“Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;
who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we may be able to comfort those
who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are
comforted by God. For just as the
sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant
through Christ.
“But if we are afflicted,
it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your
comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings
which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as
you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.” II Corinthians 1:3-7
I used the devotional, My
Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers for many years even though it is
very tough to read. I’ve gone through
several copies, marking them up and dog-earing the pages. I have a copy where there is half a page left
blank so I could write my own observations in it.
I even found a little flip calendar
with short excerpts on it. The first
time through that year, on August 30 it quoted the passage above and then
reminded me: ‘If you are going to be
used by God, He will take you through a multitude of experiences that are not
meant for you at all, they are meant to make you useful in His hands.’
That was a big aha moment for
me in my spiritual growth! Have you ever
wondered about some of the lessons you are learning and why sometimes they just
do not seem to be relevant? Well, now you
know. They weren’t FOR you!
Take care, your servant and
friend in Christ, Darlene (who still prays for you each morning).
PS: My statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com You can find
the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for “WeakDay Devotion”
(Also, there is an android “Google Blogger” app you can download to read them
on your phone.)
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS
(NOTE: Words
underlined have a link embedded to provide more details)
To serve
you in a new way, I’m researching and writing practical information for you
about the pandemic. Please visit: https://newsaboutcovid19.blogspot.com/
Please pray for all involved, for health care
workers, those trying to contain the spread; for those contagious, for those
who contract the virus, for those feeling afraid and lonely and for the
families who have lost loved ones. Pray they are wise, patient and
take precautions to protect others.
· Today in 210 countries
· 2,98,474 reported
cases
· 57,581 critical
condition
· 206,519 reported deaths
- Hans – A good friend in Germany had been
diagnosed with lung cancer. He began
chemo yesterday and will continue for the next three days, then have
regular infusions every three weeks.
Please pray for his healthcare providers and for his patience. Pray he is surrounded by faithful and
compassionate Christian friends who will support him through this journey.
- Doris (my second mom) – celebrated her 101st birthday 22
December 2019. She is suffering from lack of visitors now, has
fallen twice, hitting her head and is being watched carefully. She doesn’t understand why no one is
visiting her and is not eating well. Thank the Lord for Patti, (daughter), and
her husband John for their faithful support.
- Pray Freddy, Doris’ son, now in his third marriage, does more to help while
she is still here and that he reaches out to his Father in heaven for
guidance and hope.
- Penne – just lost her husband of 43 years after being his total
caregiver for the last 10 years.
She suffers mental problems, stemming from a childhood experience
and has reached out to Patti (pray for her wisdom and patience), but seems
unstable and confused. She has
‘disowned’ all her family, and although a believer does not attend
fellowship for support. Please pray
for peace and God’s guidance for her that her faith may be invigorated
once more.
- USA President Donald Trump as he leads us through this
pandemic – It is especially 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,
that he will have a driving hunger to read God’s Word for himself and that
God sends a Bible-believing Christian to regularly
disciple him in the Truth and that God shuts the mouths of the false
prophets who circle around him.
- Fred – is making plans
to move from California to Tennessee in the Fall of 2020. Pray
for his wise attention to detail, stamina and roaring good health as he
makes these life changes.
- Me –
my laptop was not fixed and I’m back to using the old one, sorry for the
inconvenience and formatting of the devotions in your email versions.
NEW
Prayer Updates
- Sarah – had run away from home. Police
returned her home, put her in treatment and she is now with her
parents. She is not happy being
there and watches every move her mother makes to escape again. Very stressful during this time of
‘sheltering in place’. They hope
she will find a job when possible.
Thank you for praying and that she is finally home, getting help
and support.
- Julia – (Patti’s daughter) now teaching online so less stress. Adrian (9-year old) is on new medication
that is finally working and Micah (6-year old with Type 1 diabetes) have
been getting along well. Continue
to pray for her strength, patience and resolute heart as she helps her
children grow up.
- Patti’s Best Friend – lost both her parents within six
months after a lifetime of caring for them. Her husband’s mother died in January and
his 94-year old father now lives with them. Help them take time for each other and
keeping their faith strong.
PRAY FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE
During
this time, when the entire world is struggling to understand this ‘plague’, it
is critical that each of us upholds our Christian leaders. They will
be a very stretched resource for us all. Pray for their safety and
strength their families and most of all, their wisdom to pace themselves.
PRAY FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS
Many of
us have family, friends and loved ones who are fragile
health-wise. It is important to protect them in wise and practical
ways and most important we must pray even more for them that the Lord will have
mercy on them during this challenging time.
- My brother, Tim
- Christine’s husband
- Ray’s Dad
- David R
- Sergio
- Gary McQ
- Len Carbone
- Liriel
- Uncle Dwight
- Aunt Donna
No comments:
Post a Comment