Not More on Patience!

"Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?  Up to seven times?'  Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 

"'For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a certain king who wishes to settle accounts with his slaves.  And when he had begun to settle them, there was brought to him one who owed him then thousand talents. 

"But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.

"'The slave therefore falling down, prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will repay you everything.  And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.'"  Matthew 18:21-26-

"Patience isn't naive.  It doesn't ignore misbehaviour.  It just keeps the flame low.  It waits.  It listens.  It's slow to boil.  This is how God treats us.  And, according to Jesus, this is how we should treat others."*

We all know the story [and if you would like to refresh your memory, take a moment now to grab your Bible and read these verses in context.  God can be so very patient with us...something difficult for us to understand in "the real world". 

Instead of becoming frustrated, His patience should strengthen our resolve to be imitators of Christ until our hearts follow our actions and we grow more into the image of our Saviour! 

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:  

·        Isaias & Judith (missionaries in Philippines).  Isaias' father passed away and the funeral will be only 60 miles from dangerous conflict and extremism.  Please pray for their hearts and for safety of the family.  You may even feel led to make a donation to their ministry:  Ambassadors for Christ --look for Isaias Catorce.

·        Adrian who was once a tri-athlete with a full life, has been in and out of hospital many times since Christmas.  After a full bone scan they discovered additional serious issues with deteriorating vertebrae in his neck and lumbar region from the cancer. 

On 2 February he will be hospitalised again to undergo a serious procedure to establish the ongoing effect on his spinal nerves and a prognosis.  In the meantime, his pain is so serious he is unable to care for himself adequately, but has no one to help him through this. 

Please pray for the constant care of the Lord to help him through this difficult time.  Do not grow weary in your prayers for him.  You do make a difference!

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: 

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

·        A new border has been found for here and I have a second meeting on 3 February about the new project, increasing the potential for my involvement in it.  Thank you for praying.

Greta - niece of Hans is recovering and home from being bitten by the family pet dog.  

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS  

·     ·        Hans - needs wisdom and courage to guide him during this time, some emergency funds and a reasonable job.

ONGOING PRAYERS

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

·        Fion as he supports his ageing parents and manages a heavy load of challenges. 

·        Bettina to give her strength and wisdom. 

WIDE PRAYER ISSUES

·        Pray for calm, true Christian revival and a return to founding values in the USA.

·        France - the aftermath of a world-stopping tragedy. 

·        For the tragedy unfolding in Niger and other nations where thousands are being killed regularly by Islamic radicalists.  For those in Nigeria as Boko Haram (which means Western education is forbidden) stomps into new areas.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS

·        Phil (the man who has let Adrian stay in his home) for understanding, empathy, compassion and gentleness.

·        My brother, Tim with COPD (cardio-pulmonary artery disease), that he has patience and wisdom to manage his health and the limitations to his breathing and to cope with the limitations. 

·        David R as he manages his macular degeneration and a host of other health challenges. 

·        Audley's and Beverly's (stroke) situation and his return to the ministry. 

·        Nancy  who continues to grow stronger after her life-threatening head injury and for Fred as he cares for her. 

·        BG that his blinding headaches will finally stop. 

·        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. 

·        Those affected by the first outbreak of Bubonic and pneumonic plague since August 2010, on the island of Madagascar.  Last stats 40 dead, 119 confirmed cases. 

·        Those affected and those working to stem the devastation of Ebola in West Africa (Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Mali) and in other countries, as the disease continues to spread.  As of yesterday there were over 7,000 deaths from Ebola.  570 healthcare workers have been affected and of those, 324 have died.

·        Those in Europe gearing up to fight a new strain of Bird Flu.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING JOB RELATED CHALLENGES

·        Paul N-S - as he continues his search for work. 

·        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 - that his work efforts begin to bear fruit as he is on the road travelling, promoting his business.

·        Me - One of the proposals has now been put on hold.  Need a new project.  Had a meeting yesterday that went well.  Thanks for praying.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS

·        That 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!

·        Jen, needs the watchful care of the Lord in her life. 

·        Louise who we have been praying for for awhile is growing stronger and thanks you all for praying.

·        Linda and Ian.  Rob and his daughter.  Reg.  Annette and Lyle and their wonderful family.  Thanksgiving for their practical support over the years.  

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  

·        For revival in the USA to continue.   

·        Birgit who is in Germany. 

·        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!) 

·        The Catholic Church and that the new Pope will always put Jesus first.  

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

*A Love Worth Giving is copyright protected since 2002 by Max Lucado.  .  All rights are reserved, including translations.  The ISBN is 978-0-8499-4831-2 (repackage).  I encourage you to secure a copy and follow along.  I quote carefully and respectfully from his wonderful book.