The Great Mystery

"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; neither is He served by human hands as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things; 

"and He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him, and find Him though He is not far from each one of us, for in Him we live and move and exist,..." Acts 17:24-27

"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [full, complete and perfect payment] for our sins." I John 4:10

"Real love changes people.  Didn't God's love change you?  Weren't you -- blind?  You couldn't see beyond the grave.  You couldn't see your purpose in life until He showed you. 

"And you couldn't hear either.  Oh, your ears functioned, but your heart didn't understand.  You'd never heard of such love and kindness, and you never would have heard of it, but God spoke in your language. 

"And, most of all, He set you free.  You are free!  Free to run away.  Free to harden your heart.  Free to duck down side streets and hide behind trans cans.  But you don't.  Or if you do, you come back.  Why?  Because you've never been loved like this before."*

God does not want us to harken back in longing for what we once were, because His love is changing us every day to be more like His beloved Son!  Now that IS the great mystery!

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS?

• ·        [Rachel sent an email last week to share]: "Chris had a stroke over the weekend and is NOT doing well.  He continues to struggle, please pray they let him stay on the transplant list.  Chances are they will take him off as he is not responding to certain tests since the stroke.  This is all in God's Hands, and we are praying for a Miracle."
• ·        Adrian - has his day of chemo treatment 5 August.  The new pain in Adrian's body is growing again and he needs a special procedure to diagnose the cause, but it keeps getting delayed.  Please pray the hospital will find a time for him.  Pray God protects him and continues to give him strength.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Marci - A lifetime friend for her wonderful, encouraging email this morning of how the Lord is working in her life!
• ·        Jo H. sent a most amazing email this morning about her ministry!
• ·        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!  In fact, he is now letting Adrian have some heat in his room.  Pray he will completely forgive Adrian his debt.
• ·        My project has been extended through August.  Thank you for praying.  My meeting went well and there is no decision yet.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        Pray for TF and his wife, Christine, that she finds a job that brings her joy and a sense of accomplishment and belonging.

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.  
• ·        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

• ·        For Gemma - wisdom.
• ·        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.