE PRAYER UPDATES! AND THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFUL TO PRAY AND TO KEEP ME UPDATED ON GOD'S PROGRESS!

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 having serious trouble with his blood pressure and they are working to adjust his medications urgently.  Thank you so much for praying for him.  Continue to pray he has the wisdom to know when to seek more medical care and that the doctors/ carers are compassionate and wise.

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

Paul NS has an important final job interview today.  We are praying for good news and that his spirits remain hopeful.

Hans needs employment where he can make an honourable contribution.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  For probably a couple of years now we have been praying for God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children there.  Here is what I received today from Patti:

"I just want to share what I think is a positive happening to your prayer for: God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children there:

"Just recently the U S Supreme Court justices upheld the right to have prayer to open town government meetings! (An atheist and a Jew apparently protested it), and the Supreme Court voted 5-4 that it did not violate the Constitution.

"Also, just recently there has been a surge of Christian movies at the theatres across the nation! The first one (that I did see and enjoy) is "God is Not Dead", then there is "Heaven is for Real" (I read the book and saw the movie -- both very good based on a true account).

"Then coming out this weekend is "Mom's Night Out" which I don't know is necessarily Biblically based, as the other two I mentioned, but it is made by the same ones who made "Fireproof" a couple of years ago. Anyway, my hopes are up that the Christians are finally taking a stand instead of being as passive as we have in the past."   

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%. 

Prayer update......Scott is doing a little better, he is taking baby steps but he still needs lots of prayers for healing, and ability to think clearly,  he also needs prayers to focus on God which he is NOT doing right now.  He thinks he can do everything himself.

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:  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.