Whose Responsibility IS It?

"Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning.  Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the time appropriate time -- for strength, and not for drunkenness. 

"Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks.  Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything." Ecclesiastes 10:18

"The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing." Proverbs 20:4

"At the same time we are responsible.  The Bible never allows us to USE our utter dependence on God as an EXCUSE for indolence."*

"'Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened.'" Matthew 7:7-8

We are dependent on the Lord Jesus Christ.  He asks us to pray and go, to seek and knock to find and open.  We are to take action in prayer and deed.  Sometimes we wait...our dependence is upon Him, yet He has given us the abilities and gifts and skills and strength to be His hands and feet in a world so lost. 

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:  Isaias has written:  "I would like to solicit your prayers in behalf of my Dad, 84 years old, who is ailing and suffering from pain.  He stays at home waiting for God's intervention. Please pray with us that God will take him home without suffering terribly. Our only sister Tita is the one nursing him with some assistance from my brothers."

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:  from Patti:  "13 yr. old, Heath Harris, in Akron Children's Hospital with bacterial meningitis streptococcus intermedius (extremely serious). He wasn't correctly diagnosed until June 22, but has had symptoms since June 8! Five different times the Dr. diagnosed him with just a virus, but finally when he couldn't walk, a different ER Dr. did tests and a spinal tap and found it was bacterial meningitis and sent him to Akron.

"They found 12 lesions on his brain, a lump on his spine. At some point, he was sent home on IV antibiotics.  He has undergone one surgery on his spine, and recently through a chest X-ray, they discovered a walnut-sized lump behind his heart, so his will have another surgery tomorrow, July 4th at 9 AM! 

"Heath trusts Jesus, as well. His grandma knows it is in the Lord's hands, and prayed for a miracle, but doesn't think that may be God's Will. I think it can still happen! Please pray for all involved. Thanks so much!!

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:  When it rains it pours, Scott our son, who is on the prayer list, 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.

David R losing his eyesight due to macular degeneration.  He and his daughter Heidi are moving this week and the stress is mounting for David.  Pray the Lord protects him during this time of change and adjustment.  I hope to go home to see him before he can no longer see me.    

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  UPDATE: After successful open heart surgery there were complications with Baby Saige. They took her back in and found a large clot in her lungs, removed it and her lung has now inflated.  No other news yet.  Surgery was on Monday  You have to wonder at this smile...warning you may cry with joy:

Hans was baptised and it was a most delightful and thank-filled ceremony of the state of his heart today!  Pray he will find a good job soon.

The Lord has just provided Adrian with a week of peace, to relax without distractions.  Pray the Lord quiets his heart, gives him insight, peace and warmer weather.  Give his doctors wisdom and compassion.

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. 

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. 

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.  He grows weary and discouraged.  Pray God will grant him patience and hope and that the doctor he visited yesterday will give him peace of mind.

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.