I Don't Feel Different!

"Behold I stand at the door [of your heart] and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and sup with him." Revelation 3:20

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13

"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.  Now all these things are from God who reconciled us to Himself through Christ,

"and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation." II Corinthians 5:17-19

"In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, imposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which is it impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us." Hebrews 6:17-18

The promise we find within God's Word, the Bible and not our feelings is our authority when it comes to assurance of our salvation.  As a Christian you live by faith (trust) in the very trustworthiness of God and His Word. 

Think of a three-car train.  The engine car represents the facts found in Scripture about God.  The coal car represents us putting our trust in God and in what He says to us in His Word.  The caboose or last car, represents the results of our faith and obedience from our belief. 

The train can't be pulled by the caboose; it is pulled by the engine. 

Some days you feel great.  Your prayers seem to all be answered, your family and friends all love you and everything is right with the world.  We feel God's love close.

Other days you wake up and just don't feel good.  You might have a physical ailment or you remember arguing with someone or doing something you know was wrong.  We feel God's love is far away.

But your salvation is not dependent on how you feel right now or next week.  Your salvation is based in the trustworthiness of God and His Word and the promises within His Word. 

When you truly and sincerely reach out to Jesus and confess your helplessness against sin and claim His free gift of salvation, that is all He asks and He honours His promises given personally to you.  

He gives it right then and it lasts forever regardless of how you feel or what you do or don't do -- from that moment on till Eternity!

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

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS?

NEW PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        LS - please be with her and her husband, who just lost his father in a tragic car accident.
• ·        Adrian - spoke with him last night.  Still very tired and now hoping for new accommodation that is not so stressful as he continues to strengthen from his months of treatments, lack of food and rest.  Keep praying. 
• ·        Hans is enjoying his healing retreat.  He will be away till the New Year.  Pray for Christian companions and leaders there.
• ·        DB -since her Mother's passing away, DB needs to sell her Mother's home.  Help her weather the emotional pain and let the sale go through quickly and smoothly.
• ·        Pray for Shan and Gemma who have decided it is time for them to marry and share their future together in the care of the Lord.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING?

• ·        Please continue to pray for TG who is recovering in hospital with severe chemical burns to his lungs.  He will be moving to a long-term care facility soon.  His friend PB was helped and now has a home again.  Thank you for praying for them.

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.
• ·        The people of the USA -who are once more dealing with the evil of senseless, mass murder.
• ·        European Migrant Situation Update - a prayer for the migrants, but also for the European states, who are working to adjust to the situation.
• ·        The people of France and Belgium -continue to pray for those affected by this senseless attack.  May they all recover without the scars of unreasonable fears, hatred or bitterness.  Pray for the police and soldiers who work to protect Paris and Belgium now that they are wise and resolute.  May the Christians of France and Belgium be mobilised to help.
• ·        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.
• ·        Fion's father recovering from a stroke for over a year in a special care facility.  Now is strong enough to go home, where his wife can care for him more easily.  Continue to pray for them and for Fion, as his workload is so heavy at this time.
• ·        Elina's father is ill with cancer and lives in Japan.  He seems a bit better.  She has not seen him for over ten years. 
• ·        Please pray for Rik, a good friend who has been diagnosed with Lyme's Disease and is undergoing very expensive, long-distance treatment to restore his health.
• ·        Fand's mom fell and broke her hip and is beginning physical therapy to begin the journey to better health.  Pray for her and her family as she recovers.
• ·        BG that his blinding headaches will finally stop.
• ·        Adrian asks:  Pray for my friend, Chester with pancreatic cancer - for energy, strength and resolve as he deals with a worldly system that continues to abuse him; and that someone will come share Christ with him soon.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING JOB-RELATED CHALLENGES

• ·        Paul NS needs hope for work.  He grows too discouraged to keep trying.  He has not had work since 2012 and would appreciate your prayers.
• ·        Elina thanks you for your prayers about her law internship but has left the internship and will not pursue the law. 
• ·        Deepak needs to have his tireless work efforts bear fruit as he continues to develop his business. 

ONGOING PRAYER

• ·        For Fred as he deals with life without his beloved wife.  Please pray for the recognition of how his life will be fulfilled now.
• ·        Shan needs clarity of purpose and direction for his ministry.
• ·        Keep praying for the two unsaved women in Jo's Bible class:  Angie and Liz.
• ·        There has been no update to numerous follow-ups regarding Wezley an 18-year old who lost her way.  The Lord knows where she is, just keep praying for her that she turns to Him.
• ·        Adrian pays a substantial sum for one small room in the back of a shared home with an elderly man named Phil, who seems to be part of Adrian's stress.  Pray the Lord gives Phil more patience, understanding, empathy, compassion and gentleness.
• ·        Bettina for additional strength and wisdom.
• ·        Elina pray for her as she sorts things out and takes her time to seek wisdom from the Lord.

FOR THOSE IN FULL TIME SERVICE

• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) for help with their situation and his return to ministry.
• ·        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 need prayers for physical healing and funds for some unexpected medical care.  God owns the cattle on a thousand hills!  Pray our Father 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".
• ·        Please pray for my good friend, JB, that our loving Father provides him with ample opportunity to continue his ministry.
• ·        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.

SOMETHING NEW FOR PRAYER WARRIORS

• ·        Elaine and Jim, wonderful friends of mine in Hong Kong have begun an online church 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

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.  Grateful thanks for their practical support and encouragement over many years.