Why Don't You.....

"'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. 

"''He who believes in His is not judged, he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."  John 3:16-18

"And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

"He knows everything about you, yet He doesn't hold back His kindness toward you.  Has He, knowing all your secrets retracted one promise or reclaimed one gift? 

"No, He is kind to you.  Why don't you be kind to yourself?  He forgives your faults.  Why don't you do the same?  He thinks tomorrow is worth living.  Why don't you agree?  He believes in you enough to call you His ambassador, His follower, even His child.  Why not take His cue and believe in yourself?"*

Zig Ziglar, a speaker for Christ, once said, When you point at others, there are three fingers pointing back at you.  He was speaking of the times we blame or criticise others. 

When you think about it, we use that same finger to point to others and compare ourselves with them.  When we start thinking others are better, more loveable and worthy of God's love, that is the time to remember:  "God don't make no junk!" 

He knows exactly who you are and exactly what you have done; even what you have thought about doing.  Yet, He sent His beloved, only Son, to die for you, so that you might live for 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

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

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS  

ONGOING PRAYERS

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

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

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

·        Bettina to give her strength and wisdom. 

·        Isaias & Judith (in Philippines) were called to train other Christian lay leaders and they work tirelessly in challenging conditions.  Please keep them in your prayers.  Perhaps you would like to learn more about his work there:  Ambassadors for Christ --look for Isaias Catorce.

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

·        Adrian spoke with him a few times over the weekend.  It seems once the swelling went down, the pain is not much improved in his cervical spine (neck).  He is returning to the doctor for more help with the pain on Monday.  They were to schedule a similar procedure on his lumbar spine.  He does not have a prognosis yet.  He remains thankful and hopeful in His Lord Jesus.  Thank you so much for praying for this sweet man.

·        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.  It is open 27/7 and there is an army or prayers waiting to serve in prayer.  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.