How Long Will I Live? (Part 1)

"For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb.  I will give thanks to Thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well. 

"My frame was not hidden from Thee when I was made in secret, and skilfully wrought in the depths of the earth.  Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy books they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them." Psalm 139:13-16

"My times are in Thy hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.  Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; save me in Thy lovingkindness." Psalm 31:15

"God not only created us as He intended us to be, He also sovereignly determines how long we live.  This in itself is a glorious truth.  Along with David, our times are in His hands.  As one line from a song says, 'Till He bid, I cannot die.'"*

A secret in most, if not all, hearts, is to know the answer to the title question:  How long will I live?  Sometimes it is because we are burdened and hope we can be released soon and sometimes it is because we are so blessed we never want our time to end.  But this is only half of this principle...tomorrow the other part.

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:   Please pray for Jeff (and Rachael), who was the most amazing leader I've ever followed and learned from.  He has just had cataract surgery and it does not YET seem to have worked - UPDATE:  they will perform the surgery a second time now - keep praying.

For those trying to stem the devastation of Ebola in Africa and the disease spreads because of fear and lack of education and hygiene.

For the situation developing in the world today around the group called ISIS or IS.

UPDATE:  Patti's beloved husband, John in rehabilitation after a stroke is growing better with recovering his reading skills.  It will take so much patience for them both. 

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:   My project seems to be coming to an end the middle of October, please pray I find a new one quickly.   For Iain Barclay and his ministry, that the Lord would encourage him in his work.  For Sue-Anne as she takes new responsibilities in her church.  A dear friend, Jen, has fallen and needs to regain her strength.  For Louise for healing in their family.

UPDATE:  For 29 year old Sara - that she goes home to the care of her parents while she is so unwell. and for her brother who needs God's wisdom for a business-related matter.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Carla is now safely in New York City.

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

Paul, David and Matthew will be managing alone till the end of the year, pray for patience and awareness and gratefulness as they miss Carla.

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 continues to struggles with pain.   His battle with cancer continues.  Give his doctors wisdom and compassion and him lots of patience.

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:  Hans:  Pray he will find a good job soon.  Pray for Paul N-S - as he continues his search for work.

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 is on the road travelling, promoting his business.

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 starting a new ministry in Hong Kong - that the Lord will strengthen their resolve and their hands.

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.