How to Get Character

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

·        "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations,

·        knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance,

·        and perseverance proven character;

·        and proven character, hope;

·        and hope does not disappoint,

"because of the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

"For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:1-8

If you can, choose to read all of Romans 5 - it so powerful!!  I knew you would not take time during the devotion to read all of it right now, so it is up to you. 

Anyway, as you can see above, all the really difficult stuff that happens in the life of someone following Jesus Christ is not just a waste of time or difficult just to be difficult.  It has a PURPOSE! 

We have all probably heard about coal into diamonds, refining gold or simmering soup, etc., -- that heat and pressure over time makes the best of the best...and so it is with our character! 

Oh and we have the choice to be thankful (more on this when we start into Philippians) or we can get grumpy, cranky, bitter and brittle.  The Lord can also fix that...but that is a topic for another day.  Enjoy your weekend and if you get a minute send prayer updates, please!.

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

• ·        Continue to pray for the special person you identified a few weeks ago in your assignment until they fall into His arms.  Then you can pick another to pray for!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        Doris - Pray insurance issues will be settled so she can be moved back to Ashland and familiar surroundings where she can heal.  She seems to be losing focus under this good, but utilitarian care. 
• ·        Patti (daughter of Doris) for travelling mercies and grace during this time and Patti's family.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) for help with their situation.  They just received word that Medicaid will no longer provide home care for her.  Pray for wisdom for Audley as he cares for his beloved.  Pray also that God continues to multiply the effectiveness of his radio ministry in Florida.
• ·        Fin - will have back surgery on 3 October to better manage his back and leg pain.  Pray for his doctors and therapists and that Fin will have friends with him during this time.
• ·        Me - Scheduled to travel to Dubai from 12 to 23 October, similar to last year.  Am working through an employment/ legal issue and looking for a new project.
• ·        Chris H - pray his heart is focused on the Lord and His will for his life and future.
• ·        Adrian - had to miss his cancer infusion (car battery dead) and could not get to the hospital or to pharmacy for his meds.  He did not mention his shoulder, only the pain. He is exhausted but now very worried about his little companion dog, Toby, who was injured recently and may need an x-ray and additional treatment.  He is very important to Adrian's mental well-being and a clear gift from the Lord during this time of pain and loneliness.  Please pray for God's mercy and a plan to give Adrian some dignity and comfort.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• ·        UPDATE - JR - is home.  Celebrating life and filling his days with pleasant memories.  Recent MRI showed no change in the tumour, which is good news.  In meantime his attitude is good.  (He has rapidly advancing small cell carcinoma in his brain.)  Please pray for him and the quality of life and time he has, for his wife Jenny, his family, friends and the health carers as they deal with this serious situation.  Pray most of all that his heart opens to the love and grace of Jesus' gift of grace.
• ·        (My brother, Tim, who loves the Lord and is ministering to JR - Pray for his strength, wisdom, courage, health and patience during this difficult time.  And that God gives him the words to say to touch JR's heart.  Tim has shared his testimony with JR and cares about him very much.) 
• ·        Rachael asks us to please pray that Scott (in the USA) seeks the Lord for his sake and his Children.
• ·        Paul - travelled over an hour to the one interview he was called to yesterday only to discover they had called him about a role he has no background in.  It was their mistake but it was a disappointment for him for all his efforts to get there.  He will be back at Vinnie's on Sunday again.  I know the Lord is watching over him because of your prayers.  Most of all pray his heart melts enough for the Truth to touch him where it hurts.  He has not had work since 2011!!
• ·        Bible study in Jo's home continues.  This week they look at Romans 4 and you can feel Jo's excitement as these women grow a step closer to understanding how loving the Lord Jesus is! Keep praying for  Angie and Liz.
• ·        Toron - (18-year-old) Pray for him to find direction and encouragement and most of all to come to the Lord. 
• ·        Lennie - PS ex-son-in-law.  Please pray for his salvation.  He is father to PS' 11 yr. old granddaughter's whom she spends half her time with because of shared custody.
• ·        Sarah - urgently needs psychiatric care.  Pray the Lord captures her heart through this situation.  Pray for grace for her parents.
• ·        DB's father - (84 years) please keep praying his heart opens to Christ.  He is an avowed – and boastfully proud – atheist. 
• ·        Chester (Adrian's friend) with pancreatic cancer that someone will come share Christ with him soon.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        UPDATE - Fred – procedure went well.  He will have surgery after the first of the year.  He thanks you for praying for him during his trip, it was memorable and safe.  Continue to keep him in your prayers.
• ·        Aunty Dot  has finally received her special wheelchair.  Here is her thank you to you:  " My chair has arrived and I am going to go out to enjoy the sun and read my book.  Thank everyone please!"
• ·        Sergio - has found some consulting projects to help him weather financial difficulties for the next six months.  He is in Mexico City where work for graphic designers is rare. 
• ·        Jo - seems to be finding support for her ideas and initiatives within her firm.  Please also pray for her wisdom as she considers setting up a charitable trust. 
• ·        Raven - The new cancer meds have given her life back.  She loves the Lord and is grateful for His compassions.
• ·        Doris - (my "second Mom", age 97.5)  Pray she stays strong and keeps sharing the Lord with everyone who will stop long enough to listen to her.  Would love to see her this side of heaven! 

