Sin Foundations

“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.’ Genesis 2:18

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.  And he said to the woman, ‘Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’? 

“And the woman said to the serpent, ‘From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.’’

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from the fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:1-3. 6

Today I had a simple idea: search for the origins of sin in our lives that relate to competition.  But now I am distracted by the concept of sin and how “crafty” it really is.  So I’m off on a tangent for awhile about how we have so easily “eaten the fruit” of forbidden trees.  I hope it makes sense to everyone else, it is certainly touching my heart.

Just look at these verses!  First you see God observing His first “not good thing” --that man was alone.  Then the craftiness of that old serpent, who twisted words to suit his purposes.  How the woman, fearful of her lack of power, found the power of lying.  Then lust of the eyes and senses took over and the justification of gaining wisdom sealed the fate of our future as she shared her discovery; and Creation took its first fall.  Interesting!

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene 

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  Please send updates!  For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:  Please pray for those in Texas after this incredible explosion, for all the families of the 15 dead and 160 injured and those who will be emotionally scarred from this, and those who are helping. 

Please continue to pray for those in Boston, dealing with this tragic bombing.  That sanity and care will guide those healing and those seeking wisdom at this time.  Please pray for the 3 families who’ve lost a loved one, the 183 injured, 17 of whom are critical suffering in the hospitals and for those who love them.  Pray for those who will remember this day forever and for the surviving young man who lost his way and caused this horror with his brother. 

Please pray for Adrian, that this new T-cell therapy will work against his cancer.   

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Bettina’s husband, Jim, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in November 2012. They just got the news that he’s in remission and that his brother is a match as a bone marrow donor. A bone marrow transplant is next on the schedule.  

Be with Hans as he tried to resign from his job this week and found the Lord there preparing something unexpected from his courage and forthrightness.  For Paul NS & PJ.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Hans has found joy and new support in his Christian fellowship.  For my new project.  For Linda and Ian and the wisdom they have so generously shared.

Tim B finally having relief from his massive headaches.  For J&S, special friends, as they begin to manage some normal life for the first time in years.  Still need a permanent place to live. 

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  David R doing well through complicated health challenges.  Tim (my little brother) with CPRD, needs financial help and satisfying work that he’s able to do.  For Audley and Beverly’s situation. For Carlton suffering from horrible infections in his bones.  For Nancy who is growing stronger every day & Fred as he cares for her.

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Barbara (sister-in-law) eager to find new work since her project ended. 

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray the Lord’s hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty works would be worked out in each life for His purposes in surprising and wonderful ways! 

For Kent as he grows through the loss of his mom.  Isaias as his ministry in the Philippines.  Carla & Paul K for good results from their business plans. 

For Tarrega, as his hearts settles and strengthens.  For Linda, that the Lord will show her which doors to open next after she rests a bit.  For Rob as the Lord works in a new way in his life...protect his health. Pray for Annette as she begins some new career adventures. 

Pray for wisdom for my brother as he deals with an important matter.  For David K, in his studies and Matthew K as he grows up.  Elaine and Jim back in Hong Kong.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children there and for the many nations suffering from global financial mismanagement.  Pray for the Catholic Church and that the new Pope will always put Jesus first.