Can YOU Trust God?

"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." II Corinthians 3:18

"As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ." Ephesians 4:14-15

"Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil-desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.  For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

"But now you also put them all aside:  anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him -" Colossians 3:5-10

"Can YOU trust God?  Is your total relationship with God one on which you can build a bulwark of trust against the attacks of adversity?  You cannot trust God in isolation from all other areas of your life.  To grow in your ability to trust God in times of adversity, you must first lay a solid foundation of a daily personal relationship with Him.  Only as YOU know Him intimately and seek to obey Him completely, will you be able to establish a trust relationship with God."*

                             
 Jerry Bridges' one favourite book to leave behind.

Jerry Bridges has many wonderful and through-provoking books, but Trusting God is his nominated favourite.  I know it is mine for many reasons.  I hope you enjoyed this series and are ready for the next one!

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who prays for you each morning, Darlene

PLEASE NOTE PRAYER UPDATES! AND THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFUL TO PRAY AND TO KEEP ME UPDATED ON GOD'S PROGRESS!  And for any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

SOMETHING NEW FOR PRAYER WARRIORS:  Elaine and Jim started a new ministry in Hong Kong and have some great news for those with a gift and heart for prayer:  An online church with a Prayer Room.  New visitors need to register for a login and password and will receive an email confirmation.  The room is open 27/7.  Go here to learn more:  https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray for those affected by the Air Asia Airlines that crashed.  Pray for those in the Norman-Atlantic ferry disaster.  Pray for those in the Philippines affected once again by the flooding.  Pray for all those who have no place to lay their heads, during this season of celebration -- the many shadow, street people around the world.

Pray for Adrian.  He is recovering from more cancer treatments over the holidays.  Pray for Phil (the man who has let Adrian stay in his home) that he has understanding, empathy, compassion and gentleness.

For the family and friends of the police officers in NYC who were so callously slain, for the people of the city and the nation that something good will result from another tragedy.

In the aftermath of the siege in Sydney:  Please pray for the individuals who went through this ordeal and for their families and friends and all the police officers and pray for Australia that this does not become something we must get used to!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:   For the many individuals in Germany fighting for a new freedom.  Help the demonstrations remain peaceful and safe.  Pray for those in Russia, who are trying to demonstrate as their nation plunges into despair once more.

Bubonic and pneumonic plague has broken out 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, true Christian revival and a return to founding values in the USA.

ONGOING PRAYERS:  Isaias & Judith need our continued prayers for protection and good health.  They lead the efforts of Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines.  With the many typhoons and floods their financial needs continue to grow as they work in the fields training up labourers for Christ.  Please consider contributing...just click on Ambassadors for Christ link above. 

Buddy and Susan Smith and Kevin and Sandy Currell - ministers of grace and salvation in Australia.

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.  Pray for Patty and Doris (who just had her 96th birthday.  She was like a second Mom to me)

No word yet on the small project for me, but three reasonably good prospects that will have to wait till after the New Year..

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!

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.