Sin Foundations - Comparison

"Then the Lord took note of Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised.  So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.  

"And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.  Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.  Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

"And Sarah said, 'God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.  And she said, 'Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children?  Yet I have born him a son in his old age.'

"And the child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.  Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had born to Abraham, mocking.  Therefore she said to Abraham, 'Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not be heir with my son Isaac.'" Genesis 21:1-10

Instead of focusing on her blessing, she focused on others around her and compared herself with them and selfishly wanted the best for her son, no matter who might be hurt.  It was her idea anyway to share her husband with Hagar.  Yet her desire to speed up God's plans and to worry about future riches, position and power soon drove her to forget about compassion. 

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 Adrian, he is in pain and unable to sleep as the treatment has just begun to kill his immune system before they replace his T-cells in the hope of stopping this cancer.  He will be in isolation in Royal Brisbane Hospital for 4-6 weeks. If any of you can help by sending him an email or card and perhaps paying him a visit in a couple of weeks, please contact me.  PB needs a heart-kidney transplant and is waiting in the hospital now.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS.  My project, actually the product and entire department where I was working, has been dissolved.  Please pray for the wisdom of my next steps.  Deepak:(who still needs our prayers for his situation) asks that we please pray for Melanie Karunaratne, a young mother who has two little boys and is in the hospital with cancer.  Raven - they found a lump under her arm and are doing further tests. 

Pray for Paul R, that his present challenges will work out and that he would grow his time management skills.  Pray for Milo and Sabine as they travel to Germany, that they are safe and healthy and accomplish what they need to during the next six weeks.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Betinna’s husband, Jim (with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) got to go out for the first time on Monday, his birthday!  Please thank everyone again, for their prayers.  She sent this message today for Adrian:  "Jim and I can send an encouraging email.  We know that God is God and that He has Adrian in His hands." 

Isaias is feeling better, yet some of his family seems also to be unwell now.  Also thank you for the local support Isaias has been given.   PNS is finally recovering and will be here for a visit soon.  Thank you, Father for giving me the ability to get on line again and for this unexpected  time of rest and reflection.

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.  For Audley and Beverly’s situation and his new endeavour.

For Carlton still suffering from horrible infections and pain in his bones.  For Nancy who is growing stronger and for Fred as he cares for her.  For PJ

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Barbara (sister-in-law) eager to find new work since her project ended.  Be with Hans as he struggles through changes in his life – that he will cling quietly to the Lord. 

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! 

Carla & Paul K for good results from their business plans.  Please pray for Deborah as she deals with a difficult situation, that she would keep her focus where it must be and that her hurting heart is soothed by the Father as He brings about the result that is His will.

For Tarrega, as his hearts settles and strengthens.  For Linda and Ian.  For Rob and his daughter. For Reg.  Pray for Annette and her 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 and individuals suffering from global financial mismanagement.  Pray for the Catholic Church and that the new Pope will always put Jesus first.