Turning Away from God

“Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and they said to him, ‘Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways.  Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.’  

“But the thing  was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’   And Samuel prayed to the Lord.  And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them

“’Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day – in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods – so they are doing to you also.  Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them.’” I Samuel 4:4-9

If I was God, I would not put many of these stories in the Bible.  Think about it…there was so much disobedience, so much dissatisfaction with God, so much turning away from God to have a focus on health and prosperity. 

But knowing God as I am learning to know Him through my lifetime, I believe all these sad and disappointing stories are there for us to relate to.  When we do, we realise that our individual, personal histories are also peppered with rejecting God for something we think could be better. 

The stories remind us of the futility of following our own paths.  The stories also resolve in a way that demonstrates the beauty of God’s plan to bring each one of us to the foot of the Cross and redemption.  God is SO wise we can’t even appreciate it enough!

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

PPS:  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 (https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com.au/ )

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

• ·        Australia – No update on the same-sex marriage referendum.  Please pray the Lord moves the heart of His people and those who do not know Him yet.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

• ·        My project has ended and I’m looking for a new one.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

• ·        NEW UPDATE:  Jeff Westergren – special update from Rachael (his precious wife):  “Hurray, we are home!  Jeff came home late this afternoon around 5.  He even came home with no tubes still attached, so that was GREAT!  He is exhausted and plans to just catch up on sleep as he got NONE in the hospital.  Thanks again for all your love, concern and prayers.  We appreciated all the well wishes too.  We will talk or see y’all soon.  THANKS AGAIN.”  Please continue to pray for him and Rachael.  Pray also for the health carers – that they are wise and skilled and compassionate and that he recovers fully and soon.
• ·        UPDATE - Adrian Stokes –was rushed to the hospital with shortness of breath and needing more red blood cell transfusions.  Thank you for being someone who is holding him up in prayer.   (Thank our Father for Shane and Carol, his wife.  Pray they will have Jesus' heart for Adrian and continued strength, patience and the time to help him.  Pray Stewart McClelland, (a retired pastor) will be there with Adrian soon.)
• ·        Doris (my "second mom")- 98-years young, growing weaker now.  New teeth do not fit well, but her focus on sharing Christ with others grows stronger!  She is unable to drink thin liquids but is managing to sip a little coffee and enjoy a few chocolates.
• ·        Claudio - battling liver cancer and the meds that are to save him.  Pray for him, his health carers to be compassionate and wise and for Elea, his wife, that she has the extra strength and hope to hold his hand through this.
• ·        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 for Barb, his wife, for her strength and patience and thank you, Father, for growing stronger daily in their lives so they can share You with others.
• ·        Liriel - chronically ill and often in pain, but feeling a bit better lately.  Pray for her comfort and that she can find some joy in each day.
• ·        John (stroke survivor) needs wisdom to continue the management of his big farm.  Pray God will help him with his reading challenges since the stroke.  He is enjoying cooking for others and is blessing many with this gift.
• ·        Adrian (6-year-old) serious behaviour problems continue.  Pray for his parents, teachers and doctors.
• ·        Julia - battling depression - needs to get proper rest and therapy.  Very difficult with full-time teaching job and five children (including Adrian above). She needs strength to rely on the Lord rather than being self-sufficient.
• ·        Aunt Donna - with dementia. Please pray for her daughters so they can care for her best.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

• ·        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.
• ·        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.
• ·        Careena’s brother - to finally realise the deep affection Jesus has for him personally and that he will make a personal commitment to the Lord to save him!
• ·        Christine – that her husband will turn to the Lord and that they will have a Christ-honouring relationship.
• ·        Sarah -Will soon be moving into a family friend's trailer near her parents. But still no reconciliation with family or God at this point.
• ·        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 - 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.
• ·        Adam - his life is filled with confusion and need.  Pray someone comes alongside him to help him see how much the Lord loves 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 - Needs to wake to the cross of Christ and how much He loves him.
• ·        Sarah - that God continues to work in His mysterious ways in her life and captures her heart.  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.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

