Symptom One of Salvation

"Dearest friends, when I was there with you, you were always so careful to follow my instructions.  And now that I am away you must be even more careful to do the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease Him.  For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey Him, and then helping you do what He wants.

"In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you.  You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn.  Shine out among them like beacon lights, holding out to them the Word of Life.  Then when Christ returns how glad I will be that my work among you was so worthwhile."  Philippians 2:12-16 - The Living Bible

The sign of "effective progress"[1] reminds us our journey with the Lord Jesus Christ is to be one of "forward" and "upward". 

On a beach evangelism mission, one of the most fervent of our team, called Charlie, brought a guy to the Lord, who was very lost and into drinking, drugs and debauchery.  Charlie was new to evangelism and expected this guy would be completely brand new from the moment of conversion and was sorely disappointed that it was not just like what had happened in Charlie's life when he was saved. 

Those who were discipling Charlie encouraged him to be patience with this new babe in Christ and just love him and spend time with him, that the Holy Spirit now resided in the new Christian and He would work and will God's plan in his life in His own time. 

Charlie went to the guy's house a couple of days later to find him in his room throwing out "girlie magazines".  His flatmates were making fun of his "conversion".  One of his flatmates walked into his room and picked up a huge plant from the window sill and said, 'Well, now that you're a holy Christian, you won't be needing this!"  It was a marijuana plant.

The new Christian looked at Charlie and at his flatmate and at the plant and said, "I can't yet make all the changes.  So put the plant back where you found it."

Eventually, this new Christian made his own decision to part with a habit that he saw as not pleasing to the Lord...but in God's timing and not Charlies.  It taught me one of the greatest lessons in my Christian life as it did Charlie!

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

PS:  If any of you have ever wondered about my statement of faith, you can find it on the Especially His Love blog.  Either click the link or cut and paste this link in your Web browser (http://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com.au/ )

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        India Train Derailment - Over 145 people have died when a passenger train derailed in a remote area.  Please pray for rescue workers and those helping survivors and families who lost loved ones.
• ·        UPDATE - David R - this week after the loss of his companion dog, a friend has arranged for him to receive a trained Service Dog.  David will meet this animal on Tuesday after he goes to his doctor.  Please give David courage and discernment at this time.  Since he is losing his sight and in a wheelchair to get around, this would be a wonderful blessing, but he is still very sad from his dog's death. 
• ·        Me - I am working with a number of agencies to find a project.  It grows more likely that coming home for a visit will once more be delayed.  But God arranges all.  No matter what,  I long to see you face-to-face again someday.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• This is Thanksgiving week in the USA and we have NO praise and thanksgiving points!  It was our longest prayer category!

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        UPDATE - Adrian - seems to just be wearing out.  The cancer markers are no longer lowering.  Pease pray for God's mercy and a plan to give Adrian some dignity and comfort in a new home; and continue to pray for his little companion dog, Toby.  Toby may seem trivial, but he is very important to Adrian's mental well-being and a clear gift from the Lord during this time of pain and loneliness. 
• ·        Mel - broke her hip and shattered her kneecap, had a hip and knee replacement.  She is home now recovering.  Pray for her healing and that there are family and friends available to care for her during her long recovery time.
• ·        Doris - is now back in Ashland in the nursing facility of her retirement village.  She is having regular therapies to help her regain her abilities, including swallowing.  Oh and she has managed to get some chocolate.  She is much happier to be with people she knows. 
• ·        Careena S - with MS and they suspect Lyme's Disease.  She is a beautiful battler with a quiet and gentle heart for the Lord.
• ·        Fred I – will have surgery 10th January.  He thanks you for praying for him.  Continue to keep him in your prayers.
• ·        Patti (daughter of Doris) needs prayer for healing and refreshment.  She has too many family and other responsibilities.  Pray the Lord gives her wisdom in this area.
• ·        BG - still having massive headaches (which they believe are mini-strokes).  He needs our prayers at this time to strengthen him and keep him calm.  
• ·        Fin - feeling better now from his surgery.  Pray for his doctors and therapists that he will recover completely and have friends with him during this time, especially Deborah.
• ·        Aunt Donna - (Doris' sister, age 84) has dementia. Please pray for her daughters for guidance in her care.
• ·        Joanne - sister to David R, who is being overwhelmed by dementia and macular degeneration.  She is one of the most gracious Christian women I have ever known. 
• ·        John - had a large sun melanoma removed from his arm and is recovering.  He lost some of his ability to read after his stroke 2 yrs. ago and doctors believe he has regained as much of that ability as possible.  Please pray for more patience and grace. 
• ·        Sandy - Tests are inconclusive, yet her symptoms persist.  Pray for wise doctors.  They suspect Crohn's Disease.
• ·        CK - brother of John above, who is 78 suffered a stroke in April and is increasingly recovering skills, including being able to drive again.  Pray for his continued recovery.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• ·        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!
• ·        Adam - has not yet accepted Christ and his life is filled with confusion at this time as he wants so much to have a wife.  Please pray for him to be strong and that God would provide wise council for him during this time of pressure.
• ·        UPDATE - JR - is home.  Celebrating life and filling his days with pleasant memories.  His attitude remains 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 - continues to work two or more days a week at St. Vincent De Paul charity.  Has more job interviews lined up.  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.

ONGOING WORK RELATED

• ·        Sergio - his projects have ended and he is looking for work again.  He is in Mexico City where work for graphic designers is rare. 
• ·        UPDATE -Jo - has found a new temp role until Christmas.  It is not ideal for her training and expertise but she is thankful for having it.  Pray for Steve who is in Washington DC that the remainder of his trip is safe and productive. 

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.
• ·        Donald Trump -  the new president elect in the USA.  If ever there was a time to pray for an individual, it is now.  No matter who you voted for or wanted as president...it is our responsibility as Christians to remember God has a plan through this man.  Let's pray someone helps him understand the full meaning of giving his life in faith to our gracious Saviour and that he will have someone to disciple him.  So much depends on it.
• ·        New Zealand - the rural areas of the country are still digging out and it will take a long time for things to be restored to order from the 7.5 magnitude earthquake where two died.  Please pray for those affected and those supporting them.
• ·        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

• ·        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.
• ·        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.
• ·        St Marks Anglican Church - Northbridge and the many who serve there:  especially the pastors: Simon Flinders, Adam Street.
• ·        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".
• ·        Jenny S - a Bible teacher and expositor who serves in many areas, for strength and protection.
• ·        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.

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 - (in West Germany) his therapy has been extended until February 2017 and they have offered to help him find work in environmental protection engineering.  So he is very happy.  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.   
• ·        Chris H - pray his heart is focused on the Lord and His will for his life and future.
• ·        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.

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[1] The Letters to Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, William Barclay, published by The Saint Andrews Press, Edinboro.