Symptom Three of Salvation

"Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but must more because I am absent,  work out -- cultivate, carry out to the goal and fully complete -- your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling [self-distrust, that is 'with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation; timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ].

[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you -- energising and creating in you the power and desire -- both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. 

"Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves], that you may show yourselves to be blameless and faultless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish, (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation -- [spiritually] perverted and perverse. 

"Among whom you are seen as bright lights -- stars of beacons shining out clearly -- in the [dark] world; holding out [to it] and offering to all men the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labour to no purpose." Philippians 2:12-16 - The Amplified Bible

Serenity and certainty are the third symptoms of salvation -- there is a special word Paul uses for murmerings or grumbling and it is unusual and quite neat.  The Greek word is "goggusmos". 

It describes the low, threatening, discontented muttering of a mob who distrust their leaders, and who are on the verge of a rebellion and an uprising against them. 

Serenity and certainty come directly as a result of knowing your Saviour and trusting in His amazing powers over all and in all.

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

• ·        Earthquake in Japan - a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Fukushima again.  There are tsunami warnings and it is believed another large quake is on the way.  Please pray for all involved, especially the rescue workers and that the nuclear plant will be safe.
• ·        UPDATE - India Train Derailment - Over 146 died, but they have stopped searching for bodies.  Please pray for the grieving families.
• ·        UPDATE - David R - having blood pressure challenges again without his companion dog.  Did meet a service dog and they could not be fully trained until June it seems.  In the meantime, they've increased David's meds.  Please give David serenity, courage and discernment at this time.   
• ·        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

·        I thank my God always that He had a plan for my life before I was born and during every moment of my life and that this plan brought me to Him and helps me with my onward journey Home.

·        I thank my God always for my brother and his wife and that we had just the parents we needed to grow up to be followers of Christ.

·        I thank my God always for each of the friends He has brought into my life to show me His love, generosity, grace, forgiveness and compassion.

·        I thank my God always for the many wise and gifted teachers He has sent to me to help me grow into the person He is calling me to become.

·        I thank my God always for how much I have learned from others in my life about my walk with Christ. 

·        I thank my God always for allowing me to know how to read and write and that He has given me the opportunity to share some encouragement from His Word through this new medium.

·        I thank my God always for each of those who take time to read and even share the devotions and pray they go with the power of God's might into the heart of any who read them.

·        I thank my God always that no matter how difficult life has become over the years, He has always provided me with food, clothing and shelter (and so much more).

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        UPDATE - Adrian - they are readjusting his meds and it is always difficult for him and quite painful.  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 councel 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.  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 home now. 

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.