• ·        Doris’ (my second Mom) only brother, Uncle Dwight (92) is recovering from his kidney infection and respiratory problems and is home again.  Please pray for the Lord's will in his life. He is an ordained pastor & knows the Lord. He is also the Grandpa of Sarah who we have been praying for.
• ·        Heidi, David’s daughter – her dental surgery went well and she has a new smile and her health will be even better for this.  She is such a wonderful support for David. 
• ·        David R - is feeling better and stronger with the better weather.  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!
• ·        Praise the Lord and pray for the many individuals in Russia, US, Poland, UK, France, Australia, UAE (!), Germany, Portugal, Romania, American Samoa, 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

• ·        St Marks Anglican Church Northbridge - Please pray for God's will and delight for all those who attend.  Pray most of all for those who serve there:  Simon Flinders, Adam Street, Pat O'Keeffe, Kathy Notley and their families.
• ·        Elaine and Jim -sharing Christ in Hong Kong as difficult changes begin to happen there.  Their wonderful online church has a 24/7 prayer room where a small army of dedicated prayer warriors waits to pray for and with you.  Go here to learn more:  Https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room
• ·        Audley and Beverly (stroke survivor) No word yet about situation after Medicaid stopped providing 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.
• ·        Jenny S - a Bible teacher and expositor who serves in many ways.  Give her 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 children, Laura and Jason - the entire family is involved in full-time ministry in NZ.  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 in the Philippines
• As it loses in Syria and Iraq, ISIS establishes a new beachhead: the Philippines.  Our friends and tireless servants of the Lord i(see below) URGENTLY need your prayers.  Their world is being turned upside down by ISIS terrorists and fighting breaking out in many places near them.  Their lives are in danger now because of their service to Christ!  Pray especially for the leaders, Isaias and Judith that our Father continues to keep them strong and safe and that they find balance for their lives and health.  This ministry give so much to so many for so little.  To learn more:  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 and they are still recovering from the earthquakes.
• ·        Carla - for, good health, peace and focus and enduring trust in her Father's loving arms.  Pray for travelling mercies and most of all wisdom with her priorities and decision making.
• ·        Paul - Still can't find a job.  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.  And pray for my wisdom and patience as he continues to stay here.
• ·        Chris - That he will set aside time to pray and consider the many choices he has in front of him and that You will guide him in the best use of his days.
• ·        Marvin - eighteen and finding himself.  Pray he will stay close to the Lord and not turn aside from the truth of the Truth.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

• ·        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.
•  
• Many Recent Disasters
• ·        California Forest Fires – Now over 40 known dead, over 300 missing.  Thousands of homes destroyed as this forest fire sweeps through the area around Los Angeles.  Please pray for those caught in this (UPDATE this morning)  terrible tragedy and pray for protection for those emergency workers rescuing and caring for those affected.
• ·        The families who lost loved ones and for those who experienced the Las Vegas shooting. 
• ·        Those affected by the earthquakes in Mexico City
• ·        Those picking up their lives after the many hurricanes to ravage America and surrounding islands (Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Puerto Rico)
• Consider donating to an agency making a difference, such as:

Ø  https://www.samaritanspurse.org/  or Google search Samaritan’s Purse

Ø  Home Free:  God Bless Texas – or search YouTube

• ·        North Korea – Sabre rattling continues in a dangerous game of world domination.  Pray for wisdom and patience on all sides.
• ·        The World - Pray for God's will to prevail as unrest around the globe increases and that our Father will bring comfort and calm to His children, wherever they are in the midst on so many storms on so many fronts. – and most of all, that they will be ready to give an answer for the HOPE within them!
• ·        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 around the world.  These refugees need compassion.

ONGOING PRAYER

• ·        Hans -Pray he finds gainful employment, Christian companions and leaders wherever he is.
• ·        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.