Deist?

"At this also my heart trembles, and leaps from its place.  Listen closely to the thunder of His voice, and the rumbling that goes out from His mouth.  'Under the whole heaven He lets it loose, and His lightening to the ends of the earth.  After it, a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice; and He does not restrain the lightenings when His voice is heard.

"'God thunders with His voice wondrously, doing great things which we cannot comprehend.  For to the snow He says, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the downpour and the rain, 'Be strong.'

"'He seals the hand of every man, that all men may know His work.  Then the beasts goes into its lair, and remains in its den.  Out of the south comes the storm, and out of the north the cold.  From the breath of God ice is made, and the expanse of the waters is frozen. 

"'Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud; He disperses the cloud of His lightening.  And it changes direction, turning around by His guidance, that it may do whatever He commands it on the face of the inhabited earth. 

"'Whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen.'" Job 37:1-13

"Whether it is trivial or traumatic, we tend to think of the expressions of nature as 'just happening' and ourselves as the 'unlucky' victims of whatever nature brings forth.

"In practice, even Christians tend to live and think like the deist -- who conceives of God as the One who created the universe and then walked away to leave it running according to its own natural laws."*

When we experience or witness or watch the news report horrible weather "disasters" we must be careful, because God's sovereignty covers all.  Faith allows us to know this, as trust gives us rest in the midst of any storm.

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!  And 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's blood pressure continues to be out of control, and his pain is returning.  Please pray the Lord quiets his heart and gives him strength to endure this.  Most of all give his doctors insight and sensitivity.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:  Please pray for Chester as he continues to struggle through a host of medical challenges and poor care.  Give him energy, strength and resolve.  Bettina needs our prayers to give her strength and wisdom. 

Hans needs employment where he can make an honourable contribution and has applied for a role in a nearby town that could be a healthy step up for him, where he can use his skills.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Elina has had two wonderful job interviews and thanks everyone for their prayers so far for her as she searches for work. 

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. 

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.  Paul NS had two special second interviews last week.  At one, the people were not ready and at the other, his sponsor resigned, pray God will grant him clarity, wisdom, hope and a victory.

Deepak needs prayer that his work efforts begin to bear fruit as he works through the grief of his father passing.  He needs strength and resolve to make wise decisions.

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:  Pray for revival in the USA to continue.   Pray for Birgit who is in Germany.  Please pray for the many individuals in Singapore, China and 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.