Too Easy or Too Hard to Forgiveness?

"[Jesus speaking to His disciples] "'But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 

"And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. 

"'I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  But when He the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.'" John 16:7-13

"When we speak of confession and forgiveness, we often worry about two extremes:  making it all too easy, and making it all too hard.  On the one hand, is it really so simple as a mere, 'I'm sorry'?  Surely we much agonise more than that.  But on the other hand would all of our agonizing turn the trick in the end? 

"King Henry IV of Germany was once kept waiting barefoot in the Alpine snow for three January days before the pope would forgive him.  Was that really necessary?  Does not Jesus invite us to come simply and accept the atonement He won on the cross?"[1]

We cannot live our spiritual lives by emotion because our thoughts can easily deceive us. ("The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand?  I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:9-10

The world around us has ideas about forgiveness and confession to as to how hard or easy it should be, yet there are times when we know we must take more time with a long-term or besetting sin and for this, Dean Merrill's books offers "praying through".  And we will look at the four steps required for this process in the next few days.

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who prays for you each morning, Darlene (Also, those with AOL email accounts, know that the daily emails I'm sending are continually being returned undeliverable.)

PS:  My statement of faith is on the blog:  Especially His Love .  Either click the link or cut and paste this link in your Web browser (http://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com.au/ )

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        UPDATE - Adrian - met up with a retired pastor (please pray for Stewart McClelland) who took him to breakfast this morning.  I got to speak with them both and have Stewart's email details so can monitor Adrian a new way.  However, Adrian is exhausted, miserable and grumpy with the pain, heat and humidity.  Please do not grow weary of praying for him.  He needs the Body of believers to help him, he needs a safe place to live and to feel the hand of the Lord covering and comforting him. 
• ·        Tallest Dam in USA - Orville, Northern California - those evacuated continue to return to their homes, but the dam is not completely stable and there continue to be severe storms drenching the area.  This is a catastrophe waiting to happen.  Please pray for the engineers and workers trying to prepare for more bad weather.
• ·        Judith co-labourer and wife of, Isaias in the Philippines (see prayer request in full-time ministry below).  spinal surgery still delayed due to her high blood pressure.  Pray for the wisdom of her doctors and health care workers.  I had the privilege of meeting these amazing and selfless missionaries and if the Lord moves your heart they would appreciate any donation to help defray the cost of $4,500 USD. (see prayer request below "Full-Time Service" for more details if you wish to help).

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS?

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Me - They began the paperwork for the new project last week with the Federal government) no start date but sounds like within three weeks - far too long!  My stress is still high but God is patiently helping me through.  Am deeply grateful for the many prayers helping carry me over this very hard place and for the practical support of Annette, Lyle and Patti. 
• ·        Fea - is home from hospital recovering from a serious injury to her left arm.  Please pray for her complete recovery.
• ·        Paul - sold a script he was writing!.  It has given him a new confidence (he has not had paying work since 2010)!  He has been having more interviews.  Remains on a waiting list to have a surgical procedure to repair an injury he sustained while volunteering at Vinnies (who are trying to deny paying him for this).  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. 
• ·        Doris - at 98 years old came through her oral surgery well.  It will take about 6 weeks to heal.  During this time Patti and family will be away and will not be there to care for her.
• ·        BG - has been relatively pain-free for almost a week and is busily making up for lost time with activities.  The headaches have been diagnosed as a type of mini-strokes).  He needs our prayers to strengthen him and keep him calm.  
• ·        Carla and Paul - have moved into their new house and are settling in now.  Pray for patience and safety of the family.
• ·        Elina - has been given some good news that will give her some important options and new strength.  Thank you, Father, for watching over her at this time.  Keep her heart calm and her thinking clear, give her strength and the needed wisdom to consider new challenges.
• ·        David R - Heidi, his daughter, found a new companion dog for him - still a few teething problems and they look forward to getting his Service Dog by June. 
• ·        Careena S - with MS and Lyme's Disease is a beautiful "battler" with a quiet and gentle heart for the Lord.  She thanks you for praying for her and reports she is still feeling steady on her feet the past weeks!
• ·        UPDATE - Mel - (Meldapilu) hip replacement has healed well, but knee replacement continues give her trouble.  Pray for her healing and that there are family and friends available to care for her during her long recovery time and that she is sensibly patient.
• ·        Steve/ Fion -  is back at University and already the work has filled ten hours a day!  Pray for his wisdom, creativity, strength, more funding for his university.
• ·        Hans - (in West Germany) his therapy continues through March 2017.  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. 
• ·        Raven - continues to strengthen after her long ordeal with cancer.  Her new cancer meds have given her the opportunity to enjoy every moment the Lord is giving her.  Pray she will be found cancer-free.
• ·        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

