Unity Under Pressure

God does not want us to seek peace 

as the world seeks peace, 

but to find our peace in His strength.

"For God is my witness. how I long for you all with affection of Christ Jesus.  And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:8-11

"For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.  But he is a Jew who is one inwardly and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God." Romans 2:28-29

When I teach the book of Romans, I split the group into those who will represent the two groups the book is primarily written to:  those who were saved by Christ and came from a Jewish or Gentile background. 

Then we begin to explore the differences Paul stressed to the different groups throughout this amazing book and the two representative groups argue their specific perspectives. 

Each had lessons to learn -- and lessons to learn from each other.  Yet, Christ died for both groups and He awaits unity in Him and His message.

Today, it may seem that the world is in chaos over the decisions that were made yesterday.  However, as believers in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is time for us to show by example that even though there are differences, we stand united in His sacrifice.  Why?  For the good of those who have not yet met Jesus because we know that none can stay His hand or say to Him, "What are you doing?"

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

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• ·        United States of America Elections - God is not powerless and He is not sleeping.  Pray God's people will be wise and set an example to others with their behaviour and in their choices, yet know, none can stay the hand of the Lord in anything -- even the election. 

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Fred I – will have surgery 10th January.  He thanks you for praying for him.  Continue to keep him in your prayers.
• ·        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. 
• ·        Freddy (Doris' son) arrived to give Patti a break and to help with the arrangements for Doris recovery.  Please pray for them both.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        UPDATE - Adrian - had his all-day cancer treatment yesterday plus began a new immune system booster at the same time.  It has left him exhausted.  Pease pray for God's mercy and a plan to give Adrian some dignity and comfort.  Please continue to pray for him and his little companion dog, Toby.  Toby may seem trivial to some, 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 has been able to get rid of the back brace and is having regular therapies to help her regain her abilities, including swallowing.  She was asked what she needed to feel better and answered, "Chocolate and coffee." which she is not allowed yet.  She is still not able to swallow well.  She is much happier to be amongst people she knows. 
• ·        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 - had his procedure to relieve pain in his back and legs and is now at home recovering.  Pray for his doctors and therapists that Fin 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.
• ·        David R - Feeling good but there is nothing they can do about the continuing deterioration of sight.  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.   
• ·        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. 
• ·        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

• ·        UPDATE - JR - is home.  Celebrating life and filling his days with pleasant memories.  Has more tests on 22 October.  Seems to be growing tired now.  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. 
• ·        Me - Searching for a new project which will allow me to make a trip home over the holidays.  It will take a miracle and that is what God does best -- surprises us!

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

• ·        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.
• ·        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.

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.