Cure for Rejection

[Jesus sharing] "'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 would be saved through Him. 

"'He who believes in Him 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

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love, with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is THE gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 3:4-10

"Rejections are like speed bumps on the road.  They come with the journey.  Tacky purse peddlers populate the world.  You're going to get cut, dished, dropped, and kicked around.  You cannot keep people from rejecting you.  But you can keep rejections from enraging you.  How?  By letting His acceptance compensate for their rejection."*

Read those two passages again...slowly this time.  Better yet, either print out this page and take it off some place private and/ or read this out loud where you are reading it now. 

Think about every word -- so carefully chosen by our loving Father --.just for you.  That IS the cure for your feelings of rejection!

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS?

• ·        Adrian - the new pain in Adrian's body is growing again and he needs a special procedure to diagnose the cause.  Please pray the hospital will find a time for him.  Pray God protects him and continues to give him strength.
• ·        This is day 60 for Chris being in ICU.  Still no heart available that matches his requirements for transplant.  He is early 40's. Has a lot of living still in front of him.  GOD WILLING. Please also pray for the family of the person Chris does eventually get a heart from. As they will lose someone.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Hans has had some supportive and helpful meetings recently where the Lord is blessing him with wise and compassionate who are giving him practical advice to sustain him for now and to give him hope for his future.
• ·        Secret Angel - please pray for the compassionate ones who have volunteered to help Adrian in practical ways.
• ·        Phil - the man who has let Adrian stay in his home has been responding to your prayers and showing more kindness to Adrian!  Pray he will completely forgive Adrian his debt.
• ·        My project has been extended through August.  Thank you for praying.  Perhaps His timing holds some surprises for my next project.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        For Gemma - wisdom.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• ·        That the Lord's hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read these devotions.  That His mighty works will be worked out in each life for His purposes and glory in surprising and wonderful ways!
• ·        For Christ-centred, Bible-based revival in the USA and religious freedom for Christians wherever they may be.
• ·        Pray for the many individuals in Singapore, China, Russia, India and Alaska who are regularly reading the WeakDay Devotion on-line.  The blog seems to be gathering an audience in unexpected and mysterious geographic locations.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        My brother, Tim, with COPD (Cardio-Obstructive Pulmonary Artery Disease), that he has patience and wisdom to help him manage his health and the limitations to his breathing. 
• ·        David R as he manages his macular degeneration and a host of other health challenges and for Heidi, his daughter who cares for him.
• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) for help with their situation and his return to the ministry.
• ·        BG that his blinding headaches will finally stop.
• ·        Adrian asks:  Pray for his friend, Chester with pancreatic cancer that the Lord gives him energy, strength and resolve as he deals with a worldly system that continues to abuse him.  And that someone will come to share Christ with him soon.

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.  He is a young Christian man who is in West Germany.
• ·        Paul NS still has no word about the possible position with the organisation in India (offices in Sydney).  He has not had work since 2012 and would appreciate your prayers
• ·        Elina got the law internship she dreamed of and asks us to pray the Lord allows her to stay there after she passes the bar in February.  Also pray that her sadness and confusion over a matter of the heart is healed in good time.
• ·        Pray for TF and his wife, Christine, that she finds a job that brings her joy and a sense of accomplishment.
• ·        Deepak needs to have his tireless work efforts bear fruit as he continues to develop his business. 

SOMETHING NEW FOR PRAYER WARRIORS

Elaine and Jim, wonderful friends of mine in Hong Kong have begun an online church there with a special prayer room that is open 24/7.  There are a small army of dedicated prayer warriors waiting to pray with you.  Please pray for them and go here to learn more:  Https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room

ONGOING PRAYER

• ·        For Fred and his family as he recovers from the loss of his wife.  Please pray for the intimate comfort of the Lord for them as they walk through this difficult time.
• ·        Shan needs clarity of purpose and direction for his ministry and his choice and timing of life partner.
• ·        Wezley is an 18-year old who has lost her direction and her way.  Pray the Lord seizes her heart and that she realises His love soon.
• ·        God has provided Adrian a room in Phil's home.  Yet, Phil is quite chaotic.  Pray the Lord will establish and maintain peace between these two men and that the Lord will give Phil more understanding, patience, empathy, compassion and gentleness with Adrian.
• ·        Fion as he supports his ageing parents and manages a heavy load of personal challenges.
• ·        Bettina for additional strength and wisdom.
• ·        Pray for travelling mercies for DB in China.

FOR THOSE IN FULL TIME SERVICE

• ·        Stu and Jo and their grown children, Laura and Jason - a family serving in full-time ministry in New Zealand.  Keep them strong, healthy and resolute. 
• ·        Isaias and Judith are back in the field again training up leaders for the Lord  Pray He continues to keep them strong and safe and that they find balance.  They give so much to so many for so little.  Take a moment to learn more about their tireless ministry:  Go to:  http://www.afciworld.org  Look for "Nations" then click "Philippines".
• ·        Buddy and Susan Smith and Kevin and Sandy Currell need your prayers for their ministries in Australia.
• ·        Yangrae and the Uniting Church he shepherds in Australia, that he and his family will have the energy, strength and good health to feed the flock He has entrusted to Yangrae.
• ·        The Catholic Church and the new Pope need your prayers that he will always put Jesus first in all his decisions.

ADDITIONAL PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        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 and encouragement over many years.

*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 (repackaged).  I encourage you to secure a copy and follow along.  I quote carefully and respectfully from his wonderful book.  Pray for Mr. Lucado and I thank my brother for recommending it.