Jacob's Dream and Promise

"And he had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.  

"And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, 'I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and your descendants. 

"Your descendants shall also be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you all and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed.  

"And behold, I am with you, and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.'

"...Then Jacob made a vow, saying, 'If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take and will give me food to eat and garments to wear, and I return to my father's house in safety, then the Lord will be my God.  And this stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God's house; and of all that Thou dost give me I will surely give a tenth to Thee.'" Genesis 28:12-15, 20-22

As Jacob leaves his family to preserve his life from the anger of his brother, he wanders into the unknown with little possessions and less hope.  His deceit must have haunted his every step. 

God had a plan that was far greater than anything Jacob could imagine.  Being faithful to His promise, God reminded Jacob in a dream that He would care for him.    

Although Rebekah had grown impatient for God to act (another pattern) and took things into her own hands, she would lose the son she delighted in. 

"God is not weak nor is He unable to arrange circumstances to suit His plans in our lives.  Even when we do go down wrong roads He is there to weave our decisions into His plan, knowing all along we would stray. 

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

(( Please remember to send me prayer updates. ))

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 Stokes –Still in Brisbane Royal Hospital.  Shane visited him and said he seems peaceful and cared for well.  Toby, his little dog is being cared for by a elderly lady -- taking that concern off Adrian's heart.  Pray for Adrian, that he will stay in the hospital this time, long enough to gain some strength.  Social services have again promised assistance, nursing care and help with finding new accommodation.  No word when/ if they will fix his teeth or on his terrible stomach pain or let him know if the cancer treatments are working. 

•             Thank our Father for Shane and Carol, his wife (who flew out to do missionary work on Friday that she will be safe!).  Pray they will have Jesus' heart for Adrian and continued strength and the time to help him.  Pray Stewart McClelland, (a retired pastor) will be there with Adrian soon.

•             Donald Trump - the President of the USA.  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.  Pray someone helps him understand the true meaning of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and that he will have someone to regularly disciple him.  So much depends on it.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS?

URGENT!!

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40155369 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/05/25/duterte-philippines-islamic-state-isis-violence/102140978/ 

• ·        Philippines - our friends and tireless servants of the Lord in the Ambassadors for Christ ministry (see below) URGENTLY need your prayers.  Their world is being turned upside down with ISIS terrorists and fighting breaking out in many places.  Their lives are in danger at every turn now because of their service to Christ! 
• ·        London Bridge Bombings - please pray for those who have lost loved ones and those feeling fear.  Pray for the safety of the peace officers and soldiers trying to restore order in chaos.
• ·        Fin will have his hip surgery within 60 days and has some things to do to prepare for this.  Pray for his patience and his resolved to do what the doctors have advised him.  Pray also for Deborah, his friend that her work slows down enough that she can watch over Fin a bit more.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• •             Hans has completed nine months of therapy and returned home.  Pray he finds gainful employment, Christian companions and leaders wherever he is.
• •             David R - is thanking and praising God for what the doctors are seeing as unexpected and not possible with the recovery of sight in his one eye and the concern for signs of dementia disappearing at his last check-ups.  Surely the hand of the Lord is not short in any of our lives and still works in ways we cannot understand for our good and His glory!
• •             Adrian (Patti's 5-1/2-year-old grandson) with serious behaviour problems (regularly removed from Preschool classes for safety of other children).  Pray for parents, teachers, doctors and Adrian. Prayers are being answered! He has had two weeks of GOOD behaviour at school! The school personnel and doctors have done a fantastic job of setting him up for success next year in first grade (instead of Kindergarten) with medication and one-on-one aides for all his activities.
• •             Careena S - with MS and Lyme's Disease is feeling more steady and generally better for the last few weeks.  The Lord has given her a small miracle in answer to your prayers!  How wonderful our Lord!  She manages a household with husband and five children and two very cute little dogs. 
• •             Meldapilu - hip and knee replacement from accident in October healed well.  Recovering now from a second operation for her knee.  She is slowly getting back to normal and is thankful she will be able to walk!
• •             Doris (my "second mom")- 98-years young, growing stronger every day and sharing the Gospel with vigour! Will finally get into dentist to start getting three new partials - Has lost weight due to not being able to chew well (now on Ensure for nourishment).  Just enjoyed a "Senior Prom" in her assisted living facility and thoroughly enjoyed it!
• •             CK (78 years old stroke survivor) able to drive again! Started on a new medicine and seems to be doing much better mentally!
• •             Patti (daughter of Doris) asthma now controlled - may be seasonal; getting along well with CPAP therapy for sleep apnea! .
• •             BG - his headaches have been diagnosed as a type of mini-strokes.  He needs our prayers to strengthen him and keep him calm.  
• •             Steve/ Fion -  Pray for his wisdom, creativity, strength, more funding for his university.
• •             Raven - continues to strengthen after her long ordeal with cancer.  New cancer meds have given her a more normal life.  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 health carers to be compassionate and wise.  Pray for Elea, his wife, as she holds his hand through this --that she has strength and hope.
• •             My brother, Tim - Weather is improving and it is so much easier for him to breathe right now with his COPD (cardio-obstructive pulmonary disease).  Pray for his strength, wisdom and health.  Pray also for Barb, his wife, who supports and cares for him. 
• •             Liriel - chronically ill and often in pain.  Pray for her comfort and that she can find some joy in each day.
• •             L. Mel - not sleeping and worried about a physical problem.  Please pray for her to rest and seek the peace of the Lord.
• •             John (stroke survivor) reached a recovery plateau.  Trying to release some responsibilities of managing his big farm and has agreed to talk to a specialist about "keeping the farm in the family and the family on the farm" His sleep apnea is well controlled with his CPAP machine. Recently started insulin to replace meds that weren't effective any more. Still needs to take a more active personal role in his health.
• •             Julia (Patti's daughter) battling depression from lingering concussion symptoms. Still in need of TIME to get proper rest and therapy.  Very difficult with full-time teaching job and five children (one is Adrian in prayer list above), even with husband's help. Pray she rededicates her life to the Lord Jesus Christ - she is trying to do all herself, not relying on Him anymore...
• •             Aunt Donna - (Doris' sister, age 84) has dementia. Please pray for her daughters for guidance in her care. Daughters report she is worse when stressed, but sometimes on phone calls she seems completely lucid and normal!

