Willingly Willful

"But I can hear you say, 'If the law code was as bad as all that, it's no better than sin itself.'  That's certainly not true.  The law code had a perfectly legitimate function.  Without its clear guidelines for right and wrong, moral behaviour would be mostly guesswork.  Apart from the succinct, surgical command, 'You shall not covet,"  I could have dressed covetousness up to look like a virtue and ruined my life with it. 

"Don't you remember how it was?  I do, perfectly well.  The law code started out as an excellent piece of work.  What happened, though, was that sin found a way to pervert the command into a temptation, making a piece of 'forbidden fruit' out of it.  The law code, instead of being used to guide me was used to seduce me. 

"Without all the paraphernalia of the law code, sin looked pretty dull and lifeless, and I went along without paying much attention to it.  But once sin got its hands on the law code and decked itself out in all that finery, I was fooled and fell for it. 

"The very command that was supposed to guide me into life was cleverly used to  trip me up, throwing me headlong.  So sin was plenty alive, and I was stone dead.  But the law code itself is God's good and common sense, each command sane and holy counsel." Romans 7:7-11 The Message

From the beginning of time and from the beginning of our lives, we want things our way.  We want others to do stuff for us, to put us first, to give us what we see.  We don't want to take direction from anyone and fight those who try to guide or lead us -- openly or secretly in our hearts.

The book of Judges (which few would have read) illustrates that God's people swing regularly between doing what they want to do and then trusting God.  The book ends with this verse:  "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who prays for you each morning and hopes you will note all the prayer updates, 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

• ·        LATEST UPDATE - Adrian - remains exhausted from weekly cancer infusion, ASKING for additional prayer:  Has waited years for surgery to repair his crushed left shoulder - now scheduled for THIS Friday (16th) at the Prince Charles hospital.  He is quite concerned at what they will finally do.  He will be picked up by ambulance at 7 AM that day and be in for 3-4 days.  Thankfully, the Leukaemia Foundation has also contacted him and will speak with him while he is hospitalised.  He is increasingly dependent on the prayers of the Body of Christ!  Please also pray for his companion dog, Toby, to remain healthy.  He is very important to Adrian's mental well-being and a clear gift from the Lord during this time of pain and loneliness.
• ·        UPDATE - Paul - had a third interview yesterday and they may decide Friday to hire him, but it is in the Philippines where travel advisories are strongly in place (Australian and US).  Two executives with this organisation are still in captivity from being kidnapped.  The day rate is not great, but in his desperation, he is stressed knowing what to do.  They have not given him a contract or a decision but he is being asked to make costly preparations in case they do decide, and he has no funds for this, nor funds to live the month in the Philippines before the first pay cycle goes through.  Please hold him up in your prayers extra this week.  I've told him he is safe here and not to take any role anywhere that he would advise me against taking.  Most of all pray his heart melts enough for the Truth to touch him where it hurts.  He has not had work since 2011!!
• ·        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.  Test results show his pituitary gland is alright.  He needs our prayers at this time to strengthen him and keep him calm.  
• ·        UPDATE - JR - is home.  Celebrating life and filling his days with pleasant memories.  More tests to go.  Attitude is good, considering 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.
• ·        UPDATE - My brother, Tim - Pray for strength, wisdom, courage, health and patience as he ministers to his dear and precious friend, JR (and Dale), 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. 
• ·        ·        UPDATE - Hans continues with his new therapy (it will last from 3-6 months) 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. 
• ·        Fred – has an exploratory procedure today in hospital and needs prayer that all is fine.

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. 
• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) for help with their situation, continued health and strength; and that God will multiply the effectiveness of his radio ministry in Florida.
• ·        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.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        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
• ·        Rachael asks us to please pray that Scott (in the USA) seeks the Lord for his sake and his Children.
• ·        Steven Parsons - recovering from cancer, living on the street in Sydney, trying to get enough money for additional surgery.
• ·        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.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• ·        UPDATE - The 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.
• ·        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 - still urgently needs psychiatric help  Still not communicating with her mother, father or brother.  Pray her family is resolute in demonstrating "tough love" with her.  Pray the Lord captures her heart through this situation.
• ·        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 - Sergio - has found some consulting projects and it will help him weather financial difficulties for the next six months.  He is in Mexico City where work for graphic designers is rare. 
• ·        UPDATE - 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. 
• ·        UPDATE - 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!"
• ·        Toron - (18-year-old) Pray for him to find direction and encouragement and most of all to come to the Lord. 
• ·        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.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        UPDATE -Fin - they are working to better manage his back and leg pain.  Pray they will take a practical and conservative approach and that his doctors and therapists are wise and compassionate and that Fin will have friends with him during this time.
• ·        Aunt Donna - (Doris' sister, age 84) has dementia. Please pray for her daughters for guidance in her care.
• ·        David R - Feeling good.  Still no news about his right eye (cataract and perhaps early signs of macular degeneration).  Also, his little companion dog, Chandler, now quite old, is growing weaker and having trouble walking.  It will be difficult for David to lose him after 16 years.    
• ·        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.

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

• ·        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.   
• ·        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.