"Now I want you to
know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress
of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well
known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most
of my brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more
courage to speak the word of God without fear.
"Some to be sure, are
preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the
latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defence of the
gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from
pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then?
Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is
proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice." Philippians
1:14-17
"Above all else, our response to adversity should be to
seek God's glory. 'Nothing can be more
consoling to the man of God, than the conviction that the Lord who made the
world governs the world; and that every event, great and small, prosperous and
adverse, is under the absolute disposal of Him who doth all things well, and
who regulates all things for the good of His people...
"'The Christian will be confident and courageous in duty,
in proportion as he views God in His Providence as ruling in the midst of his
enemies; and acting for the good, of His people, as well as for His own glory,
even in the persecution of the Gospel.' [quotation from Alexander Carson, The
History of Providence, pages 168-169.]"*
As we end the year and begin another, this series on Trusting
God, honouring a great writer and teacher, Jerry Bridges is also coming to an
end. We will start something new next
week, dedicated to my dear little brother!
I hope you will join me for another year and thank you so much
for your prayers for me and the encouraging support you have provided for me
this year.
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.
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