Wandering Sheep

"How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.  How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.  They also do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways. 

"Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, that we should keep them diligently.  Oh, that my ways may be established to keep Thy statutes!  Then I shall not be ashamed when I look upon all Thy commandments.  I shall give thanks to Thee with uprightness of heart, when I learn Thy righteous judgments." Psalm 119:1-7

"Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.  But He was pierced through for our transgressions. 

"He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being, fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.  All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him." Isaiah 53:1-7

"The purpose of God's discipline is not to punish us but to transform us.  He has already meted out punishment for our sins on Jesus at Calvary. -- But we must be transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ.  That is the purpose of discipline."*

Like sheep we wander around for the best bushes to eat, the coolest shade to relax in, the warmest corner of the place to avoid the cold.  As we wander we are so very often lost and in danger and in trouble for our own decisions.  Yet God uses all to bring us more into the image of His beloved Son, Jesus; which WILL bring Him glory!  Enjoy your weekend friends and keep praying.

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:  The Philippines is picking up the pieces after another Typhoon.  Please pray for Isaias and his family as they help others recover.

UPDATE ON ISAIAS' FATHER:  84 years old will be going back into hospital 16 July.  Please pray for his family as they wait upon the Lord.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:  Rachel wrote: that her son, Scott just lost his job.  He is recently divorced, with two children and dealing with all that entails. Please  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.

UPDATE from Elaine and Jim : "Just want to thank you for remembering us (new ministry in Hong Kong).  We surely appreciate prayers for God's leading and protection.  It's no surprise that the enemy doesn't like what we are doing, so it shouldn't be a surprise for us to be battling spiritual warfare, but we need God's loving protection to handle all."

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Baby Saige:  She is home now and no longer on oxygen.  13 yr. old, Heath Harris, is now at home recovering.  Thank you for praying!

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.)    

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!

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.