• ·        Claudio - diagnosed with liver cancer.  Please pray for him and his doctors and other health carers that they are compassionate and wise.  Pray for Elea, his wife, as she holds his hand through this --that she has strength and hope.
• ·        My brother, Tim - The weather is growing difficult for him.  Pray for sufficient strength, wisdom and health and pray also for Barb, Tim's wife, who supports and cares for him.  
• ·        Edna Losbanes - wife of Staff Evangelist Isachar Losbanes of Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines (see prayer requests below).  She suffered a mild stroke on 29 December.  Isachar shared:  "For now Edna and I are using a wall electric fan inside her room. My concern is for Edna to feel relax and comfortable and rest well while she is on medication. Her injectable insulin for diabetes and other medicine needs to refrigerate. In this regard I would like to appeal for your prayers and helps. I need to improve a bit Edna’s bedroom and secure one small refrigerator and small air-conditioner. My estimate is a total of about $1,000.00. Apart from that she also needs the amount $300.00 per month for her medicines and therapy." Please pray for a full recovery.

• ·        Liriel - who is chronically ill and often in pain.  Please pray for her comfort and that she can find some joy in each day.
• ·        Fin/Spencer - Pray for his doctors and therapists that he will recover completely from some additional surgery and a newly discovered problem with the vessels around his stomach.  Pray he has friends with him during this time, especially Deborah.
• ·        CK (78 years old) suffered a stroke and now seems to be having a decline in mental functioning.  He is no longer able to drive.  His wife is taking this over and it is really difficult for them.  Please also pray for his wife.
• ·        John has reached a plateau and is trying to release some of the duties of his big farm.  It is growing legally complicated so needs prayers for this.  He is on a number of medications and needs to take a more active role in his day-to-day health activities.  He has also been diagnosed with sleep apnoea.
• ·        Patti (daughter of Doris) has recently been diagnosed with asthma and now they've also diagnosed sleep apnoea and she will be getting a machine to help her sleep.
• ·        Julia (daughter of Patti) had a concussion a while ago and we prayed for her then, but it seems it has left her with depression but the most urgent prayer request is for her to rededicate her life to the Lord Jesus Christ.
• ·        Adrian (Patti's 5-1/2-year-old grandson) has behaviour problems so bad he is being regularly removed from his Kindergarten classes for safety of the other children.  Please pray for the parents, teachers and Adrian.
• ·         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. 
• ·        Sandy - Tests are inconclusive, yet her symptoms persist.  Pray for wise doctors.  They suspect Crohn's Disease.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• ·        Continue to pray for the special person you identified in your assignment until they fall into His arms.  Then you can pick another to pray for!
• ·        Pray for RS who I had the delightful privilege of sharing the Gospel with yesterday.  Please pray for her that she keeps considering what we discussed.
• ·        Bobby and George - that they will begin to consider Christ.
• ·        Karen - who I spoke with recently about the Lord, that in her confusion and the chaos of her job, she will search for His peace.
• ·        JR's wife, Jenny - Please pray for Jenny and his family as they recover from his death that this time of vulnerability will be filled with His love. 
• ·        Adam - life is filled with confusion and need.  Pray someone comes alongside him to help him see how much the Lord cares for him.
• ·        Rachael asks us to please continue to pray that Scott (in the USA) will come to the Lord for his sake and the sake of his children.
• ·        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 - still urgently needs psychiatric care.  Still not communicating with family members, but God is starting to work in His mysterious ways in her life.  Pray the Lord captures her heart through this situation and that she will find someone to trust to help her. 
• ·        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

• ·        Deepak - has worked tirelessly for years to develop his business and needs people to just pay what they owe him so he can have more time with his young daughter.   
• ·        Sergio - his projects have ended and he is looking for work again.  He is in Mexico City where work for graphic designers is rare. 

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.
• ·        Pray for the growing number of displaced people from wars and famine.  These refugees need compassion.
• ·        Donald Trump - the new USA President.  If ever there was a time to pray for an individual, it is now.  No matter whom you voted for or wanted as President...it is our responsibility as Christians to remember God has a plan through this man.  Let us 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.

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) for help with their situation.  They recently received word 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, Pat O'Keeffe and their amazing wives and children.
• ·        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, wisdom 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

• ·        Imi - lost her Mom recently and needs extra support.
• ·        Chris H - pray his heart is focused on the Lord and His will for his life and future.
• ·        Marcus' neighbour - lost both her parents in the last three weeks and is reeling with grief.
• ·        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] Copyright © 1981, 1998 by Dean Merrill, The God Who Won't Let Go, published by Zondervan Publishing House, p.99.