Sin Foundations - Habitual Favouritism

"And Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived.  But the children struggled together within her, and she said, 'if it is so, why then am I this way?  '  So She went to inquire of the Lord.  And the Lord said to her,

"'Two nations are in your womb; and two peoples shall be separated from your body; and one people shall be stronger than the other; and the older shall serve the younger.'

"When her days to deliver were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.  Now the first came forth, red  all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau.  And afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau's heel, so his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them.

"When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents.  Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah loved Jacob." Genesis 25:21-

God had a plan.  Isaac and Rebekah had their plan around their view of the future.  The newborns reflected a future of grasping and competition.  The parents picked their "winner" and set one against the other from the beginning. 

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 has arrived, pray for him finding a job and continued growing strength.

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 and that there will be an unexpected, satisfying job in his chosen field for him. 

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.