Circumstantial Perspective

"Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness.  Surely my soul remembers.  And is bowed down within me.  This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.

"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  They are new EVERY morning; great is Thy faithfulness. 

"'The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I have hope in Him.'  The Lord is good to those who wait for Him." Lamentations 3:19-25

"We must see our circumstances through God's love instead of, as we are prone to do, seeing God's love through our circumstances."*

We can remember Jesus walking on the water to the boat filled with confused and hopeful disciples....and Peter seeking to be nearer his Lord stepping out of the boat.  He was just fine as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus...but the moment he took time to consider the dire circumstances of the raging waves around him he began to sink.  But Jesus was there. 

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:   For the family and friends of James Foley, so brutally slain in Syria and for the situation developing around this.

For those trying to stem the devastation of Ebola in Africa.

Patti's beloved husband, John who just had a stroke is home now and starting rehab to heal him read and see more clearly again -- the family needs prayers during this time, especially Patti.

For those touched and confused by the suicide of Robin Williams, especially his family.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:  A dear friend, Jen, has fallen and needs to regain her strength.  For Louise for healing in their family.

For 29 year old Sara - for strengthening and revival of heart and her brother who needs God's wisdom for a business-related matter.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Pray for David R as he manages his macular degeneration and praise the Lord for the installation of his wheelchair ramp on his birthday.

Carla (and Paul, David and Matthew) has been hired by a group in New York and will be moving there in September.  Please pray for everything to go smoothly for them and that they will be happy in their new environment.

Update on 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%.  There has been little progress with her yet, a very difficult loss for her, to be sure." 

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 as he struggles with pain.   His battle with cancer continues.  Give his doctors wisdom and compassion.

UPDATE ON ISAIAS' FATHER:  Isaias father is still struggling physically.  The family is there with him now as Isaias must go on the road to minister to others.  Please pray Isaias can return soon to be with his father.

Pray for someone suspected of having esophageal cancer - had tests in hospital recently.  No results yet.  And another who has cancer surgery.  They are hoping they got it all.

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.  He grows weary and discouraged.  Pray God will grant him patience and hope and a job so his health will also improve.

Hans:  Pray he will find a good job soon.

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.

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!

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."

Those dealing with the Malasian Airlines flight shot down.  That the world remains calm and take time to sort this out and come to a peaceful resolution.  That right may prevail and all the families who lost loved ones will find comfort over time.

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.