But Trust?

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

“’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord.  For us the heavens are higher than the earth.  So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:6-9

The world deceives and those in it deceive regularly to where truth seems lost forever.  People around us lie and cheat and harm one another.  Yet, we are born with something inside us that longs to trust another and so we go searching and every way we turn it seems there is no hope for trust. 

And then some wonderful person shares the only Truth there is:  that God loved us and His world so much that He provided a way to have the burden of our debt paid by Another, so we could have eternal life and trust in a future we cannot imagine.

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

PS:  My statement of faith is on the blog:  Especially His Love.  Click or cut and paste this link into your Web browser:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com.au/  If you wish to find the WeakDay Devotion online, just do a Google Search for “WeakDay Devotion”.  (You can read it on your phone that way, too.  Or install the Google Blogger App from the app store.)

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS?

·        California Campfire Fire – has now claimed 56 lives – the deadliest in California history.  It has devastated entire areas…homes, animals and forests.  Please pray for all those affected and the firefighters to be protected as they continue their fight, for those providing shelter and aid.

·        Buddy & Susan – Father, You know the need, please hold them up as they have ministered to so many for so long.  Bless their entire family and those hearts they have touched for You.  Thank you for letting them have some time to return home after twenty years.  Protect them with travelling mercies and the kindness and generosity of strangers and bless them with the warmth and welcome that only comes from family and real friends!!

·        Sergio – has lost his job and is now looking again.  Pray for his health as he has just been diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes and his brother has just asked him to move out and will have no place to live.  

·        USA – that the Lord would demonstrate His power in an unexpected and uniting way during these times of unrest and confusion.  Help hearts settle and rest on You alone.

·        Update:  Sue Furbee and husband, Sam as they travel to Mexico for a procedure to slow/ stop the complications from having cancer.  Sue is just beginning the most difficult and costly part of the treatment.  While many have had success with this procedure (injecting massive amounts of her own treated stems cells back into her body), it is still considered experimental in the US and not covered by insurance. Feel free to share this with your friends, if you are led to.  Pray for God’s wisdom as they continue this journey.  For more updates and if you would like to contribute, this is their GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/sue-furbee 

·        Claudio – His condition has improved once more as he continues his battle with liver cancer.  Pray for 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.

·        Toron – finishing his studies and needing strength, focus and confidence, especially with maths.

FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE

·        Peter Frith – Works as part of Anglicare as the sole Christian chaplain at a special hospital.  The work is very lonely and challenging.  Please pray for his encouragement, hope and that our loving heavenly Father sends another Christian to work with Peter.

·        St Marks Anglican Church Northbridge - Please pray God opens the hearts and minds of those who visit and for those who worship there regularly, pray their hunger for God’s Word grows.  Pray for strength, wisdom and healing rest, for those who serve there:  Simon Flinders, Pat O'Keeffe, Kathy Notley, Anne Penny and their families.

·        Isaias and Judith of Ambassadors for Christ in Philippines n- have returned from their very busy trip preaching and teaching in many churches in Europe (Zurich, Switzerland, Vienna Austria and Bologna, Italy).  Thank you for praying for them.  They need to take time to rest and recover, for the fields in the Philippines are white for harvest and Isaias and Judith train the harvesters!  This ministry gives so much to so many for so little.  To learn more:  http://www.afciworld.org (Look for "Nations" then "Philippines").

·        Doug McIntosh - an invaluable contributor to my love of Bible study has multiple myelomas and has retired from full time ministry.  Please pray for him, his family and the church he has worked so faithfully in, Cornerstone, in Lilburn Georgia.

·        Jenny S – has returned from her teaching and preaching trip to Ireland and needs prayer to sustain her energy and strength.  Pray others see His grace in her.  Give her wisdom to seek balance, sustained strength, thriving health, protection and always the right handling of God's Word.

·        Audley – please pray for this faithful Bible teacher who has a weekly radio program to spread the Good News in Florida that he would have sustained good health and faithfulness with His Word. 

·        Elaine and Jim -are now establishing a new ministry in Fiji.  Please pray for them as they settle in.  I will keep you updated on their mission there.

·        Jo and Steve - for their loving example of Christian life and devotion.  May their love flourish under His guidance

·        Stu and Jo and children, Laura and Jason – Pray for this devoted-to-the-Lord-Jesus-Christ family who are all involved in full-time ministry in NZ.  Keep them strong, healthy and resolute.

·        Please pray for JB, that our loving Father will constantly and consistently provoke his heart to minister to others.

·        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.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD

·        USA President Donald Trump – It is our responsibility as Christians to remember God has a plan through this man.  If you doubt the importance of his appointment, just look at how much antagonism there is against him – surely Satan is NOT happy and means to thwart God’s plan.  Pray someone helps President Trump understand the true meaning of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and that he will have someone to regularly disciple him in the truth of the Bible. 

·        North Korea, Iran, China and Russia – Pray God’s hand is apparent to all, as He works out His will for these countries.  Pray for God’s people to grow and rise up in these lost and lonely lands.

·        The World – Pray for God's mercy as unrest around the globe increases, and that our Father will bring comfort and calm to His children.  Pray for Bible-based Christians scattered across the globe to be kept safe and trusting.  Help them rest in the Lord and trust that what happens in our world is all part of our loving, heavenly Father’s plan.  Pray for hearts to open to His Truth and that His people are prepared to share the Good News when asked.

