A WeakDay Devotion: What's Wrong With Confession?

"A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; a time to be silent, and a time to speak." Ecclesiastes 3:7

"When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groanings all day long. For day and night, Thy hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.

"I acknowledged my sin to Thee, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord''; and Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin." Psalm 32:3-9

"The Bible seems to indicate that after our initial stages of privacy, we must come to VERBALIZE some things:

· The facts that we have already acknowledge in our heads
· God's view of those facts
· Our sorrow for what we have done
· Our desire to be forgiven and walk a different road in the future.

"These words are what we call CONFESSION: the acknowledging in actual language of how things are."[1]

We can't put a simple formula on something so intimate as our times of humbling growth in the Lord. Yet sometimes we take a carte blanch approach to confession. You know what I mean..."and forgive me for any sins I may have committed and I promise to do better in the future" approach.

Never forget: God is at work in your life to WILL and to WORK His best for our good and His glory. Our part is to stay close to Him and be honest with Him...He knows the truth no matter how good we may think we are in hiding things...He just wants us to come to Him with clean hands!

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 - I got several texts last night near midnight from Adrian and will contact him today. It seems unconscionable to have released him to be struggling with the pain and the 100 F (35 C) heat. No one seems able to take time to help him and he is too weak to fight. Please do not grow weary of praying for this man. He needs the Body of believers to help him and let the hand of the Lord cover him and comfort him.
· 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.
· UPDATE - Judith co-labourer and wife of, Isaias in the Philippines (see prayer request in full-time ministry below). The spinal surgery was delayed again due to her high blood pressure. Pray for the wisdom of her doctors and health care workers. They are very humble 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 on how you can help).

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

· Adam and Careena and their children - are taking a holiday from their full-time ministry activities. Please pray for travelling mercies, great refreshment and recommitment times and protection for the children who chose to stay at home during this time.
· Marcus' neighbour - lost both her parents in the last three weeks and is reeling with grief.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

· UPDATE - Paul - sold a script he was writing!. It has given him a new confidence (he has not had paying work since 2010)! 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.
· Me - Have two possible projects. Should know more this Friday. 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.
· UPDATE - 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) had a hip and knee replacement and continues to strengthen. 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

· 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.
· UPDATE 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. Isaias shared "...Edna is gaining strength though still with poor eyesight and using stroller to slowly walk around. Edna's speech greatly improved, though. 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 have 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!
· 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.
· UPDATE - 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

· 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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Tuesday, February 7, 2017

What's Wrong With Confession?

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