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.
• ·        Praise the Lord and pray for the many individuals in Russia, US, Australia, UK, Poland, Germany, France, Portugal, American Samoa, Romania, Ukraine, Estonia, Singapore, China, 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.

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        Doug McIntosh - an invaluable contributor to my love of Bible study has multiple myelomas.  Please pray for him, his family and the church he has worked so faithfully in, Cornerstone, in Lilburn Georgia.
• ·        Jo and Steve - Please pray their individual ministries in NZ and reconciliation with one of Jo's sisters. 
• ·        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 - in the Philippines - a land that is growing increasingly chaotic and dangerous.  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.  Please, 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 ample opportunity to continue his ministry in Sydney.
• ·        Buddy and Susan Smith (in Queensland) and Kevin and Sandy Currell (in Melbourne) need your prayers for their ministries.
• ·        The Catholic Church and the Pope, who need our prayers that he will always put Jesus first in all his decisions.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        UPDATE - BG - has had a series of tests and examinations and a few more to go, indicating the massive headaches he has been having were mini-strokes.  He needs our prayers at this time to strengthen him and keep him calm.  
• ·        Aunt Donna - (Doris' sister, age 84) has dementia. Please pray for her daughters for guidance in her care.
• ·        David R - Feeling good but there is nothing they can do about the continuing deterioration of sight in his left eye.  He lost sight in the other a while ago.  Also, his little companion dog, Chandler, now 16 years old, is growing weaker and having trouble walking.  It will be difficult for David to lose him.    
• ·        UPDATE - Joanne - sister to David, who is being overwhelmed by dementia and macular degeneration.  She is one of the most gracious Christian women I have ever known. 
• ·        UPDATE - John - having a sun melanoma removed from his arm soon.  Still having difficulty reading (after stroke 2 yrs. ago).  Please pray for complete healing and/or more patience and grace. 
• ·        Sandy - Tests are inconclusive, yet her symptoms persist.  Pray for wise doctors.  They suspect Crohn's Disease.
• ·        CK - (suffered a stroke in April) is back at home, having speech therapy for his inability to read, also. He is still not driving and his wife is taking him to the various appointments involved in his recovery.
• ·        Steven Parsons - recovering from cancer, living on the street in Sydney, trying to get enough money for additional surgery.

SOMETHING NEW FOR PRAYER WARRIORS

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

ONGOING PRAYER

• ·        Steve/ Fion - thanks you for your prayers for his Mother.  She is doing well.  He is still pacing himself through his heavy workload at his university post in Oklahoma.  Pray for his strength, more funding and wisdom for the organisation
• ·        Hans continues with his new therapy and is making headway with understanding his condition better.  He is in West Germany.  Pray the Lord gives him peace in his new situation and guards his family while he is away.  Pray for those sharing this time with him that they truly care for him.  Most of all, pray he finds Christian companions and leaders wherever he is. 
• ·        Deepak - has worked tirelessly for years to develop his business and needs people to pay what they owe him and give him more time with his young daughter.   
• ·        Trent and his 9-year-old daughter Sharika.  Finishing trade school classes and living on the streets as he saves for accommodation.  Pray for him and his daughter.
• ·        Shan needs clarity of purpose and direction for his ministry.  He and Gemma are now married and starting a new life.  Pray it will be steadfastly focused on the Lord.
• ·        Bettina for additional strength and wisdom.
• ·        Linda and Ian, Rob and his daughter, DB, PS, Reg, JD, Annette and Lyle, Carla and Paul, Jeff and Rachael and their wonderful families.  Grateful thanks for their practical support and encouragement over many years.