·        That the Lord's hand gives strength and grace to 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 homeless and displaced people -- the result of greed, wars and famine around the world. 

·        Praise the Lord and pray for the many individuals in Russia, USA, Poland, UK, France, Australia, UAE (!), Germany, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Ireland, American Samoa, Brazil, 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.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

·        My brother, Tim –Thank you Lord for the furnace mechanic finding the serious carbon monoxide leak and replacing their furnace before the cold weather arrives.  Pray Tim is wise in managing his COPD (chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease) and arthritis.  Pray his doctors are attentive, wise and compassionate.  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.

·        Doris – now 99 – and back to fighting fit again.  What a remarkable woman.  I am grateful she has been in my life.  

·        Christine – thank you for holding her up as she feels the loss of her friend, Rose.

·        BL engagement – pray for her and her husband-to-be that they always put their Saviour first in everything they do individually and together for their lifetime together.  Wedding date is set for early February 2019.

·        Adrian – Carla’s brother and a pastor/ teacher has recovered from quadruple by-pass surgery.  Pray that God’s loving protection and peace covers Adrian like a soft and comforting blanket and that he will pace himself and be patient.  Pray for his family to be strong and understanding.

·        David R – seems to be gaining strength and has a new little Yorkie pup to keep him company during his long days.  Pray for wisdom for his new health carers and for his patience.  Surely the hand of the Lord is not short in any of our lives and still works in ways we cannot understand.  Pray David will rest in the Truth of the Gospel message.

·        Me – Thank You for whatever Your plan is for me right now and for the work You’re providing.  Thank you I am fit and strong enough to continue.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS

·        Two of Tim’s Friends – One man is in hospital now awaiting a life-saving liver transplant.  A second man, also in hospital, may lose his leg after two or three knee-replacement surgeries have become infected after an accident several years ago.

·        Liriel - chronically ill (kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis) and often in pain but feeling a bit better lately.  Pray for her comfort and that she can find some joy in each day.

·        Uncle Dwight (92 and Doris only brother).  Pray for the Lord's will in his life.  He is an ordained pastor and knows the Lord. He is also the Grandpa of Sarah who we have been praying for.

·        Julia – (Patti’s daughter) battling depression and lack of rest.  She teaches full time and cares for five children, including six-year old, Adrian with serious behaviour problems that are slowly improving.  Micah, her youngest (4) diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  Help her abandon her own efforts and trust the Lord to fight her battles. 

·        Aunt Donna - with dementia. Please pray for her daughters so they can care for her best.

PRAYERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SALVATION

·        DB's father - (84 years) pray his heart opens to Christ.  He is an avowed – and boastfully proud – atheist.

·        Scott – his wife abandoned him and left their two children behind (Sophia – 9 and Grady – 7).  He is proving to be a wonderful single father.  Pray the Lord touches his heart soon and that the Lord will take special care of the children now. 

·        Len Carbone – healing from his surgery and now please pray he opens to hear of the love of the Lord. 

·        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 and that as he struggles with life that he will come to understand and accept Jesus’ loving and gracious sacrifice for him.

·        Christine’s husband – that she will be strong, yet graceful; and that her husband will turn to the Lord by the example of her quiet and gentle, loving spirit, so they will have a Christ-centred relationship and family.

·        Denny Scheffler -- an old friend of my brother who was in a serious auto accident a few years ago.  His life is so difficult and empty.  Pray Tim has opportunity to share the Gospel with him and wisdom to know how to help him.

·        Sarah -Moving into a family friend's trailer near her parents. But still no reconciliation with family or God at this point.

·        Jenny - Recently lost her husband and needs comfort, strength and true answers in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ.

·        Bible study in Jo's home.  Pray for wisdom of Jo and openness in the women who meet together, especially Angie and Liz.

·        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.

ONGOING WORK RELATED

·        Chris - That he will set aside time to pray and consider the many choices he has in front of him and that the Lord will guide him in the best use of his days as interest in his musical group grows.  Keep all the members of the band professional and focused and that you bless it as You see best.

·        Carla, Paul, David and Matthew – that they continue to focus on God’s Word and that the Lord restores balance for them all. 

·        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.

·        Paul –Has not had paying work since 2010.  Please pray for his ongoing resilience and that the Lord would allow him to be successful with any role.  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 my wisdom and patience as he continues to stay here.

ONGOING PRAYER

·        C&A – That God’s love binds them and their family together to face whatever difficulties occur.  That understanding and compassion will prevail.  Thank you, Lord, for letting them be part of my life and Your love to me.  Keep them safe and healthy and reliant on You during this time.

·        Please pray for Valerie (and family) whose husband, James (a friend of Jeff and Rachael) passed away earlier this year that she is now stronger in heart and that her love of the Lord deepens. 

·        Marvin – a beloved young man who is endeavouring to find himself.  Pray he will stay close to the Lord and not turn aside from the truth of the Truth.  Please give his parents strength and wisdom.

·        Hans -Pray for him as he seeks wisdom on his journey of growth; and that wherever he is that he is always surrounded by faithful Christian companions and leaders.

·        Elina –Keep her in your prayers to keep her strong as she faces the challenges of being a single mother.  Pray the Lord keeps her and her child safe and gives her new wisdom to stand and watch the Lord battle for her.

·        Linda and Ian, Rob and his daughter, DB, PS, RB, JD, Annette and Lyle, S&GS, Carla and Paul, Jeff and Rachael and their wonderful families.  Grateful thanks for their practical support and encouragement over the years.