Surrendering Burdens

"And they refused to listen, and did not remember Thy wondrous deeds which Thou hadst performed among them; so they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt, but Thou art a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; and Thou didst not forsake them." Nehemiah 9:17

"Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise Thee." Psalm 63:3

"But when the kindness of God our Saviour and his love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit." Titus 3:4-5

[Jesus speaking] "'Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls  For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.'" Matthew 11:28-30

"Farmers in ancient Israel used to train an inexperienced ox by yoking it to an experienced one with a wooden harness.  The straps around the older animal were tightly drawn.  He carried the load.  but the yoke around the younger animal was loose.  He walked alongside the more mature ox, but his burden was light.  In this verse Jesus is saying, 'I walk alongside you.  We are yoked together.  But I pull the weight and carry the burden.'"*

When you feel burdened down, it is because you have taken the burden from the arms of Jesus, instead of placing and leaving it at the foot of the Cross.  Jesus intends to carry every one of your burdens, but He will not take them from you.  You must surrender them all to Him!

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:  

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

·        Adrian sent me a brief text Tuesday late.  They kept him in hospital after the procedure, but home now.  Exhausted and as always hopeful in His Lord Jesus.  As I hear more I will share it.  Thank you so much for praying for this sweet man.

·        Isaias & Judith (missionaries in Philippines).  The funeral of Isaias' father has been conducted safely and peacefully.  He thanks you for your prayers.  Their ministry is very hard in a difficult country.  Perhaps you would like to learn more about his work there:  Ambassadors for Christ --look for Isaias Catorce.

·        Greta - niece of Hans is home now and her hand is healing after the surgery.  The family pet dog that bit her is quite old and had a "senior moment". 

·        Me - project will be mine, with a delay of two to three weeks. It is anticipated to last, at least, through 2017.   Thank you for praying.

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.

·        Jordan - wisdom in 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.

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.

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 a while is growing stronger and thanks you all for praying.

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

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  

·        For Christ-centred 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.  (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.