Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Low on Hope?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn9-UNer6MQ

YouTube – In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found)

Adrienne Liesching – Lyric Video

By Hadleigh Baptist Church (5 min 48 sec)

 

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:7-13

 

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

 

Have you ever ‘resisted’ feeling hopeful just in case things don’t work out as you anticipated?  Well, I have. 

 

It is a bit like the glass half-full or half-empty question.  You don’t want to have high hopes, so you don’t get equally high disappointments.  Yet, God has given you a promise you can always hope in because you know your God and can believe in His magnificent promises. 

 

And mysteriously enough, God even helps you hope -- as He works through the Holy Spirit in you to will and work out His good pleasure for your life!  Isn’t that neat!

 

Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still prays for you daily)

 

PS:  Find my statement of faith:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com  (where you will also find a series of Bible studies). You can also find the devotions online, just search for ‘WeakDay Devotion’. 

 

There is an android ‘Google Blogger’ app you can download to read them on your phone.  Not sure about Apple.  For the books, go to Amazon books.   For prayer requests and updates email me: darlene@weakdaydevotion.com

 

Please update your PRAYER REQUESTS

·      Pray for true, Christ-centered revival in America.

·      Taiwan Earthquake – A 7.6 earthquake struck yesterday.  So far nine people have died, more than 900 reported injured and at least 100 people trapped in the rubble around Hualien.  Pray for the rescue of those still trapped, families who have lost loved ones, rescue workers, health care workers and those supporting the workers and affected.

·      Israel (Al-Aqsa Mosque complications) – more than 150 days have passed of this horrible, unwanted war. Pray Israeli forces locate and save all remaining hostages.  Pray for the wisdom and safety of Israeli soldiers, for those who have lost loved ones and for those moving through enemy territory as they risk their lives to restore peace and purify the land of all terrorists.  Pray also for the Palestinian people – many are helpless captives of war.

·      Barbara – beloved widow (of my brother, Tim) thanks you for your prayers. As one of God’s faithful widows, pray God always protects her, especially at night and that He guards the structure and integrity of the house and places willing people in her path to help as she faces a life without Tim. 

·      UPDATE - Sue and Rob – Luke was ordered to leave their home last Friday after verbally abusing Sue. And he did.  Pray for Sue and Rob that they get their lives back together and for Luke to get the mental health support he so urgently needs.  Pray the Lord saves all three.

·      Junko – was scammed out of $3000 through a false Facebook page.  Please pray God quietens her heart and that the criminals are caught, and her money restored.  Also, continue praying as she applies herself to her studies, that she gets enough rest.

·      Mitt and his brother, Eavon – both visited church Easter Sunday.  Please pray for them both as they strengthen their walks.  Mitt is now in touch with my pastor.   

·      Demi and John – John was attacked and stabbed several times, including piercing his heart.  Although recovered physically, they are still pulling their lives back together.  Pray they might find the Lord in all the chaos left behind and that she finds work after a year of searching -- as she is now the ‘breadwinner’.

·      Yoshimi – began her new job this week.  Pray she is calm and able to concentrate and remember all she needs to know.  She is attending church and reading her Bible.  Pray she grows into a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

·      Jenny S– in full-time ministry.  Pray for her hip-replacement surgery scheduled for 4th of April and that the procedure goes well.  Pray also for her aging father fading away with dementia and in a care facility, and her mother who in in hospital recovering from a mastectomy.  Pray Father-God continues to provide sufficient financial support and winsome wisdom for this woman of God.

·      Lindsey - the youngest daughter of my dearest friends, Annette and Lyle. Lindsey needs your prayers for healing, strengthening, patience and pray for the wisdom of her health care providers.

·      Andrew M – head of Deaf Ministries Intnl., is travelling internationally with the ministry for final visits before returning to Australia. Please pray for travelling mercies, robust health, and adequate rest and, most of all, for abundant harvest of those who need creative ways to ‘hear’ the Gospel.

·      Jeff and Rachael’s family Peyton (granddaughter) graduated from college Dec 2023.  Carter (grandson) is doing great in his first year in college.  Praise God that both are exceptional students and love the Lord.  Pray they are not distracted by worldly things, that the Lord watches over and protects them, that they continue to do well as their lives develop under God’s loving hand and that their love of God’s Word increases daily.

·      Patti and John – pray God continues to inspire them with His love and compassion and that He will guard their health.  Pray also for travelling mercies as Patti is now the only one who drives. (Joshuah 1:6-9).

·      David – son of Grant and Sue that the Lord would draw him closer to the cross.

·      Sarah and Andrew – have settled into their new roles, with him at home and her work becoming stressful and ‘full on’. Pray for this precious Christian couple that they focus on family balance to the glory of the Lord.

·      Nerida – that her living and career situation is resolved with grace, and she finds a new place to live and work that is more peaceful and supportive.

·      Bettina – has retired after a lifetime of service to her company.  Pray each of her five married daughters, spouses and 18 grandchildren support her as she enters this new phase of her life, and they all continue to grow in their love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

·      Ian and Jenny– continue to pray that his desire to grow his understanding and effectiveness with personal evangelism is fulfilled and that their two grown children would turn back to their relationship with Christ.

·      Elina – needs God’s wisdom and the courage of her convictions and resolve to live a life that is Christ-honouring for herself and her young son, Jimmy.

·      Megan (for emotional healing) and Scott, her husband (for patience and wisdom) and wisdom for his sister, Clare, as she seeks to support them through troubled times.

·      Christine – give her strength as she journeys to heart-healing, pray for her son traveling in Europe and pray most of all that her husband gives his life to the Lord.

·      Robin – continue to pray for her strength and healing as she continues her journey after the loss her beloved mother (was 93 years old) and pray for the strength of her daughter who is comforting her. 

Pray for those in full-time service

Pray the Lord upholds our Christian leaders – that they never compromise God’s Word and remain bold and courageous in the face of evil.  Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity, strength and for their families.

Pray Especially for Salvation for:

·      Fred and Barb brother of Patti, and his wife -- for salvation.

·      Bryan and Julie (Patti’s daughter) Pray for the salvation of at least one of the family and that the others will follow shortly thereafter.  They are parents of Callilah, Adrian, Micah, Kevin and Nate -- lost, damaged and troubled children – all of whom we have prayed for over the years.

·      Louisville family of Jeff and Rachael – that a desire grows in their heart for a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

·      R & B – exploring the Truth for themselves. Pray God places true believers in their paths to disciple them.

·      Becky – recovering from spinal surgery.  Pray for her patience and her health carers to be wise and compassionate, that her family rallies around her to care for her and, most of all, that she finds the Lord in all this.

·      Sophie– seven-year-old daughter of a friend who is chronically ill and frail.  Pray for her, her parents and health carers to find ways to manage her symptoms and heal her and that this will lead them all to God’s saving grace.

·      Paul – please pray for him.  He still has no job or work after more than ten years.  Pray the Lord provides needed work so he can begin to heal and strengthen.

·      Peggy – a dear friend and colleague of my sister-in-law who has been battling cancer in her neck for years.  Her new oncologist has started a combination of chemo and radiation that seems to be working, but she is miserable.  Pray for her as she waits for her body to heal and strengthen and that she finds salvation.

·      Jen N – a Jewish woman I met during a project. Please pray for her that she will find a new role and that she stays safe and healthy.  Pray for her and her two boys (ages 16 and 17).

·      Don Yockey - lost his fight with cancer.  Pray the Lord uses this time to open the family’s hearts to His love and salvation. 

Pray for those with ongoing health concerns

Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile health.  Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them.

Pray for the World

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