Anger Limits

"Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry?  And why has your countenance fallen?  If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?  And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.' 

"And Cain told Able his brother.  And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Able his brother and killed him.

"Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Where is Abel your brother?'  And he said, 'I do not know.  Am I my brother's keeper?'" Genesis 4:6-9

"God will load your world with flowers.  He hand-delivers a bouquet to your door every day.  Open it!  Take them!  Then, when rejections come, you won't be left short-petaled.

"Anger in and of itself is not a sin.  The emotion was God's idea.  'Be angry,' He urges, 'and do not sin' (Ephesians 4:26)....Anger is not a sin, but it can lead to sin."

We must strive to remember the flower petals He strews our live with and consider carefully the limits of our anger.  Originally, jealousy led slowly to anger, anger rage, anger to deceit.  Anger pulls us off balance if we let it.

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS

• Adrian- I spoke with him several times yesterday. He is losing control of his limbs now for some reason and is trying to stay positive. Hopefully he will be able to visit the hospital today. It is 15 miles away and he has many challenges travelling there.  No news about the tumour they found near his ear.  He is growing tired yet he is still praising the Lord and thankful for your prayers.  No news yet on his condition.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        Rachael asks:  Please pray for Chris, who is on the wait list for a heart transplant - that if it is God's will for him to get one that the surgery is successful and that he fully recovers.
• ·        My brother, Tim with COPD (Cardio-Obstructive Pulmonary Artery Disease), that He has patience and wisdom to manage his health and the limitations to his breathing.  He has had three upper respiratory infections in the past months and did not get his flu shot this year.
• ·        David R - as he manages his macular degeneration and a host f other health challenges and for Heidi who cares for him.
• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke) for their situation and his return to the ministry.
• ·        Nancy has reached a plateau in her efforts for full recovery from a life-threatening head injury.  Pray she and Fred will be at peace and take some time to be grateful and stop striving for more from her.
• ·        BG that is blinding headaches will finally stop.
• ·        Chester as he continues to struggle through a host of very serious 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.  And bring someone to him to share Christ's decision for him.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING JOB-RELATED CHALLENGES

• ·        Hans - needs wisdom, confidence and courage to guide him during this time, some emergency funds and a suitable job.
• ·        Elina - no word yet on results of her graduate program interview.  She says she is grateful for your prayers.
• ·        Deepak - that his work efforts begin to bear fruit as he works to make his business more profitable.
• ·        Paul NS - has another job interview today.  Thank you for praying.  He has not had work since 2012.

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 24/7 and there is an army of prayers waiting to serve.  Go here and learn more:  https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room

ONGOING PRAYERS

• ·        Shan - Needs clarity of purpose and direction for his ministry and for his choice of life partner.
• ·        Wezley an 18 year old who has lost her direction and way, that she will find the Lord in her life.
• ·        Phil (the man who has let Adrian stay in his home) for understanding, patience, empathy, compassion and gentleness.
• ·        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 personal challenges
• ·        Bettina for additional strength and wisdom.
• ·        Isaias and Judith (in Philippines) were called to train other Christian lay leaders and they work tirelessly in challenging conditions.  Please keep them in your prayers as they plan the future of the ministry.  Perhaps you would like to learn more about his work there:  search Ambassadors for Christ and look for Isaias Catorce.
• ·        Yangrae and the Uniting Church he shepherds, that he and his family will have the energy and good health to feed the flock he has been entrusted with.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• ·        For Christ-centred, Bible-based revival in the USA and religious freedom for Christians.
• ·        For the many individuals in Singapore, China, Russia and India who read the WeakDay Devotion.  (it seems to be gathering an audience in unexpected geographic locations).
• ·        The Catholic Church and the new Pope that he will always put Jesus first.
• ·        Those around the world being affected by the radical Islamic groups, especially ISIS and Boko Haram.
• ·        Those in Europe who are migrating to other lands to escape wars and devastation, especially those headed for Italy now.
• ·        Those in Kenya who have lost loved ones in the senseless attack on an university there.  As many as 147 may be dead and the ongoing clashes.
• ·        Families grieving for the loss of their loved ones from the plane crash of the Germanwing plane that killed 150 people.
• ·        Those in Vanuatu - The cyclone was described as apocalyptic.
• ·        Growing tensions in the Middle East, especially right now in Yemen.

ADDITIONAL PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        That the Lord's hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read these devotions.  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.
• ·        Linda and Ian, Rob and his daughter, Reg, Annette and Lyle, Carla and Paul, Jeff and Rachael and their wonderful families.  Thanksgiving for their practical support over the years.