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!
• •             Robin Hopcroft - her brother asks we pray for her safety, that she learns of and understands the saving grace of Jesus and that her life becomes filled with the life-changing love of the Lord.
• •             Pray for RS who I had the delightful privilege of sharing the Gospel with.  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.
• •             Jenny - Recently lost her husband and needs comfort, strength and true answers in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ as so much still needs sorting out. 
• •             Adam - his life is filled with confusion and need.  Pray someone comes alongside him to help him see how much the Lord loves him.
• •             Scott (in the USA) recently single father who must now care for his children alone; and that this situation will help his heart melt in awareness of the Lord's love for him.
• •             Bible study in Jo's home.  Pray for wisdom of Jo and openness in the women who meet together, especially Angie and Liz.
• •             Toron - (19-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 and father to PS' 11-year-old granddaughter.  Please pray for his salvation. Patti invited granddaughter and him to lunch at a nearby restaurant while they were visiting over Spring Break.  It was the first time since the divorce nine years ago that I got to talk face-to-face with him -- a step in the right direction - he has no friends!
• •             Sarah - that God continues to work in His mysterious ways in her life and captures her heart. She returned home long enough to get her belongings and brought a cousin with her for "protection".  Now living with an uncle and cousin, changed churches, and still holding down a part-time job at a fast food restaurant. No contact with parents or brother, yet.
• •             DB's father - (84 years) pray 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.

IF YOU ARE A PRAYER WARRIOR - TAKE A LOOK HERE:

• ·        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   

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) No word yet about situation after Medicaid stopped providing much-needed home care for her.  Pray for wisdom as Audley cares for his beloved wife.  Pray 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 (he continues to teach), 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, Kathy Notley and their families.
• ·        Jenny S - a Bible teacher and expositor who serves in many ways -- for strength, wisdom, protection and the right handling of God's Word.
• ·        Jo and Steve - for their NZ ministries and for reconciliation with one of Jo's sisters. 
• ·        Stu and Jo and their grown children, Laura and Jason - the entire family is involved in full-time ministry in NZ and were just on a mission.  Keep them strong, healthy and resolute. 
• ·        Please pray for 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.

Ambassadors for Christ: 

• •             Isaias and Judith - in the Philippines - a land growing increasingly chaotic and dangerous.  Pray our Father continues to keep them strong and safe and that they find balance for their lives and health.  Need extra prayer this month as they are prepare for a general assembly of their denomination in Manila.  This means their home will host more than a dozen additional people. 
• •             Judith is slowly recovering from her back problems.  Please pray for her faithfulness with her physical therapy. 
• •             Isaias must rest and prepare for his part in leading the meetings. 
• •             Edna Losbanes - wife of Staff Evangelist, Isachar Losbanes, is recovering from a stroke 29 December, now able to get around using a walker. 
• •             o      These wonderful individuals 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".

ONGOING WORK RELATED

• •             Deepak - has worked tirelessly for years to develop his business and needs people to 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.  I've just recommended him to one of my contacts.
• •             Paul - Had a promising interview last week.  He has not had paying work since 2010.  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. 

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• •             That the Lord's hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who 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.

ONGOING PRAYER

• •             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.