Introduction to 6 Trust Steps

"But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.  The other disciples therefore were saying to him, 'We have seen the Lord!' 

"But he said to them, 'Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of then nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.'

"And after eight days again His disciples were inside, and Thomas with them.  Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst, and said, 'Peace be with you.'

"Then He said to Thomas, 'Reach here your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand, and put it into My side; and be not unbelieving, but believing.'

"Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!'  Jesus said to him, 'Because you have seen Me, have you believed?  Blessed are they who do not see, and yet believe.'" John 20:25-29

"Because God is sovereign, wise and good, we CAN trust Him.  If we are to honour Him in our times of adversity, we MUST trust Him.  In our trusting God, there is more at stake than experiencing peace in the midst of difficulties or even deliverance from them. 

"The honour of God should be our chief concern.  Therefore, our primary response to the trustworthiness of God should be, 'I will trust God.'"*

In the coming weeks we will look at the six tangible evidences we can assure ourselves with that ensures we ARE, in fact, trusting our Heavenly Father.

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

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  For the Philippines:   Typhoon Hagupit has torn apart homes and dumped fierce rains across the eastern Philippines, killing at least two people while creating more misery for millions after a barrage of deadly disasters.  Click here to see more.   - pray for Isaias and his family and ministry there.

Pray for the man who has opened his home to Adrian that his heart would soften toward Adrian.  Adrian's pain and the damage from the cancer in his spine is causing increasing pain. 

Give his doctors wisdom and compassion and him lots of patience.  Please pray for the little walks he takes each day with his beloved pet, Toby, that they are always inspiring and most of all safe as Adrian is very frail now.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:   There is a bubonic and pneumonic plague outbreak on the island of Madagascar.  Last stats 40 dead, 119 confirmed cases.  The last previously known outbreak of the plague was in Peru in August 2010, according to the WHO.

For those trying to stem the devastation of Ebola in West Africa (Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Mali) and in other countries, as the disease spreads for many reasons:  missed "hazardous pay" for workers, fear, lack of education and hygiene.  As of yesterday there were over 7,000 deaths from Ebola.  570 healthcare workers have been affected and of those, 324 have died.

Also, for those in Europe gearing up to fight a new strain of Bird Flu.

For the situation developing in Israel and for the devastation and death being caused by the group called ISIS or IS.

For those in Hawaii dealing with a volcanic eruption and the lava flow.

Pray for calm and a return to founding values in the USA.

Isaias & Judith need our continued prayers for protection and good health.  They have asked us to pray for the wife of one of their co-workers in the field, Edna, in hospital recovering from a high blood sugar count.  Isaias and Judith 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. 

Please pray for Chester as he continues to struggle through a host of medical challenges and poor care with dwindling funds and few friends to help.  Give him energy, strength and resolve as he deals with a worldly system that has abused him. 

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Nancy, a friend of Hans, had surgery last week and although they did not find cancer, they will still have to perform surgery.  She does not know the Lord, yet.

Please pray for Hans who has just found some work to help him through his challenging times and pray his walk and witness continues to strengthen in his new life with Christ.

Jeff (cataract surgery) is able to see again -- keep praying for him and Rachael, his beloved wife. 

Patti's dear husband, John continues to make progress after his stroke. 

No word yet on the small project for me.

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 for David R as he manages his macular degeneration. 

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. 

Pray for BG that his blinding headaches will finally stop.  Pray for Fion as he supports his ageing parents and manages a heavy load of challenges.

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:  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.

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.

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, needs the watchful care of the Lord in her life.  For Louise for healing in their family.

For Linda and Ian.  For Rob and his daughter.  For Reg.  Pray for Annette and Lyle and their wonderful family.  

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, Russia and India who read the WeakDay Devotion.  (This year the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people in these countries!  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.