How Wise!?

"Praise the Lord!  For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and praise is becoming.  The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. 

"He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.  He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them.  Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite." Psalm 147:1-5

"Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and unfaithomable His ways!  For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counsellor? 

"Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again?  For from Him and through Him, and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:33-36

"God does not make any mistakes in our lives. --Wisdom is commonly defined as good judgment. -- Nineteenth-century theologian J.L. Dagg described wisdom 'as consisting in the selection of the best end of action, and the adoption of the best means for accomplishing of this end."*

We sometimes think limiting God to our imagination -- bringing Him down to our size makes it easier - because how COULD He understand us!? 

Once upon a time, God made a choice to sacrifice His only, beloved Son Jesus Christ, so we could make our choice for or against Him.  Only in this unique way can we have the unique intimacy we enjoy.  His wisdom embraces our heartache and blisters, our fears and failures...because Jesus KNOWS!

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: 

UPDATE ON ISAIAS' FATHER:  "My Dad (84 YEARS OLF) is a bit OK for now. Please pray as he will be back in the hospital on July 16. He has some disorientation, lost a lot of weight.  Feet and other body parts are still swollen due to kidney problem. Please continue to pray with us. We all (his children) decided to let him go, but still we have to wait upon the Lord. Thank you for praying."

UPDATE ON HEATH:  13 yr. old, Heath Harris, recovering in hospital from delayed diagnosis of bacterial meningitis streptococcus intermedius (extremely serious).  They have now removed the 12 lesions on his brain, a lump on his spine and a walnut-sized lump behind his heart.  He will be going home soon.  Thank you for praying!  Here is Heath after his surgeries:

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:  Rachel writes:  "Scott our son, just lost his job today.  Please ask everyone to pray for a good job for him.  He is recently divorced and dealing with that and has 2 small children.  Thanks, I am in shock.  God Listens, I know that so please ask people to pray for a GOOD JOB that will work for him."

My brother has asked us to remember:  Dale, a life-long friend, suspected of having esophageal cancer - had tests in hospital on last Monday.  No results yet.  And Sue, the wife of another of his friend's (Bucky) has had cancer surgery.  They are hoping they got it all.

Carla has asked us to pray for:  Tanya who has lost her senior role.  Please give her grace through this time and trust, to know God has things firmly in His hands.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  UPDATE Baby Saige:  Her Grandmother writes that she is growing stronger and:  "I would ask that you SPECIFICALLY PRAY THAT SHE IS ABLE TO COME HOME WITHOUT OXYGEN." (See pictures on blog site - You have to wonder at this smile...warning you may cry with joy)

David R (losing his eyesight due to macular degeneration).  He and his daughter Heidi are finally in their new place.  David seems to be doing alright.  Pray the Lord continues to protect him during this time of change and adjustment.  (I hope to go home to see him before he can no longer see me.)    

Jen has found a new puppy and is delighted.  Thank you so much for your prayers for this amazing woman! 

Sergio has found a wonderful new role (lives in Mexico City) and thanks everyone for praying for him.

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%." 

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. 

Pray the Lord quiets Adrian's heart, gives him insight, peace and warmer weather.  Give his doctors wisdom and compassion.

For Audley and Beverly’s situation and his return to the ministry.  For Nancy who continues to grow stronger after her life-threatening head injury a few years ago, and for Fred as he cares for her. 

Please pray for Maedhros, who is having a serious operation soon.  Pray for BG that his blinding headaches will finally stop.

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. 

Pray for Raven as she regains her strength from the cancer treatments. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Paul NS continues to struggle in finding work, has an interview today.  He grows weary and discouraged and has spent the entire last couple of weeks having tests in the hospital.  Pray God will grant him patience and hope and that the doctor he visited yesterday will give him peace of mind.

Hans:  Pray he will find a good job soon.

Please pray for Michael, a man who is humble and without a home or a job who needs a chance to get his life back to normal. 

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.

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.